DwntwnGeo

This is GREAT news

Maybe MSU will want to use this space as a construction staging area when they build the new school building/complex. When everything is completed, they will make/pave it into parking for possible future expansion.

nevermind..... GRDad beat me to it again. I just need to be faster on the computer

Does anyone know if they this "certain" group visited Portland, Oregon? I hope they did and I wonder how impressed they were of the transit system out there.

There was a meeting this afternoon at the RAPID. "Officials of The RAPID bus service are looking at renewing a millage that was passed in 2003, which funds this system. They are also talking about asking for an additional 0.2 mills - about $2.2 million - to make more changes. The 0.2 mill increase would cost residents an extra $10 a year if they own a $100,000 house. The Interurban Transit Partnership Board met to talk about a plan that asks voters for a renewal and increase. More routes would be added to new areas of service, particularly to the northwest side of Grand Rapids. Plus, there would be extra weekend service." The complete story is on WoodTV8: http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5775687

Isn't that open lot across from the Civic right next to the Fountain building in question? Maybe they could build a parking struction on the lot like we have talked about before? The parking structure could be connected to the building at different floors. It might not be Iconic, but it is along Division Ave. Isn't that large parking lot behind the McDonalds owned by Spectrum or the GVSU building? This MSU property is just across the street (Sinclair) from this large lot. They would own the entire area along I-196 from the GVSU building to College. In time they will probably buy out McD's and the others so they can obtain Michigan Street frontage.

This might be a little off topic, but it is about transit and also in Michigan: "DETROIT -- Regional transportation planners have ruled out light rail and other options for a mass transit connection between Detroit and Ann Arbor, but still believe there is potential for a streamlined commuter rail." The complete article is here: http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5656550 From the same article: "Bourgeau said a revised model should be ready by January and regional officials could conceivably have a proposal ready to submit to the federal government by March." Sounds like they going to beat us to the punch for submitting a proposal for Federal monies? I thought our studies were further along. Maybe I am thinking about two different things. Either way, it sounds like they are having a hard time to justify Federal monies for the system they would like to build. Great Pictures too Rizzo!

It wouldn't surprise me if MSU or Spectrum won't own or have options to purchase the remaining parcels in the block bound by College, Michigan, I-196 and Sinclair in the next few months/years.

I agree that being closer to downtown would be a better location, but I don't know all the circumstances or needs for such a school/building. It will be a nice addition both along I-196 and Michigan St. As times move along, I hope people continue to fill in along Michigan and create a solid Medical Corridor. I also hope with the added interest in the area they will take another look at the transit problems we may have in the near future.

There have been some questions about what will happen to the "old" hospital site. In today's Business Journal the last paragraph mentions some of the current thoughts and plans. "Childress said the old hospital, which is being replaced by the eight-story, $150 million facility in Byron Township, is expected to be torn down and either condominiums or an assisted living center built on the site. A 20,000-square-foot medical building will probably be left standing, Childress said. " Website link for the article: http://www.grbj.com/GRBJ/ArticleArchive/20...apid+Growth.htm

What if they had a dedicated lane for the BRT? I know it doesn't sound much/any better and you will run along side auto traffic. When I heard of this the first time, I thought the same thing, how is this going to be any better than the bus running down the street now. Looking at some of the examples posted on the site there are ways to section off BRT from the main street. Cities build curbs and sometimes line them with trees etc. At the last meeting I was at with the Rapid, I asked about this particular question. There response was very simular to the examples we have seen on here. For example, along the Divsion route, where there are 4 lanes and one turning lane in the middle, they would more than likely, because we cannot move buildings etc, reduce the lanes to two and possible still have a turning lane in some areas. This would all depend on how much "stuff" (trees, shurbs, benches etc) we would like along the sidewalks and route. Another option would be to loose the "on stree" parking along division. They mentioned there would be some protests about the parking lose. To keep the flow of traffic with the BRT in order to make them faster and more relieable on time, the busses would be equiped with electronics to control street lights along their routes, so they wouldn't have to stop unless there was a need to. I guess my point is that there is more to a BRT system than just putting another bus on the road.

Maybe I am confused or not up on all my transit stuff It sounds like we are talking about two types of systems: A commuter system that will bring people from the further outreaches of the Community/County into a cetnral location. Consisting of Park and Rides and having more of an express route from start to finish. I think this type of system would be great along US131 and would take some passengers off the highway. I agree with you though that it would not spur dense residential/commerical or entertainment along the route. A more local transit service that has more stops (like ever block or so) that runs through more dense commerical/entertainment districts. This type of system would connect at a central location with the larger commuter system to get people to and from their destinations. This type of system I think would spur developement along it routes. As I see your points, GRDad, I don't think people will agree to tear up Division or other historical areas to lay the foundations for rail traffic. If we could use the heavy rail tracks that at in place today to bring "long range" commuters to the core and than have a secondary system to transport around to different "districts" would work best IMO. When talking with somone at one of the transit meetings at the Rapid this summer, I asked about the possibliity for "Light Rail" As everyone would like it and it has proven to spur more developement, the Federal government guidlines wouldn't allow us funding for an investment this large. We just don't have the ridership/population density to convince the Feds at this point in time. A BRT system, though it is still busses, will purhase the ROW and lanes required for upgrades to LTR when the numbers are there. Now if we could find someone to privately fund the transit project than we don't have to follow the Federal rules. As Metro.m mentioned several times on here before, there are several cities that are applying for federal funding and the administration is still lowering the monies each year. The Feds are only going to pick systems that will produce the best bang for their buck.

GRDad, I think your route (south along US131) was studied in the GT2 proposal. I thought it mentioned that the route wouldn't be cost productive because the existing "heavy" rail track lies in the middle of the ROW. It is possible but you would have to relocate the existing track to one side in order to build a new light-rail track in the same ROW. Another option would be to purchase some additional ROW along that stretch On a side note, wasn't the people conducting the GT2 study suppose to report back to the Rapid this Fall in regards to which route they would pick (between, south division or Eastown?Woodland) and also which type of transit (Streetcar or BRT)? I wonder if they have to look at things again because of the new KROC going on on south Division?

You are right. The tracks that run along Seward intersect the tracks on GRDad's map where the old Lear/GM plant is by Ann St. This would complete an Eastern route, but you could almost have to circle the city before you would make it to Central Station. I agree, I would like a lot of the system to be underground, but cost would be a major issue

GRDad and FilmMaker, The existing Norhtern Line along Seward that goes to Comstock Park area, looks like it crosses the Grand River by the Amtrak station and then continues under US131 and head south along the Eastern side of US131 towards Kalamazoo. If there are still tracks there and in tact, all Central Station would have to do is lay track on the new parcel they want to buy and connect were the tracks go under US131 and head south? I wouldn't know where any East-West lines could enter Central Sation though. The western line could use the same bridge over the Grand River as the North-South line, but heading East from Central Station I am not sure about that one yet.

Thanks I think that section of property connects to the rail lines heading south. With this purchase, it sounds like they are setting some foundations for rail additions to the Central Garage....

GRDad, Do you have a picture of the lot being bought? I was wondering if it is the lot that is on the North side of Wealthy or if it is the lot on the South side or is it possible that those two lots are really one? They are both connecting under the Wealthy St bridge and both are now surface parking lots.

Small steps at first.... lol The only question I have in the back of my mind is: If a tranist system gets buits for Medical Hill, does this screw up any of the Federal Funding packages (New Starts etc.). I thought one of the programs was more geared for cities that didn't already have a transit system. I could be wrong though.

I agree it would be something to look into. As Rizzo mentioned he thought/heard the tracks were passenger ready, but how much does it cost to make tracks passenger ready? It would be a lot cheaper than laying new track, right? I hope someone from the Medical Hill is reading this topic also.

Wow! That is great. I wish we could build something like this in the near future. The cost is low and seems like it would be a great start. I could only hope that something like that is in the works for Grand Rapids

Isn't the lead donor also on the Grand Action Committee? If a new venue were to be constructed the Grand Action Committee would probably head it up and would have the support or advice of the lead donor from an early start.

There isn't anything wrong with your plan/vision. It would be a great addition or start to the City's move toward mass transit. My suggestion could be more of a "second" phase as it will cost more money since there isn't any existing rail lines to use along Michigan/Bridge street. When a line is picked and constructed, I think people will start to see how useful and successful they will be to the Community. Once people start to see this, they will be more accepting to additional routes.

GRDad, Why stop at the top of the hill? You should continue to go westward along Michigan/Bridge to at least Seward. There is another rail line going North/South which would be another future line in the Westside district. Doing this you would be able to pick up Riverhouse, and be near Union Square and the Broadway&First Developement.

A quote from GRDad's link: "Giving the orchestra [GR Symphony] its own primary location would thereby free up dates at DeVos Performance Hall for the area

I believe it will go out on the new campus. The name has Gezon in it. The new complex is basically on the corner of Bryon Center Ave and Gezon Parkway. I do not know which parcel it will be on though.