Gandy Bridge - another example of politicians being gutless (Tampa: costs, money)
Tampa BayTampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater
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More than 1$. If you want to walk, jog, bike, there are literally hundreds of miles of roads, sidewalks, trails which you can do such that already exist and arent falling into the ocean.
Eventually all of those sidewalks and trails will need repair, but tea baggers like yourself will be there to say "NO!".
I don't know how much this pier costs, but apparently you wouldn't want them to spend even $1 on something as awesome as the Gandy pedestrian path. Why don't you move to a city that has nothing public to offer and that doesn't "waste" money on bike lanes and pedestrian paths? My God.
Actually the only reason the vote was what it was is because only one of them has a general election opponent. 5 of 7 are up for re-election and only 1 of those So if they are so terrible ... run against them.
As for the bridge. The plan is not to keep the "crumbling" parts, but repair what can last 30 years or more. Also the citizens want a public/private partnership and are happy to let demolition begin on parts of the bridge right away and put people to work.
Eventually all of those sidewalks and trails will need repair, but tea baggers like yourself will be there to say "NO!".
I don't know how much this pier costs, but apparently you wouldn't want them to spend even $1 on something as awesome as the Gandy pedestrian path. Why don't you move to a city that has nothing public to offer and that doesn't "waste" money on bike lanes and pedestrian paths? My God.
If you read this forum for more than a day you would know I am not a teabagger.
Sidewalks and roads are a necessity, old bridges which should have been tore down years ago are not. It's going to cost millions to fix it, sorry, we should not spend a dime on it.
Also, as to the "public-private partnership"? Aint gonna happen. No one is lining up to save it except a handful of people who use it, who will not PAY to use it.
The local boaters are the complainers, I say fix it and make a great fishing place out of it, its beautiful there and it would make revenue for all the business owners in the area. It bring property values up and possibly even improve that whole section of town... but they do not want more neighbors or traffic.. I say fix n beautify..and you can charge a nominal fee to get on it, people will pay, just as in other piers.
I heard an interview done by Baynews9 following the Hillsborough County BOCC meeting. All the commissioners have agreed (repeatedly) that the most fiscally responsible thing to do is tear it down. But, there's a group of people fighting to keep it and they've asked for an additional 6 months to develop a plan and seek private funding. That was the crux of the vote - delay 6 months, that is all.
It's really about the money. IIRC, the Commssioner said the cost of demolition is $5 million and the cost to renovate is approximately 3 times that much. As of the airing, they are still short of the demo funds. Last I heard, Pinellas BOCC wants it demo'd but they will only contribute $500K. Maybe they know someone willing to do the work and assume the risk on the cheap - IDK. Hillsborough County has approximately $4 million budgeted for the demo.
And yes, your City of Tampa real estate taxes will be funding whatever is decided unless the private sector steps up with $$$.
So it's an extra $10m to renovate? This includes connecting Tampa to st. Pete?
Sounds like a project worth looking at. I personally think the Tbay area should market itself as a bike, pedestrian and fisherman's haven. so much opportunity there, given the geography and need to keep attracting young professionals and retirees to replace the ones that are dying off.
Last edited by things and stuff; 07-03-2012 at 10:13 AM..
So it's an extra $10m to renovate? This includes connecting Tampa to st. Pete?
Sounds like a project worth looking at. I personally think the Tbay area should market itself as a bike, pedestrian and fisherman's haven. so much opportunity there, given the geography and need to keep attracting young professionals and retirees to replace the ones that are dying off.
They're working on it. Pinellas Trail and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail are both recent additions and are excellent pedestrian and biking paths. Commuting on Bike here is basically suicide though. Many streets do not have sidewalks, let alone Bike Paths. I don't see voters or politicians electing to spend money in these areas.
Tampa Bay has been rated as the best area for Boating by Boating Magazine before. So those whom are into it already know boating and fishing is great here.
Tampa needs to attract more businesses and have better performing schools to attract more young professionals. IMO you are going to see Tampa Bay become more prevalent as far as a place to live, work and play within the next 10 - 15 years or so.
The new Pier would attract attention as would a new Baseball Stadium. The area around Channelside is about to see some significant changes and Bay Walk is also going to be improved upon. All of this will be marketed to prospective employers and employees which will help in addition to our natural beauty already.
The largest problem this area has.... transients and their lack of support for local businesses, sports and lack of community. Since it is transient it's about what is best for the individual today, not the community tomorrow.
My business is a small Internet based company and if we relocate to TB, it must be by a bike path or trail and some public transportation. I hire healthy young people and that helps with retaining them if they can enjoy life outside the office and especially if they can safely ride around. I know parts of the pinellas trail has issues with "urban males" but hopefully y'all will clean that up.
then again, your tea party faction will complain that building a decent city is "too expensive".
My business is a small Internet based company and if we relocate to TB, it must be by a bike path or trail and some public transportation. I hire healthy young people and that helps with retaining them if they can enjoy life outside the office and especially if they can safely ride around. I know parts of the pinellas trail has issues with "urban males" but hopefully y'all will clean that up.
then again, your tea party faction will complain that building a decent city is "too expensive".
No one relocates to an area for a bike path. Seriously.
I've run all over this country...probably in 30 states without actually figuring it out. Never once did I not consider running or living an active healthy lifestyle for lack of a bike path.
Seems like a good idea to kep up for hikers, bikers, etc.
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