Hey, maybe CATS’ problem is that it is just not thinking big enough. For example, why do a boring $250 million commuter train line up I-77 way when there is 70 year-old plan for an amphibious monorail out there just waiting to be made a reality.
Yes, Soviet engineers and planners came up with the idea back 1934, just as Josef Stalin was purging his way toward the New Soviet Man. The amphibious monorail was planned for the vast wastes of Turkestan, where it would help “tap mineral wealth” according to Popular Science.
Of course, CATS’ amphibious monorail would be geared primarily toward ramping up the local tourism economy — just like every other decision undertaken by local government in Charlotte. Mono-tourists could zip between lakes Normal and Wylie — even skim across the wave-tops like some giant Jet-Ski. Next stop the Whitewater Center, the world’s best $32 million log-flume ride.
It is really just a question of vision. Does Charlotte have what it take to step up and become a truly unique destination, or will the city sit back while Apex or Troy steals the amphibious monorail idea? You know what the naysayers say — they say nay.
But Charlotte’s future — and its children — have only chance for an amphibious monorail. Please don’t take it from them.
