FDOT

First of all, hats off to Mike Heemer for his well-reasoned analysis of the likely actual effect of the Outer Tollway.

One detail deserves clarification and further analysis - the property tax exemption issue. Mike noted that we (local government) would forego property tax on the land and road for 3-5 years and then in theory hope to make up for that via the increased development the tollway would induce.

Actually, the proposed exemption is much more enduring than the mere 3-5 years of Tollway construction. FDOT wants, but lacks statutory authority to offer the Public-Private-Partner (PPP) an exemption from paying property tax for the life of the toll concession. That is expected to be 60-75 years. The total value of such an exemption is expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars, per a Times Union article detailing the reasons behind the current hold on the Tollway project. In other words, FDOT wants the next legislative session in Tallahassee to pass a law requiring local governments to forego property taxes on the Tollway and its underlying lands for the entire 60-75 year life of the toll concession.

I have watched the news coverage of the proposed 495 with great interest. Did anyone else notice the Pink route was selected before they announced the free Shands Bridge would be eliminated? I was a supporter of the Purple/Black routes, because I've always thought that having two places to cross the River is better than simply having one. More roads, bridges, and choices, less drivers congested in one spot. 

It was also interesting to note that the Pink/Brown routes were very similar and the Purple/Black ones were alike. The FDOT claimed the pink route garnered the most community support, but if you looked at their numbers comparing the Southerly routes (Pink/Brown) to the Northern Routes (purple/black), the Northern routes were cummulatively more popular. I think the Black route got the least support from the state because it was the most expensive. But, if you looked at the number or road miles you were getting for the price, it looked like the best value. And, most importantly, it connected 495 directly into 95.