mlsimons

First off, No there won't be any guards on Light Rail. I don't know of any mass transit systems with guards on the trains. Also, you must include all the data: Norfolk makes up only 32% of NOB workers. Virginia Beach is 2nd at 29%, Chesapeake 10%, Penninsula 7%, and Suffolk/Portsmouth 6%. Also 14% is unknown!!! There is no fact/stat stating that most of VB NOB workers live north of the NS line. As of now 95% of commuters ride in single occupancy vehicles...only 1% use public transportation. A commuter rail/LRT line going to NOB would open the door to several alternatives and incentive programs to encourage transit use. Not only would the base able to better manage the flow of traffic thru its gates, but more land could be utilized on base which is currently used to park cars!!!!

I agree that LRT needs to go to as many places of employment as possible, all of these are possibilities . However, be careful not to just "think up" populated places for LRT to go without considering the feasbility of providing the infrastructure. As I explore this more and more I'm forced to consider how the region will function once LRT is here. LRT is most feasible along already existing rail lines, like the NS route, and the rail lines still in use. There is one which could stem off the current line between the Ingleside station and Brambleton station...this line goes all the way to NOB. Although the rail is in use, it can be investigated to see if a line can be built alongside. An old line goes to the airport as well. But, it seems to me that a line going to lynnhaven would not work; although lynnhaven is a highly traffic'd and popular place. It seems the density just isn't there like Town Center, ODU, NOB, or Downtown. Plus the route would require ripping up so much just to get there, I don't think the end result would justify the mean, or cost. Now, spurring a route off of town center over 264 and past Mt. Trashmore and down S. Independence would cut into the heart of Virginia Beach's working class, high density, military living. Plus the median is big enough to fit a LRT line, not to mention there's even more space on one side of the road to allow for road expansion. But most importantly the housing is dense and mixed-income. The elements together make it feasible in my opinion, at least to investigate. This may also save Green Run from eventually falling into urban decay 20 years from....any thoughts???

Does anyone have any old pictures of a train on the NS right of way...I'm 23 and grew up in Haygood Pt. next to Bayside, and I barely barely barely remember hearing the train at night. And only once do I remember stopping at Independence Blvd to allow a train to pass; this was way before town center, I was maybe 7 or 8.

I find its my responsibility to combat the nay-sayers on the Pilot with facts and alternative ideas. I feel if you don't do this, then some will get the impression that the overall perception of Light rail is bad. I like to stick to facts and use complex economic topics and issue to argue that maybe the entire project is out of the "economic mental grasp" of the average individual. I feel this does more to counter the negative perception than anything else. For instance; here are two articles in which I attempt to control the nay-saying. Just look for "mlsimons" http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/sessoms-sw...#comment-687879 And this one, I'm most proud of... http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/choppy-waters-norfolks-tide

When I went to Christmas dinner with my family and the subject of light rail came up. I mostly listened in order to see the true feeling of what the nay-sayers and old timers were thinking. While the issue of a "waste of taxpayer's money" floated by. The real conversation was about how Norfolk's poor would hop on a train to rob tourist down at the oceanfront of turn town center into a gangster's paradise. Other terms were used to describes "Norfolk's poor" which I do not agree with....But this is the reality of some nay-sayer's mentality. (at least in my redneck family) They too were part of Norfolk's white flight in the 50's and 60's. And since then, they have never looked back. I can't say the issue was concluded as a "race issue" as much as it can be called a "history issue." I live in Norfolk now and my parents and especially grandparents hate it. They refuse to come visit me! Another truth for many nay-sayers of VB. However, Norfolk has changed very much, and if you plainly look at the stops LRT is making thru Norfolk you will see most stops are within very nice surroundings. Not to mention I don't buy that whole "poor people will now rob tourist and white folks" theory. From my observation (as narrow minded as it may be) the nay-sayers are fearful of the past, and are not familiar with how modern cities rely on mass transit. I know for most of my family of nay-sayers, they have never been to any city bigger than the 757, except Atlanta which has the MARTA, which only reinforces these feelings.

How will LRT fit on W.Bute st between Boush and Duke. My only guess is that the street will be converted to one way...also is the old Gilbert eyecare building going to be demolished to make room for LRT turning from York st to Bute? The next year is going to be so exciting for downtown... I plan to tell my children about these years of transformation...haha corney!!!

Yeah, I'm sorry but this is just too unrealistic. I too have a huge Southside map on my wall with potential lightrail mapped out. Except I must say that I look up every route extensively to see the obstacles along the way and room for growth/improvement. For instance...we might think "well we should connect light rail to ODU" we'll in order to do this we have to route it somehow there. Hampton Blvd is too tight and congested, so in order to do this we may possibly go around the backside of West Ghent, but we will be missing a lot of "key potential stops" due to the density around Hampton/Colley. So even this might be a bad idea. Routing down Lynnhaven in my opinion would be bad due to low residential density down most of Lynnhaven (and little room for the line), I would choose rather to route down S. Independence, with lots of room to expand the road or put light rail in the median plus loads more residential density. Also their is a beautiful route to the airport along one of the closed Norfolk/Southern lines (visible on the map) which would make much more sense. You must consider already established "right-of-ways" This map seems really unresearched, however if at first you don't succeed, please take a second looks and try again.

I'm sorry but you can't get mad at the Virginian-pilot commentors; they tend to not know what they are talking about or be knowledged on economic issues. Just let me be.

I do not understand why there arn't more fast-food places or national restaurant on Hampton Blvd between ODU and Ghent. I understand that Lamberts Point and Park Place are on either side...but the traffic on that road is ridiculous and the people who traffic down that road would provide so much business. Even if it was a recognizable restaurant like Uno's or Chili's. They would get so much money from professionals associated with ODU or Norfolk General. Just a thought. By the way I read a couple months ago that construction was approved for a Dunkin Donuts on Hampton around 38th st. I don't know if anyone else is aware of this?????

I definitely believe you could make it work. Raleigh has a downtown Chick-fil-a, but I believe its only open during the week (working hours). Good Luck to ya, hope you find your space!!!

If you are interested in really doing this...consider a property on the corner of colonial and 21st st. Its a closed pizza-hut and would make a perfect location for a chick-fil-a!

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/norfolk-ha...-more-retailers I didn't see a retail thread...so I just put this here. Hopefully this works. I would love to see Granby bussling again.

http://hamptonroads.com/pilot/sports/odu-football The video's on here are pretty cool. Excitement is in the air....

I completely agree, however many residents do not, and they think that "what they want" should be hierarchal and should come before future needs. Its always best to meet the needs of the future than to dwell in the safety of the past. What we must hope and rely on, is the results of the study and the determination of the mayor. These two things may bring light rail to the region and break through the "elder barrier" who never want the area to change.

What floor is that picture taken from?

Portland is sooooooo ahead of the game. A true modal midsize city for mass transit. This is the idea I think about when reading all the negative comments on virginian-pilot. This is the picture that the naysayers cannot seem to imagine. NSU could one day look like this, ODU as well... they have the maglev track running directly through campus, it would be great to see LRT use that right of way to make something great happen.

As far as being underwhelmed...well yes but. The reason why its just open space for now is because the plan is to build a midrise above the station. There's a rendering somewhere floating around. Something like a 12-15 story office tower with light rail going right over top!!! The rendering looked pretty cool

Ok, so another bit of bad news has been reported by the Virginian-Pilot recently....about light rail going over-budget. I will I understand people getting upset about the issue, I wanted to present another end of the spectrum not reported on. Here's my comment about the report. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/light-rail...#comment-681796 (I agree, this is definitely bad news. But it stings much worse when its not reported comprehensively. If the subject is LRT "going over budget," then we get it. But how about at least mentioning all the contracts awarded that have gone under budget: Contract 60 awarded to "Truland" awarded 2,035,689 UNDER BUDGET; contract 100 (park & ride lots) awarded 2,595,039 UNDER BUDGET by 40%!!! (More than enough to cover the over-budget contract reported here. Also: the "construction Admin & Management" funding awarded 2,024,000 UNDER BUDGET; the projects "financial charges" also were awarded 2,437,000 UNDER BUDGET (A full 61.8% under budget). I'm sorry but this report can almost be labeled propagandic by only disclosing a relatively minuscule amount of money awarded over-budget, (936,000), respectively.)

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/cost-norfo...ases-24-percent I think a lot of people saw this coming...strangely I'm more upset about the completion delay, Summer or Fall 2010!!!!

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/odu-raze-p...d-start-scratch ODU to raze president's home...I left two long comments: The president's home is one of the biggest pull factors for any prospective president. If ODU wants to attract a truely great president, then the school must show its appreciation. I say build the house, and raise the surrounding values in larchmont. It's my feeling that ODU needs to aquire all of the homes along 49th street, ODU already owns most, the rest are rentals. ODU could turn then all into campus ministry homes, or student sponsored activity homes (all alcohol free) and with honor students living upstairs for free, but in charge of upkeep, cleaning and student activity planning, much like an R.A. This would give 49th street and Larchmont a better name and add to the already high number of ministry houses along 49th. Plus the school could then control the outside grounds and appearance of the homes to make 49th look clean and uniform...in addition...I know for me, living in the dorms was not an easy experience. Especially when you are not a drinker but still want to have fun. I was lucky enough to randomly be assigned another alcohol-free roommate 1st semester. Yet we had only a few places to go at night to avoid alcohol presence/pressures. One place was the campus ministry houses on 49th st. ODU and larchmont can afford to have one place where it's alcohol free students can gather to still have fun. Plus the new president would feel safe walking home at night down the "alcohol-free, student activities district" or whatever you want to call it. After all, 30% of ODU students do not drink (taking from a student wide survey of over 2,000 students).

I use maps.live.com for everything. Its quicker on my computer and I love the bird's-eye view feature!! Use it to look at a possible route from town center across 264 beside mt. trashmore and eventually to S. Independence.

Good post, We have to think forward if we're going to understand this. Transit Oriented Development is where the true revenue is generated. No one can deny Charlotte Lynx's 1.8 billion in annonced development. Even if the light rail doesn't pay for itself. The TOD does, and it depends on the LRT. And even if we do switch to a new technology, heavy rail, or a 3 car LRT(which is the long-term plan). We have to have the basic infrastructure first, which is what we are doing now. This is truely the best investment Norfolk can make. Once the recession is over, there is a good chance the Middle East may raise oil prices beyond what we are able to pay while still living 20+ min away from our jobs. By the way, not everyone lives in VB and works at NOB. While I understand its importance to extend LRT out there, I think the initial investment should be downtown norfolk and town center. Hopefully the next phases will be to the airport, into portsmouth via new midtown tunnel, to ODU/NOB, and to the Oceanfront... in no particular order. I would like to see light rail go over/under 264 by mt trashmore, then split down S. Independence all the way past Green Run. There is ample room in the median of S. Independence, and plenty of people who either work downtown/ODU/NOB within walking distance of S. Independence. Plus the majority of Green Run students can walk to a rail station on S. Independence, which would save alot of school bus expense. Later an extention can be made to turn onto princess anne and extend the line down P.A. (which will need to be widened anyways) all the way to the courthouse (a 25 year goal). There are so many places of employment already along the existing NS line...Oceana, the Oceanfront, Town Center, Norfolk State, Downtown, Norfolk General/EVMS. Light Rail is guranteed to work. I have a huge S. Hampton Roads map on my wall with potential light rail mapped out in detail with sharpie. If you were ever going to pick a model metro area to introduce a rail system, H.R. has the least amount of obsticles and the most potential.

I hate the negative posters, I slayed some with my comment tho. I'm so excited for Norfolk....really can't wait.

What is this building supposed to be? When is it to be built?

I never realized that the E. Main st and S. Main st used to be connected, I agree it would be a win for Berkeley if they can reconnect it back to downtown, but how? It would take a huge bridge the size of the campostella bridge or another draw bridge, due to the boat traffic. If the city could investigate it, i do see a great potential for light rail to find its way into south norfolk.