Wouldn't be so bad if I had the bandwidth to really enjoy itPerhaps you will hate me for sharing this link because of all the time you will spend here:
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Wouldn't be so bad if I had the bandwidth to really enjoy itPerhaps you will hate me for sharing this link because of all the time you will spend here:
just to clarify, when you say "real train station" you mean inter-city rail, right?Yeah, it's a bridge, next to some escalators that go down to northstar. A real train station on the Northstar platform will be more important.
I'm confused because St. Paul is rebuilding a station at their historic depot and that one actually looks like a "real" central station, whereas this one looks like a glorified station stop. Why do the cities need two, and why didn't we just come together as a region and build ONE magnificent central train station (don't ask me where)?Yeah, it's a bridge, next to some escalators that go down to northstar. A real train station on the Northstar platform will be more important.
I'd argue that the difference is that Hennepin County is building the service first and the station second. I think this phased approach makes a lot more sense, as long as you're doing adequate planning to prepare for future service.I'm confused because St. Paul is rebuilding a station at their historic depot and that one actually looks like a "real" central station, whereas this one looks like a glorified station stop. Why do the cities need two, and why didn't we just come together as a region and build ONE magnificent central train station (don't ask me where)?
The SPUD will be under served Amtrak wise for a building its size. But it will have buses and light rail serving all day long as well. And having Amtrak in Midway doesn't really do much for the area. Whereas having it downtown will bring more activity and energy to a stuggling commercial area. Likewise I think an attractive building like the Interchange will make using the light rail and Northstar lines more attractive in downtown Minneapolis.I'd argue that the difference is that Hennepin County is building the service first and the station second. I think this phased approach makes a lot more sense, as long as you're doing adequate planning to prepare for future service.I'm confused because St. Paul is rebuilding a station at their historic depot and that one actually looks like a "real" central station, whereas this one looks like a glorified station stop. Why do the cities need two, and why didn't we just come together as a region and build ONE magnificent central train station (don't ask me where)?
It's going to be pretty embarassing to have the glorious Union Depot being served by two trains a day. They're going to have to crank up the classical music to cover up the crickets.
Oh, and we did build one central train station. It's called the Midway Amtrak Station.
I was being sarcastic about Midway, obviously (I thought). My point was that trying to serve the Metro with a single location doesn't make sense. I'm glad that St. Paul has a downtown station (although I think it's absurd how much of our limited transit dollars were spent renovating it), and Minneapolis should as well.The SPUD will be under served Amtrak wise for a building its size. But it will have buses and light rail serving all day long as well. And having Amtrak in Midway doesn't really do much for the area. Whereas having it downtown will bring more activity and energy to a stuggling commercial area. Likewise I think an attractive building like the Interchange will make using the light rail and Northstar lines more attractive in downtown Minneapolis.
And yes Amtrak already has a station called Midway Station. Just like the Vikings already have a stadium called the Metrodome. Same place the Gophers and Twins once played. It's the story of our metro. One facility for one organization. The days of having modest, cheap, one size fits all buildings has long passed by for the Twin Cities.
Agreed. Does anyone know if the project definitely includes retail/commercial elements? I.e. the "Bike Bar" pictured in some of the renderings? Or are they hoping the interchange itself will stir the future development?I think they are counting on retail to avoid the emptiness you are talking about. risky though...
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