Opinion: Brightline Opposed By Special Interests

Something is rotten in Orlando and we’ve found it!

Despite the fact that nearly 25 zillion lights exist along the John Young Parkway corridor of Hunters Creek, a lawyer for the community has spoken out against Brightline’s attempt to run a rail line alongside State Road 417.

“Our residents and business owners are expressing concerns about the noise, safety, dirt and property values,” the lawyer said in an email to the Central Florida Expressway Authority, which owns and operates the tolled S.R. 417. “The proposed route through the SR-417 would impose all of the burdens of a high-speed train on the Hunter’s Creek community with none of the benefit.”

In the words of Rodney Dangerfield in the movie "Back to School," “you’re going to have to grease the local politicians for the zoning problems that come up...”

Before getting into the possible motives of this lawyer, let’s examine the facts. 

Several wealthy communities in the Florida and across the US possess rail lines and still maintain their status as world renowned travel and homemaking destinations. From Winter Park to Palm Beach to Palm Springs, each of these cities maintains a high profile status among elite members of America’s top 15% and also enjoy the presence of rail lines carrying passengers to their destinations.

Beyond these damning facts, any complaints about traffic interruption clearly do not take into account the superfluous number of red lights already dotting the village of Hunters Creek.

But more importantly than this, it has been shown in many cases that new rail lines actually increase property values.

With the facts laid bare, why then do attorneys such as this particular individual seek to yank the chains of public sentiment?

No one can be definitive in the answer but when taken into full account, only two groups might oppose the rail project: 1. Universal Studios and the International Drive cartel. 2. Municipal officials hell-bent on getting a buck or two for their own wallets.

The most obvious impediment to the 417 project is Universal Studios and their I-drive counterparts. Universal Studios and International Drive collectively hope for the new rail system to pass by their business corridor. No one can blame these businesses for promoting their own interest. However, several billion dollars more would be required to build bridges and other special features into the 528 line that the 417 plan does not include.

Of course, the opposition could just as easily be coming from local political leaders and their special interest corporate backers.

In either case, the taxpayer and visitors alike get the shaft. It’s time our local community leaders band together for the common good rather than catering to special interests and graft for political gain.