The recent completion of work around I-75's Golden Gate interchange caused me to recall when it should've been completed. How about the early 80's, over twenty-years before. So what happened?
Original plans called for an interchange exactly where it is now, with connecting roads exactly where they are now. In conjunction with this project, it was recommended, by the State and federal traffic engineers, that parking on US 41, in downtown Naples, be eliminated. This, because engineers knew that I-75 would draw much more traffic to Naples and US 41 would need the extra lane created by removing parking. Pretty sound thinking and seemingly a done deal until some of our inglorious leaders got hold of it.
The NPD worked closely with the State in planning the project and one engineer, who we'll call Mac Grader, made many trips with extended stays working on same. Our first problem came with an explanation of the project to the City Council. It became obvious early that there was going to be opposition, led by a local "civic leader" we referred to as B.S. Overload.
B.S., and his misguided retinue, reckoned that we didn't want an interchange at Golden Gate because it would just funnel more folks into Naples. And Naples, at the time, was an advocate of the Reverse Field of Dreams dictum: If you don't build it they won't come. Let 'em get off in the County. Let them deal with 'em.
The County, being much more progressive at the time, heartily agreed. Glad to accommodate!
B.S. also argued that if the G Gate interchange wasn't built, there wouldn't be any need to ban parking on US 41. He was against that plan because it would create a "speedway." And the merchants needed the parking for customers.
Mr Overload was such a pain in the rumble seat, we scheduled a meeting, to try to better explain our proposition. He readily agreed.
Mac explained why the project was needed, and if not now, soon after--at much greater expense. B.S. would have none of it. As the meeting was breaking up, he took me aside and said, "You better get your partner to change his plans or I'll change them for him." That was it.
Mac, of course, would have none of that. Besides the money already invested it was just dumb thinking. Two days later he changed his mind.
Mac came into my office and dropped into a chair like a load of wet rocks. "Where's Palatka?" he asked. "Somewhere in Poland?"
"Don't know," I said, "maybe up around Jacksonville someplace. Why?"
"Just got a call from my boss. I've been transferred there. Effective immediately."
And he was. And the interchange was eliminated and parking remained on US 41.
Sometime later I inquired of B.S. just what he'd done. He smiled, said, "Just takes one phone call, son. If you have the right number." And that was it.
But even the dumbest student is no longer left behind and, a few years later, B.S. realized he was wrong and reversed his position, leading the fight to remove parking from 41.
Then, he ran, successfully, for City Council, touting "Elect the man who removed parking from US 41."
Evidently, having no shame is a political asset.
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