Our View: Traffic troubles

Toward the end of 2014, as Judy Green, CEO of Premier Sotheby’s, was assessing the robust real estate market in Florida, she made the comment of an experienced professional. Green, you see, has been involved in Florida real estate for three decades. She knows the state. She knows the market. Here’s what she told us:

Every year the Northeast has a terrible winter, the flow of people into Florida the following winter and beyond spikes like a geyser. It’s clockwork.

Lo and behold, if you remember last winter, it was miserable last year for Northeasterners. And now throw on top of that another horrible winter.

So now you know. Now you know why everyone — those who live here year-round, as well as our veteran snowbirds — is talking about how traffic is so awful this season.

Perception is reality, of course. So are data: At the end of its most recent fiscal year, Visit Sarasota County reported a 14% increase in tourist development tax collections. And in the three months reported so far this fiscal year, collections are up another 16.7%.

Yes, there are a lot more cars on our roads this year than during the recession years.

But put the increase in perspective. It’s relative. We often remind those complaining to think of Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Boston or L.A. You know how awful it is driving there. And even if it does take you 30 or 40 minutes more now than it does in July to get from one of the keys to the mainland, the worst conditions last only for three or four months. It’s a small price to pay to be in paradise. We’ll take the traffic over Boston’s winter weather any day, any time.

Nevertheless, the subject of traffic congestion should be jumping to the tops of public and elected officials’ agendas as one of the area’s most serious and imminent concerns over the next three to five years. Here’s why:

Just go down the list of development projects underway and in the planning stages for downtown Sarasota, especially near the worst of the worst in terms of traffic congestion — Fruitville Road and U.S. 41 and Gulfstream and U.S. 41. Altogether, there are 10 condominium and condo/hotel projects either under construction or slated for imminent construction. Not the least of these will be the 15-acre former Quay site.

At the outset, it should be noted the Quay and its neighbor, the Vue, will be replacements for high-traffic developments that once existed on those respective properties. To some extent, they won’t be creating congestion the region already hasn’t experienced.

But combined with all of the other projects, it’s easy to conclude the city of Sarasota’s worst traffic intersections can be expected to reach constant gridlock — not only there, but also on the Ringling Bridge and on St. Armands Circle as visitors travel to and from St. Armands and the Lido Key beaches. And that gridlock will cascade from there, all the way back to Longboat Key and east on Fruitville.

Now add two more aspects: Lakewood Ranch will continue to be among the fastest-growing planned community developments in the nation for the foreseeable future, and as this region continues to grow in popularity as a sports destination, population and visitor growth will remain a part of this region’s economic dynamics for the next decade at least. It’s unavoidable and inevitable.

The picture is vividly obvious. Everyone can see the future.

Two roundabouts won’t do it. Nor will traffic cops.

Another bridge to Longboat Key? Ralph Hunter, the founder of the Longboat Observer in 1978, advocated that, knowing, of course, the idea would have ignited an environmental jihad, eminent domain wars and a huge financial challenge.

On the face of it, the idea makes practical sense. You can envision perhaps a bridge that starts at 10th Street and, say, lands at City Island or Quick Point Park on Longboat. Or maybe an extension that breaks off from the Ringling Bridge at Causeway Park and also goes directly to the tip of City Island. That, too, could be practical and serve as relief for St. Armands Circle congestion and for travelers going directly to or from Longboat Key.

But you also can imagine the battles and wars that would erupt over giving up city park land and other property on City Island or Quick Point Park to benefit motorists going to and from Longboat Key. And we thought the Ringling Bridge fight a decade ago was divisive and contentious.

There is no simple, 100% acceptable choice. But everyone knows this: The status quo is the least acceptable option.

Given how long it takes the government to accomplish anything, and knowing the inevitable consequences of the growth that is coming, the imperative is compelling and convincing for elected officials and administrators from the cities of Sarasota and Longboat Key, state representatives and senators and officials from the Florida Department of Transportation. They have a duty to begin working together now. Key word: Now.

This isn’t a project to be put on the future to-do list for the Metropolitan Planning Organization. It’s a challenge and an opportunity for two mayors to demonstrate what voters expect: leadership.

70 YEARS AGO
Date: Feb. 19, 1945
Place: 660 miles south of Tokyo

Longboat Key resident and World War II Navy veteran Harold Ronson reminded us Monday: The Battle of Iwo Jima began 70 years ago to the day. He was there.

Japanese air fighters were taking off from this small island and intercepting B-29 bombers as U.S. forces moved closer to Japan’s home islands.

After months of bombing, on Feb. 19, 1945, U.S. Marines invaded Iwo Jima. About 70,000 Marines and 18,000 Japanese soldiers participated in the battle.

In 36 days, nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines were killed. Another 20,000 were wounded. Marines captured 216 Japanese soldiers; the rest were killed in action.

The island was finally declared secured on March 16, 1945.

Ronson, 88, says his daughter always reminds him: “Dad, you’ll never leave that island.” Says he: “I can’t believe I’ve lived for 70 years after that.”