Despite recent setbacks, the Heritage Parkway is a long overdue by-way that needs to be built. Even though it was first labeled a turkey, and then that status retracted - a lot of rumor and conjecture has surrounded the planning, design, and engineering of this road.
It isn't wrong for people to be concerned. If you ever hear a politician tell you, "Don't Worry", be skeptical, of course. From the many different articles I have read and the recent research I have done on the parkway, I can tell you that the right people are involved and the project is being appropriately scrutinized and analyzed at all levels of government to ensure taxpayer money is being appropriately spent. I think it's wise that the impact to property owners will be nil as the tax money spent will likely come from Local Gas Option taxes (which in Florida is approximately 14.5 cents per gallon (cpg)).
The project is desperately needed in Brevard County to provide much needed relief from I-95 and other major arteries that are constantly over capacity. Believe it or not, the parkway project has been a concept since at least 1988! Aren't people complaining that politicians never ask for their opinion? There have been several public meetings conducted by FDOT over this very parkway. This project is being carried out meticulously and with great detail. At this point, I don't see any points being overlooked.
The environmental impacts have also been examined thoroughly by the FDOT and alternative corridors have been designed to minimize any damaging impact to wetlands and the environment.
I'm confident that as this project has evolved over the past twenty years, that any potential pork barrel politics have been weeded out or altogether eliminated. In fact, this should be a bipartisan issue that many Brevard politicians should jump at because it only makes their overall constituency happier by providing better avenues of transportation across Brevard County.
Bottom line: This area is not getting smaller anytime soon despite the Space Shuttle layoffs. If anything, it is growing daily. Unless Amendment 4 passes and slows down local development, we'll see this area growing for a long time and all those drivers have to drive somewhere.
- OTHER EDITIONS:
- MOBILE
- TEXT
- NEWS FEEDS
- E-NEWSLETTERS
- ELECTRONIC EDITION
- JOBS
- CARS
- REAL ESTATE
- RENTALS
- DATING
- DEALS
- CLASSIFIEDS
My first blog on FT
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more, Brian Wilkins!
Mr. Wilkins--
ReplyDeleteI'd invite you to meet with the developers and paid consultants for the project. Their primary work is not focused on redirecting traffic, but creating mega-burbs in the south end of the county.
You've not been provided all of the information, such as the fact that Palm Bay has only put up development dollars, not actual tax dollars. Or, like how Palm Bay residents rejected a referendum option to repave broken roadways they already have because they wished NOT to spend the money.
Likewise, citizens in Palm Bay go without paved roadways in residential portions of the incorporated city, as well as poor (if any) water or sewer service from the city. Hence, homes burned during the Palm Bay fires.
I don't "not support" the Parkway, I don't support the kickbacks for those who are standing to benefit. The last I was told over lunch by one of the lobbyists, they were recruiting individuals from Washington state with "Lexuses and Mercedes" to move to Palm Bay once they build major new subdivisions, boasting tens of thousands in each area.
Palm Bay cannot support what it has, and a step back is warranted.
And Mr. Wilkins, removing traffic congestion is paramount. But if this Parkway is built "on schedule," the additional burdens it places on other intersections not yet widened or built for the purpose of increased traffic and those that are already over capacity elsewhere will be more flooded.
The plan is to build it, and finally get around to widening other roads. The Parkway does nothing but push the traffic to other over-burdened roads. There's not enough money to make everything flow at this moment.
But your blog is your opinion.
Let me add this before a paid consultant anonymously blasts me, the only tax dollars from Palm Bay to be put up are LGOT, taxes the entire COUNTY pays for. Meaning we're all paying for this lovely monstrosity when we don't have money to keep our libraries open, staff on the books, and make necessary road upgrades elsewhere in the county.
ReplyDeleteFor Tyler re your 9:34, Please reread your following paragraph,"I don't "not support" the Parkway, I don't support the kickbacks for those who are standing to benefit. The last I was told over lunch by one of the lobbyists, they were recruiting individuals from Washington state with "Lexuses and Mercedes" to move to Palm Bay once they build major new subdivisions, boasting tens of thousands in each area."
ReplyDeleteDoes "I don't 'not support' the Parkway" mean you support the Parkway? Did you use two negatives on purpose?
Please expand on your statement that, "I don't support the kickbacks for those who are standing to benefit". Who is receiving "kickbacks"? Are these Brevard County Commissioners? Are these private individuals? It would be helpful if you let us know more about these kickbacks?
Please expand on your last sentence in that paragraph concerning the individuals from Washington state with "Lexuses and Mercedes" who are being recruited to move to Palm Bay. And, did you mean to say "boosting" or "boasting" tens of thousands in each area? Each area might imply two areas or more? If it is just two, is that more than 20,000 new citizens of Brevard County? What would these new citizens of Brevard County do? Would they just drive their "Lexuses and Mercedes" around on the Parkway every day?
This paragraph is somewhat confusing, isn't it?
@Tyler: I think we are talking about two different problems. Every city has bad roads and sewer service of some degree. But that should not hinder a road being built for the county, not necessarily Palm Bay. Just as other roads need to be expanded to meet the demands of new intersections, I imagine over the same will be done. In one presentation I saw on the parkway, it did evaluate lane expansion and came up with several recommendations.
ReplyDeleteTyler, re your 9:34, here is another paragraph, "I'd invite you to meet with the developers and paid consultants for the project. Their primary work is not focused on redirecting traffic, but creating mega-burbs in the south end of the county.", that needs explanation.
ReplyDeleteWhy should Brian Wilkins meet with the developers and paid consultants? Why would they want to meet with him? Wouldn't he have to pay the consultants to meet with them? What would be his return on investment to pay the consultants to learn more about this project?
You are right that the role of developers and consultants, whether paid or not, is not primarily focused on redirecting traffic. Traffic concerns are one of many issues that developers need to address.
The role of developers and consultants is not to create "mega-burbs in the south end of the county." The role of consultants is to provide advice to landowners to take a project from concept to completion.
In the case of the Heritage Parkway, one of the project goals is to develop mixed-use and residential communities west of I-95 and south of route 192 near West Melbourne and Palm Bay. Another goal is to build the Heritage Parkway.
Isn't this project in central Brevard County?
While trying to get funding for our road we were told by officials from the County that there is no money available for years to come from the Local Gas Option Taxes. We were also told if we would have to have the tax raised to get any additional money. Is this the reason? When there is such need in the rest of the County pushing through this Parkway is ill conceived.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't the Parkway that's the issue, but rather the dense housing development that's coming along with it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a "trojan horse." The developers, Platts and the Commissioners supporting them conveniently argue that the Parkway is needed, while playing down the profit motive of urban sprawl.
I've watched the Urban Development Boundery in Dade County placed under the same unscrupulous method - only without the camoflauge of a Parkway.
The quality of life for those folks is horrendous; cookie cutter homes with hours-long traffic jams for commuters.
This development is all about profit-taking for developers, their lobbyists and the "friends and family" plan that's sure to be available for the politicians who play ball.
Myself, I'll have moved by the time it's built; but I feel for those that are going to have to live with the smell these skunks are leaving.
By the way, Brian, though we part on the issue of the Parkway plan, I don't question the sincerity you've made in your arguments.
ReplyDeleteAs I don't visit this page very often, I was also struck that, of all the photos of the bloggers, the young Republican's "very serious" pose was the only one that failed to meet readers in the eye. I think this is what we'd call "Freudian," so make of it what you will. :)
Here is a link providing information about the county/region/state Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) that shows the "NEED" for the St Johns Heritage Parkway.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.brevardmpo.com/LRTP/2035%20LRTP/Sept10_2035LRTP_MapsandTables.pdf
The parkway is necessary to relieve long term congestion on local loads in South Brevard. It will also relieve traffic on Wickham, I95, Babcock and US1.
10:25,
ReplyDeleteI have always supported reducing congestion. The current plan does not--until other roadways are changed, fixed, widened, and altered. That's a simple fact. There's nothing to smear there. What I do NOT support is kickbacks for individuals and Palm Bay not spending on more of the costs.
Kickbacks are simple to explain. If you're given the go ahead to bring your rezoning requests to a Commission for approval of your plan to create a subdivision, you've created a kickback. As Commissioner Nelson called it, it's a "let's make a deal." I give you some of my land, in return, you allow me the ability to come and potentially bypass normal zoning requirements to get what I want.
I'd invite you to ask Tres Holton, a paid lobbyist for Friends of the Parkway, who is the one who sat in my presence and discussed "individuals from WA state coming in Lexuses" to the area because his bosses wish to develop the area into monolithic subdivisions complete with city centers and massive populations after the Palm Bay Parkway is complete.
Mr. Holton came and met with me after I began to tank public opinion for the Parkway.
Your answers presuppose that no one surrounding this project stands to benefit anything. You are severely and utterly wrong.
If you cannot see that individuals are making a buck--then you need to reevaluate the land purchases that were unnecessary to get rights of way, the fact that not all rights of way were purchased, the fact that DOT did not want to fund this project this year, etc.
Need I continue?
"after I began to tank public opinion for the Parkway" -- gee Tyler conceited much?
ReplyDeleteYou sound like all those naysayers who kept the Pineda Extension from being built for so long. It ended up costing way more in the end.
As a person who lives in a house on the barrier island who struggled to flee Francis and Jeanne onto Wickham road, evac routes need to be better.
So what if some people make a buck? Denying public safety to keep others from making some profits is irresponsible.
Tres Holton's response:
ReplyDelete(This is the sixth attempt to post this entry and Florida Today keeps pulling it off. Hopefully this one stays.)
Tyler Winik:
I received a phone call that you were referring to me by name on this website and was appalled when reading your comments. First, you have misquoted me with regard to our lunch meeting conversation. The words "Lexus" and "Washington State" were used in the discussion, but not in the context you allude. My statements were relative to the fact many Washington State residents have adopted a "green/sustainable" culture and proposed future developments near the parkway will be LEED type sustainable communities, thereby, would be an attraction to those retiring from said state. The discussion about about a "Lexus" was referring to the current diversity of Palm Bay and why I enjoy being a resident. For example, despite your insinuation that I am an elitist lobbyist, I drive an 11-year-old Ford. Some of my neighbors drive high-end vehicles. I am no wealthy (atleast financially) man. You are correct that I am a lobbyist and you should know since you gladly allowed me to pay for your lunch that day.
Additionally, almost all of your comments about the parkway are incorrect and I wouldn't know where to begin to rebut your statements in an online format.
Tres Holton
Tyler, re your 08/31/10 7:22PM response, "Need I continue?", yes please continue.
ReplyDeleteYour response of a kickback was, "Kickbacks are simple to explain. If you're given the go ahead to bring your rezoning requests to a Commission for approval of your plan to create a subdivision, you've created a kickback."
Here is the definition of "kickback" from Merriam-Webster, "a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion". Cited is an example of "every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials."
You said that kickbacks are easy to explain. Your explanation does not fit the definition. Your definition says that being given the go ahead to bring a rezoning request to an official body such as a county Commission constitutes a "kickback". It doesn't.
Do you still stand behind your statement about kickbacks?
Tyler, re your 08/31/10 7:22PM response, "Your answers presuppose that no one surrounding this project stands to benefit anything. You are severely and utterly wrong.", you misinterpreted my questions (not answers).
ReplyDelete1. I asked this question, "Does 'I don't 'not support' the Parkway" mean you support the Parkway? Did you use two negatives on purpose?". What is your answer, please?
2. Please read the 09/01/10 9:38AM question about your definition of kickbacks.
3. I questioned your explanation of "individuals from Washington state with 'Lexuses and Mercedes' driving around on Brevard county roads after being recruited to come to Palm Bay by the tens of thousands and not having jobs here in Brevard County. Another poster gave a explanation that differs from yours. Please clarify.
finally, Tyler, re your 08/31/10 7:22PM response, you said, "If you cannot see that individuals are making a buck--then you need to reevaluate the land purchases that were unnecessary to get rights of way, the fact that not all rights of way were purchased, the fact that DOT did not want to fund this project this year, etc."
ReplyDeleteI have two more questions about this response.
1 Is there something wrong about landowners (individuals) making a profit from development of their property? Please educate us about property rights.
2. How does the need to purchase (or not purchase)land rights from others in order to bring a proposed development into compliance conflict with project development conditions? And, how does the fact that the Florida Department of Transportation did not want to fund this project this year have any bearing on the overall goals of project development of the subject property?
Isn't it a given that most drivers would like to reduce traffic congestion? You said, "The current plan does not--until other roadways are changed, fixed, widened, and altered. That's a simple fact." Usually there are many roadways involved in an urban or semi-urban setting that need to be changed, fixed, widened, and altered. There is a timetable for required roadway changes that depends on many factors, including funding. Most readers understand that all changes to all affected roadways can not be made simultaneously.
Brian, in your August 30, 2010 7:17PM post your said,"Bottom line: This area is not getting smaller anytime soon despite the Space Shuttle layoffs. If anything, it is growing daily. Unless Amendment 4 passes and slows down local development, we'll see this area growing for a long time and all those drivers have to drive somewhere."
ReplyDeleteUpdate from an article by FT reporter Rick Neale earlier today,
"And Wednesday afternoon(ed note, 09/01/10)), Circuit Judge Lisa Davidson issued a 12-page decision ordering Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott to place the amendment (ed note, 4, re "home rule") on the ballot."
Brian, is Brevard County "growing daily" as you said? It is highly likely that Brevard County population growth may not happen as you post. Lack of jobs on the Space Coast is a factor that is debated daily and may cause development to slow significantly in the next few years.
According to University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research Director Stan Smith, "Both years are indicative of a stagnant population, which is a function of the economic recession and the fiscal crisis," Snaith said. "The question is how long is it going to take to get back into a little stronger growth." The two years studied were 2009 and 2010. For 2009, population declined by 57,000 in Florida. For 2010, population is PROJECTED to increase by 23,000.
For Brevard County, population was forecast to shrink.
@10:50: Actually the area is expected to grow a lot. Palm Bay is expected to grow to almost 197,000 residents by 2035. This area is self-sustaining.
ReplyDelete@10:50: And home rule is different than Amendment 4, unless I am missing something.
ReplyDelete10:17,
ReplyDeleteIndividuals are entitled to fair compensation for giving up their land. $2M for right of way is not what I consider fair value, sir. Nor is the option of coming back and "we'll give you special consideration on zoning for the rest of your property we didn't take in exchange for the small portion we did." That's government in the moonlight.
I do not doubt the goal of the project. I have made this clear. I do not dislike the idea of the Parkway to alleviate traffic congestion. But it is not, financially, something we should be willing to afford when we are cutting jobs, services, and other items that are more desperately needed.
And I think you're wrong about the average reader. They're being told the Parkway "alleviates congestion" and is going to be an "emergency evacuation route." You don't read WHEN this will be so. Most readers don't know this project is being built in stages.
And yes, timetables exist. But earlier this year the DOT pushed back other portions of projects that have been "in the works" for funding for decades, including the expansion and widening of I-95 in south Brevard, something the Parkway hinges on at the south end.
So simply, yes. Property owners deserve fair compensation. But the same individuals who decry government corruption and spending should not bilk local government for every dollar they can. Likewise, creating sweetheart deals is improper.
This is a massive spending project. As a Democrat I am embarrassed that we are setting aside dollars for its building when we can't keep animal enforcement officers on the streets, are threatening to cut public safety, and need to increase millage just to have enough dollars for any emergency road repairs NOT related to this Parkway for the next few years.
As I told Milo Zonka when he last e-mailed, postpone funding for the Parkway until we're in a more financially stable time. We need money for reserves--not a road project we begin and don't have enough dollars to finish.
Tyler, re your 7:51AM when you said, "$2M for right of way is not what I consider fair value, sir." To use the term, "sir", assumes the poster is male, which is not a correct assumption for you to make.
ReplyDelete2 points please:
1. You said, "This is a massive spending project. As a Democrat I am embarrassed that we are setting aside dollars for its building when we can't keep animal enforcement officers on the streets, are threatening to cut public safety, and need to increase millage just to have enough dollars for any emergency road repairs NOT related to this Parkway for the next few years."
First, this project will cost a lot of tax dollars. Does it rise to "massive" ? That depends on the definition of "massive".
Second, what does the fact that you are a Democrat have to do with your comments about this project? This project affects all Brevard county citizens, notwithstanding their political leanings, doesn't it? And, what is the reason for you to be "embarrassed"? Are you saying that only Democrats should be "embarrassed"?
And, didn't the county commission just vote to increase funding for the Brevard Sheriff's Department in the next budget? Does this "cut public safety"?
Third, does the need to increase millage ONLY affect emergency road repairs? Do you really, as a Democrat, believe that?
Fourth, while I agree with your thought that "We need money for reserves-", does the building of reserves come totally from this project? I don't believe anyone would agree with the cause and effect connection that you are trying to make with that statement.
Fifth, thank you for your thoughts.
Tyler, one more thought about your 7:51AM, you say, "Property owners deserve fair compensation. But the same individuals who decry government corruption and spending should not bilk local government for every dollar they can. Likewise, creating sweetheart deals is improper."
ReplyDeleteFirst, nobody would disagree that property owners deserve fair compensation. Earlier in your reply you said that "$2M for right of way is not what I consider fair value." Where did you get the amount of $2M for right of way? Let's assume you are correct. Are you a qualified property appraiser? What is correct, $50, or $1,000?
Second, you make a linkage to the property owners that may not be correct when you say, "But the same individuals who decry government corruption and spending should not bilk local government for every dollar they can. Likewise, creating sweetheart deals is improper." You make the assertions that the property owners are 1. decrying government corruption and spending; 2. bilking local government for every dollar they can; and 3. creating an improper sweetheart deal.
Apparently, you think the property owners, (the Platt family?) are doing the 3 things you assert? Is this correct?
Wow!
Amendment 4 will destroy our Republic!
ReplyDeleteThe following website reveals how dangerous it is and how the "pilot project" in a Florida city was rescinded!
http://www.florida2010.org/
Speaking of things we cannot afford. What about Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security? Now Obamacare! Where is that money coming from? Do you really believe this will reduce the national deficit? Tons of misinformation with this bill. Is China still loaning money? When is it due?
ReplyDelete