City Commission Weighs in on Light Rail

The Largo City Commission approved a resolution April 3 endorsing a county committee's recommendations for providing premium transit services in Pinellas County.

Project Background.

The proposed project could provide light rail between Clearwater, Largo, the Greater Gateway Area, Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg with a regional connection across Tampa Bay to Tampa. The project is in the alternatives analysis phase, said Scott Pringle of Jacobs Engineering Group.

If preliminary plans move forward, the rail trip would take about an hour from Clearwater to St. Petersburg through Largo. There would be 24 miles of light rail and 16 stations with several stations in Largo near East Bay Drive. The project would also, include expansion and improvements to the supporting countywide bus network, Pringle said.

There is plenty of work before light rail could come to Largo. The proposed project with an estimated cost of $1.5 to $1.7 billion still needs engineering, designing and funding. The actual construction and operation phase of the rail is not slated until 2017-2020, Pringle said.

Pringle said the project could help economic development in the area. There are an anticipated 16,000 construction jobs and 10,000 permanent jobs as a result of the project. Plus, the project expects for every dollar spent to get $2.50 in return through economic development such as attracting new businesses and increasing property values, Pringle said.

City Commission Input.

The commission voted mostly in favor of the proposed transportation improvements. Although the board shared some concerns such as access, cost, public input and responsibility for repairs.

Commissioner Woody Brown said, he thought the rail needed to connect with the airport in Tampa to be effective in the area, so tourists could reach the beach without renting a car.

Commissioner Michael Smith wondered about repair costs. The commission approved earlier in the meeting, $225,000 for the replacement of the CSX crossing on West Bay Drive near Seminole Boulevard.

Pringle said depending on the location of the proposed light rail tracks, the responsibility for repair costs would need to be discussed during the planning process.

Commissioner Gigi Arntzen stressed the need for involvement of businesses along East Bay Drive.

"If I was a business owner I would be nervous about a big, blue line going down East Bay Drive," Arntzen said. "I just encourage getting public involvement."

Mayor Pat Gerard agreed with getting public input, but said she thought the businesses on East Bay Drive would be thrilled with getting more people.

Commissioner Curtis Holmes asked about the projected maintenance costs compared to anticipated revenues from rail fares.

The light rail would have about $19 million in annual maintenance costs with about 20 percent of the costs recouped through fare recovery, Pringle said.

So the rail would be supported by an 80 percent taxpayer subsidy, Holmes said.

Holmes also expressed concerns about infrastructure  such as water and electric from a 30 percent population increase projected from adding the rail service.

The commission passed the resolution 6-1, with Holmes voting against it.

"I think it is a great plan. I think the tragedy is not doing anything. I think we have to look to the future. Oil is not unlimited. I think we need to provide (transportation) alternatives," said Commissioner Robert Murray.

The city staff will work on a visual so people can better see how proposed light rail could affect the East Bay Drive Corridor.

For more information on the county transit project.