Streetcar

[LocoAko]

https://www.facebook.com/okcstreetca...e=3&permPage=1

[Urban Pioneer]

Wasn't the shape of the boulevard or one of those blocks going to change slightly? Thought I remember something about that. If so maybe the track is accounting for the end state?

That is correct. That section design is driven by ODOT and their vehicle ingress/egress desires. It is a miracle that we are even allowed in there right now. We have an extremely narrow window of time permitted to do some major track junctures there this month.

[shawnw]

I see, thank you for clarifying, thought I remembered something about that...

[LocoAko]

https://www.facebook.com/okcstreetca...8535869622658/

[Anonymous.]

Streetcar Stop 1 (IHOP):











Streetcar Stop 2 (Ballpark):















Streetcar tracks on future Boulevard:

[Buffalo Bill]

Streetcar tracks on future Boulevard:

Wait a minute, I thought UP stated a bunch of nonsense about ODOT and the Streetcar.

Upon review, he did:

"The city is not permitted to install permanent streetcar tracks until they formal hand off the project to the city. We will be saw cutting and tearing out brand new concrete instead of integrating the project while concrete is being poured. 3. The city is not allowed to build in the Right-Of-Way that is not used by ODOT until the project is handed off. The Right-of-Way is excessively large due to the former I-40. We can't touch it. 4. The city will not be able to do landscaping, pedestrian amenities, transit stops, etc until the project is formally handed off". SMH.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.ph...327#post976327

[David]

> 12-09-2016

Given that that was posted eight months ago, the situation has probably changed since then. Negotiations happen.

[dcsooner]

What is holding up the Boulevard?

[shawnw]

masterful engineering for both people and cars I hope

[C. B.]

Thanks for the pictures of the first two platform stops.
Do we have any renderings of what they will look like when 100% completed?
The design of the platform stops in Kansas City look really cool. Functional and very inviting.

[Urbanized]

..Do we have any renderings of what they will look like when 100% completed?...

Huh. That's weird. It shrunk the image. I don't understand why I always have so much trouble with image uploads on this site. That pic is not hosted anywhere so it's the best I can do.

[Anonymous.]

They are nearly finished in those photos. Add a kiosk and signage. A railing to the rear. A small sheltered area and some benches.

I have been a common critic of the [IMO] unimaginative stops and was pushing for the extra funds to go into stop improvement, rather than an additional streetcar. I guess we can always improve the stops later down the rail.

[BoulderSooner]

> 12-09-2016

Given that that was posted eight months ago, the situation has probably changed since then. Negotiations happen.

UP's original post was more or less a direct quote from okc public works in a city meeting open to the public.

Clearly things changed just as David said

[David]

Ooooo, I like that we're getting kiosks. Now they just need to be wi-fi hotspots too.

[Buffalo Bill]

UP's original post was more or less a direct quote from okc public works in a city meeting open to the public.

Clearly things changed just as David said

Yes, things had changed. Sometime between the public meeting over 4 years ago, which was quoted, and when UP went on his nonsensical rant about "project hand off", "cutting new concrete", blah, blah, blah last December.

[HangryHippo]

Yes, things had changed. Sometime between the public meeting over 4 years ago, which was quoted, and when UP went on his nonsensical rant about "project hand off", "cutting new concrete", blah, blah, blah last December.

You must work for ODOT.

[David]

Yes, things had changed. Sometime between the public meeting over 4 years ago, which was quoted, and when UP went on his nonsensical rant about "project hand off", "cutting new concrete", blah, blah, blah last December.

Citation needed.

[Buffalo Bill]

Citation needed.

David, you're probably right. In the 39 days from the time UP posted his diatribe and when construction started on the streetcar, okc probably amended the construction plans and contract, secured all of the right of way agreements, and got the green light to lay track on the boulevard. It couldn't have happened in the 4 years previous to his rant.

[jn1780]

> 12-09-2016

Given that that was posted eight months ago, the situation has probably changed since then. Negotiations happen.

This is a high profile project. People with power obviously said it would be ridiculous that the streetcar be delayed because of bureaucracy and the delay of the boulevard.

[betts]

Wait a minute, I thought UP stated a bunch of nonsense about ODOT and the Streetcar.

Upon review, he did:

"The city is not permitted to install permanent streetcar tracks until they formal hand off the project to the city. We will be saw cutting and tearing out brand new concrete instead of integrating the project while concrete is being poured. 3. The city is not allowed to build in the Right-Of-Way that is not used by ODOT until the project is handed off. The Right-of-Way is excessively large due to the former I-40. We can't touch it. 4. The city will not be able to do landscaping, pedestrian amenities, transit stops, etc until the project is formally handed off". SMH.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.ph...327#post976327

Actually, that is precisely what we were told in the subcommittee, so I don't think UP was out of line. It would have been ridiculous and a waste of money to tear up the boulevard to lay track that could be laid previously, which is what we discussed in committee. Clearly someone saw the wisdom of our argument.

[David]

David, you're probably right. In the 39 days from the time UP posted his diatribe and when construction started on the streetcar, okc probably amended the construction plans and contract, secured all of the right of way agreements, and got the green light to lay track on the boulevard. It couldn't have happened in the 4 years previous to his rant.

Citation still needed. Can you post proof that UP was wrong as of when he posted that or not?

[Urban Pioneer]

Thanks for backing me up folks. Those comments were made in an official public meeting by City Staff and backed up by our consultants.

If my comments about the OKC Boulevard reads like a diatribe and offend ODOT supporters, I am not sorry. You can take it up with the City for misinforming their Oversight Committee. Or... maybe with some self-reflection, ODOT could grace us with clear explanations as to what they are doing and when. Block by block. How is it affecting the City? How is it integrated with planned MAPS projects? Yes we are trying to save tax money by integrating and here is how. Clear, concise, simple explanations. Not pages and pages of environmental and program documents buried on their website.

I will never forget two monumental comments made at the very first streetcar meeting with regards to the OKC Boulevard by ODOT-

1. You mean the streetcar is going to run on rails!?
2. No, this project can't be slowed or stopped. It is going out to bid in December.

I can't remember how many years ago this was, but let's just say that the middle section is just now going out (or about to go out) to bid.

[gman11695]

A very interesting video, makes some very good points!

[Pryor Tiger]

It is interesting that the OKC Streetcar is not gaining a lot of national media traffic yet. Wait 'til everyone is circling up to judge the performance of the OKC Streetcar and its purpose..

Good video though, I do believe the primary purpose this was proposed was to create a boom in economic development and change the identity of OKC. A secondary purpose centers around the needs of the new CC and the arena and having an effective people mover into Bricktown and other tax dollar hotbeds.

UP, is there conversation that genuinely addresses this as a means of transportation to make citizens daily lives easier? Do you feel a future connection to capitol hill and other neighborhoods that would benefit is a real possibility at this point?

[Pete]

A very interesting video, makes some very good points!

The main point being that most streetcars are about economic development, not necessarily public transportation.

And that is certainly the case in OKC and you've seen several developers specifically cite the route as a reason for going forward with their project.

OTOH, Ed Shadid and others argue that we do enough economic development and that money should be invested in proven public trans like the bus system, which needs all types of help.

But really, these are two different goals although if and when the streetcar is extended to the Health Sciences Center and Capitol Hill, I believe it will then serve a valuable public transport purpose. And before you do that, you have to start with this, the first phase.