Downtown Seattle Gondola? (2014, cost of, license)

[DevanXL]

The owners of the great wheel have recently proposed to build a gondola from the waterfront to the convention center with a stop at pike place. They said it will help solve concerns as in waterfront parking, and traffic congestion to I give people no excuse to come visit the waterfront attractions.

Any thoughts on this proposal?

Developer announces details for proposed downtown gondola | The Today File | Seattle Times

Seattle News, Weather and Traffic | KOMO Newsradio FM 97.7/AM 1000

[Deezus]

From the waterfront to Pike Place is what, like a 3 minute walk? And to the convention center that's about another 5-10 minutes right? Seems just kind of a tourist gimmick in a way that won't really solve any of the bigger transporation issues in Seattle.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by Deezus

From the waterfront to Pike Place is what, like a 3 minute walk? And to the convention center that's about another 5-10 minutes right? Seems just kind of a tourist gimmick in a way, that won't really solve any of the bigger transporation issues in Seattle.

True, I think the gondola from the capital hill Lightrail plaza to the waterfront stopping at SLU and the Seattle center would serve a larger purpose. I think the a network on gondolas could be useful for the city if designed right, for public transportation not a tourist attraction.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by Deezus

From the waterfront to Pike Place is what, like a 3 minute walk? And to the convention center that's about another 5-10 minutes right? Seems just kind of a tourist gimmick in a way that won't really solve any of the bigger transporation issues in Seattle.

It will help make the city marketable and appealing to the folks who never visit because they'd have to walk up a hill at some point.

[Hemlock140]

Who's going to pay for it? Anything that crosses over a city street, sidewalk or right-of-way requires a street use permit from the city. A simple skybridge between building on opposite sides of one street can be $30,000/year or more. This would involve many such permits, and even a permit/license from BNSF if it crosses the railroad tracks. Add all of that ongoing expense to the cost of building it, electricity and employees, and it's not a good investment unless they charge a lot to ride, which would greatly limit the number of riders. I really don't think the city itself has money for such a project in the budget, especially now that they are doing the seawall replacement, tunnel, and waterfront redesign.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Who's going to pay for it? Anything that crosses over a city street, sidewalk or right-of-way requires a street use permit from the city. A simple skybridge between building on opposite sides of one street can be $30,000/year or more. This would involve many such permits, and even a permit/license from BNSF if it crosses the railroad tracks. Add all of that ongoing expense to the cost of building it, electricity and employees, and it's not a good investment unless they charge a lot to ride, which would greatly limit the number of riders. I really don't think the city itself has money for such a project in the budget, especially now that they are doing the seawall replacement, tunnel, and waterfront redesign.

The owners of the great wheel said it would be privately funded.

[sean98125]

There are a lot of residential buildings along that route and I doubt that they'd want 1500 tourists an hour passing by 20 feet from their windows. I doubt that this will ever happen.

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by mkarch

It will help make the city marketable and appealing to the folks who never visit because they'd have to walk up a hill at some point.

Or people who are afraid of elevators, since Pike Place Hillclimb already has one that goes up from the waterfront...

Maybe someone can build a gondola from the waterfront to the monorail and the S.L.U.T. , then the city would have all three connected as sort of short-line transportation trifecta.