Save Gandy.com

by Jessica/Tampa
via online petition comment

I probably travel on Gandy Boulevard more than the average person. Particularly, I travel between the base of the Gandy bridge (where one side of the proposed overpass would end), and Bayshore Boulevard, and everywhere in between.

I believe that covers the entire area in question.

During peak morning hours I travel from my home at Culbreath Key Condominiums (located near base of bridge), to Dale Mabry Highway; peak “lunchtime” hours are spent traveling on Gandy between Dale Mabry and Macdill; and the rest of the afternoon is spent traveling to various locations, as required by my job, up and down the aforementioned stretch of Gandy.

Since the construction on Gandy was completed a few months back, I have encountered almost no congestion in my daily commutes. In the afternoons when I head home from work- which is anywhere between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm- it never takes me more than 10 minutes to get home! Traveling on Gandy, from Macdill, west, to the base of the bridge, during rush hour traffic, takes me 10 minutes or less (depending on lights, etc.)

I am insulted by THEA or anyone else’s claims that this overpass is necessary, because I know damn well it is not.

For the sake of our neighborhood, our money, and piece of mind, let’s fight this! This overpass idea shouldn’t even be on the table! Especially not at a time like this one!

WHAT:   Gandy Project – Project  Advisory Group Meeting

WHEN:    Tuesday September 29, 2009

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

WHERE: Monroe Middle School

By Robbyn Mitchell, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, August 26, 2009

TAMPA — The Tampa-Hills­borough County Expressway Authority faced more opposition Tuesday night when it held another meeting about building an elevated toll road on Gandy Boulevard.

Nearly 200 people came to New Beginnings Church at 4100 S. Manhattan Ave. to hear the results of a study about the 1.45-mile connector’s effects on the 97 businesses between the Gandy Bridge and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway.

Officials commissioned the study through the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research.

Stephen Reich, who presented the results, said the road would negatively affect businesses that directly depend on traffic, such as gas stations and fast food chains, and could cost the area $1.9 million and 13 jobs.

However, the construction and focus of local traffic would generate $800,000 and create five jobs, the study found.

Still, nine of the 11 community speakers opposed the proposal to alleviate traffic, along with most of the crowd.

Many had the same question as Mikael, owner of a furniture store.

“What is an example of a community where businesses have flourished under a bridge?”

The next meeting is Sept. 29 at Monroe Middle School, 4716 W Montgomery Ave.

Rush hour but not much traffic. Click on video to see for yourself!
Gandy Blvd 5:11 pm Thursday September 10 2009

by Matthew P./Tampa
via online petition comment

These things are never good for the communities they dominate. Undesirables seek shelter in their shade and the shadows they cast end up dominating the homes and businesses they bisect. Let’s keep South Tampa from becoming something it shouldn’t be, i.e. New Orleans or Miami. Furthermore, such a development is not warranted, since I travel the Gandy corridor daily during peak times and encounter little if any congestion. Oh, and it’s especially nice since the recent improvements have been completed. Let’s not over treat a symptom that does not exist. Let this stimulus money go somewhere it’s needed and most importantly wanted.