Search found 283 matches

by nate
July 7th, 2017, 2:56 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)
Replies: 2909
Views: 702105

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

So now that the downtown Mpls LRT shutdown is over, has anyone noticed any difference in the operations of the trains in the past week? There was speculation somewhere that the new signals being installed would allow the trains to run more smoothly through downtown - curious to know if that is the c...
by nate
January 31st, 2017, 8:38 am
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: St. Paul Skyway System
Replies: 19
Views: 5835

Re: St. Paul Skyway System

I don't know if the Central Station skyway connection is the best case study for improved street/skyway connections, because from an urban design standpoint it is flawed. However, it does point to the need to make street/skyway connections happen at points of active uses at both levels, so problems ...
by nate
January 19th, 2017, 7:33 am
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: Allianz Field and Snelling-Midway Development
Replies: 808
Views: 209870

Re: Soccer Stadium and Snelling-Midway Development

I don't claim to be smarter than you, but it reads to me that conflicting lease agreements, etc were in place which were slowing down the process to the point that stadium construction would be delayed. The Port Authority entering the process must be working to smooth these legal items over. At what...
by nate
January 17th, 2017, 9:43 am
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: Sears Redevelopment
Replies: 87
Views: 63527

Re: Sears Redevelopment

I was surprised to see that the old Greyhound bus station and streetcar-era commercial buildings on University between Rice and Marion have been demolished. I have not heard if this is related to this development - has anyone seen anything?
by nate
November 17th, 2016, 9:16 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Improving Metro Transit's urban bus service
Replies: 119
Views: 18407

Re: Improving Metro Transit's urban bus service

I think extending the 83 on each end would result in a major improvement in ridership.

I see a fair number of people transferring from the 83 to the Green Line at Lexington Station, but I have a difficult time imagining it ever having robust ridership with its current end points.
by nate
November 14th, 2016, 10:45 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Presidential Election 2016
Replies: 1007
Views: 87327

Re: Presidential Election 2016

i have a feeling Trump will be very adept at the kind of propositions that David has brought up here and on the Transportation forum. It will require some real resolve on the part of our politicians to resist the temptation of federal money, and has the potential for real political consequences. In ...
by nate
August 27th, 2016, 7:01 pm
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: Prior Crossing
Replies: 15
Views: 8071

Re: Prior Crossing

This is nearing completion. Pretty good infill, IMO. I like the scale of the building and the way it tucks between its neighbors.

Image
by nate
August 16th, 2016, 8:45 am
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: OXBO - 7 Corners Hardware Redevelopment
Replies: 74
Views: 17281

Re: OXBO - 7 Corners Hardware Redevelopment

I am trying to remember a recent Opus project I have been impressed by, and drawing a blank. They seem even more driven by economics than the other (already economically driven) developers in town. Too bad.
by nate
August 4th, 2016, 11:08 am
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: Saint Paul - General Topics
Replies: 694
Views: 385909

Re: Saint Paul - General Topics

The two single-story buildings on the northeast corner of the University/Victoria intersection have been demolished. I'd assume there is a project slated to replace them - anyone have an idea what will be going there? https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9557159,-93.1364773,3a,51.8y,51.08h,81.08t/data=!3...
by nate
July 20th, 2016, 6:29 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: MSP Airport / Metropolitan Airports Commission
Replies: 1359
Views: 346521

Re: MSP Airport

So, the snotty tone of the DFW article is one thing, but aren't its points pretty valid? Larger metro, more connections, center of its region. Why is MSP being awarded the flight?
by nate
July 12th, 2016, 7:34 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Sports
Replies: 39
Views: 3978

Re: Sports

Among the Thugs is a legitimately frightening book. Worth a read these days as it explores the same class divisions in that are in display in the Brexit fiasco. SPORTS!
by nate
June 29th, 2016, 6:12 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Green Line LRT
Replies: 1294
Views: 88027

Re: Green Line (Central Corridor LRT)

My westbound, afternoon trip home from work seems to be getting busier and busier this summer. Today there were 10-15 people standing in all three of the cars. The east end of the line seems to be holding its own pretty well on ridership.
by nate
June 3rd, 2016, 12:02 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Riverview Corridor Streetcar
Replies: 1194
Views: 554006

Re: Riverview Corridor (Alternatives Analysis)

I dunno, I wonder if the businesses aren't right, in this case. University Ave shows that in a 120' ROW, you can fit LRT, drive/parking lanes, turn lanes and amenities like planter walls and make a decent streetscape. But 7th is an 80' ROW There are serious compromises required to fit LRT that may l...
by nate
May 19th, 2016, 5:23 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: A Line - Arterial Rapid Bus
Replies: 477
Views: 70743

Re: "A Line" Snelling Avenue Arterial Bus

Interesting conversation. At 10 minute headways I make an attempt to leave home/work in time to get to the platform with a couple minutes to spare. But 10 minute headways make it very easy to remember the schedule....a westbound train leaves Central at times ending in 4, all day. If headways were 9 ...
by nate
April 21st, 2016, 6:01 pm
Forum: Saint Paul
Topic: Saint Paul - General Topics
Replies: 694
Views: 385909

Re: Saint Paul - General Topics

The Degree of Honor building would be a tough sell to convert to class A space, most likely. A lonely corner of the skyway terminates over there, and the building feels really, really cramped and dated. You can put new finishes in, but you can't fix 6' hallways and 8' ceilings. The bigger topic is w...
by nate
April 11th, 2016, 4:14 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Crime
Replies: 198
Views: 55064

Re: Crime

Apparently Chicago crime is way up this year, beyond just what is to be expected by seasonal variation due to warm weather, and a correlation exists between the release of the Laquan McDonald tape and a decrease in "proactive policing" measures by Chicago PD. http://fivethirtyeight.com/fea...
by nate
April 7th, 2016, 4:06 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Green Line LRT
Replies: 1294
Views: 88027

Re: Green Line (Central Corridor LRT)

Metro Transit PD has installed a giant, diesel powered, portable security camera on the corner of 5th and Cedar at Central Station.
by nate
April 6th, 2016, 7:26 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Green Line LRT
Replies: 1294
Views: 88027

Re: Green Line (Central Corridor LRT)

Or better yet Midway. Where some actually walk down the tracks like it's a sidewalk.
I have seen people riding bikes down the train tracks, and when they see an oncoming train they switch to the other track. Scary scary scary.
by nate
March 27th, 2016, 7:24 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Gold Line BRT (Gateway Corridor)
Replies: 458
Views: 147415

Re: Gold Line (Gateway Corridor BRT)

Perhaps Met Council was being crazy like a fox by choosing this routing. Propose route to Lake Elmo which the neighbors predictably kill, then invest that money on another project while telling Washington County "Sorry, we tried really hard to build a transit line out there but it just didn't w...
by nate
March 17th, 2016, 5:59 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Purple Line BRT (Rush Line Corridor)
Replies: 733
Views: 345678

Re: Rush Line Corridor (Alternatives Analysis)

If LRT is chosen, 8 is a good route. It would be nice to serve E 7th/Metro State with LRT, but getting to the cluster of medical buildings on Cayuga is a decent tradeoff.