KJP

The bridge stays intact. Even future phases keep most of the bridge. Only the eastern portion, roughly east of West 9th Street, could be replaced with a street-level right of way.

He said it to me, but there were others standing nearby. It does seem optimistic. Question is, what does he consider downtown? Is he including everything in his ward? That's everything from Tremont, parts of Ohio City, Flats, St. Clair-Superior and, of course, what is commonly considered downtown. If so, I can certainly see 25,000 -- in which case Ward 13 would probably have to be reduced in geographic area to account for population losses in other areas. BTW, Cleveland wards each have about 20,000 people.

On that score, people should be committing suicide in the streets of Cleveland by the end of February! Since they are not, I therefore conclude that Cleveland is home to some of the most optimistic, durable people on the face of the earth (maybe Buffalo citizens got us beat).

I totally forgot to mention this here at UO.... When I was at the Stonebridge announcement last week, Cimperman said if these projects happen -- Stark's first phase, the Avenue District, Stonebridge expansion, Flats East Bank, East 4th and all of the smaller housing projects underway or about to begin -- downtown should have a population up to 25,000 as early as 2010.

That's an important point, jamiec. As for the market demand needed to get Target in pocket, someone better tell Stark, because he believes they can make it downtown (once his development and the others are in place).

Cool! And glad to see they show how to get there by public transit! :-P

And, it's outside the city of Pittsburgh. It's in Kilbuck Township, just east of where I-79 crosses the Ohio River. PennDOT will probably sue to recover some of its costs, however.

That would certainly impact area businesses much less!

Pollster Adam Davis spoke to the Portland City Club's Friday Forum recently on the topic of the disconnect between leaders and the public (as he put it, between the edges of the bell curve and the bell). Ray Polani did ask the transportation question, and the answer was reasonably encouraging. You can hear it here http://www.portlandtransport.com/audio/polani_davis_20060512.mp3 (MP3, 2.9M, 3 min). Adam's main points: People are becoming more inclined to support investment in transit versus highways. Many have moved here from regions that have tried spending big bucks on highways, with little benefit. Gas prices are making people rethink investment. The public still wants a balanced system.

Hey folks. There's a real simple solution to all of this. If you encounter a rude employee, talk to the manager. If you don't get satisfaction or the bad service persists, don't give that business your money anymore. And, while you're at it, spread the word about the bad business. Exercise the power you do have. And I don't understand why people keep going back to businesses that treat them like shit. Are you that down on yourself that you need to patronize bad businesses in order to have your insecurities verified?!?! Employees act like assholes for one reason -- because they can. Don't let them.

See the video link from KDKA in Pittsburgh, at the bottom. The very busy Norfolk Southern mainline running through Toledo and Cleveland (via Sandusky, Elyria, Bedford, Hudson, Ravenna ... which also hosts Amtrak's daily Capitol Limited service between Chicago and Washington DC) as well as State Route 65 was blocked by a huge landslide caused by -- yes, I'm not joking -- a construction site for a new WalMart. But a Pittsburgh man who posted the following at a railroad forum said it better... 'Unbelievable' and 'awesome' are two adjectives that are often too-readily applied to momentous events, but this is an instance where they instead almost don't fit because they actually seem to understate such an enormous outcome. This herniated hillside at a commercial construction site for a new Wal*Mart along the Ohio River at Emsworth, PA, downstream from Pittsburgh, has now experienced two serious failures of the fill. As you will see (especially the aerials views) in the two video news clips at the attached KDKA-TV link, below, this collapse is simply incredible in scale. Just last week, Jonathan, one of his school chums and I drove right by this site on PA Rt. 65, twice in one afternoon, and each time we even commented on how 'menacing' it looked to be. While time and rain revealed that our instincts were correct, they fell far short in anticipating the incredible magnitude of what would actually happen. This man-made construction disaster is just mind-boggling. ..... http://kdka.com/video/[email protected] (there's actually several videos/stories about the landslide available at this link)

The following news release was issued today by the State of Illinois and Amtrak Media Relations. NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION 525 West Van Buren Street, Suite 222, Chicago IL 60607-3823 tel 312 880.5390 fax 312 880.5176 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2006 ATK-06-071 GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES AMTRAK SALUKI TO START RUNNING OCTOBER 30th Building on momentum of record passenger growth, additional Carbondale to Chicago passenger train added; Tickets for Saluki on sale today at Amtrak.com or 800-USA-RAIL CARBONDALE, Ill - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that beginning October 30th Illinois' partnership with Amtrak will more than double state-sponsored passenger rail service downstate. State-supported roundtrips will increase from three daily roundtrips to seven daily roundtrips between Chicago and downstate destinations - including the Saluki, the new Chicago- Carbondale train. The expanded service comes after news that all state-sponsored Amtrak routes posted record ridership levels for Illinois' Fiscal Year 2006; the expansion includes an additional round-trip on the Chicago-Carbondale line. Tickets for the new routes go on sale today. "Amtrak is an affordable travel option, and in many communities it's the only form of public transportation," said Gov. Blagojevich. "People want and use Amtrak; that's why we doubled our commitment to ensuring we have regular passenger rail service. During the past several years we've continued to see an increase in the people riding the Illinois state-sponsored trains." Starting October 30, daily train service between Chicago and Carbondale will increase from two round-trips to three round-trips, two of them state- sponsored. Under this schedule, there will be new morning departures from Chicago and Carbondale "We are proud that ridership on state-supported Amtrak trains in Illinois is now nearly a million passengers and growing," said Alex Kummant, Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer. "We deeply appreciate the leadership of Gov. Blagojevich and the state legislature in continuing the strong partnership with Amtrak to provide more frequent service for the people of Illinois." This spring, Gov. Blagojevich and the Illinois General Assembly increased state funding for passenger rail service by Amtrak from $12.1 million to $24 million. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which is the partnering agency with Amtrak, has chosen the Saluki as the name of the new Chicago- Carbondale train. The Illini will continue to operate on its current schedule on the route. Combined with the City of New Orleans, another train that is part of the national Amtrak network, three daily round-trips will be available between Chicago and Carbondale. Reservations and tickets for the Saluki (Trains 390 & 391) and Illini (Trains 392 & 393) are now available nationwide through Amtrak.com, by calling 800- USA-RAIL, using Quik-Trak, automated ticket machines, visiting a staffed Amtrak station, or through select travel agents. These state-supported trains will operate as reserved service, with the lowest fares ordinarily available with the most advanced purchase, and offer food and beverages in the café car. Ten-ride tickets will also be available, as will Business class in a two-seats/aisle/one-seat configuration with leg rests, foot rests and other amenities for a slight surcharge. IDOT and Amtrak will soon announce schedules for increased service on the two other state-sponsored corridors, Chicago-St. Louis and Chicago-Quincy. Daily train service between Chicago and St. Louis will increase from three roundtrips to five roundtrips, three of them state-sponsored. Daily train service between Chicago and Quincy will increase from one round-trip to two round- trips, both of those state-sponsored as well. (schedules follow) Chicago-Carbondale - Southbound Departures * indicates IDOT supported Saluki train, ** indicates IDOT supported Illini train Train Train Train 391* 393** 59 Chicago 9:15 a.m. 4:05 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Homewood 9:56 a.m. 4:46 p.m. 8:54 p.m. Kankakee 10:22 a.m. 5:12 p.m. 9:23 p.m. Gilman 10:44 a.m. 5:34 p.m. ? Rantoul 11:10 a.m. 6:00 p.m. ? Champaign 11:25 a.m. 6:15 p.m. 10:34 p.m. Mattoon 12:05 p.m. 6:55 p.m. 11:13 p.m. Effingham 12:29 p.m. 7:19 p.m. 11:37 p.m. Centralia 1:16 p.m. 8:06 p.m. 12:25 a.m. DuQuoin 1:49 p.m. 8:39 p.m. ? arrive Carbondale 2:45 p.m. 9:35 p.m. 1:21 a.m. Carbondale-Chicago - Northbound Departures * indicates IDOT supported Saluki train, ** indicates IDOT supported Illini train Train Train Train 58 390* 392** Carbondale 3:16 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 4:05 p.m. DuQuoin ? 7:51 a.m. 4:26 p.m. Centralia 4:10 a.m. 8:23 a.m. 4:58 a.m. Effingham 4:57 a.m. 9:07 a.m. 5:42 p.m. Mattoon 5:23 a.m. 9:31 a.m. 6:06 p.m. Champaign 6:10 a.m. 10:14 a.m. 6:49 p.m. Rantoul ? 10:27 a.m. 7:02 p.m. Gilman ? 10:53 a.m. 7:28 p.m. Kankakee 7:13 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 7:50 p.m. Homewood 7:44 a.m. 11:44 a.m. 8:17 p.m. arrive Chicago 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 9:35 p.m. # # #

Engineer/conductor (sic) Lane De Vors checks tickets of passengers Monday as the Music City Star's opening day drew a mixed ridership of commuters and curiosity seekers to the new rail service running between Lebanon and downtown Nashville. (LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN) As the day dawns through cloudy skies, passengers at the Hermitage station wait for the inaugural run of the Music City Star. (LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN) The Music City Star pulls into the Riverfront station in downtown Nashville on its opening day. The new rail service had a largely glitch-free debut, encouraging regional officials and commuters alike. (LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN) The Music City Star's opening day drew a large crowd to the new commuter rail service running from Lebanon to downtown Nashville on Monday Sept. 18, 2006. Larry McCormack Evelyn Mitchell is all smiles as she and others do their morning commute by way of the new Music City Star on its opening day. Larry McCormack Olivia Sanderson, 5, talks with friend Dawn Distler as they ride during the Music City Star's opening day. Larry McCormack Passengers disembark at Riverfront Station after arriving on the Music City Star's opening day. The new commuter rail service runs from Lebanon to downtown Nashville. Larry McCormack Engineer/Conductor Lane De Vors yells "All Aboard" as he calls passengers for the Music City Star's opening day. Larry McCormack http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609190334 Tuesday, 09/19/06 First-day riders enjoy Music City Star trek Drivers who hate commute happy to have alternative By LEON ALLIGOOD Staff Writer ON THE MUSIC CITY STAR — William Redmond of Mt. Juliet thought Monday would never come, the day when he would hear the two words that he believes will emancipate him from the perils and hassles of I-40 congestion: "All aboard." For Redmond, Monday's call to passengers was "beautiful." "It's finally here,'' said the state employee. He was so eager to commute via the train that he purchased the first Music City Star ticket sold at Mt. Juliet City Hall. "I was going to make sure I got one,'' Redmond said as the train began to rumble on to Nashville, continuing its inaugural run to bring an era of commuter rail to the region. Now the question is, will the Star be a star? According to the Regional Transportation Authority, a consortium of cities and counties surrounding Nashville, 345 riders took the $40 million rail line Monday morning. The number of riders on last evening's trips will not be available until today. However, if a similar number made the return trip, that would put the opening day's total at about 700, less than half the daily riders RTA hopes to attract by the time the service reaches its six-month mark. But RTA spokeswoman Teresa McKissick said the rail line was not sweating numbers at the moment, but focusing on customer service, getting riders to and from Nashville dependably and comfortably. "We're pleased with how things went on the first day. We believe it was very successful,'' McKissick said. She said there were only a few glitches. A ticket machine dispensed a receipt but not a ticket to one customer. And there were some unexpected detours on downtown shuttle buses because of construction in the Vanderbilt area. In addition, a Waste Management truck was on the tracks as the train neared Mt. Juliet about 6 a.m. According to the Mt. Juliet Police Department, the arm of the rail crossing gate came down on top of the truck and when the truck moved out of the way, the arm was broken. Mt. Juliet police said the crossing arm had been replaced by late afternoon. "But other than that, we didn't have any major problems,'' McKissick said. Those riding the train seemed to be pleased, too. Keith Wood of Hermitage said he was going to be a daily rider on his commute to Vanderbilt University, where he designs publications and printed material. "I hate the drive in. I get up in a good mood in the morning, and by the time I get to the ramp, well, you've just got a line of traffic,'' Wood said while waiting on the train at the Hermitage station. Angel Urbina also plans to be a daily rider. The New Mexico native began a doctoral program in civil engineering this semester at Vanderbilt. When he moved his family to Nashville, proximity to the rail line was a factor in purchasing his Hermitage home. "Economically, it doesn't make much sense to ride the train, with gas prices coming down, but timewise is what really makes it happen," Urbina said. But fuel cost is the reason that Samantha Lee, who works in the Bank of America Plaza, will ride daily. She lives between Mt. Juliet and Hermitage. "Coming from Mt. Juliet, you either have to take Lebanon (Pike) or (Interstate) 40, and either way I'm stuck in traffic, so I'm excited about not having to worry about traffic and (saving) money on gas,'' Lee said. "This is a great amenity to downtown and anyone who lives out east." Other riders were taking a try-it-and-see approach. Rich Tiner, a professor of media studies at Belmont University who lives in Lebanon, said the Music City Star was "a great opportunity to have an alternative for transportation into town." But he would like to see the schedule tweaked and is hoping a shuttle ride will be arranged to Belmont like Vanderbilt has now. "The real key thing is when we get to Riverfront Park. How long am I going to have to wait on that bus?" Tiner said. "That's really critical." Tiner said Belmont was encouraging faculty, staff and students to ride the train by picking up the cost of the ticket. "What a great benefit. I applaud my university for doing this,'' he said. There were a number of "tourists" on the inaugural morning ride. These folks were on the train just to say they were on the first run. "I want to say I rode it,'' said Wayne Hardy, who lives in Lebanon but works about six miles from downtown Nashville. On Monday he arranged for his daughter to pick him up at Riverfront and take him to work. Brownie Spicer, a retired railroad engineer, also rode for the novelty. "I ran trains for years. I just wanted to be on the maiden voyage of this one,'' he said, noting that the engineer of the Music City Star offered to let him ride in the locomotive. And that's what the lifelong railroad man did, sticking his head out the window, waving at passing cars, flashing a kid's smile. •

I like that, but you have to have "the" preceding it... ie: "The Near East" since no one says just "Far East." They say "The Far East." I'm sold on "The Near East" (without the word "side" at the end).

Note a potential new development at the Spitzer dealership near the West 117th/Madison rapid station posted at .... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3281.msg128464#msg128464

I'm hearing rumblings that the vacant Spitzer car dealership on West 117th near Madison and the rapid station is to be redeveloped -- with an Aldi's grocery store and a bank. While both of these may be built "on the sidewalk" I consider this to be a major missed opportunity. Spitzer's real estate division is supposedly pursuing the project. As a Lakewood resident and advocate of transit-oriented development, I wouldn't mind the Aldi's and the bank -- as long as they are topped by 3-4 stories of for-sale housing. I don't know if this development is going to go all the way to the corner of West 117th and Madison, or if it will be relegated only to the Spitzer property. I hope it does go to the street corner -- meaning it could keep the little diner, the Subway restaurant and the wine store on the ground floor of a decent sized mixed-use development. Oh how I wish others shared my preferences for TOD near transit stations.... sigh.

From radio rip-and-read... New Use In Works For Vacant Auto Plant 09-25-2006 5:51 AM (Lorain, OH) -- An announcement is pending regarding the future of the vacant Ford plant in Lorain. City officials say the basic pieces of an agreement to bring a new tenant and new jobs to the factory are in place and talks continue on the final details. The Lorain Assembly Plant was shuttered last year. Ford officials still own the property, and are mum on its future. Community leaders expect a new owner to divide the factory to attract smaller companies. ###

I didn't take pictures of the 3D model. One of Sun's photographers did. But he wasn't happy with the pictures because they were taken outdoors and had a lot of glare on the glass cover over the model. Stonebridge folks e-mailed a photo to me that they shot indoors, but I doubt we'll be able to use it for this issue. We just have too much stuff to print. So here's one of the benefits of being an UrbanOhio lurker -- you have access to pictures that don't get published right away in the media! Here ya go....

It would also be positively Torontonian, or Chicagoan -- both cities moved most/all their freight operations off their respective lakefronts. Passenger services remained, and were increased over the years. Although it's not wise (and often too expensive when it comes to paying liability insurance) to build offices/hotels/housing over freight railroad tracks, it's very common to build those things over tracks hosting lighter passenger trains (and which, of course, do not carry hazardous cargo). If there's a passenger station on the lakefront, that's all the more reason to develop next to it and over the tracks. See Toronto, Chicago and other cities for examples. But I specify those two cities -- especially Toronto -- which moved their freight to bypass routes away from their central business districts. Here's some visual samples. A key issue is for planners to consider dealing with diesel exhaust from trains operating beneath structures. But, as you can see in several of these views, that's an issue that can be dealt with (often by leaving a side area open for natural air distribution and venting): All trains are diesel locomotive-hauled beneath this series of structures built over and near Chicago Union Station... All trains are electrically powered into Chicago Randolph Street Station and below the lakefront parks near it... Mix of diesel and electrically powered trains operate beneath Chicago's massive McCormack Place convention center (including freight trains using the line that curves off the upper-right top of the image)... All trains are diesel-powered through Toronto Union Station, including a couple of local freight trains per day. This is an older image, which doesn't show the CityPlace development at the left side of the image...

Norfolk Southern has already made some recent capital investments in new/additional track capacity along several segments that could be used for the Lakefront Bypass. Here are a couple of them: Looking generally northeastward from the Denison Avenue overpass, this stretch of NS line was double-tracked in the late 1990s with heavy-duty rails. Back in the day, this was a five-track-wide rail line, and was the west approach for passenger trains into Cleveland Union Terminal. Perhaps a third main track (not including the diverging track at right for the Big Creek valley and the steel mills) would need to be added here to absorb detouring the full 85% of freight traffic off the lakefront.... NS put more than $44 million into taking what was a low-speed, twisting streak of rust into the double-tracked, medium-speed Cloggsville Connection linking the former Cleveland Union Terminal right of way at left to the former Nickel Plate RR mainline bound toward Buffalo. The double-tracked Cloggsville Connection (a very old railroad name) is seen at right from a northeasterly vantage point below the Fulton Road overpass....

Musky got it right. Those surface lots are being held for a casino, hotel and structured parking. Corna and Price didn't show those things on the site plan I posted because they don't want people (esp. potential tenants) to get the false impression that future phases of Stonebridge depend on the casino.

This is going to be a ceremonial groundbreaking, with the actual work beginning a couple of weeks later (per an interview with folks at Zaremba). That's not a bad lag time. They are pretty much ready to go.

Here's a couple more images of the "missing link" area of the bypass, in the vicinity of I-490 and I-77, looking generally westward toward downtown and the location shown previously, near East 37th Street. A zoomed-in view, from the same location as above

Here's what the area of the "missing link" looks like, looking westward towards downtown from a spot next to the Rapid line. I-77 is overhead. I added a couple of tracks in the manner I'd proposed in the EcoCity report (available at: http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/ecologicaldesign/blue/rail_bypass_sum.html ) ... The area of the missing link on this map is just to the southeast (lower right) of downtown, but many more capital improvements need to be made to create a viable, high-volume Lakefront Bypass.

Such clever persons we have in our midst here!