Jim Nasty
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Posts posted by Jim Nasty
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I never said that light-rail would be profitable. Another poster suggest raising the fares. I did the analysis based on the fact that raising fares accomplishes nothing.
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BTW I talked to a police officer on Friday. They are being paid overtime to ride the Tide (and cops are lining up for shifts) and will continue to do so for at least 6 months. He told me how much but i was drinking and cant remember exactly what was said. I believe it was $25 an hour. I think he also says the overtime varies based on the gig that they're working.
Their goal is to check 1-in-10 riders. I didnt think to ask if they are achieving that rate at this time.
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I dont really think the fares are for making money for the Tide, i think its to keep the bums off of it while nurturing the Transient-Oriented Development that is the true payoff-promise for the Tide.
According to the Wikipedia article below, the Tide's costs to build were $318 million. Annual maintenance is expected to cost $6.2 million. At a daily ridership of 2,900 riders per day, the numbers breakdown like this:
2900 X $1.50 = $4,350 dollars per day$318,000,000 / $4,350 dollars per day = 73,103 days to pay cost of building / 365 days =200 years to payback cost to buildIn 20 years they expect it to be 7,200 riders. I know the costs will go up, but just for fun, im using todays fare.7,200 X $1.50 = $10,800 per day = 29,444 days to pay cost of building / 365 days =80 years to payback cost to buildIf annual maintenance costs $6.2 million, and the ridership is at 2900, $4350 * 365 days =$1,587,750 in fare revenue per year, still way below the costs. At 7200 riders, $10,800 per day * 365 days =$3,942,000 in fare revenue per year.This still doesnt pay for what the maintenance costs are going to be for next year.Since the annual costs of maintaining the tide is going to continue to be more costly than the revenue generated by it, ridership alone will never pay for the Tide. Even if the fares are raised over the years, the cost to maintain the Tide will increase as well. Therefore i maintain that we should keep down the fares low enough to keep it a convenience but high enough to keep off the riff-raff. Salt Lake City has a free fare within their core Central Business District and i would like our system to evolve to something like that at some point.
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Picture from this morning at the future MacArthur Square station.
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Looks like Norfolk's investment in light-rail is already starting to pay-off!
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The Hotel Southland is located on the corner of Granby and E. Freemason. I have a photo of that street from circa 1917 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/31410842@N08/2934212505/) and an updated photo from 2008 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31410842@N08/2935016680/). The hotel now appears to be under serious renovation.
The Madison hotel is mid-block on E. Freemason between Granby and Monticello Ave. It appeared to be closed.
Awesome pic, Jack; and welcome!
I think there is horse poo in it, to boot!
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Cause when have I ever been wrong about the bad stuff on this forum?
Oh, and mass transit systems NEVER come in on budget and on time. They've admitted that they under priced the work for downtown and all the bids have come in significantly over what they expected. Now you have the city's lack of foresight in securing property for a park-and-ride at the 4th busiest stop? Rhetorical question. Ask yourself if you really believe that the downtown section will come in on budget and/or on time. Have you ever heard the city council or the mayor or HRT talk about how much it's going to cost to run this thing over the long-term (you DO realize that this is as much per year as financing the capital costs)? Ever heard them talk about what happens if they don't make their numbers?
I'm fine with mass transit. I probably have more experience with it than all the usual Norfolk Urbanplanet posters combined. I think my previous posts on the topic cover why I think this is a bad idea. You can look them up if you're inclined. However, I honestly hope I'm wrong here and that it turns out on budget and surpasses ridership expectations.
IMHO, I don't think its lack of foresight that'll make LR over-budget, its a reality of the times.
These projects have been studied and bid on using prices that were real two years ago. With the rise in costs of oil, everything becomes more expensive. All the pile drivers, arrow signs, concrete mixers etc. etc. which use gas in doing the most mundane of tasks are not an expense you quantify by what you see on the gas price sign @ WaWa. Oil prices are hitting every contractor, their bidding jobs that cover their costs so they can keep the jobs coming. Making a profit is secondary and getting it in on time is an afterthought.
That all being said, for the most part, except for the park-and-ride issue of late, things seem to be moving along pretty good with LR.
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I'm sorry if this has already been posted. I've looked several pages back. I think its old...everything is expressed in 2006 dollars, but I cant seem to find any other renderings of most of the line. If someone has something more up-to-date, will you please post it??
Norfolk Light Rail Planning and Environmental Impact
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One more question. Are there any renderings or information available about the planned Town Point Park renovation?
Thanks!
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I know there are no decisions on Union Mission building at this time (still for sale), but I have concerns that some [developers?]are not opposed to tearing it down. My understanding is that while some parts of the building may need work, the basement is in immaculate shape. I sincerely hope this building is not torn down. The city can't afford another situation like that (not to mention a guaranteed front-page article in the Pilot).
Im a little torn in this regard. I like the history of the place and I hear it is beautiful on the inside (chandaliers etc.). But the red-brick of the place, IMHO, is garish and off-putting. It doesn't look very inviting to me (but I guess its very inviting to the homeless they cater to). Maybe with work it will look better, but I wouldn't be too upset if they tore it down.
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I don't know how I missed mike's post. There are some good renderings in there. I'll have to add some to the projects list a bit later. The higher res photo definitely alludes to a starbucks and a B&N. I'm doubting both however, as B&N already has a large presence right next door and starbucks in HH. Dunkin Donuts is confirmed and is probably going where you see starbucks depicted in that rendering.
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Here are some higher resolution renderings for most of the projects going on downtown.
http://www.norfolk.gov/mayor/assets/pdf/de..._Fact_Sheet.pdf
http://www.norfolk.gov/mayor/assets/pdf/de...rum_4-03-08.pdf
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I'm not so sure Granby is losing momentum. Like Vdogg said, the weekends are packed and foot traffic has never been busier. Day time traffic is going to pick up soon too with the addition of the 1000+ jobs from Trader along with all the new downtown housing. 100+ new residents will soon call downtown home once 388 Boush is complete in about a month. The next "large" influx of residents will come when harbor heights is complete. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes which may cause a tenant not to renew their lease. Or the landlord may have chosen not to extend the lease. Even with great foot traffic and attention, still goes to show that a poorly run business will go under no matter what.
ps- I never really did like Jack Quinn's!
Thanks for the info guys!
I live above what used to be Jack Quinns, and noone wants to see downtown boom like me!
It just seems that it is dead out here most of the week (and Sunday most places don't open), but yes, Friday and Saturday its hoppin'. With the new residences opening up, and Trader, I'm sure the area will pick up.
BTW I heard that Harry's rent was gonna go way up, but again, this is nothing but sheer rumor, from a source I have a passing acquaintance with.
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Has anyone been on the 200 block of Granby Street recently? Across from Harry's BBQ, and next to the boutique hotel there is a smaller building that has a pending license from the Virginia ABC posted in the window. Does this mean a possible new restuarant/bar opening in this location?
Closings for those that don't know:
Jack Quinn's is closed and for sale
Sterling's is either closed or remodeling (I walked by there tonite and it was more like a warehouse than a steakhouse)
Harry's BBQ is closing soon (this is rumor).
Station 2 closed
Granby St = Losing Momentum?
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I wouldnt mind seeing a Best Buy or Target getting built somehow near Downtown. The closest Wal-Mart is in Chesapeake and Best Buy is all the way down @ Independence. After GW is built, I can just cross the street to do my grocery shopping, but if I need some Wal-Mart-type stuff, I've gotta get in the car and roll for a while.
BTW - does anyone know when the Union Mission is supposed to be making their move?
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I just heard on WAVY that the Daily Press is reporting that Donald Trump is interested in the Fort Monroe property.
Imagine what he could do with that piece of land.
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IMHO they should tear-down or replace the Scope. I think they should put a modern facility there or just tear it down and use it for something else.
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The first two pictures are of the Tazewell Lots. The next two are of the Trader building. Notice the Tazewell Crane in the distance. Woohoo!
WOW! Those pictures are huge!! Is there a way I can scale them down?
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Looks like a at least a 100' section of crane will be going up at the Tazewell Lots tomorrow. There is a large section of crane taking up all of Tazewell St. I'll take pictures and post them soon.
There are some good renderings in there. I'll have to add some to the projects list a bit later. The higher res photo definitely alludes to a starbucks and a B&N. I'm doubting both however, as B&N already has a large presence right next door and starbucks in HH. Dunkin Donuts is confirmed and is probably going where you see starbucks depicted in that rendering.
It just seems that it is dead out here most of the week (and Sunday most places don't open), but yes, Friday and Saturday its hoppin'. 
Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants
in Norfolk
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Yes I've been up there. Its pretty much gutted. You can walk on the third floor from AJ's into Harry's BBQ building. It would require a lot of work but it can pretty much be used for anything.
AJ's building is being turned into 'Tap It'...another craft bar.
That's the one thing I don't like about what's happening downtown.
Now with AJ's moving, you've got 3 sports bars right beside each other, there's 3 juice/smoothie type of places. Several sushi places. It just seems like they'd cannibalize business from each other.