Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[fusili]

Just a quick comment. Nenshi's support amongst young people is incredible (42%), but political pundits say that turnout amongst the youth is typically low, which could hurt Nenshi. Which is partially true. The thing is turnout amongst youth that support McIver or Higgins will be incredibly low, while Nenshi's will be much higher than typical, because Nenshi's support amongst the youth is very committed. So while youth turnout is typically low, those who do turn out to vote, will do so overwhelmingly for Nenshi. Let's say only 25% of youth come out to vote, I would not be surprised if Nenshi gets 80% of that (20%). So yes, the youth tend not to vote in great numbers. But those who do are most likely to vote for Nenshi.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenFlames

the plans show a station to be built at the 8 ave flyover. this has been consistent with every plan i have seen for the nclrt.

Looking at the plans you're right, but that just seems odd. I don't think it would survive through detailed design without being moved up to 16th Ave. That station would be desolate even if 100% of Science Centre users took it to access it. The catchment area is pretty small.

[DizzyEdge]

Just told my buddy who was going to vote McIver to prevent Barb from winning about the new poll, now he's going to vote Nenshi.

[bigcanuck]

From Twitter:
"bobhawkesworth: From here until Oct. 18 I will be working for the election of Barb Higgins as Calgary's next mayor #yycvote #yyc"

[MalcolmTucker]

Now every attack from Bob or Bob's guys on Naheed or Ric, Higgins can be asked: Do you support the position of Bob on this, or do you repudiate his support?

Would have done her better to remain a free agent methinks.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Radley77

There is a clear distinction on how each of these candidates gather information to make a decision. My preference is someone who engages experts instead of relying on an intuitive process.

Barb Higgins will be the first to admit she is not a transportation engineer or chief of police. She will speak to experts when formulating best practice policies. Not unlike her approach to addressing the budget deficit by engaging an economist from the U of C School of Public Policy.

This is why I think Barb Higgins is fully entitled to lead on the 'smart' vote. Not entitlement based on a educational attainment, but her focus on engaging experts on the issues.

I have to say, this is the exact type of person I prefer as a manager. Not sure if that translates into successfully managing a city council, but the idea definitely has merit.

I don't think many people seriously think anyone's "entitled based on educational attainment", however. Then again, I wouldn't think that in 2010 people would vote on race/gender lines, so what the hell do I know.

[Calgary_Guy]

Originally Posted by Calgary_Guy

WOW ...NAHEED NENSHI has improved 48% !!! The largest gain over the past few weeks compaired to all the other Mayoral Candidates, how long till he passes Barb for second place? I'll say within 2 weeks.... way 2 go.

Ok so it took a little longer then 2 weeks but I had a feeling Nenshi was going to gain the most momentum in the polls over that time.

[DizzyEdge]

Just had a txt discussion with a friend, he doesn't want to vote for Nenshi because of "too many mosks[sic] and lack of experience"

Sigh.

[mooky]

If they build an LRT station on the NC line at 8th avenue overpass as proposed currently, it's still just about as close as the zoo. The new science center is pretty much smack in between the two give or take a couple hundred meters at best, a non-issue really and well off point.

[DizzyEdge]

Hey what's the criteria for being able to vote, alberta issued ID?

[Bassic Lab]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

^ You can't do UPass style rates without mandatory fees for all students - there is no discount to the amount students pay as a group, it is just spread amongst drivers, cyclists and transit users. Unless schools have a mechanism for coercion, and students endorse, they can't do UPass.

As for an airport spur off of the nose creek LRT, seeing as the line would already be interlined, the frequencies would likely be so bad ,as to make the line pretty useless (not only that, but the usage would be so low to necessitate low frequency). Most likely scenario is still a bus to the LRT . Not fancy but still much more effective. As for being close to the Science Centre, it is pretty unlikely that a station would be built there when the Zoo is within walking distance. As for Harvest Hills, it will have stations no matter the alignment.

There are already bike racks on all the buses that can take them I believe, so unless she has a plan for fleet renewal... As for secondary suites, good on her. The allowing residential in light industrial has neat potential.

Allowing residential in industrial is intriguing but I really cannot see it being much of a factor in this city. We are not Manhattan in 1980. I can count on one hand the industrial areas in the city that would be in anyway attractive for residents. Amenities are generally quite distant, the existing buildings poorly fit for conversion, and underutilization is not a major problem. We simply lack the kind of pedestrian friendly areas containing empty multi-story structures that would enable such a plan to really make sense.

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

Looking at the plans you're right, but that just seems odd. I don't think it would survive through detailed design without being moved up to 16th Ave. That station would be desolate even if 100% of Science Centre users took it to access it. The catchment area is pretty small.

i believe the catchment area would be larger than i suspect you may think. my assumptions below are very basic and based off of a downtown destination, as most lrt discussion seems to be.

mayland heights - about 6,000 people live here, with about 80% living closer to an 8 ave lrt, than the current max bell/barlow station.
mayland heights catchment = 4,800

vista heights, approx 2,200 live here. 100% of the community would be better served by an 8 ave lrt station.
vista heights catchment = 2,200

renfrew - about 5,700 people live here, but maybe only 35% fall into a realistic lrt catchment, due to renfrew's proximity to edmonton trail bus routes.
renfrew catchment = 2000

now, on top of the 9,000 residents who would use the station, there is also 3 post-secondary institutions (cdi college, sait & columbia college) and many large businesses (creb, bridge brand, tesla, siemens, city of calgary, global tv & the calgary herald)

i do understand that there is currently an lrt station close by, max bell/barlow, but an 8 ave station would make getting to school or employment from the entire north central area much easier for a lot of people.

all things considered, the catchment area for an 8 ave lrt station could be anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people/jobs. if just resident population alone is used, this station could capture more residents than stations like erlton, bridgeland & sunnyside.

[MMMBeer]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Hey what's the criteria for being able to vote, alberta issued ID?

I was able to vote showing my AB driver's licence.

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

Originally Posted by mooky

If they build an LRT station on the NC line at 8th avenue overpass as proposed currently, it's still just about as close as the zoo. The new science center is pretty much smack in between the two give or take a couple hundred meters at best, a non-issue really and well off point.

sure, it seems like a useless station if you ignore the people who live around it, and not just focus on the science centre. also, if you look at google maps, there is a sea of parking lot to navigate thru to get from the zoo lrt to the science centre...hardly pedestrian friendly.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Hey what's the criteria for being able to vote, alberta issued ID?

One of the approved forms of ID (see here for the list of 30+ forms of ID accepted), and meeting the criteria of:

1. at least 18 years old;
2. a Canadian citizen;
3. a resident of the city of Calgary for Mayor and Alderman, and resident of the Calgary Board of Education for Public School Trustee or the Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District No. 1 for Separate School Trustee; and
4. have resided in Alberta for six consecutive months immediately preceding Election Day.

[mooky]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenFlames

sure, it seems like a useless station if you ignore the people who live around it, and not just focus on the science centre. also, if you look at google maps, there is a sea of parking lot to navigate thru to get from the zoo lrt to the science centre...hardly pedestrian friendly.

I lived in Mayland Heights (Mckinnon Drive) for 8 years, Bridgeland now (right close to Edmonton Trail and 1st Ave) for 5+ .. I know the area, and I can safely say that the area does not need a 3rd LRT stop when people at Center and 16th/32nd/McKnight have none. How is that fair? considering the amount of money this line will cost no matter the route it takes (there are mandatory minimums) the better use of the money is spent relocating it to Center Street.

But at a minimum I would strong request a detailed study comparing and contrasting the existing LRT NC plan with the Center street. It's the least we could do before we blow several hundred million dollars minimum.

Go Nenshi!!

[Radley77]

There is also the upside of the Nose Creek route to infill urban sprawl rather than try to fight nimbyism. Midfield Park, and several golf courses are potential spots to infill at a higher density format than Centre Street from a masterplanned approach that has more potential with TOD as well as feeder bus networks and park'n'rides. Infilling inner city sprawl land is tremendously important to addressing affordable housing supply because it allows for more supply to enter the market, a Centre Street route would be impacted by NIMBYism (look at Bridgeland for an example how LRT access increases population - it takes ages for the urban fabric to change compared to a master planned approach). The Nose Creek route would also not limit access to only those using public transit or walking distances.

One is going to spend many times the capital cost, and increased operational costs per hour on implementation of the Centre Street LRT network.

Bob Hawkesworth has been the steward of Calgary's LRT system for years. I am not suprised he is opposed to Nenshi.

A vote for Higgins is a vote to continue the stewardship that has been set for many many years under Hawkesworth's guidance. LRT system requires champions, and it will not be built if every council plans to disrupt long range plans in pursuit of an agenda that is guided by their own ambition and does not consult with the continuity of experts. There have been at least two studies this year that are looking at the NCLRT route alignments.

Please analyse the alternatives: which one is going to be cheaper to build, which one can make use of higher density without issues of NIMBYism so that people can walk to the LRT, which one will allow access to more affordable housing supply, which one can allow access to use as well from park'n'ride system to increase the catchment area?

[Aegis]

This new poll showing Nenshi in 2nd place is encouraging!

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/C...on_poll_101012/20101013/?hub=CalgaryHome

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Aegis

This new poll showing Nenshi in 2nd place is encouraging!

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/C...on_poll_101012/20101013/?hub=CalgaryHome

Corndogger is going to be pissed!

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

Allowing residential in industrial is intriguing but I really cannot see it being much of a factor in this city. We are not Manhattan in 1980. I can count on one hand the industrial areas in the city that would be in anyway attractive for residents. Amenities are generally quite distant, the existing buildings poorly fit for conversion, and underutilization is not a major problem. We simply lack the kind of pedestrian friendly areas containing empty multi-story structures that would enable such a plan to really make sense.

For an artist only needing to rent one space instead of two can make or break the bank. If it doesn't have much uptake, what is the harm either way?

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenFlames

sure, it seems like a useless station if you ignore the people who live around it, and not just focus on the science centre. also, if you look at google maps, there is a sea of parking lot to navigate thru to get from the zoo lrt to the science centre...hardly pedestrian friendly.

To get over to the east side of Deerfoot, it is almost a kilometer before you hit the first intersection (considering you have to trek up to the bridge by heading west first). It is only marginally closer for the office park north of sentinel self storage. As for catchment on the west side, that is a fair point, but there is the difficulty of getting people to travel east to go west, and that Bridgeland Station will have at least twice the frequency.

At least the 8th Ave bridge has a pedestrian walkway on it, last time I walked over it in maybe '98 there was no sidewalk.