Exit133

November 27, 2012 · Exit133

Tacoma Link Expansion Open House

Sound Transit will be hosting an open house on the future of Tacoma’s Link Light Rail. On Wednesday, December 5 the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the possibilities for future expansion of the 1.6 mile line. Sound Transit staff will share information on potential corridors, evaluation criteria used to assess possible routes, and ways to stay informed about the project. The public will also have the opportunity to share feedback and comments on the project.

Participants in early scoping meetings identified their priorities, but the vote was close in some cases.

Early scoping wrapped up in September, producing a list of possible routes, along with public comment on the possibilities. We’re now in the alternatives analysis phase, during which Sound Transit will host a series of public meetings, including this open house, to screen the narrowed-down list of alternatives. The process will yield a report by spring 2013, with a preferred alternative to be identified by April. The report will also include a project financing plan, which identifies committed and potential sources of funding. For more on the Link expansion project and open house details, visit the project page at www.Projects.SoundTransit.org.

So, if you had to choose a route for the next phase of expansion, which would you choose? The last time we wrote about this you had some fairly strong opinions…

Filed under: Downtown Tacoma, Transportation, Neighborhoods, Get Involved, Link, Link Expansion

27 comments

  • the usual jamie November 27, 2012

    Confused by the y-axis on the Preferred Corridor Alternatives graph. That can’t really be raw number supporting, can it? Is it in hundreds?

  • jsisbest November 27, 2012

    So much for the Tacoma Mall alternative that had some very vocal supporters.

    North End Central is where it’s at! A boon to Stadium District and 6th Avenue residents and businesses!

  • Chris November 27, 2012

    What I think it worth recognizing is that the clustering of support is for a northern corridor beyond Stadium. I agree – frequent, rapid connections between 6th Avenue, Stadium, Downtown and the regional transit network will help build support for more light rail throughout the city.

  • Jesse November 27, 2012

    Where do the EXPERT city planners think it should go? I really dont care what Tacoma citizens with personal agenda want unless they have the ability to put the city’s best interest before their own, which I am yet to see.

  • fred davie November 28, 2012

    A poll was taken of 58 people and the results were used to create a “narrowed down list of alternatives?”

    58 opinions at a PTA meeting regarding the annual bake sale would probably be significant. 58 opinions regarding long range transit planning for a city of 200,000 would be insignificant. IMO

  • Garrett November 28, 2012

    I want to comment on comments by the usual jamie and fred davie.

    The usual jamie: It appears that the chart displays the “raw numbers” (in other words 59 people provided input to Sound Transit during the early scoping process).

    fred davie: I think you’re looking at it backwards: It’s not as if Sound Transit wanted input and decided to provide a “poll” to 59 people. It’s that the early scoping process (meetings plus the opportunity to send written comments) was open to “the public” (200,000 people plus) and only 59 people participated (I’m one of the ones who did not participate). What does this mean? In my opinion this is a little disheartening that so few people chose to participate in such an important decision. On the other hand, this is good news fred!: If you (or I) choose to participate in the future, and the apathy continues (i.e. if a similar small number of people continue to provide input) our input would be “worth” 1/59th of the total vote, which means we have so much power! Our input counts so much more.

    In other words Sound Transit can’t force more citizens to provide input; the alternatives were narrowed from the limited feedback they recieved.

    Garrett

  • fred davie November 28, 2012

    Garrett, thanks for your response.

    The methodology of the study wasn’t even described. We don’t know if 59 people attended the meeting or if only 20 people showed up and they were each allowed to cast 3 votes. I’m not sure there was a message clear enough to guide the expenditure of millions upon millions of public dollars. It’s possible that the reason few people participated is that there is actually an insufficient demand for this sort of rail transit in the Tacoma area

  • jsisbest November 28, 2012

    “Course, I could get a hell of a good look at a T-Bone steak by sticking my head up a bull’s ass, but I’d rather take the butcher’s word for it.” – Tommy Boy

  • Chris November 28, 2012

    @Jesse Expert planners never have all of the information. They still have to collect feedback from the people who voted, pay taxes, and have an interest in seeing rail get closer to home so they can use it.

    If you want rail to stay downtown for purely economic development reasons, just say it – it’s valid feedback for ST. Same thing I say to Erik, if he wants rail up St. Helens Ave, go ahead and tell ST now.

    But what the Streetcar Stakeholder Group said in 2011 and the City of Tacoma Streetcar Feasibility Study said in 2007 was provide access to the neighborhoods.

    The top three corridors selected in 2007 for continued emphasis were: Lower 6th Ave via Stadium Way and Division, Downtown along Market-Tacoma Ave-MLK, and Portland Avenue to Salishan. The top three routes from 2011 were Lower 6th Ave via Stadium, 19th and MLK via Stadium, and Salishan via EQC and Portland Avenue.

    If we are tired of studies – and I know that we all are – Tacoma Link is going to have it’s 10th birthday next year – then we should pick an alignment (that we can agree on) that’s presented so we can all move on to the next phase of design next summer.

  • Albert November 28, 2012

    “The need to serve underserved neighborhoods, including those that historically have
    not received infrastructure investments, are not connected to the greater Tacoma community, are diverse in terms of economics and ethnicity, are ripe for transitoriented redevelopment, and could develop new transit markets.” This is straight out of the Early Scoping Report. This is one of the primary goals for this service. Now can anyone tell me the North End, Stadium District, or 6th Ave. as we know it fits this description. It is evident that the Sound and East End needs this service for many reasons, but the most important one is WORK. People need to get to work. The mall is a place where people work and spend money regardless if you like it, or not. Sure it would be great to go on joy rides in the North side of town, but some people actually need the service. The last part of town that needs this service is North, Stadium and 6th Ave.

  • Carl Allen November 28, 2012

    The best two options I see are South End and 6th AVE, for different reasons.

    As Albert Points out, a line to the South End route would serve more communities in need- people who actually can’t choose to ride a car.

    The 6th Ave route would serve the hip-in-the-making areas of St. Helens and 6th Ave., and also serve the fringes of poorer areas. This line would create economic development, making attractive neighborhoods more attractive- but mostly serve people who could probably drive.

    In other words, should Sound Transit provide transit to those who need it most, or serve as a catalyst for planning and development?

  • Albert November 28, 2012

    The planning and development will come regardless of where the line in placed. I think the initial statement you made should be the key issue that needs to be looked at. Absolutely the line should be placed where it would have the most need. A hip neighborhood in the making should not be the deciding factor. I do greatly appreciate your objectivity. A city cannot prosper by only focusing on a particular demographic area. I drove the proposed South End route from Elephant car wash to the mall. Logistically it makes perfect sense, wide streets and neighborhood density. See you all on the 5th.

  • jsisbest November 28, 2012

    Albert,
    Stadium District has some of the densest apartment housing in Tacoma. You can’t tell me that the Stadium District and 6th Avenue (which would draw from Hilltop as well as the North End) is not economically and racially diverse. Not to mention, it would service Tacoma General, which would provide downtown housing (much of which is lower income) with access to healthcare and jobs at T.G. Link Light Rail currently makes it from the Tacoma Dome Station to just shy of the Stadium District. Extending it to the North would open up commuting to T.G., 6th Avenue businesses and UPS from the T. Dome Station, for workers on the outskirts of Tacoma and beyond.

    The Stadium, Hilltop, and 6th Avenue neighborhoods are diverse, ripe for transit oriented development, and, to the best of my knowledge, have not received infrastructure investments. Now’s the time to build a successful mass transit project, not a token gesture to less populated and prospering neighborhoods that lack the residential density, businesses and jobs to make the extension a ridership success story.

    Let’s do what’s best for all of Tacoma!

  • tacoma_1 November 28, 2012

    I say we put it in all these places….gradually…,but put it where it’ll get the most ridership for the first line.

    Once the first line is an unmitigated success, every Tacoman will wanna join the party.

  • Michael November 28, 2012

    The poorer neighborhoods (and students, the elderly, and anyone who can’t drive or would like an alternative to it) are screwed unless we do something to avert the impending cuts to Pierce Transit. Buses are basic and essential, streetcars are, at least until the system gets built out, a bit more of a fun economic development tool (and a proven economic development tool when sited well).

    Once we fix the bus problem, I’d put the streetcar where it does what streetcars do best — provide transportation to and from (relatively, in our case) dense employment and entertainment centers, i.e. downtown to Stadium to Sixth.

    Tacoma needs to develop “hip” areas if it’s going to be an attractive enough place to live to have a tax base to sufficient to provide opportunities and support for all its citizens — in reality I think our choice is the inverse of the zero sum game Albert seems to be suggesting.

  • tacoma_1 November 28, 2012

    Michael
    I couldn’t agree with u more.

  • Albert November 28, 2012

    jsisbest,

    A token gesture? The new hospitals that are being built on Hilltop is not infrastructure? Do you really think A Nurse, or a Doctor is going to use the link? A patient with a broken leg maybe, no? The big question is where are people ging to go from 6th Ave. to downtown, or vice versa? There are only a few places to go. There is no way you can argue the fact that the mall sees more foot traffic activity and most people that work there make less money than those that work in hospitals, or downtown. Citizens of Tacoma, this is not that difficult to figure out. A token gesture, nice one.

  • tacoma_1 November 28, 2012

    I happen to use transit in Seattle a lot. I see Drs and nurses and all kinds of hospital staff on buses heading to and from work on 1st hill. If Seattle health care workers use buses, Tacoma health care workers would certainly use a street car.

  • Dan November 28, 2012

    @15 Michael

    I agree, but I doubt that Sound Transit can leagally tranfer funds from the voter approved ST2 funding package (of which link expansion is a part) to prop up Pierce Transit’s bus service. If I’m wrong then I think we should definitely look into it as a stop gap. As pro streetcar as I am, maintaining our current system is more important.

  • Christine November 29, 2012

    @ Albert. I work at TG and I use the bus. I think you would be surprised at how many do.

  • Chris November 29, 2012

    While folks are debating corridors, also think of ‘phase 2.’ This is only the beginning of extensions of light rail/streetcar in Tacoma.

    Because all of this planning is being done now, and the scope of the alternatives analysis is so extensive, more than one alternative corridor is going to fall out of this as a winner in terms of ridership and economic development. After this analysis is complete and ST has selected a preferred alternative (with public input of course), we will have a springboard to move on to the next extension on the list (while having new options because of where we put this extension).

    Today, for instance, on the 29th of November, Sound Transit is having a board discussion on how they begin planning a third phase of Sound Transit investments (ST3). Tacoma could get a significant Tacoma Link extension in that, as well as finally connecting light rail to Federal Way, Sea-Tac and Seattle.

    Keep it positive and think about the future.

  • Xenobion November 29, 2012

    Either North End Central or Eastside are the only feasible extensions this early in the development of the LINK. Eastside will get lots of support grants since it is the lowest of the low income housing (Salishan). North End Central has a blend of business and moderate income housing that is relatively higher in density.

    As a planner I’d go with the Eastside. More track means more support in the future for expansion.

  • Jesse November 29, 2012

    If everyone can’t decide if they want the new line on 6th, MLK, Stadium, or in the downtown grid, here’s a solution:

    Line A: Complete LINK to Stadium and up Division to terminate at Sprague. That pulls development toward downtown and doesn’t mess up parking in the 6th ave area.

    Line B: Take the rest of the money saved and put in a single line cable-car from the Murray Morgan Bridge to MLK on 11th Street.

    That way you’re connecting MLK< Tacoma Avenue, the two hospitals, and the Foss Waterway to the rail system as well as 6th Avenue and Stadium. You’re connecting 6th ave but not way into the burbs. Great tourist attraction too.

  • Jim C November 29, 2012

    The point I keep coming back to is the distinction between public money spent on public transportation, or getting people where they need to go, and economic development, which tends to lean towards boondogglery and squishiness of purpose. IMO, light rail should address the needs of people to get where they would be going otherwise; if we use “economic development” as the justification we wind up with a system that, let’s be honest, outside of two thirty-minute windows a day only bums and idlers take advantage of. I doubt that a majority of the city’s residents see the 6th-to-Pac Ave bar crawl as a useful daily destination.

  • Albert November 29, 2012

    @JimC

    I agree with you. I have driven every route that they are proposing.

  • Chris November 29, 2012

    Going back to the original graphic above about support for corridor alternatives—- I sent in a request to ST to clarify what these numbers in the column chart actually meant.

    This is the response that I got:

    “We provided the graphic in the summary report for our Early Scoping open house meetings on August 22, 2012. The purpose of the summary was to reflect key themes of what we heard during the open houses held at People’s Community Center and the Tacoma Dome Sounder Station. Approximately 45 individuals attended the daytime open house at People’s Community Center and about 140 people attended the evening open house at the Tacoma Dome Station Plaza.

    The graphic is intended to provide a visual representation of comments we heard at the open house that specifically mentioned the corridor alternatives.

    We also heard many other comments about the purpose and need, new ideas for corridor alternatives, and suggestions for public outreach. The project team recognizes that although this feedback from the open house is important and helpful, it doesn’t encompass the entire community.

    We received over 300 comments during the 30-day comment period for Early Scoping that we also reviewed in order to identify potential corridors. Over the next few weeks, we are continuing to gather feedback by hosting the December 5 open house and five drop-in meetings, as well as inviting questions and comments through community briefings, an online open house and online survey. During the course of the project, we are planning to host public meetings again in January and March in order for the Tacoma community to share comments with the project team.”

    Bruce Gray
    Sound Transit Spokesman

  • Garrett November 30, 2012

    Folks, (and especially Fred),

    I notice that Exit133 does a good job of bringing issues to our attention, but does not have the space to describe study methodologies, etc. However, Exit 133 does a good job of pointing us in the direction of finding more information. On that note, you can read more about the scoping process (“the methodology of the study,” as Fred says) in just three clicks:

    1) At Exit 133, click on “www.Projects.SoundTransit.org” 2) ST link will open. About a third down the page click on “Project library >>>>” 3) Under Reports, Click on “Tacoma Link Expansion Early Scoping Open House Summary Report”

    In my opinion, the Summary Report actually does a pretty good job of describing how ST reached out, how many meetings were held, other ways to reach ST (besides attending meetings), how many people attended, and the Report also groups, summarizes and quotes certain responses from participants.

    Thanks!

    Garrett