KCRag Forum

langosta wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:14 pm

GRID wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 12:21 pm After looking at the plans in detail for the Main St Extension and the additional areas where the trams should be in dedicated right of way more often, I think they have done a pretty good job with this extension despite it not being center running.

I still think they may have to ultimately figure out a way to either run coupled trains or double the frequency if downtown starts getting things like a downtown ballpark. That and figure out a way to keep cars out of the way in the sections of the line from crossroads through the river market.

The southern end of the line is pretty much LRT south of 47th. Not that an extension has to be LRT, but it would be a waste to not extend it further south after building it out like that on that end.

Agree. Take this to Waldo as LRT. Would benefit KCMO more than an NKC line would.

And would be way cheaper. No bridge and all the right of way is there. Would be pretty amazing to go all the way to Waldo, but with it being mostly single family residential, they would probably not be able to use the same funding mechanism.

They wouldn’t but at least could cover operations. The Waldo area is ripe for dense redevelopment.

langosta wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 3:42 pm They wouldn’t but at least could cover operations. The Waldo area is ripe for dense redevelopment.

Yeah, Waldo should be seeing the kind of development that downtown Overland Park is seeing. Rip out all those strip malls and what not. They could put up a large mixed use development south of 75th.

GRID wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 3:24 pm

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:24 pm

beautyfromashes wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:17 pm Starting to see the amount of space they are leaving for streetside parking along the route, I don't see how cars are going to fit in those spaces and not impede the train....and I'm all for it. Sly way to cut the parking without saying you're going to cut the parking?

and they had to be aware of their widths as we ran into this problem in many areas of the downtown stretch and had to make changes later as people just couldn't fit their cars in consistently

What changes did they make downtown? Did they just stripe the parking away?

Some places they were able to widen the parking space so maybe those were just badly striped. River Market they turned it into motorcycle parking and bollard it off.

if parking doesn't fit it should get a curb bump-out with a wider sidewalk, grass, or a place to plant flowers. No more paint stripes and bollards!

808 is on the way!

I've heard of problems with the testing of 807. Guess the new models weigh more.

dnweava wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 10:29 am I've heard of problems with the testing of 807. Guess the new models weigh more.

would've thought the weight would decline over time as they find more efficient ways to build

Walked the entire extension yesterday afternoon and have some thoughts / questions

- the space between the southbound track and the curb is weird, like not big enough for parking it seemed and the track slb has a bump in it, what is that space going to be? I thought I remembered hearing extending sidewalks but that definitely isn't happening at this point.

- seemed like the signal hill section could have had dedicated running space on both sides versus just southbound.

- love how the OCS pole bases are buried in the sidewalk versus the downtown poles

- that Westport Rd and main section looks like a real construction nightmare

- speaking of that intersection I can easily see that hub of buildings blowing up once Its open and being very awesome.

- seemed like a LOT of work left to be opening next year. The southbound plaza track isn't even in yet

- such an enjoyable walk with construction slowing down and reducing traffic. Streetcar should do the same.

- I think I remember discussing this during design but Union Hill got screwed on stop placement.

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 8:31 am - I think I remember discussing this during design but Union Hill got screwed on stop placement.

Aren't they served by a 27th and 31st Street stop? Linwood got the shaft

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 8:31 am

- speaking of that intersection I can easily see that hub of buildings blowing up once Its open and being very awesome.

Agree with this, been thinking it for awhile. So many nice restaurants right there, and soon will have that streetcar view from outside the windows.

Critical_Mass wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:06 pm

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 8:31 am - I think I remember discussing this during design but Union Hill got screwed on stop placement.

Aren't they served by a 27th and 31st Street stop? Linwood got the shaft

Yeah north side of 27th if going southbound. It felt like a big gap between the two especially with the elevation

TheUrbanRoo wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:27 pm

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 8:31 am

- speaking of that intersection I can easily see that hub of buildings blowing up once Its open and being very awesome.

Agree with this, been thinking it for awhile. So many nice restaurants right there, and soon will have that streetcar view from outside the windows.

Yeah and nice built environment with density. Should be great.

I've always thought it would be great if the parking area in front of those business could be repurposed to expand the park post-streetcar. Feels like it would really be vibrant as others are noting. That said I haven't really thought about what other parking options exist for people hitting up the grocery, bike shop, etc. but what a great public space that could be.

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 6:48 pm

Critical_Mass wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:06 pm

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 8:31 am - I think I remember discussing this during design but Union Hill got screwed on stop placement.

Aren't they served by a 27th and 31st Street stop? Linwood got the shaft

Yeah north side of 27th if going southbound. It felt like a big gap between the two especially with the elevation

But there isn't anything between 27th and 31st to justify a stop. The only spot that would be better for the Union Hill neighborhood would be 30th but that would make no sense seeing as how 31st, a block away, is a much more logical intersection for a stop. I don't really get this argument, the neighborhood is basically walled off from Main north of 30th.

TheBigChuckbowski wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2024 4:56 pm

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 6:48 pm

Critical_Mass wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:06 pm

Aren't they served by a 27th and 31st Street stop? Linwood got the shaft

Yeah north side of 27th if going southbound. It felt like a big gap between the two especially with the elevation

But there isn't anything between 27th and 31st to justify a stop. The only spot that would be better for the Union Hill neighborhood would be 30th but that would make no sense seeing as how 31st, a block away, is a much more logical intersection for a stop. I don't really get this argument, the neighborhood is basically walled off from Main north of 30th.

Right that 27th stop is pretty worthless for them. Maybe bumping it to that Warwick side street to bridge the difference? I remember there was a big 31st or Linwood argument, now that I've walked it, I could have made an argument for 30th and Linwood. versus what we ended up with. Not a huge deal just felt like a big gap and knowing it's impossible to go north out of Union Hill to get to that 27th stop felt like they got slighted. I don't remember them complaining much they must be okay with it.

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2024 5:33 pm
Right that 27th stop is pretty worthless for them. Maybe bumping it to that Warwick side street to bridge the difference?

But why, though? There's nothing at Warwick either. Whereas 27th has the closest entrance to LM/WW1 + Crown Center towers and straight-shot to Union Hill's apartments and Longfellow + a ton of development potential.

Sorry, I just remember multiple people making the same arguments when the route was in the planning stage and I just don't see any logic to it or why Union Hill is so much more special than every other neighborhood. 27th & 31st by far makes the most sense in that section. I definitely see the justification for a Linwood stop, though.

it felt like a big gap between the two on that incline. That's it, I'm not at all matching your energy here or demanding change, simply an observation. As I thought that I looked to my left and thought dang those Union Hill people will have a hike either way, especially those in the 28/29th street area although all it takes for them to get better access is a walkway built into their rock walls. Day to day use I'm sure it will be fine.

If that area builds up, they can easily add a Linwood stop later I would think.

I have been thinking lately that the City/KCSA is missing the boat by not planning for bicycle storage at stations, particularly at UMKC where I think you would get some takers using the trail to bike to the streetcar, but likely only if they have a decent place to store their bike.