Looks like the Portland Planning Commission has given the proposed Burnside-Couch traffic couplet a three thumbs down. There's a report on this over at citizen activist Chris Smith's blog, where he bemoans the decision. No maw stweetcars? Wah. Need maw pwetty winchpins.
Comments (11)
Maybe we can kill this thing off. We should all contact the Mayor and the City Commissioners right away. Surely they won't be so arrogant as to completely ignore what seems to be a very strong recommendation NOT TO MOVE AHEAD from the PLANNING Commission. The biggest problem with this couplet thing is that it isn't part of any kind of comprehensive plan...not to mention the at least $80 million price tag.
Why spend hundreds of millions for this project to divert autos from Burnside to ?--not to mention the windfall profits for landowners have theirs. Burnside can be made safer for traffic and peds with improvements, without doing this.
The no vote on Burnside/Couch Couplet is not a done deal just because the Planning Commission says no. Remember that the Planning Commission also said "no" on several aspects of the SoWhat Plan including the tram. Council ignored them. The back-room-dealing, lobbying, horse trading, and scams is not over yet. Meet, call and email your commissioners and insiders, and graft-artists immediately.
the plan wasn't a thoughtful one, or particularly visonary. and "city girl" is right--it's not really part of any larger plan.
Burnside illustrates one of the fundamental problems of growth-seeking planning: you work as hard as you can to get lots of development, people and money into an area--then lament the awful ensuing traffic, pollution, prices, unaffordable housing and other marginalizing effects.
but this is how eveybody plans. the 2040 plans, as Ethan Seltzer once told me, *requires* growth to work.
of course, calling for visionary planning that addresses too much growth and too little health will get you called "crazy" around here.
Just a reminder about the cost of the streetcar:
(All data per passenger-mile except as noted)
Bus.........................................$0.835 System wide average
Light Rail..................................$0.434 System wide average
Lowest cost BUS line.................$0.34 Per Trimet: Line 33-McLoughlin
Private Car................................$0.294 (veh.-mi - actual cost - national average)
Private Car ...............................$0.185 (actual cost - national average) Private Car..............................$0.227 (Above - adjusted for Portland’s lower vehicle occupancy)
Portland streetcar.....................$1.25 (per ride) Portland streetcar..................$1.67 (using average trip length per Charlie Hales)
Taxi Fare in Portland.................$2.10 Taxi fare - per mile portion only
Yes, a diversity of who gets funded by the PDC is key. If you've already received funds from the PDC and you have millions maybe you should go to the end of the gravy train line.
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Miles run year to date: 29
At this date last year: 66
Total run in 2012: 129
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In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (11)
Maybe we can kill this thing off. We should all contact the Mayor and the City Commissioners right away. Surely they won't be so arrogant as to completely ignore what seems to be a very strong recommendation NOT TO MOVE AHEAD from the PLANNING Commission. The biggest problem with this couplet thing is that it isn't part of any kind of comprehensive plan...not to mention the at least $80 million price tag.
Call and e-mail your commisioners.
Posted by city girl | February 28, 2007 9:44 AM
Can there be hope? Nah... I'm just sniffing too much benzene.
Posted by Dave Lister | February 28, 2007 9:51 AM
Why spend hundreds of millions for this project to divert autos from Burnside to ?--not to mention the windfall profits for landowners have theirs. Burnside can be made safer for traffic and peds with improvements, without doing this.
Posted by jimbo | February 28, 2007 10:11 AM
The no vote on Burnside/Couch Couplet is not a done deal just because the Planning Commission says no. Remember that the Planning Commission also said "no" on several aspects of the SoWhat Plan including the tram. Council ignored them. The back-room-dealing, lobbying, horse trading, and scams is not over yet. Meet, call and email your commissioners and insiders, and graft-artists immediately.
Posted by Jerry | February 28, 2007 10:46 AM
the plan wasn't a thoughtful one, or particularly visonary. and "city girl" is right--it's not really part of any larger plan.
Burnside illustrates one of the fundamental problems of growth-seeking planning: you work as hard as you can to get lots of development, people and money into an area--then lament the awful ensuing traffic, pollution, prices, unaffordable housing and other marginalizing effects.
but this is how eveybody plans. the 2040 plans, as Ethan Seltzer once told me, *requires* growth to work.
of course, calling for visionary planning that addresses too much growth and too little health will get you called "crazy" around here.
Posted by Ecohuman.com | February 28, 2007 11:08 AM
"The back-room-dealing, lobbying, horse trading, and scams is not over yet."
And the boondoggle push provided by Citizen Smith and company will be all the council will need to perpetrate yet another fiscal folly.
Look for Citizen Smith to also assist Metro in their Convention Center Hotel folly.
Posted by not a PDC Fan | February 28, 2007 11:13 AM
Among the recommendations...
Make turn lanes from Burnside
I think I may faint.
Posted by Chris Snethen | February 28, 2007 11:17 AM
Actual common sense. I'm sure they'll put a stop to it in short order.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 28, 2007 11:18 AM
Just a reminder about the cost of the streetcar:
(All data per passenger-mile except as noted)
Bus.........................................$0.835 System wide average
Light Rail..................................$0.434 System wide average
Lowest cost BUS line.................$0.34 Per Trimet: Line 33-McLoughlin
Private Car................................$0.294 (veh.-mi - actual cost - national average)
Private Car ...............................$0.185 (actual cost - national average)
Private Car..............................$0.227 (Above - adjusted for Portland’s lower vehicle occupancy)
Portland streetcar.....................$1.25 (per ride)
Portland streetcar..................$1.67 (using average trip length per Charlie Hales)
Taxi Fare in Portland.................$2.10 Taxi fare - per mile portion only
Details at: DebunkingPortland.com/Transit/Cost-Cars-Transit.htm
Thanks
JK
Posted by jim karlock | February 28, 2007 11:55 AM
Sounds like somebody didn't stay bought.
Perhaps this will give the Mayor an opportunity to make the Planning Commission more diverse?
Diversity meaning lot's of people from the trades...
Carpenter's Union
Iron Worker's Union
Plumber's Union
Architects
One of Homer's stepkids
Urban League
Bank Vice President
Property Appraiser
That just about covers it, right?
Posted by Mister Tee | February 28, 2007 4:15 PM
Yes, a diversity of who gets funded by the PDC is key. If you've already received funds from the PDC and you have millions maybe you should go to the end of the gravy train line.
Posted by Randy | February 28, 2007 6:45 PM