mlsimons

This is so like a thousand years away. I mean really. My grandkids may work here!

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_wavy_no...htrail_20090323 I thought this was a funny light rail report...watch the video!! What do you guys thing about the reporting???

They should have located in town center on the 1st floor of the Westin parking garage. I said this way before they ever announced the Hilltop location and before the Beacon decided to move. Now we have a prime retail spot (in Independence) being used as a commerce park. Poor decision! Anyways, a grocery needs to locate in town center sooner or later.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything. I was only speaking specifically about the rendering, which I think is fine...I just wish it would be 1 or 2 floors higher, thus providing increased density.

So you mean to say that adding floors on top of this rendering would not improve density. Again, I would like to see this be at least 3 or 4 floors instead of 2 TO IMPROVE DENSITY.

This is cool, but I really wish I could be something at least 3 or 4 stories high to improve density!

It would go around W. Ghent and then over several rail lines at the Lamberts point coal terminus, then, from what I've heard, it would extend down Powhatan Ave all the way to the current maglev line at ODU. It would then turn and proceed directly under the maglev right down the middle of ODU's campus (I would imagine this would be the slowest part of the trip, probably around 25mph). At Hampton Blvd the line would finally merge into the median between 46th and 47th street heading all the way up to NOB. Its best to just look directly on maps.live.com to get the whole picture.

Yeah, the new mcdonalds are pretty nice. Some have plasmas and water fountains and Wi-fi. Ok, I know it sounds strange, but I think it would be cool to see a retro-fitted mcdonalds actually in town center. It obviously woundn't do as good as a drive thru model...but I would definitely make a curb-side stop at that mcdonalds as oppossed to the boring suburban style with a parking lot. Grap a snack-wrap and a sweet tea!!! The point im really getting at, is when will the day come when town center is attractive and sustainable enough to get the attention of fast-food and diners; cheaper food and retail but with more "in-and-out" customers...as opposed to only high-end restaurants and fashion.

Actually the spur is around W. Ghent. along the lamberts point coal terminus. They have already cleared some trees so they can survey a proposed route. There is redgate ave which parallels the proposed route between a paved bike/pedestrian trail and the route beside the terminus. Whether they put the line on top of the bike route (which has feasible space), or put it directly west along the fence line, I do not know. But this is the only route being investigated. It has been stated that both Hampton and Colley are too congested and do not have nearly enough space to safely route a light rail line. Although Hampton or Colley would be the better choice, due to the surrounding density, it just is not feasible. One benefit to this alternative, is the train can go much faster than traffic on either Hampton or Colley. Possibly up to top speed. Which means taking the train from EVMS to ODU would take less than 5 minutes, even with 1 or 2 stops in between.

My guess is that this is from the BAL building at ODU.

Is that tax revenue with or without the the intial tax investment. In other words, has the project broken even or not in terms of tax investment.

What exactly are you referring to? Are you being serious or is this just rhetoric exaggeration?

A new report is out on the Midtown tunnel.... It was suggested that adding a light rail line would cost the drivers an entire lane of traffic...essentially only providing 1 new lane. My comment was this: Skanska should be allowed to collect to portion of the ridership fare for those who choose to use light-rail through the tunnel, even if its only 25%. This would make the extra room needed in the tunnel to be cost-appropriated. Also, how about offer an unlimited monthly pass option for the drivers. Maybe 65 bucks per month. This would mean immediate profit for Skanska regardless of how many times they use the tunnel, which could also provide a savings to those who go through more than usual. I hope Skanska, Norfolk and Portsmouth keep throwing around ideas. A happy medium is right round the corner if they keep investigating! Please guys, let me know what you think about this idea?

Oh I know, yes housing prices will fall, hopefully. There's nothing wrong with the market correcting itself, and in this case the correction will be harsh. But we must remember that the military is propping HR up and employment will rise so long as the bases and ports keep growing. Once the housing does reach bottom. As long as the creditors/banks are not melted we will see houses sell again. Fact of life. The average person moves every 7 years. In addition, the nation's population will have grown, and is expected to double by 2050. And these people will need to live somewhere. Its not that I'm so optimistic, but I can't help but associate the facts/demographics with the market. All of these people who can't sell/buy now are creating a greater need once the market allows them to sell/buy. They will be more anxious to finally do it once they are able to. And the students graduating, who are now renting; this demographic will be huge by the time the bust is over. They too will be anxious to buy, many of whom will be in the late 20's and married...really anxious to buy.

This is really good news. Without regionalism, we will truely struggle to keep up with the country. Specifically, it may be harder for us to receive the northeast high speed rail corridor. Which, while hard to envision now, will be the key ingredient for Hampton Roads to forge into the next century as a major growing economy. Another step is getting Craney island up and running, which will provide jobs to residents in all 7 of the cities, including Ivor, and Isle of Wight. And without the infrastructure (light rail, high speed rail, commuter rail, and better tunnel commuting via Midtown, Downtown, and the HRBT/3rd crossing) this will never come to fruition. The infrastructure to allow the labor pool mobility is key to attracting major business/commerce/industry. In regards to industry, it is possible to one day have both oil drilling and wind farming off shore which will again diversify our labor pool even more and bring in many export dollars to the region. There are so many possibilities in the coming decades. I hope it begins with regionalism soon!

There are a million reasons why this should not go to referendum... We are a representative democracy, which means we choose elected officials to make very specific decisions for us that we do not have the ability to make on our own. Very few of us are transportation planners, or economic forecasters, or even have access to the expert knowledge/advice about this project. Our city/regional planners have masters degrees with specific knowledge in urban/regional/transportation planning...and understand both the congestion and development trends both now....AND IN THE FUTURE. We rely on our elected officials to spend there 40+ hours per week to become as knowledgable as possible on the specifics and then to make the best decision that we ourselves do not spend all day long preparing for. Furthermore, I do not believe that Sessoms has come this far only to send this to referendum. He knows the economic benefits LRT will bring. He's prolly playing it safe for now and waiting till the time is right to execute his authory.

I keep hearing that we are really not to expect light rail in VB til 2014...if this is correct its important to note that the midtown tunnel expansion is expected to be completed by 2015. We've all been aware that there is a option to run light rail through the new midtown tunnel, so I think its safe to guess that Light rail into portsmouth is possible by 2016. Can you imagine?

Does anyone know the details on the Nimmo/Ferrell Pkwy extention? I have noticed a lot of increase activity along P.A. road...just wondering if they are widening the road at the same time they are making the extention. Also, I noticed a farmer change his fence line right where the Nimmo extention is to go, next to Kellam High between P.A. road and Holland Rd. which I assume is due the extention breaking ground soon. I am trying to figure out by looking on the map, how exactly will Nimmo connect to Ferrell? I am guess that once it approaches West Neck it will extend parallel to North Landing and there is a strange easment through the tree line which turns north across some farmland and connects to Landstown Rd. But how does it connect to Ferrell pkwy, that to me makes no sense!

Ok, so does anyone know why the old Price building was torn down, next to Gold's Gym, across from Doumar's?

I don't know but I hope Charlie's diner stays...mmm mmm good!

Haha, good post...needed to be said!

That's definitely good news. One thing I'm hoping for is a good upscale gas station/convenience store to support downtown. Like a Sheetz or Wawa. There is an empty/abandoned gas station now on the corner of E. Wilson and Monticello downtown. This location would be perfect! And once Tidewater gardens is gone the spot will be even better.

I'll prolly be there on opening day, I love Bill's flea market!

I have always heard that the Boone's are crooked. But until now, i had no real stories or examples. Can anybody come up with any other real life examples of the Boone's abuse of power?

Well put, a lot of people think this is capitalism at its best and that Boone should get loads of money, but I think its easy to see through. Also, what are some Boone owned businesses? What is the extent to the Boone influence in this region?