Hello,
I am new to this list and basic Lurker. The thread this week is near and dear
to my heart. I have some statements and some questions...
I grew up in NYC and was used to public transportion, I also lived in San
Francisco for 21 years. One of the differences (many) between here and there
is history. The right of ways in older urban areas were done many years ago-
something that is not possible here at this point- the time to do this was
many years ago. For whatever reasons, it was not of importance or need. The
same thing happened here that happened in many major cities in the 1950's. For
a variety of reasons, some the bus systems, lack of consistency in keeping the
transportation vital- if it is poorly used due to lack of vitality, it will not
sustain itself. (This does not mean economically- just to keep going.)
The Twin Cities are relatively unpopulated in comparison to NYC, Chicago
and SF. There seems to be not as many people living in apartments as those
cities. The Twin Cities are also much younger than these cities and have not
had to deal with density issues. In these cities, everyone rides public
transportation- parking is scarce and astronomical, driving in busy areas is
impossible.
The Twin Cities even in their urban centers are more suburban than other
major cities. The core of both cities at this point are not as "used' at all
times like other urban centers. As many urban areas, they have evolved into
suburban entertainment centers. You have the Target Center and the Dome, the
Excel Center. Then there is the smattering of sports bars and some restaurants
and theaters around these core places. People no longer go "downtown", they go
to what exists in their suburban area for entertainment and restaurants. This
is the way it is across the country. Downtowns in most places are an
anachronism.
I love St. Paul-but it is as dead as a doornail after 5 p.m. This may
change in time with all the new housing going up,but there is nothing downtown-
when I am down there after 5, it feels eerie.
I have lived here 10 years- I explain to people that it is a great place to
live, but has a lot of the issues to address that the east coast had to address
in the early 60's with sprawl and suburbs. What seems to be an issue here that
is not addressed is the solution to future density- there is a population limit
at some point when traffic congestion gets really hard. It has not happened in
many places here yet- there are pockets, but not a complete frustration with
it.
Another point is class- not a pleasant one to bring up in the Twin Cities.
There is an odd compartmenalization of people here due to how people are spread
out. The economics of having a car are very high for a lot of people- myself
included- and this is something that is not addressed. There is an assumption
here that if you live here, you must have a car. That would be nice, but the
monthly expense of having a car is beyond some people's means. There are
people on limited income, people that have minimum income,some are new to this
land and are in jobs that pay very little until their language/work skills
improve. I remember when there was a transit strike- I walked miles to get to
where I was going- it was relatively painless for me, but I remember people
piling very dangerously into vehicles to get to jobs that would not afford a
car then or now.
There are different ways to do it, and I am hoping to get to the talks about
this in the next week or so. Rethinking the old system with the new
transportation technology is a way of taking care of citizens now and in the
future. One thing to realize is that transportation is a service and not a
profit-maker. Yes, it does cost to invest in it, but the outcome for future
quality of life is important for all people. I live near Fairview/ University
and do not understand why the bookstore on the corner is so opposed to transit-
is it a short term fear of loss of business or is there a reason that they are
so opposed.... I would like to know.
OK- I am now going back into Lurk mode, am checking to see what I have left on
my transit pass...
Thanks for listening-
Jackie
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