Downtown Lakeland Partnership CSX Issue Update
The Downtown Lakeland Partnership discussed eight key points in a meeting held November 15, 2007:
1) The project would create far fewer jobs than originally announced.
2) The CSX project will not generate the tax revenue as originally announced.
3) CSX will not commit to an enforceable cap of freight cars through Lakeland.
4) Trucks taken off the highway in other areas will e concentrated in Polk County.
5) CSX and Winter Haven have agreed to "embrace" the DRI only after public outcry forced the issue.
6) Orlando residents are not as gung-ho for light rail as much as they are for getting freight rail out of the city. The residents defeated a light-rail referendum four years ago.
7) The deal does not meet the goals of Governor Charlie Crist's Executive Order 07-01 that calls for better open government. The DLP feels the CSX deal was made behind closed doors and would like Crist to meet with the city of Lakeland and its residents.
8) State officials will not come to the area to explain why the deal is good for all Floridians.