A little inappropriate but I laughed anyway.

 

Here is a link to some earlier discussions involving addition rail in a south-west corridor involving Old Brooklyn and Parma

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,8513.0.html

 

1.  This thread is more for news and information regarding RTA.

 

2.  If people want to discuss more "pie in the sky" type, future planning rta stuff... there are several threads out there. I know there is one on extending the waterfront line, and others.

 

I'd really like to keep this to news and info, mainly because we are so fortunate to have Jerry checking in here and responding to people's questions/concerns.  I don't see the need to bog him down with every "RTA should create "X" new routes" type discussions.

 

In short I think asking questions like "what is the Health Lines affect on Red Line ridership?" are fair... going off about planning a new rail route... not so much.  That can go in one of the other threads more geared toward "what we would do if we could".

 

Thanks for your concern. Frankly, it does not affect me, because I never deal in speculation. I cannot change people's opinions, but from time to time, someone posts something that just is not true. That is when I like to help set the record straight.

Did RTA consider running the Trolley this weekend?  I was thinking it would have been cool to shuttle people from Tower City to the Rock Hall.  Maybe charge $1?  Just a thought.

 

^That seems like a great idea, although I would assume they thought of it.

:clap:    to RTA for the extended Rapid hours (all lines) for the Rock Hall induction ceremonies tonight... Let's hope RTA continues to be more rider conscious like this (and like postponing the balance of the Blue/Green line rebuild to accommodate this as well as Film Festival riders). 

 

Thanks for the info, Jerry.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1285

Ride RTA to Earthfest at Zoo on April 19

 

CLEVELAND -- On Sunday, April 19, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will provide free service from Public Square to EarthFest at the Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way. It marks the 39th anniversary of Earth Day.

 

RTA info

RTA is a sponsor of EarthFest, Ohio's largest educational environmental event.

 

The Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. You can ride RTA buses or trains to Public Square, where RTA clean diesel buses will take you from West Roadway, north of Superior Avenue, to the Metroparks Zoo Administration parking lot off Fulton Road.

 

Buses are equipped bike racks. 100 percent of RTA’s fleet is powered by environmentally friendly fuels – electric, CNG and clean diesel.

 

Be sure to obtain a proof of your ride, which allows free admission to the Metroparks Zoo. Without this proof, you pay regular zoo admission.

 

Shuttles run every 15-30 minutes. The first bus leaves Public Square at 9 a.m. and the last trip leaves the Metroparks Zoo at 5:30 p.m.

 

RTA’s educational community bus will be on display, and RTA employees will hand out transit information.

 

For info, visit rideRTA.com, or call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500. Those who are hearing impaired can call 216-781-4271

 

EarthFest info

 

Theme -- The Green Generation

 

20th annual EarthFest - the longest-standing Earth Day festival in the U.S. and Ohio's largest environmental education event.

 

More than 160 environmental exhibits focused on climate-change solutions, local and organic foods, clean-transportation, green home-improvement, environmental science, health and fitness, environmental film screenings, family fun activities and all-day live music.

 

NEW Rain Garden exhibit let’s you calculate your carbon footprint.

 

Bring your plastic grocery bags to recycle and exchange for a reusable shopping bag.

 

Regular Zoo admission includes all EarthFest exhibits and Zoo activities.

 

Zoo will be effectively wind-powered for EarthFest.

 

EarthFest is organized by the Earth Day Coalition, a Cleveland-based non-profit environment organization.

 

For info, call 216-281-6468, or visit earthdaycoalition.org.

 

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1284

 

April 7, 2009

 

RTA Board Committees highlights

 

CLEVELAND – Here are highlights from today’s meeting of several Committees of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

 

Finance Committee

 

Michael J. Schipper, Deputy General Manager, Engineering and Project Management, updated Board members on RTA’s progress in spending federal stimulus funds for major capital improvements.

 

Gale Fisk, Executive Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), presented an update on fuel purchases. RTA has purchased about 82 percent of the fuel it needs for 2010, at a cost of about $1.85 a gallon. RTA has started to purchase fuel for 2011, at about $2.06 a gallon.

 

 

Committee of the Whole

 

Felicia Brooks-Williams, Manager of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) programs, presented RTA’s affirmative action goals for Fiscal Year (Calendar Year) 2009. The Committee approved the goals, which now go to the full Board on April 21. George Fields, Manager of Employment and Compensation, spoke about efforts to recruit Hispanics.

 

Jennifer Jackson, Associate Counsel, and Scott Ferraro, Director of Labor and Employee Relations, updated the Board on recent changes to RTA’s Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. The updates concern the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Committee approved the goals, which now go to the full Board on April 21.

 

Planning and Development Committee

 

Michael J. Schipper, Deputy General Manager, Engineering and Project Management, and Frank Polivka, Director of Procurement, presented the Board with plans and proposed contractor awards for a new $9.6 million rail station at Puritas-West 150th. Several Board members were absent, and the matter remains in Committee.

 

FUTURE MEETINGS: April 21, May 12, May 26.

 

^Jerry, does that mean that the fuel surcharge is going to be reduced next year?

^At this point, I am not sure. I have to re-read the original resolution, which contains certain surcharges at certain levels.

http://www.cleveland.com/westsidesun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1239286117112560.xml&coll=4

 

Rapid station work to arrive soon

 

Thursday, April 09, 2009

By Joe Noga

[email protected]

West Side Sun News

 

Officials for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority say ground breaking on a new $9.6 million rail station at West 150th Street and Puritas Avenue could take place by the end of the month.

 

........

April 9, 2009

 

Design work begins soon on new Brookpark Station

 

CLEVELAND -- The Brookpark Station, 18010 Brookpark Road, celebrates its 40th birthday this month, and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is ready to give the facility a new face.

 

Brookpark opened on April 20, 1969, as part of a four-mile extension of the heavy rail Red Line to Hopkins International Airport. The extension to Hopkins -- the first direct rail connection between a center city and an airport in the Western Hemisphere – actually opened on Nov. 15, 1968, with national TV coverage. Work on the Brookpark Station had not been completed, so the Cleveland Transit System (CTS) opened it about six months later.

 

This month, RTA opens Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for a $1.2 million design of a new station. Federal stimulus funds will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Design work should take about 13 months, and then construction will begin.

 

With 1,000 parking places, more customers board there than at any other station except Tower City.

 

In 2003, RTA built an interim station at the site, making Brookpark ADA-accessible. The $946,000 interim station was built on the west side of the existing station by the Cold Harbor Building Co. of Chardon. One-third of the work was federally funded. The upgrade project included a new platform, two ramps, a signal crossing, an elevator, an entry building with a heated waiting area, and an enclosed walkway from the parking area to the entry building.

 

The new station will be ADA-compliant. It will incorporate both entrances of the station, reconstruct the connections from the entrances to the tracks, improve the parking areas, and include landscaping and public art.

 

On March 1, 2005, the RTA Board of Trustees approved a letter of intent to build a permanent Brookpark station. RTA sought a developer to build a new station on the 15.5-acre site, along with a bus transfer center and a four-story garage for 1,000 cars. The remaining area was to be leased to hotels, restaurants, and other commercial venues. The site straddles the city line, and the project received support from officials in both Brook Park and Cleveland. Because of the poor economy, this development has not yet been realized.

 

RTA continues to market this site to the development community. Its proximity to Hopkins Airport, Brookpark Road, I-71 and I-480 provide it with an excellent location. Its 12 acres of undeveloped land also makes it an attractive site. RTA would like to incorporate the principles of transit-oriented development (TOD) to create a destination for transit riders, provide RTA customers with added conveniences, and expand the economy with jobs and investment.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/westsidesun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1239286117112560.xml&coll=4

The project is also attractive to nearby businesses such as National City Bank, which has an operations center therre and LaQuinta Hotel, which rents land in the 558-space parking lot.

 

"If you stay there you can walk across the parking lot, jump on and be downtown in 20 minutes," Masek said. "That's a real bargain, and you're not stuck in downtown traffic."

 

That is so true. My friend and I did that once, it was great. The rooms are pretty nice, the price is low, and is a convenient train ride to Ohio City, Downtown, and Little Italy/University Circle.

 

I am so glad that those two stations are getting updated/rebuilt.

I do not know the appropriate thread for this.

 

Anyways, I just finished reading a book by the ex-city planner and current CSU professor Norm Krumholz.  In it, he discussed his total opposition to the "Downtown People Mover" that was planned for the city.

 

So I guess I am curious if anyone remembers the plans for the thing and, if you do, what your thoughts on it were.

 

 

"The project features a 2,500-square-foot main entrance building with a brick grand foyer, a rounded portico outlined in sandstone, and a smaller, secondary entrance on the residential West 154th Street."

 

Another extruded Wendy's, much like the W117th Station, I'm assuming...

"The project features a 2,500-square-foot main entrance building with a brick grand foyer, a rounded portico outlined in sandstone, and a smaller, secondary entrance on the residential West 154th Street."

 

Another extruded Wendy's, much like the W117th Station, I'm assuming...

 

Basically, but it's going to be a massive improvement over what's there now .. even if it's not very progressive.

 

Renderings: http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/puritas.asp

Wonderous(!)...

"This month, RTA opens Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for a $1.2 million design of a new station. Federal stimulus funds will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Design work should take about 13 months, and then construction will begin."

 

Has this RFP already been announced?  If so, how can one obtain the information, there isn't anything on the website.

 

YES, THE ALL AMERICAN RTA. SO WHERE DID RTA HIRE ITS CONSULTANT/ENGINEER TO DO THE MAKEOVER FOR UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AREA? CLEVELAND? OHIO? USA? CANADA? FRANCE? HUMMMMMMM

No need to shout.

Try the search function to get the answers to the questions you pose.

:)

I saw a guy cleaning up the waterfront line tracks just north of st. clair this afternoon while I was walking my dog.  Is this an organized effort by RTA or just someone being a good steward?  It looked like he was separating the recyclable stuff, but he picked up all the trash regardless.  It looks a ton better now.

 

On a completely unrelated note, there was work being done at the Flats East Bank site.  Looked like more utility work (sewers, etc...).

"The project features a 2,500-square-foot main entrance building with a brick grand foyer, a rounded portico outlined in sandstone, and a smaller, secondary entrance on the residential West 154th Street."

 

Another extruded Wendy's, much like the W117th Station, I'm assuming...

 

There is no need to assume anything. check out the Puritas page in the RTA Web site newsroom. It has been there for months.

YES, THE ALL AMERICAN RTA. SO WHERE DID RTA HIRE ITS CONSULTANT/ENGINEER TO DO THE MAKEOVER FOR UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AREA? CLEVELAND? OHIO? USA? CANADA? FRANCE? HUMMMMMMM

Your question, as written, makes no sense, so I cannot answer it. Please clarify exactly what you are asking. Thanks.

Jerry,  I know you said said the Little Italy station relocation/rebuild wasn't shovel ready for Stimulus $$.  Any update as to when ground may be broken for that important project?

I do not know the appropriate thread for this.

 

Anyways, I just finished reading a book by the ex-city planner and current CSU professor Norm Krumholz. In it, he discussed his total opposition to the "Downtown People Mover" that was planned for the city.

 

So I guess I am curious if anyone remembers the plans for the thing and, if you do, what your thoughts on it were.

 

 

 

Don't recall much about the people mover and it may not have been worthwhile.  I do know that Krumholz is a notorious rail-hater.  He single-handedly lead the charge to kill off RTA's Green Line-to-I 271 mode-mixer project.  He's been quoted as saying the we'd be better off converting the Blue & Green lines to buses.  Figures in Cleveland he's held up as some kind of transit guru.

He's not held up as any sort of transit guru.  He was one of the founders and spokesmen for the 70's planning movement known as "equity planning", aka, do nothing that might benefit anyone with any money, and then wonder why anyone middle class or above heads for the exits in droves.

Did that coincide with the Kucinich/default era (honest question)

Gosh I hate to say it but I've heard of more errant and destructive urban experts than good ones.  Maybe it's like the financial experts?  We need to reverse which ones are in charge and which ones get the coffee?  In what way does the current RTA leadership differ from Krumholz on rail? 

 

I know we haven't converted to all buses yet, but I can just see the dollar signs gleaming and beckoning.  I know we have plans to build train stations, but uh-oh here comes shovel readiness as an issue.  Freaking drudge report was making fun of Ohio last week for submitting a $50-some billion request just for studies.  That implication is that we came into this way short on studies.

 

To even suggest BRT on Clifton at a time like this tells me a great deal.  Bush is out of office and Obama is pushing rail.  Get with the program.  I would like to see a seismic shift in the direction of rail expansion.  This city/region is on a mission to impress people, or at least it should be.  If the rest of the country was stumbling over themselves to get stimulus money to put in their own BRT I might see it differently.

 

In other news, I haven't seen it mentioned here but the PD quoted JMasek confirming that RTA has turned down the bus beeping.  Good results.  The square now sounds pretty much normal, but the buses themselves are still an endurance test.  Nobody is going to like you if you sit next to them and go BEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEP in their ear during their entire ride to work.  RTA is doing that to thousands of people every day.  Thank heavens RTA doesn't need public support... wait... oh no!

Did that coincide with the Kucinich/default era (honest question)

 

Yup.  Though I don't know if that relates to what Krumholz did.

From an article in Planetizen:

 

http://www.planetizen.com/node/37530

 

=========================================================

 

Why Is Fare-Free Transit The Exception Rather Than The Rule?

 

23 February 2009 - 5:00am

 

Transit agencies spend a lot of money to make money. In many cases,

the amount spent equals or even surpasses the amount they bring in

from fares. So why charge them at all? Dave Olsen takes a look at Fare-

Free transit, what's holding it back, and how to make it a reality.

 

 

(The rest of the article is at the above URL)

 

 

So, how much does it cost RTA to collect fares?  And how much that compare to the money collected?

Did that coincide with the Kucinich/default era (honest question)

 

Yup.  Though I don't know if that relates to what Krumholz did.

 

Krumholz was hired by Mayor Carl Stokes and fired by Mayor Ralph Perk. I don't recall that Kucinich hired him after he followed Perk.

 

As for a fare-free transit system, I like the concept of it in order to compete with so-called freeways and free roads. Only 15 percent of RTA's funding comes from fares, or about $35 million. But how do you make up the difference? A local sales tax in a county with declining population and retail sales? From the state's general fund, which is where existing transit funding comes from, yet state officials have cut transit funding for transit systems STATEWIDE from $42 million in 2000 to just $18 million last year? Is there a possibility of implementing tax increment financing districts on properties that increase in value from being along transit routes, knowing that a tax hike is likely nessary on these properties many of which are in distressed areas? Or do we amend the state's constitution to use gasoline taxes or license plate fees to pay for transit?

 

The latter holds great attraction for many since one cent of state gas tax provides about $50 million in revenue, but that's a declining figure as people drive less, use less gasoline and it can't keep up with inflation. Already, Ohio needs nine cents of new gas tax every year just keep up with existing highway costs statewide. There's no easy answers.

Did that coincide with the Kucinich/default era (honest question)

 

Yup. Though I don't know if that relates to what Krumholz did.

 

Krumholz was hired by Mayor Carl Stokes and fired by Mayor Ralph Perk. I don't recall that Kucinich hired him after he followed Perk.

 

 

I thought he was planning director immediately preceding Hunter Morrison, but I stand corrected.  Sorry.

Actually, I'm the one who stands corrected. Krumholz's bio says he was Cleveland Planning Director from 1969 to 1979.

Excellent question Foraker, but might I suggust that if you're only going to post part of the article, post a smaller portion so we don't miss your question at the end.

 

It would be interesting to see some numbers on this. I'm pretty sure the fares are needed with the economy in the current state its in and the state unwilling to put a reasonable amount of money into transit, but it would be nice to know. I imagine if RTA had gone fare-free for the Healthline, they wouldn't have needed to increase the number of officers checking passes, plus they wouldn't have had to pay for the machines that took months to get working.

Krumholz's bio says he was Cleveland Planning Director from 1969 to 1979.

 

In that case he's got some things to answer for.

Krumholz's bio says he was Cleveland Planning Director from 1969 to 1979.

 

In that case he's got some things to answer for.

 

Maybe we should start a "Why Krumholz was wrong thread?"  The man is revered at the Urban College as a genius and was legitimately (not in the Obama sense) labeled a Socialist (not that I care, but it furthers the nothing that he only focused on the poor).

He's not held up as any sort of transit guru.  He was one of the founders and spokesmen for the 70's planning movement known as "equity planning", aka, do nothing that might benefit anyone with any money, and then wonder why anyone middle class or above heads for the exits in droves.

 

could you be any more derisive of equity planning?!

 

here's the other side(s) of the coin:

-a few understudies of krumholz left for portland in the seventies to begin to apply principles of equity planning.

-equity planning is intermingled with transit as mass transit is the most cost effective means of getting working class people to their jobs.  the waterfront line does not move people to jobs, it moves tourists, which is likely the primary reason why krumholz was not a fan.  does detroit's people mover transport people to jobs?

 

not sure what you mean when you say 'people w/ money'

Only 15 percent of RTA's funding comes from fares, or about $35 million. But how do you make up the difference? A local sales tax in a county with declining population and retail sales?

 

Not for nothing but isn't the quarter-cent tax hike passed by the county commissioners to pay for the Convention Center/Medical Mart project due to raise $900 million over 20 years ($45 million/year)?  If so, I encourage everyone to enjoy their own internal debate as to what would be hypothetically better for Cleveland: a new convention center and medical mart or free mass transit?

Only 15 percent of RTA's funding comes from fares, or about $35 million. But how do you make up the difference? A local sales tax in a county with declining population and retail sales?

 

Not for nothing but isn't the quarter-cent tax hike passed by the county commissioners to pay for the Convention Center/Medical Mart project due to raise $900 million over 20 years ($45 million/year)?  If so, I encourage everyone to enjoy their own internal debate as to what would be hypothetically better for Cleveland: a new convention center and medical mart or free mass transit?

 

Oh God of Skinny Punks.  You're math and thought process behind your post, is flawed, very flawed.

Sources have stated that the RTA gets 65-70% of its funding from the sales tax.  The RTA web site says it has an operating budget of ~$236 million, meaning revenue from the 1% sales tax is about $165 million.  If that is true then another quarter percent in sales tax is approximately $40 million a year, is it not?

 

On March 19th, the Plain Dealer wrote: "In 15 months' worth of collections, the tax hike has generated $52.8 million." 

 

That is 3.52 million a month, or $42 million a year.  KJP stated that farebox revenues are $35 million, or 15% of their budget, which coincides with a yearly budget of $233 million.  Seems to me if you eliminate the farebox revenues, you can more than make up for it with the same sales tax hike the commissioners passed to fund the Medical Mart.

 

If I'm wrong, that's fine, I've been wrong before and I'm sure it will happen again.  It doesn't do me nor anyone else any good to tell me that and not explain why.

 

 

Jerry,  I know you said said the Little Italy station relocation/rebuild wasn't shovel ready for Stimulus $$.  Any update as to when ground may be broken for that important project?

 

As updates are received, they will be posted on the special pages under Major Projects in the newsroom of the Web site. That is precisely why those pages were created.

"This month, RTA opens Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for a $1.2 million design of a new station. Federal stimulus funds will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Design work should take about 13 months, and then construction will begin."

 

Has this RFP already been announced?  If so, how can one obtain the information, there isn't anything on the website.

 

 

An RFP is posted on the Web site so perspective bidders can download it and respond. The RFP is removed from the Web site after the deadline for responses is reached. That is now the case. RTA staff is now viewing the responses, and will make a recommendation to the Board in May or June. A story was published on Page One of the West Side Sun News, and should be available now on sunnews.com.

He's not held up as any sort of transit guru. 

 

I don't know what Webster's you use, but it's obviously different than mine...

 

- 1996.  Channel 3 ran a negative report on the new Waterfront line, w/ Krumholz griping he had to walk uphill from the E. 9th stop to his City Hall office, and that he Loop bus dropped him at the door -- nevermind that NK originated his trips from Shaker and would've had a 1-seat ride to E. 9th over the WFL as opposed to getting off the Rapid at Tower City, going upstairs and walking outside to catch the Loop bus.

 

- 2000, 01(?)... EcoCity Cleveland, the leading green/pro-transit/TOD/urban grass roots org in Cleveland, ran an extensive article studying the 5 commuter rail line proposal (generated under Ron Tober's RTA)... Unfortunately, good-hearted EcoCity turned to CSU and Krumholz as their key expert 'consultant'.  The end-conclusion of EcoCity's study?  ... that despite 2.5+ million residents, Greater Cleveland overall lacks the density to justify spending for any commuter rail... Surprise!  Why would a great group like EcoCity turn to NK as their point man in the report, with almost no or any rebuttal?

 

... sure sounds like a 'guru' in my book.

With Avenue District condos coming on line @ E.12 & St. Clair, and the revamped streetscape probably producing a more lively, ped-friendly area, including the the newly rechristened Doubletree Hotel at Lakeside, it seems RTA should seriously look into the idea of connecting the track-level Waterfront Line's South Harbor terminal with the E.12th street-level area, which would serve Ave Dist.  Even though we lost a great opportunity to create a huge TOD when Kassouf's Davenport Bluffs condos collapsed into the ugly FBI and Channel 3 buildings, it doesn't mean the WFL South Harbor terminal still can't be made to be useful (other than being marketed by RTA as solely a place for Muny Lot/Browns tailgating prior to hopping a train to the Big Game).  It sure seems rather pointless to have E. 12 just dead-end into nowhere next to the Doubletree, when a rather easy, relatively inexpensive connection can be made to the Rapid below with elevators, stairs and even es callators.... why not?

^ That's a great idea.

With Avenue District condos coming on line @ E.12 & St. Clair, and the revamped streetscape probably producing a more lively, ped-friendly area, including the the newly rechristened Doubletree Hotel at Lakeside, it seems RTA should seriously look into the idea of connecting the track-level Waterfront Line's South Harbor terminal with the E.12th street-level area, which would serve Ave Dist. Even though we lost a great opportunity to create a huge TOD when Kassouf's Davenport Bluffs condos collapsed into the ugly FBI and Channel 3 buildings, it doesn't mean the WFL South Harbor terminal still can't be made to be useful (other than being marketed by RTA as solely a place for Muny Lot/Browns tailgating prior to hopping a train to the Big Game).  It sure seems rather pointless to have E. 12 just dead-end into nowhere next to the Doubletree, when a rather easy, relatively inexpensive connection can be made to the Rapid below with elevators, stairs and even es callators.... why not?

 

Propose away, but what is the $$$$$?

He's not held up as any sort of transit guru.

 

I don't know what Webster's you use, but it's obviously different than mine...

 

- 1996. Channel 3 ran a negative report on the new Waterfront line, w/ Krumholz griping he had to walk uphill from the E. 9th stop to his City Hall office, and that he Loop bus dropped him at the door -- nevermind that NK originated his trips from Shaker and would've had a 1-seat ride to E. 9th over the WFL as opposed to getting off the Rapid at Tower City, going upstairs and walking outside to catch the Loop bus.

 

- 2000, 01(?)... EcoCity Cleveland, the leading green/pro-transit/TOD/urban grass roots org in Cleveland, ran an extensive article studying the 5 commuter rail line proposal (generated under Ron Tober's RTA)... Unfortunately, good-hearted EcoCity turned to CSU and Krumholz as their key expert 'consultant'.   The end-conclusion of EcoCity's study? ... that despite 2.5+ million residents, Greater Cleveland overall lacks the density to justify spending for any commuter rail... Surprise! Why would a great group like EcoCity turn to NK as their point man in the report, with almost no or any rebuttal?

 

... sure sounds like a 'guru' in my book.

 

Aren't you guys agreeing? 

He's not held up as any sort of transit guru. 

 

I don't know what Webster's you use, but it's obviously different than mine...

 

- 1996.  Channel 3 ran a negative report on the new Waterfront line, w/ Krumholz griping he had to walk uphill from the E. 9th stop to his City Hall office, and that he Loop bus dropped him at the door -- nevermind that NK originated his trips from Shaker and would've had a 1-seat ride to E. 9th over the WFL as opposed to getting off the Rapid at Tower City, going upstairs and walking outside to catch the Loop bus.

 

- 2000, 01(?)... EcoCity Cleveland, the leading green/pro-transit/TOD/urban grass roots org in Cleveland, ran an extensive article studying the 5 commuter rail line proposal (generated under Ron Tober's RTA)... Unfortunately, good-hearted EcoCity turned to CSU and Krumholz as their key expert 'consultant'.  The end-conclusion of EcoCity's study?  ... that despite 2.5+ million residents, Greater Cleveland overall lacks the density to justify spending for any commuter rail... Surprise!  Why would a great group like EcoCity turn to NK as their point man in the report, with almost no or any rebuttal?

 

... sure sounds like a 'guru' in my book.

 

Aren't you guys agreeing? 

 

We agree he shouldn't be, but I disagree that he isn't, ... or at least hasn't been in the past.  And when our leading pro-transit group turns to him... That's one of our BIGGEST problems in Cleveland, we empower people who either a) have an interest or agenda in doing the area harm, or b) are good hearted, but are wrongheaded/don't have a clue... I'm not sure where exactly Mr. Krumholz falls, but either way, he's destructive.

Propose away, but what is the $$$$$?

 

I don't get your point.  If I had the expertise and position, it'd have been done long ago.  Are you suggesting we don't looking into upgrade our rail system or extend it if it's going to cost a few shekels?  Is that you're approach to improvement projects for Cleveland in general?  You and Joe Calabrese must read from the same playbook. If we can spend $Millions on worthwhile capital Rapid Station improvements to stations that are, in the end, upgrades to stations that a functioning, why not build an upgrade (with the FTA footing much of the bill as a capital project) that would bring the Rapid closer to more people, including new residents at Ave Dist...

 

... you've totally lost me.

Propose away, but what is the $$$$$?

 

I don't get your point.  If I had the expertise and position, it'd have been done long ago.  Are you suggesting we don't looking into upgrade our rail system or extend it if it's going to cost a few shekels?  Is that you're approach to improvement projects for Cleveland in general?  You and Joe Calabrese must read from the same playbook. If we can spend $Millions on worthwhile capital Rapid Station improvements to stations that are, in the end, upgrades to stations that a functioning, why not build an upgrade (with the FTA footing much of the bill as a capital project) that would bring the Rapid closer to more people, including new residents at Ave Dist...

 

... you've totally lost me.

 

Where is the money coming from and can you legally clear the tracks? Understand now?