Search found 291 matches

by mrdwhsr
Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:04 am
Forum: Suburban Omaha Development
Topic: Marriott Residence Inn (180th and Dodge)
Replies: 20
Views: 5888

Yes (the roof slopes). I agree (it is cool). There are so many changes of geometric shapes during the construction of a building that are just very interesting. The framing started with the basic rectangular box and has gone far beyond that simple shape. This project has offered more line angles and...
by mrdwhsr
Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:50 am
Forum: Suburban Omaha Development
Topic: Marriott Residence Inn (180th and Dodge)
Replies: 20
Views: 5888

Brad wrote:New Hotel going up next to CSG:

Image
I know it is a work in progress and it is the end result that counts. But as I pass by daily I keep asking: are they working from blueprints or just nailing boards together?

:?
by mrdwhsr
Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:56 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 340
Views: 42657

You cant make the bus for everyone.  Metro has proven that.  The way to improve transit is to build a 'cadillac' for areas with the density and demographics to use it.  You dont need to abandon everything else but trying to be all things to all people is part (along with not enough cash) of what ha...
by mrdwhsr
Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:26 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 340
Views: 42657

I don't think I am at all interested in an increased transit tax if I will have to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour for the next bus. :roll:
by mrdwhsr
Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:25 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Energy/gas solution idea 2, top 50 metro Light Rail program.
Replies: 8
Views: 1898

With Light-Rail you do have a well demonstrated electric-vehicle technology. No battery to lug around either.
by mrdwhsr
Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:25 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Streetcar Discussion
Replies: 3463
Views: 436335

Again, i think the experts conducting the study will answer a lot of these questions for us. It must be somewhat viable seeing as how Omaha and the federal government have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars "studying" the idea of streetcar. I just find it hard to believe that a corrid...
by mrdwhsr
Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:52 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Streetcar Discussion
Replies: 3463
Views: 436335

Kansas City has approved a streetcar study contract with HDR. The line would run on Main between the Hallmark Crown Center and the river. I would imagine the OWH article and blogger responses have encouraged KC that they can beat backward Omaha to the punch. I'd like to see anybody suggest using Tax...
by mrdwhsr
Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:57 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Amtrak halts Neb. service
Replies: 8
Views: 2299

IDK about passenger rail between Des Moines and Council Bluffs but the Zephyr will be providing service between Chicago and Omaha on the Union Pacific line over the Kate Shelley bridge Saturday Dec 3 2011 while BNSF does some bridge work.
by mrdwhsr
Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:10 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Who Said Omaha Doesn't have Light Rail...
Replies: 20
Views: 2814

Another interesting tid-bit from a railroader in Iowa: ....more info on the Kawasaki specials. The UP will ship 300+ cars over the next few years for Kawasaki Rail. There are many restrictions and conditions (2 pages worth) which will be followed to haul these cars. Most notable are the speed restri...
by mrdwhsr
Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:19 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Streetcar Discussion
Replies: 3463
Views: 436335

While I'm a relative newcomer to Omaha (1.5 years), and wasn't around for the bulk of the streetcar discussion, I'd put it on the 10-20-year timeframe.  Other similar cities are continuing to propose and develop their streetcar plans, and quite a few are going forward with construction.  It's sad t...
by mrdwhsr
Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:08 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Who Said Omaha Doesn't have Light Rail...
Replies: 20
Views: 2814

Connecticut DOT is taking a big delivery of commuter cars from Kawasaki. Here is a link to the C-DOT website.


http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/documents ... -1-11x.pdf


Looks like a match?
by mrdwhsr
Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:20 pm
Forum: Urban Omaha Development
Topic: Capitol District (NWC 10th & Capitol)
Replies: 3037
Views: 486348

I vote for Shamrock's proposal. There are enough curves with the river, pedestrian bridge, I-480 and Century Link. I'd like to feel like I'm downtown when I'm downtown. Give me some straight lines. There are enough curves in the suburbs to feel like you're walking around in circles (heretic that I a...
by mrdwhsr
Mon Oct 17, 2011 2:10 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

Oooh, low blow! Globochem's response was well stated, to be sure (and thanks again for articulating those thoughts so thoroughly). But none of what he said is anything that hasn't been stated over and over (by me and others) on this forum over the years. These are the rudiments of 21st Century exis...
by mrdwhsr
Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:13 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: City's transport plan to get update
Replies: 276
Views: 36869

A city transportation plan has to be comprehensive.  It has to look at all current trends as well as determine where resources and emphases will be put over the next 20 years.   We all hope that Omaha will continue to grow robustly, and all indicators are that it will do just that.  This transporta...
by mrdwhsr
Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:10 am
Forum: News and Events
Topic: California Zephyr derails ...
Replies: 6
Views: 1167

Maybe they should have hired union labor to operate the crane. So much for safety first.
by mrdwhsr
Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:13 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: A green light for street widening
Replies: 19
Views: 5697

Interesting looking at this from the original post in 2011: "Other widening work scheduled to get under way in the next five years includes: • 144th Street between West Dodge Road and Eagle Run Drive, starting in 2007."     2011 - they're moving utilities, next comes paving. Maybe 144th ...
by mrdwhsr
Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:35 am
Forum: eOmahaForums Bar and Grill
Topic: Mary Jane
Replies: 131
Views: 10285

Believe it or not until the first part of the 20th century a 6 year old could legally walk into a pharmacy and buy heroin made by companies like Bayer (this changed in 1906 as a result of anti-Chinese sentiment mainly as well as a rise of certain segments of the Progressive movement who felt that d...
by mrdwhsr
Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:26 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5704

If one objects that this might adversely affect people in low income areas, I would argue that even if true, the real problem would still lie with the many ways in which the state creates and perpetuates poverty, though it would seem likely that if many people really had a problem with lack of acce...
by mrdwhsr
Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:06 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Should cars be taxed by the mile?
Replies: 85
Views: 9888

My whole point is that, when arguing in the realm of Public Good, you can't argue for public funding of a semi-excludable object (the WDE) while arguing against it for a non-excludeable object (a street car). I mean, obviously you CAN argue that, but what I'm trying to say is there is a logical dis...
by mrdwhsr
Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:04 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5704

Omababe wrote:"Nobody's gonna drive on this freeway when they can take the Red Car for a nickel!"
Never expected to see this quote in the eOmaha. Remarkable!

Too bad LA didn't keep the Red Cars around. All that right-of-way would have saved millions in building out the new light-rail system.
by mrdwhsr
Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:34 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Omaha Downtown/Midtown Transit Alternatives Analysis
Replies: 32
Views: 5704

I definitely think it's appropriate to reevaluate the bus routes.  There are parts of the city that aren't well served.  I know when I worked with people who had gotten driving suspensions, that much of west Omaha has no bus service at all.  For these people who worked more than a mile or two from ...
by mrdwhsr
Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:48 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

This project is not a result of massive congestion caused by unceasing sprawl; you are arguing about one thing to support an argument about something else. I will cede the point on "unceasing" sprawl. But 25 years ago Sapp Brothers to Lincoln was pretty much dark territory except for the ...
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 31, 2011 4:56 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

Ask yourself whether or not spending close to $200 million on another lane of traffic between Omaha and Lincoln hinders or helps the likelihood of commuter rail.  If you say helps, then you most likely have a generational view that by 2050 three lanes will be insufficient for the volume and time fo...
by mrdwhsr
Wed May 25, 2011 10:09 am
Forum: Suburban Omaha Development
Topic: Official: CSG - 180th Dodge
Replies: 44
Views: 13573

This can be moved from rumors. CSG is announcing the plan today with completion planned for Fall 2012.
by mrdwhsr
Mon May 23, 2011 3:54 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway 370 (Gretna to I-80)
Replies: 25
Views: 4159

Brad, is that little scenario supposed to show how this is "good for the whole metro?" ---------- Brad was just answering my question. I thought maybe Brad meant Pacific and not Blondo. I can see his point, though I already sometimes use 204th St or 144th St on Omaha to Lincoln or Mahoney...
by mrdwhsr
Fri May 20, 2011 3:51 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Should cars be taxed by the mile?
Replies: 85
Views: 9888

I'd sign up for that insurance plan, but I wonder how many others would since the trend is more mileage not less. But I don't see how that fits in with the "Should cars be taxed by the mile?" topic. I thought the purpose of the proposal to tax by the mile was to replace the road-use tax at...
by mrdwhsr
Fri May 20, 2011 3:45 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway 370 (Gretna to I-80)
Replies: 25
Views: 4159

I think this will really help a lot of people.  Besides the immediate Gretna Area, I know a lot of people that live in the 168, 180th area and between Giles and Blondo Street that all get off at 370, head west to 168 or 180 and then north.  This will be good for the whole metro. Between Giles and B...
by mrdwhsr
Fri May 20, 2011 3:36 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Parkageddon 2011
Replies: 47
Views: 6900

Good one Streets  :)
by mrdwhsr
Thu May 12, 2011 9:58 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Parkageddon 2011
Replies: 47
Views: 6900

There is at least some greenery - trees and grass - and you don't have to drive through buckling asphalt. As parking lots go it's above average. Still a 'sea' but kinda like the Mediterranean Sea as opposed to the Arctic Ocean. There are plenty of parking lots south of Capital Street that look worse...
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 10, 2011 12:37 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Highway Funding Debate
Replies: 98
Views: 11737

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Public discontent is no gauge of success or failure.
If only Marie Antoinette had better speech writers..
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 10, 2011 11:13 am
Forum: Urban Omaha Development
Topic: City ending downtown parking leases.
Replies: 8
Views: 1354

Mayor Suttle has decreed that all should come to Omaha to be taxed.
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 10, 2011 11:11 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Parkageddon 2011
Replies: 47
Views: 6900

Less panic at KFAB than others maybe? 9,000 parking spaces within a 12 minute walk? That doesn't sound too bad at all. Plus a website (parking.com)? It must be easier to sell advertising when you encourage people to panic. http://www.kfab.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=122285&article=854...
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 10, 2011 8:32 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Should cars be taxed by the mile?
Replies: 85
Views: 9888

nebugeater wrote:So using this method if a streatcar system is built it will be built and operated based on those that use it correct?
We could compute mileage on public transit using GPS. Where do you want the micro-chip implant? Forehead or hand? (Just kidding - but it is technologically feasible).
by mrdwhsr
Fri May 06, 2011 1:22 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Should cars be taxed by the mile?
Replies: 85
Views: 9888

Besides all the other points I made above, I just thought of another idea. Does anyone realize how hard it would be to enforce a National tax on miles driven?  What are they going to do, put another line on your tax forum?  I don' think the local counties are all going to be set up to handle it.  A...
by mrdwhsr
Thu May 05, 2011 1:01 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Should cars be taxed by the mile?
Replies: 85
Views: 9888

Make it weight and mileage and I'm for it. Seems reasonable in light of the fact that every time you go out and buy a more fuel efficient car the gas tax has to be raised to bring in the same revenue. This would apply road-use tax to electrics, natural-gas, hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell, you name it. ...
by mrdwhsr
Thu May 05, 2011 12:53 pm
Forum: News and Events
Topic: New Congressional Districts
Replies: 17
Views: 2541

The Iowa legislature still has to vote to approve the plan drawn up by the non-partisan redistricting folks. There can be three different plans presented if the first two don't get approved. Once they get to three, it's a pick your favorite thing. Agree - it seems to take a lot less effort than what...
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 03, 2011 2:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Surplus Building Materials
Replies: 5
Views: 1708

Lowe's gets returns that often go on resale at cost. We picked up a perfectly good ceiling fan at about 65-70% of full retail. If you have a specific item like a ceiling fan you might try calling around to their local stores. I have heard Habitat for Humanity has a store that sells building material...
by mrdwhsr
Tue May 03, 2011 12:47 pm
Forum: Urban Omaha Development
Topic: Burlington Station
Replies: 445
Views: 63826

I noticed the southbound street car  :D  back in the day when the Burlington Station was a multimodal transportation hub.
by mrdwhsr
Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:17 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Urban vs Suburban Debate
Replies: 678
Views: 40529

I have a difficult time calling 79 mile-per-hour passenger trains "High Speed Rail". This makes it very difficult to believe the politicians and media people who call 79 mile-per-hour passenger trains "High Speed Rail" have the slightest idea what they are talking about. Not tha...
by mrdwhsr
Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:39 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Urban vs Suburban Debate
Replies: 678
Views: 40529

I have a difficult time calling 79 mile-per-hour passenger trains "High Speed Rail".

This makes it very difficult to believe the politicians and media people who call 79 mile-per-hour passenger trains "High Speed Rail" have the slightest idea what they are talking about.