SunRail: new quiet zones, ambassadors, DeBary TOD, Google Maps live

[beautifulplanet]

In case it is not desired to have a new SunRail thread, please move to the most recent existing thread.

The following piece of news is already a couple of weeks old, still some might think it is important, as rail might be more successful when businesses and people want to be located close to rail, when rail is not 100-decibel horn-blaring noisy:

SunRail quiet zones to cost $16M
Posted: Sep 12, 2014 1:47 AM
Updated: Sep 19, 2014 1:47 AM
By Mike Synan, Reporter

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/26512646/sunrail-quiet-zones-to-cost-16m

Excerpts out of the article:

Winter Park Spokeswoman Clarissa Howard says the city already has one of these intersections and money has been placed in the budget for 2015 to do all crossings.

The state has offered up $10 million to communities that want to have quiet zones, but each local government that applies much match with 50 percent of the funding they receive. Howard says Winter Park can do all intersections for $1.4 million, and they have applied for the grant money.

Other communities are not as sure. Orlando, Lake Mary, and Maitland are going full speed ahead to try and secure the grants, but Altamonte Springs and Seminole County both have not made decisions yet because of the cost. There is also competition for the money from coastal communities bracing for All Aboard Florida.

Communities have until October 15th to apply for the grants. Seminole Commissioners will consider how to proceed before that date.

At least some might hope that not only Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland and Lake Mary make it to turn all their crossings into quiet zones, but that it would be possible for Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Sanford and all other communities along the corridor as well.

The friendly SunRail ambassadors might come back soon, as following article explains:

SunRail loses more riders in September, to rehire ambassadors

October 3, 2014

By Dan Tracy

One solution, Olson said, is bringing back platform attendants, or ambassadors. SunRail had at least two ambassadors at each of the 12 stations during the morning and evening commutes when the 31.5-mile system started up. The positions were eliminated Aug. 10.

Wearing black polo shirts with a SunRail logo, they frequently aided riders with the often balky ticket vending machines. They also helped people make connections with Lynx buses.

Olson said it could take at least six weeks for the ambassadors to return because the state must arrange with employment agencies to find and train people for the jobs

Ambassadors could play an important role with SunRail next year because ridership is expected to rise when construction crews begin adding four toll lanes to Interstate 4.

Many think Transit Oriented Development (TOD), so the systematic placement of new business or residential units around a transit stop, brings economical, environmental and quality-of-living benefits and is an opportunity to revitalize town centers and areas that have not seen much development in the last decades because much of it might have taken place close to highway exits instead. TOD can help reshape communities to not be totally auto-dependent, also giving residents and visitors the freedom to enjoy walkable, livable places - often historic places also carrying a distinct identity of the community - something many strip malls or highway exits may be lacking. While there are already many TOD projects finished, underway or planned along the SunRail corridor, there hasn't been any such activity in proximity to the currently northern-most stop, DeBary. Some might think it's laudable the city of DeBary seems determined to change that:

DeBary hiring pro to market SunRail area to developers
Town seeks master plan for area around SunRail station
By Mark Harper
Published: Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20141005/NEWS/141009653?Title=DeBary-hiring-pro-to-market-SunRail-area-to-developers&tc=ar

Some quotes from the article:

The City Council approved a $115,000 line item in the 2014-15 budget to add a new staff position, a director of transit-oriented development, that is now being advertised.

The $115,000 will cover operating costs associated with the new position, in addition to the salary, and $85,000 has been budgeted for a master plan to be written, said Kassandra Blissett, the assistant city manager.

When new public-transportation systems, such as a commuter-rail line, are built, development typically springs up.

Unlike SunRail’s other 11 stops, the DeBary station has little development nearby except for a small mobile-home court and some industrial businesses.

“It’s a blank canvas,” Chris Carson, the city’s acting mayor, said in a recent interview. “You’re starting fresh.”

Carson and Councilwoman Lita Handy-Peters said they agree with the strategy of spending money to generate new property-tax revenue.

“I’m absolutely excited about that,” Handy-Peters said. “We want that to be a destination place.”

Noranne Downs, the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 5 secretary, mentioned the lack of development at DeBary during an update to the Volusia County Council last week.

“When I was riding the train a lot, there were a lot of people from (other stations) saying, ‘Where is (development) in Volusia County? We can’t wait to eat at their restaurants.’ So it’s not what we hope for, they really want that.”

The area could attract, for instance, a mixed use of high-density housing, such as apartments or townhouses, plus commercial businesses to serve those new residents. Or there could be an entertainment district, Carson said.

Carson said he hopes the area – however it develops – can be linked to the trails and amenities less than a mile north at Gemini Springs County Park.

Last but not least, seems like there's no press coverage about this yet, but SunRail indeed seems to be showing up now in Google Maps. Funnily, the service is being displayed with a bus symbol, like there is a bus line called "SunRail". Even the fare is being displayed properly below, adding $1 to the $2 base fare for every county line crossed. Many might think it is great if now finally the time has come when it's easier to conveniently find out online about Central Florida's public transportation options, including both bus and rail.