tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152760582024-03-07T01:38:58.304-08:00Urban Planning and Transportation BlogHow do you build a better place? It takes effective transportation solutions, good Urban Design, good planning, and the political will to make it happen. John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.comBlogger1310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-40445171903691709702019-09-02T09:28:00.002-07:002019-09-02T09:51:15.110-07:00Minneapolis Red Line - What is wrong <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I think of a transit line that is referred to as the red line I think of major subway systems such as in Los Angeles or in Washington DC where the red line is a major trunk line, or one of the several light rail systems that have red lines. But in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region the Red Line is actually a bus line that runs from the Mall of America terminus of the Blue light rail line to the side of major road transit center in Apple Valley in the deep suburbs of Minneapolis – St. Paul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Red Line began service June 22, 2013 with 15 minute service that was designed to provide close to across the platform connections from the Blue line, however bus service has now been cut back to every 20 minutes. There are currently 5 stations on the route with two infill stations planned and a proposed extension to the city of Lakeview that will add 5 more stations and increase the route mileage from 11 to 16 miles. The service is part of the Metro network that serves the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul region. It is operated by Minnesota Valley Transit Authority which operates transit service in Dakota County that most of the route traverses through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Planning for this project started in the late 1990’s with a study on both light rail and bus options. Once again Bus Rapid Transit was promoted as “just like light rail” but with lower upfront cost. Dakota County officials were banking on the BRT to bring the same type of development that a light rail line would have brought. The route was estimated to carry 975 passengers per day at the opening of the route and by 2017 be carrying 1600 people. While METRO transit in February was bragging about its increased ridership on its light rail trains and on its new Route A, yet there was no mention of the Red Line beyond that fact that ridership decreased on most of the agencies transit routes. To date the Red Line continues to carry less than a 1000 people per day with an average of 8 people per trip which even the smallest transit systems would consider very week ridership. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m32!1m12!1m3!1d181355.48956969724!2d-93.37253678960668!3d44.74655463054863!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m17!3e0!4m5!1s0x87f62f6cd927c469%3A0x1b1f8ba8e06b9a12!2sMall%20of%20America%20Transit%20Station%20dep%20Gate%20C%2C%20Bloomington%2C%20MN!3m2!1d44.8548117!2d-93.23957229999999!4m5!1s0x87f636d67476c20d%3A0x47fef6ad7a36f5f0!2sApple%20Valley%20Transit%20Station%2C%20Apple%20Valley%2C%20MN!3m2!1d44.7257247!2d-93.218109!4m3!3m2!1d44.637960199999995!2d-93.21768!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1567441622190!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So why is this line carrying so few people? Just look at one of its stops that is just north of 140<sup>th</sup> Street West (on a side note Google shows the bus stop on the southbound side closer to the intersection that it actually is). If you will notice there is not direct pedestrian access between the two sides of the street from the bus stops. You have to walk down to the intersection walk across Cedar Avenue and back up to the bus stop. While this is only a 0.3 mile walk, it involves crossing an extremely busy and fast road across multiple lanes and multiple turn lanes. I will give the traffic engineers credit in that they did add pedestrian refuges between the two sides of the highway but who would want to be stuck in the middle of that road with the fast moving cars on each side? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you live on the east side of the street you’re in luck because you can access the cul-de-sac directly from the bus stop. If you live on the west side of the street you’re not as fortunate as there is no direct access from the bus stop to housing located right on the other side of the sidewalk (although you could cut through some of the forest to the south of the complex). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you will zoom out from the image you will see the entire area is made up of the worst of suburban cul-de-sac development. The developments are built to limit connectivity and force the use of an automobile since there is little practical way to use transit. To the south of 140<sup>th</sup> Street West and west of Cedar Avenue there is assisted living apartments that limit the residences freedom as there is virtually nothing within walking distance and thereby restrict residences to be at the mercy of the complexes shuttle busses or the Minnesota Valley Transit bus service that provides only limited service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The situation is better at the Apple Valley Transit Center as there is a pedestrian bridge across the highway for the use of transit customers and there is multi-family housing that is within an easy walking distance of the center. However, most of the area is surrounded by suburban retail that gives only lip service to walkability (there is a connection to the sidewalk but who would want to walk down the sidewalk with it sits next to a high speed road). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is difficult to decide is that if the Apple Valley Transit Center is a true transit center or more of a glorified park n’ ride lot. While I can only comment for the time I observed the center which was during a morning rush hour, probably 99% of the passengers boarding buses at the transit center parked in the parking lot/garage and then boarded the express bus to downtown Minneapolis. One of the local Minnesota Valley Transit buses which used a cutaway bus boarded one passenger and a total of 4 passengers boarded the two Red Line buses that departed while I was observing the station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After having a chance to ride the Red Line, explore its station areas, and look at the numbers, here are the problems I see with the line: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The built environment is not conducive to a high frequency bus line that requires a transfer to reach your final destination if your destination is not the Mall of America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not only does it require a transfer at the Mall of America but going back to the problem of the built environment, since most people have to or will drive to get to the transit line, a second vehicle transfer discourages ridership. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because of numbers 1 & 2, the route is not attracting choice riders. If you are going to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul you are not going to use the Red Line just to make another transfer to the Blue Line and instead will take the direct bus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because the area is largely built out in an automobile centric environment, there is little that the built environment is going to change in the next few decades. While change may come it will take decades for it to happen to this area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From my observations while admittedly during a short period of time, a majority of the riders on the Red Line are those that have to take it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Red Line uses a separate brand of buses from the rest of the MTVA and METRO itself which leads to increased cost from maintaining a separate parts supply. METRO on its ARLT routes (Arterial Bus Rapid Transit) uses Gillig Advantage BRT’s a common bus in the METRO fleet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The question is, had the Blue Line been extended from the Mall of America to the Apple Valley Transit center instead of building a separate and cheap BRT line, what would have changed to make the investment worthwhile? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">First of all, the built environment would still be the built environment. Would have the presence of a light rail line encourage some of the existing land use to change more quickly? Possible but only if the government agencies would have encouraged it to happen although it would more likely to happen with a light rail line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a one seat ride from the Apple Valley Transit Center to downtown, more choice riders would make the decision to ride the Blue Line since they would not have to make a second transfer (after the one from their car to transit). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority would have been able to reduce service to downtown Minneapolis and reallocate those resources to provide better service to places such as St. Paul, and possibly other major employment areas that are not directly accessible to the light rail line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In addition an extension of the line to the community of Lakeview is now underway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It will appear that the Lakeview extension would do little to change the performance of the Red Line. Looking at the route from the Apple Valley Transit Center down to Lakeview a majority of the route will travel past agricultural land although some of that agricultural land is now being turned into housing. However the housing developments are just as hostile to transit as is the developments along the existing Red Line. In addition there is very little existing transit service to connect with the Red Line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It also appears that many of the city council members are hostile to transit. One of the them stated that he is against transit oriented development because it dictates to developers what can be built using the tired statement that “the free market should determine what gets built” but turning a blind eye to the fact that since Transit Oriented Development is largely illegal by most zoning codes, you are effectively eliminating a true free market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In addition the line will end at an industrial park on the southeast side of Lakeview. While the industrial park is a major source of employment one of the problems of serving industrial parks with transit is the extreme peaks and valleys of the ridership. There are big peaks when people are going to work at the parks or leaving them but otherwise there is virtually no ridership. That is why industrial parks should not be a destination with transit but instead be something that is served through on the way to more important destinations with consistent ridership. The route will not serve the heart of Lakeview or its neglected and ignored downtown area or the more populated areas near what is left of the downtown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It appears that the extension of the Red Line will do little to help improve the routes rather lack luster ridership. The question then arises is there anything that can be done to fix the Red Line and make it a better bus line? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One suggestion that has been proposed is to extend the line from the Mall of America into downtown Minneapolis. Metro Transit is currently doing design work on route D which would travel from the Mall of America through downtown Minneapolis to the Brooklyn Transit Center on the north side of Minneapolis. On the one hand this will give customers a one seat ride from downtown and places in between it would also create a route serving two different markets one so called “BRT” and the other “aBRT”. While neither is truly BRT and the nature of the two sections would be totally different. The existing Red Line is largely suburban with the extension rural, while the section north of the Mall of America being largely suburban & urban. In addition with the length of the route it would be easy for buses to get off schedule and one major incident along the route could cause major chaos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another option would be to extend the route to downtown St. Paul via Minnesota Highway 5/7<sup>th</sup> Street West. This would have the benefit of not duplicating the Blue Line and provide improved service from the Mall of America to downtown St. Paul replacing route 54. However, alternating route 54’s extend the beyond downtown St. Paul to the Maplewood Mall Transit Center so it would need to be determined if you were to continue running route 54 from downtown St. Paul to the Maplewood Mall, increase service to Maplewood Mall, or just short line alternating buses as it is presently done. The major downfall of this suggesting is once again the mismatch between the service on the Red Line and route 54 and the nature of the two routes similar to what was discussed with Route D to downtown Minneapolis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One final solution would be to turn the route over the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. After all, they currently operate the route and the route is primarily in their service area. The route does not directly duplicate their existing bus service which is concentrated on commuter routes to the downtown areas and the University of Minnesota and local feeder routes that serve the most transit dependent of their service area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The problem is that there is just no clear cut solution to the issues facing the Red Line. Because it was not built as an extension of the Blue Line it has to stand on its own as a transit line traveling through low density and poorly connected suburbs and it has to compete against other transit services and the automobile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The question is what lessons can be learned from the performance of the Red Line that can be applied when planning for any type of transit line? Here are some takeaways to consider and questions that should be asked when designing a project such as this: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is the purpose of the line? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is the market for the line? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Is this line going to compete against existing services? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What will the lines niche and selling position be? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Is this line going to be an improvement over the existing service? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why would a customer use this service instead of existing service? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Will the service require capital expenditures that will increase maintenance costs? (I.e. buses exclusive to the route that will require a special parts supply). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Does it make sense to create an entirely new service or will an extension of an existing service make more sense? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How will customers access the line and does the built environment enable or hinder passengers using the line? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Red Line is a perfect example of a so-called BRT that was put in to be “just like light rail” but has failed to live up to the hype, and whether its new extension will have any effect on its performance is questionable at best. The line was designed on the cheap and its shows and so does its performance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-65978828773252800612019-03-04T15:39:00.001-08:002019-03-04T15:41:14.085-08:00Autonomous Cars - Are they a magic bullet <br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Over
the years it seems that there is always something on the horizon that is going
to solve all our urban design problems. In the early 1900’s the implementation
of zoning ordinances was supposed to be the magic bullet that would solve the difficulties
facing cities at the time. Then there were highways, exclusionary zoning, easy
to get mortgages, urban renewal, and pedestrian malls among others that were
all going to solve our urban problems. Today we know from history that while
each of these things had their benefits, they also came with unintended
consequences and in the long run did not solve our urban problems. Today we
have a new magic bullet on the horizon that many feel is going to revolutionize
the world and solve all of our urban problems – the autonomous car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Autonomous
cars could have a major effect on our cities but maybe not in the way many
people think they will. My first planning professor had a favorite saying, “What
do we know about the future…nothing” and when it comes to autonomous cars there
are those that believe that the adoption of autonomous cars will revolutionize
our cities for the better. But as with all technological advances there comes a
cost and what the final cost will be we will not know for some time. In
addition, the changes we see will be different than envisioned and like so many
of the magic bullets from the past, the unintended consequences may be more
severe than we expect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">According
to the utopian dreams of many who think that autonomous cars will be the savior
of our urban areas as they will eliminate the need for parking, eliminate
congestion, and make our cities safer to walk and bike. There will be so little
traffic on the streets of your downtown area that the urban area will just come
alive. Of course this vision sounds wonderful and what urban designer/urban
planner doesn’t want our urban areas to be transformed into the perfect place
that people will want to be around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
would be many benefits to the implementation of autonomous cars. For the elderly
that should no longer be behind the wheel of a car, an autonomous car would
allow them to have the mobility when driving is no longer an option. Often
times the elderly can become isolated because of their loss of driving
abilities, especially when they want to age in place in a built environment
that was not designed for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
example of a situation where autonomous cars would be an advantage would be
parents with children. Rightfully Uber and Lyft do not allow anyone under 18 to
set up an account or travel along in a vehicle. Being the father of two teenage
girls I would not allow my daughters to travel alone in a car with strangers
although there has been undercover investigations showing that drivers from
both companies will accept passengers alone that are underage. However with
autonomous cars, say a mother has a child that is sick, a car could pick up her
children and bring them home safety. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However,
what really happens will probably be something truly different. There is some
that fear that the advent of autonomous cars will make things worse not better.
There is the fear that the implementation of autonomous cars will cause the
urban environment to become even more auto-centric than it already is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Think
about how our urban environment has changed with each development in
technology. First you had the streetcar suburbs, then as automobiles became
more the transportation of choice people moved farther and farther out. So will
the implementation of autonomous cars make this situation even worse? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
it comes to the cars themselves, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of
articles dealing with the problem of the cars themselves including privacy
issues, a public that is skeptical, the lack of laws concerning the cars, lack
of clear responsibility, moral and ethical questions on how the cars will
respond to situations, and when hackers will start targeting the cars and what
damage will be done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Autonomous
cars are coming and we have no idea how those changes are going to affect our
built environment. What we should not do is expect autonomous cars to be the
magic bullet to solve our urban design problems. While autonomous cars will
help solve some problems they may create their own problems, like all
technological advances. Instead of expecting autonomous cars to solve our
problems we need to be working today on solving those problems and making the
built environment a better place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-48696138278046150022019-02-04T16:27:00.002-08:002019-02-04T17:34:12.317-08:00Life around Stadiums <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hundreds of Millions and even Billions of dollars
are spent to build new sports stadiums around the country and each time it
seems that the new stadium is more elaborate than the last one to be built. In
2009 the New York Yankees bought a new stadium that cost a whopping $1.5
billion dollars while in 2017 Atlanta built a new stadium for the football and
soccer teams which came in at $1.6 billion dollars. Today I plan to talk about
the football stadium in Minneapolis that cost $1.1 billion and the baseball
stadium that opened on 2010 that cost a measly $555 million. While the cost can
seem astronomical I am not going to be talking about the construction cost but
instead I am going to discuss the urban environment around the stadium. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> While
sports stadiums seem to create a lot of excitement when they are proposed and
cities are willing to throw whatever money they can to get a stadium built in their
location, like convention centers they often sit empty a majority of the time
and can create dead zones around them. While on a trip to Minneapolis last
summer, I was able to a take a close look at the area around the stadiums and
see exactly what the urban environment looks like today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> First
let’s take a look at the new football stadium. The stadium opened in 2017 and
hosted the Super Bowl in 2018. For those not familiar with Minneapolis the
stadium sits to the east and slightly to the south of downtown Minneapolis. The
biggest activity center around the the stadium is a light rail station which is
the primary station for passengers to transfer between the two light rails. There
are a few buildings nearby, mainly the county Juvenile detention facility and a
hospital which are not exactly the best attractions if you want to build a
walkable community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/AwLuuKa4gp42"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Football
Stadium</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsQhsaXBaZufFbmYQ4mJJZTrwyenTZEo8cu6ymuQ_yalCqvAmLwRDujGVhhGICx0Ov5yO0LGJYpQ6YLcxK8dew6URlbxOzC6s4z800MJjaUL_8Aw2R7kNZGrCUSqkC9OylRem2w/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsQhsaXBaZufFbmYQ4mJJZTrwyenTZEo8cu6ymuQ_yalCqvAmLwRDujGVhhGICx0Ov5yO0LGJYpQ6YLcxK8dew6URlbxOzC6s4z800MJjaUL_8Aw2R7kNZGrCUSqkC9OylRem2w/s320/DSC_0140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green line light rail train arrives at station in front of the stadium. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_4mlPMlk4E2L39jTAy-Xszg_Uw_uQvqtDjurTAp0n2ocQ2kXhdqZaC19z4ypHCyu2ngaZtvvhwbxFX3FReDRBivGQOnWneAYZYrJKd4Wh5OuWhP5KcKN9JV9kp4B2c-t6I-8gg/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_4mlPMlk4E2L39jTAy-Xszg_Uw_uQvqtDjurTAp0n2ocQ2kXhdqZaC19z4ypHCyu2ngaZtvvhwbxFX3FReDRBivGQOnWneAYZYrJKd4Wh5OuWhP5KcKN9JV9kp4B2c-t6I-8gg/s320/DSC_0141.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at the empty plaza in front of the station. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEDnR71omVv9Wx5-6G6sojd_q3w6mg01-Iec3t8BA21HUiWO3vAx3UURxNuQU1ekUNWp91zKrdS4OCTXH0DvUIOcZunYWwjCQsZ0D8QLQZY2p-Mlm3Y2UEWWc3pxkY29UT4nH9Q/s1600/DSC_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEDnR71omVv9Wx5-6G6sojd_q3w6mg01-Iec3t8BA21HUiWO3vAx3UURxNuQU1ekUNWp91zKrdS4OCTXH0DvUIOcZunYWwjCQsZ0D8QLQZY2p-Mlm3Y2UEWWc3pxkY29UT4nH9Q/s320/DSC_0142.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another look at the plaza with the stadium to the right and light rail station to the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyOAnr1LILpd7vHodpedyuYPScGup3Lfx34IJscjbl80xotQul9WNiLhwQyTIdYW9mKAOON3kWgZ5s-oC8CtKfD-vLXPHkV1Qd3JhO1ffJbAikNYoYb00m4YStHujfw4lIuar2g/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyOAnr1LILpd7vHodpedyuYPScGup3Lfx34IJscjbl80xotQul9WNiLhwQyTIdYW9mKAOON3kWgZ5s-oC8CtKfD-vLXPHkV1Qd3JhO1ffJbAikNYoYb00m4YStHujfw4lIuar2g/s320/DSC_0148.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north from the light rail station toward the parking garages which is the closest use to the stadium. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAuz0L3kJA4uPH0MOc-fo4cECsXTcrYNfrD-Vc2XCg1ctZQCZDIo4IEIlzarlFI9VZMWpik3Gcp0OgCalIpK9Lngv35doZLhLc5vUbCz5mKd9gt48qnkOaUDODZo82zm51masXA/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAuz0L3kJA4uPH0MOc-fo4cECsXTcrYNfrD-Vc2XCg1ctZQCZDIo4IEIlzarlFI9VZMWpik3Gcp0OgCalIpK9Lngv35doZLhLc5vUbCz5mKd9gt48qnkOaUDODZo82zm51masXA/s320/DSC_0149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northeast along Chicago Avenue. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gN7-cDp7He3E3KPuaOJACx-t9O4EaJLdRpNBKC5E1cMPkzUkqByY2VR8znmRvLMkQ7WI291HwTZkSrnhcAwwdl-bS0TGt2CiLqc_AoaIKoFE5h7gpgMmiJqjsNgjVlagv7MenA/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gN7-cDp7He3E3KPuaOJACx-t9O4EaJLdRpNBKC5E1cMPkzUkqByY2VR8znmRvLMkQ7WI291HwTZkSrnhcAwwdl-bS0TGt2CiLqc_AoaIKoFE5h7gpgMmiJqjsNgjVlagv7MenA/s320/DSC_0150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skywalk leading from the stadium to the parking garage. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBjkFqsH72CmGpZYvC959sY73tkSfOSPw1UCxo4pE4oqRCUShxgW5Z5-O2aIDpS02W7bq7iGubVzwn7bsZ0SjBdgbolGyH7dWAamGCAMurAsgeM94GcKnazFTUjUaVmQTKOG1xg/s1600/DSC_0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBjkFqsH72CmGpZYvC959sY73tkSfOSPw1UCxo4pE4oqRCUShxgW5Z5-O2aIDpS02W7bq7iGubVzwn7bsZ0SjBdgbolGyH7dWAamGCAMurAsgeM94GcKnazFTUjUaVmQTKOG1xg/s320/DSC_0152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light rail train going under the skybridge. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID80ZhCM3cNjW3o8k9y3Zj5s3OHLr6qZ_Tbezyx-6wUdmGRLlBPJQHS-twPGdOVSp9kslVNrXv1MdN3OcMQrQoMi09OucPDGktMT8GqIbK7bOZa1mvhgluJCCpW7OFer_JAtmhQ/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID80ZhCM3cNjW3o8k9y3Zj5s3OHLr6qZ_Tbezyx-6wUdmGRLlBPJQHS-twPGdOVSp9kslVNrXv1MdN3OcMQrQoMi09OucPDGktMT8GqIbK7bOZa1mvhgluJCCpW7OFer_JAtmhQ/s320/DSC_0151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north toward the Wells Fargo buildings which have no active uses. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7XIf7gakl2OG4Hk8_bnW_s-p2Uf9idIPrvUDvNjsaZ2kkg7R35TKiZ0pnpDGsQQ-cWa6Z85fpZdccQ3N2ACmKXy_Orhh92yK1_DrYFSlpAh7ONwtklJjLBg_ExH7nqAKmuxDug/s320/DSC_0156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at the Wells Fargo Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7XIf7gakl2OG4Hk8_bnW_s-p2Uf9idIPrvUDvNjsaZ2kkg7R35TKiZ0pnpDGsQQ-cWa6Z85fpZdccQ3N2ACmKXy_Orhh92yK1_DrYFSlpAh7ONwtklJjLBg_ExH7nqAKmuxDug/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7XIf7gakl2OG4Hk8_bnW_s-p2Uf9idIPrvUDvNjsaZ2kkg7R35TKiZ0pnpDGsQQ-cWa6Z85fpZdccQ3N2ACmKXy_Orhh92yK1_DrYFSlpAh7ONwtklJjLBg_ExH7nqAKmuxDug/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFacdVZ9mAICPcSutvyXVKWhWZgT20pRDd_0_y4aNEQJc6_I9Uowv4pEhyphenhyphenRgYBnq-pQNR1x0TYkGH0NVgSJAVgCdfQAHQF0A71lNC8Fk7w_AqMX8kabstYePS0pLHcXstvesfKQ/s1600/DSC_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFacdVZ9mAICPcSutvyXVKWhWZgT20pRDd_0_y4aNEQJc6_I9Uowv4pEhyphenhyphenRgYBnq-pQNR1x0TYkGH0NVgSJAVgCdfQAHQF0A71lNC8Fk7w_AqMX8kabstYePS0pLHcXstvesfKQ/s320/DSC_0157.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest through the commons are toward downtown. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Taking a look at the good map and the accompanying
pictures you can see that from the light rail station you are facing a pretty
desolate setting. Looking northwest from the station you have two open spaces
which in themselves are good if there is something to bring life to them,
however except for one apartment building along Fifth Avenue there is not much.
Turning south there is the Juvenile Detention center, the county hospital and a
lot of parking lots. Going north from open space you have two bank office
buildings with nothing on the street level, and a parking garage. The good news
is once you get to South 3</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Street and Park Avenue there are
restaurants and hotels but you have to get past the parking garage first which
also has no ground level activity to put more people on the street.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Continuing
northwest toward the downtown area things do not get better right away. The
blocks between 4<sup>th</sup> Avenue and 3<sup>rd</sup> Avenue are lined with
city, county and federal offices which can also be a killer to the urban
environment. Most of these buildings are only occupied during the week between
8 and 5 and have no ground level activities. There are a couple of plazas, one
in front of the Federal Court House and the other in front of the county
government center, but once again there is not enough street life to make these
plazas valuable most of the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Zc9HHgJkPG74mAhyD-yKJSCsFlRpYInFggrnCJebcIzGSlNLhotjEf9NivACOOfKsYB-SVjHzPSjuDjHWgVZvGVKufmV6G5RMsSwlXWdrExQE-D1eVMRxRjynllZEsOMnEkwjQ/s1600/DSC_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Zc9HHgJkPG74mAhyD-yKJSCsFlRpYInFggrnCJebcIzGSlNLhotjEf9NivACOOfKsYB-SVjHzPSjuDjHWgVZvGVKufmV6G5RMsSwlXWdrExQE-D1eVMRxRjynllZEsOMnEkwjQ/s320/DSC_0158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Detention Facility</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fa6oJKJr-RiJYGIQ7iLzXwYL0t1V0aEpGEsVAtBgRvZQNymK6XFkWxRno2R52d6higacjBnNuXjuXgZkDw4PW4zFTdUo33Agv8oexW9rOJzlWA__yoNr5Ih8jua2vzmGPnLs0g/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fa6oJKJr-RiJYGIQ7iLzXwYL0t1V0aEpGEsVAtBgRvZQNymK6XFkWxRno2R52d6higacjBnNuXjuXgZkDw4PW4zFTdUo33Agv8oexW9rOJzlWA__yoNr5Ih8jua2vzmGPnLs0g/s320/DSC_0167.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking southwest along Park Avenue. The Juvenile Detention Center is located to the right and parking lots to the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc4EpEFNn3lApOSE0o2N3DfG0EV4PVKEaC-6e-m3Z9hb3iSLYI4vF6cJ-7LlExIhYNlAz0tFKs67oJryP_pntHBPZkadgj9gPJz8BIcWdG6-QEfblFpcrHqEhpzLNaKIlxAedSQ/s320/DSC_0159.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking along S 5th Street toward downtown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYFa_bZNqMSMRlz2SFawM-0VjPEOSFRvpgzc2ju6bo2dxJBzCRQ92vKlbpSYYONFzTvB14aZoDrIKTFfBjXp5Ld5syVcjb9vi50s8cdTd-EQUdQIo7QORifBc1UN7nzY4_q76dQ/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYFa_bZNqMSMRlz2SFawM-0VjPEOSFRvpgzc2ju6bo2dxJBzCRQ92vKlbpSYYONFzTvB14aZoDrIKTFfBjXp5Ld5syVcjb9vi50s8cdTd-EQUdQIo7QORifBc1UN7nzY4_q76dQ/s320/DSC_0164.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest across the Commons. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now turn your
attention to the baseball stadium that is located on the northwest side of the
downtown area, basically on the complete opposite side of downtown from the
football stadium. There is probably no ideal spot for something like a sport
stadium or convention center, but the baseball stadium in Minneapolis probably
comes as close as you get.</span><br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/2AbgGMbqS6D2"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Baseball
Stadium</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The
stadium is located between a highway, an elevated street, a power plant and
another elevated street. The baseball stadium has even better transit access
than the football stadium as it is the terminal of the Northstar Commuter Rail
and both light rail lines. Eventually both light rail lines will be extended
beyond this area but both have been controversial. These light rail stations
can be extremely busy during rush hour with passengers transferring to
Northstar and of course during baseball games but beyond that there is little
activity in the area beyond one office building located north of the stadium
and the light rail stations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMqxcGRwwglSFrRy9rOkvrH-meDzjP5auSUb16d9_JA7hnUqgxUyoRMg5L5q_SO8FkoiSh-GYFi9SUFa0a9V64QRGUau3jWWDa56MPcTmBCkKUEQuYpZhxY72HoFdI5JDc9vTiQ/s1600/DSC_0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMqxcGRwwglSFrRy9rOkvrH-meDzjP5auSUb16d9_JA7hnUqgxUyoRMg5L5q_SO8FkoiSh-GYFi9SUFa0a9V64QRGUau3jWWDa56MPcTmBCkKUEQuYpZhxY72HoFdI5JDc9vTiQ/s320/DSC_0980.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light Rail train at the light rail station in front of the baseball stadium. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3WXTzQ7vd0aSlKIX4LoAhMU5CBS8jj3d3aP0cKedcwXuFDAUDP1cGsHPRY2Uw8qcVy-MPJxheAdomR8HCrxv8XS20Vw8DxhJTIjdScQ8W8xwqMQv4-EbFviHJJSXr3wcDfo3rg/s320/DSC_0982.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking southeast along North 5th Street past the stadium toward the parking garage and interstate. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3WXTzQ7vd0aSlKIX4LoAhMU5CBS8jj3d3aP0cKedcwXuFDAUDP1cGsHPRY2Uw8qcVy-MPJxheAdomR8HCrxv8XS20Vw8DxhJTIjdScQ8W8xwqMQv4-EbFviHJJSXr3wcDfo3rg/s1600/DSC_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3WXTzQ7vd0aSlKIX4LoAhMU5CBS8jj3d3aP0cKedcwXuFDAUDP1cGsHPRY2Uw8qcVy-MPJxheAdomR8HCrxv8XS20Vw8DxhJTIjdScQ8W8xwqMQv4-EbFviHJJSXr3wcDfo3rg/s1600/DSC_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAmV9fUGzfkpDjkRyUfARbUvYM-_VGvh6Y6v5LN7k4mDZA4P04WsIn68jiN-XOTbOgvVJUl0dhrNQVvWMU7SXwL_yZ07CyX2RbYMd85oOwly_fYEi6edJGZI2RJq3iRjmJsRHxg/s1600/DSC_0983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAmV9fUGzfkpDjkRyUfARbUvYM-_VGvh6Y6v5LN7k4mDZA4P04WsIn68jiN-XOTbOgvVJUl0dhrNQVvWMU7SXwL_yZ07CyX2RbYMd85oOwly_fYEi6edJGZI2RJq3iRjmJsRHxg/s320/DSC_0983.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the Northstar Station entrance. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLeVyXJyzDSFKjgbIKEvRWeMj095UIWSDBFRlxP2AKA8QJkSaBCU1IorbA-spx1iQ4KbC2idWyuqQPLPl6WtBssHY-h53o0xjnyqaOhI9pd8ClfvlNWsEq_sFASKS5Ahh_AM-Rg/s1600/DSC_0986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLeVyXJyzDSFKjgbIKEvRWeMj095UIWSDBFRlxP2AKA8QJkSaBCU1IorbA-spx1iQ4KbC2idWyuqQPLPl6WtBssHY-h53o0xjnyqaOhI9pd8ClfvlNWsEq_sFASKS5Ahh_AM-Rg/s320/DSC_0986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest along North 5th Street. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OawJUUlFwzOv_MZVMnzNfI8_-_6-pjBesZMO6y0QjGSiwyThyphenhyphen5nCBMoB-AyhzDMy7SIyvRFeF412VuGh8Zt8yo-AFygLD4D5yRMG8m-5Ba5Otb3MLFzOfCq6Bshf46HyySd05A/s1600/DSC_0987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OawJUUlFwzOv_MZVMnzNfI8_-_6-pjBesZMO6y0QjGSiwyThyphenhyphen5nCBMoB-AyhzDMy7SIyvRFeF412VuGh8Zt8yo-AFygLD4D5yRMG8m-5Ba5Otb3MLFzOfCq6Bshf46HyySd05A/s320/DSC_0987.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking southeast along baseball stadium. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFllULpplRMXzbeu2QZU6ourfQ_NDPIFESZy6mQAExNs7hS7cYXeZhWGJIig_WO6N1_17vNgCR8JHcDTvhNt7xvG3MiFzwsqOj63inuGIupg62uath0mCQ4B3stas4F3B3ejaNg/s1600/DSC_0994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFllULpplRMXzbeu2QZU6ourfQ_NDPIFESZy6mQAExNs7hS7cYXeZhWGJIig_WO6N1_17vNgCR8JHcDTvhNt7xvG3MiFzwsqOj63inuGIupg62uath0mCQ4B3stas4F3B3ejaNg/s320/DSC_0994.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the north from the baseball stadium. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qoVMgLYmTujRu_83KZAIHCx1ibofghkIF1quOsVDrWKW7hFH_2rViW7FCq8yK1_IFAoHGqzVcH011-1iYOqczU2naNO3Tjv0e2atM1zGg-HWnClZ4YCh6kM-D_lbmZQ89A1hDQ/s1600/DSC_0995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qoVMgLYmTujRu_83KZAIHCx1ibofghkIF1quOsVDrWKW7hFH_2rViW7FCq8yK1_IFAoHGqzVcH011-1iYOqczU2naNO3Tjv0e2atM1zGg-HWnClZ4YCh6kM-D_lbmZQ89A1hDQ/s320/DSC_0995.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking past the baseball stadium toward the parking garage and downtown. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRZ3TmAcG7RfIsVNa2mNdfs0SQGSPJGf34SWyPwGnMtvRhCeeTYxStgov7zQV4esD5DRQiXFOk4BxTIKnwqZd3vpMJ3wN22uyfuZtNK-GzpTCukSwqdy1QKLEtfEsHg2E8ohkPQ/s1600/DSC_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRZ3TmAcG7RfIsVNa2mNdfs0SQGSPJGf34SWyPwGnMtvRhCeeTYxStgov7zQV4esD5DRQiXFOk4BxTIKnwqZd3vpMJ3wN22uyfuZtNK-GzpTCukSwqdy1QKLEtfEsHg2E8ohkPQ/s320/DSC_0997.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Office building across the light rail tracks and North 5th Street from the stadium. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXztj1PBSaiEJ5CUfbiyN5hBEmJ-FfpbU07-wNQAv8rrHp53G00nPhzDtEHpUfsffvivIBJaU2zE0WO8V-cHF8lFH2OwBhfNRhguhW4zHW9YVFLlGjslGAcZ-DNuVBv50cYBr_7A/s1600/DSC_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXztj1PBSaiEJ5CUfbiyN5hBEmJ-FfpbU07-wNQAv8rrHp53G00nPhzDtEHpUfsffvivIBJaU2zE0WO8V-cHF8lFH2OwBhfNRhguhW4zHW9YVFLlGjslGAcZ-DNuVBv50cYBr_7A/s320/DSC_1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the second office building across from the stadium. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The advantage the baseball stadium has over the
football stadium is that you have a much shorter walk to get to a booming urban
environment. If you leave the stadium area from the North 5</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Street
side with the light rail station you do have to walk past a parking garage
which once again brings no life to the street but it is also serves as a cap
over Interstate 394 so it can be considered an improvement over having to walk
over a barren highway overpass. The largest entrance to the stadium empties out
onto North 7</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Street and using this entrance you do have a slightly
longer walk to reach a thriving urban environment. From that entrance you cross
over a semi-cap over Interstate 394 then pass the parking garage on one side
and the basketball arena on the other to reach a flourishing urban environment.
Fortunately you only have to pass a corner of the arena to reach restaurants
and other urban life where there is much more activity on the street.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Another
facet of both stadiums that robs street life is that all the parking garages
for the stadiums are connected to the respective stadiums via skywalks. While
you can argue that it is necessary for the football stadium due to the weather
in Minneapolis during the winter, it is a little harder to argue that point for
the baseball stadium. Looking at the street view image shows that moving
automobiles was put ahead of the pedestrian environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/KgiapayCMtC2"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Street View</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Let’s
make it clear I am not disparaging the stadiums themselves. While I was in
Minneapolis/St. Paul during the summer I attended a game at the baseball stadium.
The stadium itself is terrific and like many purpose built baseball stadiums
over the last 20 years, no matter where your seats are you are close to action
no matter where you sit. Also, while I am not a fan of the way many stadiums
get financed and I question that they really bring the economic development
some people feel they do, there is no reason why the stadiums cannot be built
and designed to better create a more vibrant urban environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In time
the urban environment around the football stadium may greatly improve. The
owner of the football team Zygi Wilf has stated he is interested in
redeveloping the area around the football stadium. Hopefully this will bring a
better urban atmosphere to the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The two
stadiums in Minneapolis are a perfect example of how stadiums can create dead
zones in the urban surroundings. Most cities have something that will create
dead zones such as a sports stadium, convention center, music halls, live
theaters, or other similar uses. However, it does not have to be a dead zone if
it blends into a vibrant urban environment. But if it’s in a sea of parking, or
in an area where few people walk, it will contribute to being a dead zone
instead of bringing more life to the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-59511725668315790812015-04-07T15:21:00.001-07:002015-04-07T15:21:27.378-07:00Mixing Active Transportation, Transit, and Freight Service<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HeadBoschrexroth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Nederlands: Luchtfoto van Nederlands hoofdkant..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="188" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/HeadBoschrexroth.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 250px;">Nederlands: Luchtfoto van Nederlands hoofdkantoor Bosch Rexroth (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HeadBoschrexroth.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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One of the most difficult jobs of effective transportation planning, is the compromise between creating good environments for active transportation and transit while at the same time taking into considerations the need of freight carriers such as trucks that provide an important economic tool for many communities.<br />
<br />
A great example of the problem areas for this compromise is in industrial areas. Industrial areas see a large amount of freight traffic (hopefully both on rail along with trucks) but you also need workers in industrial areas but they can be extremely difficult to serve with transit. Many transit advocates don't see the need for industrial areas and would love them to just go away. The problem with this line of thinking is that industrial areas tend to be the best sources of jobs that can lift people out of poverty. They provide a good paying jobs that do not require a college education.<br />
<br />
The question is how do you serve industrial areas with transit and consider the last mile problem? One of the problems with transit service in these areas is that most of the ridership occurs only during shift changes which means if the industrial area is the primary point of travel for a transit line, it will only be busy during certain times of the day and run empty the rest of the time. There is a couple of solution to this problem.<br />
<br />
One is to ensure that the industrial area is not the primary destination of the transit route. For example TriMet route 16 in Portland travels through the Northwest Industrial District but also serves downtown, the St. Johns area, Linnton and Sauvie Island. Two other routes the 15 and the 77 do terminate in the area but they are long routs and the industrial district makes up only a small portion of their total route mileage.<br />
<br />
A second solution is to provide a shuttle service to the industrial area from a major transit stop. Companies such as Intel and Nike provide shuttle services from MAX light rail stations in Portland to their transit unfriendly campuses. Another example is the Burbank, CA Metrolink Commuter Rail station that sees a large number of company vans providing service from the train station to their offices although in this case they are not in industrial unfriendly industrial areas. In the cases cited the service is only provided by a specific company for their employees. A third example is in the Chicago Suburbs were employers pay the PACE transit agency to provide shuttle service from train stations to their businesses and these can be used by anyone willing to pay the fare.<br />
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Another problem presented by industrial areas is access by active transportation such as walking and bicycling. While few people will probably walk all the way to the industrial area from their homes, they may have to walk a distance from the bus stop to their place of employment and many times there is few if any sidewalks. A bigger problem is the conflict between trucks and bicyclist. Industrial areas can be congested with truck traffic that makes it dangerous for bicyclists. Trucks are large and have a hard time seeing cyclist in their mirrors. The best solution in this case is to provide dedicated infrastructure for bicyclists so they are separated from the trucks but not may not always be possible.<br />
<br />
When bicyclists and trucks do have to share the road one of the most dangerous times is when a truck is making a turn because once the cab of the truck is at an angle it is very difficult for the driver to see what is on his right side. While there is no fail safe solution to this the problem, there is some relatively inexpensive things that can be done to increase safety. One would be to install mirrors along driveways giving truck drivers an additional way to see in their blind spots and the other would be put up more signage warning bicyclist and trucks of the dangers. A final idea would be an educational campaign that would teach both truckers and cyclists how to be safer around each other. The problem here is reaching the large number of long distance truck drivers who may come into the area only occasionally.<br />
<br />
Industrial zones are important part of our economy but create unique transportation challenges especially when trying to serve them with transit and adding active transportation. It can be done but it takes cooperation from all parties to make a system that works.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-55950190427933926322014-10-04T18:39:00.000-07:002014-10-04T18:39:13.317-07:00Anniversary Missed...<br />
A couple of months ago a major anniversary took place that I let pass by without any fanfare mainly because how busy I have been over the summer and continue to be. The anniversary that took place on August 4th when this blog turned 10 years old. <br />
<br />
Back then it was called Transit in Utah and was started to discuss transit issues in the Salt Lake region and other parts of Utah. Having been a transit and rail passenger advocate for many years, it was an opportunity to discuss some of the things I have learned over the years and saw as opportunities to improve transit service.<br />
<br />
As the blog matured I became interested in how land use and transportation have interacted over the years and how we have ended up with the land use patterns we have today. I have also become very interested in Urban Design and how our built environment works and doesn't work.<br />
<br />
It only took a short time for this blog to start focusing on issues outside of Utah considering I have plenty of transit experience outside the region having grew up in Pasadena, CA and having lived in Spokane, Seattle, and Charlotte over the years. However, it took until 2011 when I moved to Portland to officially change the name of the blog to something that more reflected what this blog is about.<br />
<br />
Sadly over the last few months I have not been able to post as frequently that I would like and cannot see that changing before next June at the earliest. I have plenty of ideas for stories and will try to post when time allows.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading over the years and I hope you will stay tuned for the articles to come.<br />
<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-11445123740669611082014-08-09T16:30:00.000-07:002014-08-09T16:33:09.487-07:00What makes a Successful Public Space? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hotel_Portland_circa_1900_-_Oregon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Hotel Portland, since demolished" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Hotel_Portland_circa_1900_-_Oregon.png/350px-Hotel_Portland_circa_1900_-_Oregon.png" height="261" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Hotel Portland, since demolished (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hotel_Portland_circa_1900_-_Oregon.png" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)<br />
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pettygrove_Park_-_Portland_Oregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Pettygrove Park in Portland, Oregon. ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Pettygrove_Park_-_Portland_Oregon.jpg/350px-Pettygrove_Park_-_Portland_Oregon.jpg" height="233" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: Pettygrove Park in Portland, Oregon. Created by Lawrence Halprin. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pettygrove_Park_-_Portland_Oregon.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Occupy_Portland%2C_Pioneer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Occupy Portland protest at Pioneer Co..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Occupy_Portland%2C_Pioneer.jpg/350px-Occupy_Portland%2C_Pioneer.jpg" height="263" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: Occupy Portland protest at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland, Oregon on October 6, 2011 (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Occupy_Portland%2C_Pioneer.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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What makes a good public space? One that people want to use and is used by a large number of different people? The <a href="http://www.pps.org/" target="_blank">Project for Public Spaces </a>is a good source for information about what a successful public space should have, today I am going to look at two public spaces in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.6666666667,-70.2666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.6666666667,-70.2666666667%20(Portland%2C%20Maine)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Portland, Maine">city of Portland</a> Pettygrove City Park and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.51887,-122.6793&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.51887,-122.6793%20(Pioneer%20Courthouse%20Square)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Pioneer Courthouse Square">Pioneer Courthouse Square</a>.<br />
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The latter one is known as Portland's "living room" while the other languishes despite being close to office buildings and residences.<br />
<a name='more'></a><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.510937,-122.67875&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.510937,-122.67875%20(Pettygrove%20Park)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Pettygrove Park">Pettygrove Park</a> is the oldest of the two public spaces having been created during the Urban Renewal period that went from 1949 through 1962. Pettygrove Park and its environment pretty much shows everything that went wrong with the Urban Renewal projects.<br />
<br />
The Park sits in the middle of several super blocks that broke up Portland's well known short blocks, to the west sit suburbs in the sky high rise apartment complexes that have no street life and office buildings that turn their backs on the square. The park sits between two pedestrian right of ways that also represent the failures of Urban Renewal projects because the pedestrians streets have no activity centers located along them.<br />
<br />
I pass through Pettygrove Park at least twice a week and often four or more times a week when <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.5127777778,-122.685277778&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.5127777778,-122.685277778%20(Portland%20State%20University)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Portland State University">Portland State University</a> is in session. Despite being located on the border of the school, several office and residential buildings there is rarely more than a few people near the square, most of them usually just taking a smoke break from the nearby office buildings or walking dogs if they live in the surrounding residential.<br />
<br />
While I pass through this park many times I never find a reason to actually stop here and stay. While there is a few benches around the number of seating areas are limited and for those looking for a quiet place it works beyond that there is little activity to bring people here. Even during the middle of the lunch hour few people walk the 3 blocks from the 4th avenue food cart area to this park, even at its peak it feels like an empty place.<br />
<br />
On other hand while there is no residences near Pioneer Courthouse Square (although a new project is now being built a block away), the square is surrounded by activity including a major transit node with stops on three sides by Tri-Met's light rail lines. There is also two major retailers nearby with Nordstrom's and Macy's with Pioneer Square Mall located only a block away on SW 5th. The park was opened in 1984, after being a parking lot for many years after the Hotel Portland had been bulldozed.<br />
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If you pass Pioneer Courthouse Square you will usually find people in the square. There is plenty of informal places to sit and do a variety of activities. Along the east side of the square that faces <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.5186111111,-122.678361111&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.5186111111,-122.678361111%20(Pioneer%20Courthouse)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Pioneer Courthouse">Pioneer Courthouse</a> is a low wall that just invites informal sitting. I will often sit along this wall, eat my lunch, read a book and observe the variety of people walking by. In addition there is a three food carts located in the square so you do not have to travel far to get something to eat although I have to admit I have never actually bought food from these food carts as I prefer some of the other carts that are a few blocks away.<br />
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It takes more than a spot of land to create a successful public space. Pioneer Courthouse Square has become the major focal point of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.51935,-122.67962&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.51935,-122.67962%20(Downtown%20Portland)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Downtown Portland">downtown Portland</a> while Pettygrove Park languishes despite being close to Portland State, residences and offices. However, Pioneer Courthouse Square is design to take advantage of its environment while Pettygrove Park sits largely ignored by neighboring buildings. Once again the <a href="http://www.pps.org/" target="_blank">Project for Public Spaces</a> has a great listing of elements that are needed to create a great public space.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-63898991633331905452014-07-21T21:51:00.001-07:002015-12-11T17:06:53.439-08:00Can Alternatives to Owing a car be made More Convenient? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PortlandTriMetbus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="TriMet bus parked near MAX tracks (helping out..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/PortlandTriMetbus.JPG/350px-PortlandTriMetbus.JPG" height="270" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">TriMet bus parked near MAX tracks (helping out on opening day) in Portland, OR. Public domain photo, taken by the poster. Category:Transportation in Portland, Oregon (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PortlandTriMetbus.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Civic_Hybrid_with_logo_DC_5020_03_2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Honda Civic Hybrid used by Zipcar, a ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Honda_Civic_Hybrid_with_logo_DC_5020_03_2009.jpg/350px-Honda_Civic_Hybrid_with_logo_DC_5020_03_2009.jpg" height="220" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: Honda Civic Hybrid used by Zipcar, a carsharing service. Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Civic_Hybrid_with_logo_DC_5020_03_2009.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estacio_bicing_bcn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Public bike sharing station (Bicing) in Hospit..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Estacio_bicing_bcn.jpg/350px-Estacio_bicing_bcn.jpg" height="263" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Public bike sharing station (Bicing) in Hospital del Mar, Barceloneta District (Barcelona, Catalonia). (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estacio_bicing_bcn.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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Are you like me and have a large number of the chain store loyalty cards attached to your key ring that your rarely if ever use? One of the reasons that the stores use these cards is that their marketing people tell them that a customer that if a person has a loyalty card they will more likely shop at that store when they have a choice.<br />
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The problem is you get so many of these cards and many of them are nothing but a program to get access to your information so they can target even more advertising your way. There is not a benefit for you as a consumer to have these cards unless you actually get something for your effort.<br />
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Now if you could just carry one card that would work in all the stores and you could benefit from it by the total dollars you spent maybe it would be worth something but then again that would require the stores to work together which is not going to happen. In other words they companies want you to have the cards so they can target more advertising at you, but the programs are so cumbersome that many people don't want anything to do with it.<br />
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The reason I bring this up is that we have a similar problem when it comes to alternative transportation modes such as transit and vehicle sharing whether it be bicycle or auto sharing. Each of these systems are an integral part of creating an alternative transportation system and are interrelated but each of theme operate in their own little world with their own system and not integration.<br />
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For example here in Portland to ride Tri-Met I need one fare or pass, to get a car share I need a either a Zip Car membership or Car to Go, and once a bike sharing system is actually operating in the city you will need another membership for that. In addition you do not have a one stop shopping center on line for all of these services either, you have to go to different websites to get all the information you need. In other words the system is not easy to use which reduces the usefulness of the system for many people.<br />
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Now imagine a system where you only needed one card to ride your transit, then pick up a car share when you needed it or rent a bicycle for that final mile to your house or business? You can also use the same card to access parking lots and pay tolls which makes life a lot less complicated because you do not have to worry about buying your transit pass and joining a car share and a bicycle share in different transactions with different cars.<br />
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Planning magazine from the American Planning Association recently had an article that described a system just like that is being used in Germany. In one of the major German cities there is now a universal transit card that works for transit, parking lots, car sharing, bicycle sharing and tolls. You simply pay a monthly fee just like you would with a current transit pass and it allows you to not only allows you to use the transit system but also allows you to use car and bicycle sharing with a certain amount of time allowed each month. Using a system like this you could have different levels of travel allowances much the same way some transit systems such as Sound Transit has different amounts of passes depending on how far you need to travel on a regular basis.<br />
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While this type of system has the potential to create more transit and sharing trips by making the system much easier to use, the difficulty is that you are dealing with both public and private organizations that have their own self interest in mind and often have tunnel vision when it comes to cooperating with other organizations. One only has to look to any city with more than one major transit system to see a lack of working together. While we have seen the implementation of fare cards that be used on different transit carries, there is still little integration of schedules, services, and information. While there has been some progress over the years such as on line trip planners that have multiple transit agencies information in them, there still a lot more that could and should be done.<br />
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If we are to get more people thinking about getting out of their automobiles, it is necessary to make transit and its support systems easier to use and more convenient.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-28408753234906238182014-06-27T20:17:00.000-07:002014-06-27T20:17:56.473-07:00Is it the Pathway or is it the Urban Fabric? <br />
TriMet is looking at closing a pathway that connects the Willow Creek Transit Center which is located just northwest of the intersection of 185th and Baseline on the MAX Blue Line. The reason behind the possible closure is because of crime and drug problems along the path so I decided to take a look at the situation first hand to see what the problems truly are here.<br />
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First here is a Google map of the area:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=45.515692,-122.868133&spn=0.006744,0.016512&t=m&z=17&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=45.515692,-122.868133&spn=0.006744,0.016512&t=m&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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The pathway in question goes south from the transit center to Baseline Road.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ixbLXl-NNbuD9B6luH2XYJ8r2NWpR_fmzd_iwonAw775X77HlzcfKJwF4BmKZ05tJ7KcYuCt2bSeaFd3bvBDi1ZR6-FIERdDHnNpgZCMZIX-ABtpQHWIoQ51vdcSLW0jkx8v7w/s1600/IMG_2402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ixbLXl-NNbuD9B6luH2XYJ8r2NWpR_fmzd_iwonAw775X77HlzcfKJwF4BmKZ05tJ7KcYuCt2bSeaFd3bvBDi1ZR6-FIERdDHnNpgZCMZIX-ABtpQHWIoQ51vdcSLW0jkx8v7w/s1600/IMG_2402.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from Transit Center toward Baseline Road</td></tr>
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The picture above is looking from the Willow Creek Transit Center toward Baseline Road and instantly you can see two major problems with this pathway. The first is that there is high walls on both sides blocking views of anyone along the path and the second is that there is very little lighting along the path. In addition there is a child care facility to the left of the photo which is only open at certain times of the day and there is a single family residence located to the right of the photo. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb4gV4xEFXrXQFqDXO5BvOL431CTrfNtEZpCPHJcM7sov2zVzmdVsXQJfXlopkzI2P8WgM0Poqu4E_yojDmUUAS6qnY6TUaQCRwNg8zcxK3vQ19W_u1yYBRa_md1TySLXtGH4jw/s1600/IMG_2407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb4gV4xEFXrXQFqDXO5BvOL431CTrfNtEZpCPHJcM7sov2zVzmdVsXQJfXlopkzI2P8WgM0Poqu4E_yojDmUUAS6qnY6TUaQCRwNg8zcxK3vQ19W_u1yYBRa_md1TySLXtGH4jw/s1600/IMG_2407.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back toward the Willow Creek Transit Center from Baseline</td></tr>
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The next picture is looking back toward the transit center from Baseline and once again you can see the problems along the path. Once again you have the fences which creates a canyon affect which is just asking for problems in addition to the bushes on the right that even further block the view of the path. While you want tree canopy to shade pathways and make them more walk-able in this case they combine with the high fences to further hide the pathway from the public.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmJKselN_ZEcbYcxRBT8DvO8mJBaBPJRjB4_d6tBUGRCImUBcdmbzy41Rreowa2G_hPiEpjGcQOIAGJeUtJ94WzzZAMjKy7EWUqc7tT1bzMZpu0fTrZAtRqkKJyWrSJ5uc0SjuQ/s1600/IMG_2404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmJKselN_ZEcbYcxRBT8DvO8mJBaBPJRjB4_d6tBUGRCImUBcdmbzy41Rreowa2G_hPiEpjGcQOIAGJeUtJ94WzzZAMjKy7EWUqc7tT1bzMZpu0fTrZAtRqkKJyWrSJ5uc0SjuQ/s1600/IMG_2404.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west along Baseline</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCWlUR3dLC8Sc_wnaiS8ilOxKfIIjn_Yo_XXtRVjvFoDJCpWBr8dO_c6X1BzrKQfLZlApfyX9wVmdv_zCGe7oSzDuWrcC4LPCeYX5RW-Osw7cf4YZCK-bImWpafrv-fosMlHk-A/s1600/IMG_2409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCWlUR3dLC8Sc_wnaiS8ilOxKfIIjn_Yo_XXtRVjvFoDJCpWBr8dO_c6X1BzrKQfLZlApfyX9wVmdv_zCGe7oSzDuWrcC4LPCeYX5RW-Osw7cf4YZCK-bImWpafrv-fosMlHk-A/s1600/IMG_2409.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from along Baseline<br />
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Once you get off the pathway you have more issues once you get to Baseline. The road is wide with narrow sidewalks and very few streetlights. As can be seen in the upper photo looking toward the west where most of the residences are you have fences that put even fewer eyes on the street. Looking east you have a child care place that is very auto centric and turns its back to the transit center then empty lot on one side of the street and a shopping center.<br />
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The problem with closing the path is that for people to residences located on either side of Baseline there it leaves a long walk. From the transit center you will have to travel out of your way and head north to Edgeway then head to 185th then south to Baseline with both of those streets being very pedestrian unfriendly. While walking is fine for many of us, we also have to take into consideration the elderly and those with limited mobility that will have a more difficult time reaching the center. The other alternative for these people will be to take the infrequent 88 bus that travels a short distance on Baseline to reach the transit center.<br />
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The problem here is not the presence of the pathway but the Urban Environment around the pathway or the lack there of. The pathway design creates a canyon and walled off effect that means that there is not eyes on the pathway. The solution is not to close the path but to find ways to make it safer which will require rethinking how it is laid out and the visibility onto it. Unfortunately it is just not the path that is the problem, the area around Baseline is auto-centric suburbia where pedestrians come last.<br />
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Hopefully a good solution can be found. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-59050872831190979942014-05-18T20:20:00.000-07:002014-05-18T20:20:24.998-07:00Looking for an Internship<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PortlandStreetcar5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: A car of the Portland Streetcar syste..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="231" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/PortlandStreetcar5.jpg/350px-PortlandStreetcar5.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: A car of the Portland Streetcar system at the eastbound Portland State University stop, on Market Street at the South Park Blocks. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PortlandStreetcar5.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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Some of you may remember when I mentioned I graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor's Degree. Well I immediately started the Masters of Urban and Regional Planning program in September with a specialization in Transportation plus an Urban Design Certificate.<br />
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Well now I need to do 400 hours of internship hours to graduate so I am currently looking for one. You would think that I would have enough experience (especially after writing this blog for 10 years!) plus my business related background but as an older student sometimes it is difficult to find the right position.<br />
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Therefore I am checking with my readers to see if they have any leads on internships. If you have any possible leads let me know at jdornoff(at)pdx.edu.<br />
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Thank you and I will be written more in depth articles soon.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-54194395504848277912014-03-29T21:22:00.002-07:002014-03-29T21:24:30.724-07:00The Barbur Transit Center - The Good, Bad, the Ugly, and the Really Ugly and how it doesn't fit into the urban form<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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In my first entry on how transit centers fit into the urban form and how they can they can fit better into a strong vibrant urban form I showed a worse case example with the freeway based Parkrose-Sumner Transit Center near the Portland International Airport on the MAX Red Line. </div>
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Today's entry is an even worse example and that is the Barbur Transit Center which is stuck between Interstate 5 and its predecessor Barbur Blvd which was once US Highway 99W. The Barbur Transit Center is currently the oldest transit center in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://trimet.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="TriMet">Trimet</a> system having opened in 1977 and as you will see it is showing its age. The transit center is actually nothing but a glorified Park N' Ride lot as the area around the transit center is very auto oriented and hostile to pedestrians and is not designed to blend into the community or the community to blend into the transit center. </div>
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Here is a Google Map of the area around the Barbur Transit Center: </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d1399.378747523043!2d-122.71845751782347!3d45.45454269778361!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x54950b612cf6d911%3A0x4a519124bfece8c6!2sBarbur+Transit+Center!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1396137310624" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br /></div>
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Below is the Portland Maps Zoning map of the area around the Barbur Transit Center: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.portlandmaps.com/giswrap/servlet/GisWrapServlet?MjIsISp4bBwfCBMcbTVhCQsbAwZmXFJcPDcqLS47LC43JjsyXFJcLys/MjcqJ1wDUgVcODcyOyEuMDlcUlxGXFJcRlwDV1EtOzI7PSpeVF44LDEzXiUzHw4xGFZcJBEQFxAZISofBhIRCg1cUgVcJBEQFxAZXjIXEBsNXFJcKh8GEhEKDVxSXC0KDBsbCg1cUlwkERAXEBleOhsNFxkQHwoXERANXFJcPRELEAoHXjwRCxAaHwwXGw1cA1JITk5SS05OUhsQCBsSEQ4bVklITU9LTkpQTEZIUklITUtJTkpQTEZIUkhIT0pLTlBISUhSSEtJR0tOUEhJSFdSBS4RFxAKVklITU1ITEtQSkxKUkhLR0ZOSVBIRkdXA1IFLQoHEhs5HxISGwwHLQcTHBESVlw5Ny0vMlANCgcSG1xSXDMfDBUbDF4tBxMcERINXFJcOhsYHwsSClxSXC0bEhsdChcREFxXA1IqLCs7VyNF" height="332" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoning around the Barbur Transit Center. Note the dot does not represent the transit center itself which is actually to the left of the dot where the loop road is which is the bus area. </td></tr>
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The CG stands is general commercial status while the CO2 means low density commercial/office uses that are auto oriented. Barbur Blvd is a general busy road and because it is a state highway there is only limited things that can be done to change how poorly designed the street is for alternative transportation. In fact, recently the Oregon Truckers Association was able to push through legislation in the state government that makes it nearly impossible to make state highways friendlier to pedestrians and transit or to reduce lanes for transit related projects. </div>
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The transit center is part of the Southwest Corridor project which the city, Metro, and other agencies have been working on for the last few years. The two primary proposals are to have either a light rail line or enhanced bus service. For its part the city of Portland has been working on new zoning for the area that would increase the density and make it more transit friendly but how soon it will happen is anyone's guess. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGllMCh6msYBN_5FHFBqptjpbI9xr6a0w2IWkqphyphenhyphenfceit_atwmQcYNMAytE7-YMRGuxpMYb4gmikMh6BPcrbT9CE91SthNmw5eZgERHZputDIPGZDw3o-CEFiJ8wE2qTxQOr-eg/s1600/DSC_0260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGllMCh6msYBN_5FHFBqptjpbI9xr6a0w2IWkqphyphenhyphenfceit_atwmQcYNMAytE7-YMRGuxpMYb4gmikMh6BPcrbT9CE91SthNmw5eZgERHZputDIPGZDw3o-CEFiJ8wE2qTxQOr-eg/s320/DSC_0260.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRso-gZ4bXmgYw-DkJDIz6aChdaY2XoRnWTuRFQ9iG8WKfVt_zfanY536f1MgPSqtuI15YKekxsxa21ZPFxl8By7tYFPwNVbbuXSiCGLQyIEwtCfXRY5_cvkxho8EO64vC86SYyQ/s320/DSC_0261.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two views looking northeast along Barbur Blvd. The light ahead is for cars pulling out of the parking lot while buses pull out directly behind me with no traffic light assistance. </td></tr>
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As seen from the above photos, at this point Barbur Blvd is a high speed highway with a speed limit of 40 mph. The photos were taken on a Sunday so traffic is lighter than normal. As can be seen this is not for the faint of heart if your a pedestrian. While the area is mostly low density there is a scattering of apartment buildings as can be seen across the highway from the transit center. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ06rvufQOeasPDkaonxrPrSjDq4IkhnAOsxlYhlqGO-JfYZYRWi8LkCfzK-WKakG5yQx_DH3Pko21m3zhRiDgkvNv8wkO6NSJF1nA5SZ71hVnV6KbYSdiR9ZMP8Q9HxefJc5H-w/s320/DSC_0265.jpg" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three photos looking across Barbur Blvd from the transit center. Once again you can see a few apartments and an office complex but the area is dominated by auto oriented uses. </td></tr>
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From these pictures you can clearly see why the Barbur Transit Center is nothing but a Park N' Ride lot currently. The area across the highway is poorly connected to the transit center which seems to sit on a island between two unfriendly super speedways. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdjzRtbf4wwVK02WNU7BNkIMgW-wiPOXEwsS4tzuAWgedD_eea1unxK3SLJ8wpEC0JLqS2jk76pU0sICf_3N_Ed9EFDCmK9ahQ6aEdT4bxnpNhZeTY1Dwou1EhnN6XjRBsB8x8g/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdjzRtbf4wwVK02WNU7BNkIMgW-wiPOXEwsS4tzuAWgedD_eea1unxK3SLJ8wpEC0JLqS2jk76pU0sICf_3N_Ed9EFDCmK9ahQ6aEdT4bxnpNhZeTY1Dwou1EhnN6XjRBsB8x8g/s320/DSC_0270.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the transit center itself</td></tr>
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As I said the transit center itself is looking like it needs a major face-lift as it is a depressing place to wait for a bus. While there is skylights above the area where you wait for buses, they do little good because except during the summer the sunlight does not hit the skylights which actually should be in the slanted side of the ceilings although this could possible cause vision problems for the bus drivers when they were driving through the center. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgZoU9lWo8ovhaVJTKfe6YhZcHnXSvXleFZORIVvfoSwWrI-3F3amA6CYpWHxF86RUN2qXBMTMkC-ahRm9EkaVnuICKHgwo_qCoTKYTC0Xn7ee3tGofHNANjaINleGnTS_ezy-Q/s1600/DSC_0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgZoU9lWo8ovhaVJTKfe6YhZcHnXSvXleFZORIVvfoSwWrI-3F3amA6CYpWHxF86RUN2qXBMTMkC-ahRm9EkaVnuICKHgwo_qCoTKYTC0Xn7ee3tGofHNANjaINleGnTS_ezy-Q/s320/DSC_0273.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sharif's Coffee Location</td></tr>
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The center was home to a Sharif's Coffee but apparently only for a short time but I am guessing that because the center is only really busy during rush hours there was not enough business to justify its existence. Now if the transit center was more integrated into the fabric of the community there is a change that this coffee stand would have a better chance to survive but as it is only people actually catching a bus would actually use it. I am guessing that the concession area itself was once a Trimet ticket office in the pre-internet days although I am not sure about that. </div>
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There has been some changes to the center over the years. As can be seen in the photos above there use to be bus bays for the buses to pull in but they have been replaced by a straight curve which probably makes more sense for a center that buses mainly operate through and not layover at. In the pictures below you can see the most recent changes to the transit center as new drainage bio-swell drainage systems were added to several areas of the transit center the largest being next to where the buses drive through. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bio-swell drainage systems.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP6oC8rsq8GHkNMH267ikCcgCZLbMO4zQpw-1HOU4fX-MB0HzEVlDWkWX_kg2XO4WuhXTSXBv0E5YftQWGRE_uIbZh9y_T6qshwL2Pa4ybg2q58vOw0sKwIYCHNIxhYPn-HyXIQ/s1600/DSC_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP6oC8rsq8GHkNMH267ikCcgCZLbMO4zQpw-1HOU4fX-MB0HzEVlDWkWX_kg2XO4WuhXTSXBv0E5YftQWGRE_uIbZh9y_T6qshwL2Pa4ybg2q58vOw0sKwIYCHNIxhYPn-HyXIQ/s320/DSC_0281.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Original Dedication Plaque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmxnjQ0lS-aZ42DJyIB-Vro4-OuUv4NdVhbrnvcEFpWnci2Ae3pQArhzuvmTHdMUOwVIlYZBWlBKZb0imlHzT4zAe2hfTTRnZ3nIbN6StX-r3AR7HatadW2SBLn1FHxOnmbHwWA/s1600/DSC_0282-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmxnjQ0lS-aZ42DJyIB-Vro4-OuUv4NdVhbrnvcEFpWnci2Ae3pQArhzuvmTHdMUOwVIlYZBWlBKZb0imlHzT4zAe2hfTTRnZ3nIbN6StX-r3AR7HatadW2SBLn1FHxOnmbHwWA/s320/DSC_0282-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd2-EIpteAtl_F41xpa7t-i1Ud_RGbCdpB8dThNBpi0AqqZYUBpj4Et0MLN8q35oFL1O4o45v0koj1WoKru3hXuiLl7h1yvOM0XAPW2b22oL2vxT4YhcXrLS0Ncpyt7hpE7tfeg/s1600/DSC_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd2-EIpteAtl_F41xpa7t-i1Ud_RGbCdpB8dThNBpi0AqqZYUBpj4Et0MLN8q35oFL1O4o45v0koj1WoKru3hXuiLl7h1yvOM0XAPW2b22oL2vxT4YhcXrLS0Ncpyt7hpE7tfeg/s320/DSC_0283.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restrooms but only for the bus drivers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKW-P0FZ86dLQhagJg2yfAHNdw1bcjRzP3eIOsuhvXfy-Bybu4auz4VTg66sC0Ii29GQtotnEVhPUxK4nATrWo19OKfxe0JIjmFP5qAgpFynCe53v2PJMggSYP9AaQY6Dhky8Jg/s1600/DSC_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKW-P0FZ86dLQhagJg2yfAHNdw1bcjRzP3eIOsuhvXfy-Bybu4auz4VTg66sC0Ii29GQtotnEVhPUxK4nATrWo19OKfxe0JIjmFP5qAgpFynCe53v2PJMggSYP9AaQY6Dhky8Jg/s320/DSC_0284.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking southwest toward Barbur Blvd and Taylors Ferry Road</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iRm9iY5udybGzhvZHuhwJgoP13g14Yg1v3Jy4523yLayMu9qbG_lYXCFwE1hfvrxLcNKnfmifzgbOYfoiRcrbTZeC4JrsCJw0cDyv7fvPFi_qJwdmreVMD20XbVDEHOPfxigmg/s1600/DSC_0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iRm9iY5udybGzhvZHuhwJgoP13g14Yg1v3Jy4523yLayMu9qbG_lYXCFwE1hfvrxLcNKnfmifzgbOYfoiRcrbTZeC4JrsCJw0cDyv7fvPFi_qJwdmreVMD20XbVDEHOPfxigmg/s320/DSC_0286.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilsonville's Smart Bus stops at the transit center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PX29KsGynvBE9RhPr3B45xWp2WIdE3Qwgi_MnPcVMDrvd2W2Ym9OEzJRg9-0iHAyFsdgKJEtfErAUxn-DR9jAwEdKNO7mZWryX-BgWbXEgjZoj-nVGqd-W2Zjg80ogMQXpdbbg/s1600/DSC_0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PX29KsGynvBE9RhPr3B45xWp2WIdE3Qwgi_MnPcVMDrvd2W2Ym9OEzJRg9-0iHAyFsdgKJEtfErAUxn-DR9jAwEdKNO7mZWryX-BgWbXEgjZoj-nVGqd-W2Zjg80ogMQXpdbbg/s320/DSC_0287.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCudRLitnVAIFcS48FJjJe3w_KMMWJJIlM4YZgKpTSi4ILi5lVay0uFtybxxNV0QO3IR4mTf6_4sv6OM4Uo20wpUMYKiuZPqITUXuD7Xl9qLFbrCyY3fdkCol_EdYAXOQAxnrrlg/s1600/DSC_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCudRLitnVAIFcS48FJjJe3w_KMMWJJIlM4YZgKpTSi4ILi5lVay0uFtybxxNV0QO3IR4mTf6_4sv6OM4Uo20wpUMYKiuZPqITUXuD7Xl9qLFbrCyY3fdkCol_EdYAXOQAxnrrlg/s320/DSC_0292.jpg" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgxq93uZDT_u2YcVMpUTszG_FVXXlyU28aIQMdv8S6igpXMOV_1XR136hFdKSspz1luZa1iKYkGViSz3iJfyxXvZuuTTkc5CJ7K-tLAwMvJoEvWSgLHvlTIsD2seWvg-P9yi6tw/s1600/DSC_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgxq93uZDT_u2YcVMpUTszG_FVXXlyU28aIQMdv8S6igpXMOV_1XR136hFdKSspz1luZa1iKYkGViSz3iJfyxXvZuuTTkc5CJ7K-tLAwMvJoEvWSgLHvlTIsD2seWvg-P9yi6tw/s320/DSC_0293.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views of the transit center showing that it does need a good facelift. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSZyPh-UDZvbYl8KJB0p9TrgiWefr7nyYAakUclAuVaI9ipiRh15WjMqHYT5UpYAhCIe8AtMLu1IY61uL_om17Rv9ULQVOJXUP8eA9Skmte4O76V6uBInldz-4rGiH-kUaPZ9Hw/s1600/DSC_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMSzfGIwFiGGLUnhvD4TyeQrBgTEhx1KupOUp3dQ8jEK2V8BGm-6vBCSXl_rwJV9au2lGq6FcRqpdrDFCKQCR5__l5A_uaxdfogFYzUdxeOL31VJMYcwS4djfd5W5nKtbia1RsQ/s1600/DSC_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMSzfGIwFiGGLUnhvD4TyeQrBgTEhx1KupOUp3dQ8jEK2V8BGm-6vBCSXl_rwJV9au2lGq6FcRqpdrDFCKQCR5__l5A_uaxdfogFYzUdxeOL31VJMYcwS4djfd5W5nKtbia1RsQ/s320/DSC_0291.jpg" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSZyPh-UDZvbYl8KJB0p9TrgiWefr7nyYAakUclAuVaI9ipiRh15WjMqHYT5UpYAhCIe8AtMLu1IY61uL_om17Rv9ULQVOJXUP8eA9Skmte4O76V6uBInldz-4rGiH-kUaPZ9Hw/s1600/DSC_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSZyPh-UDZvbYl8KJB0p9TrgiWefr7nyYAakUclAuVaI9ipiRh15WjMqHYT5UpYAhCIe8AtMLu1IY61uL_om17Rv9ULQVOJXUP8eA9Skmte4O76V6uBInldz-4rGiH-kUaPZ9Hw/s320/DSC_0294.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike Lockers and the pedestrian exit to Barbur and Taylors Ferry Road. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL3V9L81iyKvExnJsJWYdTRqlDi8EzogAtxSd4FTS2Z4y9jwFQnYpLJmF2MHhFHxWorJ1xI7t6g7szTyDzvAiNBdTPvzQt18zlgJC7NmVbHW4gO3BChmHI_NCNX12nxQD_8XRhQ/s1600/DSC_0308-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL3V9L81iyKvExnJsJWYdTRqlDi8EzogAtxSd4FTS2Z4y9jwFQnYpLJmF2MHhFHxWorJ1xI7t6g7szTyDzvAiNBdTPvzQt18zlgJC7NmVbHW4gO3BChmHI_NCNX12nxQD_8XRhQ/s320/DSC_0308-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BB4maKr_N6MW76zPSHxMQznyo_tPymTZQsan7a7pvhdLqi2rS7v0Wi12YHE7fWuxFsaF-NvuvjtpmTnRHnC37rMcC8dp5KTf5tHGU5lQ1u6U7RITkipjtAKv2z_9oGToKyAhPg/s1600/DSC_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BB4maKr_N6MW76zPSHxMQznyo_tPymTZQsan7a7pvhdLqi2rS7v0Wi12YHE7fWuxFsaF-NvuvjtpmTnRHnC37rMcC8dp5KTf5tHGU5lQ1u6U7RITkipjtAKv2z_9oGToKyAhPg/s320/DSC_0309.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO2vQNVvXBrYacAF6zMx5riEm8b1wmiK8eFp5gutbE-TVBN-eCS7AC8LvtXFauiXAPwdfts28AhbI-5wX7v3M9DwYKkNiyZqnBUWdUhcZ8K7RtgOVxxhB4rLIktBIeFNkq_YL6g/s1600/DSC_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO2vQNVvXBrYacAF6zMx5riEm8b1wmiK8eFp5gutbE-TVBN-eCS7AC8LvtXFauiXAPwdfts28AhbI-5wX7v3M9DwYKkNiyZqnBUWdUhcZ8K7RtgOVxxhB4rLIktBIeFNkq_YL6g/s320/DSC_0310.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr9J72moVlMjD1S0-wyxNLnUQrJY40Cn_Fe8rXH43LVbhijgbqjeJEP3g8YruQW_rnaEyOHSed2zMf4PIylWGmuKKeXCpy6CpzHR-wMn8Hr88VjDvpAOKqtgiZCcRvywwuNkoMA/s1600/DSC_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr9J72moVlMjD1S0-wyxNLnUQrJY40Cn_Fe8rXH43LVbhijgbqjeJEP3g8YruQW_rnaEyOHSed2zMf4PIylWGmuKKeXCpy6CpzHR-wMn8Hr88VjDvpAOKqtgiZCcRvywwuNkoMA/s320/DSC_0317.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intersection of Barbur Blvd and Taylors Ferry </td></tr>
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Most people who don't drive to the center arrive either by walking from Taylors Ferry Road or down Barbur Blvd from Capitol Highway. From the above photos you can see that crossing Barbur is not a fun experience especially for the elderly and those with disabilities. Route 43 turns makes a tight hairpin turn off of Taylors Ferry Road onto Barbur instead of serving the transit center although it did at one time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vla9VYn864Cum6Z9f0JlmsAXywhCz7L2O0sEOkOh8E_D5DSbi7O3I7PMw3CNyHrOhRAo9-QwA1-noJbMBn-EYB6rfonAzX6pSrw5r3iR00ACBVvZdjXm94IkQPuj4_MVnxE5EA/s1600/DSC_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vla9VYn864Cum6Z9f0JlmsAXywhCz7L2O0sEOkOh8E_D5DSbi7O3I7PMw3CNyHrOhRAo9-QwA1-noJbMBn-EYB6rfonAzX6pSrw5r3iR00ACBVvZdjXm94IkQPuj4_MVnxE5EA/s320/DSC_0319.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC1jbshJoG1PUFg4gnj2nnaaSGdK7QQHgeTy5aMFHw5HV4trG-q7v1mj4v7VJxiw7R_5jmr1xQOZ4SVIbELsOKOFe7jPK7Lf6J1HU9ONi_ahj9G24dSjUMYOpJGSrG80k7W7mWQ/s1600/DSC_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC1jbshJoG1PUFg4gnj2nnaaSGdK7QQHgeTy5aMFHw5HV4trG-q7v1mj4v7VJxiw7R_5jmr1xQOZ4SVIbELsOKOFe7jPK7Lf6J1HU9ONi_ahj9G24dSjUMYOpJGSrG80k7W7mWQ/s320/DSC_0321.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Park N Ride lot I mean transit center</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeTNK6deVpuOU3qg_sfMA1VBm6BNXlwdVN3GR021v3nrHtxPISabhVSW5MhECA3biRo-AItRvCdtn7QFjO-rLfIMKoSKGnMH_ZAT4a_u8eo5s_-vSw-mVL9ne-L2pjLASva6ghA/s1600/DSC_0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeTNK6deVpuOU3qg_sfMA1VBm6BNXlwdVN3GR021v3nrHtxPISabhVSW5MhECA3biRo-AItRvCdtn7QFjO-rLfIMKoSKGnMH_ZAT4a_u8eo5s_-vSw-mVL9ne-L2pjLASva6ghA/s320/DSC_0331.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The every present freeway</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf30wc-uSaNgx_jhRqWIL3A0iEEVkDumUKEVFKLpX5y6dQPPq4i6s5hkk728TDtvBynEn0fMTYe7FDzUF3ZrPU3Q4MutigP74T3zkx89fPMo4zQPAPg_71Fqb8RxC2uHyyQzLcQ/s1600/DSC_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf30wc-uSaNgx_jhRqWIL3A0iEEVkDumUKEVFKLpX5y6dQPPq4i6s5hkk728TDtvBynEn0fMTYe7FDzUF3ZrPU3Q4MutigP74T3zkx89fPMo4zQPAPg_71Fqb8RxC2uHyyQzLcQ/s320/DSC_0332.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the new drainage system</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRS64v0BJYE5aHMjZ7bIqGhlQ_RqWk5PjzJweo8O9l_X1AV1nU_asHcrfN3-R5ijJlnE_BC3sz9NMBoPfkGBCyNM3R_0QsA82q-nBslQ-oPge-9OOuWnWin7vG_3P6VgyH8rjsg/s1600/DSC_0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRS64v0BJYE5aHMjZ7bIqGhlQ_RqWk5PjzJweo8O9l_X1AV1nU_asHcrfN3-R5ijJlnE_BC3sz9NMBoPfkGBCyNM3R_0QsA82q-nBslQ-oPge-9OOuWnWin7vG_3P6VgyH8rjsg/s320/DSC_0335.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8AVnLOA7w3oYubHH81xpFr4xGwI_wc9-B4BHtxoBCk-4wgqkob2Vl57N1MdUETW2PDBm4FVKW_VV6K_XoCsHy_tyEUf4Q1l01R7qz6M9IQeN9cBZyO55_LE5-V_rTVlgf3si2Q/s1600/DSC_0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8AVnLOA7w3oYubHH81xpFr4xGwI_wc9-B4BHtxoBCk-4wgqkob2Vl57N1MdUETW2PDBm4FVKW_VV6K_XoCsHy_tyEUf4Q1l01R7qz6M9IQeN9cBZyO55_LE5-V_rTVlgf3si2Q/s320/DSC_0336.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramp to the pedestrian bridge across Interstate 5</td></tr>
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There is one nice feature of the transit center and that is the availability of a pedestrian bridge to cross Interstate 5 so that people do not have to walk to Capitol Highway then to Huber street to reach the neighborhood directly across the freeway from the transit center although like any pedestrian crossing of a freeway it is not the nicest experience. In addition the neighborhood across the freeway is one of the most pedestrian unfriendly in Portland although some sidewalks are finally being added to this area. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5ttDH9h-fYKKwVx_ruMAvYPoSm1M0oM4Ztg6SnxuIGu4Wk-Asy5t_LClZ6MmFjpUnZq9PID2h1cq0atykbnZaAFbCYT45Hui8JAptKiecOC0xN8BTJ9rsHd4cAbbvn-KveH6xA/s1600/DSC_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5ttDH9h-fYKKwVx_ruMAvYPoSm1M0oM4Ztg6SnxuIGu4Wk-Asy5t_LClZ6MmFjpUnZq9PID2h1cq0atykbnZaAFbCYT45Hui8JAptKiecOC0xN8BTJ9rsHd4cAbbvn-KveH6xA/s320/DSC_0347.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backside of the transit center</td></tr>
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From the views above you can see that the transit center is not much to look at from the parking lot and looks very typical of 1960-1970's architecture. While the windows might be nice as I mentioned above some skylights in the slanted part of the roof would go to a long way to making the center seem less dismal if it would not interfere with bus drivers visions. As can be seen in the pictures below there has been some pedestrian oriented improvements to make walking from the pedestrian bridge a little nicer than walking through the standard parking lot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc00k_QX9pvyIlJS_MkI38E4shcHsIv9PrS8FEyb2oWoZShgHTtN2cnqFvf_bAmjUbMZelQHt6GydH-vVlXpvgm-1JHbcnwmf91h1nDWei1rfiXFXN4CdtHKlJwrleC39_zHRUPw/s1600/DSC_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc00k_QX9pvyIlJS_MkI38E4shcHsIv9PrS8FEyb2oWoZShgHTtN2cnqFvf_bAmjUbMZelQHt6GydH-vVlXpvgm-1JHbcnwmf91h1nDWei1rfiXFXN4CdtHKlJwrleC39_zHRUPw/s320/DSC_0349.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPp4MUbdAsGOjuFRetEoUVwLmjNiugL3V0ptpEByEj6Vvtq_CMjP8QbuwoJeMv6OM-pgoU8Z9hYxvD-AJsy3NH4lEVWdwIESPr-7wPUpc5xxjxPjbAB1z7j3tedDKxo2MC-L_TQ/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPp4MUbdAsGOjuFRetEoUVwLmjNiugL3V0ptpEByEj6Vvtq_CMjP8QbuwoJeMv6OM-pgoU8Z9hYxvD-AJsy3NH4lEVWdwIESPr-7wPUpc5xxjxPjbAB1z7j3tedDKxo2MC-L_TQ/s320/DSC_0350.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase to the pedestrian bridge and the bridge itself</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlndBoFkVjhfhkyMWF4PH4tdeh752CXXJgHWrmiIN0AJAsHp4-RuX7GFfgp9zSYtjqHjYBnE0WjUeQLpqcfMGW0nIiWB7AUP-2G7iX41qdhRJXTI_rOv44Orco-XAHLFjCv9tXA/s1600/DSC_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlndBoFkVjhfhkyMWF4PH4tdeh752CXXJgHWrmiIN0AJAsHp4-RuX7GFfgp9zSYtjqHjYBnE0WjUeQLpqcfMGW0nIiWB7AUP-2G7iX41qdhRJXTI_rOv44Orco-XAHLFjCv9tXA/s320/DSC_0355.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well you can get good views of Mt. Hood from the transit center on a nice day</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVuKxwVbXtF5sip0QqJTzUPA_s8gKcwYmohfH8lzBtC4hY14nJYIrwqkuZUaAVtzqsNDjQxsPaa43CapImhgWIy_ZUcwWre023MS9dKPGRLov0Ic3ZCPczofGr-fZhoMV6kCwdA/s1600/DSC_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVuKxwVbXtF5sip0QqJTzUPA_s8gKcwYmohfH8lzBtC4hY14nJYIrwqkuZUaAVtzqsNDjQxsPaa43CapImhgWIy_ZUcwWre023MS9dKPGRLov0Ic3ZCPczofGr-fZhoMV6kCwdA/s320/DSC_0357.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcvGF6grwbi9sYSdpWR0Rj4LljcoTI5V8cp_C86x-eUW8H9USmurBGODDNFCNbAscWr1VGOXJL0nFIhFVftzl1p1nA6NatDdlHBvHjk8KfOZV-2t8qdo6PXnkZG9ocRSTiUlHXA/s1600/DSC_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcvGF6grwbi9sYSdpWR0Rj4LljcoTI5V8cp_C86x-eUW8H9USmurBGODDNFCNbAscWr1VGOXJL0nFIhFVftzl1p1nA6NatDdlHBvHjk8KfOZV-2t8qdo6PXnkZG9ocRSTiUlHXA/s320/DSC_0353.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the new drainage treatment for the transit center. </td></tr>
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One thing that can be said is that they did try to mitigate how bad the huge chunk of parking lot can be by putting in a new natural drainage system. Whether that counters that this is largely a huge Park N Ride lot that does little to create a vibrant community I highly doubt it. From the view below you can see how much land is actually taken up with parking at this transit center. Not that the parking lot extends to the far side of the transit station and is usually full during the week. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETd-_O_c9shL8jZw9-l74Azi_lsXqFx4Lc6ZRXj9AQ3dCAjOel__3rTKrtbb38A_19LI15Bx_eu4khusygoo1w6-E-bFtdReNj9KznU6rwFsb4llwI8es7ngINr6XtLHXM4wLnQ/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETd-_O_c9shL8jZw9-l74Azi_lsXqFx4Lc6ZRXj9AQ3dCAjOel__3rTKrtbb38A_19LI15Bx_eu4khusygoo1w6-E-bFtdReNj9KznU6rwFsb4llwI8es7ngINr6XtLHXM4wLnQ/s320/DSC_0356.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this any better than a big box parking lot? </td></tr>
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The question is, what can be done with this area? The first thing that needs to be done is the zoning changed to allow more transit oriented development in the area which the city of Portland is working on. As mentioned above any changes to the highway is going to be difficult unless the city takes over maintenance of the road from the state which the city cannot afford at this time. </div>
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The most recent change in the area has been the addition of a Walgreen's at the corner of Barbur and Capitol Highway one block away which has created more traffic problems in an already congested area along with an increase in crime. Like most Walgreen's it is very auto oriented with very poor pedestrian access. </div>
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Ultimately what happens to the area will depend on the Southwest Corridor project and how effectively the city is able to up-zone the land. Right now the transit center is nothing but a glorified Park N Ride lot that does nothing for the community itself. This is the urban form at its worse, but sadly fits into the present form of the area. </div>
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As I mentioned the transit center itself is showing its age and needs a major face-lift. However, that will probably not happen until it is decided exactly what form the Southwest Corridor project will take. The area has lots of potential but it will take a joint effort to make this area transform from its present highway orientation to place that is welcoming to all. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-11776001134440446672014-01-20T09:26:00.000-08:002014-01-20T09:27:43.199-08:00Trimet Parkrose/Sumner Transit Station - The good, bad and ugly<br />
During my recent trip to the Portland International Airport for a trip to Los Angles, I took pictures of the three Red Line stations that only serve the Red Line to the airport. Unfortunately I was using a borrowed point and shoot which did not have the quality of my DSLR but the pictures will have to do. For these stations along with many others I plan to photograph soon, I will document what the existing conditions are, what the zoning is, what the plus and minuses of the station are, and what can be done from an urban design standpoint to make the station a better place now and in the future.<br />
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First up is the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center which is the perfect example of why freeway based rail transit stations just don't work especially when all the conditions this one faces. That is not to say it is not a popular transit hub as it does serve several important bus lines but because of the freeway location will never be all it could be.<br />
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<b>Google Map of Area: </b><br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/preview?hl=en#!q=NE+Sandy+%26+92nd&data=!1m4!1m3!1d3474!2d-122.5650892!3d45.5585944!2m1!1e3!4m15!2m14!1m13!1s0x5495a156053c19a9%3A0x66709da3f83c547a!3m8!1m3!1d3452!2d-122.5649812!3d45.5588816!3m2!1i1680!2i949!4f13.1!4m2!3d45.5565168!4d-122.5683743&fid=7" target="_blank">Parkrose/Sumner Transit Station Google Image</a><br />
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The transit center sits along Interstate 205 between Sandy Blvd on the south and Killingsworth on the north. To the east of the transit station is a dual branded Quality Inn/Rodeway Inn which I will discuss later. The transit center is served by Trimet Routes 12, 21, and 71 along with a C-Tran route 65.<br />
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<b>Pictures:</b><br />
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Here is a MAX train leaving toward the airport. The bridge across the freeway is directly to my right along with the transit center. The train is about to duct under Killingworth with is a vital link to the industrial areas of Portland around the airport and North Portland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MkCSH7Cq-c1t6B2Y3Byfn3xCLlvnnh3PEjHJg-On0QpjA4utYyw35g5G0f8wi96apN4AUGu2b5LctP3gHXLkL-CdCLHpQwdkrs0ohSKFJGhQ8fA3w9cJewSqp660tTlGHJqnJA/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MkCSH7Cq-c1t6B2Y3Byfn3xCLlvnnh3PEjHJg-On0QpjA4utYyw35g5G0f8wi96apN4AUGu2b5LctP3gHXLkL-CdCLHpQwdkrs0ohSKFJGhQ8fA3w9cJewSqp660tTlGHJqnJA/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Line Train Heading to PDX</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq7v8MiGot5ARthrcoXqUXpTts-NtPpKa4t5E1sYCp-bHsRW_jxrUyuVqsVbzgZ97MJWIOSumypcNRIveJXJqgUSkCd2kHw26uqKgjKUmsUE33J8rZBhEpOR2vycnmJ94wrzgyQ/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq7v8MiGot5ARthrcoXqUXpTts-NtPpKa4t5E1sYCp-bHsRW_jxrUyuVqsVbzgZ97MJWIOSumypcNRIveJXJqgUSkCd2kHw26uqKgjKUmsUE33J8rZBhEpOR2vycnmJ94wrzgyQ/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ticket Machines </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44WXrMImKXWKoFypBHgr26P3FrnIbFn7s08iaK2TCQccrP8UhwzAdNrVR8cQya0xIW6E1xr4sArx5sy0JCmMQYb0t3EXY9VS8DLe9PS5pvpXalGCcMaCvQiTayGCLrsorlRX20A/s1600/IMG_0953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44WXrMImKXWKoFypBHgr26P3FrnIbFn7s08iaK2TCQccrP8UhwzAdNrVR8cQya0xIW6E1xr4sArx5sy0JCmMQYb0t3EXY9VS8DLe9PS5pvpXalGCcMaCvQiTayGCLrsorlRX20A/s1600/IMG_0953.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Toward Sandy Blvd</td></tr>
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Here is the bus bay area of the transit station. It seems that many transit stations and simply overbuilt and this one seems to be no exception. Currently several of the bays are not being used (one of which has a storage pod). Do buses truly need all of this area or is it another example of we build things because that is the way it is done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdhbE0QShNM7ueINIHYW1avymkFUoJ4CqsZrw38ExQpmrUW3udUcldS9Uf4_U62Cmu8aRodEVJHV5-VR2luO4IDqP98ljc_PXKx_dyV2UxlEhuGU8wVY3gb-DnxhuZiROWx5b3w/s1600/IMG_0954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdhbE0QShNM7ueINIHYW1avymkFUoJ4CqsZrw38ExQpmrUW3udUcldS9Uf4_U62Cmu8aRodEVJHV5-VR2luO4IDqP98ljc_PXKx_dyV2UxlEhuGU8wVY3gb-DnxhuZiROWx5b3w/s1600/IMG_0954.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus Bay Area</td></tr>
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Across the street from the edge of the Transit center is an Econolodge Motel. However, it is clear that crossing Sandy Blvd is not that pleasant of an experience especially at the speed many drivers go through this area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8y4y6welHlORFrQQpy0QY5LW8Nc5dp_s8YhZJc-nBVAqe0ngiX_gbBg52ll5_2LbQh4ixTKzf4knxZSCkE-1YtSff6SYZT9U804-PZO_c13jao6-zi6XVlroWn_VlVoal7vuzQ/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8y4y6welHlORFrQQpy0QY5LW8Nc5dp_s8YhZJc-nBVAqe0ngiX_gbBg52ll5_2LbQh4ixTKzf4knxZSCkE-1YtSff6SYZT9U804-PZO_c13jao6-zi6XVlroWn_VlVoal7vuzQ/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Across Sandy Blvd</td></tr>
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If you want to access the Quality Inn/Rodeway Inn that is located adjacent to the transit center you have to walk out of the transit station, head down Sandy Blvd onto a sidewalk that does narrow significantly to reach the motel office. The facility itself is typical auto oriented 1970's era mid range hotel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOl97L6DMsMxh2Hs_Wxctafcq9F4Ec_IEidK6DYZsx_qqc9ik4rumTR-PF12Tmjnpyb8G8Ja2yq7SxiYwQ6yzLzo8_12xnlZTFDb68-8AlHVcQXy-EIt8Ue6sgZi9b8GV15xI-Q/s1600/IMG_0958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOl97L6DMsMxh2Hs_Wxctafcq9F4Ec_IEidK6DYZsx_qqc9ik4rumTR-PF12Tmjnpyb8G8Ja2yq7SxiYwQ6yzLzo8_12xnlZTFDb68-8AlHVcQXy-EIt8Ue6sgZi9b8GV15xI-Q/s1600/IMG_0958.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East on Sandy Blvd toward the Quality Inn/Rodeway Inn Entrance </td></tr>
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This shot is looking west along Sandy Blvd toward the Interstate 205 overpass. As you can see there is a large bus layover zone along Sandy Blvd which even more reason why the bus bay section of transit center is severely overbuilt and could be downsized. At this particular moment traffic is not bad on Sandy Blvd but there don't be fooled, Sandy Blvd can be extremely busy further making it a unpleasant environment for pedestrians.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8s3gp-YChSDHztWKWqyoVghH9iyWQfL1jOXwV1IW-xh9KLmAPI4Khl8nKLOy3-mpeDC2UZoXPynw_I7cqwWcQvX7noEHr0fVLr5v32fRLHbmTmzvevgedsnnW7hDAiJ2IWT7zw/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8s3gp-YChSDHztWKWqyoVghH9iyWQfL1jOXwV1IW-xh9KLmAPI4Khl8nKLOy3-mpeDC2UZoXPynw_I7cqwWcQvX7noEHr0fVLr5v32fRLHbmTmzvevgedsnnW7hDAiJ2IWT7zw/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west along Sandy Blvd. You can see a bus laying over with bus bays ahead to the right</td></tr>
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These next two pictures show the access ramp from the bridge over northbound Interstate 205 and the west side of the freeway. As you can see those who live on the west side of the interstate do not have any easy access to the MAX line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN-GKBB-xzWjbA_DS-mebQUl7WqLt-mcX5Pi6blhKK0WHOE8bbUlLSmDGEwOaJ-CHiJyR5S9OLqnmhdcReo434oczWIp1E2aUMF_QLVoOH_z90S1qhBEHjMjKesfjIlI0iMOI3Q/s1600/IMG_0961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN-GKBB-xzWjbA_DS-mebQUl7WqLt-mcX5Pi6blhKK0WHOE8bbUlLSmDGEwOaJ-CHiJyR5S9OLqnmhdcReo434oczWIp1E2aUMF_QLVoOH_z90S1qhBEHjMjKesfjIlI0iMOI3Q/s1600/IMG_0961.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the bridge that crosses Interstate 205</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagzQIAvJfGResnGhcTKU65vENFKE4mqCILGa-gyv4ftWoOdTsnz8cavm8mA7pZ6frFR8OK7fIjH8rJ17o1-quajUIWuBqyKgAj-1BHPXqqDKM9t1fOeZVZttJxESiddP8iukoEg/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagzQIAvJfGResnGhcTKU65vENFKE4mqCILGa-gyv4ftWoOdTsnz8cavm8mA7pZ6frFR8OK7fIjH8rJ17o1-quajUIWuBqyKgAj-1BHPXqqDKM9t1fOeZVZttJxESiddP8iukoEg/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area to the west of Interstate 205 does not have access to the transit station without walking down Sandy Blvd. </td></tr>
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Looking north of the MAX station you can see Killingworth which is a major industrial corridor from here North Portland. These next couple of pictures further emphasis what a poor environment freeway transit stations are and why they should be avoided unless there is no alternative.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzt1vViBisKO9IfEMYb3kXXdyj5sIM7qu4iPlg74oKgghtKjSs0i-MajIyXCjk5HyR15ii0WgDJbEzuBIJifox7l5soxgzTasGyBSOsRxrchHv4xNoq0SV5jm3zjbDp5fk1fkBA/s1600/IMG_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzt1vViBisKO9IfEMYb3kXXdyj5sIM7qu4iPlg74oKgghtKjSs0i-MajIyXCjk5HyR15ii0WgDJbEzuBIJifox7l5soxgzTasGyBSOsRxrchHv4xNoq0SV5jm3zjbDp5fk1fkBA/s1600/IMG_0964.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Northwest from the transit station </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmSTqsIrbYyQ3Hh9CNdwBUfIZqkTW1IKE_dd42nMQ7V-eWWpnaCNAuzA8Ve5EUHytYH7PFg8oAiNp-ZMhfgIv9iXir-rJ026_tChxYl-WLkBsv_ELreOwInl_UofoWKZNmTeXFw/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmSTqsIrbYyQ3Hh9CNdwBUfIZqkTW1IKE_dd42nMQ7V-eWWpnaCNAuzA8Ve5EUHytYH7PFg8oAiNp-ZMhfgIv9iXir-rJ026_tChxYl-WLkBsv_ELreOwInl_UofoWKZNmTeXFw/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the MAX platform and Sandy Blvd</td></tr>
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<b>Zoning in the area: </b><br />
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Here is map created by Portlandmaps.com that shows the zoning in the area. The area to the east of the station is largely commercial which continues down Sandy Blvd. Across the Interstate from the transit station you have higher density residential which as noted from the pictures has very poor access to the MAX platforms. The (h) destinations indicates airplane flyover overlay zone which restricts the height of buildings because of their proximity to Portland International Airport.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.portlandmaps.com/giswrap/servlet/GisWrapServlet?MjIsISp4bBwfCBMcbTVhCQsbAwZmXFJcPDcqLS47LC43JjsyXFJcLys/MjcqJ1wDUgVcODcyOyEuMDlcUlxGXFJcRlwDV1EtOzI7PSpeVF44LDEzXiUzHw4xGFZcJBEQFxAZISofBhIRCg1cUgVcJBEQFxAZXjIXEBsNXFJcKh8GEhEKDVxSXC0KDBsbCg1cUlwkERAXEBleOhsNFxkQHwoXERANXFJcPRELEAoHXjwRCxAaHwwXGw1cA1JITk5SS05OUhsQCBsSEQ4bVklISU9LTEdQS01IUklISUtJTEdQS01IUkhHRkpLTFBISUhSSEdKR0tMUEhJSFdSBS4RFxAKVklISU1KRkpQTEpJUkhHSEhPR1BMR09XA1IFLQoHEhs5HxISGwwHLQcTHBESVlw5Ny0vMlANCgcSG1xSXDMfDBUbDF4tBxMcERINXFJcOhsYHwsSClxSXC0bEhsdChcREFxXA1IqLCs7VyNF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoning Around the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center. The center of the transit center is located by the red dot. From portlandmaps.com</td></tr>
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<b>What can be done? </b><br />
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The question we have to ask is what can be done to this area from an urban design standpoint that will make this area a better place and more vibrant. One thing that cannot be changed is the fact that the MAX station is in the median of Interstate 205. It has been stated many times that a freeway is the worst possible place to put a transit station and the Parkrose/Sumner transit station proves the point. However, whats done is done so how can the transit station be improved.<br />
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1. First, a second bridge should be built that crosses the southbound section of the freeway and connects MAX to the west side of the freeway allowing much better access to the transit station from the neighborhoods to the west.<br />
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2. Another idea to make this a better station is to rebuild the bus area to make it less intrusive. While it is complicated by the fact that buses do have to make a tight turn in this facility, there is no reason why the bus facility could not be downsized while still leaving space for future expansion.<br />
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3. Work with the owners of the hotel to eventually blend the hotel facility into the transit center. This could be done either through incentives or tax breaks. The hotel is missing a major marketing opportunity by not promoting its hotel to those using MAX. I see a lot of visitors using MAX but most pass this hotel and head directly to downtown.<br />
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4. Improve Sandy Blvd to make it a more pleasant area. Currently Portland is tapped out on Tax Incriminate Financing Districts (TIF) to improve the area plus the limits placed on the area because of the airplane overlay zone. However, there is still other funding mechanisms that could be use to make Sandy Blvd a more pleasant street to be a transit rider.<br />
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Frankly, there is little hope at the present time for this transit center for a multitude of reasons. However that does not mean that little changes cannot be made to make it a better urban environment than currently exists. Sadly Portland current has too many areas (especially on the east side) that need attention with little funding to make it happen.<br />
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In the future I plan to do overviews of more transit stations to show what the current conditions are and what can be done from an Urban Design standpoint to make them a better place.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-53682153313983442722013-12-26T14:55:00.000-08:002013-12-26T14:55:35.081-08:003 Day Transit Only Trip to Los Angeles<br />
A job interview in Los Angeles on December 20th meant I had to travel down there and get around the city. My choice was to use transit and avoid the use of a car for the entire trip. I could have taken Amtrak from Portland and it would have been about $50 cheaper than flying if I had to pay but I cashed in my frequent flyer miles and got a free round trip ticket to Los Angeles which included a free upgrade to first class on the trip back – bonus! My first preference would have been to fly into Burbank which is more convenient and has better transit access but it would have been 15,000 more miles for the ticket which is beyond what I had or wanted to spend so LAX would be the spot I flew into. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LsgnxlXUY4nwW7Pjyz3dkn_FIlc9kQ1v7hIGklEbVgWtA4Phx-8DsAlXstZYjaROnZ1gq4MrUnOGIoiTu3lO0qv-GU3aAjzLBEHGOMgUujar6SBo-9mnRoIswkerFYDI_NNHtQ/s1600/IMG_0946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LsgnxlXUY4nwW7Pjyz3dkn_FIlc9kQ1v7hIGklEbVgWtA4Phx-8DsAlXstZYjaROnZ1gq4MrUnOGIoiTu3lO0qv-GU3aAjzLBEHGOMgUujar6SBo-9mnRoIswkerFYDI_NNHtQ/s320/IMG_0946.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Line Train Arriving At Pioneer Courthouse Square with Siemens S70 cars</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
My trip started off with a ride on TriMet bus 56 and the Red Line to Portland International Airport. I stopped and got off at all the Red Line stations from Parkrose to the Airport to get pictures of the station surrounds that I am planning to use on future blog postings. I arrived at the airport in plenty of time for my 2:53 flight out of PDX. The flight was on a Canadair CRJ 900 and I was in row 10 which is the half-way point on the craft. Because of the small luggage racks on these plains they take your suitcases on the jetway to put them in the planes storage area (in other words a way to get around check baggage fees presently). The plane was on time into LAX but it took 15 minutes for them to unload the luggage onto the jetway so I missed the 5:00pm Flyway bus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIJ1CjmkK3Zs6frLMkUlJpEF4UrhNdQ64BGiJ_Q-Xd89DYf9sTeCX3Wolk87HLeEroBC7Nj6KoE6C53ItV5dI3wCVMo1sgA_7lA7LdfkLqw0Hb-MYusqH5ukZ4HsKbsdZtfWZ9w/s1600/IMG_1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIJ1CjmkK3Zs6frLMkUlJpEF4UrhNdQ64BGiJ_Q-Xd89DYf9sTeCX3Wolk87HLeEroBC7Nj6KoE6C53ItV5dI3wCVMo1sgA_7lA7LdfkLqw0Hb-MYusqH5ukZ4HsKbsdZtfWZ9w/s320/IMG_1031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skywest CRJ-900 plane operated for Delta from Portland to Los Angeles</td></tr>
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I despise LAX, and have avoided it for years as I normally fly into Burbank if I am using transit or Long Beach if I am renting a car. My only time at LAX prior to today since I originally moved out of Los Angeles was to change planes on my way to Railvolution in Miami in 2007. The Southern California Rapid Transit District had long abandoned running buses into LAX (or where kicked out by the airport authority for taking parking revenue from them, not sure which) and today there is not direct transit service from LAX to downtown LA as the last vestige of service the 439 was cut a few years ago. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf1HYqa6R8Ey4N-kYkTb3qHYRn8w2TLbh2jDrObp3nYFonOkWen0ipb10FGAGE44NyGIHLDMm-j7ojjCTnKdmj9UJCAQ-ZtNkC2g4BdwzsPIIzNZDxcsacc4QOfn8-G2I2l8C_Q/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf1HYqa6R8Ey4N-kYkTb3qHYRn8w2TLbh2jDrObp3nYFonOkWen0ipb10FGAGE44NyGIHLDMm-j7ojjCTnKdmj9UJCAQ-ZtNkC2g4BdwzsPIIzNZDxcsacc4QOfn8-G2I2l8C_Q/s320/IMG_1421.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Iconic Symbol of LAX</td></tr>
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What is offered by LAX is a direct bus from the airport to Union Station which cost $7.00 (two dollars more than a Metro Day Pass). This is a great alternative for people however it should be noted that for those traveling by transit beyond Union Station you still have to buy an additional fare. The other option is to use the Green Line shuttle to the Green Line to the Blue line and go from there. I decided to use the Flyaway bus to Union Station then transit to my hotel which was near Wilshire Boulevard. I was hoping to get Union Station in time to catch a Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) DASH bus to 7th and Spring and another DASH bus to my hotel after getting some food.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-nrIngGA9Z3lBzgdLrZ8fJYxhDzyj7MVl7YxlkjO1olPOqQCe7acGRR1qDzAN83n-e4b_sa4Ina8WIbAEPO8wfNv8HAKIZR1MPdqmSdAmYK-QIHNnx37ydObJDOBtIv2V3Tjcg/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-nrIngGA9Z3lBzgdLrZ8fJYxhDzyj7MVl7YxlkjO1olPOqQCe7acGRR1qDzAN83n-e4b_sa4Ina8WIbAEPO8wfNv8HAKIZR1MPdqmSdAmYK-QIHNnx37ydObJDOBtIv2V3Tjcg/s320/IMG_1094.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flyaway Bus </td></tr>
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<br />
One of situations I have been critical of is letting too many people use the HOV or (HOT) lanes. Eventually you have so much traffic using them they eventually become worse than the general purpose lanes. That was what our Flyaway bus faced on both the Century and Harbor Freeway lanes as they were either as crowed as or more crowded than the general purpose lanes. To make matters worse once the lanes ended it was a parking lot all the way to Union Station. The driver called her dispatcher to attempt an alternative route but was told no and to deal with the traffic but get to Union Station immediately because she was already late for her next run. Flyaway estimates 30 to 45 minutes for the trip but on this day it took an hour and a half. I worried that I had missed the last DASH bus out of Union Station but I texted to check if one was coming and as it turned out one was due in 3 minutes. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HSrKnjWa8UIvwFt4nRJEelRmchjSV5uZn4J1TJTgJNmXkGGDQ0SUA20mq7fmJyIycImA7jqx7-vL6FAoKoTiFOBZgJnE4djyptnQ-o2Qy1qX2n-A-Nn1cIOFheWlq9AucS3bwg/s1600/IMG_1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HSrKnjWa8UIvwFt4nRJEelRmchjSV5uZn4J1TJTgJNmXkGGDQ0SUA20mq7fmJyIycImA7jqx7-vL6FAoKoTiFOBZgJnE4djyptnQ-o2Qy1qX2n-A-Nn1cIOFheWlq9AucS3bwg/s320/IMG_1080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DASH bus on line B</td></tr>
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I took the DASH bus to 7th and Spring where I bought some food then head toward my hotel. I knew the last bus on the next route I needed I already left so I walked to my hotel. Normally I have no problem walking as have walked up to 15 miles in a day but when you are dragging a suitcase it makes it a little more difficult. <br />
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The next day I woke early as I had a test to take at 8:00am and had to pass the test to be able to go into the interview session in the afternoon. Trying to save money I decided to walk the 2 miles from my hotel to the human resources office of my interview. I was not sure what time I would have available today so I figured why waste money on riding transit when I could walk. As it turned out my test which was supposed to be a 4 hour test was only 2 hours and since the interviews did not start until 1:30pm left me with time to take the Metrorail to the Metro/7th station and take my first ride on the Expo Light Rail line.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7KBL-EKvWEt-Zi7xN7AJIK6YypDzhtNm6weoZM2e0cGJEOL7a2tSYbOS-4rR2ndwV5-o-hPqXgFv3jjzxwO5XtOWcB1dyee4iNTkPYvkSL6BfMDSmuAzgqjUibZqSudPWtZgZA/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7KBL-EKvWEt-Zi7xN7AJIK6YypDzhtNm6weoZM2e0cGJEOL7a2tSYbOS-4rR2ndwV5-o-hPqXgFv3jjzxwO5XtOWcB1dyee4iNTkPYvkSL6BfMDSmuAzgqjUibZqSudPWtZgZA/s320/IMG_1045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expo Line train at Culver City</td></tr>
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I then returned for my interview then headed back to downtown to just walk around and take pictures. I was hoping to ride Angel’s Flight however every time I am in downtown Los Angeles (ok its only been three or four times in the last 7 years) it is closed for one reason or another and today was no different. I did some more walking then rode a DASH bus to my hotel. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OjIwcfUS8aRR2Xm77_J1ISTyqCl3PLWyda7qqm5JAVUEAorrkXba4NuIG04wTqf0gkmqN9DjaDx4d7SnbsMbGF5LBdfloJGaOVAke2PK8SH6wTf0mgQtXJr0cHO6ldLkrnbT-Q/s1600/IMG_1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OjIwcfUS8aRR2Xm77_J1ISTyqCl3PLWyda7qqm5JAVUEAorrkXba4NuIG04wTqf0gkmqN9DjaDx4d7SnbsMbGF5LBdfloJGaOVAke2PK8SH6wTf0mgQtXJr0cHO6ldLkrnbT-Q/s320/IMG_1104.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closed Angel's Flight</td></tr>
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<br />
My flight out was not till 6:00pm so this gave me more opportunities spend some time in Los Angeles. I took a DASH bus to the Gold Line and rode it one station to Union Station where I was hoping to store my luggage but that didn’t work out. I then took the Gold Line to East Los Angeles and then to Pasadena where I took a walking tour of the area I grew up in. I then rode the Gold Line back to Union Station then the Red/Blue/Green lines to LAX. After this trip I have ridden the entire Gold Line, the Purple Line to Normandie from Union Station, the current Expo line, the Blue line to Willow, the Green Line from the Rosa Parks station to Redondo Beach and back to the Aviation Station, and of course the El Monte busway before anyone even thought of the “Silver Line”. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UU5dYbYpIExq5LEu961YepSgyii34y9fic63JEzjPC3yR0Tk3k8PB1kMZQ4TgHWFkB3f5zzcz0AFOdUhTGDx9tscwss25ET4kz6sEtGjoqAHMxnm8M_jUivCcAxl79VMX24C2w/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UU5dYbYpIExq5LEu961YepSgyii34y9fic63JEzjPC3yR0Tk3k8PB1kMZQ4TgHWFkB3f5zzcz0AFOdUhTGDx9tscwss25ET4kz6sEtGjoqAHMxnm8M_jUivCcAxl79VMX24C2w/s320/IMG_1393.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Line Train at Rosa Parks Station</td></tr>
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<br />
I my flight back would have been uneventful except I was flying First Class for the first time and our plane was a freshly delivered 737-900 with new plane smell. While these new planes have a beautiful interior, they have been the new luggage racks even smaller. Our plane arrived on time back into Portland but it took almost 15 minutes for our luggage to arrive which means I just missed one Red Line train which meant I had a 45 minute wait in downtown before catching the 35 and 78 buses home. <br />
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Some notes to think about: <br />
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-First for those flying into LAX is horrible transit wise. There is little information on how to use transit at the airport itself with the airport trying to drive people to its parking lots and Flyaway bus services. It is about them making the most money, not what is best for the traveler. To top it off, my ride on the Green Line shuttle to the airport from the Aviation station would turn off most casual users. The driver had to be the rudest driver I have ever encountered, she did not announce stops, and when we came to Terminal one she barely slowed to a stop giving no one time to stand up if they wanted the stop. In addition they use the lower arrivals level because they pick up and drop off at the same time which can cause crowding and once you get off the shuttle at least at the Alaska terminal there was no information on how you get to the upper level. Just poor customer service all around. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k8cSEUidUeTB-iqQxczeHwx0HJqqfLD921iTSL6p6gV7tCLqqkKWX-FCED6mozCPl4HsuIfitbV4jj9RqQbiikN5qn7YaUMH4yqApyFJmqmL3DMO1HWP7WiFmadc23Y_up-5Xg/s1600/IMG_1419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k8cSEUidUeTB-iqQxczeHwx0HJqqfLD921iTSL6p6gV7tCLqqkKWX-FCED6mozCPl4HsuIfitbV4jj9RqQbiikN5qn7YaUMH4yqApyFJmqmL3DMO1HWP7WiFmadc23Y_up-5Xg/s320/IMG_1419.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAX "G" Shuttle Bus to Green Line</td></tr>
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<br />
-Second, with Los Angeles Union Station being a major hub it would be nice if there was a place to store luggage. Amtrak said they would only do it if you had a ticket for that day even if you were a Amtrak Rewards member. The problem I have with Amtrak is their incredible inconsistency in policy. Some stations will not do it at all (Reno comes to mind), others will do it for anyone. Now before anyone jumps down my throat about being hard on Amtrak, most corporations have a problem with inconsistence and it often depends on the quality of leadership on the local level. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9G0pk9I8q3F4ca_26N_EMj1m6iGCT6svPT8jVH-HNqVRQpxkxxWAVuapF4jGT1eWm15wh6WI1LG1KwUuU_4qKVLAPP1xaSEkwHtxcomWtuf_PUZxd62URoUPXaXNg10vCSnOeZw/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9G0pk9I8q3F4ca_26N_EMj1m6iGCT6svPT8jVH-HNqVRQpxkxxWAVuapF4jGT1eWm15wh6WI1LG1KwUuU_4qKVLAPP1xaSEkwHtxcomWtuf_PUZxd62URoUPXaXNg10vCSnOeZw/s320/IMG_1077.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles Union Station</td></tr>
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<br />
-When the Gold Line was first under construction to Pasadena there was some opposition because of the number of high density developments planned in the city and the worries about more of them. Sadly, some of these people’s concerns seem to playing out as many of the developments I observed appeared to be Transit Adjacent Developments (TAD) not Transit Oriented Development as they created barriers to the street level and seemed to be very auto oriented even the ones located one block from the Gold Line Del Mar station. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTojNtgwy06bfb_MtlmXZe3e7Gdba4eJgiMKiPI7ZKP0rcm20SLNYE-9fRiLdrFCmtspB397-VhpEH5skQYLne-Rk1Ez7RtOgwtyrzh-eWqz0Ggc0LW3e1EaYU_9ifhDuNhNrdA/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTojNtgwy06bfb_MtlmXZe3e7Gdba4eJgiMKiPI7ZKP0rcm20SLNYE-9fRiLdrFCmtspB397-VhpEH5skQYLne-Rk1Ez7RtOgwtyrzh-eWqz0Ggc0LW3e1EaYU_9ifhDuNhNrdA/s320/IMG_1311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAD development at Cordova and Marengo in Pasadena. The building in the far background is where the Gold Line Del Mar Station is located</td></tr>
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<br />
-Most of the Gold Line through East Los Angeles is still very auto oriented and will take several years to start changing which limits the ridership possibilities. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaJ6vtV7opxiWWPd23oum9czHK-3AUV9qtBG5_oSRb7RG-YCm1snbJrqLoQj73sCx1MdwoU88m5h2o-R0sUX5lndChF5I__dd4-Dhd5OAAZjhGTrlVGoLRzwy_bihlKc1OS6xLA/s1600/IMG_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaJ6vtV7opxiWWPd23oum9czHK-3AUV9qtBG5_oSRb7RG-YCm1snbJrqLoQj73sCx1MdwoU88m5h2o-R0sUX5lndChF5I__dd4-Dhd5OAAZjhGTrlVGoLRzwy_bihlKc1OS6xLA/s320/IMG_1182.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Line train in East Los Angeles</td></tr>
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<br />
-Traffic signal priority seems to be the major problems that light rail trains seem to encounter in the Los Angeles region. The Expo and Blue Lines encountered multiple delays from traffic lights which delays the overall running of the trains. <br />
<br />
-That brings up another problem with the Expo Line which is a compromise to the safety record of the Blue Line and that is the overhead structures at several major streets along the line. I will use the Culver City station as an example. The overhead structure is almost highway like which creates a big shadow effect on the area. One of the benefits of light rail is supposed to be how it brings life to the city streets but structures such as the Culver City station have the opposite effect. It will be interesting to see if developments happen more around these stations than say near a major highway. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKB1u9BgIum75TnHtyk4MJt_O4FuaQZkvA4tgdbMt-b1hoL9nM4fch9RTTJPuFW7x0Fwnl0HEGuHDOStCGq_eQfs13TMuQf0nAyYigiVnmGculDnT5ehLm2BfvIL6n9sR7XOf7sg/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKB1u9BgIum75TnHtyk4MJt_O4FuaQZkvA4tgdbMt-b1hoL9nM4fch9RTTJPuFW7x0Fwnl0HEGuHDOStCGq_eQfs13TMuQf0nAyYigiVnmGculDnT5ehLm2BfvIL6n9sR7XOf7sg/s320/IMG_1046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Culver City Station</td></tr>
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<br />
-I grew up in Los Angeles riding transit since I was 10 years old so doing it for 3 days in the city is no problem for me. However, if we expect travelers to get out of their cars and use transit more while visiting Los Angeles or any other city for that matter; we need to make services that are convenient, with services they need and customer friendly. Until then few will stop renting cars and looking to transit as an alternative.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q_sE4AUhhhWBJyW4Tm7DTEzSASeFFzdDzEKWDiHV4vCewC_GEk6DTzrs_cerdhDzm2eA1Iv48ZiBaDZQWNg6f1p1e6X0R7ojPRooKMUlxthXTe3QC3xrKX3XSCNf5Dn-UUy2Uw/s1600/IMG_1178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q_sE4AUhhhWBJyW4Tm7DTEzSASeFFzdDzEKWDiHV4vCewC_GEk6DTzrs_cerdhDzm2eA1Iv48ZiBaDZQWNg6f1p1e6X0R7ojPRooKMUlxthXTe3QC3xrKX3XSCNf5Dn-UUy2Uw/s320/IMG_1178.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metrolink and Amtrak at Los Angeles Union Stationi</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-41479136523919875092013-09-25T13:36:00.000-07:002013-09-25T13:36:50.584-07:00How well does your trail work? I am a walker, I love to do a lot of walking. While it may not show right now with the pounds I need to do I have walked more than 15 miles in a single day.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1UaJTybITcrA-NDyhMyqxgocOAG3XkyLoyB4DdMEnw-SV8Ci6A4GxN470Fmwl83juGma898k1nvagbEoRuk_YXUO-UGO3Fu7cb7GhokN2ZPycvE_a0Ld_luXYvqXZobNAegDZg/s1600/0919130913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1UaJTybITcrA-NDyhMyqxgocOAG3XkyLoyB4DdMEnw-SV8Ci6A4GxN470Fmwl83juGma898k1nvagbEoRuk_YXUO-UGO3Fu7cb7GhokN2ZPycvE_a0Ld_luXYvqXZobNAegDZg/s320/0919130913.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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When I visited Portland before moving up here in 2010 and early 2011, and after moving here I would do walks suggested by Laura Foster in her books "Portland City Walks" and "Portland Hill Walks" which are two books I would highly recommend if you want to do sightseeing in Portland on foot.<br />
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However there is also times I like to walk off road trails because they tend to be quieter and I can do some hard thinking along the way. When I lived in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.75,-111.883333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.75,-111.883333333%20(Salt%20Lake%20City)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Salt Lake City">Salt Lake City</a> I would walk the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.1866666667,35.6191666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=33.1866666667,35.6191666667%20(Jordan%20River)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Jordan River">Jordan River</a> Trail that travels the center of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.6839,-111.978&spn=1.0,1.0&q=40.6839,-111.978%20(Salt%20Lake%20Valley)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Salt Lake Valley">Salt Lake Valley</a> and when I lived in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.6588888889,-117.425&spn=0.1,0.1&q=47.6588888889,-117.425%20(Spokane%2C%20Washington)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Spokane, Washington">Spokane, WA</a> I would often walk the Centennial trail that traveled from Spokane to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.6927777778,-116.78&spn=0.1,0.1&q=47.6927777778,-116.78%20(Coeur%20d%27Alene%2C%20Idaho)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Coeur d'Alene, Idaho">Couer D' Alene ,Idaho</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g0EG27EYfosQF-zfATHKGmY8wJ4N0nzT_AwgwW39OeOGUv0MIFbo-07j6d5vIqutkvK7ttf9dUQsrR9qHZa9o5z6FjC9y_nlZFB7XbPTfu_peRvmcRP1KU68slEy7_D6OwDXbw/s1600/0919130914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g0EG27EYfosQF-zfATHKGmY8wJ4N0nzT_AwgwW39OeOGUv0MIFbo-07j6d5vIqutkvK7ttf9dUQsrR9qHZa9o5z6FjC9y_nlZFB7XbPTfu_peRvmcRP1KU68slEy7_D6OwDXbw/s320/0919130914.jpg" width="240" /></a>Here in Portland I live realtively close to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.3930555556,-122.763888889&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.3930555556,-122.763888889%20(Fanno%20Creek)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Fanno Creek">Fanno Creek</a> Trail which travels from Tualatin to Portland along several different rights of way and sometimes in streets. I have walked part of the trail that is along an old rail line but have not attempted to walk the who trail until last week.<br />
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One of the problems with attempting to walk the entire Fanno Creek trail is the lack of a map that is easy to access. In fact I have not been able to find any map that shows the entire trail from beginning to end that is current. I had to piece together all the information in order to find my way.<br />
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Compare that to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.3572222222,-111.899166667&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.3572222222,-111.899166667%20(Jordan%20River%20Parkway)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Jordan River Parkway">Jordan River Parkway</a> which has easy to access maps:<br />
<a href="http://www.parks.slco.org/jordanRiverParkway/">Jordan River Parkway</a><br />
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Or the Centennial Trail in the Spokane area:<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203469182094791708203.0004d71e4debaafdd47b4">Centennial Trail Map</a><br />
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Which is part of Google Maps<br />
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Now lets talk about walking the trail from start to finish. I started off in Tualatin which is near a park but there is little to no signage to tell you direction of the Fanno Creek trail. Fortunately I new that Tualatin Neighborhood Park was the beginning of the trail so I walked from the parking lot where I was dropped off (2 blocks from the WES station and 1 block from Trimet line 76 bus stop).<br />
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The trail starts off by going under a wooden trestle that is part of the Portland & Western railway while paralleling another line of the railroad which hosts WES commuter trains. The trail continues passing the park which ends with an off leash dog park that appears to be very popular.<br />
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Next you come to a junction. If you turn left (west) you head under the Portland & Western railroad tracks and head into Cook Park. If you look at Google Maps you would see that there is a crossing of the P&W tracks up ahead that will take you to the same point as the trail through Cooks Park. However, what<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3thMF3eRt2hadKjMynAkHhU3cg_cYcel7FR2ij0KySpIkBJuoZI1Pg9QXvcsqDn_1M_CnhpPEqBIxpynIFA-ul7SwRgi7AzNII9sW0kMgPj5wsQo4ED8TYNAuOZkH5aSW2sT3dA/s1600/0919130914b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3thMF3eRt2hadKjMynAkHhU3cg_cYcel7FR2ij0KySpIkBJuoZI1Pg9QXvcsqDn_1M_CnhpPEqBIxpynIFA-ul7SwRgi7AzNII9sW0kMgPj5wsQo4ED8TYNAuOZkH5aSW2sT3dA/s320/0919130914b.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Google maps does not tell you is that the road is for authorized vehicles only because it enters the Water Treatment Plant.<br />
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The walk through Cook Park is lovely but it does meander a ways around before you come to soccer fields and restrooms. It should be noted that there is not a lot of places for restroom stops along the route so you want to take them where you can especially if you don't like poorly maintained porta potties.<br />
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Once you hit the soccer fields you have to guess the right way to go because there is no signage but fortunately the path to continue on the Fanno Creek trail is pretty obvious. The trail becomes mostly pebble until hit SW 85th street where the trail dead ends.<br />
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There is no signs on what you should do from here but there is only one way to you can travel on SW 85th so the direction is pretty simple to start off with. You will pass the water treatment plant that I mentioned earlier.<br />
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You walk along SW 85th street until you reach Durham. Once here you have a decision to make and there is no signs to help you. Eventually there will be a new section of trail along this section of the road but it will be about a half mile or so away from here and along the a street that sees not a lot a traffic but people who drive the road fast. On the other hand you can continue on SW 85th until reaching the Tigard Library which is another part of the trail .However, I was attempt to use every bit of the trail I could so I walk from SW 85th to SW 79th street and headed up SW 79th to reach a small section of trail.<br />
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SW 79th which is a residential street does not start off bad with both sidewalks and bicycle lanes. However, before long the sidewalks disappear and in the next block so do the bicycle lanes. While it is a residential streets because it is one of the few through streets in the area people have the habit of traveling at high speeds which is dangerous considering there is some spots were only one car can get buy. The next street you cross is Bonita which is also the point that SW 79th become Fanno Creek Way.<br />
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After walking a few more blocks you pass a multifamily building that looks like it might be the path but it is not. You continue a couple of more blocks as the road curves to the left and finally you see a path between two homes but once again there is no signage. Once pass the entrance of the trail you encounter two high fences that have been vandalized with graffiti on a couple of occasions. While I can understand that people are afraid of someone looking in their windows the tunnel affect creates a feeling of no eyes on the walkway which creates the opportunities for those who want to damage other peoples property.<br />
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I am sure the surrounding residents like the fact that the trail is poorly mark so fewer people use it and I will not I only encountered one bicyclist on this stretch of the road. The trail then passes some townhouses and at one point there is a large no trespassing sign. I am not sure if this sign is there to intimidate people from not using the trail or just to keep off their property. The trail ends at the edge of the townhouses, once again with no sign indicating it was part of the trail, and leading you to the Tigard library.<br />
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From here the trail goes along a boardwalk next to the creek before depositing you once again at SW 85th where you need to cross the street. SW 85th is a very busy street with people often driving too fast but the city has installed a flashing yellow light for pedestrians. Once again we see an example of traffic engineers thinking two dimensional and only of the automobile because after you push the button for the light there is no way to know that it is actually been activated but by walking a few feet away and looking at the light.<br />
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Once across SW 85th the signage greatly improves as you are informed that you are on the trail and it gives you a basic map of the trail to Main Street in Tigard. Once you leave SW 85th there is direction signs pointing you to important spots such as the transit center but no more maps until you reach Main Street. Shortly before you arrive at Main Street you arrive at the property at the center of the landmark land use case <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/93-518.ZD.html">Dolan Vs. Tigard.</a> Sadly as you get to the building at the heart of the case there was graffiti on it which of leads to anti-trail feelings in residents and businesses.<br />
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At Main Street there is a sign indicating you should cross the street but once across the street it only points you to the transit center which is on the same side of the street that you just crossed from. This will be the next section of trail completed but nothing tells you where to go. Foruntutelly I knew that I had to walk Main Street to where it becomes Johnson Street at Pacific Highway. However, this is a very dangerous intersection for pedestrians and I would not recommend it for the faint of heart.<br />
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After walking north on Johnson you encounter Woodard City Park which has a sign that says it is the temporary entrance to the Fanno Creek Trail. From here to Denney Road which is some distance the trail is all in park areas.There is a couple of minor street crossings but in both cases the trailheads are very well marked. You also have an encounter with the extremely busy Scholls Ferry Road but there an underpass (which is prone to flooding) is provided so you do not have to deal with cars. The next major problem along the trail is Hall Blvd. Currently there is no crossing at Hall and signs direct you to a nearby street with a traffic light. Orginally there was plans to put in either an overpass or underpass of Hall Blvd but it has been decided that it would be too expensive so they will not install a yellow flashing pedestrian signal instead. Hall Blvd is an extremely busy, wide road with a 40mph speed limit that is often broken, how well the flashing light will work will be interesting to see.<br />
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The next gap in the trail is at Denney Road. As you travel from the south you encounter a trailhead at Denny Raod. From there you need to cross the street and while there is signs telling motorist of a crosswalk there is nothing painted on the road. Once across Denney you head east on an overpass over the Portland & Western Railroad/WES line and Oregon Highway 217. Once across the highway you need to turn north on SW 105th Street but there is no signs telling you that. You then walk two blocks to the road ends in a light industrial area where you encounter the newest section of the trail that opened in January 2012.<br />
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From here to the Garden Home Recreation Center you only have one more major obstical and that is the Scholls Ferry Road/Allen Blvd - SW 92nd. You have to cross both streets and walk past Burgerville and a Chinese Restaurant then cross SW 92nd. Traffic is directed from SW 92nd onto Allen but people still travel to fast in this area (despite the 30mph speed limit) and often give no indication that they are going straight on 92nd and ignore pedestrians in the crosswalk.<br />
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Here is a google view of the area:<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=45.471869,-122.77197&spn=0.003216,0.008256&t=h&z=18">SW Scholls Ferry Road/Allen Blvd/SW 92nd</a><br />
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Once you get back on the trail it is you have no more road encounters until you get to the Garden Home Recreation Center. From here SW Oleson has been redesigned with wide sidewalks and bike lanes to serve as a connection to extension of the trail and the Red Electric trail into Portland. However, almost 95% of the trial will be on streets with very few sidewalks so essentially the trail ends here.<br />
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What are some lessons that can be learned to get better use out of your trails and to make them more inviting?<br />
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1: Have someplace where maps of the trail can be accessed online either as a single map or the case of the Jordan River trail multiple maps that can be found in one location on the internet.<br />
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2. Make sure that the trails are well signed with maps. While I have a good sense of direction there is many people who do not (we used to joke my mother could get lost going around the block and that applies to some others I know). While it may be easy for you to figure out what about others?<br />
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3. If there is gaps in the trails make sure the gaps are well signed so that people know how to re-access the trail once it continues.<br />
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4. If your dealing with multi-jurisdictional trails, make sure you are working together to make the trail accessible and information about it easy to find.<br />
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Something else I found interesting while walking the trail is the people I encountered. Almost all the walkers and joggers were extremely friendly. Only one did not say hi and smiled and one woman was too busy playing with her cell phone but over 95% of those encountered were friendly. On the other hand only two of the cyclist I encountered were friendly while most of the others just go by without saying a word or were downright rude (despite the fact I kept to the very right side of the trail).<br />
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Here is some more pictures of my trip along the trail (sorry the pictures were taken with my crappy cell phone not my DSLR I normally travel with).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After leaving Cook park you encounter the dead end of SW85th </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The corner of SW 85th and Durham, no signs to tell you where to go. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first part of SW 79th Avenue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sidewalks have disappeared but the bike lanes are still here</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now the bike lanes have vanished and the street narrows. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fanno Creek Trail starts again but it doesn't mention it is part of the trail </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the fence "tunnel", no eyes on the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRTOZdKDEjkNJP_hx32M6tqfHl0al_yuE2Yistx0SHMgFwErNb0GFsAa0ZIKre3Ig65lCTG_4KmfMRj7kZE_ZwmN6aV7EQC7JE32wz5K1FcaiIWEgbEoeWzdsSQBlow5tJDY2ug/s1600/0919131009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRTOZdKDEjkNJP_hx32M6tqfHl0al_yuE2Yistx0SHMgFwErNb0GFsAa0ZIKre3Ig65lCTG_4KmfMRj7kZE_ZwmN6aV7EQC7JE32wz5K1FcaiIWEgbEoeWzdsSQBlow5tJDY2ug/s320/0919131009.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No trespassing on the trail or just into the townhouse area? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w0WkmlRGCwrk2s3NgQUBq5AO3toFOpZCoB2VaHvc8S8-exUz1JqROC13JkY0caFBqlJ7aiMqNBiIqNmgvejJ17AYQJ6ifEgnQV5UQdLK5-U7aUQOMWvz3jI5-RGoMTo87nPZYQ/s1600/0919131011a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w0WkmlRGCwrk2s3NgQUBq5AO3toFOpZCoB2VaHvc8S8-exUz1JqROC13JkY0caFBqlJ7aiMqNBiIqNmgvejJ17AYQJ6ifEgnQV5UQdLK5-U7aUQOMWvz3jI5-RGoMTo87nPZYQ/s320/0919131011a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the trail next to the Townhouses and the library but no signage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z3RAwOSJdrkxo6b9NTivDgBEd2THzVaZr9jnF1yYsxxCRkzSJWyL-8DkO2AwzqjvbDaasHCTLynwIynubr361sSJld3JDbmSM6-ABX5LPplZQbIjpa1CcqqnZrgv2tpxvh_C1Q/s1600/0919131013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z3RAwOSJdrkxo6b9NTivDgBEd2THzVaZr9jnF1yYsxxCRkzSJWyL-8DkO2AwzqjvbDaasHCTLynwIynubr361sSJld3JDbmSM6-ABX5LPplZQbIjpa1CcqqnZrgv2tpxvh_C1Q/s320/0919131013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tigard Library - One of the few places for a restroom stop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5NNN7423BzwJNnbbiPc0pN9ZVZfZypJ1wsbr_s11swzSNnHuaMyiFt9BzdcdjnwJy63l5p2HCaNhWCiPy5tYK9NsGqKNxw3CmaVeSd47ongwyCP4cXjWFWFBRMhwBjXXbQQh8g/s1600/0919131015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5NNN7423BzwJNnbbiPc0pN9ZVZfZypJ1wsbr_s11swzSNnHuaMyiFt9BzdcdjnwJy63l5p2HCaNhWCiPy5tYK9NsGqKNxw3CmaVeSd47ongwyCP4cXjWFWFBRMhwBjXXbQQh8g/s320/0919131015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crossing of SW 85th. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoURHHRqRfE-EVMNlEwgcvdfNLoHn1M47Ww6xa5KbCUIAdjKdV9t0ajE-u8Ut1GPaSMH1Bg8ZdBqlqOh-JeVdSY39tCGiBDbRhTqro9v4Ngr-yb4g-M1t7y26WlUoPOP0sZA5GcQ/s1600/0919131015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoURHHRqRfE-EVMNlEwgcvdfNLoHn1M47Ww6xa5KbCUIAdjKdV9t0ajE-u8Ut1GPaSMH1Bg8ZdBqlqOh-JeVdSY39tCGiBDbRhTqro9v4Ngr-yb4g-M1t7y26WlUoPOP0sZA5GcQ/s320/0919131015a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How do I know the light is working? </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljQoAfbZhixOePJ49YW7KL_AvIe3pLvX0dm6BegF6uR00irm6GRSZ67LpDpnOa0QjPZXYj7NmpVuU3_v1KxDy_oSOKbKCKO0f8ELI6daMHhmOkswA3ZoIQyLBMdBtCOkiiXpj_A/s1600/0919131016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljQoAfbZhixOePJ49YW7KL_AvIe3pLvX0dm6BegF6uR00irm6GRSZ67LpDpnOa0QjPZXYj7NmpVuU3_v1KxDy_oSOKbKCKO0f8ELI6daMHhmOkswA3ZoIQyLBMdBtCOkiiXpj_A/s320/0919131016.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SW 85th much quieter than normal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IMAz_IZRLQtgxLl_KHdet7Y1cICqgcVQHPUPAMMOpRXkedGX1v3IRSSI11cgqtv9ZX0lccPpdK0GopL6Q0lHa9tj4AOz2ocqe33afOLtBa9GYzdMphlT5cDBk2BYWCL75IRQdw/s1600/0919131016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IMAz_IZRLQtgxLl_KHdet7Y1cICqgcVQHPUPAMMOpRXkedGX1v3IRSSI11cgqtv9ZX0lccPpdK0GopL6Q0lHa9tj4AOz2ocqe33afOLtBa9GYzdMphlT5cDBk2BYWCL75IRQdw/s320/0919131016a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally an area with good signage and a map </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFRUy0FUiK65FpsCTRxskGwgB55XXKjOWgFUOkPo7Wd0I7fIU3ubQaajJPRZ8LfAbhO05Zs3gyLj798KjXGkBuJOn1tUBwGwvIAtUniLq14yGJ4_1xb2QJVw33NZ0kuTBAW-Npg/s1600/0919131018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFRUy0FUiK65FpsCTRxskGwgB55XXKjOWgFUOkPo7Wd0I7fIU3ubQaajJPRZ8LfAbhO05Zs3gyLj798KjXGkBuJOn1tUBwGwvIAtUniLq14yGJ4_1xb2QJVw33NZ0kuTBAW-Npg/s320/0919131018.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs but now map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K1_HFlk2tVyw-qZ5Fy74cfNtCHPL-OUJX_Lfvrpf3jPautAeQt9TGuqxWbK6VU-ZGL3ZUuJNRrA-Q39gON_DtZFC3HBmIcGFE644DA8_GSegjAoE-JaCJIiKjV9dBKpd0slG6A/s1600/0919131028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K1_HFlk2tVyw-qZ5Fy74cfNtCHPL-OUJX_Lfvrpf3jPautAeQt9TGuqxWbK6VU-ZGL3ZUuJNRrA-Q39gON_DtZFC3HBmIcGFE644DA8_GSegjAoE-JaCJIiKjV9dBKpd0slG6A/s320/0919131028.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I arrived at main street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq6evaHEVtWh19vEubfUItc4Rn5L7-UCFAPqYbafjjWlAyNMkCQA1CBhUqQ0mPXsSp-NBYLtfG-A_FaZs_sPcxz1SUyhCkeVnX2Dby9FV_8V0xJ6FQ6KKjgZkbLIo_OdxSFon9g/s1600/0919131029a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq6evaHEVtWh19vEubfUItc4Rn5L7-UCFAPqYbafjjWlAyNMkCQA1CBhUqQ0mPXsSp-NBYLtfG-A_FaZs_sPcxz1SUyhCkeVnX2Dby9FV_8V0xJ6FQ6KKjgZkbLIo_OdxSFon9g/s320/0919131029a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosswalk of Main Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqKJ8eBJPX1B3UDDz-WyUg_1zmOi-TxB3xsMp22TZ57Yf8KFKllqny0Wy2WBNz92pR5j7Re2eHR0mvm5HwCa1yhChsbJ4pEkKWWJRQTYGBIRfgeW_KKcz41oDTYxZswI2OBQ8AA/s1600/0919131029b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqKJ8eBJPX1B3UDDz-WyUg_1zmOi-TxB3xsMp22TZ57Yf8KFKllqny0Wy2WBNz92pR5j7Re2eHR0mvm5HwCa1yhChsbJ4pEkKWWJRQTYGBIRfgeW_KKcz41oDTYxZswI2OBQ8AA/s320/0919131029b.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosswalk sign with a button for light activation but no lights </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQXMy5jYCx9w51wVwbAswFtDrQ4omW6XSTrNkUZMlwotykA7E5WsD4GnZoaqr-zV9pjSUw1HXmWvI0WE1-c2ZRutgaKgphfLvD3XeatpIrZ2fS77Fjf8gZfFPnuOSGzJyUAZkCA/s1600/0919131030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQXMy5jYCx9w51wVwbAswFtDrQ4omW6XSTrNkUZMlwotykA7E5WsD4GnZoaqr-zV9pjSUw1HXmWvI0WE1-c2ZRutgaKgphfLvD3XeatpIrZ2fS77Fjf8gZfFPnuOSGzJyUAZkCA/s320/0919131030.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where to go from here? The trail you see dead ends at a car shop on other side of Pacific Highway with no access</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FSQawRzDSQNt46yoK2mdRwlGROuu86de6vU8N2daIObDKURDWvj7QbyTvZCDf3fP6ffNG4yOuG0cBfGvASuKYnwS_cfmZbXyD6psjwcG4JZTTB-sRg107YWnisTy1TQH5ZJlcg/s1600/0919131031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FSQawRzDSQNt46yoK2mdRwlGROuu86de6vU8N2daIObDKURDWvj7QbyTvZCDf3fP6ffNG4yOuG0cBfGvASuKYnwS_cfmZbXyD6psjwcG4JZTTB-sRg107YWnisTy1TQH5ZJlcg/s320/0919131031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have to cross Pacific Highway which can be extremely dangerous </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSnzSjxD9Z0lBE2jvKgAcrojqZcPTHd11N-Hw20VhVsq_YKcZms2Wdowk0tPtbFPp5a_srsVvxyCFMDBKGrbRTprzbHdYXihnEZOieDZkKJFKDOkqan1HwdPzGqYhE8vNa0_87g/s1600/0919131036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSnzSjxD9Z0lBE2jvKgAcrojqZcPTHd11N-Hw20VhVsq_YKcZms2Wdowk0tPtbFPp5a_srsVvxyCFMDBKGrbRTprzbHdYXihnEZOieDZkKJFKDOkqan1HwdPzGqYhE8vNa0_87g/s320/0919131036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnson Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDRmHqFRaHzYXUZn3qALV9W8DtTQ1Dti9CHrRcV3vJGLXyC0ZDOARXG5RUWGm6rnLNWq6QXTWPJeSlva6yHtsZvptGswcWDcrWi5CjQ6p5rsWhL9dzRZzPkh70fBmiRJTRzBlDg/s1600/0919131039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDRmHqFRaHzYXUZn3qALV9W8DtTQ1Dti9CHrRcV3vJGLXyC0ZDOARXG5RUWGm6rnLNWq6QXTWPJeSlva6yHtsZvptGswcWDcrWi5CjQ6p5rsWhL9dzRZzPkh70fBmiRJTRzBlDg/s320/0919131039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodard Park and it actually tells you it is the Fanno Creek Trail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijSSOF0np92vbpeGFxPkADlRKgYZS15tXzjPSabBSt8KLiRQhE6Cwut7Dy4OynGoGSx1lrXWPi4czzfvwEG51N6OCuzeVwcHEmEGRH4Qckady_uBu5oCGouPsF3fEo8FctKNNVg/s1600/0919131046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijSSOF0np92vbpeGFxPkADlRKgYZS15tXzjPSabBSt8KLiRQhE6Cwut7Dy4OynGoGSx1lrXWPi4czzfvwEG51N6OCuzeVwcHEmEGRH4Qckady_uBu5oCGouPsF3fEo8FctKNNVg/s320/0919131046.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well mark paths </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvPsPGib5HTpCUfo-BAz4PHqdplsuvJXOUbaL30E5zjBvRGLoyGkmh8-iIB_utp05slf7JxDP_rYn0gAU_K7fJGyjWSOqh7mM4yfl8vrm35e-IlKmRRKU1v2nwA2IjG3jqLBPAA/s1600/0919131058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvPsPGib5HTpCUfo-BAz4PHqdplsuvJXOUbaL30E5zjBvRGLoyGkmh8-iIB_utp05slf7JxDP_rYn0gAU_K7fJGyjWSOqh7mM4yfl8vrm35e-IlKmRRKU1v2nwA2IjG3jqLBPAA/s320/0919131058.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maps that need some TLC</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlCerogy50IHiLwyYdOCg2z79zyzReKfgoOrsp0uZQsH9RHpdVnOoIY0uhNhFh7WE1_YXrXAtfOo2rveolBAyQzgC_w2S4-qrsDmDvwXbHxk0pDLviTW_A1fWESTapJ1dQEqHug/s1600/0919131103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlCerogy50IHiLwyYdOCg2z79zyzReKfgoOrsp0uZQsH9RHpdVnOoIY0uhNhFh7WE1_YXrXAtfOo2rveolBAyQzgC_w2S4-qrsDmDvwXbHxk0pDLviTW_A1fWESTapJ1dQEqHug/s320/0919131103.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXx4hTbCn-L-NC6FRHf_ks9w1wfYkeCahtisE9fZfMmDlxygwrIow6OxrvpNXXOf-At_iDsMBakfRHFU0DG4FXwCmO4zlrzBR_loOy23jE6Z3g7BXqmDLn_aW_Q1xHmxmKsRXig/s1600/0919131200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXx4hTbCn-L-NC6FRHf_ks9w1wfYkeCahtisE9fZfMmDlxygwrIow6OxrvpNXXOf-At_iDsMBakfRHFU0DG4FXwCmO4zlrzBR_loOy23jE6Z3g7BXqmDLn_aW_Q1xHmxmKsRXig/s320/0919131200.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crossing at Denney </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7Jaw0mDmVzjnLCd705uD3-D80f1YTyFv4un4gHmnqRS23ZHIRNhcvz9iCw9CRpkUlELbgwyhYZJSU-K2jbMcJAsxgpUXUfc4ES6bFvhzsDuF6UoIGAGxdImWzuRiyTH4Pu5PxA/s1600/0919131200b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7Jaw0mDmVzjnLCd705uD3-D80f1YTyFv4un4gHmnqRS23ZHIRNhcvz9iCw9CRpkUlELbgwyhYZJSU-K2jbMcJAsxgpUXUfc4ES6bFvhzsDuF6UoIGAGxdImWzuRiyTH4Pu5PxA/s320/0919131200b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up over the highway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qkIiCEP4psbIPpck5h0yu2o6SrDu1DIlLWfnpAHxP9WcAZaFhlfR-3o1oPY1WsXNGXoofEb227ud6erjJDer33f3D1R8GlITW8m7KncLvR-MwNQMyHm2dROM7mxf_77BUs70Sg/s1600/0919131204a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qkIiCEP4psbIPpck5h0yu2o6SrDu1DIlLWfnpAHxP9WcAZaFhlfR-3o1oPY1WsXNGXoofEb227ud6erjJDer33f3D1R8GlITW8m7KncLvR-MwNQMyHm2dROM7mxf_77BUs70Sg/s320/0919131204a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confusing signs? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_fOgnMsBo8szGgQhIGLiaYKrOrNlGdHz4l6srK8o1iyzx_d4cwHM6HlUGTncfuYXMdmFTaKsH7GsYhdUMoAhXvaYmtp3Y6sqahvTEP-76I4cWgpfcA3LPUhXOYurWuttS5yAlQ/s1600/0919131205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_fOgnMsBo8szGgQhIGLiaYKrOrNlGdHz4l6srK8o1iyzx_d4cwHM6HlUGTncfuYXMdmFTaKsH7GsYhdUMoAhXvaYmtp3Y6sqahvTEP-76I4cWgpfcA3LPUhXOYurWuttS5yAlQ/s320/0919131205.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually there will be a bridge over the highway for the trail but don't hold your breath on when it gets built </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXg_iZHx5nK-5c1STcEzHu_CuKz1FKdvoW-AnVGXAHHPM-ANQB71ss7m79-oBTV6xfxIhA2SOjv3cM6ttnDNKTkXvcZK3HQSYmCVyzRZUxvhTEdqEeaCFxhsk8Ga9Y9G9v_4F9Q/s1600/0919131207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXg_iZHx5nK-5c1STcEzHu_CuKz1FKdvoW-AnVGXAHHPM-ANQB71ss7m79-oBTV6xfxIhA2SOjv3cM6ttnDNKTkXvcZK3HQSYmCVyzRZUxvhTEdqEeaCFxhsk8Ga9Y9G9v_4F9Q/s320/0919131207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No signs indicating to turn left to find the trail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNF__awuP1ePDM8htakfAF-4u7g0jseZxfzKPw0FYvTbx42xTs-Roi4r76R0OcDGjGyPbDKJlgCpTtyYjXzsLH4g3KOiArlnGPJbrRO24xclaj11uMv6DmMfyPmA6yQT6WgrUAg/s1600/0919131212b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNF__awuP1ePDM8htakfAF-4u7g0jseZxfzKPw0FYvTbx42xTs-Roi4r76R0OcDGjGyPbDKJlgCpTtyYjXzsLH4g3KOiArlnGPJbrRO24xclaj11uMv6DmMfyPmA6yQT6WgrUAg/s320/0919131212b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the newest part of the trail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykYhCWhEYbAu4trzKYBQDtqN7qA0O3ZXauKUqCKGRYQaIag1NHYSZeP-oojSuDHr_nX6btR-WIjp30-KgeHJGn16s92KrIfiN_8ydeW_sJK4dIc7LN6d4yY2JEYMd6wGESCWdfg/s1600/0919131229a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykYhCWhEYbAu4trzKYBQDtqN7qA0O3ZXauKUqCKGRYQaIag1NHYSZeP-oojSuDHr_nX6btR-WIjp30-KgeHJGn16s92KrIfiN_8ydeW_sJK4dIc7LN6d4yY2JEYMd6wGESCWdfg/s320/0919131229a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new section of trail ends at the sidewalk of Scholls Ferry Road with SW Allen Blvd ahead</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJ8PrJVh-rJP_YFIM6vDx5b9CZPPhkDonxWfuzCvnlqbGk7M5Jwy6KfEpsrxWwMn98ClCdR2fVSg_Q__RFlg7OSrgQm10sZPsJLm_ihLOBg7tvmYaAX4vYl5RnwivM9sCbFQMLg/s1600/0919131230b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJ8PrJVh-rJP_YFIM6vDx5b9CZPPhkDonxWfuzCvnlqbGk7M5Jwy6KfEpsrxWwMn98ClCdR2fVSg_Q__RFlg7OSrgQm10sZPsJLm_ihLOBg7tvmYaAX4vYl5RnwivM9sCbFQMLg/s320/0919131230b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fbIzT2d1o4wVpRF1N-gokNgDC-csVNfr1hAVhyphenhyphenhZJLjRXEMoCyhNvaJlU2ctvpPlngLD1gQv1ecaDDX-Mf_f-EVG-xPWXiuO5vdT5UN-v5f8AyEIPmlq8cU61_vVrNK6RHFClg/s1600/0919131231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fbIzT2d1o4wVpRF1N-gokNgDC-csVNfr1hAVhyphenhyphenhZJLjRXEMoCyhNvaJlU2ctvpPlngLD1gQv1ecaDDX-Mf_f-EVG-xPWXiuO5vdT5UN-v5f8AyEIPmlq8cU61_vVrNK6RHFClg/s320/0919131231.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign tells you to cross both streets then walk straight ahead from this point. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuWWEa2yrP6b_0BhhyphenhyphennGjQ4SRiZaZ560Gvkx03UY3bNolB9aFGn2YvpvOCnb7d0hW8X2PQqtMhV9rDWCG5kQMoOvKCHnoqZGH5fan9IzkOvMaMLl7ueq6G0DeEA7FRwYkAZ0n4w/s1600/0919131235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETOqZuXTobSvOOVcZNkqszZC3u1ctyKhshVMwsVi4CTHfUjglDJBxnlJawZdt4B3tcg6gSk7DbgR-Pqz2UWs2VBrah3dYQzcaiXp0EbshRjSV2LpPGN7f6-IOl-jTKiOfKuOtlw/s1600/0919131238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETOqZuXTobSvOOVcZNkqszZC3u1ctyKhshVMwsVi4CTHfUjglDJBxnlJawZdt4B3tcg6gSk7DbgR-Pqz2UWs2VBrah3dYQzcaiXp0EbshRjSV2LpPGN7f6-IOl-jTKiOfKuOtlw/s320/0919131238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last bad street encounter: Cars are turning off of SW 92nd onto Allen Blvd which is the main flow of traffic. The school bus is trying to turn left but almost hit a car that looked to be traveling far above the 30mph speed limit </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0KbUHZx9WrAh_wR2gKkcWCuD1w4I3i-1YAio-mHitgLVlNs1-fh-nw4ujnNWVvY8ntJW1GkMRcbQDmEsr2uiDIVr2QWhKCvl_Ul-eJeNmDjG101yFH6A1cUVwhPCvz-evGvaRg/s1600/0919131242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0KbUHZx9WrAh_wR2gKkcWCuD1w4I3i-1YAio-mHitgLVlNs1-fh-nw4ujnNWVvY8ntJW1GkMRcbQDmEsr2uiDIVr2QWhKCvl_Ul-eJeNmDjG101yFH6A1cUVwhPCvz-evGvaRg/s320/0919131242.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrier at SW 90th Avenue</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb9WwOUWoljLEMhtaAXQG7o0_1R6ZIq53hZv3rQkJAWkEpor7C5tPnUVwdZvGTW4iqwzNE8AnTrD_2AWFKDpON0K3WGBqccDgUc_AC0SE6gBifg72WSX_6o5lMwmalqjCcZHMsg/s1600/0919131242a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb9WwOUWoljLEMhtaAXQG7o0_1R6ZIq53hZv3rQkJAWkEpor7C5tPnUVwdZvGTW4iqwzNE8AnTrD_2AWFKDpON0K3WGBqccDgUc_AC0SE6gBifg72WSX_6o5lMwmalqjCcZHMsg/s320/0919131242a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the rest room facilities along the trail are porta potties that look like they haven't been cleaned in a while</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SIVjKpj3qB5KRIXAE2q4dZKXeRefs0IjohnbxV9uZ4ataUPhK8crdq71FcnBlyobY58Mi-rQ8dmVrA1QWHrVwtUYOf7V58e_joQ5pFVUuQBQuQwRvvxng6EGNOnGZmTsGEkeFg/s1600/0919131247a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SIVjKpj3qB5KRIXAE2q4dZKXeRefs0IjohnbxV9uZ4ataUPhK8crdq71FcnBlyobY58Mi-rQ8dmVrA1QWHrVwtUYOf7V58e_joQ5pFVUuQBQuQwRvvxng6EGNOnGZmTsGEkeFg/s320/0919131247a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction for sewers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJhlagHovgvWkztuDnzrEwDuw-agnTc98tzqBIFtMRqMFIzQ3OD6bQt6EMU4g3FA77w-d2skd98q2mkbIDMkoXVw12FnaLZdHUfBRROwQAaLIXtOo_OnHY2NtN4wmnFX0Qi1qbA/s1600/0919131315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJhlagHovgvWkztuDnzrEwDuw-agnTc98tzqBIFtMRqMFIzQ3OD6bQt6EMU4g3FA77w-d2skd98q2mkbIDMkoXVw12FnaLZdHUfBRROwQAaLIXtOo_OnHY2NtN4wmnFX0Qi1qbA/s320/0919131315.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the line, Garden Home Recreation Center </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnnY_c0GJE5vseoGHOAXZZ0XUWEuBgwyP1lnlIo7BCU0hXI9upvFFFAlfU4zGMEj1qWOCuvAtzenIsZEgWW2n4W_MjLVF-A78__eNu2QtWJmdEiGfU8kh8EKqrIFvma_D9H9I0g/s1600/0919131315a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnnY_c0GJE5vseoGHOAXZZ0XUWEuBgwyP1lnlIo7BCU0hXI9upvFFFAlfU4zGMEj1qWOCuvAtzenIsZEgWW2n4W_MjLVF-A78__eNu2QtWJmdEiGfU8kh8EKqrIFvma_D9H9I0g/s320/0919131315a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oleson Street, the trail continues but from here is all on surface streets many without sidewalks </td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-45411280019381658662013-08-29T16:23:00.001-07:002013-08-29T16:23:48.670-07:00Looking for a position...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:159-5937_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Portland State University College of Urban & P..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/159-5937_IMG.JPG/300px-159-5937_IMG.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Portland State University College of Urban & Public Affairs (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:159-5937_IMG.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have to apologize for not posting more frequently lately but I have been very busy between school and raising a family. I just graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Community Development from the Urban Planning and Public Affairs Department. In that time I took exciting classes such as Legal Aspects of Planning, Transportation Problems and Solutions, Urban Housing, Community Economic Development, Geology, Urban Economics, Real Estate Development, and many others.<br />
<br />
I also had the opportunity to work on a variety projects including:<br />
-Designed a Power Point Presentation to be used to demonstrate what to do in a natural disaster or other event that causes the area to loss its water supply.<br />
-Created a Buy Local Campaign for the city of St. Helens, Oregon<br />
-Wrote a history of Spokane, WA downtown revitalization attempts and recommendations for the future of the area.<br />
-Wrote an evaluation of the Division Street corridor in Portland with recommendations for the future<br />
-Did an evaluation of the Gray's Landing Low Income Housing project here in Portland.<br />
<br />
Now I need to find a position where I can put my schooling and my extensive research experience to work. Looking for some type of Urban or Transportation planning position. Hopefully one of the my faithful readers will have an opportunity.<br />
<br />
You can contact me at jdornoff (at) earthlink (dot) net.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-7092518554044259372013-06-21T18:16:00.000-07:002013-06-21T18:16:02.601-07:00Now there is two...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39569101@N07/6091679551" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="LACMTA Metro Local #8407" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="175" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6091679551_36fe603c4d_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">LACMTA Metro Local #8407 (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39569101@N07/6091679551" target="_blank">L.A. Urban Soul</a>)</td></tr>
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Today it was announced that <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.nabusind.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="North American Bus Industries">North American Bus Industries</a> better known as NABI has been purchased by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.newflyer.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="New Flyer Industries">New Flyer Industries</a> of Winnipeg Canada for a grand total of $80 million dollars. Although the NABI factor in Alabama will continue to produce buses at this time (currently has 1500 buses on order), it bascially leaves to companies (New Flyer and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gillig.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Gillig Corporation">Gillig</a>) as the major suppliers of transit buses in the United States (plus a few niche players whose orders don't amount to much).<br />
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The biggest existing customer for NABI is currently the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_County_Metropolitan_Transportation_Authority" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority">Los Angeles METRO</a> who purchases most of their buses from the company, having had conflicts with several manufactures in the past although most of those such as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.neoplan.de/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Neoplan">Neoplan</a> have already stopped producing buses or the US market.<br />
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It was not that long ago that there was a lot more interest in building transit buses for the United States market. For example you had General Motors with their RTS model which began production in 1977, GM eventually sold operations to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_Manufacturing_Corporation" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Transportation Manufacturing Corporation">TMC</a> which is part of MCI which was owned by Greyhound and mainly built intercity buses with one aborted attempt at building their own bus based of the Orion I bus in Canada. TMC eventually sold out and NOVA built the buses for many years before introducing their low floor bus (another company has bought the rights to the RTS model and has built demontrators of both a high floor and low floor version). Nova still makes their low floor bus and has sold buses to such cities as Chicago, Charlotte and New York although I am not sure how aggressive they are being at bus orders here in the US.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_0jTY632p-WJbILISnXBLaAH_ve4TmstzfyoD1osc4AJHZQex5PJdKvm3t_munuRnCogt3eom-_e8KFncy7xmmP7f_AaK2gKMUGkmEwG4UDtN0i-SwCr5HcgVZWvy3rd5n8kPQ/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_0jTY632p-WJbILISnXBLaAH_ve4TmstzfyoD1osc4AJHZQex5PJdKvm3t_munuRnCogt3eom-_e8KFncy7xmmP7f_AaK2gKMUGkmEwG4UDtN0i-SwCr5HcgVZWvy3rd5n8kPQ/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nova Low Floor Bus in Chicago. I was my first opportunity to ride a Nova low floor bus. </td></tr>
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The aforementioned Neoplan which is a large European builder of both intercity and transit buses entered the US market in the late 70's with a couple of double decker buses for the RTD the predecessor of METRO in Los Angeles. Neoplan also created a joint venture with Gillig to create a transit bus for the US market but it turned out to Shortly after RTD purchased an addition 20 buses in the early 80's Neoplan built a factory here in the US and started building buses specific to the US market. After seeing dropping orders they pulled out of the US market a few years ago.<br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.orionbus.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Orion International">Ontario Bus Industries</a> (Orion) entered the US market after TMC which had licensced the design of the Orion I to build at their New Mexico plant gave up and went back to building intercity buses (before purchasing GM bus). Like some of the other companies they did not build a lot of buses but they added competition to the marketplace. However, the parent company was eventually purchased by Daimler and after trying to unload the transit bus division for the a couple of years finally decided to just shut it down a few months ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHqkB7NeUb5ruJrd9nQNa19B3Sw_9twv_J6EHkfBW8SqHHv-rkD_dueh39QXpshmG1MHgpTxw9uwnndhVEHZDpj9-TjntF6QD9n3NbS85UCS_s1NmJLKdsw-NK6rQSLL7LoAH5A/s1600/October+Trip+788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHqkB7NeUb5ruJrd9nQNa19B3Sw_9twv_J6EHkfBW8SqHHv-rkD_dueh39QXpshmG1MHgpTxw9uwnndhVEHZDpj9-TjntF6QD9n3NbS85UCS_s1NmJLKdsw-NK6rQSLL7LoAH5A/s320/October+Trip+788.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of Orion V CNG fueled buses of Sound Transit pass King Street Station</td></tr>
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There was also Flxible which had been a bus manufacturer for many years and went through a series of owners including Rohr Industries, Grumman, and finally General Automotive Corporation. The company received a major black eye in the early 80's when their 870 model bus was found to have cracks in the frames. The problems were eventually fixed and the bus was replaced by a new model called the METRO which continued in production from 1983 till 1995. The company declared bankruptcy in 1996 and everything was sold off. Many point fingers to GAC for the problems in what was considered the profitable bus division. TriMET in Portland still has a large number of Metro's still in service although they will be gone soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOjFLHqF1AukUh5Y2aQvisjQ5ZU6iJSNsTKvob5F28mZKPsgXdhDX47jOY66uQwjNAbxOs_F_uIoJRcPzS2KVSeEx-1BRFGJ6frAlImoqkaCiQW86jM6Ldv6gCKK3OpvRFW4erA/s1600/SAM_1237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOjFLHqF1AukUh5Y2aQvisjQ5ZU6iJSNsTKvob5F28mZKPsgXdhDX47jOY66uQwjNAbxOs_F_uIoJRcPzS2KVSeEx-1BRFGJ6frAlImoqkaCiQW86jM6Ldv6gCKK3OpvRFW4erA/s320/SAM_1237.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1992 Flxible Metro 30' model near the Portland Soccer Stadium</td></tr>
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Gillig was a well known school bus manufacturer that entered into a joint agreement with Neoplan to build transit buses in the US but after few orders and ongoing problems with the buses themselves the joint venture was dissolved. A few years later Gillig started making their own transit buses and over the last 25 or so years built a reputation of building good buses but avoided contracts with the larger cities. In the last few years they have become even more aggressive with the lost off first Neoplan and then Orion and has become a dominant player in a shrinking field.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUVhyrMBeETBnlYs9VXpm6X8pNqzAKMIlHsXDFlc-zM9gY0YJpMTVxI2il8DX3uCrx5J4cNECsKXzRhivs2ZRBVM8-8Blfh-1N85sgnXt0zfEDvoWfGqCDyq8Iqs1YTvFAcW8dA/s1600/SAM_1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUVhyrMBeETBnlYs9VXpm6X8pNqzAKMIlHsXDFlc-zM9gY0YJpMTVxI2il8DX3uCrx5J4cNECsKXzRhivs2ZRBVM8-8Blfh-1N85sgnXt0zfEDvoWfGqCDyq8Iqs1YTvFAcW8dA/s320/SAM_1229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1997 Gillig Phantom 40' model at Portland Community College Sylvania Campus. Talking to drivers from many transit systems it is interesting to note that the Gilligs are considered great snow buses (despite being designed and built near San Francisco) while the New Flyer's from Winnipeg Canada do poorly in the snow. </td></tr>
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North American Bus Industries started off with a joint venture between Crown Coach, considered to build school buses that were "too good" and what was then called Ikarus a Hungarian bus manufacturer. The joint venture produced buses for 6 years from 1980-1986 before shutting down production after many issues including a lawsuit filed by Tri-Met in Portland over the poor reliability of the buses. Ikarus then reentered the US market building their own buses with a new plant in Alabama. Eventually the named was changed to North American Bus Industries which was actually the corporate name which was also designed to show that it no longer had ties with its former parent company in Hungary. NABI mainly was purchased by such organizations as METRO in Los Angeles, Miami-Dade County, PACE in Chicago, and others.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlJGSZUhxlCMCit_U1IvLBi_DEiKT4uMwVu29X9SKLw_FOsFCQj2-JDF0u_SHoavHR98MS5Bn7s8kXKkdx1mzK0v1QI5ODbY287aTqQ9KG4ZzkeKw9-nBXLk7bcJbon_xX32fig/s1600/Miami+342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlJGSZUhxlCMCit_U1IvLBi_DEiKT4uMwVu29X9SKLw_FOsFCQj2-JDF0u_SHoavHR98MS5Bn7s8kXKkdx1mzK0v1QI5ODbY287aTqQ9KG4ZzkeKw9-nBXLk7bcJbon_xX32fig/s320/Miami+342.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of NABI buses of Miami-Dade County transit near downtown Miami. </td></tr>
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That brings us to New Flyer who announced they had purchased NABI today. Flyer Industries started as Western Auto And Truck Bodyworks way back in 1930 and became Western Flyer Coach in 1948 with increased bus sales. The company was purchased from the Manitoba government in 1986 by a native of the Netherlands and became New Flyer Industries. New Flyer introduced the first low floor bus to the North American market in 1991 to the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey. Today most transit agencies are dominated by either Gillig or New Flyer buses or the case of some such as TriMet in Portland a mixture of both (although they are currently purchasing Gillig buses). Incidentally a Brazilian company bought a 19.9% interest in New Flyer back in 2009.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRcFzwdAPRwv0yBgmdCKLCL6tYxQwDgsa-wLhekCHx32uPJFoUiyM76jG80P2vOWx-96OkF6n1XQFGfSDSBkv7EIFLDymP0NXT8Q8rU17xBC8z23ra5J3qhfjBjq47rdI-3oorw/s1600/Las+Vegas+CAT+618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRcFzwdAPRwv0yBgmdCKLCL6tYxQwDgsa-wLhekCHx32uPJFoUiyM76jG80P2vOWx-96OkF6n1XQFGfSDSBkv7EIFLDymP0NXT8Q8rU17xBC8z23ra5J3qhfjBjq47rdI-3oorw/s320/Las+Vegas+CAT+618.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Flyer D40LF leaving downtown Las Vegas Transit Center </td></tr>
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Why do we face this situation today with only two companies dominating transit bus sales in the United States? One of the biggest problems facing the bus manufacturers is that they make very little per bus and have to make everything up on volume which doesn't always work. It is widely speculated that when Daimler saw how little per bus Orion made, they quickly made the decision they wanted nothing to do with the business in the US.<br />
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There is also the double edge sword. A new transit bus cost anywhere from $450,000 for a basic 40-foot model and not hybrid to more than a million for what Las Vegas purchased for their branded limited stop bus service. However, the quality of the interiors are still inferior as they often start to rattle the first time they hit the road and over time it gets worst (although I should mention the 2009 New Flyer model D40LFR's that Trimet purchased in 2009 seem to be better than previous editions).<br />
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That gets us back to the problem of the companies making so little per bus manufactured. Is the problem to be found at the Federal Funding level? Before the late 1970's the Fed's would fund operations of the transit operators who have to fund their own capital projects. Then came the ill fated Transbus project in the 70's where the Feds tried to create the perfect transit bus that they would then fund the transit operators to purchase.<br />
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Eventually the Fed's started paying for the purchased of new buses while the election of Ronald Reagan as President of the United States in 1980 eventually brought an end to operating subsidies to transit agencies except for specialty grants. The funding for bus purchases allowed transit buses to be replaced after 12 years for "state of good repair". Usually the Fed's pay 80% of the cost and the transit agencies pick up the rest.<br />
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What is hard to determine is what an appropriate solution would be taking into consideration the unintended consequences of the action. Many decry the requirement of the Buy American provisions. On one hand they say that if the bus did not have to built in the United States companies such as Neoplan may come back to the marketplace. On the other hand will that improve the return on investment that the bus manufacturers make? Also would it sacrifice the jobs we do have in the US (what few in number they are) and bring us no return on that loss?<br />
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Another possibility would be to increase the number of years before a bus can be replaced. While this may work in some areas such as in the sunbelt or the Pacific Northwest, it may not be a good option for cities that have a big snow problem that requires the use of salt to clear the roads which of course leads to rust. The question would also remain whether this would help or hurt the manufacturers and in fact make the situation worse. This would mean fewer orders for the bus manufacturers and if keeping the buses longer the transit agencies may demand improvements to the buses which will further reduce the profits made.<br />
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It will be interesting to see what New Flyer does with NABI in the long run. Right now they say they will continue to operate the factory as it is, but you have to figure changes will come in time. Does it truly make sense in the long run to keep to separate factories going, making two separate products?<br />
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While few worry about the state of the transit bus manufacturers, is it actually a sign about the overall health of the transit industry as a whole? Then again, if funding from the Fed's continues to decline, could we be facing a future where transit agencies have to go back to funding buses from their own budgets which will cause fewer buses to be ordered and for them to be kept for a much longer period of time?<br />
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Is there any easy answers?<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-25817246937080561692013-06-18T13:51:00.001-07:002015-12-11T17:10:46.613-08:00Observations from a Chicago Trip<br />
In April, I had the opportunity to attend the American Planning Association conference which was being held in Chicago which also meant that I would have the opportunity to explore its transit system for the first time.<br />
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For those that love exploring transit systems, Chicago is a great place to go. Not only does it have its famous "L" system which is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), but also CTA buses, METRA Commuter trains which included diesel trains out of 3 stations in the Chicago Loop area, electric line that runs south from a fourth station, the last true interurban line the South Shore, PACE bus service and loads of private bus operations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9p8ds1lq_kmjU1Kd1QqNexWTRZ2K0eyObs5pXfoQlBL26ET6nkvBBl4TkKNuybECoKL3DvzR6Q8PeH5hztsYzvtMhHAnvjDea9hBhnyZ3GoIz3R2fJMvVAfzyof8rb7m9P9S0A/s1600/SAM_1890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9p8ds1lq_kmjU1Kd1QqNexWTRZ2K0eyObs5pXfoQlBL26ET6nkvBBl4TkKNuybECoKL3DvzR6Q8PeH5hztsYzvtMhHAnvjDea9hBhnyZ3GoIz3R2fJMvVAfzyof8rb7m9P9S0A/s320/SAM_1890.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">METRA Electric train at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.74,-87.55&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.74,-87.55%20(South%20Chicago%2C%20Chicago)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="South Chicago, Chicago">South Chicago</a> (93rd Street terminus).</td></tr>
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On Sunday I had the opportunity to go on a mobile workshop studying Transit Oriented Development (TOD) along the Brown Line which travels northwest out of the Loop. Along the route we were able to see several instances of first generation TOD (long before anyone thought up that word), being revived and seeing new interest thanks to the revitalization of the Brown Line that took place a couple of years ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqq8HPKD_QDUZoyVWoV4l1haT_wniTiNn6oGblHgTnbJ6miFjtd7LzI6HlGQMXpn8Vsj2qnt8crd-8HW5dAmPhK80_oE5o4Qr45C6DRw2_iWgL6_tqWgg-T8eUydj5Br6ZWKN3A/s1600/DSC_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqq8HPKD_QDUZoyVWoV4l1haT_wniTiNn6oGblHgTnbJ6miFjtd7LzI6HlGQMXpn8Vsj2qnt8crd-8HW5dAmPhK80_oE5o4Qr45C6DRw2_iWgL6_tqWgg-T8eUydj5Br6ZWKN3A/s320/DSC_0321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south from the Southport Station</td></tr>
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One of the stops on this tour was at the Southport station which is seeing not only revival of many of the classic buildings but also infill development. What I found interesting is that they are currently building new apartments in Chicago with no parking and not seeing the confrontations that have occured in Portland. </div>
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Overall, I rode all the "L"/Subway Lines except for the Green Line south of the Loop and the Blue Line north of the loop to O'Hare. Overall I didn't encounter any problems, the trains ran well although you could see why CTA is currently rebuilding the Red Line that is in the middle of the Dan Ryan Expressway since travel was very slow on that route and several times the trains literally would craw. </div>
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I also rode several METRA lines including the line out to Big Timber and then connecting to the line out to Antioch, the Rock Island line out to Blue Island and the METRA electric to South Chicago. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">METRA train at Big Timber<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Most of the METRA routes were impressive for the number of riders during the off-peak and reverse commute trips. All the trips I rode had good ridership numbers despite the fact I avoided the rush hour trains. The one disappointment was the new Antioch line which should just be called the Sprawl line. Most of the stations built for this line are nothing but large parking lots and most of the stations have nothing within walking distance that is visible from the train. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BIldwIwY40wDlpbErPIIsG4r-bJxGz2_UE4ZuUDXAj8weH1IrMJi_LjdnhMXCkBNLhjXcTJvlaLX6Cfsj28G7BcEkU5Cz21q8kSn0yRnSn3CxzhSufvYNyfuWJp81Q0W3kIeUA/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BIldwIwY40wDlpbErPIIsG4r-bJxGz2_UE4ZuUDXAj8weH1IrMJi_LjdnhMXCkBNLhjXcTJvlaLX6Cfsj28G7BcEkU5Cz21q8kSn0yRnSn3CxzhSufvYNyfuWJp81Q0W3kIeUA/s320/DSC_0215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Antioch station does have a nice map showing what can be found near the station although the main business district was several blocks away and it was raining extremely hard so I decided to wait for the train to head back to Chicago.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje61PS5xcvsdGL1qZxYgsugpc_V25o1uA77sFPiHpP8l0rUa2SzzgVaOI9iwXZn36lgFAyrc1xtBVYV3E6YM_dp1ZTLat7xVbVMy40_1fp1VDhe0jGrBs1b0hSDF1UTYAR60tVsQ/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje61PS5xcvsdGL1qZxYgsugpc_V25o1uA77sFPiHpP8l0rUa2SzzgVaOI9iwXZn36lgFAyrc1xtBVYV3E6YM_dp1ZTLat7xVbVMy40_1fp1VDhe0jGrBs1b0hSDF1UTYAR60tVsQ/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I also had the opportunity to ride CTA buses but primarily in the loop/Miracle Mile area so I did not get a chance to get a good look at the overall system. However, with that noted all the buses I rode despite several of them having standing loads were clean and in good shape, even the older ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Also impressive was the number of private transit buses running around the area. They connect commuters from the train stations to major companies around the loop and Miracle Mile and other areas of the city.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrIUmFxkW2nlOUAsSnI7ZTD8MG3Yk8gT3q8sNRS0cuK2HlH12nXSYakzn_sVaDK4vu_EGOowleroYuAswwLFkdMbIPRVeRxAvqHyqFrzYC__O5hxQEujJ1N8XBWXcD8p276pcig/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrIUmFxkW2nlOUAsSnI7ZTD8MG3Yk8gT3q8sNRS0cuK2HlH12nXSYakzn_sVaDK4vu_EGOowleroYuAswwLFkdMbIPRVeRxAvqHyqFrzYC__O5hxQEujJ1N8XBWXcD8p276pcig/s320/DSC_0150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Among the observations from my short time in Chicago: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">METRA and CTA rail lines are not well integrated While there is stations close to each other (Oak Park and Evanston for example), there seems to be little thought to integrating the two system to make connections and travel more convenient. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Following up on the last comment, you can see the suburban/city us vs. them attitude when it comes to how the city develop and its current allocation of transit resources. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">You can see the scars left by Urban Renewal and the warehousing of the poor in public housing in Chicago. While the public housing is going away the problems that it created will be a part of the city for years to come </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Signs of severe disinvestment surround the south side of Chicago.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">While Chicago is often used as an example of the problems with gun violence and anti-gun laws no one wants to talk about the structural societal and social-economic problems that is creating the problems in Chicago. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I talked to several people who are questioning the CTA's new BRT lines. A couple of years ago they cut all the limited buses and are essentially bringing them back now and calling it BRT. Many question the performance expectations of the Ashland line as being unrealistic. </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Overall, I enjoyed my experience in Chicago and look forward to visiting the city again. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-67326666468950177942013-02-18T10:50:00.001-08:002013-06-21T18:17:38.433-07:00Time to worry about important things? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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OK, the worry about the Mayan calender is over, we have survived our trip to the fiscal cliff, and while it is tragic that 1000 people were injured in Russia from the falling asteroid, it did not bring an end to the world as we know it. Of course neither did Y2K, and all the other supposed end of the world events that seem to waste people's attentions. Sometimes you just have to wonder if these things are designed to distract us from the series problems we do face.<br />
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One of the major problems that could be looming on the horizon is our oil supply. There is many that say we have nothing to fear but when it comes down to it, people have to start realizing that the supply of oil is not infinite. Of course some say that we have already have hit peak oil and production is only going down from here, there is talk that by 2030 <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=24.65,46.7666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=24.65,46.7666666667%20(Saudi%20Arabia)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Saudi Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a> may have to import oil to supply their needs. What we do know is that the demand from countries such as China and India are fulling demand and China is using its economic might to control as many resources as possible and the question is, how long will the United States have the economic might to keep up.<br />
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That is not to say that there is not oil out there, however our lust for cheap oil was dependent on getting the low hanging fruit to keep the cheap oil going (plus many wars and government interference going back to the turn of the 20th century). However, the low hanging fruit is basically gone so any new oil is going to cost substantially more to develop and of course many will turn a blind eye to the environment damage that will have to be done to develop that oil.<br />
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Another way to distract people lately is the thought of autonomous electric cars. I have heard many comments that in 20 years we will all have autonomous electric cars that will solve all of our problems and eliminate the need for transit service. Now let me get this straight, cars across the nation will all be powered by electricity, doesn't that sound wonderful? It would so long as you don't think about the unintended consequences of that action. While the number of cars current being driven by electricity can be handled by our current electric grid, which is by no means stable, what is going to happen when we all have these electric cars? Will some new sources of energy suddenly appear? The question is how many electric cars can the grid handle?<br />
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Another item to take into consideration is long term population trends. The once heartland of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667%20(United%20States)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="United States">American</a> is slowly emptying out. Except for a few examples along the Interstate 40 corridor the middle part of America is losing population and the sunbelt and coasts are gaining the population. By looking at the growth of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Las Vegas, Nevada">Las Vegas</a>, Phoenix and other places in the southwest and sunbelt you clearly see where the population has grown. The question is how long can these cities sustain their growth? Both Phoenix and Las Vegas are needed more and more water with Las Vegas looking to pull a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lacity.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Los Angeles">Los Angeles</a> and start sucking dry other areas of their state. Phoenix has a nice water supply whose cost to the consumer is kept artificially low by the our tax dollars.<br />
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The question is, at what point does the population of these areas become unsustainable Of course if we listen to those that benefit from the growth we will hear that it can go on forever but at some point reality is going to set in and we will have to take a look at exactly what populations these cities can handle and if they have already reached their limit.<br />
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This brings up another topic we need to consider that that is mother nature. We have millions of people living in dangerous areas and new homes are being built there all the time. The general attitude is that it is our given right to build whatever we want, anywhere we want and no one should be able to stop us. The problem is when disaster strikes, these are the same people who come crying that the response to the disaster is all government's fault and they should have done something better.<br />
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Let me give you some examples. Near <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Cannon Beach, Oregon">Cannon Beach, Oregon</a> there is many million dollar homes being built near the city. Now who wouldn't want to be near the beautiful ocean with lovely views, nice trees, and nice towns to go visit? The only problem is that these homes are being built in well know slide zones. Of course this is no different that many of the homes built in places like Malibu that keep sliding because of unstable earth. Another example is in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.draper.ut.us/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Draper, Utah">Draper, Utah</a> where homes are being built on a sand hill. Homes have started to crack due to the unstable earth and the owners who bought the homes are blaming everyone but themselves. Then again the city and the developers knew about the problems so should they be held responsible for the problems? The developer of course pleads ignorance and says it is not their problem and all the city does is try anyway it can to create new tax dollars for the city treasury.<br />
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Of course we also have the disasters that can strike without warning but people want to think it is not going happen like major earthquakes. Living in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.portlandonline.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Portland, Oregon">Portland, Oregon</a> I clearly know that the area could be hit with a 9 point plus earthquake at any time. The last one occurred in 1700 and they happen an average of every 280 years. You do the math. However, how many of the buildings in the Pacific Northwest will be able to handle that sized earthquake? The Japanese are fare ahead of us in dealing with earthquakes and we saw how badly they were taken by surprise when the one hit in 2011. While we can't stop Cascadia from going off at some point, we can take actions to better insure that our homes are more survivable. Once example is the Northridge valve that automatically shuts of the gas when an earthquake strikes and costs around $50.00. They are required in the state of California and some cities in Washington but not required in Oregon. The problem is our elected officials just don't want to take action.<br />
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Finally, this brings us to our crumbling infrastructure. With mounting deficits, the amount of money available for infrastructure will go down every year. Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy should have been warning signs of exactly how bad our infrastructure is crumbling. However, instead of taking it seriously the government wants to just impose tougher standards as a band aid but is too caught up in political infighting to seriously solve the problems that we face.<br />
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I could go on with even more serious issues that are plaguing us as a nation but these are really the ones that directly affect urban planning and transportation. Yes, I have painted a pretty gloomy picture however it doesn't have to be. We have the potential to overcome the obstacles but it will take leadership that we sadly currently don't see in most of our elected officials. The question is when will we get true leaders?<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-53382682798148993202013-01-28T17:09:00.003-08:002013-01-28T17:12:12.472-08:00"I Know Engineers...They Love to Change Things"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Diverging_diamond_redone.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: A diagram of a diverging diamond inte..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Diverging_diamond_redone.svg/300px-Diverging_diamond_redone.svg.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: A diagram of a diverging diamond interchange, showing how the traffic flows. Apparently, the Dept. of Transportation in the state of Missouri had too much money this year and hired some kids to do the drawings. If people would simply pay attention to their driving, instead of treating their vehicle like a phone booth/restaurant, ridiculous designs like this wouldn't be part of today's roads Svenska: En bild på en divergernade diamantkorsning som visar hur tafiken rör sig. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Diverging_diamond_redone.svg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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For those too young to remember the quote from the title of this entry, it is from Star Trek: The Motion Picture and from Dr. McCoy and I thought it was perfect for this entry.<br />
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I came across the video below on the <a href="http://www.portlandtransport.com/">Portland Transport</a> site and thought it was something that had to be shared. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://udot.utah.gov/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Utah Department of Transportation">Utah Department of Transportation</a> installed one of these intersections at 2100 South Expressway and Bangerter Highway in West Valley.<br />
<br />
The diagram on the right gives you the basics of what these types of intersections are supposed to do. I have to say the first time I approached the one on Bangerter Highway it was really confusing especially since it was dark and snowing at the time.<br />
<br />
There was also several drivers almost taken out at the intersection by a semi that seemed to be even more confused that the average driver over how to drive this thing.<br />
<br />
While the one in the video has "token" pedestrian and cycling access the Utah one does not but then again Bangerter and the 2100 South Expressway is not designed for pedestrians.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zWG49xlZ_eQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Besides this diverging diamond intersection, UDOT has also been busy turning traffic lanes on 5400 South into reversible lanes. In addition they also did a continuous flow intersection treatment at Redwood and 5400 South that I will discuss in the future.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-51756728034394067272012-10-17T19:34:00.000-07:002012-10-17T19:34:30.355-07:00Are State Governments Out of Date? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:California_Bay_Area_county_map.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="San Francisco Bay Area highlighted in red on a..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="354" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/California_Bay_Area_county_map.svg/300px-California_Bay_Area_county_map.svg.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">San Francisco Bay Area highlighted in red on a map of California (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:California_Bay_Area_county_map.svg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Take a look at almost any state in the nation, and you will find something interesting. Except for the original states that were created from the colonies, often times our states were created long before they had major population centers. This means that the population of the state and its regional ties may not necessarily conform to state borders.<br />
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Previously I talked about the important of a regional agency that should oversee transit service to insure that separate agencies are working together to ensure connectivity between transit systems so that riders have an easier time traveling across the region. One of the major problems of creating a regional board is that they stop at state lines and even though the place across the border may have economic ties to the other, they often have a hard time working together.<br />
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To start off lets take a look at California. I grew up there and always listened to the debates about north vs. south and how one was better than the other or more important than the other. In a way you could say there is actually multiple California's. Looking at regional needs you could say that Southern California is one region, The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.75,-122.283333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=37.75,-122.283333333%20(San%20Francisco%20Bay%20Area)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="San Francisco Bay Area">San Francisco Bay Area</a> from Monterey to Sacramento is another region, and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.6288888889,-120.185&spn=0.01,0.01&q=36.6288888889,-120.185%20(San%20Joaquin%20Valley)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="San Joaquin Valley">San Joaquin Valley</a> is a third.<br />
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An even better case is in the Northwest. While many residents of Vancouver, WA would not want to admit this, they have more in common with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.52,-122.681944444&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.52,-122.681944444%20(Portland%2C%20Oregon)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Portland, Oregon">Portland, Oregon</a> than they do with Seattle or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.spokanecity.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Spokane, Washington">Spokane</a> economically. Politically Vancouver is more aligned with Spokane, economically they are part of a region that extends from Eugene to Longview.<br />
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Politically and economically Spokane and the surrounding area are independent and have little in common especially politically with the Puget Sound region. The Puget Sound area is its own region that you could arguably say stretches from Olympia to actually <a class="zem_slink" href="http://vancouver.ca/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Vancouver">Vancouver BC</a> but with Vancouver you don't have just another state but a another country which makes matters even worse.<br />
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More examples would be Pittsburgh that has more in common with neighboring cities in Ohio than it does with Philadelphia; does <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wycokck.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Kansas City, Kansas">Kansas City, Kansas</a> have more in common and belong in a region with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.kcmo.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Kansas City, Missouri">Kansas City, Missouri</a> more than say Wichita?; <a class="zem_slink" href="http://stlouis-mo.gov/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="St. Louis, Missouri">St. Louis</a> and its 'suburbs' to the east in Illinois, the Cincinnati Region and so on.<br />
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Lets not fool ourselves, our States and their political existence is a bedrock in our nation and we will likely not see any changes in the future. However, while it may not happen on a national basis, there is still great benefits to regions working together to design and build a interconnected future. Maybe someday Cascadia will represent an economic and planning region in the northwest that will boost the region and not just a time bomb waiting to severly damage the area.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-62765849548708282972012-09-28T21:41:00.000-07:002012-09-28T21:42:03.852-07:00Eliminating Parking Requirements - Easier Said Than Done<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bronaugh_Apartments_-_Portland%2C_Oregon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Bronaugh Apartments at 1434 Southwes..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="221" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Bronaugh_Apartments_-_Portland%2C_Oregon.JPG/300px-Bronaugh_Apartments_-_Portland%2C_Oregon.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Bronaugh Apartments at 1434 Southwest Morrison Street in Portland, Oregon. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bronaugh_Apartments_-_Portland%2C_Oregon.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
Many transit advocates look to parking requirements and say that eliminating the need for so many parking spaces when new buildings are built that it would have a positive affect on transit ridership by encouraging those who live and work in those buildings to ride transit instead of driving.<br />
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The theory is that you make parking so difficult or have so few spaces that people would rather take the bus, streetcar, or light rail than have a car that they have to pay for parking or waste time finding a parking spot.<br />
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While the concept of eliminating parking sounds like a wonderful idea, sadly it is much harder to implement reduced or no parking requirements than it sounds. Currently there is several apartment buildings in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.portlandonline.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Portland, Oregon">Portland, Oregon</a> area that are either in the design stages or under construction that include no on site parking for the tenants. The hope is that the people who move into these buildings will look to using transit instead of driving a car.<br />
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The problem occurs with the neighbors surrounding these buildings as they worry that all the parking in front of their homes will be taking up parking spots on their street. One of the controversial buildings is located on the MAX Yellow Line in the area near the Overlook station.<br />
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Of course there is two ways to look at the worry's of the neighbors You could look at it as people worried that resident of these new apartments will take up all the parking in their neighborhood and there will be no spaces left for anyone else. The other side of the argument is that we have become so accustomed to having all the parking we need for free that we cannot handle not having it handed to use on a silver platter.<br />
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One of the major obstacles faced by advocates is to get the general public to look at parking differently than they currently do. While it may not be an easy thing to do, over time a paradigm shift can occur that will open up people to the idea that parking requirements. Today parking is something that is expected and people can not comprehend that a reduction in it will be successful.<br />
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However, I can tell you from personal experience that apartments with no parking have existed for more than a hundred years, continue to exist and gasp, people actually survive. As I have mentioned previsouly I grew up in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.cityofpasadena.net/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Pasadena, California">Pasadena</a>/South Pasadena area of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.0,-120.0&spn=10.0,10.0&q=37.0,-120.0%20(California)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="California">California</a>. That's right in automobileville itself the Los Angeles area before there was a Gold Line to Pasadena or an alternative to the Southern California not so Rapid Transit District.<br />
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As I mentioned before, I spent many years growing up in an apartment complex with a small grocery store around the corner. Most of my block was made up of apartment buildings except for a few large homes directly across the street from our apartment. The amazing thing was that most of the apartments did not have any on site parking. That's right folks even the buildings that where built in the 50 and 60's did not have any parking attached.<br />
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To make this situation even more shocking was that only one side of the our road had on street parking because it was so narrow. Now if you would listen to the profits of doom these new complexes in Portland will be the end of the world. However, from personal experience I can tell you that they do work and over time people will get used to the situation.<br />
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However, one thing to take into consideration is transit access. These type of complexes must be on major bus lines, in fact the priority should be to put these where at least one frequent service bus or rail line runs and preferable at the intersection of two frequent services lines to provide the maximum benefit to those that live in the complexes.<br />
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Eventually cities like Portland can get even more aggressive about elimating parking requirements. It will take and will have to be well planned as it has worked in the past, it works today in many areas, and will work even more in the future.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-34008212473159171102012-09-24T22:01:00.002-07:002015-12-11T17:12:38.179-08:00Opening of the new Portland Streetcar Line<br />
Had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the new Portland CL line this past Saturday. This is the third new rail opening I have attended, the first being the opening of the original TRAX line in 1998, the second was when I was invited on the VIP run of UTA's Front Runner commuter rail service between Ogden and Salt Lake City, and finally the opening of the this new streetcar line.<br />
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My first ride on the new line occured before the actual ceremony as I rode the new CL line from 11th and Jefferson to OMSI (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.508415,-122.665894&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.508415,-122.665894%20(Oregon%20Museum%20of%20Science%20and%20Industry)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Oregon Museum of Science and Industry">Oregon Museum of Science and Industry</a>) which I happen to be a member of.<br />
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The MC of the event was the mayor of Portland Sam Adams who will be leaving office at the end of his term in a few months. He took time to blast a attack article in the Oregonian and pointed out there is already investment going on along the streetcar line.<br />
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Another speaker during the ceremony was Neil McFarlane who is general manager of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://trimet.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="TriMet">TriMet</a>. For anyone who follows transit blogs in the Portland area, they will know that he is often blasted and called some rude names in many circles including on a blog run by a disgruntled former bus driver. </div>
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He actually rode the same streetcar that I did from the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.5127777778,-122.685277778&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.5127777778,-122.685277778%20(Portland%20State%20University)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Portland State University">Portland State University</a> area and will have to say that I found him to be very approachable and talk to several people on the streetcar. </div>
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There was several other excellent speakers during the ceremony including one of the people responsible for the streetcar itself Michael Powell who happens to own a bookstore of some notoriety that is served by both of the streetcar lines now.<br />
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After the ribbon cutting the VIP's boarded the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.oregoniron.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Oregon Iron Works">Oregon Iron Works</a> prototype car that was making its inaugural run in revenue service. There has been some complaints about Oregon Iron Works because they are behind in production of the cars by a couple of months but one of the speakers noted that the previous cars were 8 months behind in arrived so Oregon Iron Works is actually doing pretty good. </div>
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I rode the next streetcar to the Lloyd District and took these pictures of that streetcar returning to OMSI. The area I took this picture is pretty desolate because the area is surrounded strictly by high rise non-mixed use office buildings that are ghost towns on weekends. You may also notice in the picture above that to the right there is a Honda Accord parked in the bike line which is supposed to be the lane on the right with parking to the left of the bike lane. </div>
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After grabbing a bite to eat I made a point to catch this streetcar on its next trip back to downtown. The car had a minor problem with its wheelchair ramp that was quickly taken care of and the we had a good trip back to 10th and Clay where I got off.<br />
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The line is currently U-shaped but in less than three years will become a true loop when the new bridge over the Willamette River is completed by TriMet and the streetcar will use it along with TriMet light rail trains.<br />
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It will be interesting to see how this line performs over the long haul. Right now frequencies are not what is needed and the area is no Pearl district however that may actually be a good thing. Do we really need lots of new high rises that bring the suburbs to the urban center, or should we see development that is more human scale? There is plenty of potential along the new line and time we tell what will be made of it.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-33301300723612636722012-09-13T13:42:00.000-07:002015-12-11T17:15:03.421-08:00You Can't Get There from Here...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zipcar_DC_4996_03_2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Zip car carsharing service at downtow..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Zipcar_DC_4996_03_2009.jpg/300px-Zipcar_DC_4996_03_2009.jpg" height="200" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Zip car carsharing service at downtown Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zipcar_DC_4996_03_2009.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pierce_Transit_248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="New Flyer C40LFR laying over ath the Federal W..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Pierce_Transit_248.jpg/300px-Pierce_Transit_248.jpg" height="225" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">New Flyer C40LFR laying over ath the Federal Way Transit Center. It left a few minutes later on route 402. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pierce_Transit_248.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lincolncity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Lincoln City, Oregon" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Lincolncity.jpg/300px-Lincolncity.jpg" height="225" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Lincoln City, Oregon (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lincolncity.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TriMet_-_Forest_Grove_terminal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Two buses at the Forest Grove, Oregon..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/TriMet_-_Forest_Grove_terminal.jpg/300px-TriMet_-_Forest_Grove_terminal.jpg" height="184" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Two buses at the Forest Grove, Oregon terminal of TriMet, the public transit agency serving the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. This off-street bus loop for route 57 is located at 19th Avenue and B Street in Forest Grove and is the farthest-west point in the TriMet system. Buses 2559 and 2554 are both New Flyer D40LF units built in early 2001. The small building on the right is for use by bus drivers. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TriMet_-_Forest_Grove_terminal.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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One of the biggest challenges for those looking to do without a car is when trips need to be made beyond the normal transit area. For those that are able to drive there is the option of renting a car either through one of the car sharing companies such as Zipcar or traditional rental car companies.<br />
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However, renting a car is expensive and will most likely become even more expensive with Hertz taking over Dollar/Thrifty leaving only four major companies left to provide rental cars.<br />
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For those that cannot drive, the options are even worse as service to many areas is either non existent or very poor and not designed for inter-regional trips. For example, in the last few months I have made three trips to Tillamook from Portland. While there is limited bus service from Tillamook to Portland you cannot travel from Portland to spend the day in Tillamook. In fact even for people traveling to Portland the schedule only allows for five hours in Portland itself.<br />
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For another example let's look at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.9722222222,-124.011111111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=44.9722222222,-124.011111111%20(Lincoln%20City%2C%20Oregon)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Lincoln City, Oregon">Lincoln City, Oregon</a> which is a major tourist destination. If you want to head to Lincoln City from Portland for the day forget it. There is only two transportation options. One is a casino bus that runs only a few days a week that will take you to Chinook Winds Casino on the north side of town. However, if your leaving from the Portland area it leaves the Gateway Transit Center at 5:30am. Not a very appealing time.<br />
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The only other option is the expensive Airport Caravan that travels from Yachats to the Portland Airport via Lincoln City and cost $55.00. Problem is it travels to Portland in the morning then returns in the early afternoon. Lincoln City used to have Greyhound service until a few years ago that was a little more affordable but still did not have the best times.<br />
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In Northwest Oregon/Southwest Washington we have a number of transit agencies including <a class="zem_slink" href="http://trimet.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="TriMet">TriMet</a>, Cherroits in Salem, SAM, SMART, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ci.canby.or.us/transportation/CAThomepage.htm" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Canby Area Transit">Canby Area Transit</a>, Woodburn Transit, C-Train, Lower Columbia, CUBS in Longview, Amtrak, Greyhound, Bolt, Sunset Transit, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.46,-123.7&spn=1.0,1.0&q=45.46,-123.7%20(Tillamook%20County%2C%20Oregon)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Tillamook County, Oregon">Tillamook County</a> Transit, Lincoln County Transit, Pacific County Transit and several others I am probably forgetting about.<br />
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The problem is these agencies number one priority is their own service area and are often blind to travel needs beyond their districts. If we are going to create a sustainable alternatives to automobile travel, all agencies are going to need to work together to provide service that connects important points not just in their own area but regionally also.<br />
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To complicate matters even further is the fact that support for any transit service disappears once you leave the urban areas and that is why some districts such as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.piercetransit.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Pierce Transit">Pierce Transit</a> in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.2413888889,-122.459444444&spn=0.1,0.1&q=47.2413888889,-122.459444444%20(Tacoma%2C%20Washington)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Tacoma, Washington">Tacoma, WA</a> cut back their service district recently and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.intercitytransit.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Intercity Transit">Intercity Transit</a> in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.0425,-122.893055556&spn=0.1,0.1&q=47.0425,-122.893055556%20(Olympia%2C%20Washington)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Olympia, Washington">Olympia, WA</a> did it several years ago. Officials made the decision that it was better to create a smaller district that would have more support but of course cuts those off who are located outside the new district.<br />
<br />
One way to solve some of the problems would create a regional transit coordinating agency that would work with all the different agencies not only the transit providers themselves but other stakeholders to design a system that will create a more usable system. Recently Reconnecting America recently had a program that discussed issues in rural areas and how to more effectively service them. One agency in southern Maine worked with public and private companies to better coordinate transit service in the area including connecting it up with Amtrak's Downeaster service between Portland, Maine and Boston.<br />
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The difficulty in creating a regional agency is to create an organization that can walk the thin line between being able to work with all the agencies involved to coordinate activities including fares, service, and marketing while not alienating groups and not becoming another bureaucratic nightmare of an agency that exists on its own inertia.<br />
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Basically we are down to the old chicken and egg scenario. Do we worry about only providing transit service to the busiest urban areas and let the outer and rural areas deal with it until the time comes when transit service becomes more vital across the board or do we start to look at a big picture?<br />
<br />
While I used the a section of the northwest for example, you could look to almost any area of the country and see the problems that exist we access to transit services and the lack of coordination between agencies. If transit service is to become a more important part of the transportation mix, service will need to be better coordinated to make transit service more useful to the largest number of possible riders.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-63639949240440278102012-09-04T16:20:00.000-07:002012-09-04T16:20:11.872-07:00How Economic Development affects Effective Planning<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DennisDoyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Mayor Dennis Doyle" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f9/DennisDoyle.JPG/300px-DennisDoyle.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Mayor Dennis Doyle (Photo credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DennisDoyle.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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In my last couple of posts, I talked about the efforts of many cities to create economic development by inciting corporations with subsidies to locate. Today, I am going to talk about how corporations influence public policy and can have a detrimental effect on effective public planning.<br />
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I also mentioned in the first posting of last week that often times companies will relocated such as Sears Holdings moving from downtown Chicago out to the suburbs through government subsidies creating a situation where the new location is poorly accessed by transit by its poor location. Further when one set of subsidies expire the corporations will often come back demand more and threaten to move if they do not get what they want. The problem is these major national/multi-national corporations do not care about the cities and will go where they get the biggest subsidies.<br />
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Now lets take a look at how these issues can affect effective planning by using the example of Nike.<br />
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Nike is located in Washington County, Oregon near the city of Beaverton. Like many corporate campuses it was designed around the automobile and transit access is near impossible as can be seen in this Google map image:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=NIKE+Inc,+Beaverton,+OR&aq=1&oq=Nike,+&sll=44.145447,-120.583402&sspn=6.740016,16.907959&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=NIKE+Inc,+Beaverton,+OR&ll=45.507391,-122.828193&spn=0.01564,0.032015&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=NIKE+Inc,+Beaverton,+OR&aq=1&oq=Nike,+&sll=44.145447,-120.583402&sspn=6.740016,16.907959&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=NIKE+Inc,+Beaverton,+OR&ll=45.507391,-122.828193&spn=0.01564,0.032015" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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There is bus service along Murray Blvd to the east, and as you can see in the map it is relatively close to a MAX light rail station. Looking at the map you can see a forested area that extends from the south of Jenkins Road to the MAX Blue Line. This property is owned by NIKE and it was proposed that they would extended their headquarters across Jenkins to that piece of land.<br />
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However according to the urban plan because it is located at a MAX station it needed to include housing and two new roads needed to be built to better access the site. In addition the city of Beaverton tried to annex the site which affects Beaverton because the traffic created by Nike has to be solved by the city of Beaverton.<br />
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Nike responded by filing a lawsuit against the city of Beaverton to prevent the annexation so that they would not face paying higher city taxes. This shows another problem with these relocations (while NIKE was not relocated it provides a good example), that a company will get subsidies to move outside city limits so they pay less in taxes but the nearby cities often end up subsidizing the roads in order to get the workers to the new building.<br />
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In addition NIKE started lobbying state senators and legislatures to help solve their problem for them and Charley Ringo a State Senator from Washington County was more than happy to obliged fearing that NIKE would pull up states and leave and despite being a member of the Sierra Club drafted legislation that forbid the city of Beaverton to annex the area for 50 years. That's right for two generations nothing can be done to enforce the plan that was previously created to make the area more transit friendly and ensure that Transit Oriented Development is put in by the MAX station.<br />
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In addition after the legislature of the state of Oregon dictated what the city could do for the next 50 years, NIKE tried to influence the next election for Beaverton mayor by donating and promoting heavily the person running against the current mayor who they declared was not "business friendly".<br />
<br />It is hard enough to get good development done, situations like this make it even harder and do nothing to build a better community. While giving subsidies to major/multi-national corporations may be a short term solution to economic development, in the long run working to build a local economy that has a stake in the community does more than throwing millions out the door.<br />
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I am not saying NIKE is a bad company, however they are looking at their own self interest. The people that should have been looking out for the best interest of the community such as State Senator Charley Ringo who interesting enough did not run for reelection the following year should have considered not only what NIKE wanted by what was in the long term best interest of the community as a whole.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-92208280766144505762012-08-28T10:55:00.002-07:002012-09-04T15:19:42.864-07:00New Hillsboro Stadium<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img">
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ORHillsboroStadium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Oregon" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="258" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/ORHillsboroStadium.JPG/300px-ORHillsboroStadium.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Oregon (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ORHillsboroStadium.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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In my last posting I talked about sports stadiums when specifically talking about economic development and how they don't actually accomplish what they set out to do. Today I am going to focus on the new Hillsboro stadium which next year will be home to the Hillsboro _________ baseball team that is currently the Yakima Bears.<br />
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As I mentioned in my last posting, you often here how wonderful these new stadiums are, how they will attract so much spending and will benefit the whole city. If you read Paul Allen's autobiography you will get a very good one sided opinion on the importance of the new stadium that was built in Seattle. The one good point about the new Seattle stadiums is that they are located near downtown will good transit access. The question is, what is their true cost?<br />
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Now lets take a look at the recently approved stadium in Hillsboro which will be built near Evergreen Drive and 229th. The stadium is located near the US Highway 26 but is two miles from the nearest MAX station and located near one of TriMet's weaker all day lines the 47 which after next week will take over the weakest portion of route 89 and travel from the Sunset Transit Center to Hillsboro. The route only runs Monday through Friday with limited evening service.<br />
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That means that access the new stadium via transit is a non-starter unless you want to walk two miles along roads that are design to speed drivers and not designed to make it a pleasant walk. I have walked some of the streets in the area and can tell you they are not designed with the pedestrian in mind. Now compare that to the Salt Lake Bee's stadium that is located just one short block from the TRAX light rail station on 1300 South in Salt Lake City, which one would your rather access:<br />
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Hillsboro: <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=45.550392,-122.908001&spn=0.003212,0.008256&t=h&z=18&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=45.550392,-122.908001&spn=0.003212,0.008256&t=h&z=18&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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Salt Lake City: <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=77+West+1300+South,+Salt+Lake+City,+UT&aq=&sll=40.740999,-111.89351&sspn=0.004915,0.008256&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=77+W+1300+S,+Salt+Lake+City,+Salt+Lake,+Utah+84115&z=14&ll=40.741544,-111.892652&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=77+West+1300+South,+Salt+Lake+City,+UT&aq=&sll=40.740999,-111.89351&sspn=0.004915,0.008256&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=77+W+1300+S,+Salt+Lake+City,+Salt+Lake,+Utah+84115&z=14&ll=40.741544,-111.892652" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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We can basically assume that most people are going to drive to the new stadium since transit is a non-starter. To make matters worse most of the weekday games will probably be in the evenings when the most number of people will attend so that means that it will make traffic conditions along US Highway 26 even worse with no alternatives to being stuck in traffic.<br />
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Then there is the financing of the stadium. The city of Hillsboro will finance the cost of the stadium by issuing a bond. Supposedly the bond will be repaid through ticket sales and naming rights through the stadium. However, the city is already stated that they will probably not be enough to repay the bond so the taxpayers will be on the hook.<br />
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Then we have the issue of the so called "multiplier affect". There is some typical chain fast food places located to the east of the new stadium along with a Fred Meyer big box store. Most of the other sit down restaurants are located a distance from the new stadium site. Beyond that most of the area is devoted primarily industrial which will be unwelcoming to those heading for the games.<br />
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How many dollars will be lost to other businesses is unknown and would most likely be felt outside the Hillsboro area although the movie theater in Hillsboro may see an affect.<br />
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When the debate was going on in Salt Lake City for a new soccer stadium that was finally put on the backs of tourist who will never probably use the facility, one long time Salt Lake talk show host Doug Wright who is also a major sports nut said that investments like these are important to the community. Of course I have shown that those dollars have to come from somewhere and often it is from businesses not located near the facility. So what is the answer?<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15276058.post-53340115605797832112012-08-22T14:33:00.000-07:002012-08-22T14:48:00.495-07:00Economic Development: Benefit or Black Hole? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Intelheadquarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="The headquarters of Intel Corporation in Santa..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="206" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Intelheadquarters.jpg/300px-Intelheadquarters.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">The headquarters of Intel Corporation in Santa Clara, California. Note the small "No Photos" sign in the picture. Photographed by user Coolcaesar on July 16, 2006. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Intelheadquarters.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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On August 15th, the <a href="http://portlandtribune.com/ttt/90-opinion/113591-editorial--tell-metro-whats-important-to-you">Portland Tribune</a> ran a article encouraging people to opt-in to a survey being conducted by the Metro planning agency. In the article they mentioned some of the comments left by people and one particular struck me and that was by a person who said that the government should work to bring more businesses to the area such as Intel which is making big investments in the Hillsboro area.<br />
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The comment makes since to those who only look at the surface and say it will create more jobs which almost every area could use. However, looking below the surface so called economic development has become a $50<b> </b>Billion a year business. That's right cities, counties, states and the feds spend upwards of $50 Billion trying to get a business to move to a certain area. </div>
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The problem is, in our new global society our cities have become disposable, as soon as the tax incentives have expired the corporation will start demanding more money or just pick up and leave the area. If there is a good balance of business in the area it is not so devastating but when they are the major employer, the effects of a pull out can be long lasting. The subsidies themselves can take multiple forms including tax breaks, infrastructure improvements, or outright cash. Either way this incentives cost the area money and often times fail in the long run to be worth what was paid. </div>
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Let me give you some examples of economic incentives gone wrong:</div>
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-One city gives $300 million in subsidies to a major airline to create a maintenance base. Over the life of the base it employed half the number of employees promised and when the subsidy period ended the airline contracted out maintenance to another company who received other forms of incentives over the years. </div>
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-Another city gives subsidies to a major computer manufacturer to locate a manufacturing facility and call center. In a interesting twist the company lays off the employees before a deadline which means they would have to pay back all the subsidies they received so they have to quickly hire back employees and pay them to do nothing for two months before laying them off again. </div>
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-One city subsidizes a major corporation to leave the city center and move to the outer suburbs (these moves are usually designed to move the company closer to the current CEO and don't benefit the average employees or usually the companies for that matter). The area has only limited transit service because there is nothing else out there which causes more subsidies for highway and street expansions. The company has been in financial troubles for years but when the company starts "shopping" to move pressure is put on the governor of the state to give the company more subsidies. This also shows how desperate or corrupt some of these economic development teams are when they are willing to extended so much subsidies to a company that has been on the brink of failure for several years. </div>
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-Some cities have spent more than one million dollars per potential job created. However, in the long run the amount of payroll dollars never makes up for the amount of subsidies give to the business. </div>
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These are just four examples of what can go wrong when it comes to economic development. </div>
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Sports teams are another subsidy black hole. How often do you see some sport team that is telling the city you give us something or we are moving. The are always quick to point out the "multiplier" affect but of course leave out the other side of the equation which I will talk about separately. </div>
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Often times when discussing economic development you will hear the term "multiplier". This means that for every direct job created so many secondary jobs are created because that job was created. However, what often is not discussed whether it be a sports team or retailer is while they may create jobs there, it often comes at the expense of something. If you read the economic forecast for a sports team you will hear glowing things about the economic impact as if those attending the games just have this money sitting around to go to these high priced games or races. However, if a person decides to go to a major sporting event, it means that they have an opportunity cost for that event which says that they will not do something else. So the stadium may make the money but the movie theater looses, or they may reduce the number of times they go out to dinner. Often times since people come from the surrounding area, the city that has the stadium benefits and some other area looses so it is not quantified. </div>
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The same thing goes when a government agency gives subsidies to retailers such as Wal-Mart, Ikea, Cabela's and many others who get subsidies to locate in a certain place. While the city itself gets new retail dollars (unless of course they city is big enough that they are just paying Peter to rob Paul), those dollars come from somewhere and it means they don't shop somewhere else. For example a new store goes in at city A but it robs sales dollars from city B and C. The same dollars get spent, it just moved from one city to another. </div>
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The problem is, it is often small businesses that end up subsidizing major corporations that end up causing the small business to close. Of course this is no different than when the streetcar companies were heavily taxed and those tax dollars subsidized their competition back in the first half of the 20th century. </div>
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The trouble is, has the state of economic development incentives become too big of a monster to slay? </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Transit
Transit Oriented Development
Urban Planning
Urban Design</div>John Dornoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041369067854087815noreply@blogger.com1