[Snaple4]

There has been some talk among those on the University of Arkansas Campus at Fayetteville and Mod cut, can't reference competing sites, sorry

What I am doing here is asking for your help. Could you review and edit a letter that I am wanting to send to local officials? Any suggestions to add/remove would be wonderful. Also, and e-mails that you can provide me with would be amazing. It would also be great to just have another style of debate about the topic in general on this forum.

Thank you,


Justin Snopko

[Stormcrow73]

Hey Snaple, just FYI, can't post links to that other place here. Please do open up the communication concerning it here though. May need to replicate some of that information here to brief our users.

[Snaple4]

Dear Officials:

In the past, the NWA region has entertained the idea of a light rail system that would run along the I-540 corridor. This system would run through all major cities in the region and benefit the region beyond simple road upgrades. However, this idea has been pushed aside due to the multiple city and county coordination that would be required.

A new idea presented within Fayetteville is for a trolley or street rail system similar to what Little Rock and North Little Rock currently provide. Fayetteville houses the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus with approximately 20,000 students and staff (4000+ live on campus), Bikes Blues & BBQ, Wal-Mart shareholder meetings, numerous athletic functions, Dickson St (the regions entertainment district) and many other amenities. A system similar to that in the Little Rock area would not only benefit Fayetteville, but would benefit the region and Arkansas as a whole. The immediate effects for Fayetteville and the region would be the ability to transport the 24% of Fayetteville residents that are below the poverty level (2007 statistic)[1], the congestion problems of our major functions outlined above, and an alternative mode of transportation that would help both Razorback Transit (transported over 1.2 million people in the 07/08 year)[2] and Ozark Regional Transit operations.

There are many possible paths that this new rail line could have and many future possibilities to tie into current and future transportation options. There could be a line that runs from the Universities transit hub, down the entertainment district, to the downtown square, and back with less than 3 miles of track. A rail line could also replace the blue route for Razorback Transit that transported 316,596 individuals last year2. Little Rock’s Trolley transported 200,000[3] in its first year of operation. This region will continue to grow; we must act to keep it friendly to all of those who call it home.

Thank you and respectfully,




Justin J Snopko
Assistant Treasurer
Residents’ Interhall Congress
253-347-5922

[1] Advameg, Inc. (2009). Fayetteville, Arkansas (AR) Poverty Rate Data - Information about poor and low income residents. Retrieved 01 27, 2009, from City-data.com: http://www.city-data.com/poverty/pov...-Arkansas.html

[2] University of Arkansas. (2009). Razorback Transit Ridership July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008. Retrieved 01 27, 2009, from Transit and Parking Department: Razorback Transit Ridership Data

[3] Central Arkansas Transit Authority. (n.d.). River Rail Streetcar Project History. Retrieved Febuary 02, 2009, from CAT: CAT: River Rail

[Snaple4]

Thanks Stormcrow73, I will refrain from doing so again.

Basically the e-mail/letter gives a brief overview of what I am talking about. What I would push for is a street rail line with or without overhead lines (to be a trolley, you need to have overhead lines regardless of whether it is track or tire based). I just feel that there needs to be something as far as concrete alternative transportation. This would benefit the area since the light rail thing never really went farther than the UofA making some possible images of hubs. It could also have a stop at a light rail hub if a Dickson St. route was implemented. This system would ideally originate from the University's transit hub in order to make the system the most feasable. If anyone has any questions let me know. My email is JustinJSnopko@gmail.com or just post on here. I am eager to find out everyones opinions.

[Stormcrow73]

I will personally voice my whole hearted approval of this concept. I would LOVE to see a trolley line running from near Bell Engineering Center or the Kimpel Hall area all the way up around the square and the library. A true trolley system (not a brightly painted bus that is merely called a trolley) would attract a good deal of ridership I believe.

[Snaple4]

Thank you again stormcrow73. I too think it would be an excellent addition to Dickson st. especially if it originates at the Garland transit hub, it could even originate/go by the Harmon deck if planed that way. Something would be better than nothing.

Bellow is a letter that I sent my Ward 2 reps here in Fayetteville and their responses.

------------------------------



Transit Options, Trolley System?
2 messages Justin Snopko <JustinJSnopko@gmail.com> Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 12:13 PM To: ward2_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us, ward2_pos2@ci.fayetteville.ar.us



Hello Mr. Cook and Mr. Petty:

It is a pleasure to be writing to you as my representatives, having resided within Ward 2's boundaries since 2005 and registered since 2008. This message, however, is not intended to bore you with my history but to inquire about some history of Fayetteville and your views. Recently there has been much discussion of transportation within the region and in our city. Parking, bus service, light rail, bike lanes and, bike/walking trails have all been mentioned in the media. What has not received any attention is a trolley or streetcar system. Has this topic been discussed by council members? The idea has been mentioned in the <Competitors link> with strong interest. The general idea from there would have a system initially run from the University down Dickson St. and then to the Square. The value of this would be hard infrastructure, mixed mass transit, game day use, Wal-Mart shareholder use, student use, and several others. These types of systems obviously have many restrictions and cons. This is why I ask for your input. Do you think this would be a viable topic to research for our city? Do you think our city might have a demand for this type of system? How would one go about receiving more input from members of our city? In addition, would the University have any data that would be relevant for this type of discussion?

Thank you for your time. Hope you have a great day!

Respectfully,




Justin Snopko
253-347-5922



Now we have the response from Mr. Petty and my response to his response.


Re: Transit Options, Trolley System? (Forward)
3 messages Matthew Petty - Fayetteville Ward 2 <citycouncil@matthewpetty.org> Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 7:33 PM To: Justin Snopko <JustinJSnopko@gmail.com>

Justin- The answer to your question is no. I don't think a trolley or streetcar system has been discussed.

That said, I am very in favor of a tram+bus system. Trolleys and streetcars have their pros and cons, and I think you listed most of them.

Other people to contact would be the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, and the office of the Vice Chancellor of University Advancement at the UA (tell him this will help them retain undergrads and graduates).

You may also be interested in the UA Community Design Center's study "NWA Light Rail" (Google it).

-Matt
--
FindMe@---> http://www.matthewpetty.org
Work-479.595.8303, Cell-479.871.9212
Skype-Twitter-Facebook: matthewpetty


Justin Snopko <JustinJSnopko@gmail.com> Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 7:57 PM To: Matthew Petty - Fayetteville Ward 2 <citycouncil@matthewpetty.org>





Mr. Petty,

Thank you for your response. One of the reasons for bringing up this discussion with you is from the lack of initiative the region seems to have with a light rail system

(I have tried to follow this topic as much as possible). Personally, a regional system would be the most appropriate option considering the regions layout and demographics but a local one may show to be just as effective and more plausible.

The contact suggestions are much appreciated and should prove to be most helpful. Over the next few weeks, attempts to contact these organizations and individuals will be made. If there seems to be enough positive interest, I will update you on the details and seek further guidance.


Have a great weekend.[Quoted text hidden] Matthew Petty - Fayetteville Ward 2 <citycouncil@matthewpetty.org> Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 11:26 AM To: Justin Snopko <JustinJSnopko@gmail.com>

Justin - You should also talk with Art Hobson (ahobson@uark.edu). He's a NWA Times columnist and retired physics teacher.

Another contact is Walter Graupner (wgraupn@uark.edu). He's trying to start a citizens' advocacy group.

I agree RE: local vs. regional. I think something we need to be aware of is that a regional system is inevitable, and any local system we build should be planned from the beginning to be part of something larger. It is for this reason that I advocate a tram system over streetcars. Any investment in infrastructure in streetcars diverts capital from regional infrastructure, whereas every dollar invested in a tram system serves us locally and regionally.

-Matt
--
FindMe@---> http://www.matthewpetty.org
Work-479.595.8303, Cell-479.871.9212
Skype-Twitter-Facebook: matthewpetty


[Quoted text hidden]
Now we have Mr. Cooks response.


Transit Options, Trolley System?
Kyle Cook <ward2_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us> Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 6:22 AM To: Matthew Petty <ward2_pos2@ci.fayetteville.ar.us>, JustinJSnopko@gmail.com

Justin,
Thanks for the comments. Let me first say, I believe there will be numerous conversations going forward about the transit options for the citizens of Fayetteville. There needs to be a better transit system here in Fayetteville. Believe it or not a trolley system once existed in Fayetteville. It was started under the Mayor Hanna's administration and it pretty much followed the route you mentioned, but unfortunately, the lack of ridership doomed the program. I am willing to look at that option again, but the expense could put this out of reach right now. I personally believe the UA transit system could provide a similar route with little adjustment to what they do now. Thanks for your ideas and I will forward them along.

Kyle

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by Snaple4

Dear Officials:

In the past, the NWA region has entertained the idea of a light rail system that would run along the I-540 corridor. This system would run through all major cities in the region and benefit the region beyond simple road upgrades. However, this idea has been pushed aside due to the multiple city and county coordination that would be required.

A new idea presented within Fayetteville is for a trolley or street rail system similar to what Little Rock and North Little Rock currently provide. Fayetteville houses the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus with approximately 20,000 students and staff (4000+ live on campus), Bikes (Should be a comma here) Blues & BBQ, Wal-Mart shareholder meetings, numerous athletic functions, Dickson St (the regions (should be region's....possessive) entertainment district) and many other amenities. A system similar to that in the Little Rock area would not only benefit Fayetteville, but would benefit the region and Arkansas as a whole. The immediate effects for Fayetteville and the region would be the ability to transport the 24% of Fayetteville residents that are below the poverty level (2007 statistic)[1], the congestion problems of our major functions outlined above (should tell what the effect would be on the congestions problems, following the pattern of the other phrases in the list....maybe say something like, "the easing of congestion problems...", or maybe alleviation, or mitigation. The way it is worded, it sounds like the congestion problems are one of the effects), and (I would add more here....something like "the creation of" or "the availability of" or "easy access to")an alternative mode of transportation that would help both Razorback Transit (transported over 1.2 million people in the 07/08 year)[2] and Ozark Regional Transit operations.

There are many possible paths that this new rail line could have and many future possibilities to tie into current and future transportation options. There could be a line that runs from the Universities (University's....possessive) transit hub, down the entertainment district, to the downtown square, and back(I would put a comma here...otherwise it sounds like the 3 miles only refers to the trip back) with less than 3 miles of track. A rail line could also replace the blue route for Razorback Transit that transported 316,596 individuals last year2 Why is this "2" here?). Little Rock’s Trolley transported 200,000[3] in its (Very good! Most people have trouble using its/it's) first year of operation. This region will continue to grow; we must act to keep it friendly to all of those who call it home.

Thank you and respectfully,




Justin J (do people not use periods after initials these days? I don't know, 'cause I'm old school. ) Snopko
Assistant Treasurer
Residents’ Interhall Congress
253-347-5922

[1] Advameg, Inc. (2009). Fayetteville, Arkansas (AR) Poverty Rate Data - Information about poor and low income residents. Retrieved 01 27, 2009, from City-data.com: http://www.city-data.com/poverty/pov...-Arkansas.html

[2] University of Arkansas. (2009). Razorback Transit Ridership July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008. Retrieved 01 27, 2009, from Transit and Parking Department: Razorback Transit Ridership Data

[3] Central Arkansas Transit Authority. (n.d.). River Rail Streetcar Project History. Retrieved Febuary 02, 2009, from CAT: CAT: River Rail

This was just a quick run-through because I'm in a hurry, but that's all I saw in a glance. Didn't check the footnotes.

[Luvvarkansas]

Also, congrats on using effect/affect correctly! That's another one that's commonly used the wrong way.

[Snaple4]

Thank you luvvarkansas. You comments are very helpful.

If anyone could provide further feedback that would be great. Do I need to add anything? Should I ask for their help in gathering further information or how to pursue the matter further? Or is it best as is?