John Robert Smith on transit-oriented development (TOD) in Rochester

"Stop Mortimer Street Bus Barn/Create Amtrak Inter-Modal"
http://bit.ly/bgUGuy

On Bill Johnson and downtown Rochester Development...
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/565

We Must Oppose Rochester's Arrogance!
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/427

NOTE:

John Robert Smith, CEO of http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/ , former Republican Mayor of Meridian, MS and former CEO of Amtrak, submitted this essay to the Democrat & Chronicle for publication BEFORE the June 15 city council vote on the Mortimer bus barn. The D&C rejected publishing this essay because, they said: "We don't need any outside opinions on Rochester."

Kind of like ROC City Council President Lovely Warren recently stating why she pays no attention to Mr. Smith: "There are no busses in Mississippi."

And we wonder what is why things are very wrong in Rochester?

Emails: Showing Reasons For The Impeachment of ROC City Council Members Lovely Warren, Ortiz, Haag, Spaull, Palumbo & McFadden
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/302
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John Robert Smith on transit-oriented development (TOD) in Rochester

John Robert Smith in Rochester
http://www.harrydavis2010.com/node/223

As someone who had the pleasure of visiting Rochester and speaking to the Reshaping Rochester Lecture Series, I wanted to share my experience with transportation and development issues, in the hope that what I have learned may prove of value to Rochester as it works to better connect its’ citizens and provide a more livable community.

Redevelopment and transportation go hand-in-hand. You cannot revitalize a downtown without providing access to it. Reconnecting America focuses on transit-oriented development or TOD. We work to integrate transportation systems and the communities they serve to provide more connectivity and livability for all Americans.

On my trip, I learned that Rochester is currently undergoing a transportation metamorphosis. The bus lines are scheduled to relocate from Main Street into a new bus station on Mortimer Street. While most agree that moving the buses off of Main Street will help the local businesses and lead to renewed commercial development, is Mortimer Street really the right place to go? With historic buildings that have been or will be converted to high-end and market-rate housing, will a bus facility affect their value? In addition, the station will not be co-located with any other modes of transportation, not intercity bus service, nor the Amtrak Station, nor the proposed high-speed rail station. Failing to think and build inter-modally may prove detrimental for Rochester’s future development when high-speed rail arrives.

I realize that some feel there are good reasons to pursue the current course of action. But with such a major infrastructure investment, it never hurts to re-check assumptions. I understand a portion of the $52M from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) expires this month, but FTA has been willing to extend deadlines in other communities. Obtaining an extension allows for time to carefully plan transit locations where residents and visitors can seamlessly connect in a multimodal facility. Spending $52M is a big decision for Rochester-- one that needn't be driven by artificial deadlines.

It is widely recognized that prioritizing investments that revitalize downtowns and local businesses increases the land value of surrounding transportation projects and offers the potential to reverse sprawl that has damaged the historic character of many city centers.

Rochester has a rich architectural history with its turn-of-the-century buildings. As much of it should be preserved as possible. The link between transportation and revitalization is one that has been proven. Any future planning should take this into careful consideration.

John Robert Smith, CEO
http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/