by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Members of a study commission charged with exploring the framework of a regional transportation network heard Wednesday of some of the biggest potential hurdles they will face in their two-year endeavor.
For proponents of a regional approach, the answers from a four-person panel of transportation planners sounded familiar.
“Trust is the biggest challenge you’ll have,” said Brian Teeple, Northeast Florida Regional Council CEO.
The 20-member Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission consists of representatives from Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
It is legislatively charged to work together on the study for a potential regional transportation authority. That could lead to more federal funds for transportation projects to reshape the region.
Money is another of the numerous challenges cited by panelists.
“Funding,” said Jeff Sheffield, North Florida Transportation Planning Organization executive director.
“If this mission doesn’t come with new funding, it won’t reach its full potential,” he said. “There’s not much (funding), quite frankly.”
Alan Mosley, Florida Department of Transportation District 2 secretary, cited both the growing consensus of regional needs and funding as challenges the group will have to overcome to succeed.
“There’s no magic bullet,” said Mosley.
Panelist Michael Blaylock, Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO and executive director, agreed with the others.
“All of the above,” he said. “It’s got to be figured out, though, because otherwise we’re going to get left behind.”
The commission is staffed by JTA.
The panel discussion was part of the five-hour meeting, the second for commission members who will spend almost two years developing a regional transportation authority plan to present to state officials.
Over the next month, the group will begin filling out the ranks of a governance and funding subcommittee and planning subcommittee, two groups that will play important roles during the commission’s lifetime, said Brad Thoburn, project director.
While the morning session was highlighted by the panel discussion, the afternoon portion had commission members weighing in on some of the priorities of the recent Reality Check visioning exercise.
The exercise brought more than 300 community, business and government leaders together to help determine how the area should grow.
The needs of environmental and agriculture protection; sustainable growth; multimodal transportation and transit-oriented developments; adequate infrastructure and its funding; economic growth and vitality; regional leadership; and protecting and using the St. Johns River were Reality Check findings presented.
Of the 10 participating commission members, most agreed with the need for economic growth and vitality.
The environmental and agriculture protection, transit-oriented developments and the St. Johns River aspects all received support, with the need for balance being the most common concern.
The commission will meet at least 10 more times over the next two years. The next meeting is Feb. 23 at the St. Augustine - St. Johns County Airport Authority, where the meeting took place Wednesday.
The group will hold meetings across the region.
Wednesday’s meeting was also the first for new Study Commission Chair Michael Cavendish, JTA board chair. Cavendish succeeded Ava Parker in the role.
In his first meeting, Cavendish said he was impressed with the level of enthusiasm and cooperation among commission members.
“You have seven very different counties,” he said. “And I think you’re going to see this evolve into something completely new.”