Streetcar

[Urban Pioneer]

PluPan- It really depends on if there is leadership when MAPS 4 comes up in 2017. The Chamber wants to do the Regional Transit System. Many other city leaders are afraid that it might not pass and subsequently damage the MAPS brand.

Ed Shadid has led an assault on the streetcar and on city leadership. Public support for transit is really diverse.

So in short, if it does happen in 2017, I would say we are 8 years out to seeing a system begin to be built. If it isn't in 2017, I would think 15 years.

The 2040 growth projections for this metro are undeniable. We cannot pave our way out of the existing and projected transportation problems. I would say the best chance to get this done is to vote for James Cooper, talk to Meg Salyer, John Pettis, the Mayor, Larry McAttee, and David Greenwell.

In Edmond, Elizabeth Waner.

In Norman, Cindy Rosenthal.

We should be proceeding with the RTA now just to preserve cooridors, collate assets, and have a public entity that can negotiate with ODOT. There is every reason for these folks to do this now.

[Urban Pioneer]

On the streetcar stop interaction, I really don't understand where the disconnect is occurring. There are two stops proposed directly adjacent to to the facility on the interior side of the street at Reno and Sheridan. It isn't two blocks. it is one block. And it is the short block not the long blocks we have here. Going into downtown means you walk to the Reno stop. Going further into Bricktown means you walk to the Sheridan stop.

It is reasonable proximity to the station as there are no interruptions. It is a direct walk without having to cross a street. I just would like that connection made more obvious and better protected through architecture.

[Just the facts]

Ask and ye shall receive: Intermodal Transportation Hub Study | ACOG | Association of Central Oklahoma Governments

Thanks as this really demonstrates the issue. The renderings presented in that plan clearly show streetcars pulling up right in front of the station, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. Where the transit hall is shown the plan presented shows that same space to be a surface parking lot. So my questions is, how do we get from what phase 1 is to the final rendering in the ACOG plan? Is there even any intention to actually build the transit hall, since we are also told that will be the future bus terminal.

I think what would be really helpful is a time-lapse presentation of the site starting with what the final product will look like and working backwards to today which shows major changes represented as phases.

...and looking at this plan again, I would almost be in favor of removing the streetcar from EKG completely and having it run in the 70' corridor on the east side of the railroad viaduct (which would result in having to fill in a small portion of the canal). That is a former railroad right of way anyhow and the streetcar could pull right up to the pedestrian tunnel. It could go east down Sheridan, hang a right turn in the new space, pickup/drop off passengers at the tunnel, reverse course and hang a right on Sheridan again, and complete it's loop through Bricktown.

[BoulderSooner]

Do you really have that little imaganation

[Just the facts]

Do you really have that little imaganation

You mean trying to imagine two different uses for the same plot of land at the same time? I have no problem imagining it but I think it is impossible to accomplish.

[Tier2City]

It’s important to remember that the Santa Fe Hub project is on a very fast track because of Federal Railroad Administration Tiger Grant milestones. They need to rush it through multiple oversight bodies for approvals so right now they are bringing it before these bodies as information items (so BUDC last week, MAPS 3 Transit, DDRC and ACOG ITPC this week, presumably others to follow shortly). They will then come back for approvals early in the New Year. This does mean that where meetings are recorded, we do get to see whether or not Public Works and the architects/consultants are responding to input from these bodies themselves as well feedback in forums such as this and all the press attention this project has been getting.

See Agenda Item 8. A. 1. (24:11 to 38:53) at SIRE Public Access where Anthony McDermid of TAP Architecture gives a somewhat unrehearsed performance at yesterday’s DDRC meeting (seems he wasn’t expecting to give the presentation). Can’t stress enough how important close public scrutiny over the next month or so will be to making sure this project gets done right.

[Hutch]

Here' the phase two master plan for Santa Fe Station from the hub study.



I served on the intermodal hub advisory committee, and the master plan has always included three stops for the streetcar adjoining the facility...one on the Reno side of the station...one on the Sheridan side of the station...and one on the Gaylord side of the station (see image). All of the stops adjoin the future facility and will effectively service the hub.

At the time the hub study was completed, the final streetcar route had not been selected. However, it was clear the streetcar would go in and come out of Bricktown on Sheridan and Reno. So there were stops placed on the north and south end of the facility. Because of the short distance between the intersections of Gaylord and the BNSF bridges on Sheridan and Reno, the stops had to be located on the east side of the facility. The only real question at the time the hub study was completed was would the phase one streetcar route make a crossover going in or coming out of Bricktown and travel in front of Santa Fe on Gaylord. Regardless of which occurred, it was understood that at some point, whether it be part of phase one or phase two of the streetcar system development, the Gaylord stop on the west side of the facility would be activated.

Would it be preferable to have all of the studies, plans and decisions for all of our future transit needs completed at once, and at the same time all discussions, negotiations and agreements completed and an RTA formed between all of the necessary municipal governments, and also at the same time have already passed a dedicated funding source for transit and/or have $1 billion cash in the bank so that we can perfectly integrate all current and future projects and plans before we even begin? Sure, that would be great. But that's not reality in the world of governmental planning and development, whether it involves federal, state or local projects. If we waited for that to happen, we'd never get anywhere.

If you look at the history of every transit system in existence, you will find similar planning and development struggles. It's the nature of the beast. As citizens who support transit, we have the choice of either getting directly involved in the planning and decision-making processes in order to TRY to ensure the best results or just sitting on the sidelines and leaving everything up to government officials. Doing the former doesn't always ensure perfect results. Doing the latter almost always guarantees against it.

Hat's off to Jeff and the rest of the MAPS 3 Transit Subcommittee for their dedicated efforts in TRYING to ensure the best results. They're all down in the dirt struggling their hardest to help build a modern transit system from scratch, and I for one applaud their tenacity and efforts.

Merry Christmas!!!

[BoulderSooner]

Such a good post

[Rover]

I think it is really easy for some to make critiques based on very dogmatic and thin observations. It is much harder to actually implement when you have to face all the real constraints.

I have been both on the consulting side and been a high level executive in charge of implementing strategies and plans. It is MUCH easier consulting than doing. Thankfully we have many who work tirelessly to do the right things, even if in hindsight there were mistakes. Few people actually get involved enough to know the REAL hurdles.

Thanks to the doers.

[Urbanized]

Actually the playground should be moved to Deep Deuce, and there have been a few conversations to that effect. Since you moved the use of that playground has dwindled from hardly-used to almost-never-used. It's in the wrong location.

[UnFrSaKn]

Long-awaited passenger rail line will soon be reality, as might expansion plans | Oklahoma Gazette

[Urban Pioneer]

Thought people might get a kick out of this short video. These are the exact, same type of streetcars that we will be purchasing in MAPS 3; at least aesthetically speaking.

Ours will also have lithium ion batteries on board for the low clearance bridge underpasses where we cannot install the wire.

Take a Ride on the Seattle Streetcar on Vimeo

[CuatrodeMayo]

I've done it in real life a few times

The locals call it the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley)

[Urban Pioneer]

Thought people might get a kick out of this short video. These are the exact, same type of streetcars that we will be purchasing in MAPS 3; at least aesthetically speaking.

Ours will also have lithium ion batteries on board for the low clearance bridge underpasses where we cannot install the wire.

Take a Ride on the Seattle Streetcar on Vimeo

Page rollover...

[cagoklahoma]

This is a very exciting video! I liked his line about combining all the experience from the part of the world that never stopped using the streetcar. All we need now is a downtown Whole Foods. Thanks for posting, UP!

[CaptDave]

I came here to post this video about Atlanta's brand new streetcar system, but UP stole a little of my thunder!

[HOT ROD]

I've done it in real life a few times

The locals call it the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley)

Ya, I ride the SLUT often as we have offices in the SLU area.

[Plutonic Panda]

Ya, I ride the SLUT often as we have offices in the SLU area.

How long has the SLUT been around? I might be interested in riding it as well.

[Laramie]

How long has the SLUT been around? I might be interested in riding it as well.

Gotta love it!

[OKCisOK4me]

How long has the SLUT been around? I might be interested in riding it as well.

I don't know....is it old enough for you?

[HOT ROD]

I think the SLUT is only 10 years old or therebouts. .... A fine ride, I admit.

[OKCisOK4me]

I think the SLUT is only 10 years old or therebouts. .... A fine ride, I admit.

No comment....

[Plutonic Panda]

I don't know....is it old enough for you?

Well, after seeing Hot Rod's post... helllllll to the naw!

[CuatrodeMayo]

I think the SLUT is only 10 years old or therebouts. .... A fine ride, I admit.

[HOT ROD]

just so we're clear, the South Lake Union Trolley in Seattle, WA is approximately 10 years old now if I recall correctly. It is a fine ride, I admit.