Official: Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[Zephyr]

I have developed plans for 4 streetcar lines:
- 10th St./Park Line - Starter Line
- Ak-Sar-Ben Line
- Dundee Line
- Riverview Line

Check out the maps at:
http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?s=7a9aac3c8a300fa3316d1f2a0af541f0&threadid=48119

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[jlocatis]

Wait a minute, on your page you say:

"The "10th St./Park Line - Starter Line" is already underway, will start construction within 3-6 months, and should be opened within 12-18 months."

Is this true?

[Zephyr]

Yes, that's true. It's been undergoing negotiations with the Planning Department and Mayor's Office, who all seem to be surprisingly excited about the project (probably because it's being financed privately). Once the plan is approved by the City Council, which should be relatively soon, the fundraising can begin.

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[Minneapolis Boy]

Excellent! I'm glad to see that ideas are starting to move forward. Minneapolis just began service on a large portion of its' Hiawatha Line. I'm glad Omaha is moving in the direction of streetcar/light rail transit.

[eomaha.com]

Eric... are you serious?! Has Steve A. really secured money for this project???

Be sure to tell him if he needs any web support... I'm here for him (free of any costs of course).

[jsheets]

I like your plans and layout, making it quite an interesting and exciting project. I hope that your ideas get more exposure and good investment from the community and local leaders. I'm also intrigued by your street track layout design. It reminds me of what is used in Amsterdam, and is a system that seems to work very well with both pedestrian and automobile traffic. It was amazing to see the cars running without the huge fences around it like in St. Louis, and how much more aesthetic they were to the local environment.

[Coyote]

This is excellent news.
I hope he can get the financing he needs.
So how will this affect the 10th St bridge?

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[Zephyr]

Jeff - the project should go before the City Council within a month. Then, we can start the fundraising. Thanks for the offer on the website! I would love to move that idea forward and am contacting the "higher ups" about that.

Thanks for the compliments, jsheets, I am glad you enjoyed the maps and the layout. I think that particular design would work great for Farnam Street from Saddle Creek to 24th, considering Farnam and Harney are reverted back to 2-way streets.

Coyote, the 10th Street Bridge (Jackson to Mason) will be basically unaffected - the bridge was designed for light rail, so it will just need to be adjusted for slipping the rails in. The OTHER 10th Street bridge (Farnam to Douglas) will need to be replaced and the city has agreed to do this.

I am a bit nervous, however, that this first line will be below par overall because it will use old trolleys, is being built on the cheap, and the current administrative setup leaves something to be desired (I still don't know who exactly is "in charge"). But it will be good to have something built inexpensively, fast, and we can go from there. Next stop: MIDTOWN!

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[Guest]

Zephyr,

Gotta tell you that streetcar project of yours is the coolest thing ever. Haven't heard of it before now and since this seems to be the only source of information I've run across online, can you direct me to where I could find some more information like back issues of the WH, or Omaha.com, etc.

thanks much,

Matt

[DTO Luv]

This topic has been kind of quiet. Are their any new developments Zephyr?

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[StreetsOfOmaha]

[Zephyr]

No news that I know of... last I heard the project was to go in front of the City Council next, which was supposed to be sometime this summer.

Every time I want info from the "powers that be" about the status of the project, I usually have to send more than one email or phone call, even then only about half of my questions get answered, and sometimes I get silly, sarcastic responses. And whenever I offer my help to them, I get shunned. So I have kind of quit following the whole deal. I figure if there is any BIG news (like track construction), I'll see it or read it in the OWH.

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[Rob]

Eric-

That's too bad that you have received such negative feedback from the "higher-ups". I guess they really don't realize how much they could actually learn from you. No one else in the metro stays as current as you on the issues of rail transportation.

You actually have an understanding of rail transportation regionally and nationally, and have attended conferences pertaining to this issue as well as studied it in University. We all know your passion cannot be exceeded.

I'm certain that it won't be long before these "higher-ups" will be the ones asking you for permission to proceed. Keep up the good work Eric!

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"It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot

[Coyote]

Amen!

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[Zephyr]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your kind words. Don't get me wrong, I really admire all that Mr. Anderson is trying to do, but I really think this project needs to be in the hands of someone with the experience and knowledge of rail transit systems (I am still working on the experience part). Our first streetcar system should be done right to ensure success for future expansions - I don't think I can empahsize that enough.

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[StreetsOfOmaha]

Exactly right, Eric.

I mean, I also appreciate that Steve is putting effort into this, but I think he's looking at it as too much of a novelty tourist thing, whereas people like you and me have higher standards of mass transportation in mind. The fact that I want him to succeed with this project is more a reflection of my desperation that Omaha needs to get a rail transit system, than it is a reflection of my approval of the project.

[DTO Luv]

I was DT today looking at apartments today in the Kennsington and Orpheum Tower and another building across from 1600 Farnam and got to thinking about how I would be getting around DT. Lets say I did live there now. I could walk to the OM w/o much trouble. But if I wanted to go to the Q or any of the riverfront parks that might warrant a car every now and then. Let's not forget that Omaha is extremely hilly. Even if you walk one block the elevation can change drastically. Those of you who have walked between 13th to 18th will know what I mean. If they can get a system DT that requires people in the area not to need a car everyday then other areas of town would catch onto the idea of rail transit. I never realized how many places their are to live DT or how many people will live down there once even more places open up. The idea of rail DT should be enacted. It will add to people living in the core of the city and also give Omaha a more progressive image.

I don't know how this sounds, but could a transit center or rail stop be connected to a grocery store? That would be a big boon to the DTO area. Central High School would be a logical stop. If it could carry kids to school from more outlying areas than it would also boost the need for more rail options outside of DT. It is also right next door to the Joslyn so it could be part of the tourist loop too.

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[Zephyr]

So I have been doing some pondering, and thought up what I perceive as a much better alternative to the Gallup/Lewis & Clark alignment:



Pros:
- Does not cross freight railroad tracks east of 8th St. near Lewis & Clark Landing
- Reuses old Pierce Street Carbarn
- Terminates in high-density neighborhood at 11th & Pierce at the south, instead of a non-active museum
- Terminates in a future high-density neighborhood in North Downtown at the north, instead of an 8-5 corporate campus
- Catalyst for North Downtown development
- Still serves Old Market, Qwest, and hotels
- Serves the Burlington Station
- Potential to reach more businesses ($$) and have greater ridership

Changes:
- Double-track, street-running down 10th Street, as opposed to wiping out street-side parking
- Would serve as a "Central Corridor" for future potentail extensions to Midtown, Dundee, Benson, North O, and Rosenblatt/Zoo
- Could use either heritage trolleys (initially) or modern streetcars, but built for modern commuter transit purposes, not touristy
- Lower fare than $1.50! and built with the idea that it may not turn a profit, but operated as nonprofit
- Capital cost would be greater - 2-4X as much as the $7 million proposal

Still needs to be examined:
- Ridership and origin-destination study, conducted by a consulting firm with previous streetcar experience (URS, HDR), to determine exact routing alignment and location of stations.
- Community decides it - public participation a must from the get-go, not an exact plan that the public amends, like what MAT scrupulously does.

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[DTO Luv]

Zephyr,

Have you talked to anyone at UP about funding? It seems the biggest name in RAILroads could sponsor the project and even give the it more of a connection to the city of Omaha. Other companies have done things to spruce up DT. First National had their sculpture gardens and maybe UP could get their names on the trains/streetcars.

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[Zephyr]

DTO Luv, I don't think UP is in a position to donate a large amount of money to a streetcar project - they are too busy figuring out how to run their own railroad again.

I heard from Mr. Anderson today, who gave me some positive news and actually asked for MY help! Nothing significant, though. It seems things have slowed down some, the Memo of Understanding with the City was just finished, and the issue will be in front of the City Council sometime soon. It seems that interest is building among the business community. The Electric Railway Journal recently published an article about the project:
http://www.trolleycar.org/observations/040510.asp

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[Zephyr]

Aaron (Streets of Omaha) and I have been working on this for well over a month now, and with outstanding help from Jeff, our website is finally ready to be released. Check it out:
www.omahastreetcar.com

We will hopefully hold our first organizational meeting by the end of this year, or at least early next year. The Steering Committee is still ironing things out, so check the website for updates. Aaron and I envision this organization as being the catalyst for future streetcar lines, such as the one pointed out in the Destination Midtown study.

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[Coyote]

Great site!

Good Luck guys!

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[Swift]

Hey what's new with you guys?

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Recall the license plate or Recall Heineman!

[projectman]

Looks good!

[Zephyr]

Nothing really new yet... we are in the process of incorporating the organization and getting our official 501(c)3 designation. We are planning to have displays and handouts for the Midtown forums this spring and I hope to update the website some more soon.

Perhaps something noteworthy that hasn't been said here before: our primary purpose has been decided to promote the Midtown Streetcar Line, Phase 1 of which runs from UNMC to downtown via Farnam/Harney and Phase 2 would extend further west to Ak-Sar-Ben/UNO.

And our new email is omahastreetcar@gmail.com if anyone has any questions.

Here's to streetcars and planned growth for Omaha!

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[StreetsOfOmaha]

Yeah!

[UNOstudent]

do any of you guys know how well light rail and cars co-exist on the roadway. my sister lived in houston when they opened a new light rail and they had an accident everyday on the news b/c of a train hitting a car or vise versa. i think it would be more benefitial to get the mass transit off the street, but i realize there is a higher cost. do you guys know how much more it costs per mile to have elevated or underground transit versus street level transit?

[Swift]

I wonder if it would cost more than driver education classes?

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Recall the license plate or Recall Heineman!

[UNOstudent]

haha, but dont you think people would get annoyed by having to wait for trains? wouldnt trains have to travel slower on the street level? if they do and you add the slower travel speed plus the time to make all the stops, it can take longer to take train versus car.

[eomaha.com]

I can't read or work on my laptop while behind the wheel of my car.