Exactly. Street meters are meant to supply short term parking. People don't mind feeding the meter when they shop; they just want to be sure that meters will be available (and not occupied by restaurant workers running out to feed it every two hours).stlhistory wrote: Long story short, I believe that parking meters are better used as a parking regulatory devices rather than as a revenue stream.
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Another possible source of funding may be from the proposed $1.2 billion state bond issue that legislators may place on the ballot for voter approval. (This is separate from the proposed 1% sales tax for transportation.)
I think the legislature will decide what would be funded rather than local governments, but KC Chamber of Commerce is developing a list of projects it would like to see funded for the KC area and extending the new streetcar over the Heart of America Bridge and completing the Little Blue Trace trail are among them.
I think the legislature will decide what would be funded rather than local governments, but KC Chamber of Commerce is developing a list of projects it would like to see funded for the KC area and extending the new streetcar over the Heart of America Bridge and completing the Little Blue Trace trail are among them.
Good point, off the topic but my two choices similiar to KC would be Downtown Streetcar and North Trestle. Which brings up another thought. St. Louis and KC could probably find some support if they provided a much more united front to the statehouse. Of course the trade off as far the rest of the metro area is concerned, road projects. I believe a big item on the state bond issue and where the political support is to get deferred capital projects for colleges/universities moving.roger wyoming II wrote:Another possible source of funding may be from the proposed $1.2 billion state bond issue that legislators may place on the ballot for voter approval. (This is separate from the proposed 1% sales tax for transportation.)
I think the legislature will decide what would be funded rather than local governments, but KC Chamber of Commerce is developing a list of projects it would like to see funded for the KC area and extending the new streetcar over the Heart of America Bridge and completing the Little Blue Trace trail are among them.
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One element I appreciate about the downtown and Loop streetcar plans is the inclusion of grassy rights of way in the center or to the side of certain streets.
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That was also done with some of our city's original streetcar lines. That's why DeMun has a grassy median. And here's a photo of Wydown at Skinker:
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(Second photo: Andrew Young, Streets & Streetcars of St. Louis, 2002)
That was also done with some of our city's original streetcar lines. That's why DeMun has a grassy median. And here's a photo of Wydown at Skinker:
(Second photo: Andrew Young, Streets & Streetcars of St. Louis, 2002)
KC seems like it is taking a smart as well as a fast track approach to their streetcar. They will seek to piggyback on another streetcar order already in the works. In this case, two different orders with two different types/builders before deciding on which one to go with.
Kansas City to piggyback streetcar order
Written by Douglas John Bowen
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/pas ... channel=61
Kansas City officials say they'll seek streetcar rolling stock through options already held by Cincinnati or Salt Lake City, which are advancing their own streetcar lines.
Should Kansas City link with Cincinnati, it would acquire cars built by CAF USA, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Besain, Spain-based Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. The cars likely would be built at CAF USA's plant in Elmira, N.Y.
If Kansas City seeks an assist from Salt Lake City, Siemens S70 streetcars would be the model chosen, produced by Siemens' Sacramento, Calif., facility.
Kansas City to piggyback streetcar order
Written by Douglas John Bowen
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/pas ... channel=61
Kansas City officials say they'll seek streetcar rolling stock through options already held by Cincinnati or Salt Lake City, which are advancing their own streetcar lines.
Should Kansas City link with Cincinnati, it would acquire cars built by CAF USA, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Besain, Spain-based Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. The cars likely would be built at CAF USA's plant in Elmira, N.Y.
If Kansas City seeks an assist from Salt Lake City, Siemens S70 streetcars would be the model chosen, produced by Siemens' Sacramento, Calif., facility.
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Citizens for Modern Transit tweet:
This approval makes the streetcar a regional priority and was the next necessary step toward securing federal funding.St. Louis Streetcar Plan was added to East-West Gateway’s regional long-range transportation plan (RTP 2040) as an illustrative project with a unanimous vote.
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From their official facebook page:
"UPDATE: We have had requests for an update on the St. Louis Streetcar, so here is the latest news with more to come. Since the completion of the Feasibility Study back in March and the addition of the St. Louis Streetcar to the region’s long-range plan by a unanimous vote at East-West Gateway, we have been waiting for the announcement of federal funds to help move the project to the next required level of study. As part of the next level of study, which will include a lot of public participation, we will need to raise a local match of around $300,000. Efforts are now underway to raise these funds and to be ready once an announcement is made for federal funds. We have incorporated the St. Louis Streetcar Company and are working on the 501c3 application. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the St. Louis Streetcar project, please send us a direct message. We want your input! We expect 2014 to be a big year for moving the St. Louis Streetcar forward. More news to come…"
"UPDATE: We have had requests for an update on the St. Louis Streetcar, so here is the latest news with more to come. Since the completion of the Feasibility Study back in March and the addition of the St. Louis Streetcar to the region’s long-range plan by a unanimous vote at East-West Gateway, we have been waiting for the announcement of federal funds to help move the project to the next required level of study. As part of the next level of study, which will include a lot of public participation, we will need to raise a local match of around $300,000. Efforts are now underway to raise these funds and to be ready once an announcement is made for federal funds. We have incorporated the St. Louis Streetcar Company and are working on the 501c3 application. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the St. Louis Streetcar project, please send us a direct message. We want your input! We expect 2014 to be a big year for moving the St. Louis Streetcar forward. More news to come…"
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jstreibel also got a similar update after inquiring:
http://urbanstl.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 34#p222325
a portion of his post:
"As far as timeline goes, Matt stated that currently they're about 6 months behind where they hoped. Knowing how these sorts of things go, I'd say that's not bad. While he can't obviously guarantee dates, he said they hope to get these next studies started this year. Let's hope the FTA releases the funding and this project gets approved.
Another interesting item he passed on is a meeting in Old North where he'll be giving a presentation on the streetcar proposal:
Please join us for the January Neighborhood Open Meeting next Thursday, January 23, at 6:30 pm at Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group. We have several great speakers lines up, including a presentation on the planned St. Louis Streetcar that will run on North Florissant to St. Louis Ave. The meeting is open to anyone that would like to attend.
Finally, he encouraged citizens like us to just help raise awareness for now. Talk to people about the project. Share it on Facebook (/stlstreetcar) and Twitter (@stlstreetcar), and contact your Alderperson and/or the Mayor."
http://urbanstl.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 34#p222325
a portion of his post:
"As far as timeline goes, Matt stated that currently they're about 6 months behind where they hoped. Knowing how these sorts of things go, I'd say that's not bad. While he can't obviously guarantee dates, he said they hope to get these next studies started this year. Let's hope the FTA releases the funding and this project gets approved.
Another interesting item he passed on is a meeting in Old North where he'll be giving a presentation on the streetcar proposal:
Please join us for the January Neighborhood Open Meeting next Thursday, January 23, at 6:30 pm at Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group. We have several great speakers lines up, including a presentation on the planned St. Louis Streetcar that will run on North Florissant to St. Louis Ave. The meeting is open to anyone that would like to attend.
Finally, he encouraged citizens like us to just help raise awareness for now. Talk to people about the project. Share it on Facebook (/stlstreetcar) and Twitter (@stlstreetcar), and contact your Alderperson and/or the Mayor."
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Take the survey. It's hard to narrow down the benefits to just 3 choices. There are so many!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stlstreetcar
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stlstreetcar
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^I am wondering what other people had to say about future proposals for the street car? I chose either Grand, Kingshighway, or Gravois. Maybe streetcars are the way the city should go. I have to say, STL county, and especially, St. Charles aren't very interested in improving the areas urban core. Luckily for the city, in light of recent news, it appears they may be about to receive some serious grants from the Fed. Perhaps STL city and the FED can create a a streetcar based transit system that simply excludes the county. I know this seems harsh, but they aren't exactly getting behind alot of public transit initiatives.
I chose Gravois, N. Florisant, and Chouteau/Manchester. I think to get the full benefit of a streetcar (or bus/BRT), you really need dedicated lanes. That gets the full potential of the transit system. The streetcar can't be slowed down by vehicles and traffic, you times are more consistent, and its just faster. I think that's tough to do on Grand and Kingshighway where there's a lot more cars and there tends to be a fewer amount of lanes. Roads like Gravois or Chouteau are excessively big where you could have a dedicated streetcar lane and they get you close enough to neighborhoods like S. Grand, Cherokee, Lafayette Square, Dogtown, the Grove, etc.
That's a good way to think of it...those routes are so over-wide, you could add streetcars, bike lanes, and wider sidewalks with trees and make them into really great urban environments, which I have to believe would spur development.
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grand grand grand grand grand grand...
im convinced that more robustly tying the heart of the city - grand center/slu/south grand into the regions rail transit is the key to taking transit use in the region to the next level.
im convinced that more robustly tying the heart of the city - grand center/slu/south grand into the regions rail transit is the key to taking transit use in the region to the next level.
Can you someone send Slay and the City Council over to KC for a lesson in actually building transit. Pretty impressive on how things are starting to happen in KC and the leadership getting behind it.
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/pas ... channel=61
A conceptual plan for streetcar extensions totaling almost eight miles was given the go-ahead Thursday, March 27, 2014, by the Kansas City city council, with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) element also approved.
The move in effect would add to the existing starter streetcar line, now under construction. Like the initial route, the extensions are subject to a court hearing and, possibly, elections determining whether local funding sources, such as a special tax district, will be validated be voters.
Streetcar extensions would run on Independence Avenue to Benton Boulevard, on Linwood Boulevard to Prospect Avenue, and south on Main Street to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/pas ... channel=61
A conceptual plan for streetcar extensions totaling almost eight miles was given the go-ahead Thursday, March 27, 2014, by the Kansas City city council, with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) element also approved.
The move in effect would add to the existing starter streetcar line, now under construction. Like the initial route, the extensions are subject to a court hearing and, possibly, elections determining whether local funding sources, such as a special tax district, will be validated be voters.
Streetcar extensions would run on Independence Avenue to Benton Boulevard, on Linwood Boulevard to Prospect Avenue, and south on Main Street to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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Are they still in study mode for the street car line here in St.Louis? I mean KC was far along in theres but now seems like we're picking up steam..KC streetcar is facing some opposition from various neighborhoods not willing to support it going through there respective neighborhoods as to here in St.Louis i think all neighborhoods of the city would welcome it in a heart beat ..
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^ Last I heard they were still in fundraising mode to be able to begin the more detailed studies.
As for KC, actually the streetcar organizers last week announced they only plan to extend down to UMKC so it wouldn't extend to the the nabes that have some organized opposition. I'm not sure we can say streetcar would be universally accepted here; after all, there has been a lot of outcry in UC as well as on LIndell on the Loop Trolley... and remember the KC and planned Saint Louis Streetcar will be an increased tax upon property owners, so that always comes into play.
As for KC, actually the streetcar organizers last week announced they only plan to extend down to UMKC so it wouldn't extend to the the nabes that have some organized opposition. I'm not sure we can say streetcar would be universally accepted here; after all, there has been a lot of outcry in UC as well as on LIndell on the Loop Trolley... and remember the KC and planned Saint Louis Streetcar will be an increased tax upon property owners, so that always comes into play.
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Reason i didn't bring up the Loop trolly cause i felt most of the opposition against it was in the county as far as the city seems to be willing on most parts if its presented clearly and properly but that can always wind up backfiring! Im pulling for it
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There was also considerable opposition to the Loop Trolley from city residents on Lindell. They seem to have reached a compromise at this point though.
Interesting video piece on one architect's vision for a Brooklyn-Queens streetcar. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/21/arts/ ... pe=article
Pathetic. I guess we'll have nice things when we're all old!Knowitall wrote:Matt Schindler with partnership for downtown was on StayedTuned tonight for discussion on transportation, said his best guess is 2020...
Other items: Joe Edwards said loop trolley opens spring 2016 worse case
Scott Ogilive interrupted the other 2 guests during the bike talk almost at every point of discussion....even tho the other 2 (from trailnet and grg) are more qualified to discuss the future of biking here.
^ Seriously, that's just like when I hear people say that we might get 1 metrolink line in the next 30 years. Does anybody honestly think St. Louis has the much time to be competitive? No wonder we are getting dusted by cities like Minneapolis, Denver, Portland, Dallas, Seattle and pretty much every other city that has a coherent vision. The sad part about it is that leadership seems to think its alright and has a 1950s approach to economic development and transportation issues.
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I'm sure we would have awesome public transportation if MO helped at all. However, I wouldn't say Denver, Minni, or Seattle have better light-rail service than we do. However, if we don't step up our game, they will certainly surpass us in a decade.
^^this is why sometimes I think the balkanization of our metro region might not just be a big problem... It might actually be a terminal illness unless fixed. Its probably the single biggest reason for the region's slide in relevancy over the last century and counting. Looking at the long term plans for other regions, we have to get it together and put together a cohesive vision for how our metro will look and function well in the next 10 years both for people looking for urban lifestyle and for people looking for a suburban lifestyle or we will simply be licked by regions that offer a better vision. If you look at what's going on in LA or DC, they're not talking about a local municipality suceeding and joining another county. They are talking about how to recruit talent from Europe and Asia and what their next big university expansion or public transit expansion is. Honestly, this controversy over Chesterfield recently has just been pitiful.
I'd say the next 5-10 years is crucial and by then, the millenials that spent their younger years in our metro region will have decided to settle down or move on. And then it'll be time to battle and try to win over or lose another generation of young people.
I'd say the next 5-10 years is crucial and by then, the millenials that spent their younger years in our metro region will have decided to settle down or move on. And then it'll be time to battle and try to win over or lose another generation of young people.
An email I received today.......................
Friends of St. Louis Streetcar,
Thank you very much for adding your email to our Friends of St. Louis Streetcar email list. We greatly appreciate your interest in the project. We want to provide you with a quick update:
1. St. Louis Streetcar partnered on a federal application to help fund the next level of study for the St. Louis Streetcar. The $1.5 million study will look at the environmental, social, and economic impact of a streetcar. This next study will include lots of stakeholder engagement. We are hoping for a positive answer to our application by this fall.
2. Ways to help St. Louis Streetcar – We are asked how people can help. Right now, we ask that you spread the word about the project.
a. Tell your family and friends about the project.
b. Like and share on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stlstreetcar
c. Follow and retweet on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stlstreetcar
d. Share our survey to build our Friends network: http://svy.mk/1c0acfu
e. Website coming soon to http://www.stlstreetcar.org
f. Community meetings – If you have a community group that would like a briefing on the St. Louis Streetcar project, please let us know.
3. Tonight on Channel 9/KETC, the St. Louis Streetcar will be part of the discussion around transit in St. Louis. The show is Stay Tuned and will air at 9 p.m. The show can also be seen online at: http://staytuned.ninenet.org/live
If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. The St. Louis Streetcar is a complicated project touching many different stakeholders. But it is also a project that can move the region forward in many different ways. We want your input as we work towards putting tracks in the streets.
Thank you!
St. Louis Streetcar Company
720 Olive St., Suite 450
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-335-2308
info@stlstreetcar.org
Friends of St. Louis Streetcar,
Thank you very much for adding your email to our Friends of St. Louis Streetcar email list. We greatly appreciate your interest in the project. We want to provide you with a quick update:
1. St. Louis Streetcar partnered on a federal application to help fund the next level of study for the St. Louis Streetcar. The $1.5 million study will look at the environmental, social, and economic impact of a streetcar. This next study will include lots of stakeholder engagement. We are hoping for a positive answer to our application by this fall.
2. Ways to help St. Louis Streetcar – We are asked how people can help. Right now, we ask that you spread the word about the project.
a. Tell your family and friends about the project.
b. Like and share on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stlstreetcar
c. Follow and retweet on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stlstreetcar
d. Share our survey to build our Friends network: http://svy.mk/1c0acfu
e. Website coming soon to http://www.stlstreetcar.org
f. Community meetings – If you have a community group that would like a briefing on the St. Louis Streetcar project, please let us know.
3. Tonight on Channel 9/KETC, the St. Louis Streetcar will be part of the discussion around transit in St. Louis. The show is Stay Tuned and will air at 9 p.m. The show can also be seen online at: http://staytuned.ninenet.org/live
If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. The St. Louis Streetcar is a complicated project touching many different stakeholders. But it is also a project that can move the region forward in many different ways. We want your input as we work towards putting tracks in the streets.
Thank you!
St. Louis Streetcar Company
720 Olive St., Suite 450
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-335-2308
info@stlstreetcar.org