What would it take (Miami, Orlando: crime, university, bus)

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by fauve

If there were a top liberal arts college (think Swarthmore/Amherst/Dartmouth) and a top art college (think RISD, Pratt, CalArts), along with a more young, liberal, smart-vibe (think Seattle/Portland/Asheville), and some hip downtowns with great bookstores, walking and coffeehouses (see last list), we'd stay.

hmmm great and interesting list.

All of those are doable, it just comes down to do they have the fortitude to do it. I honestly fill like Broward is absolutly clueless about what needs to be done. I hope to attend one of the transit meetings for the train system when the next one rolls around. The thing is, not a lot of people go to these. Community involvement SUCKS. I think if more of us actually got involved and voiced our concerns and ideas it could make a huge difference. Also look at the blogsphere in Broward. Miami has a huge and thriving blogsphere. Look at the broward blogsphere on the other hand its its a joke :S

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

Also look at the blogsphere in Broward. Miami has a huge and thriving blogsphere. Look at the broward blogsphere on the other hand its its a joke :S

You are right, but if people like you with ideas don't get them out there, than who is to blame? If you are stick down here in the cesspool, get some ideas out!

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I am from Ozone Park Queens so I know about elevated train tracks along Liberty Ave. It does work great but let's face it, nobody in Florida would want to look at that. I know it could be done more inconspicuously, but that would be very expensive. It's just a totally different place and you know how people are here. Also, to say it "works" in Miami is a stretch.

it does work in Miami. What they have there is very functional, given what it was designed for. The problem in Miami isn't a issue of it working or not working. It is a matter of how it was laid out. They did it based on districts and commissioners wanting to look good for constituents. They didn't do it based on high density etc.

Look at the metro mover, its visible but not ugly. Gets you around key points in the downtown area and isn't a eye sour. Gives you a SEMI big city feel. It can be done, and if Broward planned it right they can get huge funding from federal government.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

You are right, but if people like you with ideas don't get them out there, than who is to blame? If you are stick down here in the cesspool, get some ideas out!

IF I start going to the transit meetings in Broward I actually plan to start a blog on mass transit. Or maybe on new urbanism. I am still in the "thinking about it" stage lol.

[Wild Style]

Now see, this is the b.s. I am talking about. They are going to have a meeting at 2pm this coming Tuesday about the purposed bus route changes. Who in the hell can make it to that? People will be at freaking work! I looked at the other scheduled meetings and they are at 3:30pm to 5:00pm again, how is anyone going to participate in that?

link

[fauve]

I think there's a great opportunity to create a nice feel in downtown Davie, with its school center (5 universities, 2 public high schools, a middle school, a private K-12 and 2 elementaries), but it seems like it'll take another 20 years. The kids that all go to those schools end up hanging out at Quarterdeck and the Ale House on University Dr. It's really kind of pathetic given the potential.

[MisterNY]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

That's the problem, which is why I think a commuter train from the western suburbs would be a good idea. The issue is finding a centralized place to build stops. Along 75, it would be pretty simple with that huge median that was planned for such development and maybe no more stops between Miami Lakes and maybe the airport, downtown Miami (there comes the express element) and the beach, but 595 would be a challenge and maybe not practical. You also simply CAN'T have NYC-scale transit down here because it is just about impossible to do that if it isn't underground, and you can't really build below 10 feet MAX down here. Elevated trains might work in theory, but let's face it; who wants to live below train tracks?

I would just like to see some kind of commuter train that actually links key places in both Dade and Broward that allows the two counties to share their human resources. I think that kind of line could service EVERYONE from tourists going to South Beach from the airport to every day commuters from Pembroke Pines who doesn't want to sit on the Palmetto every morning. The two counties may (as of 2008 anyway) be a different world, but like it or not, we are all in it together.

Driving along I-75, I always say the same thing. They need to have a commuter train (probably the size and speed of the one at Disney/Epcot ) going east to west, and stations along University, Flamingo rd, 441, and bus lines that would connect say, Pines to Sheridan to Miami Lakes, Hialeah etc. Elevated trains is really the only safe and economically sensible way of doing it down here. I would not feel safe doing it underground, nor see it necessary.

MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM:
The problems I see with it are:
1) With people being used to driving (being in their comfortable car, A/C, listening to their music, being alone), and as much as they complain being in traffic and gas price, will they take it?

2) South Florida's lay out makes it very expensive to set up a local rail system, not impossible now, but expensive. There is no centralized location for businesses, like a real downtown so to speak. Many people will not see it benefitting them, therefore may not take it. If the big employers/big business were, let's say in Downtown Ft Lauderdale and Miami, in a NY or Chicago fashion, it would be easier. It would still be nice to have one though. Profitability would worry many, probably has and that's why they have yet to build one. The mentality to embrass mass transit would have to change. We can build it, but will they come?

REAL ESTATE:
I'd like to see the real estate market stabilize itself. Home prices need to drop more. Still has a way to go. If they want people to stay, there must be some sort of balance. Pay is too low for many, to live here comfortably. So many young people are leaving for other places after graduation, because they cannot find work in diverse fields and cannot afford to live here. The have 55+ communities, why not communities for young, right out of college students? Or incentives for that demographic? They need some sort of a push or start to home ownership. It's not easy, but an idea. They did nothing to retain young, starting professionals here.
Still not too late. People are graduating every 4 months, they need work and a place to live.

PROPERTY TAXES/INSURANCE:
Property taxes are way too high. If they can find a compromise where we may have to pay some sort of state income tax, and reduce the property tax rate, I'd say give it a shot or look into it. Although home owner's insurance has gone down a bit, they still need to lower it.

BIG BUSINESS/REAL BUSINESS:
Attract real businesses, Fortune 500 companies down here. GA is killing them right now. They'd have to make extremely lucrative deals that would both benefit the corportations and the locals.

At this rate, I can see some of these ideas benefitting South Florida a great deal. Would I stay? Not sure. I would like to see this place doing good, though. I have friends and family down here. I'd also want the locals and native to enjoy it/benefit from it as well.

[chisoxfan]

Good thread, Wild Style. I'd give you positive rep points for starting it, but I'm not allowed to till I spread more around.

Leaving Broward really isn't an option for me right now. But if I were considering a move, I'd want to see signs of progress on several fronts in the near future before deciding to stay.

For instance (and these are just a few on my list): Are local governments willing to say "no" to overpriced, environmentally questionable development (like we really need more beachfront high-rise condos) and "yes" to affordable housing options? Are homeowners insurance rates stabilizing, and is there more choice for consumers? Is there an effort to attract major employers, and keep those we have? Is there an effort to work with Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and maybe form a unified front that would leverage some of the area's strengths (for example, seaports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the growing biotech cluster in Palm Beach County, etc.)?

The recent population outflow is yet another indicator that Broward's business model has more holes than Swiss cheese -- real estate, construction and tourism just don't get it done. If there is a push for change that gets results, more people will stay. Broward is at a crossroads and could go either way. I think there ARE quite a few people who realize that change is necessary and are even making progress on a grass-roots level. But there are too many who see Broward's troubles as "a blip on the radar screen" and are perfectly willing to continue relying on real estate, construction and tourism -- and right now, that group's got more clout.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I am from Ozone Park Queens so I know about elevated train tracks along Liberty Ave. It does work great but let's face it, nobody in Florida would want to look at that. I know it could be done more inconspicuously, but that would be very expensive. It's just a totally different place and you know how people are here. Also, to say it "works" in Miami is a stretch.

You got that right No El, NO PLEASE! Nobody in Philly lives near the El it's disgusting down there. Anywhere you have the El you have crime and dirt and degenerates. Not to mention pigeon habitat.

And you still need to drive or take your car to the El. Then walk up and down the slimy steps and handrails and platforms? Are you kidding me about beautiful sunny FLL wanting that? (sorry ha ha). But remember you already have your released sex offenders formally registered on the data base as living under the freaking bridge. So now you're actually providing great low cost housing for them. Under the miles and miles of Elevated tracks

There are plenty of decent neighborhoods close to regular trains in the Philly burbs from ancient days, but elevated? no way. You don't picture a tourist destination that way. And lets remember the City Council lady or whoever she was said the goal was to be a CONVENTION DESTINATION.

FLL is way too small to need elevated trans. What's wrong with enhancing the Tri Rail service for Broward to Miami and efficient clean buses from Fed to West and north a bit like up to Pompano? You don't need them to all be local, you can have Weston to downtown only like we have in Philly. A direct ride like you were in your car. We also have a bunch of double decker local buses that you can ride all day for cheap and keep getting off and on.

Sorry if I'm clueless, just chiming in.

Speaking selfishly for just MY demographic, all I would need to move there was, ok, not a million dollars but a safe neighborhood, reliable condo or small house ON WATER that wouldn't go into financial disarray and be able to insure it properly. And not be blocked by 20 story highrises.

Call that fix the real estate bubble.

And Whole Foods is right up there on my list I think the one in Coral Springs is close enough if you can hook me up with that water condo/house, I'll be fine thanks .

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by runswithscissors

You got that right No El, NO PLEASE! Nobody in Philly lives near the El it's disgusting down there. Anywhere you have the El you have crime and dirt and degenerates. Not to mention pigeon habitat.

And you still need to drive or take your car to the El. Then walk up and down the slimy steps and handrails and platforms? Are you kidding me about beautiful sunny FLL wanting that? (sorry ha ha). But remember you already have your released sex offenders formally registered on the data base as living under the freaking bridge. So now you're actually providing great low cost housing for them. Under the miles and miles of Elevated tracks

There are plenty of decent neighborhoods close to regular trains in the Philly burbs from ancient days, but elevated? no way. You don't picture a tourist destination that way. And lets remember the City Council lady or whoever she was said the goal was to be a CONVENTION DESTINATION.

FLL is way too small to need elevated trans. What's wrong with enhancing the Tri Rail service for Broward to Miami and efficient clean buses from Fed to West and north a bit like up to Pompano? You don't need them to all be local, you can have Weston to downtown only like we have in Philly. A direct ride like you were in your car. We also have a bunch of double decker local buses that you can ride all day for cheap and keep getting off and on.

Sorry if I'm clueless, just chiming in.

Speaking selfishly for just MY demographic, all I would need to move there was, ok, not a million dollars but a safe neighborhood, reliable condo or small house ON WATER that wouldn't go into financial disarray and be able to insure it properly. And not be blocked by 20 story highrises.

Call that fix the real estate bubble.

And Whole Foods is right up there on my list I think the one in Coral Springs is close enough if you can hook me up with that water condo/house, I'll be fine thanks .

you should travel more. In NYC and in Chicago they have elevated trains and in those areas they are NOT crime ridden. One good example in Chicago is the purple line up the way from Northwestern University. You can even travel to downtown Miami and see a elevated system (metromover) across from bayfront park and its not crime ridden. I have been out there at 2 in the morning with no issues.