Streetcar

[kevinpate]

Is it a not this route argument or an OKC don't need a streetcar period argument that's being advanced?



on edit: subbed OKC for we. Not like I live there or get a vote.

[cagoklahoma]

I would like to see this meeting scheduled after 5:00pm, then we can get a more accurate representation of both sides of the issue. It's unfortunate the issue is being argued against by the same mentality that has caused the "brain drain" that plagued OKC for decades!

[Teo9969]

Is it a not this route argument or an OKC don't need a streetcar period argument that's being advanced?



on edit: subbed OKC for we. Not like I live there or get a vote.

Not this route.

Many advocating NE/OUHSC

[warreng88]

Not this route.

Many advocating NE/OUHSC

Can that not be pushed for phase II? I would like to know how many people Phase I benefits with the current set up. If they were to take out the Midtown connection, what would the difference be? The buses will still go to that area and connect to the bus station, which will link to the streetcar. What are we arguing about here?

[HangryHippo]

What the hell is Steve tweeting about now instead of live tweeting the event as he was?

[Just the facts]

So if someone owning land along a streetcar route can't vote for a route they didn't choose how does any council member vote for anything the city does? By that logic shouldn't all council members have to live and work outside OKC? Shadid owns a home a near a bus route, should recuse himself from any bus related votes?

Curious, what was the logic Shadid used in his argument, that Slayer might benefit from the streetcar route? Wouldn't that defeat his argument that the streetcar doesn't generate commerce? To hear it from the anti-transit people Meg would only be digging her own financial grave is she voted to put the streetcar near her property.

[adaniel]

Guys, the streetcar opposition is very organized at the meeting and have come out guns blazing (weak arguments from folks as far away as Tuttle, but at least they're unified and galvanized). I hate to say, but there's no way the route, or streetcar for that matter, is going to pass the council. An absolute shame and a HUGE setback for our city.

Geez, a bit dramatic to already declare the vote in trouble. You are right though, every person I've seen talk (I'm livestreaming it) is giving weak arguments (it will make more traffic! Kid's feet will get caught in the track! Why isn't it going through my neighborhood!?!). Just mostly old folks throwing a tantrum. Now that the opposition has largely spoken, I am actually less worried now than I was beforehand.

And to everyone there trying to give some reasoning to this madness, I say bless you. I would be there if I wasn't sitting here pouring over these leases (yay work!). I tend to agree with the argument that such an important vote should be held at a more convenient time in the future.

[OKCisOK4me]

Yes, I was going to attend, but things didn't work out.

[betts]

Yeah, the antis always make a better showing.

[warreng88]

It passes! 5-3.

[Teo9969]

For: Cornett (M), McAtee (3), Greenwell (5), Pettis (7), Ryan (8)

Against: Greiner (1), Shadid (2), White (4),

[CuatrodeMayo]

W00t!!!!

[warreng88]

Mick Cornett could be heard sighing after the vote, laughing then stating, "That's a relief..."

[LRSooner]

It passes! 5-3.

I stand corrected! Great, great news!

[catch22]

One small step for city council, one giant leap for Oklahoma City!

[catch22]

I need a drink.

[kevinpate]

Just my opinion, but if I were on the horseshoe, anyone showing up to argue 'not this route' just would not get many credibility points from me. the whole purpose of having a citizen committee was to hash out various possible routes, make a decision and then seek final blessing. Pitching a fit over route 1 or route 4,312 should be at the committee level. Otherwise, why bother having citizens give so much time and energy into the selection process.

[Teo9969]

Pete White actually flicked the green light on first

[Anonymous.]

[NWOKCGuy]

Thank goodness.

[warreng88]

Pete White said there 21 people who spoke about the streetcar. 11 were for it, 10 were against it. Of the 11, 8 either were on the committee or owned property adjacent to the zeta plan.

Well, maybe if there was a discussion with the council not on a Tuesday at 10am, you would get a lot more proponents.

[Teo9969]

If I had ever been to a city council meeting before, I'd probably have spoken up.

[SouthsideSooner]

Effective leadership in our cities form of government is all about effective consensus building. Cornett again shows his ability to get things done while despite his best efforts, Shadid seems to lack this ability...

Props to my Councilman, David Greenwell... I have had numerous discussions with him and he is steadfast in the council delivering on Maps 3 as closely as possible to what the citizens were expecting when they voted...

[catch22]

Before the meeting I saw a public school bus drop off streetcar opponents? Any one have any idea what that was about or see it too? No problem with opposing point of views but why the city school bus?

[betts]

I especially thank John Pettis and David Greenwell for whom it was clearly not an easy decision.