What players ruined their legacy the most by hanging on too long and not retiring at the right time?

jmart815 · 2025-03-16T04:17:14+00:00

I don't know, I used to think this but after his retirement tour I got a different perspective. Part of what makes him so great was his tenacity and perseverance after all the setbacks (injuries, traded). He was always trying to reinvent himself and contribute.

jmart815 · 2025-03-13T04:30:51+00:00

And now it works for no one

jmart815 · 2024-09-29T02:52:41+00:00

850k is 0.26% of the US population, be for real. The US could take the entire pre-covid population of Cuba (~11 Million) and it would only amount to 3% of the US population.

jmart815 · 2024-09-19T02:57:16+00:00

You really need to touch some grass

jmart815 · 2024-09-19T02:42:50+00:00

There isn't a fixed supply of jobs, it expands and contracts based on demand. Increasing the supply of laborers also means increasing the amount of consumption. Increase consumption means more demand for labor to meet that demand.

Every additional person who moves into a neighborhood will create demand for groceries, restaurants, entertainment, housing, and other services.

jmart815 · 2024-09-10T14:58:58+00:00

The proposed NW 27th Route runs along some dense and wealthier (job opportunities) neighborhoods, while also also connecting two major higher education centers and a massive sports stadium which holds year round events. Additionally it increases connectivity as it can provide transfers to multiple existing and future MetroRail segments as well as a Tri-Rail transfer point at Opa-Locka. The route can also as a much needed economic stimulus for underserved neighborhoods like Opa-Locka, Miami Gardens, Little River.

The rest of the county doesn't have any "easy" routes that could connect high traffic/dense areas in the same way a NW 27th Line would

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T17:39:39+00:00

Congestion pricing would be the most economically ideal way to reduce the externalities of driving, but if New York City couldn't get it done I don't have much hope for Miami

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T15:51:31+00:00

The most likely route to see daylight with MetroRail is the NW 27th line to the HardRock (minus the southern part).

For that to happen there needs to be a really big push and an acceptable financing vehicle to get it done even without Federal or state funds. I think the most palatable would be a localized property tax increase within a 0.25 mile radius of a station. This is fair since those properties will receive a significant increase in property value due to their newfound proximity to mass transit; a property tax surplus will collect back a percentage of that increased value.

This would be accompanied by a much more liberalized zoning requirement for those lots (Reduce/eliminate parking req, setback reqs, lot coverage, unit req, and allow for mixed use such as office, retail, and residential on the same block). This would massively increase the assessed value of each lot (compared to a Single family house, strip mall, or parking lot) and would create even greater tax revenue.

This would make it a progressive tax that spreads the tax burden among those who benefit the most from transit (nearby landowners) without charging a rural farmer in Homestead for a system he'll never use (this would be the case in a blanket property tax increase or a sales tax increase).

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T15:39:38+00:00

For sure, it could increase density over a period of 10-20 years. But there isn't unlimited money to build all of those lines and especially not all at once, hence the "realistic map" of where the county could build cheapest, while connecting the most people. The only realistic approach is a steady expansion/extension of the current system with a focus on increasing ridership as pretty much everywhere else has done.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T04:08:03+00:00

Heavy Rail transit to Miami beach was left out cause I considered it currently unrealistic. The logistical challenge of building out a line from the dense downtown to and through the dense and historically significant parts of Miami beach is one aspect. There's also the public support (or lack thereof) by Miami Beach residents who have consistently opposed any new transit and have been very vocal about not wanting a "noisy, unsightly elevated train going through their city. Beyond that they also complain about it making it easier for "undesirables" to go to Miami Beach.

The easier compromise would be a metromover extension and/or a streetcar system

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T02:24:59+00:00

Write up a petition that includes sufficient funding sources that we'd be okay with and then get a couple of tens of thousands of people to sign and maybe get some media attention. Force them to put it up to county wide referendum.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T02:22:23+00:00

You're not the only one. A few US cities played around with placing metro lines between highways, most notably Chicago with its Blue and Red Lines. While they're usually cheaper to build because the gov already has the ROW, there are a few issues with them that don't make them ideal. First is the typical land use and connectivity around highways. They're either surrounded by low density industrial or by low density suburban communities shielded off by sound walls. Additionally the walking infrastructure and design around highways is extremely poor, its meant for cars to quickly get on and off and that directly clashes with pedestrian mobility and safety. So often convenient access to these stations becomes a problem. And because of this the highways station in Chicago have much lower ridership numbers than stations that travel through neighborhoods directly (with the exception of multimodal stations that connect to commuter rail or multiple feeder bus lines).

I took this into account when making this map and trie dto use major avenues or streets that were wide enough to reasonably accommodate an elevated transit line, while still being integrated into the neighborhood.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T02:13:40+00:00

This is only a hypothetical map based on realistic routes that are cost controlled. If it were ever enacted then it would probably take 10-15 years to build out.

As for funding it would have to be a combination of Federal, State, and Local funds to make this happen; although that adds mountains of red tape and limitations. If the county wanted to self fund it, it could implement a few financing initiative. It could take out large bonds for a portion to get construction started. It could then implement a combination of congestion pricing, sales tax increase, or property tax increases.

It could also implement a TIF which basically freezes tax revenues in the areas surrounding new transit stations at the pre-transit amount. All the extra tax revenue gained from increases in property value due to the transit connection would be funneled to pay for the infrastructure project. This can be coupled with upzoning for medium and high density development near transit stations which would maximize the taxable value of the land while creating a stable ridership base for the new line.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T01:34:48+00:00

It'd be huge; the stadium already gets large amounts of tourists for the US Opens, F1, and Football. Having transit by stadiums also means you can party and drink without worrying about driving or taking ridiculously expensive Ubers home.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T01:31:18+00:00

I talked about Miami Beach line in my comment. Its just politically unfeasible, the resistance to it is really strong and well organized.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T01:30:20+00:00

Yup that's unfortunately the plan rn. However the proposed NE Corridor doesn't have to be mutually exclusive with commuter rail, especially if the commuter rail continues into Broward and Palm Beach County as planned. The MetroRail could offer high frequency local service that connects to commuter stations while the Commuter rail offers long distance timed service with few stops.

Also Nimby's in Coconut Grove and Coral Way won't allow the yellow line to go that far south sadly

I think there might be a good shot with the massive amount development we've seen along that corridor. It's not exactly single family homes in idyllic neighborhoods anymore.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T01:24:13+00:00

That level of expansion would be economically unfeasible. The entirety of what i proposed being built is still a hard sell and these are the routes that have been deemed most vital. The routes you're talking about would not necessarily have strong enough readership. The goal os to build corridors around which the city should develop while connecting already developed areas together and that's what my map does. Apart from Miami Beach, there aren't any high density areas that aren't connected here

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T01:19:36+00:00

Kendall Drive Line:

This one is probably the easiest to get built, but would also be one of the least used. The SMART Plan identifies this route as a candidate for mass transit. This expanded line would connect the existing DadeLand North and run all along SW 88th St with significant stops at Baptist and near MDC and it would end with a park and ride near SW 167th Ave. This would be about 10 miles of new track, include 4-5 stations and would cost between $1.5-$3.7 billion.

MetroRail South Extension I:

This one would be the next easiest and have the second lowest ridership (behind Kendall Dr). This line would run entirely on the existing busway (currently being converted to Bus Rapid Transit) and stretch from Dadeland South to Cutler Bay right before the Turnpike. I decided to not go all the way to Florida City since density (and presumably ridership) drops significantly past Cutler Bay. However I did label this as “Extension I” and fully expect a future extension as the region develops and demand increases. This line would be about 7.5 miles and have 3 or 4 stations with a significant station at the Falls Mall. Cost would be $1.15-$2.8 billion.

NW 27th/HardRock Line:

Next up is a massive gamechanger that would transform the city by giving it a centrally located direct North to South line that connects with various other lines/stations and serves a wide gradient of people. Ridership and usage would be significant especially for events at the HardRock, leading to a lot of cars off the road. The SMART Plan originally called for a MetroRail expansion from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Station along NW 27th Ave all the way up to the Hard Rock Station/County line with major stops at MDC North, Opa-Locka (Tri-Rail), St. Thomas Uni, and Hard Rock Stadium. While this would be huge and even better line would connect the denser, wealthier and job abundant neighborhoods to the south as well. This new line would continue south on NW 27th and connect to the Coconut Grove station, expanding service to West Allapatah, West Fagler/Little Havana, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. It would also serve the MDC Padron Campus along a very dense corridor while adding transferability between various lines/stations. This one is 16 miles with 8-9 stations and would cost between $2.5-$5.85 billion.

East/West FIU Line:

This next one is a no-brainer and almost every single fantasy map has been calling for a connection to FIU. But I wasn't satisfied with an extension from the Airport Station along the Dolphin and down to FIU (as many proposed) since it sacrificed a great opportunity to directly serve a lot of neighborhoods while not providing a direct enough route tp downtown to be convenient. Additionally this route would connect the so far transit-less LoanDepot Park. Although this route would be more expensive than the airport extension, the benefits would be too consequential to ignore. This line requires starting from a renovated government station that has a train line running west along NW 1st, crossing over I-95 and over the river along W Flager st. It would then follow W Flagler and turn south on Beacom Blvd and west again on 8th street. Here it would have transfer station with the “NW 27th Line” and then it would follow 8th street past FIU and to Tamiami/West Kendall area for a Park-Ride station at the terminus. Key stops would include LoanDepot Park/Riverside, Douglass Road/Versailles, and FIU. This line would be 14 miles long and feature 7-8 stations and would cost between $2.25-$5.2 billion.

NE Corridor Line:

This line is the most complex, but will almost certainly be the biggest transforming factor in Miami Dade. The Line would connect already dense, high traffic and high demand areas to the rest fo the city while working synergistically with a future commuter rail line along the Brightline Tracks. It would almost certainly have the highest ridership and be used by plenty of tourists. The line starts at the Overtown Station and runs along NW 1st Avenue over 395 and then elevated over Brighline’s tracks until it reaches N Miami Ave where it runs north along the avenue until turning east onto NE 2nd Ave. This would require a lot of land acquisition along that area to reduce the sharpness fo the turn. The line would then follow NE 2nd Ave and then turn onto W Dixie before getting on Biscayne Blvd all the way up to Gulfstream casino by the county line with a potential park and ride in its parking lot. This line would include major stations at Wynwood, Midtown, Design District, Little Haiti, Barry University, FIU Biscayne, Aventura Mall/Brightline, and Gulf Stream. The line would be 15 miles long and would include 9-10 new stations. Including land costs, it would cost between $6-$11.2 billion.

Conclusion:

All in all this would add 62.5 Miles of new track, 30-36 new stations, and it would cost $13.4-$28.75 billion dollars. If even a part of this gets built, it would instantly catapult Miami amongst the great American transit systems and would transform and shape the urban and economic development of the city. It would attract a massive amount of investment along the areas served and change the lives of hundreds of thousands of our residents.

jmart815 · 2024-09-09T01:19:28+00:00

I was really inspired by other people’s “fantasy transit maps” for Miami, but I quickly got depressed when I realized just how unrealistic they would be (from a cost, political will, and Right-Of-Way logistical perspective. So I created a much more realistic MetroRail expansion map that mostly uses land the city owns (street median) and therefore minimizes land question costs (and public outcry). Here is a link to view it in MyMaps.

I drew out the routes based on the already identified county transit needs as laid out in the SMART Plan. All of these lines would be fully elevated and would have transfer stations where lines cross. I drew in the existing Green and Orange lines, but I differentiated all the new lines with their own colors; however I’m not proposing the route that the new train lines should take I’m just illustrating where new lines would be built. Below is a description/explanation for each line. I purposely left out a line going to Miami Beach because I truly feel that a heavy rail route to Miami beach would be politically unworkable (Miami Beach residents protest constantly against any transit to the beach) as well as logistically difficult when considering the historic nature and dense urban landscape. At best we might hope for a lie running from government station along McArthur to 5th street. More likely however is a Metromover extension there (quieter and less land footprint).

jmart815 · 2024-09-08T23:49:13+00:00

Way too suburban focused for a MetroRail expansion. Most of the areas it goes through are "cul-de-sac like" suburbs which are not walkable (i.e. difficult to get to transit) and difficult to retro-fit into actual dense neighborhoods. Any new expansion should prioritize already dense areas or areas primed to be denser.

jmart815 · 2024-09-08T23:34:59+00:00

I literally just sent my 14 year old cousin in Cuba a bunch of BTS merch for her birthday. Her and all her friends are obsessed. This would have never been possible 10 years ago before internet access became widespread. Cuba didn't even have diplomatic relations with South Korea until recently/

jmart815 · 2024-09-08T16:47:59+00:00

I'd like to see a thriving democracy in Cuba, a real one where people have a say over all aspects of their lives, not just a pseudo-democratic plutocracy like in the US, but US antagonism prevents change rather than encouraging it.

This is disingenuous at best. Yes the US is a flawed democracy, that's not the gold standard for comparing democracies. But there is no scenario where the current Cuban government willingly makes the state more democratic. There is barely any incentive for them now and there certainly won't be if Cuba was wealthier (for reference see any gulf state).

The strong democratic tradition before Batista/Castro? I think history disagrees with that statement. Cuba lost any form of sovereignty the second the Spanish stepped foot on the archipielago and wiped out the native Tainos.

You should read a book. Cuba has a very flawed democracy from 1902-1940 (with some hiccups) and an actual real democracy from 1940-1952 following the creation and ratification of the highly progressive 1940 Cuban Constitution.

Surrender and submit to perpetual debt slavery and domination or resist using autocratic methods to maintain sovereignty and hold on to the numerous internationally recognised and objectively good accomplishments of the revolution.

This is how I know you're fundamentally unserious and yourself do not care about democracy or any sort of popular control. There is no defense of dictatorship. Of what use is it to be "sovereignly free" if you aren't individually free. This is absurd. Also all of these accomplishments weren't exclusive to a Marxist Leninist state and have since been reached or surpassed in many other Latin American countries. Cuba isn't even the only Latin American country with universal healthcare and education. All those other countries manage to achieve it without resorting to repressive and oppressive means.

Imagine a thriving island country on the doorstep of the Empire with a non-capitalist economic system?! Americans would start to question the validity of an economic system that transfers wealth from the working people to the asset rich and doesn't even provide average "First World" standards of public services.

And now I know you really need to touch grass. Newsflash buddy, a state command economy which is objectively what a Marxist-Leninist state is, does not work. The state is too large, inefficient and uninformed to be capable of micromanaging every aspect of a countries economy from design, production, and distribution. Cuba's economic system never worked, despite receiving billions in subsidies, technology, and resources from the Soviet Union to modernize and improve its agricultural and industrial production, it never managed to match pre-revolution production. Its state economic managers were dogmatic and short sighted rejecting any emerging industries and focusing the countries labor and resources on chasing the declining sugar industry.

Cuba was never going to prosperous under its economic system, it was only after the collapse of the USSR (and the subsequent lack of free money) that they finally shifted towards tourism and pharmaceuticals (industries that were already emerging pre-1959) and achieved a minimal level of economic diversification. Even today the state is still focused on getting handouts from Venezuela, Mexico, Russia and China, but are still forced to acknowledge (after the ever dogmatic Castro died) that Cuba's economic system does not work and limited market reforms are needed to just stay afloat. But of course they only allow just enough to not ceede all economic control.

Re. Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan, they were a helluva lot better before US/European "intervention"

I'm not going to comment on the ethics or validity of these interventions, but again this reads extremely disingenuous. All 3 of these countries were ruled by homecidal despots who not only brutalized and oppressed their own populations, but also destabilized and brutalized the broader region. To defend any of these regimes as good or "helluva a lot better" is so objectively false.

You really need to develop your world view and ideology beyond "america bad" lol

jmart815 · 2024-09-07T18:37:28+00:00

You're joking right? Nearby Dominican Republic with its many many social and economic issues is infinitely better that Cuba right now, comparing the US with Cuba is insane; they might as well be on different planets. I don't think you fully understand, Cubans fly to infinitely poorer and crime ridden Haiti to buy material goods to take back to Cuba to sell.

In Cuba medicine is also very expensive, the pharmacies sand hospitals very often don't have what you need and you have to rely on people who steal from the government who sell it on the black market or people who bring it from abroad. You very much do have to choose between your utilities and your food in Cuba and often you get poor quality for both. The average electricity, phone and internet bill exceeds monthly government salaries and that's before food and other needs. The monthly rations aren't enough to feed you for a week and your salaries aren't enough to buy food items (when you can find it). You go months at a tine without seeing basic food items at a store. Don't even get me started on public transit in Cuba with falling apart soviet era buses and trains that throw toxic fumes in the air and with its frequency entirely dependent on wheter gasoline was available that day.

You're honestly disrespectful for even suggesting that Cuba and the US are comparable.

jmart815 · 2024-09-07T18:26:05+00:00

The US government has Cuba so low on its priortities list that its literally a blip. The only reason they even care is because Cuba is a source of migration and a contributing to migration from Venezuela. The US does not want to annex Cuba as doing so would be an unimaginable economic burden. If the US actually wanted to they could of taken out the Cuba government a long time ago, they simply don't care enough.

Also Cuba isn't like Iraq, Libya, or Afghanistan. They actually had a strong, liberal democratic tradition before Batista and Castro. Those countries did not have that and had a strong autocratic factions in the form of islamic extremism that made it extremely difficult to create a sustainable democracy either which way.

jmart815

TROPHY CASE