SMART is coming. In Rohnert Park, city leaders say the train will help revitalize the core of town near the library and public safety building, and elected officials say it'll go far in helping to create a downtown, an identity, that some say the city lacks.
Planners for the rail line say in the first year alone, the project will bring 1,000 jobs to the North Bay, and bring much-needed growth to local economies — with the construction of train stations in underused sections of Marin and Sonoma County cities. Cities say it'll help spur "smart growth" near stations, attracting new housing developments and businesses, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels and solo commuting.
"We are creating an economic engine for the North Bay," SMART planners say. "We’re working hard to put SMART on the tracks, build a parallel SMART bike path, and along the way, prime the pump of our economy by bringing jobs to the North Bay."
We wanted to ask you, readers. Do you think you'll use SMART? For what? To get to work? For travel? For recreation? If you've got an opinion, chances are, others do too. So get the conversation started by telling us what you think in the comments!
