Omaha Streetcar Discussion

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:44 am

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Ha. No.

Ha. Yes. I saw it in one of the articles.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:09 pm

Oh yeah I remember it being free to.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:00 am

Has anyone actually seen the report regarding the streetcar? It would be interesting to read. Is it online somewhere?

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:45 pm

Nope, nobody has seen this report yet. Some even dispute that its even finished.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:07 am

KETV mentioned OmahaStreetCar.com ... although I'm not really sure how it ties in with their coverage of Little Italy (did this come from one of the groups neighborhood meeting presentations?) It was part of a 'Where's Mike'l Severe' segment which had him placed in the Little Italy area. Looks like there's a sign for 'the Towns' project up as well, which they showed.

Anyway... here's a link to the segment...

http://www.ketv.com/news/9483107/detail.html

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:12 am

Maybe its just part of the push to get people singed up.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:08 pm

From the Email:

Greetings,

With the summer months upon us, Omaha Streetcar has been working hard. Our first outdoor event ( please see our events section at http://www.omahastreetcar.com/OSCForum/forums/ ) was held in conjuction with the College World Series. We met a lot of new people and found some new members. Furthermore, we are pleased with all of the positive comments we received.

This month we will be holding two outdoor events and we are encouraging our members to come out and participate.

The first event will be held on both Saturday July 15 and Sunday July 16 in conjunction with Railroad Days at the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens. Members of Omaha Streetcar plan on setting up at 10th & Bancroft between 1 pm and 3 pm. Please RSVP [email protected] as soon as possible and feel free to ask questions. Also, since it is expected to be hot out, please dress for the weather and bring water.

Omaha Streetcar will be hosting another outdoor event on Thursday July 27 in conjunction with Jazz on the Green. An exact location has not been selected yet, but if you are interested in attending, please let us know. Plus as always, there'll be an announcement at http://www.omahastreetcar.com/OSCForum/forums/ .

Thanks to you, our membership continues to grow. We are attributing the growth to our events and from the recruiting efforts of our members. Naturally, we always appreciate new members so we ask to get the word out. Also, if a group that you know of would like Omaha Streetcar to give a presentation, please let us know and we'd be happy to schedule them in.

Once again thanks for your support and contributions and I hope to see you soon.

Regards,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

--
Omaha Streetcar Commission
304 South 16th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
http://www.omahastreetcar.com

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:21 pm

Omaha (MAT and streetcars) need to put in some sort of arrival prediction system a la MUNI in SF.

It's not for all of the lines (only the most used). You can go to this website: http://www.nextmuni.com pick a bus line and a stop and it will tell you when the next bus is supposed to arrive. It's incredibly useful.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:31 pm

It was supposed to happen a long time ago. We where supposed to get some type of GPS tracking on the busses so we could look up arrival times. And I do remember them even dreaming about putting displays in bus stops to see live GPS(arrival) times.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:51 am

Portland's streetcar system has the capability where you can access their website and check where each of their units appears along the line. And it gives ETA's on when it will reach specific stops.

http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/

then "view realtime arrivals." Looks pretty cool.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:55 am

Well according to the experts on here we won't get a light-rail since we didn't get that autoplant.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:11 am

If you can make it, please go. I'm going to them regularly now and would like some company from my fellow forumers.

Greetings,

The agenda for this week's meeting has been posted at http://www.omahastreetcar.com/forums.html .

As a reminder, this week's location will be at Delice Bakery at 12th and Howard, in the Old Market. Its the brick building on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Regards,
Gerald W. Kopiasz
--
Omaha Streetcar Commission
304 South 16th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
http://www.omahastreetcar.com

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:17 am

For those interested, here is part of the agenda for Thursday the 13th:

3.) We are accepting volunteers for a work group to create a hypothetical streetcar line for a neighborhood study.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:19 pm

I saw a couple of the Omaha Street Car guys holding their signs on 10th and Bancroft while leaving the Botanical Gardens on Sunday.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:29 pm

From the Email:

Greetings,

The agenda for this week's meeting has been posted at http://www.omahastreetcar.com/forums.html .

As a reminder, this week's location will be at Gallup University in the Blackhills Room. Gallup is located northeast of the Qwest Center and south of Miller's Landing.

Regards,
Gerald W. Kopiasz
--
Omaha Streetcar Commission
304 South 16th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
http://www.omahastreetcar.com

SaOmaha · Post by **SaOmaha** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:46 am

A week from Wednesday, I attended my first Omaha Street Car meeting at the Gallup Campus. Here I saw an prototype (work in progress) for the upcoming Omaha Street Car Website update, which will includes a link to their [url=www.omahastreetcar.com/forums.html]forum[/html].

Toward end of the meeting, I mentioned, I have a Mass Transit bookmark or resource page on my website:

http://www.novia.net/~sadams/My_Pages/B ... ansit.html

Today I came across eOmaha.com Transportation thread “Streetcars in the news”:

http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3250

About five years ago, a friend of mine, proposed a Street Car line on 10th street & Abbott Drive from Eppley Airfield to the Zoo. Today, I placed back on line the website The 10th Rail Project I created for him:

http://phpdev.ist.unomaha.edu/~sadams/1 ... index.html

Note: URL in this post was updated January 31, 2007
.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 4:19 am

Thanks Steve!

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:42 am

After checking things out a bit more, heres my updated streetcar route proposal. Note the streetcar route cutting through the Swanson site. Think that outta get something going there.

And yeah, I'm stuck on a ped/streetcar bridge across the GLM at 11th.

Blue is double track (one each way obviously). The other is one way with the streets.

Then the obvious phases to follow.
To UNMC
To Eppley
To Zoo/Rosenblatt down 13th.

I was gonna post these on the Omaha Streetcar site too, but couldn't get text or anything to go into the reply box. Help me out Tuna.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:12 am

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you continue down 10th?

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:48 am

Yea, if that becomes a reality, it really needs a 10th/13th loop at some point. Maybe not all at once, but it does need to be there eventually.

-Big E

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:31 am

Well I do have a line going down 13th st, which I intended on being double track. I'm cool with a 10th/13th loop ala the Farnam/Harney to UNMC loop but I'm assuming that building one line of double track is going to be more cost effective compared to single line down 2 streets.

So as far as just picking 13th over 10th, it is a more level grade, and it also goes through that cool area around the Boheimian Cafe (area is ripe for a boom IMO) and past Sokal hall. A future addition to this line could be off of 13th along Vinton, over to 24th, and then S on 24th to L street.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:01 am

I gave this a lot of thought and without going into exact street paths. I think for sure they should have the airport, south o os some sorts and uno/unmc on the rout.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:53 am

Here's what I came up with. It is sort of similar to wags's.

1.The orange Harney/Farnam line is the first one of course.

2.The second to be built as the Blue(Jay) line. I had it circling around the future site of the ballpark, so that people could ride it before and after the game. It goes west on Cuming past Creighton, turns south on Saddle Creek and then West again on California to make it's way west through Dundee and eventually to Memorial Park.

3.The third one would either be the Harney/Farnam extention to UNO (red)---west on Farnam until 48th and then over to Dodge (due to Farnam being one way for a few hours during weekdays) and continues West to UNO.

-or-

4.The airport/10th st/ Rosenblatt connector (green)...this one's pretty obvious. We all know it's going to happen sooner or later. Runs south on 10th with stops at the Lauritzen Gardens and ending at HDZ/Rosenblatt. Maybe make it also run on 13th st.

-or-
(I'm just thinking of this right now, hence it isn't reflected on the map)
have the BlueJay line run on tenth until Jackson, then shoot over to 13th street and south to Rosenblatt. That way their would be two different lightrail lines to ferry the CWS back into downtown to their hotels, etc.

Also, since the streetcars run primarily east and west in this map, I purpose changing the bus lines to run North and South. They're represented on this map by the thicker black lines. That way we'd get more efficient coverage of the city.

Zephyr · Post by **Zephyr** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:41 pm

Very nice maps, wags! I would not be surprised if something similar to that ends up in the fesibility study that should be released any day now - a loop downtown, connecting the Old Market, Qwuest, and Creighton with a line out to Midtown.

I don't think a streetcar to the airport is a good idea. With stops usually spaced every 3-5 blocks for streetcars, what is there between Riverfront Drive and the airport that you would want to stop for? Light rail or an express bus would be better suited for the airport.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:06 pm

I don't see a problem with it Starting at the airport and then its next stop being Gallup or the Qwest center. Even with out stops along Abbot drive, that's only like a 5-10 minute ride from the airport to the Qwest.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:20 pm

Stops can be added to streetcars a helluva lot easier than to light rail. I think it would be more for pushing future development than catering to the strip club and shelters that are there now.

-Big E

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:43 pm

You can now get to the OSC forums via a link on the front page.

http://www.omahastreetcar.com

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:27 pm

Swift wrote:I don't see a problem with it Starting at the airport and then its next stop being Gallup or the Qwest center. Even with out stops along Abbot drive, that's only like a 5-10 minute ride from the airport to the Qwest.

Streetcars are more about economic development than they are about transit. Without stops, they are pretty much worthless. Let's work on getting buses to the airport first. Then light rail can show up 20 years from now.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:56 am

It's pretty appalling that there's no bus service to the airport, especially with how close the airport is to downtown. I think they should extend the Number 2 up to the airport and add a few buses and times to that route.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:53 am

I thought they just extended bus service to the airport?

Edit: yeah, the 16 now goes to the airport. Although it also serves the open door mission...and one can't help but question the decision making behind that.

And even if streetcars are "about economic development"...that in no way refutes that they would work and be very successful servicing the airport along Abbott Drive. They're only about economic development because they move people.

Of course it would serve more as a "shuttle line"...but most other major cities with light rail have shuttle lines.

It's not like street cars are restricted to going 15 miles per hour.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:14 am

I'll post this on this thread also - coming from the Streetcar Forum:

City quietly keeps notion of streetcars on track
BY C. DAVID KOTOK

Omaha World Herald wrote:City officials familiar with the serious proposals being analyzed by the City Planning Department didn't participate in the forum. They have been working with Heritage Services, a private nonprofit organization that has raised the money for such major civic projects as the Holland Performing Arts Center, Durham Western Heritage Museum and Joslyn Art Museum.

Heritage Services has underwritten a comprehensive, but private, study of a streetcar system for Omaha. The organization has shared some of the information with Fahey and city planning officials.

Fahey touted the prospect of a streetcar in his state of the city speech in January. Then silence from Heritage Services and Fahey.

Omaha World Herald wrote:"It seems reasonable to believe we can make it work," said Paul Landow, the mayor's chief of staff. Fahey is "excited about the project."

City Planning Director Steve Jensen said members of his staff have been asking experts hired by Heritage Services to provide firm estimates on the added economic development that would likely result from a streetcar line.

Omaha World Herald wrote:• Phase 1 - Creighton University to the Qwest Center Omaha, then looping around the Old Market. The purpose would be to stimulate development of the North Downtown district between the Creighton campus and the arena, help attract conventions and link popular attractions.

• Phase 2 - Downtown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The route would link two major employment centers and promote the commercial and residential development projected in midtown.

• Phase 3 - Continue west to the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus. This link would tie all three major universities together and to downtown.

"We are still a long way from a final decision," Landow said. "The mayor believes this has the potential to stimulate a lot of development."

Hmmmmmmmm. Sounds like there is something in the works here.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:06 am

There is now a survey on the World Herald's frontal web page:
"Do you think the City of Omaha should build a streetcar system?"
Vote early and vote often!
17 Yes 12 no at 3:00 am

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:37 pm

This is from the Streetcar meeting thread. Once again we beat the OWH to the story.

******

Well we just got back in from the meeting. They're were quite a few people there. It was about half of them over the age of 60. There was a group of 'students' there but they all left after the speaking and before the Q&A.

The meeting's info was good. It reinforced what many of us knew about streetcars being great for development, ridership exceeding expectations, and expansion of lines quicker than anticipated.

I spoke with the guest speaker about what advantages Omaha has for rail. He said one thing Omaha definantly has over Little Rock is size and density. (Well duh) I asked him what sort of retail sprouted up around the lines and he said at this point it was bar/restaurant/entertainment. He said day to day retail hasn't appeared yet.

One of the most important things he said was that many businesses built office towers along the lines, anticipating them. This is one thing I think we should start doing is getting more businesses DT. If you're trying to sell the idea of live, WORK, and play DT, you're going to have to have a more concentrated area of businesses.

The only politician there was councilman Jim Suttle. I figured he'd be in the best position to answer some more specifics on light rail in Omaha as opposed to the general idea by an out of town guy. I video taped as much of our conversation as I could before my batteries died. I'll try to get it on-line but until then here's the gist of our conversation.

Me: As far as street cars going on; is there any sort of discusion or planning from the city?

Suttle: The only thing really going on is between the Mayor, city planning staff, Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Services, and (the shocker) Creighton.

They are supposed to be doing some sort of financial analysis. The economic development from the streetcars is what's driving the planning, not necessarliy having streetcars as transportation. We need to focus on what the (economic) development is, where it (economic development) is, how it much development it will bring. It's an if question. Let's say with the streetcar we can promote $500,000,000 worth of development from offices, condos, and businesses against $100,000,000 worth of development without streetcars.

The camera stopped but he kept talking. These are a few remarks he made about support for rail on the council and, oddly, the baseball stadium.

On council support

We haven't had discussions in public, but we have discussed it in private as something that's definantly an option, on the table. It's in the future.

On the baseball stadium

I see the streetcars being completed before the baseball stadium. It's (streetcars) not dependant on the stadium being built. At this point I think they should keep baseball where it is and offer a better product which is what they are starting to do. The new owners seem intent on doing this.

More on streetcars

I wonder if it would be best to have an east-west line vs a north-south line. 10th St from the hotels to the Qwest and Old Market seems to be the forerunner but we should also look at connecting it with Midtown businesses.

So from what it sounded like the council is pretty supportive of the idea and waiting for a proposal which they said should be coming by next year. It kind of sucks that he's not going to be pushing for a stadium but I think if they get the streetcars that could be some of this extra "economic development" we could hope to see.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:28 pm

Coyote wrote:There is now a survey on the World Herald's frontal web page:
"Do you think the City of Omaha should build a streetcar system?"
Vote early and vote often!
17 Yes 12 no at 3:00 am

486-333 in favor of the idea. Sure, its non-scientific and really doesn't mean anything, but streetcars are winning!!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:30 pm

And if my memory serves me well - the OWH did a survey last year and it was 3-2 against streetcars.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:10 pm

A lot of people at the meeting were interested in a line going to CB. It'd probably be a much later phase though.

When they do this I hope they use modern looking streetcars. The vintage ones are nice, but I think it would sway public opinion in favor of it if it had a modern design to go along with the Qwest Center, Holland Center, Union Pacific, Wallstreet, and First National, which are all very modern. I thought the bright yellow ones they had in Little Rock were kind of ugly.

As great as I think phase I will be, phase II excites me the most. North DT is still a bit cut off from another neighborhood. The streetcars up to Midtown will do wonders for the Park East area of DT. There are empty lots around there that are perfect for new construction. Storefronts that are underused and empty will be used again. Plus I'll be living near this. Too bad I probably won't be working by it when it's built.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:49 pm

Going down the backstretch at Noon:
Yes: 1012
No: 634
What is a streetcar: 62
I have no brain: 27

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:15 pm

Can't you lump 2 and 3 in under the 4th heading?

-Big E

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:59 pm

Big E wrote:Can't you lump 2 and 3 in under the 4th heading? -Big E

Yes - I agree - it is kind of like splitting hairs - what is the difference between a Bonehead, Dumbbell, and Dingbat?

Going down the backstretch at 2:00
Yes: 1127 (+115)
No: 739 (+105)
What is a streetcar: 67 (+5)
I have no brain: 29 (+2)

Zephyr · Post by **Zephyr** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:41 pm

Yeah, if you're not sure, then you obviously don't have an opinion...

I wish the wording was a little different... the City of Omaha doesn't necessarily have to build it - you could just have a special district operate it like in some cities.

Glad the count is in our favor!