RVA2CLT

Richmond does not have the tax base nor county support to implement a LRT for at least a couple more decades. The counties are far too suburban in mindset and set in their 'automobile' oriented ways of development and vision to even care to entertain the idea of LRT. Additionally, an LRT or BRT up the middle of broad-street does little for the citizens and students who live, work, study and play in the city on a daily basis. Richmond needs what worked initially, inter-city circulatory streetcar (tram). I believe a starter project would be feasible in the Fan from VCU Monroe campus to Carytown through the museum district (where ridership density would be at it's max) An expansion a few years later could then connect Downtown and then the bottom (once the area is prime and ready and Main St Station has more Intercity rail traffic than Staples Mill). This could be funded through a variety of sources without having to rely on the city to put up the majority of the $ though private/public partnerships, endowments from VCU and UofR as well a combination of TIGER and Small Starts grants and some RVA creative ingenuity of creating Crowd-funding and Kick-starter projects by Pro RVA-Tram groups. Additionally, infrastructure cost could be cut by minimizing the use of over-head catenary wire systems by investing in a next-gen Trams with Battery technology such as the AmeriTRAM which charges it's batteries while in contact w/ catenary power. This could allow catenery to be installed in segments such as at Tram-Stops, stop-lights and other 'short-runs' where it is cost-effective and easier to install. Why catch up to the status-quo when we could be a leader in innovative urban rail transportation as we once did.

I wonder if they will be 'express' trains from 485 to Stonewall, then 7th or if they will make all stops with one car inaccessible for loading/unloading passengers. If the latter is the case, I'm curious as to how will they manage that with passengers i.e. Informing riders which car is for stonewall and 7th street only

came across a fresh concrete pad on the walk back from the ballgame on Sunday at Tryon & Morehead. It's right outside the Charlotte Cigar Club; I'm sure their members will get a lot of use out of it.

so awesome, can't believe it's really real and opening day is here.

The new Belk Flagship store at the Dallas Galleria replaces a Saks Fifth Avenue. IMO Belk really fits Dallas 'fashion-sense' from what I witnessed when living there.I hope they do well. Editorial note: The Galleria was the first place I was able to find 'a little taste of home' when i found a 5 Guys in the food court (2007). While standing in line to order I would stare at all the DC, Richmond and other regional magazines on the walls wondering if I would ever return back East. I did..

Great to see progress is stating on this! There is a thread already started about this american-legion-memorial-stadium-renovation where you can read more about what's going on and with the Hounds and the new NASL team replacing the Eagles.

True tickets @ cost on the primary market are all gone, but they are now being re-sold at premiums on the secondary market. You can even get seats to the Friday night opener starting at $100, just check-out Seat Geek I have a feeling I'll be buying for a couple of $40 tickets to a Saturday night game on the secondary market when guests come to town.

Hahaha, exactly how I felt so you're not alone. I was just happy they showed an actual recent photo of uptown from RBP. Out-dorked yah!

It made NBC National nightly news, Brian Williams did give us props for being a beautiful city though. ..so that's nice...

Depends on how slow the national news day is.. Lets see... nothing new in Russia/Ukraine... nothing new on the Malaysia flight search... yeah, this could get a mention from Brian Williams tonight..

Sooo this happened... 'Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon arrested on corruption charges'

Finally, it would seem sensibility has prevailed.. "Charlotte City Council approved $75,000 at its meeting last night as part of a $2 million contract that will create a continuous entrance road from Interstate 85 at the Little Rock Road exit all the way to the airport terminal at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport" No time frame mentioned though. Brief article here: Airport to build road to connect I-85 directly to airport terminal

On the bright side again they'll be pleasantly surprised when they do their research and see much Charlotte actually has to offer and going-on for itself. Then they too will scoff at all the out-dated pictures used of this town in current articles after they've visited or moved here. too optimistic?

On a brighter note, we made another 10 best list; this or is for 'Awesome Cheap Cities'. http://www.wisebread.com/10-of-americas-awesomest-cheap-cities

This should definitely be under Dilworth-less as I'm sure the powers and overseers of SouthEnd would not oppose such a development. Ok, I'm pleased with the approval of the 12 Townhomes and Hotel Development... I just get frustrated with the seemingly NIMBY position taken more often than not.. If 23 town homes won't work there, then make a suggestion as to how many would be acceptable. Why completely kill a development, that's not even in the Historic district and not try to collaborate on a win-win. As a future home-buyer waiting patiently for more new-build opportunities in the area it's just frustrating to see a project like this killed.

It's hard to compete with the 'Celtic Tiger' on corp tax breaks and incentives. Ireland's entire economy is supported by foreign shops setting up service-oriented business there. Service industry probably makes up 70-75% of their total GDP.

^^The Red and Blue are the oldest from the 90s I believe. I lived off the red line and it lacked any type of TOD period. It's best stops were Mockingbird Station, West End and Downtown Plano. Did you get a chance to ride the green past Fair park? It has a lil more TOD around Deep Ellum area. I left before the Orange line was finished so I'd be curious if that was developed any differently, especially going out to DWF. Out of curiousty, did you attempt to use DART for your primary transit needs in Dallas or just check out their LRT on free/personal time?

the crane's up @1100 South Blvd site

Gateway West Flats were completed yesterday according to the construction webcam. Anyone been by here recently or know of anyone looking to move here? I'm curious as to how street level feels in person.

I just wanted to re-share with everyone that while having my radiator replaced at the Good Year back in July I had a conversation with the manager and asked if he had been told how long they have left there to which he advised: "we are guaranteed at least 2 years, possibly up to 3, at this location." So unless the parking lot start getting developed first then it could be a while before anything solid is heard. However, Ricky_Davis_Fan did respond back in July with: "Its also worth noting that Goodyear takes up only 1/6th of the land to be developed so its conceivable they could start on the rest and goodyear would operate for a little longer." So there's always hope friends

hahaha "rampant liberalism" that would be a great band name. meanwhile in North Texas, Dallas is setting the precedent in the USA with their LRT system and will have 90 miles of operating LRT track this year. Most notable to me is the orange line to DFW airport; I wish that existed while I was in working in Dallas for 3 years.

can't wait to start reading the comments to the Observer Article posted go with that tweeted picture "CATS streetcar extension moves another step forward"

I really like how they combined a downtown water feature as the LRT ROW. I wonder if Charlotte will ever be this progressive in planning with transit. It would be pretty awesome to ride a train right through the middle of a 5-10 ft fountain show on each side, lit-up with a colors at night.