KCRag Forum

DaveKCMO wrote:congrats!

A high capacity transit line could one day connect the Tucson International Airport to Tohono Tadai Transit Center near the Tucson Mall.

The cities of Tucson and South Tucson have applied for a grant with the Federal Transit Administration's pilot Transit-oriented Development Program. It would fund planning for the nearly 15-mile streetcar or bus rapid transit project.

The cities are requesting $950,000 from the federal government. The project total is $1.77 million. The planning process would last three years. Jennifer Toothaker, administrator of the planning division at the Tucson Department of Transportation, said the city is hoping to build on the success of the Sun Link streetcar, while addressing accompanying concerns about gentrification.

The streetcar has been credited with raising property values and spurring development along its 4-mile route along North Fourth Avenue, the University of Arizona, and downtown. But not everyone has welcomed the change. Critics say rising property values have pushed people out.

The study path would follow South 6th Avenue to downtown, then north on Oracle to the Tucson Mall. The project is intended to spur mixed-use development along a route that has seen little development activity. Toothaker said the grant will be used to create a plan that's equitable.

"There’s that kind of challenge when the market has its way and it does its thing, it can lead to situations where gentrification and displacement are happening and what we’re trying to do is get ahead of that," she said.

alejandro46 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 1:28 pm Similar to Kansas City, Tucson has had a relatively successful run with it's streetcar starter line. The line is not free, but the large amount of students and professionals around the University Medical Center - University - and Downtown Tucson have provide a solid ridership base.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6syS5DELPAI

Now, Tucson hopes to begin study of expansion of their system by applying for roughly $1m in grant money to fund the study. The grant has so far gone un-awarded after a year or so.

Area of study, Tucson Mall to Tucson Airport

Although not a lot of greenfield, similar to KC, not an area of very high density. However, the proposed Phase 2 expansion would connect 3 major bus transit hubs along with the airport.

https://tucson.com/news/local/road-runn ... all%20area.


https://news.azpm.org/p/news-topical-bi ... in-motion/

A high capacity transit line could one day connect the Tucson International Airport to Tohono Tadai Transit Center near the Tucson Mall.

The cities of Tucson and South Tucson have applied for a grant with the Federal Transit Administration's pilot Transit-oriented Development Program. It would fund planning for the nearly 15-mile streetcar or bus rapid transit project.

The cities are requesting $950,000 from the federal government. The project total is $1.77 million. The planning process would last three years. Jennifer Toothaker, administrator of the planning division at the Tucson Department of Transportation, said the city is hoping to build on the success of the Sun Link streetcar, while addressing accompanying concerns about gentrification.

The streetcar has been credited with raising property values and spurring development along its 4-mile route along North Fourth Avenue, the University of Arizona, and downtown. But not everyone has welcomed the change. Critics say rising property values have pushed people out.

The study path would follow South 6th Avenue to downtown, then north on Oracle to the Tucson Mall. The project is intended to spur mixed-use development along a route that has seen little development activity. Toothaker said the grant will be used to create a plan that's equitable.

"There’s that kind of challenge when the market has its way and it does its thing, it can lead to situations where gentrification and displacement are happening and what we’re trying to do is get ahead of that," she said.

Wish we would look at Urban Rail again here in KC

FangKC wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:39 am Wow, Metro Center Mall in Phoenix is abandoned?

I once was laid-off suddenly from a job in the mid-80s and after leaving my former office up on Bell Road, I drove to Metro Center Mall and wandered around in a stupor because I wasn't ready to go back to my apartment. In my dazed state of upset, I locked my keys in my car. I had to go into a department store clothing section and ask for a wire hanger so I could get the door open and go home. That was one sucky day.