DDOT announced tonight at the Atlas theatre streetcar meeting that the streetcar wont be running until "late 2012". Translation: mid 2013 at the earliest. How do I know this, you ask? After committing to a "late 2012" launch date, Scott Kubly's next sentence was, and I quote "operational funding wasnt in Mayor Grays 2012 budget". Hmmm. Hard to start operating without operating funding.
Yeah, Kubly admitted very readily that the timeframe had shifted to "late 2012". That, along with the clear indication that they are nowhere near a deal with Amtrak, were quite troubling.
I thought Kubly was straightforward and had a clear grasp of the issues. It was refreshing that he didn't dance around the new streetcar timeframe... although I don't think they could have kept up the 'Spring 2012' charade any longer and decided to break the news tonight.
Whatever. The streetcar is just icing on the cake, IMO. The street is already popping, and when the streetscape is finished the sky's the limit.
so, for the foreseeable future, those tracks are only going to be good for causing faceplants by dudes in skinny jeans on single speed bikes. All your base are belong to Vincent Gray. Who says whitey always wins.
Ooh, somebody's got an axe to grind (Anon 12:47 AM). It has been obvious for a while that the streetcar project was poorly planned and not wel coordinated (with Amtrak, metro, etc.). I don't know why DDOT ever mentioned a 2012 operational date when 2015 is more likely.
The street car has not been poorly planned, it has had to expend a lot of time and money to overcome some really powerful adversaries such as the taxi and historical lobbies to get built. Change is not easy for anything (even bikes)in this city.
In my opinion, the only part of the streetcar plan that has been poorly planned is the connection to Union station. Had the Klein/Kubly team done their research and known of the need for eminent domain under the Hopskotch bridge, then they could have been resolving all these issues with Amtrack WHILE all the construction has been going on the past 3 years. Now, because they didnt have the foresight, we have to wait another 1-2 years while they (just now begin) sort this out.
That said, they did have foresight in planning the laying of the tracks at the same time the streets were being dug up to install all the new utilities.
I wish there was more positive information on the Hopscotch turnaround. His reiteration that there didn't seem to be any "fatal flaws" in the plan was not exactly reassuring.
Is there anything the community can do? A letter writing campaign? Sigh.
Anon 10:42, The DC fiscal year starts on Oct. 1st the year prior, so as long as the operating funds are in the 2013 budget, the estimate to start in late 2012 is still valid.
Re: Joe Cole, the new Joe Cole was built attached to the Wheatly school and opened last year. The space where the old rec center is now being demolished is going to be park space. There will be additional playground structures, a splash park, and a big open green space/field. There will not, however, be a street car stop anywhere in the park.
7:42, I think (haven't seen the recent plans) that a splash park is kind of a spraying fountain where kids can run around and get a little wet in the spray. I recall doing that when I was a kid. Hopefully it will cut down on open hydrants in the summer heat.
21 comments:
Joe Cole Rec Ctr?
Denny's waiting area?
A bathroom entrance at the soon to be demolished Joe Cole.
What's the deal with the demolision and rebuilding at Joe Cole? When are they saying something will reopen?
wow, you really have a thing for public bathrooms, don't you? We are more alike than you'll ever admit!
2:50,
The new Rec is already open (it's just down the street). Demo starts soon.
Demo has already started. I rode the D8 past there last week.
DDOT announced tonight at the Atlas theatre streetcar meeting that the streetcar wont be running until "late 2012". Translation: mid 2013 at the earliest. How do I know this, you ask? After committing to a "late 2012" launch date, Scott Kubly's next sentence was, and I quote "operational funding wasnt in Mayor Grays 2012 budget". Hmmm. Hard to start operating without operating funding.
that's totally going to set that starbucks franchise back a bit.
Yeah, Kubly admitted very readily that the timeframe had shifted to "late 2012". That, along with the clear indication that they are nowhere near a deal with Amtrak, were quite troubling.
I thought Kubly was straightforward and had a clear grasp of the issues. It was refreshing that he didn't dance around the new streetcar timeframe... although I don't think they could have kept up the 'Spring 2012' charade any longer and decided to break the news tonight.
Whatever. The streetcar is just icing on the cake, IMO. The street is already popping, and when the streetscape is finished the sky's the limit.
Should also focus on the good news-- that all of the streetwork should be done by June 30. That's awesome.
so, for the foreseeable future, those tracks are only going to be good for causing faceplants by dudes in skinny jeans on single speed bikes. All your base are belong to Vincent Gray. Who says whitey always wins.
Ooh, somebody's got an axe to grind (Anon 12:47 AM). It has been obvious for a while that the streetcar project was poorly planned and not wel coordinated (with Amtrak, metro, etc.). I don't know why DDOT ever mentioned a 2012 operational date when 2015 is more likely.
The street car has not been poorly planned, it has had to expend a lot of time and money to overcome some really powerful adversaries such as the taxi and historical lobbies to get built. Change is not easy for anything (even bikes)in this city.
@ Anon 12:47:
In the running for least interesting/insightful comment ever.
In my opinion, the only part of the streetcar plan that has been poorly planned is the connection to Union station. Had the Klein/Kubly team done their research and known of the need for eminent domain under the Hopskotch bridge, then they could have been resolving all these issues with Amtrack WHILE all the construction has been going on the past 3 years. Now, because they didnt have the foresight, we have to wait another 1-2 years while they (just now begin) sort this out.
That said, they did have foresight in planning the laying of the tracks at the same time the streets were being dug up to install all the new utilities.
So do they balance each other out? Im not sure.
I wish there was more positive information on the Hopscotch turnaround. His reiteration that there didn't seem to be any "fatal flaws" in the plan was not exactly reassuring.
Is there anything the community can do? A letter writing campaign? Sigh.
Anon 10:42, The DC fiscal year starts on Oct. 1st the year prior, so as long as the operating funds are in the 2013 budget, the estimate to start in late 2012 is still valid.
Re: Joe Cole, the new Joe Cole was built attached to the Wheatly school and opened last year. The space where the old rec center is now being demolished is going to be park space. There will be additional playground structures, a splash park, and a big open green space/field. There will not, however, be a street car stop anywhere in the park.
what's a splash park?
7:42,
I think (haven't seen the recent plans) that a splash park is kind of a spraying fountain where kids can run around and get a little wet in the spray. I recall doing that when I was a kid. Hopefully it will cut down on open hydrants in the summer heat.
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