[SurfOmaha]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Omaha is actually one of the denser cities in the country. I can't remember the report but Omaha is one of the least sprawling cities even in the suburbs. Midtown around Mutual alone has a population density of 8,000 people per sq. mi. For comparison Boston averages 11,000.

Omaha used to have a very extensive street car system. Once the ball gets rolling on the streetcars DT it will be the beginning of getting more city-wide public transportation.

And with all the Downtown Condos, Midtown Crossing and proposed improvements to public transportation, Omaha will be a bit more gay friendly and more gays will start moving in!

I hope they're really hot, I want to get married! Any one remember the Omaha World Herald article about Rob Florida and how he stated that any large city that wants to be respectful has to be welcoming to artistic and creative types and he specifically mentioned that includes gays! Its important because gays move into an area and they improve it!

[DTO Luv]

I beleive it was the "The Rise of the Creative Class".

The plans for the system DT and out to the Med Center are already planned out. You can see them in the master plan of the baseball stadium. This latest venture by the heritage group is to see how to pay for it.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Omaha is actually one of the denser cities in the country. I can't remember the report but Omaha is one of the least sprawling cities even in the suburbs. Midtown around Mutual alone has a population density of 8,000 people per sq. mi. For comparison Boston averages 11,000. .

I think this is what you were refering to: Smart Growth America ranks Omaha as #6 for most compact amongst metropolitan areas.

Top 10 metros for COMPACTNESS
1) New York City,
2) Jersey City
3) Providence,
4) San Francisco,
5) Honolulu
6) Omaha
7) Boston,
8) Portland
9) Miami
10) New Orleans.

Top 10 metros for SPRAWL
1) Riverside-San Bernardino, CA
2) Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC
3) Raleigh-Durham, NC
4) Atlanta, GA
5) Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
6) West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach, FL
7) Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk-Danbury, CT
8) Knoxville, TN
9) Oxnard-Ventura, CA
10) Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

[JeffreySH]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Omaha is actually one of the denser cities in the country. I can't remember the report but Omaha is one of the least sprawling cities even in the suburbs. Midtown around Mutual alone has a population density of 8,000 people per sq. mi. For comparison Boston averages 11,000.

Omaha used to have a very extensive street car system. Once the ball gets rolling on the streetcars DT it will be the beginning of getting more city-wide public transportation.

I find that a little surprising, though I can't disagree (the part about population density). And while I'd agree that the midtown area is rather heavily populated, I'd venture a guess that the density is - say - the Millard area is MUCH lower.


And you're right that Omaha USED to have an extensive streetcar system. In fact, I had a long conversation about it just last night, over dinner, with an older gentleman who remembers it well. In fact, the old streetcar system was really rather advanced and successful. What brought it to a close is that everybody wanted to own and drive their own automobiles.

[DTO Luv]

Yep that's the one. So in theory public rail would do awesome here.

[JeffreySH]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Yep that's the one. So in theory public rail would do awesome here.

I think one of the main problems is that we've all grown so accustomed to walking out into the garage, any time of the day or night, getting into the car and driving anywhere - and doing so rapidly.

Nobody wants to walk to the corner and stand there fore - heaven forbid - 5 minutes, waiting for a streetcar.


That said, I do think a light-rail system (or something similar) that made a loop through downtown, up to the airport, and out as far as the Saddle Creek area could work very well. It could be extended from there.

But one thing necessary... It'd have to work a heckuva lot better than the MAT buses.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Yep that's the one. So in theory public rail would do awesome here.

Realized I didn't post the full URL in my previous post... here is the link to the actual report:
MEASURING SPRAWL AND ITS IMPACT - The Character & Consequences of Metropolitan Expansion

[DTO Luv]

Originally Posted by JeffreySH

I think one of the main problems is that we've all grown so accustomed to walking out into the garage, any time of the day or night, getting into the car and driving anywhere - and doing so rapidly.

Nobody wants to walk to the corner and stand there fore - heaven forbid - 5 minutes, waiting for a streetcar.


That said, I do think a light-rail system (or something similar) that made a loop through downtown, up to the airport, and out as far as the Saddle Creek area could work very well. It could be extended from there.

But one thing necessary... It'd have to work a heckuva lot better than the MAT buses.

I live and work Downtown and haven't had a car for 2 years. It's awesome. I actually had to run a bunch of errands yesterday and borrowed a car for it. By the end of the day I was sick of driving. If I could have gotten everything done on foot I would have much preffered it even in the cold.

[SurfOmaha]

Originally Posted by Dave1215

I think this is what you were refering to: Smart Growth America ranks Omaha as #6 for most compact amongst metropolitan areas.

Top 10 metros for COMPACTNESS
1) New York City,
2) Jersey City
3) Providence,
4) San Francisco,
5) Honolulu
6) Omaha
7) Boston,
8) Portland
9) Miami
10) New Orleans.

Top 10 metros for SPRAWL
1) Riverside-San Bernardino, CA
2) Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC
3) Raleigh-Durham, NC
4) Atlanta, GA
5) Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
6) West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach, FL
7) Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk-Danbury, CT
8) Knoxville, TN
9) Oxnard-Ventura, CA
10) Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Very interesting, thanks for posting. I wish they would have listed the actual numbers though in that ranking.

[Huckleberry3911948]

dont know omaha but here its dangerous. 40 years ago it was a good idea, but mean streets have gone wild here. not safe. better off in a locked ford.