Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[ita]

I think it's been identified as the priority location for the maintenance facility, but it can change when the final design is completed by HDR.

Great.

Now we just need that to get done, and the line to get built! This is 100% my favorite project in Omaha right now. Probably the least sexy project imaginable once built. But oh so good.

Yup, agreed. And it's nice, we're just moving right along.

Hopefully, there won't be delays in procuring the streetcars. According to the agenda, it currently can take 2.5 to 3 years for delivery of the streetcar vehicles, so they are trying to order those as soon as possible.

Do we know what stock is being considered?

I haven't seen anything yet in the online materials.

[Garrett]

Looks like the New York Times is even talking about this, though it’s not super in depth on it

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/21/us/o ... =share-url

[Omaha Cowboy]

Looks like the New York Times is even talking about this, though it’s not super in depth on it

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/21/us/o ... =share-url

That’s a pretty good read..

Thanks for sharing it …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Cermak]

Enjoyed the article, only time will tell if the rail project is successful. We all know it's been talked about what seems like forever. Nice exposure for Omaha in the New York Times.

[Coyote]

Omaha streetcar debate rolls into the Nebraska Legislature
“It’s not too late,” State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan says of state officials weighing in

OMAHA — Though Omaha city officials have greenlighted the $300 million-plus urban streetcar project, a Nebraska lawmaker is waving the caution flag and has proposed legislation that could disrupt the flow. Among streetcar-related bills introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn is a call for the city or its streetcar authority to cover costs of gas and water utility work necessary to build the city-driven rail system. Such language takes aim at a current conflict between officials of the city and the Metropolitan Utilities District over who should foot the bill for an estimated $20.5 million of utility line relocation and reinforcement needed to enable a safe downtown-to-midtown route.

Potential fallout

MUD has balked at contributing any more than $4.2 million, saying a higher amount risks a rate hike across its four-county customer base or a delay in scheduled utility work for neighborhoods with older pipes and greater needs. Omaha officials, on the other hand, have said many of the utility lines in the urban core are so old they’d need replacement even without the streetcar. The city is working on a possible compromise, but MUD general counsel Mark Mendenhall said his team has yet to see it. Another Linehan bill calls for a restriction in tax-increment financing, a statewide development tool she believes has become overused, in some cases abused. TIF is the key revenue source in paying off debt for Omaha’s modern-day streetcar system. The mayor has said since the start that the project would be done without raising city sales tax or property tax rates. In discussing her legislative proposals, Linehan said she recognizes the importance of a vital urban core, especially to draw young talent, and she lauded Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s efforts to grow the state’s largest city. But the streetcar venture has financial implications beyond Omaha, said Linehan, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. She thinks more airing is needed and looks forward to learning more during public hearings in the State Capitol.

Mutual high-rise at stake

“It’s not too late — it’s $400 million,” Linehan said, referring to the bonds the city is to sell to finance the project. That reflects contingency funding as well as the anticipated $306 million city officials have said gets the transportation system up and running in 2026. “And it’s fair,” Linehan added, “that representatives other than people at the city are asking questions. Our job for the Legislature is to look out for the whole state, especially our own areas, and I’ve heard too many questions from too many people.” Omaha city officials didn’t immediately respond to questions about the Linehan bills. The senator said she met a week ago with the mayor and her staff.



Like many Omahans, Linehan said she has watched as the streetcar was announced a year ago and progressed to the recent City Council vote approving the sale of about $440 million in bonds. Stakes were higher as Mutual of Omaha made construction of its $600 million new downtown headquarters contingent on a streetcar system that would run past the insurance titan’s existing campus, likely upping that property’s value. Poised to be the tallest building in the city, Mutual’s new offices are to rise where the W. Dale Clark Library was demolished.

TIF law change

An independent consulting firm has told city leaders that anticipated new development and higher property values sparked by the streetcar should produce enough TIF revenue to pay off the bonds (without a tax rate increase). Generally with TIF, a long-standing economic growth tool authorized by state law, a real estate developer takes out a loan for eligible costs on a blighted project site that’s been approved for redevelopment by a city. The city must find that the project wouldn’t happen but for the subsidy. The debt is paid with increased property taxes generated on the new development. After the loan period, typically 15 or 20 years, the higher property tax revenue then starts flowing to traditional sources such as school districts. (During the TIF loan schedule, the owner continues to pay property taxes to those normal sources on any valuation that existed prior to the improvement.) With the streetcar project, TIF is being used in ways not yet tried in Omaha. For example, one revenue stream calls for creation of a special TIF district along and around the streetcar corridor, and future increased property taxes from existing businesses in that area are to go toward paying off bonds.

[djc311]

I live in far SW Omaha and will likely be annexed by Gretna - but I still support the streetcar. This seems to be someone who's on the outskirts of the city that is questioning the project... because ultimately they probably feel it doesn't benefit them. Elkhorn was annexed by Omaha when a lot of those residents didn't want that to happen, so who knows if it's animosity or a legit concern.

I find it odd that this would go through all of the discussions, hurdles, votes, etc and get to where it has and now someone is trying to raise a red flag about it. WTH wait until this point in time when you had at least a year or more to figure this out?

[Athomsfere]

because ultimately they probably feel it doesn't benefit them. Elkhorn was annexed by Omaha when a lot of those residents didn't want that to happen, so who knows if it's animosity or a legit concern.

My experience has been mostly that it doesn't benefit them. And maybe that they don't see value in the initial route.

I have seen and heard so many people say something along the lines of "Why are we paying for something only 1% of the city will use, I only go downtown maybe once a year". To which I replay generally that there are thousands of streets that I've never used and we pay for those without qualm.

The second thing I have heard often is "Why don't we run this the airport". Or the Zoo. Or Village Point.

Or they'd rather see a commuter line to downtown Lincoln, complete with massive and terrible park and rides.

[skip]

I'm really hoping this doesn't change or delay anything that is planned, but rather give clarity to other Nebraskans who are not fully aware of the financial impact it will have on the city. (Edit: I hope if anything changes, it's an extension to north/south Omaha and Council Bluffs). Taxes will not be raised, so we will not be paying anything out of our pockets, and it will spur development that will benefit Omaha and its citizens for decades to come.

Even though I don't have too much knowledge on the government's opinion on the streetcar, I doubt the streetcar will get cancelled. Mutual's skyscraper is contingent on the streetcar, UNMC is an anchor to the streetcar with Project Next, and there are too many projects in motion along the proposed streetcar corridor. Millions and millions of dollars would be missed out be devleopers and in the end, our city.

Hoping MUD, the gov, Streetcar Association, and the city all come to an agreement and settle down. Hopefully there will be an article written about the streetcar in a little more positive manor once this is all said and done, so everyone can start looking at the benefits rather than the media convincing the public that this is a problem for our city.

[ita]

On a more positive note from the article:

A few other state senators have introduced related bills this legislative session. Among them:

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha has proposed allocating $100 million to the Omaha streetcar initiative, with half of that going to create a North Omaha route.

Probably not going to happen because the State hate public transit, but a nice try by Senator Wayne taking rail transit to the legislature. For reference, there was $20 million set aside just to study the Big Lake proposal and potentially $500 to build two new state prisons, oh and $800 million for 180 miles of roads of the expressway project that needs to be done. Currently, they are working on the West Point (population of 3000) to Scribner (population of 800) route. That section alone, based on the number above, will cost $70 million. Senator Linehan, where you at?

[Louie]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

[skinzfan23]

Echo what everyone else has said, hopefully this doesn't delay or derail plans for the streetcar. There could be tremendous benefit for the city for development and to attract young people as well. I have been waiting for the streetcar for over 20 years when the first studies were done. You would think, with as much money and time that they have put in these studies, there would be a way to convince more people of the benefits, but there are some people who are never going to be pleased.

[almighty_tuna]

$800 million for 180 miles of roads of the expressway project that needs to be done. Currently, they are working on the West Point (population of 3000) to Scribner (population of 800) route. That section alone, based on the number above, will cost $70 million. Senator Linehan, where you at?

No joke. Of all the BS this state funds, this is the hill to die on?!

[djc311]

My feelings are this - the senator and mayor are both Republican, which actually makes the senator's desire to roadblock this project more surprising to me than anything.

Mayor Stothert is pretty notorious for doing what she wants, how she wants - if she's given the green light to this already then I don't see it coming to a complete halt. It's quite ignorant for the senator to even raise these concerns at this stage, which I pointed to before. Who does that? Why wait until literally the first hole is going to be dug for the new Mutual building to try and derail (pun intended) the streetcar now?

I've said it before - we are lucky as a family to go downtown more than 2x a year but I still see the streetcar as being an overall positive for our community.

[damonhynes]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

[Athomsfere]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

DSM's reddit is about like Omaha's. KC's not so much.

Seattle seems to universally love their city, but there is a lot of shell shock from their explosive growth.

My observations.

I think it's because Omaha is at a major inflection point. So while these are great changes for Omaha, they are changes and most people hate change most of the time.

[Louie]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

I'm not being melodramatic, it's just so painfully obvious why young people leave this city and it sure as |expletive| ain't property taxes.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

I agree. Although the frustrations focus on different things, I've found the same sort of sentiment exists on other message boards. State government is often a common denominator.

What's also not uncommon is the fight that a streetcar, or really big transit investments in general, need to make to win public or political favor.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

Talking Sub Reddit only- The Omaha sub Reddit has FAR more Anti city, anti metro “hate” than most other sub reddits I visit. Kansas City’s sub Reddit page, even Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Des Moines sub Reddit pages..show FAR less contempt for their respective city and metros..

The minimizations and anti Omaha rhetoric from the “hate crew” on Omaha’s sub Reddit are both amusing and sad..Along with being completely ridiculous and ill informed..

As far as young people leaving Omaha- I’d say it’s really no more or less than most every other city within or a notch or 2 above Omaha’s peer group..

Our state government does us no favors however. Never really have..

And as it relates to this latest state attempt, I don’t see it affecting or delaying the Mutual Tower or streetcar at all. Just a backhanded attempt- too little and definitely too late…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[TransitOriented]

I would say that kcrag's users are close to what eomaha has. It's mostly positive, with some constructive critism and the few people that complain about every single thing. The reddits are completely different though. I'm not brave enough to post in the Omaha reddit.

[TransitOriented]

For discussion sake, if the streetcar was called off, then does Mutual pull out of the construction project?

[Omaha Cowboy]

For discussion sake, if the streetcar was called off, then does Mutual pull out of the construction project?

They go hand in hand (Mutual Tower and the Streetcar)..

This latest state legislative attempt seems so soaked in ill will, I highly doubt anything comes of it..

It’s too little and far too late…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[bricknose]

I would say that kcrag's users are close to what eomaha has. It's mostly positive, with some constructive critism and the few people that complain about every single thing. The reddits are completely different though. I'm not brave enough to post in the Omaha reddit.

I got permabanned from the Omaha subreddit. To be fair, for rule breaking, though accidental and not at all malicious. I believe I violated their”linked post threads must have the exact name of the linked article” rule when I wanted to ask the Reddit what they thought about some urban news (probably streetcar related) and I got my final smack for “soliciting outside of the monthly thread” when I tried to make a post warning that the Midtown Crossing Alamo was in trouble and pleading for people to support the business.

Obviously I deserved to be prevented from participating in city discussion for life.

But to go back on topic, just how “hand-in-hand” are they? Would Mutual cancel the tower if the streetcar was scrapped? Why does Mutual like the idea of the streetcar so much, anyway? They can’t even keep their current Midtown Crossing campus from shuttering businesses regularly, though I’ll say Stories Coffee is usually busy these days.

[almighty_tuna]

Why does Mutual like the idea of the streetcar so much, anyway?

If I were a major landowner in midtown and had the opportunity to flex and get a permanent transit system to go right along my land that will help make me a sh1t ton of money in development I'd like that idea, too.

[nebport5]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

I'm not being melodramatic, it's just so painfully obvious why young people leave this city and it sure as |expletive| ain't property taxes.

100%.

[skinzfan23]

Omaha Streetcar Authority approves agreement to work with Portland on streetcar procurements

Omaha will look to partner with Portland, Oregon, in its search for a streetcar vehicle manufacturer.

An agreement approved by the Omaha Streetcar Authority on Monday puts into writing the intent of both cities to work together on their procurement of streetcar vehicles.

The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, is nonbinding, but sets in motion a series of events that will need to happen over the course of 2023 to keep the streetcar on track to open in 2026.

Omaha estimates purchasing six vehicles. Portland expects to purchase 11.

If all goes as planned, the first streetcar vehicles would be delivered to Omaha in July 2025. The streetcar system would open for operation in 2026.

[Coyote]

Introducing On Track

Visit OmahaStreetcar.org for more information.

[almighty_tuna]

Interesting note about omahastreetcar.org; back around Thanksgiving that address was owned by Modern Streetcar Advocates, a group that at one time was ran by Jay Lund and/or Mike Moylan. Now that domain is owned by Emspace Group, a marketing agency in midtown. So we can likely say with a fair amount of certainty that Emspace + Lovgren will be doing the web presence and PR/Marketing for the streetcar with ownership transferred.

My old domain that I foolishly let lapse a decade ago, omahastreetcar.com, is still available for purchase by a domain reseller for the bargain basement price of $6k+.

[ita]

Interesting note about omahastreetcar.org; back around Thanksgiving that address was owned by Modern Streetcar Advocates, a group that at one time was ran by Jay Lund and/or Mike Moylan. Now that domain is owned by Emspace Group, a marketing agency in midtown. So we can likely say with a fair amount of certainty that Emspace + Lovgren will be doing the web presence and PR/Marketing for the streetcar with ownership transferred.

That's correct. I think the board decided to go with Emspace + Lovegren for PR/marketing in either this month's or December's meeting. I remember seeing them on one of the agendas recently.

[ita]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

DSM's reddit is about like Omaha's. KC's not so much.

Seattle seems to universally love their city, but there is a lot of shell shock from their explosive growth.

My observations.

I think it's because Omaha is at a major inflection point. So while these are great changes for Omaha, they are changes and most people hate change most of the time.

Seattle really is booming. We talk about Nashville and Austin as having transformative skylines the last decade, but Seattle is rocking in the high rise department. Since 2014, Austin's had a little over 30 200+ foot towers constructed. Seattle has had about the same number, but 400+ feet. Maybe because Seattle is quite a bit bigger than both and already boasted a substantial skyline, but that kind of growth and construction boom in their downtown is wild and doesn't seem to be talked about much like Austin.

Anyway, I agree with your assessment about the timing we're in with Omaha. If the puzzle pieces fall into place, we are going to have a completely revamped urban core in the next 10-20 years and see a shift to more downtown living and employment.

[Doctor Fate]

Seattle really is booming. We talk about Nashville and Austin as having transformative skylines the last decade, but Seattle is rocking in the high rise department. Since 2014, Austin's had a little over 30 200+ foot towers constructed. Seattle has had about the same number, but 400+ feet. Maybe because Seattle is quite a bit bigger than both and already boasted a substantial skyline, but that kind of growth and construction boom in their downtown is wild and doesn't seem to be talked about much like Austin.

I think this is because prior to their boom, Austin only had two buildings over 400 ft tall. Now they've signficantly more and a super tall under construction with another one proposed. In contrast, Seattle already had a double digit number of buildings over 500 ft.

I'm glad we have this new streetcar site. I like that they have a timeline on there and the site map. I'm sure both will get update as things progress.

[Athomsfere]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

DSM's reddit is about like Omaha's. KC's not so much.

Seattle seems to universally love their city, but there is a lot of shell shock from their explosive growth.

My observations.

I think it's because Omaha is at a major inflection point. So while these are great changes for Omaha, they are changes and most people hate change most of the time.

Seattle really is booming. We talk about Nashville and Austin as having transformative skylines the last decade, but Seattle is rocking in the high rise department. Since 2014, Austin's had a little over 30 200+ foot towers constructed. Seattle has had about the same number, but 400+ feet. Maybe because Seattle is quite a bit bigger than both and already boasted a substantial skyline, but that kind of growth and construction boom in their downtown is wild and doesn't seem to be talked about much like Austin.

Anyway, I agree with your assessment about the timing we're in with Omaha. If the puzzle pieces fall into place, we are going to have a completely revamped urban core in the next 10-20 years and see a shift to more downtown living and employment.

Seattle really is probably my favorite US city in so many ways, and the city I hope Omaha emulates for the foreseeable future. Not just for all the new high rises, but for what it's doing with transit (mostly good stuff). Protecting some of it's history. Building a ton of random projects.

We don't have their nature of course. But it isn't that far off within the city. Our giant hills add some mystique.

[Louie]

I hate this state. THIS IS WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE.

Serious question: Does the "Des Moines Forum" or similar have the same sleeve tearing and scenery chewing? Kansas City?
Nashville? Atlanta? Charlotte? Austin?

I believe there is a lot of Grass Always Greener involved.

DSM's reddit is about like Omaha's. KC's not so much.

Seattle seems to universally love their city, but there is a lot of shell shock from their explosive growth.

My observations.

I think it's because Omaha is at a major inflection point. So while these are great changes for Omaha, they are changes and most people hate change most of the time.

Seattle really is booming. We talk about Nashville and Austin as having transformative skylines the last decade, but Seattle is rocking in the high rise department. Since 2014, Austin's had a little over 30 200+ foot towers constructed. Seattle has had about the same number, but 400+ feet. Maybe because Seattle is quite a bit bigger than both and already boasted a substantial skyline, but that kind of growth and construction boom in their downtown is wild and doesn't seem to be talked about much like Austin.

Anyway, I agree with your assessment about the timing we're in with Omaha. If the puzzle pieces fall into place, we are going to have a completely revamped urban core in the next 10-20 years and see a shift to more downtown living and employment.

Seattle really is probably my favorite US city in so many ways, and the city I hope Omaha emulates for the foreseeable future. Not just for all the new high rises, but for what it's doing with transit (mostly good stuff). Protecting some of it's history. Building a ton of random projects.

We don't have their nature of course. But it isn't that far off within the city. Our giant hills add some mystique.

I was in Seattle a year and a half ago and am heading back in a couple weeks, excited to see the vertical changes.

[riceweb]

One thing to keep in mind with Seattle is that many folks there would like to rip out the streetcar and would not have made that investment if they could do it over. They would have instead funneled more money to West Seattle and Ballard light rail connections and/or invested more in bus rapid transit.

Again, I'll repeat that we're in a bit of a post-streetcar world, where some of the major limitations of streetcar systems are now apparent relative to other transit options. I realize we're moving forward with our line, but please don't look at Seattle as a sign of their success.

[skip]

Website: omahastreetcar.org

I really appreciate the website as a whole and I believe it is very informative. The FAQ page is especially helpful for the Omaha citizens who don't have a good idea of the impacts the streetcar has on the city.

I hope they are able to market this streetcar properly, so by the time it is launched in 2026, a good portion of the city is behind this thing.

As a 25 year old tech guy who has only lived in Omaha for 3 years, I am beyond excited for the growth of the urban core. This is what is needed if we want young professionals to choose Omaha over cities like Chicago or Denver. There is a ton of potential in this city and if the development rumors are true about Mercantile, Former MoO site, and Turner Park East, the urban core is about to shine nationally.

[Athomsfere]

One thing to keep in mind with Seattle is that many folks there would like to rip out the streetcar and would not have made that investment if they could do it over. They would have instead funneled more money to West Seattle and Ballard light rail connections and/or invested more in bus rapid transit.

Again, I'll repeat that we're in a bit of a post-streetcar world, where some of the major limitations of streetcar systems are now apparent relative to other transit options. I realize we're moving forward with our line, but please don't look at Seattle as a sign of their success.

I think that's a bit of an Apples and Oranges thing though.

Since the streetcar, Seattle has grown by an entire Omaha metro. I think Omaha has a much more useful route too, for what a streetcar is and our current lack of anything besides ORBT to get suburbanites downtown.

ON people in Seattle. I've heard many times how "useless" their transit is, and that it only reaches small parts of the city for walkability. But that hasn't been my experience. I've been able to get anywhere in Seattle I needed to go via trains and busses. An Uber once. So maybe you are hearing just the loudest people who don't use it.

Ridership numbers pre-Covid weren't terrible either IMO at almost 2 million annually, and climbing.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Seattle transit certainly isn't "useless" as their systems have among the highest ridership in the country, beating out metro areas significantly larger than they are.

They're also investing more in transit than most if not all other cities in the US.


(this image is a bit outdated but not much has changed)

[Coyote]

Omaha Streetcar Authority launches new website Thursday

On Thursday, the Omaha Streetcar Authority launched, "On Track," an informational website made to assist in answering questions and providing project updates along with other information to the public about the streetcar. The streetcar will be built down Farnam Street, from 10th to 42nd Streets. It is expected to cost from $225 to $306 million and the city says there will be no tax increase to pay for it. The streetcar is expected to be completed by 2026. For more information about the streetcar, visit the new website: omahastreetcar.org.

[ita]

On a more positive note from the article:

A few other state senators have introduced related bills this legislative session. Among them:

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha has proposed allocating $100 million to the Omaha streetcar initiative, with half of that going to create a North Omaha route.

Probably not going to happen because the State hate public transit, but a nice try by Senator Wayne taking rail transit to the legislature. For reference, there was $20 million set aside just to study the Big Lake proposal and potentially $500 to build two new state prisons, oh and $800 million for 180 miles of roads of the expressway project that needs to be done. Currently, they are working on the West Point (population of 3000) to Scribner (population of 800) route. That section alone, based on the number above, will cost $70 million. Senator Linehan, where you at?

So, December OMetro board packet was just posted. There is this small tidbit that is likely related to Senator Wayne's proposal for streetcar money from the state:

Ms. Cencic informed the Board that staff have been working diligently in partnership with the Omaha Streetcar
Authority on a number of things. Metro serves on multiple committees and subcommittees working with the
design and planning for the upcoming streetcar. Ms. Cencic is working closely with the City in partnering with
NDOT on setting up a state safety oversight committee and working with FTA on those requirements. This is
something that is ongoing and will probably take a couple of years to be fully running but it is important for
moving forward. Additionally, the City of Omaha has organized an upcoming meeting to take place in January
that will begin looking at an extension potential of the streetcar to the north. This extension would be in addition
to and outside of the current interlocal agreement with the City of Omaha.

[riceweb]

Seattle transit certainly isn't "useless" as their systems have among the highest ridership in the country, beating out metro areas significantly larger than they are.

Just don't conflate their streetcar with their light rail and bus rapid transit. The latter are quite successful, albeit with high construction costs and long construction timelines (mostly due to the "Seattle Process" IMO). But the streetcar hasn't had the same success.

Certainly there are issues with the streetcar route in Seattle... its two routes both serve a limited area and fill very specific gaps in their transit network, and the two routes are not connected (yet, and maybe not ever? the connector project has faced serious delays).

But the four biggest issues facing the streetcar in Seattle are that:

• it is very very slow, roughly a walking pace,
• it doesn't come by frequently enough, meaning that many times I would just start walking instead and I'd often walk most of the way to the Westlake station before a streetcar even appeared at the station I would have waited at (this was especially true of the South Lake Union line),
• it significantly reduced throughput of roads in the areas it serves,
• it's a real pain to cyclists trying to ride over the tracks (I've personally had trouble pushing a stroller over the tracks in Seattle, I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to be riding down the street and get an entire wheel stuck)
• it's a huge pain to expand the system, arguably more difficult and serving fewer people than commuter rail to the suburbs, as evidenced by Link Light Rail's rather speedy expansion to Lynnwood and Federal Way

And I don't think any of these issues are unique to Seattle's streetcar. I believe we'll face the same issues.

I strongly believe we should have invested our money toward a grade-separated system or at least a system that operates like Link Light Rail through South Seattle, where the tracks are partially separated. Or even better, add several BRT lines instead with frequent service (< 10 minute waits, ideally) to begin building a more reliable mass transit network and even a culture of mass transit. But we didn't do the practical thing, instead opting for a streetcar designed to bolster property values for landowners along the route.

Hope I'm wrong, but I'm fairly confident we'll look back in a decade on this and say we made some huge mistakes.

[Louie]

I don't think comparing Seattle's transit to Omaha is really a prudent exercise. Comparing it to KC's would make more sense, especially considering the original iteration of both being a straight line through the densest parts of the city.