M-CORE - Development or Death Knell?

I just finished watching the Florida Channel's coverage of the public input for the toll roads that are being pushed through on a fast track to break ground by 2022. Do we really need this? I know the developers want this because it generates revenue and jobs. But it also invites urban sprawl and development in much needed wild lands.

FDOT met for the first time today (8/27/19) to hear public input on the project of Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance, or M-CORES. This sounds like an environmental disaster in the making. The land being designated for the project is some of the last remaining wild lands in Florida.

Benefits of economic growth, hurricane evacuation routes, and broadband Internet access are being ballyhooed as much needed in the West Coast region. Well, yes, if you are a developer and large land owner in that area.

But not so much if you are a citizen who chose to live there because it was one of the last remaining rural areas in Florida.

I started this website to accent the Big Bend, but we are all Floridians and it sounds like the folks on the West Coast could use some help. FDOT did not recommend the toll roads, the folks that live there don't want or need the toll roads, and the wildlife in the path of the roads will certainly suffer greatly. And for what?

Why aren't we focusing all the money and resources this project is going to gobble up on fixing the messes that are currently plaguing Florida? The blue-green algae alone is should be enough to signal that the land has had all it can take of humankind and our development.

Below is information from FDOT's website and has the new M-CORES website listed. They only had today's meeting in Tampa on the events calendar, so stay tuned for more information. Let's dig into this project and see what's really happening.

FDOT announces website for Florida Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES)

Posted on July 31, 2019

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is announcing a new website for citizen engagement with the Florida Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) program, FloridaMCores.com.

The M-CORES program has multiple goals, including job creation, revitalizing rural communities, and to provide regional connectivity using technology to help enhance quality of life and public safety. During the process, protecting the environment and natural resources will be a priority. The objective of the program is to advance the construction of regional corridors that are intended to accommodate multiple modes of transportation and multiple types of infrastructure including broadband, sewage, water, and electric systems.

The Department will form and use a task force for each corridor to make high level recommendations for their respective areas which include:

· Southwest-Central Florida Connector, extending from Collier County

· Suncoast Connector, extending from Citrus County to Jefferson County

· Northern Turnpike Connector, extending from the northern terminus of the Florida Turnpike northwest to the Suncoast Parkway

“We are excited to launch the new website dedicated to communication and collaboration for the proposed corridors. The website is a great asset for sharing the latest information about the corridors and for announcing public meetings,” explains FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “It’s another forum for citizens to share their ideas. The Department places public engagement as one of the highest priorities and we welcome public feedback throughout this initial thirteen-month evaluation process. Very soon, we will announce all

Task Force meetings and public workshops in various cities as we seek to hear the voices from all communities and stakeholders around the state.”

Citizens can email the Department with their questions and suggestions at FDOT at FDOT.Listens@dot.state.fl.us.