Archive for the 'Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic' Category

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Please don’t support the ruin of our neighborhood for such a minuscule reason

Remember the much loved Gandy Friendship Trail bridge, which may never re-open, but at least we gained a worthy contender as a consolation prize, yes a shiny new overhead toll bridge, permanently blocking out the sun. A vast improvement, we the community, think not!.

Bill/Tampa

I close on my house this Monday, a house I plan on living in for years to come. It is two blocks north of Gandy. I pray that I do not have to look at a VERY UNWANTED overhead concrete structure running right down the middle of my neighborhood’s main street. How sad that my neighborhood stands to be seriously degraded so an overdeveloped, overpopulated peninsula (Pinellas County) can have a little bit better evacuation system to accommodate people who wait until the last minute to leave their homes. This is the only merit that this overpass has, and to us residents it is not enough. If we are willing to accept rush hour congestion over a super unattractive overhead structure, why not give us what we want? There is no doubt there will still be bad rush hour traffic even if the proposed project is constructed, and it is shameful to think we will sit in that traffic and be in the shadow of a sparsely used overhead road that is only needed for a couple of hours each business day and maybe once every ten years for possible tropical storm/hurricane evacuation.

Please don’t support the ruin of our neighborhood for such a minuscule reason. Think about our quality of life and what makes us happier people. This is what you, as our community leaders, should want for us. If this project was truly needed we would be asking for it and THEA would have been able to easily sell it. But it is not needed and may never be needed which is why we reject it.

Don’t discount the number of people who have signed the petition to stop this project.

Bill

PS - All due respect to Ray Chiaramonte, he sounded like a desperate salesman when he was telling me how nice it will look. We all know that is just hogwash.

Follow-up response to Ray Chairmonte, Executive Director, Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization

This is the reality of the situation that we will eventually be looking at an unattractive elevated concrete structure right down the middle of our neighborhood thoroughfare because a few people think it’s best for us

Published on October 1, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 0 Comments

by Bill/Tampa

Why is it the vast majority of the people at every meeting are in opposition? At the PAG #3 meeting last month there were 13 community members who spoke about the project, 11 were in opposition and 2 were in support. This was reported in the September 2009 issue of the South Tampa Community News.

The presenters of this project (THEA and CUTR) were, for lack of a better term, masterful spin doctors, making sure everything sounded rosy. They chose their words very carefully to ensure nothing they said would have any negative feel whatsoever. They stressed how much they would be sensitive to aesthetics, and how this overhead concrete structure would look nice. Unfortunately for us this is not possible, and it’s unfortunate because this unwanted detractor is on a fast track to becoming reality, no matter how many of us are in opposition. You must remember, there are always a few who know what’s best for the rest, it’s just the way it is. I just wish our elected officials would make a concerted effort to get a true gauge on the actual community’s feelings and take a position based on such. Apparently, from what we’ve all seen to this point, this isn’t going to happen. They appear to be about the only chance we have of keeping this hideous structure from being built, and they remain silent. The only other chance we have is if this project is determined to be economically unfeasible, and we all know how easy it is to fudge a couple of critical variables to make the numbers come out favorable. For goodness sakes, the person who presented CUTR’s transportation and economic impact study is a former executive director of THEA!!!

Ask yourself this: How many people do you personally know who want this elevated roadway running right down the middle of Gandy? This is what you should base your opinion on.

Imagine a salesman coming to your home and saying a large portion of your electric bill could be eliminated if you installed a huge windmill on top of your house to generate electricity. Of course you would think seriously about it because it has merit, and maybe the cost savings is worth the aesthetic degradation. But you may decide to stick with your current electric service and not have to look at something so unsightly and out of place. I, as well as the vast majority of those I have spoken with, would rather deal with heavy rush hour traffic for a couple hours five days a week than look at an unsightly overhead roadway through the middle of a neighborhood. This is the reality of the situation, and as it stands right now we will eventually be looking at an unattractive elevated concrete structure right down the middle of our neighborhood thoroughfare because a few people think it’s best for us and they do not care about how it will affect the feel of our neighborhood.

There is no doubt that any bypass will lessen the traffic on Gandy, it’s common sense. But it will not make rush hour traffic go away. It will still be bad, no matter what. And regarding hurricane evacuation, yes it is a negative for us to deal with the Pinellas residents clogging up Gandy trying to get to the Expressway. But how often does this happen? Often enough to accept an unsightly structure to be constructed through our neighborhood? I don’t think so. It may be another 20 years, or more, before any evacuation order is issued for Pinellas due to an approaching hurricane. But for some reason we have to see our neighborhood become less desirable due to these factors.

Since the construction on Gandy was completed a few months back, I have encountered almost no congestion in my daily commutes

Published on September 30, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 0 Comments

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!

I travel the Gandy corridor daily during peak times and encounter little if any congestion.

Published on September 11, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic and Video Time Studies. 0 Comments

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.

Raising Awareness

Published on August 29, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 0 Comments

The new SaveGandy.com sign, located between Manhattan & Westshore on Gandy Blvd.

This will help in raising awareness, as so many of us are not aware of the unwanted changes that are being proposed to our neighborhood.

Thank you to all those who helped in making this sign a reality.

A bridge with car and truck traffic is an eye sore and causes more noise. Does anyone know of an area that has prospered from this type of project???

Published on June 19, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 0 Comments

by Andy/Tampa
via online petition comment

I read about the project at http://www.tampa-xway.com . They state that 35% of traffic is passing through with no intentions of stopping. How many of that 35% see a local shop when driving by and finally stop in to make a purchase for gas, or need to drop a package off at the UPS Store, get a haircut or get a pizza at Marco’s to take home or drop off their computer for repair or find a different store for their furniture needs? What would the worlds largest retailer, Wal-Mart, have to say knowing that the traffic count in front of their new store will be decreased by 35%? Maybe they want to help petition?

I don’t see how a bridge will allow for visibility to the business district (main street). It’s my understanding that city code limits the height of business pole signs so there isn’t anyway of extending visibility higher with signage. Or the fact that it’s no longer convenient so chances are they won’t swing back anyway. Basically, 35% of potential customers will be taken away in this bad economy. We also have to take into consideration the depreciation of property values in the surrounding neighborhoods. A bridge with car and truck traffic is an eye sore and causes more noise. Does anyone know of an area that has prospered from this type of project??? Do the local proponents realize that business’ will close and then they will have to travel further for their needs? Are we sure this isn’t just a few looking at conveniencing themselves while negatively impacting many others investments in their business and/or property? Proponents need to look at the WHOLE picture and not the personal benefit.

Apparently THEA is generating substantial revenue if they can afford to build this project. Is there any legislation that requires a certain percent of toll money to go back into the business district and neighborhoods that are affected by such projects? Or are the profits to be used to make bigger profits by creating more toll roads? I say that the people who want the “convenience” of bypassing our district (at our expense) should have increased tolls so shared revenues go back directly to the effected community. Will the tolls raised on this project help the Gandy Friendship Trail get repaired? They want to take but what are they willing to give? Toll roads are money machines so share the profits!

Did you know you just spent 22 million of your tax dollars to possibly benefit THEA??

Published on June 17, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 0 Comments

by Donna M.

Florida Department of Transport (FDOT), just spent 22 million dollars of tax payers money to beautify and widen Gandy Blvd. The new wider medians allow the possibility for THEA, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, to construct a overhead expressway.

Even the newly added street lights are the right size to fit under a bridge at our expense!

DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH YOUR MONEY, TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT~ AND THEY SAY We CAN NOT VOTE! TOO BAD!
Here are the facts:

No repayment to the taxpayers~ Thanks for your support they say and you can not vote!

Destruction in your neighborhood~ who wants to live under a bridge it creates high crime, all property values decrease in a slowing economy!

More congestion on Gandy~ who is going to spend a dollar extra to go a mile.. they will travel Gandy anyway! look at Hillsborough and Eisenhower!

You can not vote they made sure~ but your voice can be heard

Please sign our online petition.

Crosstown Authority’s plan to construct an ugly 30′ elevated toll road over Gandy and how we can prevent it

Published on June 14, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 0 Comments

by Tom W/Tampa

I have been thinking about the Cross-town Authority’s plan to construct an
ugly 30′ elevated toll road over Gandy and how we can prevent it. Obviously,
our disadvantage is that we are coming into the discussion later than the
proponents of the idea and we will have to spring into action to improve our
odds.

It seems that we were sold out by the city of Tampa government. The
Cross-town Authority reacts to requests from the city for construction
projects. The local political steps we have taken will affect our elected
officials if we can keep them from deflecting our efforts to the Authority.
What the Authority is doing now is estimating the cost, potential revenues
and the time to recover their investment.

I think we need to press our elected officials at the city level to
publically recant the requirement for the expressway extension. We should
also send a message to the state level expressing what a waste of money it
is for them to beautify Gandy just so the Expressway Authority can make it
ugly.

As for the Cross-town Expressway Authority – money talks. The only thing
they will listen to is an effective public boycott of their toll road
between Dale Mabry and Brandon. Obviously, we are not going to shut them
down, but they are looking to cut the revenue of our local businesses and
that is why they are getting so active.

Yesterday I drove to Fort Pierce with my wife and enjoyed avoiding the
Cross-town. Boycotting the Selmon Cross-Town is something our supporters can
do that is anonymous, yet will be completely effective. Even if they don’t
admit to the loss of revenue, they won’t have the funds to build if tolls go
down. Also, our supporters will be able to feel good about saving money.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Gandy Blvd is not the right place for an overhead roadway

Published on June 10, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 1 Comment

by Bill from Tampa

Based on my own interaction and discussions with many residents in the immediate vicinity I am convinced that an overwhelming majority oppose the overhead toll road proposed by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.

Gandy Blvd is not the right place for an overhead roadway, no matter what is done to make it aesthetically pleasing. It just doesn’t belong there. It is a poor solution to lessen traffic during rush hour times, and if it is built the traffic will still be bad during rush hour just like everywhere else in our very populated city and county. Is it worth putting an eyesore right through the heart of a community to give a private entity a new project? We, the majority, do not think so.

EVERY address in South Tampa should have a ballot mailed to them and allow them to vote on this project

Published on June 9, 2009 in Elevated Gandy will not alleviate traffic. 1 Comment

Elevated mess

by Jim @ Gandy Plaza

This is the unfortunate outlook we could face if they continue with this ridiculous conception of an overpass on top of Gandy. THEA does not care about the outcome of Gandy Blvd. and of South Tampa, they are looking for revenue and to see how they can keep their own jobs secure. It is the City of Tampa’s fault for approving so many housing permits to construct condos, homes, and town homes in such a small congested neighborhood. It’s like putting 10 pounds of materiel in a 2 pound bag. The city is looking out for their own revenue, permits, code enforcement anything to have a continuous flow of revenue coming into the city. That’s why mayor Pam Iorio is in favor she wants the jobs, labors, companies anything to keep the city’s revenue coming in. That’s fine, but little does she realize is the local strip centers, stores, restaurants, gas stations, any business that would be affected from this project, the revenue generated from these businesses would decrease. For instance, 1% sales tax collected for The City of Tampa, 6% sales tax collected for the State of Florida. If the City of Tampa doesn’t care about 1% sales tax maybe we should be writing Tallahassee, because I am sure they would care about loosing 6% sales tax on everything. So I think everyone who lives and works in South Tampa should be aware of what is happening to their community, and EVERYONE should have a vote on what the neighborhood wants.

I think that EVERY address in South Tampa should have a ballot mailed to them and allow them to vote on this project and have them send it back to who ever would be in charge, or we should put up a ballot, and petition on our web site (SAVE GANDY .COM) so people can vote on there and we can keep track of them. I hope our web site reaches all of our community, and neighbors to let them be aware of what’s happening in their neighborhood.