Trolleys on Madison (Midtown: neighborhood, construction, tax)

[BWM]

Pie in the sky but you never know...

Does anyone think that the Madison line would get a lot more riders if the following two things happened:

1) It were extended to Cooper, turned south on Cooper and ended just past Young. This would connect two major cultural/entertainment areas in Midtown with Downtown and I think more people would ride between the two areas. It would also probably help the "Edge" area which is slowly coming to life.

2) There would be some sort of mechanism in the tracks so when the trolley was approaching a traffic light, the light would turn green. The trolley would only really make stops at the trolley stops. That would make the trolleys go so much faster.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by BWM

Pie in the sky but you never know...

Does anyone think that the Madison line would get a lot more riders if the following two things happened:

1) It were extended to Cooper, turned south on Cooper and ended just past Young. This would connect two major cultural/entertainment areas in Midtown with Downtown and I think more people would ride between the two areas. It would also probably help the "Edge" area which is slowly coming to life.

2) There would be some sort of mechanism in the tracks so when the trolley was approaching a traffic light, the light would turn green. The trolley would only really make stops at the trolley stops. That would make the trolleys go so much faster.

I definitely agree.

I know that at one point they were discussing extending the trolley line all the way to the airport but I don't think that would be feasible; it would take forever to take a clanky old trolley from the airport to downtown. But I definitely see the wisdom in extending the line through Overton Square and down to Cooper-Young.

[Pearlbob]

Going to the airport is a terrible idea, I don't know would use it. I barely want to drive my car thru that area of town, let alone be on a trolley with my luggage. Going to the Overton area would be very beneficial though. I can't imagine it would be too expensive to extend the line those few blocks to Overton (vs going to the airport or something else).

[strumpeace]

Yes. And yes.

[rsgillmd]

Hey guys, this talk is nice for getting a feel of things. But who would you talk to get these ideas to someone who can do something? May directly? Some community representative? To the state represenative or senator?

I assume this would be handled on a local level.

Let's not just talk -- let's do something. Only then can we see if our elected officials are accomplishing anything.

[fittoac]

Originally Posted by BWM

2) There would be some sort of mechanism in the tracks so when the trolley was approaching a traffic light, the light would turn green. The trolley would only really make stops at the trolley stops. That would make the trolleys go so much faster.

I live in South Main and this drives me crazy. It would be so easy to do and it would improve trolley speeds and traffic flow.

[bluff2085]

I agree with extending the tracks down to Cooper and then south down to Young Ave. And screw the trolleys. If the system expands we need actual light rail cars like the ones in Dallas.

Side note:
When various light rail routes to the airport were being studied a few years ago, Cooper street was considered to be a viable light rail corridor. But ultimately the Lamar Ave. corridor was selected due to the much-needed economic boost that was projected to accompany the light-rail addition.

Also, Cooper st. merchants feared their businesses would suffer much like the businesses along the Madison Ave. line suffered during that construction.

[wthomasking]

Has anyone considered extending the trolley down Madison to Parkway and going to Young?

[natsherr]

I would love it if the trolley was extended to Cooper. It ends in such an ackward spot on Madison. Even if you wanted to take it to Minglewood Hall, you would have to walk a block or two.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by JMT

I definitely agree.

I know that at one point they were discussing extending the trolley line all the way to the airport but I don't think that would be feasible; it would take forever to take a clanky old trolley from the airport to downtown. But I definitely see the wisdom in extending the line through Overton Square and down to Cooper-Young.

It was the MATATRAC plan for expanding the Madison line. Cooper Young neighborhood objected to the trolley going there. It took years for them to get a plan together. If you want them to move back to Cooper Young, and impose a plan on an unaccommodating (at the time) neighborhood, that'll take more time, and, likely, tax dollars.