Final chance to comment on rules revision, go to: http://e-democracy.org/rules ---------------------------------------
On Wed, 10 Nov 2004, Kevin Sands wrote:
... A 2003 report by the State Auditor calculated at least 35% of the costs of county roads and 60% of the costs of city roads are paid for with property taxes.
I wasn't aware that the Auditor did such a report in 2003. Perhaps you're thinking of the article in the Star Tribune in October of 2003? (wink)
As far as streetcars in St. Paul - my organization does not have a position on it at this time. Clearly experience in other cities shows streetcars can be a unique and attractive alternative in certain locations.
And that's just where I think it should be at this time. Nothing screws up transportation more than coming into it with pre-conceived ideas, and then looking to justify them. Hell, one group will come in demanding that the needs of the car be met, for example, irregardless of anything. That's where we get to a provable 3 cents a passenger mile in infrastructural subsidy to the car. It's not planned, it's that no one was paying attention.
About plans for transit in St. Paul... The Union Depot is the preferred choice for a transportation hub in St. Paul. A group called the LOCATE Task Force exists to keep that idea alive in the heads of public officials the Post Office - and coordinate with other planning groups. For a little map of vision for transit in the St. Paul and the Twin Cities visit http://www.tlcminnesota.org/Factsheets/Transitways.htm
The way I always put it is, "I have a new and brilliant idea for the rennovation of Union Depot -- let's use it as a train station!" I do think that circulation to and in Downtown would be best helped by a three-pronged approach -- The Depot to handle mass transit arrivals, a hub at Smith and Kellogg with parking for arrivals from the West and South, and a hub with parking for the North and East around Embassy Suites. Then, these are connected with a circulation system that also extends, gradually, out lines such as Grand Avenue, East Seventh, etc.
The exact form these should all take I won't speculate on, as I'd like to see how many riders they'd have and if it makes economic sense.
Erik Hare [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.comcast.net/~wabbitoid/ Irvine Park, West End, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, North America, Earth
Fine Amish furniture, cedar chests, and crafts http://www.harmonycedar.com
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