Now Emerging Terrain is hoping to revive the corridor — and return it to a modern-day connector of different types of job nodes that have taken root along the 20-mile route, Trumble said.
She said that while industrial-focused employers relocated to Interstate-accessible sites, they were replaced by prominent institutions of health care, education and service-related jobs.
“It is a really, really important corridor for us to revisit,” said Trumble, noting that connecting today's job hubs could spark more investment.
She said possibilities for redeveloping the belt line range from creation of a light rail system, a trail or a combination of uses.
>>Friday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., the design team will offer a look at the belt line's past and present condition. Photos and maps will be displayed, and a free walking guide of the belt line will be offered.
>>June 13, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., the team will focus on potential reuses for the belt line, providing alternative visions.
>>June 21, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., the team will explore strategies for achieving visions laid out in previous sessions, including financial options.
>>June 27, at 6 p.m., the group is to host a project exhibition that reviews the month's work.
“We will emerge from the process with an understanding of the possibilities and what it will take to achieve them,” said Trumble, who said the team also plans to meet with the new mayoral administration.
North of Interstate 80, that rail line is abandoned and removed. Part of it is trail, most nothing or parking lot.
However soon as you go south of interstate 80, its a whole different story. That line is not only still there and used, but its Union Pacific Main line from Kansas City to Omaha, called the Falls City Sub. No way they would remove that.
I agree with Brad, this idea is nice north of 80 on there study route but once you get south of 80 it looks like it goes though the South Omaha railyard then follows the line along Railroad Ave and Fort Crook Rd which is still used extensively, I dont see the railroad giving up that line or anything in the railyard for this. The idea is sound but it the only really use full thing it goes to is UNMC and the VA, not to sound harsh but there isnt much along the route in Bellevue or South Omaha for it to work if they did move ahead with it.
While I still think it's more fantasy than reality to be fair to them they did consider the currently used rail portion:
Currently, about two miles of the rail line remains an active freight rail in South Omaha, said Trumble. She said an alternate route for the light rail in that area would be necessary, but is doable. “There's a lot of work to be done in that part.”
Which is why they suggested starting with only the North to Midtown section.
As far as there not being much in the South Omaha / Bellevue section that's the main economic impact/goal of a project like this. You connect existing valuable vibrant areas to less vibrant (rundown/empty) areas to spur development along the route.
I must have misread the part about a alt route though that railyard. If they were to conncet it with the proposed street cars along Dodge then it would serve alot more then just that corridor, just an idea for thought
