Monthly Archives: August 2016

Parking. City Revenue. Stadiums. A trend from the West.

Sacramento has built a new stadium for the Kings. part of the funding mechanism is parking meter revenue.

Sound familiar? Similar revenue sources are bandied about related to Arlington’s new stadium.

Let’s look at Sacramento’s parking meter rate plan:

  • 4 Event parking zones will be established in a 12 block radius
  • The closer to the Area, the pricier.
    • Parking prices ranging from $11.25, if you pre-arrange parking in a city garage to $18.75
    • Higher event night only prices will be within a…

Local Trend. Robot Delivery. Traffic Trends. Sharing Economy

Which city is testing robot delivery systems on sidewalks? D.C.

The company: Starship Technologies

Did it require a city ordinance? Yes to rolling permit the delivery devices to operate on the sidewalks

Will it lessen traffic? Yes, it can reduce the number of delivery trucks

Should we be paying attention? Yes, D.C. was one of the first cities to embrace the sharing economy

Governing | Coming Soon to D.C. Sidewalks: Delivery Robots

Western High Speed Rail. Where Are They Now?

California is building a state funded high speed rail system.

Is the project behind schedule? Yes. The 1st segment moved its completion date from March 31, 2018, to August 2019. 

What is causing the delay? Acquiring land which means Eminent Domain Delays.

How many land parcels are required for the Valley portion of the high speed rail first leg?1,590 parcels of property. 841 parcels were secured as of last week.

For 1 segment, the Fresno-Madera segment, what are the current cost…

2017 Promises. What the Right Says about Grimes County. High Speed Rail.

Empower Texas makes these points about Grimes County enacting county construction permits that will affect high speed rail:

  • Big Business is looking to profit from eminent domain
  • Rural counties oppose the project because of eminent domain
  • Rural counties will not benefit from the project
  • Texas Central Rail has assumed eminent domain authority

Empower Texas | Eminent Domain for High-speed Rail Faces Hurdle in Grimes County

TREND. 3 Points. Ride Share Favored Bill Failed in the West

The death knell issue: No commercial license plates for ride share drivers

The issue got squashed in substantive committee chaired by sibling to taxi industry: AB 828, which flew through the Assembly had a somber death in Senate Transportation, the chair’s brother is in the taxi industry

Will there be immediate impact to ride share? No. California’s DMV, which has adopted ride share rules, does not require commercial license plates for ride share drivers

The Recorder | Uber-Backed…

LOCAL TREND. County Permits to Build Rail. 5 Legislators Comment.

Which County wants to require county permits before construction on high speed rail may begin? Grimes County, Texas

Is the proposal supported by state lawmakers? Yes. Support has been indicated by Sen. Schwertner, Rep. Schubert, Sen. Birdwell, Rep. Ashby & Sen. Kolkhorst

What would trigger a permit? Any construction crossing a county right of way

What would the application include? A requirement that the entity has state or federal authority to use eminent domain

Are other counties…

How One County Filled a Rail Revenue Deficit with a Property Tax Increase. Special Districts.

The County: Dade County Florida

The revenue deficit: In 2002, the County promised that an 8% increase in sales tax rate would build 90 miles of rail. They’ve built 3 miles.

Are property taxes going to go up? No, the property taxes near the proposed rail lines will be captured by special districts.

Are P3s involved? Yes. The transportation special districts will work with private interests to  pursue private financing & operation of new transit projects within the special…