Originally Posted by
rsbob
Thanks for posting this episode. I found it very interesting learning about the movement in general and the Burke-Gilman in particular since I have ridden it for years but never knew about its genesis. The other local trail covered but not named is the East Sammamish Lake trail. I lived in Sammamish while the lakeside property owners did everything in their power to stop the trail. They spent millions in legal fees to block it, even though the rail right of way was never legally theirs. I spoke at one of the community meetings supporting the trail. I was very happy to see the lake owners and their money go down in flames as the right of way was acquired by the county and turned into the wonderful trail I used three days ago. Thanks again.
I forgot that it was supposed to air starting last night until I saw a post on FB. Ended up streaming it on my desktop computer.
In some cases, opposition comes from an irrational fear of crime. The same is true with some public transportation projects. What usually ends up happening is that such projects increase property values instead of crime. They can also increase local economic activity, resulting in increased tax revenues. (So much for trails not being money makers.). I’ve seen the local economic benefits from trails like the Mickelson in SD and the very popular GAP in PA and MD. Without the latter, you’re not going to get many visitors to somewhere like Rockwood, PA. Someone in W. Boston, PA had the foresight to buy for adjoining properties, fix them up, and turn them into B&Bs. They hit the market several years ago for $800K, which is a lot for that area. Even the house that was used for Buffalo Bill’s house in The Silence of the Lambs has been turned into a rental after being in the market for years. (It’s very close to the GAP). The online gift shop sells Skinsuit So Soft Lotion.
