Right now, if you want to go from DT St. Paul to DT Mpls, you have two choices: The "milk run" route down University Avenue or the 94 Express bus service.
In my mind, light rail's cost can only be justified if there is the hope for high-density development near the stops along the route. The problem with a light rail University Avenue route is that there will be a "no-man's land" between the light rail stops. The Strib article had an accompanying map that described stops along University every mile! Dale-Lexington-Snelling-Fairview in the Midway area. What happens at the Western-Victoria-Hamline-Prior intersections?? Light rail will create "oases" of new development near the stops and a "desert" of no development along the rest of the route. So, any rail or tram line along University needs to make frequent stops. For commuters, there needs to be another route for those speedy DT to DT trips. Charlie's idea of running trains along the existing lines makes sense. If there's money for only one? Let's do the line along the existing tracks with stations along the way where those tracks cross major streets. Personally, I'm not convinced that commercial development along University needs the stimulus of a light rail line. Ten years ago, did anyone predict the number of new Asian grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores along University Avenue? Many abandoned storefronts are being filled in at lower rental costs that allows new businesses to start-up. In turn, there's new construction as those businesses expand and grow. This is the type of development that any city should want. Paul Gleeson St. Paul -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Anne Carroll Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 10:58 PM To: St. Paul Issues Forum Subject: [StPaul] Light rail on Univ The issues along Univ especially re: crossings seem overwhelming, making the costs probably untenable. The I-94 approach, while burdened with a large number of different challenges (not the least of which is lack of obvious space), would seem to be worth exploring. I'd be interested in hearing the results of the feasibility studies of these and other SP-Mpls corridor options and the criteria that emerged as most critical. -- Anne Carroll ------------------------------------------------------------ Anne R. Carroll Carroll, Franck & Associates Public Involvement, Strategic Planning, Communications 1357 Highland Parkway St. Paul, MN 55116 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 651-690-9162 School Board: 651-690-9156 "A politician worries about the next election. A true states[wo]man worries about the next generation, and children yet unborn." - e.e. cummings "...leadership is about how you bring out the best in people. Leadership is what you give to the community you live in. Leadership is what you give to the world. Leadership is how you live an honest life... You will be more credible and you will be more powerful if you do not separate the lives you live from the words you speak." -- Paul Wellstone _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
