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Regional planners look at rail, bus systems
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 |
PINELLAS PARK – Members of the new Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority are studying successful bus and light rail systems as it develops a master plan to improve this area’s transportation systems.
The organization was created by the state legislature last year. Its area covers seven counties: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Manatee and Sarasota. Each of those counties and major cities are represented on the TBARTA board.
At its meeting April 25, representatives of bus systems in Hernando and Citrus counties outlined their development of bus services and means of funding them. Longer presentations were made by Richard J. Simonetta, CEO of the Valley Metro Rail Inc. in Phoenix.
Simonetta explained how the regional organization won voter approvals to build a 20-mile light rail line that links three adjoining cities. He said even before the line was put into operation, it generated some $6 billion in downtown property improvements.
Simonetta said that properties surrounding each station stop on the rail line have become targets for redevelopment.
In another presentation, an investment consultant told board members how property tax values increased by new transportation systems can generate the money to pay for those improvements. Lee Norris, of the Cherokee Development Group, Raleigh, N.C., showed how his group formed a public-private partnership in Charlotte, N.C., to build a new rail system for commuters.
As created by the legislature last year, TBARTA has no taxing authority to fund creation of any regional rail or bus systems.
An item in the current state budget waiting for approval by the Legislature would provide TBARTA a one-time allocation of $2 million.
Board member Pam Iorio, the mayor of Tampa, cautioned other board members however at taking advantage of that revenue source.
“In the present economic atmosphere we need to be mindful that we not go for more money than we can spend,” she said.
The organization is currently funded through a combination of private and public funding, including allocations from the Florida Department of Transportation and member counties and cities.
Board Chairman Shelton Quarles, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s linebacker, has been spearheading the organization, but noted his “bread is buttered” by executive responsibilities with the football team since he retired from playing in the NFL.
Further extending the study of transportation systems outside of the bay area, the TBARTA board is planning to visit three cities during June to see their transportation systems. They are in Charlotte, Dallas and Denver.
The state Legislature created TBARTA to oversee development of efficient transportation systems among the seven-county Tampa Bay area, one of the state’s fastest-growing arenas, but whose regional transportation has lagged behind new residential and commercial growth.
Acting Board Attorney Don Conn said he would provide the board with a plan that would authorize TBARTA to resolve any conflicts that arise between TBARTA plans and those of smaller, local planning authorities. He said it will include standard “conflict resolution” procedures used by Florida governing bodies in disputes with other government agencies including arbitration.
Revised to correct inaccuracies
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Article published on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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