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You can ride gondolas in Central Park through the Boathouse, it's a restaurant (a very good, but expensive one). Apparently, someone drives it for you and for $30 you and up to 6 people can cruise the lake. Of course, this is a tourist attraction but still pretty interesting.
I'm not sure gondolas would be quick or overall efficient enough for public transportation, unless you made them huge and motorized which would stray from traditional. They really can only work in cities with canals, which is why they're good in Venice. Crossing the Hudson or even the East River with a gondola would not be a good idea.
I think they are talking about cable cars, not Venice-style gondolas. New York City has both types though! lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Postman
When I read 'gondolas' I was thinking those boats in Venice. It's funny because we call them cable cars. Isn't there something like this in NY? They also seem fairly common in mountain areas.
When I read 'gondolas' I was thinking those boats in Venice. It's funny because we call them cable cars. Isn't there something like this in NY? They also seem fairly common in mountain areas.
Yeah they are very common in mountain areas but there actually is a big difference between gondolas and cable cars. Plus you usually don't see them running directly throught the urban core in which is proposed in Seattle. Cable cars and bigger and slower, usually would have to slow down with traffic while gondolas just move about everything alot faster!
Seattle just had a proposal for a gondola line from the center of downtown to the waterfront of Seattle. It's supposed to cut down on street level congestion and make it easier for people to access the waterfront. 2 years ago an expansive gondola project was proposed from Capitol Hill in Seattle to South lake union to the Seattle center ending at the waterfront. Gondolas have been used as an important form of public transportation in many other cities in the world but I have yet to see them used as more then a tourist attraction here in America. Do you think it can work? Could more US cities see these projects happening?
Some planners in Montreal entertained this idea as well but it became nothing more than a pipedream. Not sure how far this idea would go in Seattle. //www.city-data.com/forum/montr...l-gondola.html
Why would someone leave a message on their roof about a gondola ride? Maybe they thought a free espresso drink would be offered. Portland's lumberjack ancestors were tougher and more realistic people than the current pretentious hipsters that are there now.
You think they will sell these rides for single digits. With all due respect, I don't think so. C'mon Portland. Every time you have real city aspirations, you shoot yourself in the foot. Give the tie dye shirt to Goodwill already. One major league team. You are second class. Own it.
Most people in Portland just questioned whether an expensive tram was really the best option to solve the transportation issues getting up to OHSU on the crest of the West Hills. A realistic concern basically. There was a lot of issues about cost of the project after it ballooned from $15 to $57 million and the city covered over 15% of the total cost. OHSU was supposed to cover most of the costs as it was basically their project and as well there questions about the development of the new South Waterfront district at the base of the tram, which was supposed to have a higher presence of research facilities and offices for OHSU but ended up mostly condo towers. There was a lot of debate around the construction costs, angry city councillors, and sort of brief blowback against similar urban renewal projects.
In the end the tram basically sorted of ended up more of a tourist attraction than an essential piece of transportation infrastructure but OHSU employees tend to use it often...it's sort of forgotten by the rest of Portland at this point though.
But please go on with your cliches no matter how out of date they are... (Seriously, lumberjacks and tie-dyed t-shirts?)
Wow haters gonna hate. All due respect you say huh? I guess its in Portland's best interest for urban planners to listen to what you have to say because smack talking stereotypes is always worthy advice. Whatever.
Anyway, Portland's gondola is pretty cool, nice views of the river, Mt. Hood, and Mt. St. Helens from there. It actually has a purposeful function as well connecting the waterfront streetcar to OHSU hospital which is on top of a very steep hill making access to it much easier from downtown.
I apologized to the other poster by DM last night. I should have restricted my comment to just the individual who did the objection. No, I doubt urban planners will be looking to these comments, but deserved the remark. Glad its cool and not surprised about the views.
Most people in Portland just questioned whether an expensive tram was really the best option to solve the transportation issues getting up to OHSU on the crest of the West Hills. A realistic concern basically. There was a lot of issues about cost of the project after it ballooned from $15 to $57 million and the city covered over 15% of the total cost. OHSU was supposed to cover most of the costs as it was basically their project and as well there questions about the development of the new South Waterfront district at the base of the tram, which was supposed to have a higher presence of research facilities and offices for OHSU but ended up mostly condo towers. There was a lot of debate around the construction costs, angry city councillors, and sort of brief blowback against similar urban renewal projects.
In the end the tram basically sorted of ended up more of a tourist attraction than an essential piece of transportation infrastructure but OHSU employees tend to use it often...it's sort of forgotten by the rest of Portland at this point though.
But please go on with your cliches no matter how out of date they are... (Seriously, lumberjacks and tie-dyed t-shirts?)
Corny humor moment. I apologized to the person I was replying to last night.
Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kidphilly
Actually this to me is one that would have utility beyond purely a touristy type thing (though would likely serve that as well) - Imagine this would give some awesome shots of DC
Two summers ago I did a nightime double decker bus in DC on a hot August night (even a rain shower) but the views from some of the vantage points were really worth it. DC without skyscrapers has a very distinct look - quite majestic and with the monuments lit up and the city as the back drop can be really stunning. So am imagining a Higher vantage a little futher NW along th Potomac vs the bridge from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington would afford some spectacular views
Also FWIW the roof lounge of the W by the White House has some great views for the price of drink
I absolutely agree, finding spectacular views in DC sometimes can sometimes be a challenge, but I think Gondolas over the Potomac would be a great idea and also be useful as another means of transport across the river. Metro is expected to expand in Georgetown and add a 2nd tunnel in Rosslyn so there will be even more foot traffic in the coming years. I've been to that POV lounge atop the W and I agree is one of the best places for a view of the city.
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