(2/18/13)
– IE Transit Talking Points Short
Promises
of new urbanism label Travertine Point, a massive master planned
community which would house a population of 40,000. The sprawling
development is proposed to be adjacent to the western edge of the
Salton Sea, basically out in the middle of nowhere. Many red flags
are evident. The existing agricultural towns of Coachella, Mecca,
Oasis, and the Duroville trailer park don't need it. Neither does
Interstate 10 to LA.
The
region however can certainly use some agricultural-sector job growth.
Estimated median household income in Mecca is under $25,000. Unemployment in this desert town is at least 15%. Factor in those who do not have
unemployment benfits and nearly one quarter of the region’s
population is jobless. A better growth idea would be “Las fábricas
de Mecca”
within Mecca’s existing street grid. Establishing factories and
plants to process some of the harvested produce into premium drinks or packaged food would benefit the local economy, employ thousands of local workers
which would help improve wages, and generate additional tax revenue
to pay for improved transit, complete streets, and highway
maintenance. That would be smart growth for the region.
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