Bus Shelter Advertising Debate headed to City Council

[Dog Walker]

Let's see.  You are in the middle of a commercial district.  All around you are signs for the businesses and posters in their windows and on the light posts.  You're going to worry about a couple of signs on a bus shelter?   Givitabreak!

[CS Foltz]

I just love it when some on the Council says "NO" and can not explain their position. I have not heard yet what Mr Meserve has to say about it...........looking forward to that I am!

[JeffreyS]

It is fear mongering politics. They know a reasonable strategy exists area exemption, local approval or zoning ect. To give a reasonable response gets their voters to say ok good job but not very impressed or memorable.  However if said politician has saved their neighborhood from posters covering their area with a minority dressed as a stripper, smoking Newport's and drinking Courvoisier you just have to reelect that crusader.

[CS Foltz]

I don't understand the problem............Design two models.....one for historic area, one for general public,use City Engineers to design,City workers to assemble and install..........end of problem! No advertising unless Districts give green light through voter referendum for their District! End of problem.......what is so flipping hard?

[Steve]

I don't understand the problem............Design two models.....one for historic area, one for general public,use City Engineers to design,City workers to assemble and install..........end of problem! No advertising unless Districts give green light through voter referendum for their District! End of problem.......what is so flipping hard?

It's a little more complicated than that (isn't that always the case?).  The shelters would be installed for free by a private company (someone like a JCDecaux, Clear Channel, or Lamar).  They are the ones installing the shelters, not the city.

I get RAP's position.  I don't want this killed for the community, but in talking to some folks earlier this week, ther were rumors that the Historic Districts would be able to opt out of it.  If that is the case, then that's probably the best thing for RAP to do.

Remember, if they don't, and they put something non-historic looking in a street, it could cause a precedence issue (the bus shelters are there, so let's put ________ in on Post St.).  As the legislation is written, it is not really written with historic districts in mind.  My guess is that is a major reason why Corrigan is not for this.

[CS Foltz]

Steve.....I understand, its always more complicated then it needs to be! Well uncomplicate it! Lets not only streamline the possible structures but simplefy the installing? I can see where advertising would give the COJ some return or JTA but we are talking about a simple shelter for protection from the elements. Johnny wants to spend 29 Million dollars on Metro Part for upgrades not needed so hold on that and use that money for shelters! Historical District should not have to opt out, they are part of the City also.......this reminds me of cell phone towers...........everyone wants service but don't want a tower in their back yard. Thats why they make fake tree's that are full service structures!

[tufsu1]

the shelters are JTA, not the City....and JTA doesn't have the money...so the only way they get done is to have a prvate company install them....and that company will want the ad revenue to offset the cost.

[thelakelander]

tusfs1, there was an article in the Folio that JTA is sitting on $72 million that is not earmarked for any use.  I don't agree but if they exist, Bill Bishop wants these funds to be used for shelters instead of working with private companies to pay, install and maintain them.  What's your take on this?

[tufsu1]

I had not heard about the $72 million, but it seems to me this would be better ued to start/finish some major projects around town....my list would include:

1. Streetcar Implementation
2. Commuter Rail Environmental Studies
3. Enhanced Bus Service (better headways)
4. JTB/I-95 Interchange

[Dog Walker]

Bet you that OCK can come up with pictures of historic streetcar shelters that would fit right in to Riverside and Springfield with or without advertising.  OCK, are you there?

On the other hand, maybe the streetcars ran so frequently that you never had more than a ten minute wait for one and shelters were unnecessary.  When you have to wait thirty minutes or an hour, you need shelter and a place to sit.

[fsujax]

I like the list tufsu1....Let's get started!!

[thelakelander]

I had not heard about the $72 million, but it seems to me this would be better ued to start/finish some major projects around town....my list would include:

1. Streetcar Implementation
2. Commuter Rail Environmental Studies
3. Enhanced Bus Service (better headways)
4. JTB/I-95 Interchange

Here's a link to another story about it: http://jaxpoliticsonline.com/2009/09/23/jta-the-mysterious-72-million-stash/

[Ocklawaha]

Bet you that OCK can come up with pictures of historic streetcar shelters that would fit right in to Riverside and Springfield with or without advertising.  OCK, are you there?

On the other hand, maybe the streetcars ran so frequently that you never had more than a ten minute wait for one and shelters were unnecessary.  When you have to wait thirty minutes or an hour, you need shelter and a place to sit.

Headways downtown were every 5 minutes, after the city complained that the waits for 8 minute streetcars was too much to bear.

Here's your classic streetcar stop, sort of looks like old Ortega - Riverside, doesn't it?



OCKLAWAHA

[Dog Walker]

Headways downtown were every 5 minutes, after the city complained that the waits for 8 minute streetcars was too much to bear.

OCKLAWAHA

5 Minutes!!!!  Makes you want to weep with envy.

[CS Foltz]

Administration back when they did have street cars and the like at least made use of what they had! Current Administration is only good for spending my tax dollars without peer! No vision........no plans.......no sense!