RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTubepublicbroadcasting.net wrote Downtown Dallas Streetcar Line Gains Momentum
BJ Austin
(2008-06-09)
DART officials came to a City Hall meeting of the Transportation Committee to give an update on the Green Line, the second downtown Dallas light rail line, and a downtown STREETCAR LINE. That's an idea applauded by Councilmember Angela Hunt.
Hunt: It's an economic generator first and foremost. What areas do we want to revitalize in downtown? And in the future, can we adapt this to other areas?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Transit
Dallas Light Rail & Streetcar News
[12 posts] [3 contributors]
Topic Rating:
(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:
Rate this topic:
-
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
Posted 3 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
Login to Send PM
Interesting to note that Oak Cliff is one of the most beautiful and equally dangerous pockets of Dallas. Merc showed me a neighborhood that runs parallel to 70 (I think) that reminded me of this area. Beautiful homes, but somewhere you just have no business being after dark. I like this move for them and glad they are getting support.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
dallasnews.com wrote Transit agencies consider a clattering comeback for downtown Dallas trolleys
Monday, June 16, 2008
By DAVID FLICK
People who have been telling their grandchildren that they remember when trolleys plied the streets of downtown Dallas may one day be riding them again.
Two organizations are independently planning streetcar systems for the Central Business District:
■ The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority is expected to receive a $2 million grant to study the feasibility of looping the McKinney Avenue Trolley route through the center of downtown, where streetcars haven't been seen since the 1950s.
■ Planning by Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the city of Dallas for a second downtown rail line has been expanded to include a streetcar network. Its purpose is to help commuters – and, officials hope, a growing downtown population – navigate the city center.
Both efforts are in the early stages, but spurred by the current spike in gas prices, local officials consider a new streetcar era increasingly likely.
"I think there's a political will there," said City Council member Angela Hunt, who represents downtown. "Everyone we've talked with has been excited by the idea of returning streetcars to downtown Dallas."
Posted 3 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
Login to Send PM
This is seriously chapping my hide. The city I left for it's lost urban focus and lack of interesting development is taking a stand and reclaiming downtown. Ugh!! Frustrated.
Posted 3 years ago # -
dru
IV
Login to Send PM
Walker wrote While that article appears to be pretty positive, I would be surprised if they aren't facing similar opposition to what we see here in Columbus.
Walker, they may not have near as much opposition. Based on the lithmus test of my parents - who aren't exactly the pro-streetcar type nor outright hostile about it - the discussion in DFW is about expanding rail service dramatically. DART LRT got a slow start, but as happens in so many areas, once rail goes in every suburb is clamoring for the next line. And they have the LRT lines already started, so linking in streetcars to the massive new urban infill projects (as with Somer, thinking Dallas and saying urban is a total mindshift) should be an easier sell.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
Dallas Gets $23 Million for Streetcars
Holly YanThe 33 News
February 17, 2010Dallas city leaders celebrated today after learning the federal government will provide $23 million in grant money to help create a downtown streetcar system.
"This project will improve transportation within downtown Dallas by creating a seamless transit connection and providing a multi-modal link between jobs and residents," Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said.
READ MORE: http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-dallas-gets-23-million-fed-grant-streetcars,0,6207979.story
Posted 2 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
Login to Send PM
I love that Dallas can see the value in streetcars even with an existing (and ever expanding light rail system) and we can't even get people to support an investigation/study! I'm never moving back, but it does make me feel like I might feel differently about it now had I stayed.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
North of Dallas, a New Commuter Rail Line that Never Makes it Downtown
Yonah Freemark
June 23rd, 2011
Opening this week, the 21-mile Denton County A-Train connects the far northwestern suburbs of the Dallas region, including Medpark, Lewisville, and Hebron, with the Trinity Mills light rail station in Carrollton  a stop that is itself 38 minutes from the region’s central business district via the Dallas DART Green Line light rail, which opened for service late last year. The new $320 million project is expected to attract 4,000-5,000 passengers a day.
Unlike peer systems almost everywhere else in the county, the A-Train does not provide direct access downtown. Rather, it offers connectivity between suburban destinations, with the possibility of a transfer downtown via DART light rail at North Carrollton. The whole route, including the 8-minute connection? About 80 minutes. Compare that to the express bus service between Denton and Dallas that was offered until now, which could make the link in about one hour.
Posted 11 months ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
Login to Send PM
Ah, I saw this being built when I was home for Christmas and assumed they were expanding DART that far north. This is interesting. I would have chosen this route versus driving in rush hour traffic to get to school in Denton. Studying > losing my mind at stupid drivers :)
Posted 11 months ago # -
dru
IV
Login to Send PM
somertimeoh wrote >>
Ah, I saw this being built when I was home for Christmas and assumed they were expanding DART that far north. This is interesting. I would have chosen this route versus driving in rush hour traffic to get to school in Denton. Studying > losing my mind at stupid drivers :)I find it odd that this article only brushes upon the fact that the end of the line in Denton is UNT, a large, public research university that has a huge commuting student base from the northern burbs.
And as I have mentioned in other threads on here, it is nice to see that regional rail transit in DFW is not subject to the usual political divide it is elsewhere these days.
"Denton County is no progressive place; its voters supported McCain over Obama by a 62% to 37% margin in 2008. But for residents of these suburban areas, the promise of a train  in whatever form  was enough to merit their contribution through taxation."
The same could be said for Carrollton, Farmers Branch and the other suburbs connected to the DART Green Rail.Posted 11 months ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
Dallas, a Transit Builder if Not Pioneer, Moves Forward on Streetcar
Yonah Freemark
July 23rd, 2011
Not all transit expansion projects are created equal — let that be clear. Sure, expanding public transportation options in general usually contributes to the expanded mobility of urban residents. But governments, as we know all too well, have limited funds. So identifying the best possible investments for the money must be an essential part of political decision-making.
Posted 10 months ago #
You must log in to post.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.