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Streetcar Discussions

Published
by
Gabriel Lopez-Bernal
on February 7, 2007
in Frank Rollason, Miami, Miami-Dade County, Sarnoff, Streetcar and Transit
.
Sorry about the delay, I have been addressing the streetcar issue with several individuals via e-mail. With the permission of Frank Rollason, I will share my discussions with him over the issue here on the website. Here were his initial thoughts on the streetcar initiative, my thoughts will follow later today:

Gabriel,

I am contacting you just to give another perspective on the proposed streetcar project. I was an unsuccessful candidate for the commission office that Marc Sarnoff now occupies. We both opposed the streetcar project as part of our campaign platforms. My position has not changed. Previous to running for office, I was the Executive Director for two City CRAs through which a large portion of the system would run and from which the City was looking for funding. There is a huge anti-development mentality presently existing in the residential communities of Miami especially in the Upper Eastside. The proposed streetcar project would do exactly what you speak of – encourage additional development along the streetcar corridor. It’s not an issue of whether the streetcar is needed or not; it is an issue of future development and the community has said enough is enough. On top of this, one must recognize that more and more the CRAs’ funds are being siphoned off for projects deemed for the well-to-do and having no benefit for the affordable housing group. One cannot take this project out of context from the other projects for which CRA funds are being sought – increasing commitment to the new Performing Arts Center, a seaport tunnel, improvements to a park slated to house two museums, and a new baseball stadium. All of these cause huge community opposition for the use of CRA funds when affordable housing goes largely ignored. You speak in the pure scheme of planning for development and here, in the City of Miami, the development has already run amuck with little or no planning and no concern for traffic and infrastructure needs. Now, to suggest a streetcar project that mostly serves underdeveloped areas instead of already existing hi-rise residential units is looked at as another example of poor planning and will cause only what you suggest – more hi-rises along the streetcar corridor.

Nothing is as simple as you lay it out because there are always other issues which are impacted, Frank.

6 Responses to “Streetcar Discussions”

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  1. 1 Fiscal Conservative
    Feb 9th, 2007 at 7:20 pm

    Commissioner Sarnoff and Commissioner Regalado have both stated their opposition to the fixed track Streetcar plan proposed for the north Overtown and Wynwood areas.

    Gov Crist is proposing a very drastic tax saving plan for all Floridians. If his plans go through Floridians will see their taxes reduced by $5 Bil over 5 years. That means cities and counties will take in $5 Bil less over 5 years. Someone has to take fiscal responsibility. Who can pay for massive cost overruns? Especially if tax revenues to cities and counties will go down?
    Respect Sarnoff and Regalado.

  2. 2 Ryan
    Feb 9th, 2007 at 11:39 pm

    So I guess you’re against any new capital improvement projects forever because it is inherent that every such project will have massive cost overruns.

    Let me ask you this…would you support a new mass transit line (streetcar, light rail, etc.) in 20 years, when the metropolitan population has grown by 40%?

  3. 3 Fiscal Conservative
    Feb 10th, 2007 at 11:31 am

    I support funding and using the FEC Corridor for public transportation right now. With trolleys going east and west to specified useful stops.

    I am incredibly distrustful of any capital “improvement” project managed by the City of Miami or Miami-Dade County. On Feb 10th the Herald reported that Miami-Dade County lost another $22 Mil. A Grand Jury blamed the County Commissioners for being “asleep”…

    Perhaps when we get better managers…?

  4. 4 Anonymous
    Feb 11th, 2007 at 2:43 am

    Sorry, I have to agree with fiscal conservative. The City of Miami cannot handle a $200 Mil project. Miami is broke, Crist is proposing tax cuts and the City of Miami cannot manage construction projects without massive cost overruns.

  5. 5 Anonymous
    Nov 5th, 2007 at 7:23 am

    Your guys ar ridiculous

    Streetcar would provide improvement for everyone current homeowners with rising property values..new comers who can transit to work easily and tourist increased activity with improved revenues…

    Those who oppose the project are just too old to manage the new city of Miami…

    If they are concerned about new development they should limit its hight and the time needed to develop…but dont give fake excuses on transit…cause that is what miami really needs,,,

  6. 6 Anonymous
    Nov 5th, 2007 at 7:25 am

    If they dont do it they should just just cancel real estate tax cause there is no reason anyone should pay any

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