KJP

More specifically, the Jackson administration and the Cuyahoga County Commissioners chose not to pursue a task force to investigate the cost and revenue potential of putting a retractible roof on Browns Stadium.

Or Fifth Third Bank tower, or second (and larger) phase of North Point, or the two skylight office buildings at Tower City... Nice pics though. My sister took some pictures around downtown the weekend the Rock Hall opened, and they did a light-up downtown night then, as well. Some may remember that only enough lights were left on at Erieview Tower to spell "ROCK" using the windows. My sister got a great photo of that, which was in the background and the Rock Hall in the foreground.

RTA News July 27, 2006 RTA quarterly report card shows increase in ridership CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) quarterly report card shows that more riders are choosing RTA for their safe and reliable services. The report card compares the first six months of 2006 with the first six months of 2005. > Ridership increased by 1.3 percent over last year. > Traffic safety – the number of preventable collisions per 100,000 vehicle miles -- also improved by 18.8 percent. The figure dropped from .96 in 2005 to .78 in 2006. > On-time performance improved 6.5 percent. RTA buses and trains were on time 82 percent of the time in 2006, compared to 77 percent in 2005. “We are delighted that more and more riders are benefiting from RTA. Everyone here at RTA is working hard to make service exceptional for our riders and our numbers show a significant success. We will continue to improve and provide an even better experience for our riders,” says Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO and General Manager. The report card also shows decreases in four other areas – customer satisfaction, farebox revenue, reliability and employee attendance. All quarterly report cards are posted here ... http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_reportcard.asp

We've had an offer from the city (for the property.) That's all I can say, George Qua, 75, said in a phone interview. But he added, You can't imagine the angst this (business closing) has caused. It's the worst thing that's ever happened to me other than two world wars. Uh, OK. How does World War I affect a 75-year-old man?

While the concept of using TOD to fund the development of Lorain-Cleveland regional rail service would be quite innovative for this region, it's nothing new. In reality, it's a sound and proven way to develop rail transit service from private investments. Local and/or regional governments serve as the financing mechanism. Ultimately what happens is the compounding of an initial private investment to create a transportation service that, in turn, further encourages more private investment. Here are some articles to consider following the July 19 Lorain-Cleveland rail meeting in Westlake. In several articles, note the reliance on local rather than federal funding. Note also that TTA in North Carolina is taking the approach urged by the same railroad executive who attended the Westlake meeting. That is, similar to First Interstate's investments in Steelyard Commons that will benefit the public sector (e.g. TIF funding to support the Towpath Trail), one or several progressive developers would be engaged by westshore communities to scope out the potential for development around proposed station locations. Development commitments, in tandem with supportive land use and zoning changes, would ideally precede any large scale efforts to build the rail line, ensuring that private sector funds would support the project before the public sector's investment. This is a lot to plow through so take your time. Maybe print out the ones that seem interesting to read later. ****************************************************** North Carolina's Triangle Transit Authority Close To Development Deal Updated: July 27th, 2006 12:02 PM PDT NBC17 has learned the Triangle Transit Authority is close to signing a partnership deal with a developer to oversee commercial and residential projects at its 12 rail stops. The deal could provide enough funding to get the rail line rolling. Full story: http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/article.jsp?id=1264&siteSection=3 ************************************************************* Austin's Commuter Rail Project Taking Shape Updated: July 19th, 2006 12:09 PM PDT Capital Metro's commuter rail project in Austin, just lines on a map when voters approved it 20 months ago, soon will take tangible form with broken ground in Central Texas and metal molded in Switzerland. http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/article.jsp?id=1207&siteSection=3 ************************************************************* Salt Lake Commuter Rail Line Drives Development Updated: July 24th, 2006 12:03 PM PDT Communities along the route of FrontRunner commuter rail - particularly the seven in Davis and Weber counties where the train has stations - are preparing for a load of new real-estate development. http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/article.jsp?id=1238&siteSection=3 ************************************************************* New Jersey's River Line May Help Yield Funds for Rail Tunnel Updated: July 26th, 2006 11:32 AM PDT Fifty-three words nestled in last year's $286 billion federal transportation bill require the government to consider the cash spent on the River Line when negotiating the state's contribution to a project many believe more essential: a second rail tunnel under the Hudson River. http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/article.jsp?id=1254&siteSection=3 ************************************************************* On Track for Commuter Rail in Central Florida Updated: July 19th, 2006 12:16 PM PDT How would you like to walk a few minutes to a train station and zip to work in an air-conditioned rail car -- and then return the same way? Once back in the neighborhood, you could walk to grocery stores, restaurants and businesses to run errands. http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/article.jsp?id=1196&siteSection=3 ************************************************************* (This is a lengthy article but one that is really worth reading.) Developing Transit Transit-Oriented Development, Joint Development and Housing Updated: July 20th, 2006 04:21 PM PDT The general perception, even among most transit agencies, is that transit's role in land use is limited. What role there seems to be results most directly from joint development opportunities on land surrounding transit stations. But is that the whole story? http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=1219 ************************************************************* (As some of you know the NJ Transit's $1 billion River Line project was built without any federal funding. It uses modern diesel self-propelled railcars (diesel light rail vehicles) operating on an active Conrail freight line. Freights run at night, DLRVs run during the day. San Diego & Salt Lake City are just two of a number of other cities where local transit trains share freight railroad tracks.) Officials focus on impact of NJ Transit River Line October 22, 2004 7:22 AM BURLINGTON CITY - More than 50 municipal, county and state officials attended a symposium at City Hall last night to focus on the economic impact of the NJ Transit River Line in the communities along the nearly 36 mile transit line. And the news was good. http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-10222004-387515.html ************************************************************* (This is from a United Transportation Union e-publication!) Residents appreciate River Line after one year TRENTON, N.J. - Arlene Bice knows when the River Line has brought customers into her community, according to the Trenton Times. "It's out there and it's obvious," said Bice, owner of the By the Book @ U&I Gift Shop off Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown City. http://www.utu.org/worksite/print_news.cfm?ArticleID=20148 ************************************************************* (Now THIS is quite interesting!) Scope and Request for Proposals 2007 Program Project 2007-04 ,Transit-Oriented Development Benefits of New Transit Service: River Line http://www.utrc2.org/research/assets/rfps/2007-04.doc ************************************************************* (This is about a trolley project. I'm personally acquainted with the person interviewed and recall hearing about the project six years ago from him first hand, and hearing the progress over time. This is a wonderful and inspiring story. If Little Rock can launch a major rail project, so can NE Ohio!) Making More With Less A Small Agency with Little Funding has had Some Big Success Updated: July 20th, 2006 03:23 PM PDT What a way to start the year. A phone call on New Year's Day from your biggest political transit supporter breaking the news to you that they have other issues to focus on and that they cannot do anything transit-related for the year ahead. That may instill consternation in others but not Keith Jones, executive director and general manager of the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CAT). http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=1217

In densely developed city like Lakewood, the frontage is typically 40 feet. In Bay Village, it's 50 feet, but that's not a "new" suburb. In the exurban area where I used to live in Geauga County, the frontage varied from 90 feet to a couple hundred feet.

I don't know if this belongs here in this thread... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/brooklynsunjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/115401888663090.xml&coll=3 Construction boom City still leading county in housing starts Thursday, July 27, 2006 By Ken Prendergast Brooklyn Sun Journal CLEVELAND _ When it comes to new housing construction in Cuyahoga County, there's Cleveland and then there's everybody else. Mayor Frank Jackson, who pledged to continue the emphasis on building new houses, apartments and condominiums set by his predecessor Jane Campbell, touted that Cleveland again is leading the county in new places to live. Results from the first quarter of this year were recently announced by Jackson, showing that Cleveland issued 50 new for-sale residential permits. The next-closest cities were Westlake with 27 permits and Oakwood with 19, according to Cleveland's Community Development Department and CRM Development Research Inc. At first blush, 50 permits appears to be a step down from the last two years, when more than 1,500 housing units were annually added to the city's housing stock. But those numbers included new rental units, as well as extensive renovations made to apartments and houses. Also, Jackson's figure is for the period of January through March _ typically a slow time of the year for housing activity. ...........

Difficult terrain can also include the Northeast Corridor, given the number of river crossings, tunnels through hilly areas, etc. But, you're right, a Marshall plan for the U.S. including HSR would be a huge economic stimulus, provide greater energy security and be environmentally benign.

I don't know how many people get that! But that's damn funny!

Originally, the Euclid Corridor would have had electric trolley buses powered from overhead wires (like in Dayton and other cities). And, some at RTA in the late 1990s wanted to put rails in the pavement for future conversion to light-rail. But that and the overhead wires were nixed in cost-cutting moves in order to win federal funds for the project. At the time, the feds weren't interested in new-start transit projects, and the Euclid Corridor was one of the few new starts approved for funding.

Please remember that when making your New Year's resolutions for 2007.

What? I never take ColDayMan seriously... Um, that's not what I meant. You know I luv ya buddy (don't tell MayDay, he might get jealous). I'm going to see to it that the brothers from Cleveland make you an honorary black man. As for the rest of you Clevelanders who get riled up over all these exchanges, stop posting how perfect Cleveland is (and actually believe it). If you can't laugh at the dumb ass things this city has done (and still does), then you are in serious need of a bong, beer, backrub, or blowjob.

For 190-mph TGV-type HSR construction costs, figure $25 million per mile in flat rural areas, $50 million per mile in urban areas and $75 million per mile in difficult terrain.

I think so, but not in electronic form. I'll see if I can find a copy, scan it, and extract the text via OCR.

Or that his successor's hair caught on fire (smoldered is more like it, but it was still pretty funny -- Perk was as corrupt as they come).

By all means. I was surprised something like came from Letterman, hence my comment at the start of the list that he was going to get in trouble.

David Letterman's Top 10 reasons why there are no black NASCAR drivers. I bet his life will be miserable, after the NAACP sees this! # 10 - Have to sit upright while driving. # 9 - Pistol won't stay under front seat. # 8 - Engine noise drowns out the rap music. # 7 - Pit crew can't work on car while holding up pants at the same time. # 6 - They keep trying to carjack Dale JR. # 5 - Police cars on track interfere with race. # 4 - No passenger seat for the Ho. # 3 - No Cadillac's approved for competition. # 2 - Can't wear helmet sideways. AND THE NUM BER ONE REASON WHY BLACKS CAN'T BE IN NASCAR... # 1 - When they crash their cars, they bail out and run.

Sounds like he's ready for upper management now.

ZING! Does anything good or bad ever happen in Columbus? I spent a week there one day and I realized why people from outside Ohio confuse us with Iowa.

I don't understand. Compare a city to a city, and a state to a state. How is that semantics?

I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the crackle of flames in hell down there.

I can give a damn about this thread but don't you ever put beloved San Francisco below shitty LA again. That will not stand. San Francisco is #1 in Cali hands down. Population-wise, SFO is second tier. On quality-of-life, SFO is a much nicer city than LAX. And it certaintly doesn't belong in the same class as DET. But, population wise, that's how things stack up. Didn't mean to offend you and your beloved Frisco. But what are you doing reading month-and-a-half-old posts in a thread you don't care about? Slow night in the 'nati?

Trina's hot, but those threads look like she grabbed the plastic tablecloth from a ghetto pizza parlor, cut it up, put it on, and said "aint' nuttin' too good fer this byatch!" Um, you sure are representing like you're from Cleveland! Even the white boys from Cleveland walk, talk and keep it more gangsta than the brothers from C-bus. I'm going back to reading my Webster's Dictionary now. Though shalt keep it real.

Please don't project your sentimentality onto me, Clvlndr. Such sentimentality means nothing to me when my tax dollars are involved. I raised my concern about Hagan's and Jackson's campaigns being partly funded by Forest City not because I have any feelings for the Ratners (they're not my favorite people but I don't hate them -- I reserve that emotion for people whom I've personally met, come to know and been betrayed). I raised my concern because decisions as monumental as the location of the convention center should be decided with respect to servicing the many, not profitting the few. Now, if it can be demonstrated that there is a viable plan for reusing the existing convention center/public hall, a use for the old county administration building, an effort to breach the Shoreway/railroad with a public promenade (that can include a rail station), a way to use Browns Stadium more than 12 times a year and a plan for Public Square (which otherwise could be rebuilt with year-round, amenity-lined walkways linking Tower City to a renovated convention center), then I'll be all for it. Otherwise, we'll have even more white elephants dotting the downtown landscape, rather than capitalizing on the prior investments we taxpayers have already made. I'd hate to see them lie fallow as silent monuments to special-interest influence.

Thanks, Noozer. It seems this discussion had taken some bizarre turns since I posted those first two messages. First, let's look at what states comparable to Ohio (in terms of population, density and multiple urban centers) are putting into transit (we'll get to the metro spending later). The chart Dan supplied is good, and shows what the state governments in... Michigan - $207.8m Minnesota - $229.2m North Carolina - $91.65m Pennsylvania - $823.8m Wisconsin - $108.9m ...are providing compared to Ohio's meager $20.7m (in 2003). My understanding is that those numbers are roughly about the same today -- though Ohio's continues to fall. As for the metro area spending, comparing D.C. to Ohio is not a good comparison. The point is not to compare a city to a state, but to compare a state to a state. Use Virginia if you want to make a good point -- and there is a good point to make, as Virginia provided $131.5 million to transit in 2003. Comparing transit funding within Cleveland to D.C.'s, that's not so different. GCRTA's annual budget is about $250 million, but they also have to make up for the lack of state help (as does every other transit agency in this state). And that's the point I'm trying to get at with this thread. They have to go it alone, and are limited in their ability to expand to better serve their regions. Actually, it means there's almost no transit service in Wyoming compared to what Ohio has. Where there is less density, there invariably is less transit, and thus less transit funding. Ohio, as the 7th most populous state in the nation, ranked 23rd in the nation in total transit funding provided by the state. That stinks. And you thought Ohio only wasn't able to figure out how to fund education? Guess again. We can't figure out how to provide for balanced transport choices within our urbanized regions either.