Blackstone Business Improvement District

Downtown, Midtown, and all parts east of 72nd.

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Athomsfere
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Athomsfere »

ita wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:56 pm
Athomsfere wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:28 pm Off the top of anyone's heads:

What's the traffic counts here? Isn't this too busy for a turning lane to be done correctly?
To not answer your question, my guess is that with the parking garage being built on the east end, they anticipate less cars driving through the district. A lot of people driving through, especially during the evening, are people looking for parking.
Eh, I really don't like this center turning lane.

I found the 2020 (Covid) traffic counts and it looks like E/W traffic is somewhere around 830 vehicles per hour (38th and 42nd). With a little growth, it feels like this would make Blackstone less walkable, and more dangerous for pedestrians and bikes.

A raised median with trees for example I think would be much better. And just kill the left turns through Blackstone entirely.
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by EricHaley »

Dundeemaha wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 7:32 am I always assumed this had been built as apartments, anyone have an old photo from before it was converted?

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My sister lived there when she first moved to Omaha. Very unique inside.
MidtownOnHarney
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by MidtownOnHarney »

Hi all, I've come to this message board for years to get the news, but never had the need to register until now. I was excited that I had some information on the backstory of this building. When I first moved to the neighborhood years ago, there was an older guy who gave walking tours of the neighborhood. I found out about them through the Metro continuing education program. He shared how this was the back part of a mansion that was torn down when they extended Harney street through several blocks in the '50's. I took a couple pictures off the Forgotten Omaha facebook page and then took a couple of my own to compare. That odd solid wall is where it was connected to the main house. (The red circle is the house that still exists in that location)
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Dundeemaha
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Dundeemaha »

Wow, what a wild history. I never would have expected that Harney wasn't through there and they tore down the main part of the building for the street but preserved this wing as a stand-alone structure. Thanks for sharing!
Athomsfere
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Athomsfere »

MidtownOnHarney wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:18 pm Hi all, I've come to this message board for years to get the news, but never had the need to register until now. I was excited that I had some information on the backstory of this building. When I first moved to the neighborhood years ago, there was an older guy who gave walking tours of the neighborhood. I found out about them through the Metro continuing education program. He shared how this was the back part of a mansion that was torn down when they extended Harney street through several blocks in the '50's. I took a couple pictures off the Forgotten Omaha facebook page and then took a couple of my own to compare. That odd solid wall is where it was connected to the main house. (The red circle is the house that still exists in that location)
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That is great an WILD!

I wonder if we could find images of the original mansion.

Also, sadness for what the car has killed.
MidtownOnHarney
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by MidtownOnHarney »

This was actually a great excuse to procrastinate during my workday, but I believe based on the address that the original mansion belonged to someone named L.M Lord. The Durham archives online have quite a few pictures.

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SaveOmaha
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by SaveOmaha »

MidtownOnHarney wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:56 pm This was actually a great excuse to procrastinate during my workday, but I believe based on the address that the original mansion belonged to someone named L.M Lord. The Durham archives online have quite a few pictures.
Here is the other house you mentioned. It's known as the Wattles House and was designed by Thomas Rodgers Kimball. It was completed in 1895. The address on the photo description (1505 South 8th St) is incorrect.

https://durhammuseum.contentdm.oclc.org ... 85/rec/208
jjjjhskr
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by jjjjhskr »

there really shouldn’t be single story buildings in Blackstone. A waste of premium land
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Louie
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Louie »

jjjjhskr wrote: Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:56 pm there really shouldn’t be single story buildings in Blackstone. A waste of premium land
While I think the entirety of this forum agrees with that, the fact that we see have an investor making a move to introduce a new concept to the area is a good sign. And it's certainly a more exciting use of the space than it currently is...and at a much lower investment than a new build.
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Busguy2010
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Busguy2010 »

I couldn't give a rat's azz if this building is repurposed, rather than demolished and replaced with a 6-8 story apartment building. Developers only adopted Blackstone 10 or so years ago, and this building was built in 1934 and was part of the actual neighborhood as it was. So to say "One story buildings don't belong in Blackstone" is total bull...

It is an interesting plan, as it is a pretty small building. Maybe 15 lanes tops?
jjjjhskr
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by jjjjhskr »

why not keep the structure for the first floor and build up? It worked with the brodkey’s jewelry store downtown when it converted to the Limelight.
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Busguy2010
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Busguy2010 »

jjjjhskr wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:02 am why not keep the structure for the first floor and build up? It worked with the brodkey’s jewelry store downtown when it converted to the Limelight.
It could be done, but it sounds like the owner doesnt have those aspirations, and that is okay IMO.
BIGO88
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by BIGO88 »

I heard Brothers Lounge is closing October 30th.
Jins123
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Jins123 »

BIGO88 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:44 pm I heard Brothers Lounge is closing October 30th.
I heard the same thing
Louie
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Louie »

Jins123 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:48 pm
BIGO88 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:44 pm I heard Brothers Lounge is closing October 30th.
I heard the same thing
Dang. The last legacy bar in Blackstone besides the Crescent.
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Brad
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Brad »

Louie wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:47 pm
Jins123 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:48 pm
BIGO88 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:44 pm I heard Brothers Lounge is closing October 30th.
I heard the same thing
Dang. The last legacy bar in Blackstone besides the Crescent.
What about Sullivan's? I realize they changed locations, but they have been in the Blackstone for a while.
Louie
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Louie »

Brad wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 8:23 am
Louie wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:47 pm
Jins123 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:48 pm
BIGO88 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:44 pm I heard Brothers Lounge is closing October 30th.
I heard the same thing
Dang. The last legacy bar in Blackstone besides the Crescent.
What about Sullivan's? I realize they changed locations, but they have been in the Blackstone for a while.
I mean the new location kind of resets the character of a place imo. Brothers looks just like it did 25 years ago or whenever it opened.
Habits76
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Habits76 »

Louie wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:54 am
Brad wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 8:23 am
Louie wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:47 pm
Jins123 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:48 pm
BIGO88 wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:44 pm I heard Brothers Lounge is closing October 30th.
I heard the same thing
Dang. The last legacy bar in Blackstone besides the Crescent.
What about Sullivan's? I realize they changed locations, but they have been in the Blackstone for a while.
I mean the new location kind of resets the character of a place imo. Brothers looks just like it did 25 years ago or whenever it opened.
Really going to miss not having Brothers Lounge around. They had the best punk juke box in town
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Omaha Cowboy
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Omaha Cowboy »

I lived pretty close to the Brothers Lounge location in the late 80’s/1990’s and I remember hitting it up from time to time. I remember when the Nirvana album “Bleach” came out in the late 80’s (I think 1989)..A dude I knew at Brothers one night told me it was a must listen.. He was right!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
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Jins123
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Jins123 »

What happens to the building (Brothers) I’ve heard they own it. Is it just a forgone conclusion Greenslate bought it?
Athomsfere
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Athomsfere »

I'm also curious the current status of the road changes? I hope they fixed my complaints... But :woot:
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Coyote
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Coyote »

Blackstone pedestrian safety project



Watch live as Omaha city leaders will outline a plan to keep people safe while walking around Blackstone.
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Coyote »

City introduces pedestrian safety plan for Blackstone District



A pedestrian-safety pilot program is planned for Farnam Street between 36th and 40th Streets. Photographed in the Blackstone District in Omaha on Monday, April 11, 2022.
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Nico
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Nico »

It would be neat to see the strip of Farnam close at night for pedestrians. I know a lot of cities use hydraulic bollards that can raise up from the ground and retract for car traffic.
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Mapguy
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Mapguy »

Great idea!

Lets take space away from the cars driving and give that space to the parked cars to make pedestrians safer 🙄

Why not just give the extra few feet to pedestrians?

Also if we want to make real permanent changes in the future lets add onto that center turn lane idea and just remove parking from 1 side and make the sidewalks a full 10' wide.

Theres no reason people cant find a different on street parking solution for a 4 block stretch.

Why is it so hard to take space away from cars and give that space to pedestrians in this town?
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Mapguy »

How about a pilot where all the parking is removed and turned into outdoor areas for patrons to sit eat and drink in the sun. Those 30 single occupancy parked cars can go somewhere else.
Athomsfere
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Athomsfere »

Mapguy wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:00 pm How about a pilot where all the parking is removed and turned into outdoor areas for patrons to sit eat and drink in the sun. Those 30 single occupancy parked cars can go somewhere else.
I'm also not crazy about the turning lane on Farnam here. For one, I'm pretty sure the ADT is right at the high end, or over what they should be for a turning lane on 2 lanes. It's just going to be essentially a parking lot on evenings and the weekends I think.

I'd still much rather see it go more this route (measured in google maps):
Athomsfere wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 8:21 am I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs for the streets, I know my dream would be something like this for Farnam:


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BensonBunnyBoy
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by BensonBunnyBoy »

Bkmoc5724 wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:57 pm
BensonBunnyBoy wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 1:10 pm
Bkmoc5724 wrote: Sat Apr 09, 2022 7:36 pm Any update you on Barchen project in Blackstone behind Sullivan’s?
Haven't heard about this, will be in this week and will ask if i remember
https://omaha.com/entertainment/omahadi ... d0b55.html
Talked to them yesterday and yes they still have that large space behind Sullivan's that should be ready late next summer. I guess they are not sure whether it will be a barchen or a different bar/restaurant.
Trips1
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Trips1 »

Mapguy wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:00 pm How about a pilot where all the parking is removed and turned into outdoor areas for patrons to sit eat and drink in the sun. Those 30 single occupancy parked cars can go somewhere else.
Rideshare drivers are not happy about this plan as they currently double park in the north lane while they drop off or pickup riders. There are 24 parking spots between 39th and 40th. Most of those cars do not move all night and are most likely used by residents or workers.

The safest option would be extra sidewalk on all corners like is currently in front of Butterfish. The remaining 6 to 8 middle parking spots on each side could then be used for rideshare after 7 PM on the weekends. I'm fine with the three lanes but this plan seems to be creating a new bigger problem.
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by EricHaley »

Trips1 wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 4:52 pm
Mapguy wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:00 pm How about a pilot where all the parking is removed and turned into outdoor areas for patrons to sit eat and drink in the sun. Those 30 single occupancy parked cars can go somewhere else.
Rideshare drivers are not happy about this plan as they currently double park in the north lane while they drop off or pickup riders. There are 24 parking spots between 39th and 40th. Most of those cars do not move all night and are most likely used by residents or workers.

The safest option would be extra sidewalk on all corners like is currently in front of Butterfish. The remaining 6 to 8 middle parking spots on each side could then be used for rideshare after 7 PM on the weekends. I'm fine with the three lanes but this plan seems to be creating a new bigger problem.
As a rideshare driver, I agree. I really hate having to sit there in the lane, but there’s nowhere else to pull over. They need to do something like at the Capital District where all pickups and drop offs are at the back alley, away from main roads
buildomaha
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by buildomaha »

EricHaley wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:19 pm
Trips1 wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 4:52 pm
Mapguy wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:00 pm How about a pilot where all the parking is removed and turned into outdoor areas for patrons to sit eat and drink in the sun. Those 30 single occupancy parked cars can go somewhere else.
Rideshare drivers are not happy about this plan as they currently double park in the north lane while they drop off or pickup riders. There are 24 parking spots between 39th and 40th. Most of those cars do not move all night and are most likely used by residents or workers.

The safest option would be extra sidewalk on all corners like is currently in front of Butterfish. The remaining 6 to 8 middle parking spots on each side could then be used for rideshare after 7 PM on the weekends. I'm fine with the three lanes but this plan seems to be creating a new bigger problem.
As a rideshare driver, I agree. I really hate having to sit there in the lane, but there’s nowhere else to pull over. They need to do something like at the Capital District where all pickups and drop offs are at the back alley, away from main roads
Lincoln restricts their ride share drop off on O st (bar drag) to the north south streets to the east and west of the bar cluster (centennial mall and 14th st).
#gohawks
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by EricHaley »

buildomaha wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:18 pm
EricHaley wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:19 pm
Trips1 wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 4:52 pm
Mapguy wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:00 pm How about a pilot where all the parking is removed and turned into outdoor areas for patrons to sit eat and drink in the sun. Those 30 single occupancy parked cars can go somewhere else.
Rideshare drivers are not happy about this plan as they currently double park in the north lane while they drop off or pickup riders. There are 24 parking spots between 39th and 40th. Most of those cars do not move all night and are most likely used by residents or workers.

The safest option would be extra sidewalk on all corners like is currently in front of Butterfish. The remaining 6 to 8 middle parking spots on each side could then be used for rideshare after 7 PM on the weekends. I'm fine with the three lanes but this plan seems to be creating a new bigger problem.
As a rideshare driver, I agree. I really hate having to sit there in the lane, but there’s nowhere else to pull over. They need to do something like at the Capital District where all pickups and drop offs are at the back alley, away from main roads
Lincoln restricts their ride share drop off on O st (bar drag) to the north south streets to the east and west of the bar cluster (centennial mall and 14th st).
In Lincoln, riders are directed to a spot off O. They unfortunately don’t do that in Blackstone
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Coyote
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Coyote »

Blackstone pedestrians, business owners react to recent changes along Farnam Street



The city recently took action by making traffic one-lane in both directions. The middle lane is for turning traffic only, and now includes posts near the crosswalk.
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Busguy2010
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Busguy2010 »

Wow, I get the reasoning, but that looks like dog sh1t.
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Taco
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Taco »

I’m glad the city has acted relatively quickly and think the interim solution looks safer. I do hope the permanent changes have better aesthetics.
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OmahaJaysCU
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by OmahaJaysCU »

Busguy2010 wrote: Sat May 21, 2022 1:47 pm Wow, I get the reasoning, but that looks like dog sh1t.
With them ripping the whole corridor up in 12 months for the streetcar I’d rather they do something cheaper like this
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Linkin5
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Linkin5 »

OmahaJaysCU wrote: Mon May 23, 2022 8:11 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sat May 21, 2022 1:47 pm Wow, I get the reasoning, but that looks like dog sh1t.
With them ripping the whole corridor up in 12 months for the streetcar I’d rather they do something cheaper like this
Great point.
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Brad
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Brad »

FYI, Spent some time last night moving post out if this thread and in to the individual project threads (95% of them were already had existing threads). I did make a new thread for the 9 story Building and the WOWT redevelopment. This thread was created to talk about the overall improvement district and not necessarily to talk about individual projects.

For the people that don't like to use the search function on the forum, I updated the thread index below and on page 1.

Blackstone Business Improvement District Thread Index

-#-
38 St. Lofts on Farnam (Brite Ideas)
4016 Farnam Street (Building Demo)

-A-
Re: Almost Music / Solid Jackson Books (Iwen Exposures)

-B-
Barchen & Event Space (NEC 40th & Harney)
Blackstone Corner
Blackstone Depot (38th Avenue and Harney Street)
Blackstone Flats
Blackstone Knoll (3902 Harney)
Blackstone Meatball / Ground Floor Guitar
Blackstone Station on 38
Blackstone Social
Blackstone Square
Blackstone Union (41st and Harney)

-C-
Colonial Hotel - Blackstone (38th and Farnam)
Crescent Moon Ale House, Beertopia, Huber Haus

-D-
Dante's Pizza - Blackstone
Dundee Bank - Blackstone - McFosters (38th & Farnam)
Dewey Rows (SEC 38th & Dewey)

-F-
Farnam House Brewing Company (3568 Farnam St)

-K-
Blackstone Plaza (Former Kiewit Tower)
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel - Blackstone Hotel (SWC 36 & Farnam)

-M-
Mansion Flats
MULA Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Lounge (40th and Farnam)

-N-
Noli's Pizza - Blackstone (40th & Farnam)
New 9 Story Building in Blackstone (SWC 37th & Farnam)

-P-
Phi Kappa Psi house Redevelopment (36th and Farnam)

-S-
Scriptown Brewery
Security National Bank
Stirnella - Blackstone

-W-
WOWT Redevelopment
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Garrett
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Garrett »

Don Bacon requesting $2 million in the new spending bill for Blackstone Streetscape Improvements

https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/ ... 221216.pdf
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
Mapguy
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Re: Blackstone Business Improvement District

Post by Mapguy »

It will be interesting to see how the streetcar affects streetscaping. I dont see the streetcar working well with parked cars on Farnam.

I would love to see the streetcar take the center lane of the road with platforms that serve both directions in the middle.

I think what they will opt for is stations on each side of the street with curb cutouts for parking, but the best case scenario would be removing the curb cutouts completely and making that 3-4-block area pedestrian friendly with 10' sidewalks and no parking. This would remove a lot of traffic circling the block looking for that perfect front door spot to open up.
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