It’s no secret that government is facing difficult decisions when it comes to funding projects and programs after the passage of amendment one, and the declining assessment values of properties. However it is also our elected officials responsibility to do long term planning, and address the issues that our community will face in the foreseeable future.
One such issue is transportation, and the facilitating of moving the St. John’s Heritage Parkway, from the drawing board to reality.
The building of the Parkway will enhance the community by providing increased safety, economic development, and ease the traffic gridlock that is currently experienced as Brevard’s workforce make their daily commute.
Safety Issues:
During the Mother’s Day fires that devastated the Palm Bay Metro area, US-1, Babcock Street, and I-95 were closed at various times, and at several points all these routes were closed at the same time. This tragedy isolated citizens in the southern part of the county and left them no immediate means of egress to the north.
If the need to evacuate from an impending hurricane should arise, the additional capacity the Parkway would bring would allow for faster, and more effecient evacuation from the south and west quadrants of the Metro area.
Lastly and what I feel is most important is the need for a secondary egress route for the new Palm Bay High School (school CCC) that is currently under construction at the west end of Malabar Rd.
Currently the location where the school is being built is only accessible by Malabar Rd. As you travel west on Malabar, you cross a single two lane bridge that’s located about a mile east of the school. This single two lane bridge was built in 1973, when it’s primary use was for gaining access to the Platt’s farmland that was west of the bridge.
With the rapid growth in the area there are now several residential developments (D.R. Horton, Mercede’s Homes, Palm Bay Units 39, and 41), a regional park, and now the High School, all of which will rely on this single two lane bridge as a means of egress if an emergency should warrant evacuation of the area. The completion of the State Park at 3 forks park (at the west termination of Malabar Rd.) will only add to the number of people who could become trapped if such an incident occurred.
Economic Development
The Parkway is also needed to facilitate economic growth in the south part of Brevard, and North Indian River Counties.
In these areas there’s a shortage of industry, and with smart growth in the areas surrounding the Parkway, including industrial, and technology parks the need for the majority of Florida’s best educated workforce will be able to considerably shorten their commute to and from each work each day.
The Parkway would also allow direct access to the Melbourne International Airport’s free trade zone, a amenity that international companies would find appealing.
Conclusion:
Budgets are nothing more than setting priorities. In order to insure the Palm Bay Metro’s future safe, and prosperous future, it is time to move forward on the St. John’s Heritage Parkway.
