New highway 331 bridge in Walton County - Page 2

SHELLY · 02-27-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

SANTA ROSA BEACH -- In what could represent a major development for the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority, a private business has offered to partner with it to widen Walton County's U.S. 331 Bridge.
At a meeting in South Walton County Thursday, Corridor Authority Chairman Randall McElheney announced receiving a letter from a company calling itself Moving US 331 Forward, LLC.

Wow! The county received an offer to widen the U.S. 331 from a company named "Moving US 331 Forward, LLC!"

Talk about coincidences!

What's that smell???

.

SWGB · 02-27-2009, 02:10 AM

The county just needs to provide their routing and account numbers so the company can deposit the funds.

AAbsolute · 02-27-2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

Didn't Jay Odom have some campaign issues with a member of the current BCC?

Also something to think about, what if this private entity starts the bridge and then goes belly up prior to completion?

That's what performance bonds are for.

goodwitch58 · 02-27-2009, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

That's what performance bonds are for.

Yeah, and how are they working with all the deserted housing developments around here?

AAbsolute · 02-27-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

Yeah, and how are they working with all the deserted housing developments around here?

They worked perfectly. The County let them expire without cashing them in. Some good ole boys should lose their jobs over that.

Miss Kitty · 02-27-2009, 06:56 AM

This all does sound shovel ready...use that shovel to keep digging for the dirt!

DuneLaker · 02-27-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Kitty

This all does sound shovel ready...use that shovel to keep digging for the dirt!

I think it is a multi-purpose shovel.

Rollin' Tide · 03-04-2009, 08:55 PM

Since I drive from SRB to Freeport and back each workday and am not up to pay a toll twice a day, I e-mailed Sara Commander and Ronnie Bell of the county board of Commissioners to find out more info and let them know of my concerns. They both expressed similar concerns about this LLC and Sara even stated the following:

Please let others know they can email me on this. I am keeping a record of my emails on the concerns our people have.

So I encourage you all to do just that. I hope that these e-mails will make a difference and help to inform the board and others of our thoughts on this.

kurt · 03-05-2009, 03:52 PM

The Defuniak Herald » OFFICIALS CALL FOR MORE TIME ON BRIDGE PROPOSAL

Quote:

By DOTTY NIST
Few people in Walton County would disagree that widening the Choctwhatchee bay bridge is a good idea, but some, including the county commission, appear to have qualms about a recent proposal by a private company that would have that result.
At a current estimated cost of $280 million, the bridge expansion has represented the most difficult part of the ongoing effort to get U.S. 331 widened to four lanes from north Walton County to the beaches area. Accomplishing the widening of U.S. 331, the county’s evacuation route, has been a priority for local officials and community members for decades. In recent years county officials have enlisted lobbyists to seek state and federal funds to expand the overloaded two-lane road. They have also made a number of trips to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to ask for project funding.
In 2005, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) met with representatives of Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, part of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) that constructs road and bridges that are primarily user- funded through tolls. Expanding the bay bridge through the turnpike enterprise had been suggested by DOT officials as a way to accomplish bridge widening more quickly. However, the idea of a toll bridge was not a popular one, and the commissioners did not pursue action on this possibility.
Last week, at the Feb. 24 BCC regular meeting, the commissioners were presented with information on a recent proposal in connection with U.S. 331 and the bay bridge. The information included a letter from attorney Michael B. Duncan on behalf of the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority (NFTCA). Duncan stated that the organization had received an unsolicited proposal for a public/private partnership to expand to four lanes the road section between the south end of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge (the bay bridge) and SR-20 in Freeport, including construction of a parallel bay bridge, to result in a four-lane bridge facility.
Proposing to “design, build, operate and finance” the project was a private entity, “Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C.” Information to the NFTCA on the proposal was provided by Denver Stutler, the L.L.C.’s “managing member,” and a former DOT transportation secretary under the Jeb Bush administration. The Florida Department of State Division of Corporations lists Robert S. Hightower, a Tallahassee attorney, as registered agent for Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C.
The L.L.C. had provided few details on the proposal but had included mention of the use of “stimulus funds” and “tolling” in the event those funds proved inadequate. The company anticipated later providing “a detailed funding plan.”
Among the many powers of the NFTCA, an agency of the state created by the 2005 Florida Legislature, are the ability to request proposals for public/private transportation projects and to review, approve or reject, and to negotiate such proposals, whether requested or unsolicited.
“The NFTCA has no position yet regarding the proposed partnership and project,” Duncan stated in his letter to the BCC. “Instead, the NFTCA is prepared to commence its statutorily provided process for handling an unsolicited proposal for a public private partnership,” he wrote.
Duncan explained that there would be a 60-day public notification period during which “it is expected” that all parties interested in doing the project, including Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C., and any competing proposers, would submit their detailed proposals near the end of those 60 days.
He further explained that review and ranking of proposals by NFTCA would follow, in consideration of “the interests and input of Walton County and its citizens.” Then, Duncan concluded, the NFTCA’s options would include negotiating with the highest-ranked proposer, or with Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C., if that had been the only proposal, or rejecting all proposals.
At the Feb. 24 BCC meeting, County Administrator Ronnie Bell told the commissioners that the NFTCA was not asking them for a recommendation but was just providing information. “They will seek your input,” he noted, ” and input from the public.”
One concern brought forward by M.C. Davis, Walton County businessman and conservationist, was that the proposal could apparently be accepted and negotiated by the NFTCA without the approval of the BCC. “Who gave them this unique power?” he asked.
Davis said he would be completely for the project if the citizens were in favor of it, but he objected to both the scarcity of the information being provided and the short time frame proposed for consideration of this $300-$400 million project.
“What is the urgency for 60 days?” he asked, calling for a much longer notification period to allow for the public to get informed and to encourage competing proposals.
Davis said he had not previously heard the word “toll” in connection with the proposal, an indication that the public has not been provided with “the total picture.” He expressed strong opposition to a private company from outside the area “coming in and owning” this important part of the county’s transportation network.
“That time line is ridiculous!” weighed in Driftwood Estates resident Alan Osborne.
County Commission Chair Sara Comander contrasted the situation with the Mid-Bay Bridge in Okaloosa County, a toll bridge, with Walton County’s situation. She pointed out that taking the toll bridge is not the only option in the neighboring county, that there are other north-south routes. This would not be the case in Walton County if the bay bridge became a toll facility, since it is on the county’s only north-south route, she remarked.
Comander encouraged citizens to contact the commissioners with their input on this proposal.
District 3 Commissioner Larry Jones made a motion to send a letter to the NFTCA asking the organization to lengthen the public notification process for the Moving US 331 Forward proposal to a six-month time frame. His motion was approved unanimously.

scooterbug44 · 03-05-2009, 04:06 PM

Good Gravy! My BS/skullduggery meter is pinging like crazy!

SHELLY · 03-05-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Proposing to “design, build, operate and finance” the project was a private entity, “Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C.” Information to the NFTCA on the proposal was provided by Denver Stutler, the L.L.C.’s “managing member,” and a former DOT transportation secretary under the Jeb Bush administration. The Florida Department of State Division of Corporations lists Robert S. Hightower, a Tallahassee attorney, as registered agent for Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C.

The L.L.C. had provided few details on the proposal but had included mention of the use of “stimulus funds” and “tolling” in the event those funds proved inadequate. The company anticipated later providing “a detailed funding plan.”

PORK in a POKE:

.

SWGB · 03-05-2009, 10:55 PM

If this goes through we can just call it Walton County's most expensive fishing pier.

DuneLaker · 03-06-2009, 06:43 AM

It is mostly four lane from SoWal to Atlanta, except through beautiful Eufala and a few other spots. Somehow the traffic makes it through, certainly quite backed up on the busiest holidays. With more four lane on both sides of the 331 bridge, there will at least be a safer means of passing problem and slow vehicles. There is no rush, especially if we can avoid a toll. Still want to know all the names. At least get the names of their lawyers and lobbyists at the next meeting. The lobbyist should have to register with the state. Then, we can perhaps at least look up their clients and see who they are taking to lunch.

SHELLY · 03-06-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

It is mostly four lane from SoWal to Atlanta, except through beautiful Eufala and a few other spots. Somehow the traffic makes it through, certainly quite backed up on the busiest holidays. With more four lane on both sides of the 331 bridge, there will at least be a safer means of passing problem and slow vehicles. There is no rush, especially if we can avoid a toll. Still want to know all the names. At least get the names of their lawyers and lobbyists at the next meeting. The lobbyist should have to register with the state. Then, we can perhaps at least look up their clients and see who they are taking to lunch.

...ditto...and add to that how they're going to finance it; where the financing is coming from; and who is backing up the financing. Somehow, with such a short timeline on requesting approval of the project, I can't see them extracting Economic Stimulus money unless it's already been "prearranged" to come from the money the state governors are getting from Obama. <I can be wrong, but I smell JOE in the room>

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SWGB · 03-06-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHELLY

...ditto...and add to that how they're going to finance it; where the financing is coming from; and who is backing up the financing. <I can be wrong, but I smell JOE>

.

I tend to doubt JOE, they've developed this area and are basically done. They'd much rather route you through Hwy 79 and CR 388.

What bothers me is the talk of using stimulus money to build a toll bridge.

klauricella · 03-06-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollin' Tide

Since I drive from SRB to Freeport and back each workday and am not up to pay a toll twice a day, I e-mailed Sara Commander and Ronnie Bell of the county board of Commissioners to find out more info and let them know of my concerns. They both expressed similar concerns about this LLC and Sara even stated the following:

Please let others know they can email me on this. I am keeping a record of my emails on the concerns our people have.

So I encourage you all to do just that. I hope that these e-mails will make a difference and help to inform the board and others of our thoughts on this.

Do you have those email addresses handy??

lms47 · 03-06-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klauricella

Do you have those email addresses handy??

You can go to Walton County's website and click on her name/page to send an email.

BeachSiO2 · 03-06-2009, 06:07 PM

Stimulus money has to be spent in two years (roughly) for project completion. This would be an amazing longshot to get it done and if it doesn't get done by the Administration's timetables the money will go to another state. Does Florida really want to gamble on this type of a project with these dollar amounts when they have other ones that are more likely to get done quickly. I stand by my earlier statement that while 331 bridge may have been deemed "shovel ready" and put on a list, but getting it done as a stimulus project is a longer longshot than the DOW rebounding quickly.

The dollars and cents don't add up and they are not paying for "partial projects." Just remember shovel ready does not mean stimulus eligible....

lms47 · 03-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lms47

You can go to Walton County's website and click on her name/page to send an email.

FYI-received a response from Sara Comander on the email I sent and she also has major concerns with the toll on the bridge. Nice to know a commissioner is listening AND commenting on our concerns.

klauricella · 03-08-2009, 10:35 AM

Here is Sara Comander's email address.... comsara@co.walton.fl.us

kurt · 03-10-2009, 07:13 AM

Private road is no answer for the public | private, proposal, money - Opinion - WaltonSun.com

Quote:

News that a private company wants to "help" Walton County by widening U.S. 331 and the Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge should give citizens pause.
This private company wants to turn U.S. 331 into a widened private toll road. That means motorists would be at the mercy of largely unregulated price increases to use a road and bay bridge they now drive on for free.
The proposal comes from a company founded by Denver Stutler, who served as Gov. Jeb Bush's chief of staff and then as Bush's Department of Transportation secretary. Stutler's company approached the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority Feb. 17 with an "unsolicited proposal" to "design, build, operate, and finance transportation facilities which will provide additional capacity for U.S. 331 in Walton County."
It is curious how this proposal just popped up out of nowhere. Developer Jay Odom, whose 3,000-acre Hammock Bay development in Freeport would benefit from a pricey new road, was quoted in the Northwest Daily News as saying "In my book, this is a stimulus package. It's a half-billion-dollar stimulus that's not reliant on federal dollars."......

AAbsolute · 03-10-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt

Private road is no answer for the public | private, proposal, money - Opinion - WaltonSun.com

Is it true that the Mid Bay Bridge has collected enough revenue from tolls to pay off the costs of designing and building that bridge?

beachmouse · 03-10-2009, 08:10 AM

Little bit on the Mid Bay Bridge's finances as of March 2008. (original article appeared in the Destin Log)

Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County Florida

AAbsolute · 03-10-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Little bit on the Mid Bay Bridge's finances as of March 2008. (original article appeared in the Destin Log)

Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County Florida

This is about priorities. I read the latest articles about the expansion of the 331 bridge being funded by private individuals and one thing reads to me as if it were in bold print. Every time there is news of the private expansion the writer goes out of their way to point out the names of some of the individuals involved. That is not a part of the math equation and is 100% irrelevant for budget discussion purposes.

Private development of that infrastructure is better for taxpayers than government run.

scooterbug44 · 03-10-2009, 09:08 AM

I think who the players are is a VERY important part of the story!

Especially when they rushing something through to get $$$ from the government and potentially screwing up an important traffic artery and emergency route that we have been going through the proper channels to expand for years!

We keep calling for more transparency in government, so I applaud the reporter for naming names!

beachmouse · 03-10-2009, 10:17 AM

Though I'm not fond of privitization of existing public infrastructure since that seems to always result in higher costs and frequently in a lower level of service for users.

And the private infrastructure companies go for the bloat just as much as the public ones do. The Mid Bay Bridge Authority is spending a crazy amount of money to build a bypass around Niceville that really isn't necessary and that's not going to be used by the majority of daily users for the current bridge. And then when revenues for the bypass aren't All That, we're going to be stuck paying more in bridge fare to pay off the bypass road that's not being used as expected.

SWGB · 03-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

This is about priorities. I read the latest articles about the expansion of the 331 bridge being funded by private individuals and one thing reads to me as if it were in bold print. Every time there is news of the private expansion the writer goes out of their way to point out the names of some of the individuals involved. That is not a part of the math equation and is 100% irrelevant for budget discussion purposes.

Private development of that infrastructure is better for taxpayers than government run.

Based on the article regarding the MBBA I am very curious as to the Bond ownership of the MBBA board members.

How much would you like to bet that the cash nest egg is being saved up to "help" the 331 expansion and thus increase the MBBA empire? Why don't we just privatize all of the bridges in/out of South Walton? After all to avoid the tolls one can still swim or fly.

AAbsolute · 03-10-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

I think who the players are is a VERY important part of the story!

Especially when they rushing something through to get $$$ from the government and potentially screwing up an important traffic artery and emergency route that we have been going through the proper channels to expand for years!

We keep calling for more transparency in government, so I applaud the reporter for naming names!

There is such a thing as a performance bond and they have worked exceedingly well over the years to insure that the work is completed. Sure, there have been times recently where the government has let work not be completed and let the bonds expire, but that again is a government problem.

scooterbug44 · 03-10-2009, 07:08 PM

Are you kidding me?

"We have a system in place that works just fine .................. except for lately when it hasn't worked (on a much smaller scale)"

Oh yeah, let's use that system on our main road and our emergency evacuation route!

AAbsolute · 03-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

Are you kidding me?

"We have a system in place that works just fine .................. except for lately when it hasn't worked (on a much smaller scale)"

Oh yeah, let's use that system on our main road and our emergency evacuation route!

No, I'm not kidding you. Are you kidding me? The performance bond is a bond that pays out to complete a project. The bond is as flawless as it's custodian. The State administers these bonds quite well. It is the County who has chosen to let developers off the hook and relinquished their performance guarantees. If the County doesn't have the competence to administer the local performance bonds the State should seize them and the regulatory authority to administer them.

SWGB · 03-10-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

No, I'm not kidding you. Are you kidding me? The performance bond is a bond that pays out to complete a project. The bond is as flawless as it's custodian. The State administers these bonds quite well. It is the County who has chosen to let developers off the hook and relinquished their performance guarantees. If the County doesn't have the competence to administer the local performance bonds the State should seize them and the regulatory authority to administer them.

I believe this goes back to corrupt officials "forgetting" about performance bonds so that they will expire. If I remember correctly those officials that allowed the bonds to expire are there to protect the public's interests and not a developers ass.

AAbsolute · 03-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

I believe this goes back to corrupt officials "forgetting" about performance bonds so that they will expire. If I remember correctly those officials that allowed the bonds to expire are there to protect the public's interests and not a developers ass.

Why are you always bringing up ass?

SWGB · 03-10-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

Why are you always bringing up ass?

Habit.

AAbsolute · 03-10-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

Habit.

I will never be able to stump you.

scooterbug44 · 03-10-2009, 09:35 PM

I know what a performance bond is.

I also know how well they have been working in Walton County.....................and am realistic about how the process works and the odds of getting 'a better custodian' put in place on something being rushed through in under 60 days.

SWGB - you crack me up!

AAbsolute · 03-11-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

I know what a performance bond is.

I also know how well they have been working in Walton County.....................and am realistic about how the process works and the odds of getting 'a better custodian' put in place on something being rushed through in under 60 days.

SWGB - you crack me up!

Fortunately for all of us the good ole boys won't be handling the 331 bridge funds anyway.

I remember years ago when my beloved NYC couldn't find a way to finish Wollman Rink as a public recreation project and Trump stepped up and finished the project without the government. It was a good thing for all those children who weren't getting any younger. I'd think that if we accept a quazi/privatized scenario on the 331 bridge widening it could be finished quicker than the government version would put a shovel in the ground.

Why not let a project like this with its own funding be awarded auction style?

SWGB · 03-11-2009, 05:07 PM

Please don't invoke the name of Trump.

Recent Quote:

Quote:

He's the only person in the world who is going bankrupt with casinos. This is the only business where people walk in and hand you money for nothing.

wildlifelover · 03-20-2009, 09:26 AM

This editorial is great! There's something fishy here, and it's not in the bay!

DeFuniak Herald

For whom the road tolls
By Ron Kelley, Editor

We're losing words. It's true. As time goes on, many once-common words and phrases seem to lose popularity and fall into disuse, rarely to be heard from again.

Words like nefarious, perfidious and mendacious have all but disappeared from our speech. Phrases, too, have fallen out of use. For instance, when is the last time you actually heard someone say "Too much sugar for a dime" or "That stinks to high-heaven" or "Something's rotten in Denmark!"

It's probably been years since any of us have heard someone use these words or phrases in a sentence, but I have a feeling that we may have to resurrect them soon.

I'm not sure just how to adequately describe a recent news item regarding an effort to rush through a plan to build another U.S. 331 bridge across ChoctawhatcheeBay and turn this county's only north-south highway into a toll-road.

The plan, completely unsolicited, comes from two men operating a company called "Moving US 331 Forward, LLC." They are Denver Stutler Jr. and Lowell Clary. If those names seem familiar, it may be because Stutler is the former district secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation and Clary was his assistant secretary.

During the time Stutler and Clary managed FDOT, WaltonCounty was unable to make any progress regarding the long-overdue widening of U.S. 331. When county commissioners would go to Washington to meet with U.S. senators and representatives about funding for the badly-needed project, they were told, "The money is there. We approved millions in transportation funding. Talk to FDOT." When approached by commissioners, the answer from FDOT was always, "We don't have the funding."

Apparently, even with the almost-unchecked authority of FDOT and many millions of dollars over the last 20 years, it was never, ever possible to consider widening U.S. 331. That's so odd.

During this same period, other Panhandle counties - with multiple north-south evacuation routes - had no trouble getting roads four-laned.

Now this hurried plan has been put before the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority (NFTCA) demanding approval to start advertising it within 60 days. Additionally, the Stutler-Clary company would receive part of the toll-bridge funds - indefinitely.

So what about the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority? The chairman is Randall McElheney, a registered lobbyist. The vice-chairman is Jay Odom, who seems delighted with the plan and the company behind it.

Odom, whose ties to Rep. Ray Sansom are among the subjects now being investigated by a grand jury, has become one of the bigger campaign donors in the state. His dozen or so corporations have given at least $1.3 million over the past decade to Florida lawmakers. Sansom has received $20,000 from Odom's corporations, records show. Last summer, a political fund Rep. Ray Sansom controlled in part got a $100,000 check from Odom's Crystal Beach Development.

According to the Miami Herald, "Odom's most ambitious project is HammockBay in Freeport. It has managed to escape time-consuming and expensive state permitting, thanks to an act of former

Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush signed an executive order in December 2004 adding Freeport to a list of rural areas of critical economic concern. That meant HammockBay could get local approval and not go through an exhaustive state permitting process.

"In 2005, Sansom sponsored a bill creating a toll-road authority to build highways parallel to Interstate 10. This was approved by Gov. Bush and Sansom asked Odom to apply to be a member of the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority. In August 2005, Bush made the appointment. The authority gets federal and state funding and has eminent domain power."

The one thing is does not have - unlike nearly every other state-appointed transportation agency - is a single elected official. In fact, that was strangely forbidden, which can result in little accountability to the public.

Four years and about $4 million dollars of taxpayer money later, the NFTCA has created a route that seems to meander past the HammockBay subdivision and some St. Joe Company's resort communities on its way to the new BayCounty airport, which is located on St. Joe-donated land.

Now, without ever having conducted the required audit, the NFTCA is out of money and its members' terms will expire at the end of this year.

There are so many questions to be considered regarding this plan. In fact, there are far more questions than answers.

The Mid-BayBridge in OkaloosaCounty is a toll road, with no end in sight for the toll. It cost only $44 million to construct. To travel across it and back now costs $5. The U.S. 331 bridge is estimated to cost over $400 million to construct. I wonder what would be the cost of that never-ending toll?

This U.S. 331 toll-road may be the very thing that WaltonCounty residents and officials have always wanted, though I don't really think so.

In any case, the public needs plenty of time to examine the plan, every aspect of it, and then either approve or reject it. I would ask that the Florida Cabinet, our state and federal representatives and the Walton County Commission prevail upon the NFTCA to slow down and give the people a chance to get a good, long look at what is being proposed.

There's a word that would apply here if that request is denied. Nokuse Plantation creator M.C. Davis used it the other day.

"Ambush."

kurt · 03-22-2009, 08:34 AM

The Defuniak Herald » COALITION TACKLES BRIDGE PROPOSAL

Quote:

Coalition tackles bridge proposal
By DOTTY NIST
“We have to get over this apathy and see it for what it is,” Walton County landowner M.C. Davis told a group of 82 citizens gathered in south Walton County on March 11.
Present were educators, politicians, business people, developers, community leaders, and environmentalists from Walton, Okaloosa, Bay, Leon and Holmes counties and elsewhere. A major topic of discussion was a recent proposal to the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor (NFTCA) by a private company for expansion of the U.S. 331 Bay bridge, either through stimulus funds or as a toll facility. Attendees discussed the NFTCA itself, as well, and the quasi-governmental transportation authority’s public participation policies.
In 2005, the Florida Legislature approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Ray Sansom to create the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor. Created as “an agency of the state,” with the mission of improving mobility along the U.S. 98 corridor, the NFTCA was empowered to construct roads and other transportation facilities, including bridges, issue bonds, impose tolls, enter into public/private partnerships, and even acquire property through eminent domain, including other abilities. To serve as the NFTCA’s governing body were eight voting members, one from each of the eight counties encompassed by the organization, each member appointed by the governor. The current members were chosen by former Gov. Jeb Bush, and their terms will be up in October.
The NFTCA adopted a master plan in 2007 for the eight-county area, and a plan update is required to be adopted in July of each year.
In February 2009, the NFTCA received a proposal from a private company known as Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C. The company proposed a public/private partnership with the entity whereby the L.L.C. would expand to four lanes the portion of U.S. 331 between the south end of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge (the bridge spanning the Choctawhatchee Bay) and SR-20 in Freeport, including the construction of a second two-lane bridge to be funded either through stimulus funds or as a toll facility.
The proposal raised alarm in the community that it could result in the bridge no longer being free to cross and that the bridge could come under the ownership and control of the private company.
Davis, owner of the Nokuse Plantation conservation area, noted at the outset of his remarks at the March 11 gathering, that it was not his intent to charge anyone or any entity with any “legal wrong” but only to talk about “what we think is wrong” with the NFTCA and its way of operating.
He observed that in his experience no statute has conferred “such extraordinary powers” on an entity as does the one governing the NFTCA.
Davis said he was not against public/private partnerships. “I’ve been in a number of them,” he said, noting that all he has been involved in were nonprofit and “highly scrutinized.”
He called upon Dr. Matt Aresco, director of Nokuse Plantation, to comment on the NFTCA master plan.
Aresco warned that the roads proposed throughout the Panhandle in the master plan would negatively impact “over a decade of land conservation efforts in Northwest Florida,” including the Northwest Florida Greenway now being established to connect over one million acres of state, federal and private conservation property from Eglin Air Force Base through the Apalachicola National Forest.
Aresco criticized the master plan for involving the construction of new roads, rather than utilizing existing roadways. He warned of harm to threatened and endangered species and their habitat. The proposed roads would make it “almost impossible” to manage wildlife habitat through the important tool of prescribed burning, he added.
Aresco also pointed to the NFTCA’s eminent domain powers, which, he said, could result in property purchased for conservation being acquired for road construction, a possibility he viewed as a violation of the public trust.
“An ambush clause” was how M.C. Davis referred to the NFTCA’s statutory requirement to advertise the bridge/road proposal and then entertain a decision at the end of a 60-day period.
“It takes 14 months to get a building permit!” Davis exclaimed.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) recently asked the NFTCA to lengthen the procedure on the proposal by six months.
Community leader Anita Page presented some research on the state’s five transportation authorities. Unlike the other four authorities, the NFTCA is not legally required to cooperate with state, federal, and local officials, she noted, except in instances where the authority is constructing a state road or county road. In that case, concurrence with the state Department of Transportation or the county must occur, she said.
In all the transportation authorities other than the NFTCA, elected officials are required to serve as voting members, Page added. In contrast, the eight members of the NFTCA are appointed by the governor and must not be elected officials. She noted that three of the transportation authorities also require citizen representatives be included on their boards, while there is no such requirement with the NFTCA.
Page also noticed a “common thread” in a review of the NFTCA’s “somewhat sketchy” minutes, comments from citizens attending their meetings to the effect that “You are not responding to me,” or, “It doesn’t seem you’re listening to me.”
Linda Young of the Clean Water Network complained that members of her organization attending NFTCA meetings were “treated disrespectfully” when they made comments and asked to have questions answered, and that their request for an administrative hearing on the master plan was refused.
It was Davis’ opinion that the purpose of the master plan was to benefit the St. Joe Company and the under-construction Panama City/Bay County International Airport near West Bay.
“Are we going to let St. Joe run roughshod over us?” he asked.
Driftwood Estates homeowner Alan Osborne said he had worked for government for 23 years. “It’s only good if citizens care,” he stated.
Osborne said he did not think the need for four-laning the bridge could be quantified. He speculated that the widening of surrounding roads might improve traffic flow enough to make expanding the bridge unnecessary for the present.
Walton County Commission Chair Sara Comander commented that, since the time the L.L.C.’s proposal was presented to the BCC, she had urged citizens to contact her with their concerns. She encouraged them to continue to do so. So far, she said, all input has been against four-laning the bridge as a toll facility. She provided her e-mail address, comsara@co.walton.fl.us.
David Kramer suggested that the group send a letter to the NFTCA requesting that any action on the L.L.C.’s proposal be put off until mid-October. He further suggested sending copies of the letter to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and Gov. Crist.
Manley Fuller of the Florida Wildlife Federation suggested that the group put forth a slate of appointees to serve on the NFTCA and also draft proposed changes to improve the NFTCA statute.
Biologist Margaret Gunzberger of Nokuse Plantation suggested contacting legislators, including Rep. Ray Sansom, to ask for a delay on the bridge proposal.
At the close of the meeting, Davis said he was not sure whether or not additional meetings of the grass-roots assembly would be scheduled. Contacted on March 12, he said the letter to the NFTCA from the group, now being called Concerned Citizens, was being composed. He added that additional information on citizen involvement would be forthcoming.

AAbsolute · 03-22-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

Please don't invoke the name of Trump.

Recent Quote:

Once again, the name's not as important and won't be entered into the financial equation. So many people try and force variables into spreadsheets that have no place there, and usually it's that person with the faulty logic who experiences the loss.

yankee-clipper · 03-23-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appalach

My apologies if this has been discussed in another thread recently, but my search didn't show anything. With all of the talk lately about infrastructure spending and allocations going to "shovel-ready" projects, I was curious what was the last official statement about when/if any funding would be sought for the new 331 bridge. What "shovel-ready" projects are in the area, and who decides what projects meet that term?

Well, this is what I think and know----331 is a State Hwy. Hwys are to be funded by the State. 331 is in Walton Cty so the Mid-Bay Auth. has no say ! It is our county's only evacuation route out of So Wal . Yes, expansion is needed-but when? When hurricanes occur and storms that run the vacationers out? Lots of discussion needs to be brainstormed b-4 any actions occur. #1 = Local input must occur !!!

kurt · 03-25-2009, 06:03 AM

DeFuniak Springs, Florida – $237,500 in federal funds has been designated for the widening project of U.S. Highway 331 by the federal government along with an additional $95,000 towards the widening project of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge. The funding was secured by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill following several years of visits to Washington, D.C. by Walton County commissioners and administrative leaders.

Senator Nelson announced the appropriation to Walton County commissioners Kenneth Pridgen, and Cecilia Jones, and other county officials during their visit with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. March 13. President Obama had just signed the bill which included the funding for Walton County.

Federal funding for widening U.S. Highway 331 is the number one priority for Walton County, says County Administrator Ronnie Bell. “This is the first time we have received federal dollars for this project,” he says. “Although our request to federal leaders for this project is seven million for widening the highway and five million for widening the bridge, the $332,000 awarded for these projects will enable us to secure future funds more easily,” he says.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller agrees with county leaders that U.S. Highway 331 plays a major role in public safety and economic development. “Highway 331 is a critical North/South artery for Walton County and the entire length of Northwest Florida,” he says. “This expansion means reduced traffic, ease of evacuation in case of a hurricane, and a potential shot-in-the-arm for economic development. I appreciate the hard work of all those in Walton County who made this vision a reality.”
Senator Bill Nelson says this funding may be the beginning to future federal assistance. “Hopefully, this will help jumpstart these vital road projects,” says Nelson.

AAbsolute · 03-25-2009, 06:24 AM

Good morning Kurt. Thanks for the update.

Does anyone in privity with the BCC know specifics about what these funds will be used for? Where will the funds be parked by the BCC until used? Thanks

Busta Hustle · 03-25-2009, 08:16 AM

QUOTE:

Does anyone in privity with the BCC know specifics about what these funds will be used for?

I'm guessing the $$$ will go to lobbyist, more trips to Washington for the local commissioners and possibly a feasibility study done by a high paid consultant that used to work directly for the county.

Smiling JOe · 03-25-2009, 09:42 AM

Those Fed funds won't likely cover the lobbyists expenses alone. They sure as heck won't pave any roads, maybe a driveway or two, but no roads.

BeachSiO2 · 04-04-2009, 06:40 AM

Here is an article about stimulus funding for infrastructure in NW Florida.

NWF to receive $88 million in stimulus | stimulus, state, gaetz - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

I am not sure if this is all encompassing but it looks like the bridge is not part of stimulus 1.

Quote:

Okaloosa County is receiving the bulk of the stimulus dollars. The top priority for the region, which will be fully funded through the stimulus program, is the $46 million flyover ramp at the south intersection of State Road 85 and State Road 123 and the reconfiguring of the entrance to Northwest Florida Regional Airport....

Santa Rosa County is expected to receive $11.4 million, most of which will be used to widen Avalon Boulevard. Walton County will get $1.8 million, which will be used to build a pedestrian bridge, sidewalks and a resurfacing project. Escambia and Bay counties will get a total of about $24 million.

5thGenFlo · 04-08-2009, 05:25 PM

No Toll!

kurt · 04-11-2009, 04:22 PM

Here's a link for current project updates - www.MyUS331.com

teamc · 04-12-2009, 03:21 PM

you know, if they didn't want to pay for a bridge, then the powers-that-be shouldn't have allowed so much development. as it is even with a 4-lane evacuation in case of hurricane will be difficult during the high season.

wrobert · 04-12-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamc

you know, if they didn't want to pay for a bridge, then the powers-that-be shouldn't have allowed so much development. as it is even with a 4-lane evacuation in case of hurricane will be difficult during the high season.

Your on the Gulf. Watch the weather. Leave sooner.