Postby MumfordMoses » September 5th, 2013, 12:39 am
3C, and I'll just keep repeating it. Far too much waste has been concentrated on these 3A variations. 3A = rich folks line, no other way to put it and if I hear further cries that it will serve North Mpls, all two stops at the edge of Bryn Marr (which is so unlike the rest of North Mpls) no thanks. A better designed Bottineu option can best serve Near North and better trigger the Basset Master Plan, which will also help the Northside.
It appears this line and Bottineu are horrible examples of social engineering that fail to capitalize on higher density zones.
I hear complaints that 3c will redline Phillips, hogwash. I also hear us folks in the the Wedge, Lowry Hill, ECCO, Lyndale and Whittier already have decent public transportation - again hogwash! Traffic is getting nasty in these neighborhoods and the explosion of apartments along Midtown has yet to take shape, car wise.
The current Green Line mess, as stated, is nothing more than a suburban line (which will get riders), yet only limited ridership from the well to do of Minneapolis. 3C would address a thriving, booming section of Mpls, which at the end of the day could finally become a better example of sustainable, walkable, high density living.
Unbelievable how shortsighted the planning for this line has been and continues to be - I fear the compromise will be lame and completely squash any revived hope for 3c. Too bad.
3c could also finally lump into a plan to eliminate the Kmart Nicollet nightmare and improve the odd circuity between Isles and Calhoun. Eat Street could finally live up to its name once 3c is done. Anyways, I'm whining. I'm sure some of you disagree. I'm a bit insensitive here, I know many Minneapolitans fear Chicago, SF, or NYC style density which this city is far from reaching, even with a 3c approval. I'm just getting so damn sick and tired of the cars and buses on Lyndale, Nicollet, Lake and Hennepin, esp, which has become awful - side streets as well. I don't know how some bikers deal with it - courage and patience I suppose.
PS Anyone else find he Tea Party types beyond entertaining and myopic whenever you read the comments that follow a Strib article on SWC? If I see the word "boondoggle" again, I'm going to choke the first person I see driving by him-herself in rush hour traffic, esp if they're in an SUV talking on a cell.