Downtown San Diego Quiet Zone Project
August 10, 2009
Information and Contacts regarding Train Horns & the Quiet Zone project in San Diego
Quiet Zone – Project Update
Aug 02, 2009
Hello everyone,
It has been way too long, I know, since you have heard any good news about the progress on the Quiet Zone Project, much less any news at all. One simple reason you have not received any news is because there was none to report.
The most recent QZ Update Meeting for the Task Force was called by and chaired by Councilman Kevin Faulconer on July 30 at City Hall.
Present at this meeting were:
Kevin Faulconer, Councilmember, City of San Diego
Jen Steele, Union Tribune Reporter
Omni Hotel, two representatives
Gary Smith, Pres. SDDRG
Patrick McArron, www.quietzonesd.info
Representative from Susan Davis’ Office
Representatives from City Front Terrace
Joyce Summer, CCDC
Derek Danziger, CCDC VP Marketing & Communications
Scott Johnson, CCDC
Frank Alessi, CCDC Exec VP & CFO
Fred Maas, CCDC Chair
Marriott Hotel, one representative
Vito Altieri, Little Italy Association
And others
In all there were about 30 persons including guests from Horizon.
As was noted at the meeting Kevin has been the driving force to get the Quiet Zone moving forward and that has been no easy task. This is without question the most complicated project ever undertaken by CCDC. Complicated because there are no less than five government entities involved: CCDC, MTS, BNSF, NCTD & City of San Diego.
Downtown San Diego Homes For Sale
The meeting began with introductions of the members at the table and guests.
Then came a detailed briefing and timeline of events from CCDC, the coordinating agency of this project. See attached document for details. Scott Johnson is the lead coordinator on this project for CCDC and he would like to see this done just as much as any of us.
Safety is the # 1 goal of this project. The affected intersections will be significantly safer for auto and pedestrian traffic. Fewer Horn Blasts as the freight trains progress through Downtown between Laurel and the rail yard will be the resulting byproduct of this project.
It was noted that there are a couple of issues that need to be resolved with NCTD and a meeting has been set for mid-August to iron out those issues. See news article from Jen Steele .
Bottom line: The project is very much alive and all parties concerned are nearing completion of agreements and memorandums of understanding. Money has long been allocated
Please find attached to this email a copy of the Meeting Agenda and CCDC Project Update. This information is also available on the www.quietzonesd.info website. The website is getting fresh material this coming week.
It is conceivable construction could happen as early as Jan 2010 barring any unforeseen events. The project once begun will take approx 12 months to complete. This project requires that 13 intersections (railway crossings) be modified to meet Federal Requirements to qualify for Quiet Zone status.
Sadly, for some, the delays in completing this project has been unacceptable and they have moved away from Downtown. Others are threatening to move and those who seek Downtown as a future home are questioning whether or not to do so because of the Train Horn noise at night. Property values are affected and the overall quality of life is less than desirable.
This project also has a bearing on Hotel & Convention business Downtown. The hotels will tell you, and they did at this meeting, that the Train Horn is the # 1 complaint from guests.
So…. Hang in there and continue to make your voices heard at City Hall, CCDC, MTS, BNSF & NCTD. If all these acronyms are confusing or meaningless to you – they are all explained on the Quiet Zone website.
When you visit the site be sure to enter your comments. They will be shared with the agencies responsible to make this project happen.
My apologies in advance if you receive this email more than once. You may be on more than one of our email lists.
Sincerely,
Pat McArron,
Foreclosures Downtown San Diego
