Yes, Virginia, We Are Building the A-Braid Trail
Yes, Virginia, We Are Going to Build the Archer Braid Trail
by
James Thompson
(Advocacy Director, Gainesville Cycling Club)
It could have been called a comedy, a dark comedy. First there was a campaign based on lies, mis-drawn maps, fear-mongering, and absolutely _no_ data. It was a campaign that saw Florida’s allegedly most bike-friendly metro area first reject federal funding for a major bike-ped connector, funding that would simply go to another place that wanted it for the same thing (not back into some generic “federal” fund that would lower our taxes or debt). Second, we saw a vocal group of mostly seniors and the Haile Plantation Home Owners Association hold a property-owners’ plebiscite where a single person owning 20 properties got 19 more votes than a family of 6 living in one house. We were reminded of an unhappy moment several years ago when the HOA was asked by the County to remove illegal signage at the neighborhoods entrance that indicated it was closed to non-residents (it is not).
Yes, these things actually happened.
Yes, it had only to do with a bike and pedestrian trail. A trail that would keep disabled persons, children, and families out of the gutter and the street when walking or riding to school or work.
Opponents of the trail submitted no data to support their claims that “those people,” “unknown strangers,” and “people from the other side of town” (actual quotes) would bring crime or vice into their neighborhoods. Supporters of the trail (myself included) submitted evidence and summaries from dozens of municipal, federal, and university surveys that proved trails actually reduce crime and increase property values. They are economic engines.
Many argued that this “elite” neighborhood (yes, someone actually called themselves that, in 2012) would lose its aesthetics, namely a large swath of “swail” (grass-covered ditch) on the side of its un-shouldered and crackling roadways--the Southeast quadrant of 46th and 91st.
Thankfully, other residents from Haile came out as well. They were, as many reported to our organization and to the public meetings, from all political stripes. Republicans, Democrats, and Tea Party cyclists came out to support the trail. Many of those who got involved to support the campaign actually voted against the Commissioners who won the vote (Byerly, Chestnut, and Hutch). Many had never been involved in any political issue before. Many had never attended a public government meeting. Many will be coming back.
These Haile residents said that, actually, they _did_ want “those people” to come enjoy the thriving local businesses in Haile Village, and to have a safe way to get from Tower Rd. to West Archer Road without negotiating the mechanized mayhem on Archer. These residents pointed out that during multiple community events throughout the year, Haile invites outside residents to its festivals, market days, and sporting events. These residents said, hey, wouldn’t it be nice if they could walk or ride their bikes?
And that was the general sentiment at every public meeting that was held on this issue. Supporters outweighed opponents about two to one. In a County-wide online petition, almost 800 County residents supported the Haile version of the Braid.
In the end, the ABT won. This fills a major hole in our bike-ped infrastructure and clears the way for Celebration Pointe developers, when the economy gets rolling again, to install the final connector attaching bike-ped infrastructure from the town of Archer to downtown Gainesville and University of Florida. Like the folks that built and zoned Haile Plantation so many years ago based on a reduced-car trip model (“new urbanism”), the Celebration Pointe developers consider bike-ped a fundamental part of that developments design and a value to the project. Celebration Pointe is that big swampy area between I-75 and Tower Road kind of southeast of Haile Plantation--they even brag about the bike-ped on their home page at http://cpgainesville.com. Click on “Directions” to see the map.
Sometimes politics gets a bad name. It conjures up images of old guys in suits with big cigars making deals in a back room. And sometimes, well, sometimes it just means a lot of good people getting together and telling the County Commission to spend some money that will actually benefit the community.
Looking forward to seeing you out on the trail someday.