93 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

Light rail system proposed from Omaha to Bellevue

OMAHA — Leaders in Omaha and Bellevue are considering a proposal to turn an abandoned railroad line into a light rail system that would run from north Omaha south into Bellevue.

http://journalstar.c...595d804f7b.html

http://www.omaha.com.../707099936/1685

[Sloan]

City Planner Rick Cunningham tells Nebraska Watchdog (see video below) that plans for a light rail system are still on track. According to Cunningham while he’d like it sooner “in reality it probably wouldn’t happen for four or five years.”

http://watchdog.org/...esired-by-some/

Warren "Oracle of Omaha" Buffet's criticism has merit on a business level; however community leaders must sell him on the compassion aspect of light rail. Since Buffet plans to give away more than 50% of his net worth after death to charity, he should know that streetcars are tools for economic development that will help the poor gain access to jobs.

Sloan

[Sloan]

Though this clip is from 2015, it appears to be the latest news from Omaha.

 

Sloan

 

 

 

Decades after the idea, Omaha streetcar proposal edges closer to reality

One day, a modern streetcar may run past Culprit Cafe on Farnam Street.

But Friday morning, a group of 25 public transportation proponents with ModeShift Omaha gathered there to hear about the future of the idea from Derek Miller, a transportation planner with the City of Omaha.

http://www.omaha.com...85602067a4.html

Edited by Sloan, 08 October 2016 - 05:02 PM.

[Sloan]

 

 

The Public Pulse: Streetcars not right for Omaha

 

I agree with the comments of March 13 Public Pulse writer Nicholas Bonham-Carter regarding the utility, flexibility, cost, etc., of a streetcar system for Omaha.

http://www.omaha.com...aa0f545508.html

 

The streetcar shown in the 1947 photo lasted until end of service in 1953.  Omaha was a member of the Presidents' Conference Committee, but opted to patch up its fleet rather than buy PCC cars.      Sloan

[Sloan]

 

 

Omaha residents skeptical of streetcar plans

 

Proponents of a modern streetcar in Omaha are going to have a steep hill to travel when they go to sell the public on the proposal.

http://www.omaha.com...0c3769ed16.html

 

I can understand Omaha residents' reluctance to consider streetcar service.  While Omaha has a rich railroad heritage as exemplified by Union Pacific's railroad museum, there has been no trolley presence in the state since Omaha quite service more than six decades ago.  In fact, the only trolley in the state is ex-Fort Collins Municipal Railway single truck Birney (#20)on static display at Harold Warp's Pioneer Village in Minden, NE. [What is the relevance of a trolley to pioneer living?] So Nebaskans don't have a memory or a sense of streetcar benefits.  

 

It seems to me, that a starter line with replica cars would be a less expensive option to get a system up and running.  Charlotte, NC started its light rail system that way.

 

Sloan

Edited by Sloan, 26 March 2017 - 08:43 AM.

[Sloan]

 

 

Advocates for streetcar connecting midtown and downtown give project a new push

A new organization, Modern Streetcar Advocates, is launching an effort today to build public support for an Omaha streetcar.

The people behind the push believe the idea has more backers than previously thought. They think much of the opposition is based on a lack of information. And they hope more people will support the idea once they understand the case for creating Omaha’s first modern streetcar line, through midtown and downtown Omaha.

http://www.omaha.com...af14cc9f2a.html

 

 

SNIP:  Modern Streetcar Advocates has scheduled an event for people to learn more about the project on Nov. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Pella at Blackstone, 303 S. 41st St.

Steve Jensen and Derek Miller from the City of Omaha Planning Department are scheduled to speak.

[KevinKorell]

Wichita, KS Eagle, 11/4/17:

 

 

Organization works to support Omaha streetcar

 

 

A new organization has launched an effort to build public support for an Omaha streetcar.

 

The members of Modern Streetcar Advocates are pushing to create the city's first modern streetcar line that would go through midtown and downtown Omaha, the Omaha World-Herald reported .

Read more here: http://www.kansas.co...l#storylink=cpy

 

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Omaha, NE   World-Herald, 11/2/17:

 

 

Advocates for streetcar connecting midtown and downtown give project a new push

 

A new organization, Modern Streetcar Advocates, is launching an effort today to build public support for an Omaha streetcar.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Omaha, NE World-Herald, 11/15/17:

 

 

Urban planners say streetcar could encourage economic development, revitalize downtown Omaha

 

 

About 150 people turned out Tuesday in midtown Omaha to hear two urban planners talk streetcars.

 

Steve Jensen, a planning consultant for the city, and Derek Miller, the city’s long-range planning consultant, framed the streetcar as part of the solution to challenges Omaha faces in economic development and transportation.

 

Update

[Sloan]

 

 

Omaha Streetcar: Who would use it?

 

The possibility of bringing a streetcar to Omaha is back on the front-burner. Urban planners say any city considering spending tens of millions of dollars to get one up-and-running needs to answer two specific questions – who’s going to ride it and why?

http://www.3newsnow....ho-would-use-it