Jason McGrath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: To bring the question of
gubernatorial candidates back to Mpls issues:
In an MPR interview the day after the municipal elections, Mayor
Rybak and Mayor-elect Coleman both voiced strong support for the
proposed University Ave. corridor light rail line, and RT went further
in saying that he didn't just want to see a new line every decade or
so but a comprehensive investment in a whole network (like 3
additional lines instead of one) at once. He pointed out that this
would benefit the whole region and should be funded in part by a
multi-county metro area sales tax, presumably in addition to whatever
state and federal funds can be mustered. It seems obvious that a
piecemeal approach of a line every decade or two is not going to solve
the transit problems of the growing Twin Cities metro area in the 21st
century, and I for one will be paying close attention to which
gubernatorial candidates (and those for the state and national
legislatures) make this kind of comprehensive commitment to a regional
light/commuter rail system a priority. In fact, if the proposed Twins
stadium at the hub of present and future rail lines helps to increase
statewide support for investment in mass rail transit, then the
stadium funding itself becomes more palatable. I have yet to hear the
gubernatorial candidates weigh in on any of these issues (though maybe
they have and the media hasn't covered it).
Jason McGrath
Corcoran, Mpls
ML:
Good for the Mayor--that is exactly the type of gusto we need in the
transportation debate. Jason mentioned the proposed baseball stadium. I'll
add in the proposed football stadium in Blaine. Now, I wouldn't necessarily
shed a tear for Blaine if the Sunday traffic on 35W moved North, but isn't the
type of mixed use development Mr. Wilf is proposing perfect for rail transit?
I would shed a tear if such a project was built without rail transit
connecting it to the rest of the region. As far as I know the parcels of land
he is purchasing are well to the East of the Northstar line. If Zygi plays
guitar well enough, we may be stuck with another "Golden Triangle" of car
exhaust and congestion to our North as well as to our West.
Sales tax to fund it? I don't like that as much as a long overdue increase
in the gas tax dedicated to transit to foot the bill. In order to help more
people choose to get out of their cars we have to invest in a transit system
that is attractive (rail), competitive in the time sense (rail), and competive
in the price sense (rail--if the true costs of cars are factored in).
How does the saying go--you get what you pay for. BRT will not get enough
people out of their cars--rail is proven to be far more attractive. And
dedicated bus lanes can and could be easily oppend up to car traffic in the
future. Buses sharing right of way with cars take away the time savings and
don't address on site polution either. Buses can be used for local travel at
the neighborhood level although Streetcars (rail) would be even better.
Both Mayor Rybak and Commissioner McLaughlin would do well to push for a
larger and quicker investment in transit (rail)--wich would save the City, the
region , and the State an obscene amount of time and money when we desperately
need it. To do this they can reach out to Suburban Mayors, city councils and
county Commissioners to build support that can be shown at the State level.
Gubernatorial candidates should recognize that investment in the "Cadilac" of
transit systems is not just good for Minneapolis and St. Paul, but for the
entire region and State.
Matty Lang, counting as one less car (even in the winter and without a
sufficient transit system) in Central
---------------------------------
Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.
REMINDERS:
1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If
you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL
PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn
E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
