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- The Herald continues to report on the downward spiral that our transit plans have taken over the past few months years. We have been silent on the issue here at TM mostly because the whole debacle is just sickening. There isn’t much more to say other than our leaders have really dropped the ball on this issue. I don’t know what the solution is, but I know that plenty of other cities in this country are currently embarking on ambitious transit plans. Most cities have been slowly, but consistently, adding rail transit lines over the years. We have not, and are suffering now because of it. I have said it many times on TM: our leaders need to prioritize transit. It is a part of our public infrastructure that needs to be funded. It is as unacceptable to say we cannot afford to pay for our schools as for our transit. That is how important this needs to be. Somehow, other cities find creative ways to finance and build the projects they promise to voters. It’s a question of political will and it is non-existent here.
- The zoning around Metrozoo was officially changed to accommodate the new water park and hotel complex approved by voters in 2006. I’m not really a fan of this project because I don’t support giving public land to private developers, and less on this last stretch of contiguous pine rockland, but at least our zoo will benefit. This is an instance of a ‘megaplan’ that was conceived and approved by public referendum. I think that makes all the difference.
- The Sun Sentinel reports on declining funds available to road building projects. “From 2008 to 2012, the county estimates, gas tax revenue and impact fees, the major funding for Palm Beach County road building, will drop 48 percent. Road impact fees, which come from new construction, will drop to $7 million in 2012 from $42.8 million this year. As people drive less, gas tax revenue will fall to $33.3 million in 2012 from $35.3 million this year, planners say. Adding salt to the wound, Palm Beach County commissioners decided in June to supplement mass transit with $8 million of gas tax money designated for roads. They gave $1 million to Palm Tran to save weekend routes that were in danger of being cut and to keep fares low for low-income and disabled riders. For the first time, the county used gas tax money to pay its annual Tri-Rail subsidy, about $7 million. Palm Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons said that after 20 years of putting money into building roads, more money now needs to be invested in alternative transportation. Alternative forms of transportation are going to have to be a priority because people can’t afford to drive long distances in their cars,” he said. Duh! Its nice to see that they are finally waking up in Palm Beach. Now we need our leaders to start doing the same. Raid road building funding for transit, and stop letting local municipalities use their 20% of PTP funds for road related improvements. Again, it’s a question of priority. We have long ignored our mass transit system, and it’s time to play catchup.
If I remember correctly, the area they are putting in the commercial development (and water park) around the Zoo is in the area that is currently parking lot. The lot is massive and huge because the area is a former blimp base during World War II and has been paved over to accomodate that function. The current zoo parking lot is massive and only covers a fraction of the paved area that is availible. I would be suprised to hear of any naturally occurring trees being removed during the construction projects.
I agree with your stance on giving private land to developers, but I don’t really think that it will effect the pine rockland so much in this case since it was already destroyed when it was made the blimp base.
I don’t understand why Miamians are not politically astute enough to force change. NYC, where I am from, if people have a problem with how things are going down, you see community meetings, marches, protest, or whatever.
The only time I saw a serious protest (besides the mayors convention)down here, that I can remember, was the Elian Gonzalez thing. I live in Broward now but, I have been contemplating a move down to Miami. Reason being is because I see more potential socially and economically down there. However, it seems a population of do nothings and corrupt government officials are hold back a city that could easily be world class.
One thing I haven’t seen is, any blogs take on the lack of a TRUE urban core in miami. I mean why have a downtown full of damn condos while all your corporate headquarters are out in sprawlsville. Just puzzling if you ask me. Especially since Miami seems to be moving toward a more urban core centered population.
At least we have blogs like this that get the word out, now hopefully that word will be enough to mobilize enough people into action.
You’re right Steven, the area to be developed is at the front of the park, where there are currently large parking lots and cleared areas, although the zoo does use pineland for its expansion. My real concern is about how the surrounding pineland will survive with a large amusement park complex right next door. If you have lived in South Florida long enough, you will remember how sensitive this ecosystem is to development. This was the predominant landscape of much of pre-1980 Dade county, and what makes this location special is that it has been preserved. I think with all of the land the zoo and park will use, they should probably help mitigate the impact by helping reestablish the forest somewhere else on the property.
The problem with the re-establishment elsewhere is, as you said, the eco system is a very fragile one that is hard to re-intstitute. I really don’t feel that the surrounding eco system would be adversely effected much because much of the area has already adjusted to the shock of being paved over back when the blimp base was constructed. As long as there are adequate buffer zones between where the construction is taking place and the treelines, then I really don’t see this construction being much of a problem.
Quite frankly, I would like to see Tri-Rail extended down the CSX corridor and stop within the property. I think it would be a great boon to the area and make the zoo more accessable to visitors from not only the airport and other areas of the county, but the counties to the north as well. A modern Tri-Rail station right next to the train museum there as well as the zoo, a water park, hotel, and all the other commercial development they are planning would be a great destination. While I would like to see Tri-Rail find its way all the way down to Homestead, I could definately settle for it ending on this property.
Can’t argue with that!
What are Tri-Rail’s plan for expansion along the CSX line? Are they still working on that? Tri-Rail needs to expand further into Miami’s suburb.
Unfortunately, a combination of NIMBY’s and anti-growth activists have put the brakes on the CSX expansion, for now. I think since the right-of-way is there it is always on the table, and as demand increases in the western suburbs, hopefully that will change. The Commission can also revisit this after the elections as no one really wanted to touch a hot button issue like this so close to the election.
Wild- I could not agree with you more. I currently live in New York right now and this city is extremely involved. Maybe more New Yorkers should move to Miami and teach us the meaning of speaking up against the corruption that plagues Miami.
Steven- Tri-Rail expansion into the Metro-Zoo area is a great idea. Unfortunately, we do not have county commissioners that are open minded enough to see the long term benefits of expanding rail into the far reaches of South Dade.
Johnny - I think Its more of a lack of political will that is killing the CSX corridor Plan down to metro zoo. Nobody in our county government (departments included) has the guts to do what is actually in the long term benefit of the community. There is a huge lack of forethought and planning countywide, instead we mainly adjust to future private development, instead of regulating it through Land Use and Zoning…
Well thanks to websites like this, we can start informing people of the changes that need to be made. When I move back to Miami we can all get together and form our own county commission! lol