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We also have some very cool transit projects(approx 105 miles of new track) that are going to expand service wayyyyy out to near or past the MSA border.
So many cities improving their transit and Atlanta is begging for more transit, but the state just won't let it happen. It's incredible how a state can hate it's biggest city that generates by far the most GDP, educated people and taxpayers. It's not like GA has multiple major cities to look after. It's one.
So many cities improving their transit and Atlanta is begging for more transit, but the state just won't let it happen. It's incredible how a state can hate it's biggest city that generates by far the most GDP, educated people and taxpayers. It's not like GA has multiple major cities to look after. It's one.
I'm telling you, I can't imagine how defeated all the smart growth advocates must have felt in Atlanta when the TSPLOST failed. I couldn't believe it!
On a side note, Virginia and Maryland changed their gas tax to fund transit and D.C. is building the streetcars on our own dime, however, none of us seem to be able to pass a tax like L.A. did that would fund MASSIVE transit expansion's. Now that is impressive.
So many cities improving their transit and Atlanta is begging for more transit, but the state just won't let it happen. It's incredible how a state can hate it's biggest city that generates by far the most GDP, educated people and taxpayers. It's not like GA has multiple major cities to look after. It's one.
Could be worse, at least it's not like Houston whose own Congressional Members block Federal Mass transit funding.
In some kind of big news for Chicago, and also the US, a Northbrook, IL (suburb of Chicago) based company has said they will invest up to $135 million for the Chicago Spire to pay off its creditors. The project is still not actually dead.
I also forgot to mention a few large projects going on in Chicago's park space right now.
1) Maggie Daley Park - Currently re-doing 20 acres of Grant Park in the Loop. I believe this is where Daley Bicentennial Plaza was. Currently in phase two of construction, it should look like this when it's completed:
2) The 606 (aka Bloomingdale Trail) - Similar to the Hi Line in NYC. An old freight train line that has been used by some as a rough running path through some west side neighborhoods of Chicago is currently undergoing construction to convert it to more bike friendly and pedestrian path. In total, it will be 2.7 miles long and it will start not too far from the river. As part of this, some existing parks will be connected by this, but some new parks will also be built. Some areas have seen a good amount of investment in the form of new housing close to the trail like on the border of the Logan Square and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.
3) Northerly Island - Studio Gang (the firm behind Aqua) is currently re-doing 91 acres of Northerly Island which is near Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, etc. This is where Meigs Field Airport once was. The plan is to create lagoons, ponds, fishing coves, a reef (what?), 40 acre migratory bird habitat, 19 acres of wetland. The concert venue that's there will be redone and a skating rink will be put in as well amongst other things.
4) I think this one is still being planned, but a skate park is planned for the south end of Grant Park in which Lollapalooza donated $5 million towards getting done.
We also have some very cool transit projects(approx 105 miles of new track) that are going to expand service wayyyyy out to near or past the MSA border.
BART to San Jose is long-overdue. A huge upgrade to the system and will really make San Jose and the rest of the Bay feel more like one unit.
Yeah, it's very exciting. Counties like San Mateo, Marin and Santa Clara really dropped the ball back in the 1960s when they decided not to be part of the BART service area. Now they want into BART or are building their own system(SMART)
Also in the long term, there is talk(by the BART Supe for that area) of extending the Richmond Line up to Pinole and Hercules. From Hercules, Vallejo and points Northeast don't seem too far away.
And once the system gets to Livermore, the next stop would be over the Altamont Pass.
And then there's connecting BART and SMART, Marin and Contra Costa. Thats a total pipe dream on my part but it makes sense for the future.
At this point this is all speculation, but regardless no matter how we slice it, prospects for BART are very interesting.
Could be worse, at least it's not like Houston whose own Congressional Members block Federal Mass transit funding.
No no they block it for Houston they dont think twice when it goes to Dallas
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