For Citrus County Property Appraiser Geoff Greene, the key to revamping economic development in the county lies in the restart of the Suncoast Parkway 2 project.

The project was shelved after the state ran out of money in 2009.

Since the project was put on hold, there has been an interest in restarting the project by Citrus County’s business and government leaders, to include some members of the current county commission, local businessman Dixie Hollins and the county’s Economic Development Council.

Greene's voice is the latest in the continuing calls by local government and business to see the project restarted, believing that the start-up on the last leg of the project that empties onto Cardinal Street in Citrus County would provide jobs and stimulate the local economy. The last leg of the project would be a 27-mile stretch of road of the existing 42-mile Suncoast Parkway and Veterans Expressway running from Hillsborough County to U.S 98., just shy of the Citrus/Hernando County line.

In his correspondence with Gov. Scott, Greene said, “This proposed road is an important missing link and critical evacuation route for the heavily populated Bay area of the central Gulf Coast of Florida, while also being a significant economic opportunity for job creation." Greene also said that the recent passage of legislation creating “Port Citrus" lays the groundwork for local economic development and shows great promise.

Greene said that the Parkway lies within the immediate area of where the Parkway would end, to include the new bridge on U.S. 19 near Inglis on the barge canal and Port Citrus, which would enhance access to and from those areas to other areas, such as Tampa.

He added that Progress Energy’s decision to repair its Crystal River nuclear power plant, as well as the location of two other nuclear power plants in Levy County would also be enhanced by the project’s restart.

The parkway extension would also relieve heavy-truck traffic from Levy County’s Plum Creek mining operation near Crystal River, he said.

“(Suncoast Parkway 2) could provide an alternative routing for such traffic," Greene wrote. "This turnpike project could also certainly lessen traffic along the more congested sections during peak seasons, especially along U.S 19 in both Crystal River and Homosassa Springs," Greene said, "lessening the need for additional state dollars to be spent on that north-south artery. Suncoast Parkway 2 would act as a reliever for through traffic, preserving capacity along US 19 for many years to come."

Greene also told Gov. Scott that there is also support on the current county commission to see the project revived.

“Our Citrus County Board of County Commissioners has a long standing position of support on record for this roadway. Two of our newest commissioners have taken strong positions on transportation. Commissioner Meek, also elected in 2008, is Chairman of the Citrus County EDC, and Chairman of the Citrus County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and is on the Council of Governors and Board of Directors of Tampa Bay Partnership.

“Another new County Commissioner, Mrs. Bays (elected 2010), represents Citrus County on Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). Suncoast Parkway 2, will be instrumental to “Port Citrus" above noted that she is spearheading," Greene wrote.

Related stories:

• Citrus County shines in TBARTA plan
• Citrus County steps mass transit up a notch
• Parkway project many not be dead
• Public, parkway officials meet at armory in Crystal River to view route through county
• Political forum Q's &A's: Estuary designation, Suncoast Parkway
• Poll: Will your public comment count in turnpike talks?
• TBARTA includes parkway in future regional transportation picture

Video:

TBARTA's master plan includes county, parkway

More videos:

• Dixie Hollins: Restart the project
• Turnpike project slows down
• TBARTA includes parkway in master plan
• Local mass transit and the parkway

Fast Facts:

• Suncoast Parkway 2 web site
• Map of Suncoast Parkway 2 route (PDF download)