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SeaTac does have an impact on the building codes in DT. Columbia Center was supposed to be taller, but FAA told them to cut it shorter. More recently, Crescent Heights was envisioned with 101 stories, but it had to lop off 7 stories to comply. So Seattle doesn't completely lack that restriction.
I believe its more impacted by Boeing Field, just south of downtown.
Yes, I think a lot of that has to do with having a better bus network, though I'm not sure if that's completely true. San Diego in 2021 is supposed to open an 11 mile long extension of its light rail line to serve its major university (UCSD) and secondary CBD. In regards to light rail specifically, I think San Diego will stay ahead on total ridership numbers for at least a decade as it's currently double Seattle's ridership.
I think what San Diego is actually missing the most is a good bike lane network for commuting and visiting. Lord knows its weather is just about perfect for that.
Seattle does have a very strong bus network and a growing BRT network, but obviously rail is more exciting.
Seattle's rail system is still pretty new, and it's hard to say for sure, but Sound Transit projects that once Northgate Link (2021), Lynnwood Link (2023), and East Link (2023) open, ridership will jump up to close to 200K. Of course, projections are just projections, but based on the near doubling in ridership that occurred with last year's opening of two new subway stations, I'd say it's possible. What are the ridership projections for San Diego's Mid-coast Trolley extension?
Someone pointed out on this forum somewhere that San Diego's urban core (92101-92116) is about 80 square miles with around 700,000 people....lining it right up with Seattle.
I actually would be curious to see the citations on that. Not that it can't be true but I would be pretty surprised. Though obviously each city has a different topography and zoning laws which affect density.
Even before a single light rail, commuter rail, or streetcar line opened, Seattle beat many rail cities in transit commute share. Buses can do quite a bit, especially if they have HOV lanes, a downtown tunnel, etc.
I'll say it again though, SD has had really impressive infill, and I'm also a fan of California-style land-use efficiency, where even the car-dominated areas use every nook and cranny for a purpose.
But Seattle's transit commute mode share absolutely demolishes San Diego's and within 6 years its rail network coverage will as well. Looking even further into the future, Seattle has passed a $54 Billion dollar grade-separated rail plan that will create a 120 mile system with a projected ridership of over 500K and San Diego hasn't.
It's going to take a lot longer than 6 years for Seattle to catch up to San Diego in light rail. And it will probably be 20 years before they catch LA and San Francisco.
It's going to take a lot longer than 6 years for Seattle to catch up to San Diego in light rail. And it will probably be 20 years before they catch LA and San Francisco.
Are you joking? I lived in San Diego for four years. Light rail goes to where? Tijuana and La Mesa. It's awful. Why doesn't light rail go to any of the desirable neighborhoods like Hillcrest, North Park, or any of the beaches?
As an urban city, San Diego just doesn't compete with Seattle. Those who disagree have not been to both cities. I guarantee it. SD = total car culture
I actually would be curious to see the citations on that. Not that it can't be true but I would be pretty surprised. Though obviously each city has a different topography and zoning laws which affect density.
Just recalling a random forum post, but it makes sense as the core zip codes in San Diego are between 5-15k ppsm.
Are you joking? I lived in San Diego for four years. Light rail goes to where? Tijuana and La Mesa. It's awful. Why doesn't light rail go to any of the desirable neighborhoods like Hillcrest, North Park, or any of the beaches?
As an urban city, San Diego just doesn't compete with Seattle. Those who disagree have not been to both cities. I guarantee it. SD = total car culture
I took light rail to the Padre game today. We are getting a blue line extension from Old Town to UTC La Jolla. Yes, light rail is absent in nearly all of uptown San Diego...but where again is the light rail in ANY neighborhood in Seattle outside of downtown?
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