Progressive Railroading Magazine just released a blog article based on a Dallas Morning News story, the incredible thing is, they could be writting about Jacksonville: QuoteJacquielynn Floyd, a columnist for The Dallas Morning News, wrote an essay printed in the June 28th edition of the paper which outlined her top ten suggestions for the city's new mayor.
Item number three (impressively high on the list) concerned Dallas' downtown. A "bonus hint" involved her recommendation for our Union Station (historically Union Terminal) facility. Since "Union Station is the first and last place a lot of guests/commuters see," she is in favour of making it a more "user-friendly" place. Her proposals included the establishment of "a pub, a newsstand, a coffee house."
Certainly, it's nice that our local depot rates at all, especially near the top of such a short menu. I have no problems whatsoever with her advice, only with the building's shortcomings. The fact that our train station currently doesn't even possess a simple newsstand or offer any light snacks or beverages (apart from a couple of vending machines in the Lobby) should be considered a disgrace! Floyd was absolutely right to highlight the issue.
Nor does the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center plan possess a single "pub, a newsstand, or a coffee house."QuoteUnfortunately, as reasonable as her ideas might be, they barely skim the surface of Union Terminal's myriad problems.
I'll admit, regarding the care and feeding of D.U.T., I am quite possibly more biased than anyone else alive today. I was born and reared in Dallas and the station has remained a constant part of my life. I have very definite ideas concerning its ongoing use.
Oh God! Sounds just like someone I know in Jacksonville.QuoteI'll also admit that amenities such as magazines, souvenirs and fresh-brewed coffee can be purchased at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, easily accessible through a climate-controlled passenger concourse tunnel.
We don't have a hotel within 3/4 of a mile from our future JRTCQuoteStill, what should be a public gathering place of significance - purchased by Dallas taxpayers in 1974 as a transportation centre and civically owned-and-operated since that time - has been demonstrably underutilised, with its purpose misunderstood, its properties mishandled, and its potential marginalised.
Sound familiar Jaxson's?QuoteSadly, these facts aren't unique, either to Dallas or railroading. So often, while working to save an historic building from destruction, a political jurisdiction will move too quickly toward what is now known as "adaptive reuse." Their apparent goal becomes filling the structure with something as soon as possible so gainsayers will have no reason to scream "white elephant " or "boondoggle."
The JRTC has written the book on boondoggle or white elephants... oh and JTA? Their already talking of the "adaptive reuse," of the Convention Center Box which they assure us will be filled with myriad mixed use retail, office and hotel space. Just try and ask them which developers are knocking on that door. QuoteThis routine becomes increasingly evident when dealing with train stations, since the concept of restored and revitalised railway passenger service seems so difficult for many to grasp. Unfortunately, the disconnect regarding historic depot properties tends to remain true even when discussing future transit, commuter/regional, conventional intercity and high-speed operations! The assumption is usually either "we'll never need passenger trains, anyway" or "no matter what might be done to alter the facilities, they'll still be available for railroad use."
Both of those assumptions are incorrect, of course. The need for trains of all types should be increasingly evident to all but ideologues of a Libertarian bent (who, if consistent, would also oppose all other public transportation expenditures - even for roadways). Furthermore, it has been proven time and again that substantive alterations create insurmountable operating challenges with surviving depots, to the point where a "union station" building may be extant, yet bereft of all railroad traffic.
But Amtrak won't make money! I know, lets rip it appart and build a convention center there! Oh we did?QuoteIt's not too late for Dallas. Since our "Union Station" is already municipally owned and occupies the most logical location for a true "union" passenger train facility, we've been given additional time to renew interest, properly plan and invest in its long-term health and welfare. We only need to begin making those plans and investments now!
First of all, we must understand there is a logical, justifiable need for a single central location dedicated to arriving, departing and connecting passengers using various modes of rail-basedground transport. At the same time, we must admit that Union Terminal's potential modern-day role as THE gateway for Dallas is in serious danger, transcending Jacquielynn Floyd's coffee house dilemma and affecting the site's ability to serve tomorrow's travelers and visitors.
Again, they could be writting about us. Theirs is in danger and they haven't proposed 3 new stations alongside D.U.T. as our "Director of Resource Management" has done. QuoteAn example: both DART's new Green Line and upcoming Orange Line have been designed to by-pass the station, thereby effectively eliminating the opportunity to establish direct, frequent, single-seat service between Dallas' main, downtown railroad terminal and either one of our two major airports! If intermodalism is ever going to be anything more than a catchphrase, we MUST plan for efficient air/rail connectivity!
Not a single bus, BRT, streetcar, or Greyhound Coach will enter the historic Jacksonville Terminal property according to the JRTC plan. All of the non rail modes will have their own stations scattered like bread crumbs 3 blocks north of the Rail Terminal and 7 'walking blocks' from Amtraks trains. Greyhound is better off where they are today. And unless Greyhound wants to further isolate themselves from the citizens of our city they should hold out to be included INSIDE the historic rail terminal QuoteWe must also address pedestrian control. Did you know that arriving and departing passengers are not required to enter the station building at all? How would dining and shopping establishments within the depot generate business if the structure is simply seen as another obstacle for travelers to circumnavigate whilst walking between the C.B.D. and the several platforms? In addition, how many realise it is no longer possible to freely negotiate all areas of the ground floor or, often, even walk from the main Lobby to the concourse without first going outside?! ALL public areas of the terminal should remain open and accessible.
We wouldn't have this problem at all if all of the modes arrived and departed from the historic Jacksonville Terminal. Our downtown is too far to comfortably walk and passengers waiting for buses, Skyway or streetcars would be creating the critical mass to keep those businesses running. It won't work at all if we scatter then all over La Villa. QuoteThe City of Dallas is responsible for removing most of the depot's infrastructure (tracks, platforms, yards, etc.). The station's current - and future - use as a railroad passenger facility has been severely compromised. Therefore, Union Terminal will require both a major interior redesign and serious (infrastructure) expansion in order to support prospective transportation customers. These multi-layered projects could be completed in phases, over time, without greatly inconveniencing users.
"The City of" Jacksonville "is responsible for removing most of the depot's infrastructure (tracks, platforms, yards, etc.). The station's current - and future - use as a railroad passenger facility has been severely compromised. Therefore, Union Terminal will require both a major interior redesign and serious (infrastructure) expansion in order to support prospective transportation customers. These multi-layered projects could be completed in phases, over time, without greatly inconveniencing users."QuoteI understand that much-needed renovation activities have already been accomplished, modernising various structural and electromechanical systems, making the changes necessary to embrace Wolfgang Puck catering operations and a new generation of wedding receptions. The past 37 years of control by the Woodbine Development Corporation has certainly helped protect the building, and that company should be sincerely commended for its work. However, the needs of a major urban area for an efficiently functioning downtown railroad passenger terminal should easily outweigh the structure's current primary use as a hotel banquet room and corporate meeting centre.
"However, the needs of a major urban area for an efficiently functioning downtown railroad passenger terminal should easily outweigh the structure's current primary use as a hotel banquet room and corporate meeting centre." HERE! HERE!QuoteThe political commitment to rededicate the "Union Station" facility as a RAILROAD STATION will require the City of Dallas to renegotiate its existing long-term contracts with Woodbine Development and the Hyatt Regency Dallas for use of the depot building. It will also require local elected officials to do something which, potentially, will be even more difficult: accepting train travel as an integral part of our transportation mix and making the essential physical and mental transformations necessary for our society's future.
But Amtrak doesn't make money!QuoteThis coming October, dear Union Terminal will celebrate its 95th anniversary of service to the citizens of Dallas. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that occasion could be marked by an official decision to invest in the property and adequately prepare it for another 95 years of operation? Isn't it nice to contemplate the possibility that, in 2106, our children's children will still be enjoying Big D's Beaux-Arts gateway...and using it when taking trips by train?!
In Jacksonville FDOT and JTA are in charge, we can contemplate in one hand and spit in the other, you tell me which one fills up first.QuoteIt's great to have a good cup o' Joe to go with my copy of the News! Far better is coffee and a paper within the confines of a properly functioning railroad station which, as a natural extension of itself, provides me with everything else I might require to comfortably complete a journey - including some trains to ride!
After all, serving trains and the passengers who travel upon them should be a railroad station's ultimate purpose
Are you certain it's not to service buses and the passengers who travel upon THEM? Really buses. Isn't it buses that we want? Remember Jacksonville, "The people hate rail, they want buses," JTA spokesman, BRT public meetings.
SOURCE: http://myprogressiverailroading.com/blogs/gblatham/archive/2011/06/28/railroad-stations-should-be-for-trains.aspx Comments and insertions () by:OCKLAWAHA
Wow ock! sounds familiar. What also sounds familiar is how much people hate Dallas DT and people hate Jacksonville DT. Its good to know that we are not the only idiots in the country LMAO.