GOING STREETCAR

[Ocklawaha]

This just came in this morning, thought our transit people should be in the loop. Hopefully we're not going to get skunked by yet another city.

Sarasota interested in streetcar system
    Reported by: Max Winitz

SARASOTA- Could the City of Sarasota one day be getting a streetcar or trolley system Downtown? It's a vision that is all of the sudden looking more and more like a reality.

"The discussion on a streetcar has really gained traction," said Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell. "We are serious about it."

The city is already paying a company $70 thousand to conduct a feasibility study on the streetcar concept and other ideas for future transportation. Forrest Shaw, the operator of sarasotastreetcar.com is a proponent of the concept.

"A streetcar would be so great for our future and its long term vision. It's about moving people versus moving cars. It's great for a vibrant city," Shaw said.

The price, however won't be cheap. A streetcar system could cost in excess of $50 million. It's money the city will have to get from federal grants.

A public forum in scheduled for next month to discuss the ideas of the streetcar system.

SOURCE: http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Sarasota-interested-in-streetcar-system/N-N23bADHkey5t0MjN7VeQ.cspx

[tufsu1]

here's the rub....a study was recently completed that looked at transit in the Sarasota-Bradenton area...all modes and serveral alignments were studied....and guess what won out....BRT

http://www.tbarta.com/content/sarasota-brt-extension-north-port

[thelakelander]

This just came in this morning, thought our transit people should be in the loop. Hopefully we're not going to get skunked by yet another city.

In terms of DT activity, we got skunked by Sarasota years ago. Here are a few shots I snapped in downtown Sarasota on a random Saturday morning:

[Ocklawaha]

Kansas City’s Squabble-Proof Streetcar Plan
10/11/12
by Angie Schmitt

If everything goes according to plan this election, Kansas City will be on track to build its first streetcar in under five years, from conceptual planning to first boarding. Maybe more impressive still, this relatively sprawling Midwestern town is this close to getting its first rail transportation without even a mild political dustup.

When you’re a car-centric Midwestern city that hasn’t had rail transportation in 50 years, swaying a general public â€" the majority of which doesn’t find transit useful or attractive â€" can be the single hardest obstacle. But as Kansas City’s streetcar project illustrates, you don’t necessarily need to.

This month some 700 voters â€" members of a downtown special taxing district surrounding the planned line â€" will determine the fate of this project. They will decide whether to tax themselves and district shoppers â€" through a combination of sales and property taxes â€" a collective $10 million per year for 25 years. That amount, plus $18 million in funding the Kansas City Streetcar won from its metropolitan planning organization, will be enough to cover construction and operating costs for this two-mile downtown circulator.

Project sponsors applied for a TIGER IV grant earlier this year, but were passed over. That didn’t stop them, or even slow them down much. The special taxing district will bring in 74 percent of the project’s $100 million cost. Since the project will not rely on direct taxation from the general public, no larger community-wide vote will be necessary.

This election won’t necessarily be full of intrigue. Residents of the special taxing district already voted by a wide margin to support the creation of the district back in August, leading project sponsors to believe they will support the tax as well. David Johnson, president of Streetcar Neighbors, said there have been some general NIMBY complaints, and some members of the taxing district have been vocally opposed, but that’s about it.

“There’s been no funded opposition,” he said. “I would say there’s really no formal opposition to it at all.”

If voters approve the spending, the streetcar will break ground in 2013 and begin welcoming passengers in early 2015. The line is seen mainly as an economic development tool. And it seems to be working; three major residential projects along its path have come online since the plan was released, Johnson said.

The streetcar will run down Main Street, from a public market to the train station. The system will not charge riders a fare.

Project supporters have already received environmental approval, and engineering is underway.

If this seems like a snooze, compared to the drama we’ve seen in Cincinnati or Honolulu, that’s the way project sponsors planned it, especially after several ultimately unsuccessful ballot issues in support of light rail in Kansas City.

“It was absolutely a political calculation,” said Johnson. “It’s a good way to avoid a lot of the pitfalls.”

Angie Schmitt is a newspaper reporter-turned planner/advocate who manages the Streetsblog Network from glamorous Cleveland, Ohio. She also writes about urban issues particular to the industrial Midwest at Rustwire.com.
SOURCE: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/10/11/kansas-citys-squabble-proof-streetcar-plan/

[Ocklawaha]

Oct. 11, 2012 10:38 a.m.

Anaheim considers Disney-area streetcars
Plan would take passengers from ARTIC transit hub to Disneyland, Convention Center, other stops on 3.2-mile route.

   
By ERIC CARPENTER / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM â€" Now that construction has begun on a major transportation hub near Angel Stadium, the city is looking at a $318 million plan to move thousands of tourists and employees to Disneyland and other destinations nearby.
The best way city planners say to move those people: streetcars. Think San Francisco â€" cars driven on a rail, powered by electricity â€" but without the vintage open-air feel or the clanging bells. Instead, the streetcars They would have a sleek, modern look, fully enclosed, similar to those used in Portland, Ore., and in European cities.

Anaheim's propsed streetcar system would consist of 10 vehicles that would travel a 3.2-mile route in about 18 minutes. The streetcars would look similar to this European streetcar, according to city officials.

The City Council on Tuesday night reviewed the concept of streetcars that would run on a fixed guideway to Disneyland, shops and restaurants of GardenWalk mall and the Anaheim Convention Center, among other stops. Several council members expressed general support for the idea but ultimately asked for more time to study all alternatives.

The idea of streetcars is being recommended by city staff over an elevated monorail, which was Anaheim's initial focus. The system, called Anaheim Rapid Connection, would run on a 3.2-mile track mostly along Katella Avenue from the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, the transportation hub under construction and set to open in 2014. The idea of ARC is to provide a cheap â€" maybe even free â€" ride for the millions of tourists who visit Disneyland annually and for some of the 51,000 workers in the 5-square-mile area in and around the Anaheim Resort.

"I think it's something that Anaheim should have, a good way to transport a lot of people, and it would be a unique landmark that would bring more interest to this area," said James Williams, 41, who lives in the Platinum Triangle near Angel Stadium.
City planners said they seriously considered several other options, including enhanced bus service and the elevated monorail. They determined a monorail could move the fastest, about 30 mph, and would attract the largest ridership. But at a cost of $679 million, it was simply too expensive, said Natalie Meeks, the city's director of public works.

By contrast, the streetcar system is expected to cost about $318 million. Most of that money would come from federal and state grants and the Orange County Transportation Authority, which has committed to pay $16.7 million from Measure M2, the county's renewed half-cent sales tax. The city would contribute $1.8 million, money that would come from the Anaheim Tourism Improvement District, which comes from a 2 percent tax on Anaheim hotel bills.

Final design and funding plans would have to come back before the City Council for approvals before the project could move forward. The streetcars could eventually continue south on Harbor Boulevard and connect with Garden Grove and Santa Ana, ending at that city's train station.

The OCTA has encouraged such fixed-guideway projects to connect with Metrolink, considered the backbone of transportation in Orange County. About $6 million is available to help fund Anaheim's project after the Centerline rail project failed, OCTA spokesman Joel Zlotnik said.

Councilman Harry Sidhu asked for more time to study alternatives, saying he can't understand why the city wouldn't choose enhanced bus service, which would cost about $53 million.

If the recommended streetcar plan goes forward, 10 streetcars in all would operate on the tracks in Anaheim, taking about 18 minutes to travel from one end to the other.

Because the Disneyland Resort is a major stop along the planned route, Disney officials were part of the planning process.
"Anaheim has always been a regional pioneer for transportation, and we applaud their leadership in creating a world-class transportation system that will transform the way residents, visitors and employees travel to and from Orange County," Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said in a statement.

The streetcar tracks would be built along Katella Avenue between Douglass Road and Haster Street and along Harbor Boulevard, between Disney Way and Convention Center Drive. The streetcars would run in the far-right lanes of city streets and would run amid car traffic.

Traffic engineers would work with traffic-light timing with the hope of ensuring that the streetcars don't slow car traffic.
"Ultimately, we hope that the use of streetcars will take cars off the road as well," Meeks said.

The city also would spend about $4.3 million annually to maintain and operate the system, money that would come from the Tourist Improvement District, advertising and, perhaps, a small fare.

The goal is to have the streetcars up and operating by 2018.

SOURCE: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER - http://www.ocregister.com/news/anaheim-374115-city-streetcars.html
Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com

[If_I_Loved_you]

This just came in this morning, thought our transit people should be in the loop. Hopefully we're not going to get skunked by yet another city.

Sarasota interested in streetcar system
    Reported by: Max Winitz

SARASOTA- Could the City of Sarasota one day be getting a streetcar or trolley system Downtown? It's a vision that is all of the sudden looking more and more like a reality.

"The discussion on a streetcar has really gained traction," said Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell. "We are serious about it."

The city is already paying a company $70 thousand to conduct a feasibility study on the streetcar concept and other ideas for future transportation. Forrest Shaw, the operator of sarasotastreetcar.com is a proponent of the concept.

"A streetcar would be so great for our future and its long term vision. It's about moving people versus moving cars. It's great for a vibrant city," Shaw said.

The price, however won't be cheap. A streetcar system could cost in excess of $50 million. It's money the city will have to get from federal grants.

A public forum in scheduled for next month to discuss the ideas of the streetcar system.

SOURCE: http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Sarasota-interested-in-streetcar-system/N-N23bADHkey5t0MjN7VeQ.cspx

Hey good for Sarasota and every other town or city in America that moves forward towards the Streetcar system. Did you happen to read the comments from Liberty4Ever - 10/11/2012 11:17 PM


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Um - trolleys were used as an improvement on horses and then the personal vehicle was invented and we no longer needed trolleys. "Light rail" and other forms of public transportation are money pits for taxpayers, they are inflexible in their routes if they use tracks too. What is wrong with supporting using CARS? I'll tell you what's wrong with that - it doesn't fit into the "sustainable development" socialist plan for America. It comes from the United Nations Agenda 21 plan to do away with personal vehicles, the suburbs, energy independence etc - all to supposedly save the earth from humans - when the earth does NOT need saving and all of their science has been based on lies. Agenda 21 was created to spread socialist global control with the UN at the top and the US is still in their way with our Constitution and our right to bear arms etc. Agenda 21 and the UN want to see everyone packed and stacked into cities, using public transportation and depending on "grow local" food only - basically an urban prisoner. Want to travel outside your "district" after that happens? Good luck since you will let them do away with CARS. Funding that SHOULD go to improving roads and building parking garages is now being funneled into "light rail" and soon it will be TOO EXPENSIVE for us to drive our cars and then this "light rail" will be there waiting for us to use it as the "alternative". They are creating the problem and solving it at the same time...

Liberty4ever believes that "Light rail" and other forms of public transportation are money pits for taxpayers." And that "Agenda 21 was created to spread socialist global control with the UN" I'm sorry but Liberty4ever's pilot light has burned out. Jacksonville the Skyway was a great start but then it stopped in San Marco. And should have kept going towards Baymeadows. And why hasn't the Skyway gone to Everbank aka The Gator Bowl or over to the Beaches. Look at how many people take the skyway now that it is free. If this Skyway was like Tri-Met in Portland OR we would be better off. So the next step is to bring back the streetcar or go with a better lightrail system here in Jacksonville Fl but I'm afraid most of us will be dead before we see this happen.

[Ocklawaha]

'The Goonies' hits Grand Park for LA Streetcar event
By HAYLEY FOX
Published: Thursday, October 11, 2012, at 04:27PM

Andres Aguila/KPCC
A screening of "The Goonies" is scheduled to take place next weekend as part of an effort to raise support for the L.A. streetcar.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES â€" As part of the ongoing effort to garner support for the proposed new L.A. streetcar, residents are invited to an outdoor movie screening at the new Grand Park next week that will also serve as a voter registration drive.

The event will include a screening of the Steven Spielberg adventure-classic "The Goonies"; free popcorn is provided and there will be a few food trucks available but it's bring your own blanket. Families are encouraged to pack picnics and hang out on the lawn while kids paint pumpkins and snap pictures in a photo booth.

“This is a great way to showcase yet another great destination and unique Downtown experience which will be served by the Downtown L.A. Streetcar, and to remind people that in order to weigh in on the streetcar project, you need to be educated about it, and make sure you are registered to vote,” said Shiraz Tangri, of Los Angeles Streetcar Inc., in a statement.

L.A. Streetcar Inc. -- whose Board of Directors includes select Downtown property owners, stakeholders and community leaders -- is leading the charge for the creation of the DTLA streetcar. In order for this $125-million project to become a reality, Downtown residents need to vote this November in favor of partially funding the project through taxes.

In July, the L.A. City Council voted to allow the formation of a Community Facilities District (CFD), a designated taxing district which encompasses the streetcar's four-mile route. If more than two-thirds of residents vote in favor of the tax next month, property owners would be required to pay additional taxes that would go towards the streetcar project.

Ballots will be mailed to voters within approximately three blocks of the proposed streetcar route in mid‐November. If residents vote against the tax, the streetcar may be dead in the water.

“If it doesn’t pass, there’s no streetcar," Councilman José Huizar told Blogdowntown last month.

In order to rally support for their cause, Streetcar Inc. has ramped up their outreach campaign in recent weeks, beginning with the "Taste of Streetcar" event last month and continuing next weekend with the "Goonies" screening.

If the streetcar is successfully funded it will run seven days a week for 18 hours a day. The current proposed route travels down Broadway between 1st and 11th Streets, over to Figueroa, up to 7th street where it cuts over to Hill Street, then up and over to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

"The streetcar will help create a better connected, pedestrian‐oriented downtown, bringing jobs, services, economic development and revitalization all around the route while helping downtown function as a complete, cohesive neighborhood,” said Huizar in a statement.

L.A. Streetcar's next event is October 20 beginning at 5:30 in Grand Park.

SOURCE: http://blogdowntown.com/2012/10/7036-the-goonies-hits-grand-park-for-la-streetcar

[Ocklawaha]

This just came in this morning, thought our transit people should be in the loop. Hopefully we're not going to get skunked by yet another city.

Sarasota interested in streetcar system
    Reported by: Max Winitz

SARASOTA- Could the City of Sarasota one day be getting a streetcar or trolley system Downtown? It's a vision that is all of the sudden looking more and more like a reality.

"The discussion on a streetcar has really gained traction," said Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell. "We are serious about it."

The city is already paying a company $70 thousand to conduct a feasibility study on the streetcar concept and other ideas for future transportation. Forrest Shaw, the operator of sarasotastreetcar.com is a proponent of the concept.

"A streetcar would be so great for our future and its long term vision. It's about moving people versus moving cars. It's great for a vibrant city," Shaw said.

The price, however won't be cheap. A streetcar system could cost in excess of $50 million. It's money the city will have to get from federal grants.

A public forum in scheduled for next month to discuss the ideas of the streetcar system.

SOURCE: http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Sarasota-interested-in-streetcar-system/N-N23bADHkey5t0MjN7VeQ.cspx

Hey good for Sarasota and every other town or city in America that moves forward towards the Streetcar system. Did you happen to read the comments from Liberty4Ever - 10/11/2012 11:17 PM


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Report User

Um - trolleys were used as an improvement on horses and then the personal vehicle was invented and we no longer needed trolleys. "Light rail" and other forms of public transportation are money pits for taxpayers, they are inflexible in their routes if they use tracks too. What is wrong with supporting using CARS? I'll tell you what's wrong with that - it doesn't fit into the "sustainable development" socialist plan for America. It comes from the United Nations Agenda 21 plan to do away with personal vehicles, the suburbs, energy independence etc - all to supposedly save the earth from humans - when the earth does NOT need saving and all of their science has been based on lies. Agenda 21 was created to spread socialist global control with the UN at the top and the US is still in their way with our Constitution and our right to bear arms etc. Agenda 21 and the UN want to see everyone packed and stacked into cities, using public transportation and depending on "grow local" food only - basically an urban prisoner. Want to travel outside your "district" after that happens? Good luck since you will let them do away with CARS. Funding that SHOULD go to improving roads and building parking garages is now being funneled into "light rail" and soon it will be TOO EXPENSIVE for us to drive our cars and then this "light rail" will be there waiting for us to use it as the "alternative". They are creating the problem and solving it at the same time...

Liberty4ever believes that "Light rail" and other forms of public transportation are money pits for taxpayers." And that "Agenda 21 was created to spread socialist global control with the UN" I'm sorry but Liberty4ever's pilot light has burned out. Jacksonville the Skyway was a great start but then it stopped going places and has it's problems. The main one was no one liked to pay for the ride? Look at how many people take the skyway now that it is free. So the next step is to bring back the streetcar or go with a better lightrail system here in Jacksonville Fl but I'm afraid most of us will be dead before we see this happen.

Yes, I've read all of this before.... as the VP said last night, 'HOGWASH!'

I'll respond to these points just as soon as I sweep the Commie-Nazi's out from under my bed!

OKAY, here we go!

Um - trolleys were used as an improvement on horses and then the personal vehicle was invented and we no longer needed trolleys.

WRONG: streetcars were an improvement on cable cars AND horse and buggy. The streetcars didn't die a natural death. During the period from 1936 to 1950, National City Lines and Pacific City Linesâ€"with investment from GM, Firestone Tire, Standard Oil of California, Phillips Petroleum, Mack Trucks, and the Federal Engineering Corporationâ€"bought over 100 electric surface-traction systems in 45 cities including JACKSONVILLE, Baltimore, Newark, Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland and San Diego and converted them into bus operation.

"Light rail" and other forms of public transportation are money pits for taxpayers, they are inflexible in their routes if they use tracks too.

The most energy efficient method to move people and cargo is steel wheel on steel rail, the ancient Greeks figured it out with iron wheels and stone 'rut-ways'. Inflexible? That was a key selling point in the GM - streetcar holocaust, and it has long since proved wrong. You can operate a streetcar in a street, median, curbside, elevated, subway, or private railroad track. You can operate a bus on pavement in a street, elevated or on private paved right-of-way.

What is wrong with supporting using CARS? I'll tell you what's wrong with that - it doesn't fit into the "sustainable development" socialist plan for America.

Actually, nothing at all, be my guest... it's the streets, roads, over and underpasses AND those darn FREEway's and turnpikes which cost amounts so much higher then streetcar, it staggers the imagination.

It comes from the United Nations Agenda 21 plan to do away with personal vehicles, the suburbs, energy independence etc - all to supposedly save the earth from humans - when the earth does NOT need saving and all of their science has been based on lies. Agenda 21 was created to spread socialist global control with the UN at the top and the US is still in their way with our Constitution and our right to bear arms etc. Agenda 21 and the UN want to see everyone packed and stacked into cities, using public transportation and depending on "grow local" food only - basically an urban prisoner. Want to travel outside your "district" after that happens? Good luck since you will let them do away with CARS. Funding that SHOULD go to improving roads and building parking garages is now being funneled into "light rail" and soon it will be TOO EXPENSIVE for us to drive our cars and then this "light rail" will be there waiting for us to use it as the "alternative". They are creating the problem and solving it at the same time...

"Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, Toto! It's a twister! It's a twister!"

Liberty4ever believes that "Light rail" and other forms of public transportation are money pits for taxpayers." And that "Agenda 21 was created to spread socialist global control with the UN" I'm sorry but Liberty4ever's pilot light has burned out. Jacksonville the Skyway was a great start...

Great start on what? Socialist trains that will soon dominate the world? Really?

...but then it stopped going places and has it's problems.

Where did it stop going?

The main one was no one liked to pay for the ride? Look at how many people take the skyway now that it is free.

Amazing, look how many use the library, city parks, or attend city sponsored events.... rotten Nazi's and socialists all!

So the next step is to bring back the streetcar or go with a better lightrail system here in Jacksonville Fl but I'm afraid most of us will be dead before we see this happen.

Why is a 'light rail' system 'better' then the streetcar? Oh and from what seems to be happening downtown, you better plan on dying soon, so you won't be accosted by one of those Nazi-Trolley's.

[Ocklawaha]

ISSAQUAH PRESS:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012

Downtown Issaquah streetcar rides start Oct. 14
October 9, 2012
By Staff

The long-planned Issaquah Valley Trolley is due to start service Oct. 14, as organizers start limited service after more than a decade of planning.

Issaquah Valley Trolley Project volunteers plan to host a dedication ceremony at the Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N., at 1 p.m. and then start public rides.

The public can ride the streetcar during limited weekend service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. into November.
The streetcar runs from the depot to the bridge across the East Fork of Issaquah Creek at Darigold, about a half-mile north.

Though the track extends to Northwest Gilman Boulevard, additional work is necessary to prepare the track to accommodate the trolley. North of Northwest Gilman Boulevard, crews removed the track to create the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

SOURCE:  http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/10/09/downtown-issaquah-streetcar-rides-start-oct-14/

[If_I_Loved_you]

Jacksonville the Skyway was a great start but then it stopped in San Marco. And should have kept going towards Baymeadows. And why hasn't the Skyway gone to Everbank aka The Gator Bowl or over to the Beaches. Hey I will believe the trolley is coming to Jacksonville Fl when ground is broken not just wishful thinking.

[Bridges]

With the mobility plan in place and the fee (for now) collecting, are the capital improvements automatically set to take place?  Or are they then subject to the whims of the council and other committees? 

[Ocklawaha]

Jacksonville the Skyway was a great start but then it stopped in San Marco. And should have kept going towards Baymeadows. And why hasn't the Skyway gone to Everbank aka The Gator Bowl or over to the Beaches. Hey I will believe the trolley is coming to Jacksonville Fl when ground is broken not just wishful thinking.

Actually the Skyway construction stopped somewhat short of San Marco, or at least San Marco Village. It also was to go to Shand's, Stadium, Riverside and Lackawanna. Another huge error was not connecting the 'San Marco Station' with the various offices and the hospital complex via an elevated, covered, sidewalk or moving sidewalk. It should have also pushed west to a logical bus transfer point around the Farm Market. The Jaguars, Sharks, Suns and the new VA regional clinic are all of the reasons why those expansions should be revisited. The Skyway also has some odd friends, such as both John Mica and Representative Brown.

The technology is just too expensive and the trains too small to go much beyond the original chosen end points. A modification of the stations and much larger, wider, longer trains with the ability to walk through the cars would greatly enhance it's usability on this expanded network. Other then that, the Skyway is more of a horizontal-elevator urban distributor system.

[urbaknight]

Can socialism and civil liberties coexist?

[Ocklawaha]

With the mobility plan in place and the fee (for now) collecting, are the capital improvements automatically set to take place?  Or are they then subject to the whims of the council and other committees?

Shouldn't be subject to anyone's whims, the council already approved the plan and that plan includes streetcar, as well as comprehensive pedestrian, bicycle, and other transit improvements. With the funding secure the improvements should start to roll out fairly fast. Streetcar starter is 100% self funded, so there won't be any federal BS to wade through. More phases of streetcar could seek federal dollars using what we've already built and paid for as our match.

The Skyway was a loser in the plan and that shouldn't have happened, but the council just couldn't be convinced at that time that anyone would ever ride it. Now that they do, it's a bit late, however the plan automatically reviews every few years. A route south from the Kings Avenue Station to a station on the west side of the railroad tracks at Landon and Atlantic Avenues.

[BrooklynSouth]

Can socialism and civil liberties coexist?

Oy. Can vague abstraction I don't like and vague abstraction I like coexist?