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Environmental, Fiscal & Railroad Property Developments
Friends of SMART closely follow the environmental, fiscal, and property issues that underlie the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit Project.
Funding for the project--a 1/4-cent sales tax in Marin & Sonoma counties--was approved by the voters at the November 2008 election. The SMART Board has retained project management specialists to assure that the final engineering process is expeditious and thorough. Negotiations with the North Coast Railroad Authority are under way to revise the operating agreement governing compatibility of freight and passenger services. Novato has reviewed its proposed station locations and is recommending a station at Atherton Ave. and one at Hamilton. Planning will soon begin for other stations including Larkspur, Jennings Ave., and Corona Rd.
The Railroad Square development in Santa Rosa has been delayed by the down real estate market, and the group managing the project has had to adapt to turmoil in the financial markets. Negotiations between SMART, the city of Santa Rosa and the developers are supporting applications for funding from recently adopted state housing bond sources. The City has adopted a Station Area Plan to optimize the use of properties within easy walking distance of the train station. Implementation of the plan is requiring continued attention.
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