You are correct, here is the timeline (process started in 2009): http://kcrag.com/viewtopic.php?t=18087goat314 wrote: Yes, I'm scratching my head why this thing is going to take a full decade to build. KC and Cincinnati (despite major opposition) have taken maybe 5 years or less. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt the KC and Cincinnati streetcar projects were doing EIS in 2004. Both have gotten federal money and have been moving like crazy. You cant blame state support either, KC is in the same asinine state as us and Ohio's political scene isn't too much better from what I've heard. In fact, the KC streetcar has been moving forward at a astronomical rate, with future phases already on the drawing board. I think if Metro seriously got behind any major rail expansion it could move forward.
I also think we will see some push back against the streetcar. Even Alderman Roddy has said this proposal is silly and it would benefit his ward the most. A lot of city leadership from North and South City say we should not go forward with the streetcar because the central corridor is already served by Metrolink. They have a point, but I think the city could benefit from laying out a real vision for rail transit in the city.
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Where is CMT in all of this? For a transit advocacy group, I sometimes don't feel like they're doing all that much advocacy (tho maybe I'm missing something).
^ isnt their whole operation 2 people? and this streetcar has always been pushed by the Parnership...i guess too many cooks in the kitchen if CTM got involved.
Well, where are they in advocating for Metrolink expansion? Ten Toes Express is fine and all, but let's get some real work done!!
My experience with CMT is that they like to do a bunch of surveys (often informal) that repeatedly determine that what people most desire is metro link expansion in the city—specifically a N-S line—but have essentially no power to make that happen so they... don't.
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It's a great day for Kansas City -- groundbreaking on its first phase:
http://www.kansascity.com/2014/05/22/50 ... aking.html
$8 million was also approved for second phase expansion study and I bet they are going to use sales tax funds to construct it if its approved. Also, developers announced plans for a 300 unit residential development in River Market, the rapidly growing riverfront area that will be served by the streetcar.
http://www.kansascity.com/2014/05/22/50 ... aking.html
$8 million was also approved for second phase expansion study and I bet they are going to use sales tax funds to construct it if its approved. Also, developers announced plans for a 300 unit residential development in River Market, the rapidly growing riverfront area that will be served by the streetcar.
At its current rate St. Louis Streetcar is expected to be completed by 2020. I'm sure a major influx in cash.....possibly from the sales tax? Could move this thing forward much faster. If the full N-S Line is more than a generation away, if ever gets built. I think the St. Louis streetcar is a good compromise in the meantime. Also potential for future phases. Imagine how fast this thing could move forward if Metro stepped in.
KC is moving forward faster because the city is fully behind this. Anybody know what the chance are we get money for this with the sales tax? I know some people in city government want to kill this thing, but EW-Gateway already gave it's blessing. Could TIF or new market credits be used for it? I believe new market credits were given to the loop trolley, if I'm not mistaken.
KC is moving forward faster because the city is fully behind this. Anybody know what the chance are we get money for this with the sales tax? I know some people in city government want to kill this thing, but EW-Gateway already gave it's blessing. Could TIF or new market credits be used for it? I believe new market credits were given to the loop trolley, if I'm not mistaken.
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^ Opposition to the Streetcar seems odd... anyway, even if the streetcar isn't selected for the statewide tax, there still is the possibility of it being able to move forward via the KC-type funding of a special assessment voted on by property owners in the streetcar district. However, an additional sales tax for this on top of the 1c sales tax increase (if that passes) would be getting pretty high.
Back to KC Streetcar, it will be interesting to see how they try to move forward with their strong interest in expansion. I don't know how much could be directed to that project from the 1c tax and whether expansion would also be dependent upon a vote of property owners, but hopefully they can get it done. Also, I just learned the starter line is going to be free to ride. That is an awesome move.
Back to KC Streetcar, it will be interesting to see how they try to move forward with their strong interest in expansion. I don't know how much could be directed to that project from the 1c tax and whether expansion would also be dependent upon a vote of property owners, but hopefully they can get it done. Also, I just learned the starter line is going to be free to ride. That is an awesome move.
There are many valid reasons for opposing streetcars if not properly implemented.roger wyoming II wrote:^ Opposition to the Streetcar seems odd...
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/07/str ... truth.html
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Certainly, it must have its own right-of-way and dedicated lanes so as be separate from vehicular traffic. That way it's actually faster than a bus. That's a major part of the appeal of streetcars.
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very true... I guess I should say I would find general opposition to the idea of fixed-transit odd. Its a key corridor that would greatly benefit from a well-implemented project. Do we know if the grumblings are about the specifics or just the general idea?innov8ion wrote:There are many valid reasons for opposing streetcars if not properly implemented.roger wyoming II wrote:^ Opposition to the Streetcar seems odd...
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/07/str ... truth.html
Great to hear that this is on the list the City submitted for the statewide sales tax projects. I'm a bit confused on what the plan is for the track -- is it planned to be in its own r.o.w. or part of regular street traffic? The renderings show separate track but I believe I read somewhere that the project head mentioned not separate.
The plan is for the streetcar to run in a dedicated median from 14th to Grand avenue on Olive and in street traffic the rest of the route I believe.
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^ thanks; much appreciated. Not ideal, but acceptable. IIRC a bike lane would still be running the length of the route, which hopefully along with other treatments will slow down automobile speed. FPP also needs some treatments/road diet.