Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by brankrom

More transit trolls bitching about SLC in the comments and they likely don't even live in SLC.

I can see Luke Garrot's point about redundant service and 200 S being 2 blocks from 400 S. but there's a lot of TOD potential along 200 S.

I would like to see some streetcar love for Glendale and other west side residents. The 900 S Corridor would be a great option from 900 S & 900 W to 900 S & 900 E.

There's an interesting RFQ for adding a pedestrian walkway and redevelopment right by the 900 S Trax stop.

http://www.slcrda.com/rfps/pdfs/JeffersonWalkway.pdf

I read the first comment and was going to continue reading but I decided I rather not be pissed off today by random idiots, so I stopped reading and decided not to comment. One thing that definitely needs to be studied is the residents on or near 200 S, and if they are willing to have the corridor up zoned to much higher density.

While it would obviously be more expensive, and don't get me wrong I want a downtown streetcar, but I wonder if the 400 S Trax loop should be the next project on the city's downtown transit to do list. I'm debating with myself if I want trax to continue down 400 W from 200 S down to 400 S or if I would prefer Trax to continue south from Central Station to 400 S. I think I would prefer the Central Station extension to 400 S. The Black line could then run from Central Station to the University via 400 S, rather through downtown. This would activate Central Station a lot more and it would be a very efficient route to get people from FrontRunner to the U, I think it would actually be much more efficient than having them catch the Black Line from the N. Temple front Runner Station, which is what is going to happen shortly.

I do agree with Erin Mendenhall that Phase IIa of the Sugarhouse Street car, completion to 2100 S and Highland, needs to be completed very soon, and both SLC and SSL need to make final decisions, and start rezoning along the current S-Line. If the rezoning doesn't happen soon, the S-line is going to end up being a bust, because all people see is a slower way to get to Central Pointe Trax station, and that isn't what the S-Line's main purpose is, it's to connect neighborhoods with other neighborhoods.

[Makid]

For East/West street car lines, I think 2nd South is a great location because of the Salt Palace and potential locations for the CCH.

I think the current plan would be a good line. The study did say that the 2nd South part would be self funding for construction and operations based on a TIF addition for the area. in 3 years of operation. The extension down 4th West to 9th South wouldn't be but the primary reason to extend it down to 9th South would be to assist the Granary area with development as well as the anticipated 9th South line.

[scottharding]

Check this video out, this would be brilliant... And it's a rare case where Salt Lake's god-awful wide streets would give us a great advantage.

http://99percentinvisible.tumblr.com/pos...d-dutch-style-intersections-wed-ride-our

[tygr]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Check this video out, this would be brilliant... And it's a rare case where Salt Lake's god-awful wide streets would give us a great advantage.

http://99percentinvisible.tumblr.com/pos...d-dutch-style-intersections-wed-ride-our

I'd love to see Salt Lake become the example in the U.S. for something like this.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by tygr

I'd love to see Salt Lake become the example in the U.S. for something like this.

There are actually some very aggressive ideas for bicycle lanes on upper 2100 S. I was looking at properties and 21st and 21st and there were a bunch of renderings proposals posted in the windows of one of the buildings about the overall street improvements, and making it very bicycle and pedestrian friendly. There were some ideas like that on the proposals. I'm sure the information is online but I don't recall the web address.

[StevenF]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Check this video out, this would be brilliant... And it's a rare case where Salt Lake's god-awful wide streets would give us a great advantage.

http://99percentinvisible.tumblr.com/pos...d-dutch-style-intersections-wed-ride-our

I like this idea. With Salt Lakes wide streets the city could become a poster child for this and still have plenty of space for car traffic.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by brankrom

More transit trolls bitching about SLC in the comments and they likely don't even live in SLC.

I can see Luke Garrot's point about redundant service and 200 S being 2 blocks from 400 S. but there's a lot of TOD potential along 200 S.

I would like to see some streetcar love for Glendale and other west side residents. The 900 S Corridor would be a great option from 900 S & 900 W to 900 S & 900 E.

There's an interesting RFQ for adding a pedestrian walkway and redevelopment right by the 900 S Trax stop.

http://www.slcrda.com/rfps/pdfs/JeffersonWalkway.pdf

Apparently the RDA and I think alike. For several years now I have wanted to acquire those exact same parcels and establish a public mid-block connection from 200 W to Jefferson. I guess great urban minds think alike.

[UTPlanner]

The Downtown Streetcar is a project that is discussed a lot in our office. I'm of the opinion that is a good project but that it shouldn't be the next transit line in the city. This neighborhood is already well served by transit and there is an existing connection between Downtown and the University. I honestly think that a line along 900 South, creating a loop at 400 South or the extension of the S-Line should be the priority. These lines would bring transit into neighborhoods that are fairly dense but are under served when it comes to transit. The biggest question that arises when discussing the streetcar is whether we are building it to move people or to spur redevelopment. There are pros and cons to both ideas.

[DMTower]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Check this video out, this would be brilliant... And it's a rare case where Salt Lake's god-awful wide streets would give us a great advantage.

http://99percentinvisible.tumblr.com/pos...d-dutch-style-intersections-wed-ride-our

It's a perfect solution not only for bikers but also for a much better pedestrian experience. Salt Lake has sooo many streets that could be narrowed significantly without hurting traffic.

[Hatman]

I love the protected intersections for bicyclists idea. Let's get someone working on that right now.

The downtown streetcar is a fine idea, but I really want to see a Trax loop completed on 400 WEST. The 400 South route is very tempting to consider when looking at a map, but who would use it? One of the main purposes of the Black Line will be shuttling U of U students to downtown, not bypassing it in favor of Central Station. The 400 South route can be ideal for a futue streetcar circulator, but not Trax (Transit Express.)
Complete the loop, then talk about streetcars.
Form Follows Function

[EPdesign]

I get that Downtown is a big focus on the street car, but you have the East Neighborhood by Liberty Park that would greatly benefit from this. Even running it down 500 east would be great. Or your west side neighborhoods. I get that Downtown is in the Spot light, but I think it would be a great appeal to be able to bring people from the city neighborhoods in.

[Old&New]

unfortunately since we live in a capitalist system, the focus with the streetcar is on development potential, not bringing mobility to established neighborhoods.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Old&New

unfortunately since we live in a capitalist system, the focus with the streetcar is on development potential, not bringing mobility to established neighborhoods.

Capitalistic system or not, street car system after street car system has proven that streetcar is most successful and ridership is high when it is built to or through areas with redevelopment potential. It helps already established neighborhoods, but only when they are area within that neighborhood with redevelopment opportunities. The reason that the areas need redevelopment potential is exactly what we are currently seeing with the S-line. A few people from the already established parts of the neighborhood will ride it, but there needs to be redevelopment in order to attract even higher ridership and spur on the demand for new retail and restaurants along the line. It's not ideal for connecting destinations for instance taking it up 2100 S to Sugarhouse Park, but for movement in and between neighborhoods. This is why the 11th E alignment is the correct alignment for the Sugarhouse line.

All this is spelled out very nicely in a book called "Walkable City" I highly recommend it to any Planner or Development geek. I actually have two friends on SLC City Council and I plan on giving both of them a copy of the book.


Yes part of the purpose of the black line is to get University Students into downtown, but a major part of it is to get them to the University from FrontRunner, that is why the initial route ends at the N. Temple Front Runner Trax stop. The same thing would be accomplished by putting Trax on 400 S from Central Station, and would actually get people to the University much quicker.

[delts145]

South Salt Lake planning development near streetcar line

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86560...ing-development-near-streetcar-line.html


A UTA streetcar prepares to leave the Fairmont stop of the S-Line in Salt Lake City. (Matt Gade, Deseret News Archives)

SOUTH SALT LAKE — The city is working with neighbors, property owners and developers to discuss new development near the S-line streetcar stops.

The first area being discussed is the “East Streetcar” area from State Street to 500 East. A new master plan will be presented to the South Salt Lake City Council, followed by new zoning.

The other area where new homes, office space and retail are planned is in downtown South Salt Lake, from State Street to 200 West and from 2100 South to I-80. The plan will allow taller buildings and larger shopping, while the East Streetcar area is focused on what is compatible with adjacent homes and neighbors’ needs.

“We have been holding block meetings in this neighborhood and hearing what people want,” said Sharen Hauri, the city's urban design director. She said a grocery store, restaurants and extending the trail alongside the S-line are all popular ideas.

Questions on the East Streetcar Master Plan can be directed to Hauri at 801-464-6771 or [email protected].


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[Future Mayor]

While I understand the need for SSL to be cognizant of the existing housing inventory and development patterns in the "east neighborhoods" I hope that they don't limit the development of the area directly adjacent to the 300 E stop too much. The former Zellerbach property is huge and could result in a major TOD within the neighborhood. I hope the NIMBY's didn't win out and demand one story development or something along those lines. I hope that the city put in enough standards and guidelines to help guide a developer to make something with some substance while fitting in to it's surroundings, rather than simply something small and very un-note worthy.

[scottharding]

How cool would it be if Salt Lake were willing to invest in this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTA3rnpgzU

Even just converting a few parking lots, plazas, and sidewalks would do wonders. Or along the sugarhouse line?

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by scottharding

How cool would it be if Salt Lake were willing to invest in this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTA3rnpgzU

Even just converting a few parking lots, plazas, and sidewalks would do wonders. Or along the sugarhouse line?

It would be very cool.

[delts145]

I was just blown away. I want to see them get started with their first highway immediately. At least a new neighborhood with all the driveways made of those panels. It made so much sense, and seemed very doable.

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by scottharding

How cool would it be if Salt Lake were willing to invest in this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTA3rnpgzU

Even just converting a few parking lots, plazas, and sidewalks would do wonders. Or along the sugarhouse line?

Can't you see Mayor Becker getting on board with this? At least as an initial experiment? Seems like it's right up his solar-paved alley.

[StevenF]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Can't you see Mayor Becker getting on board with this? At least as an initial experiment? Seems like it's right up his solar-paved alley.

Just need to get UTplanner to show the video around the office.