Let’s Get Together On Presidents’ Day

Friday, February 12, 2016 / 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

There is a meeting next week on the proposed Coastal Rail Trail.

The proposed Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz County would have lots of positive impacts, and maybe some negative impacts, too.

It is to be expected a proposed project of this kind would be controversial, and so it is, though I think it’s fair to say that the majority opinion is that building a new trail from Watsonville to Davenport, along the existing rail right of way, would have lots of positive benefits. The “rail” part is, perhaps, more controversial than the “trail” part, but the current conception is that there would, ultimately, be a genuine “Rail Trail.”

Let me tell you about a meeting to be held next Monday, Presidents’ Day, February 15th. Friends of the Rail Trail will be hosting Jeff Boothe, an expert transit consultant from Washington, D.C., who will present specifics on a variety of light rail systems around the United States. This will be an opportunity for interested persons to get an idea about what kind of options might be out there for rail transit, and how it might be possible to fund rail transit in Santa Cruz County. Bruce Sawhill, Chair of Friends of the Rail and Trail, will give a short exposition on the specific demographics of Santa Cruz County, and its suitability for rail transit.

The meeting on Monday will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Vet's Hall in downtown Santa Cruz, located at 846 Front Street.

More Information:

Land Use Links

Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog

Friends Of The Rail Trail Website

Rail Trail Overview

Boothe Transit Consulting