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Kevin Dunwoody
Author: Brian
Date: 08-12-2017 - 07:01
Kevin,
Not sure if you are from Santa Cruz County, but we pasted Measure D to improve our transportation. Originally, the measure had money for a new train station in Monterey County and funds to repair the old railroad tracks. Funny thing was Monterey also had a tax measure and they had no plans for a train station.
In order for Measure D to pass, the politicians removed the funds for the train station and repair of tracks and diverted it to Paratransit, improving roads / highway and building trail. Short answer, the community already voted to pay for the trail. It is a 1/2% Sales Tax - we have millions to spend on trail and other transportation solutions. It is not a question of "if" the tracks will be removed but "when".
Tracks near Watsonville will remain for freight traffic - but this is only about a 1 mile stretch or so.
The big question will be what happens to Roaring Camp along Beach Street - in front of the Boardwalk. The tracks in front of the Boardwalk are actually owned by the Seaside Company (Boardwalk). Once we remove the tracks from Watsonville to Davenport, Roaring Camp will be in a difficult situation. I am proposing that a train museum / Roaring Camp Retail Center be setup at Depot Station - which is located right where Beach Street begins. It is the same location GGM was trying to locate. People from our group are reaching out to the President of Roaring Camp and Seaside Company.
There is a great opportunity for a train museum to be built in Santa Cruz - at location where GGM was proposed. Train advocates need to stop thinking that our community will allow this valuable property that spans the coast will continue to sit as a vacant lot or even function as tourist train.
Not sure if you are from Santa Cruz County, but we pasted Measure D to improve our transportation. Originally, the measure had money for a new train station in Monterey County and funds to repair the old railroad tracks. Funny thing was Monterey also had a tax measure and they had no plans for a train station.
In order for Measure D to pass, the politicians removed the funds for the train station and repair of tracks and diverted it to Paratransit, improving roads / highway and building trail. Short answer, the community already voted to pay for the trail. It is a 1/2% Sales Tax - we have millions to spend on trail and other transportation solutions. It is not a question of "if" the tracks will be removed but "when".
Tracks near Watsonville will remain for freight traffic - but this is only about a 1 mile stretch or so.
The big question will be what happens to Roaring Camp along Beach Street - in front of the Boardwalk. The tracks in front of the Boardwalk are actually owned by the Seaside Company (Boardwalk). Once we remove the tracks from Watsonville to Davenport, Roaring Camp will be in a difficult situation. I am proposing that a train museum / Roaring Camp Retail Center be setup at Depot Station - which is located right where Beach Street begins. It is the same location GGM was trying to locate. People from our group are reaching out to the President of Roaring Camp and Seaside Company.
There is a great opportunity for a train museum to be built in Santa Cruz - at location where GGM was proposed. Train advocates need to stop thinking that our community will allow this valuable property that spans the coast will continue to sit as a vacant lot or even function as tourist train.
