The Observation Deck

Cox Cable's news site is reporting a commuter rail plan is being announced today. The text may show up at the All Aboard Ohio site.

Looked at the site and the release isn't up - a lot of the website is under construction.

Did find a nice little buzz phrase on the site. In a quote from a Chicago group of architects the kept using the phrase "new urbanism".

Apparently that's the new catch phrase for trying to figure out how to facilitate growth that replicates what we have here in Lakewood.

Very interesting - we already got it and they're making up new names for it. They should be calling it Lakewood.

dl meckes wrote:
I don't think it's about traffic, I think it's about having effective, enjoyable, affordable mass transportation so we are less dependent on cars.

However effective, enjoyable and affordable it is will not be realized if there is no motivation or need for using it. Seems to be a question that could be answered by a marketing study to find out how many along the route would benefit from going to the train's end destination and how many would actually use it.

If the price of gas continues to rise and it is more convenient and affordable to take public transportation, there will be motivation to move forward.

True enough. That will certainly be a factor to consider.

dl meckes wrote:If the price of gas continues to rise and it is more convenient and affordable to take public transportation, there will be motivation to move forward.

I am not really opposed to using the tracks for passenger service in theory.

But without hard bargaining by the City of Lakewood we will end up donating scarce and valuable land and resources for little more than another freeway through town.

Most of the residents in Lakewood can hop in their car and be downtown in 10 minutes. Lakewood residents who now drive downtown for work or play will have no reason to change their habits.

The proposed passenger service will serve as a toy for the residence of the far Western suburbs. Once or twice a year they will pass through Lakewood on their way to a ball game. I'm sure it will be fun but I don't see how it helps this City.

I suppose it's too late but if any City official is involved in planning for this train wreck the first, last and middle question should be: What's in it for Lakewood?

I don't want them to compromise, be reasonable, split the difference, sacrifice for the common good or THINK ABOUT THE REGION AS A WHOLE!!.. I want them to ask the question: What is in it for Lakewood?

I want to hear something like:

You shall not press down upon the brow of Lakewood this crown of thorns you shall not crucify our people on a cross of rail!!

DL you said

If the price of gas continues to rise and it is more convenient and affordable to take public transportation, there will be motivation to move forward.

My son is doing his thesis on sustainable design and is running into this same issue. There are some things that even people that really care about the environment don't want to give up. For example Air Conditioning in Arizona, computers among other things.

For many Americans it is the car. When we first were married (I'm showing my age) we had a diesel rabbit that got 50 Miles per gallon. Now days you can't find a car that gets that kind of gas mileage - even the hybrids (with the battery problems).

While I'm not against public transportation - I still think the pressure should be on the auto industry to create more fuel efficient cars.

I still think we should test our theory on where we want to run train lines with buses first. If the buses aren't selling out - it may not be worth the infrastructure needed to put in train tracks.

I love the idea of a rail line. Love it! Personally I think Cleveland needs the hustle and bustle. Thats why I loved living in NYC, just hop on the subway and off you go. We need something here...something!

Hi,
Ms. Ansley, have you ever rode on our Rapid?

If they are built, it would probably be easiest to build them on the shoulder and right most lanes of existing free ways.

If the remains of defunct passenger rail lines are still undeveloped, they could just be rebuilt there.

Hi,
Posted the following question in new section where we can ask Mayorial candidates quetsions:
----------------------------------------------------
Lakewood has a commuter train (Rapid) that servers our transportation needs to the Airport and to Downtown and points east. There is talk of extraburbs wanting another commuter train not connecting to the existing Rapid line.

Such a train cutting through Lakewood would cause major problems with extra noise, traffic flow interruptions and expose us to additional safety risks.

Please tell us where you stand on such a venture. Will you block a Western commuter train that would run through the heart of Lakewood?
---------------------------------------------------------------------

It didn't look like it stuck so I'll post it here and maybe someone that wants to serve us as Mayor will take time from their oh so busy schedule to answer it.

Going further, I saw this PD article: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindeal ... 2#continue A person pushing this idea said:

""The train has the support of city councils from Cleveland to Lorain," "

Is that true? Can anyone confirm this? Has Lakewood City Council issued a statement of support or voted on this idea?

Donald Farris wrote:Going further, I saw this PD article: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindeal ... 2#continue A person pushing this idea said:

""The train has the support of city councils from Cleveland to Lorain," "

Is that true? Can anyone confirm this? Has Lakewood City Council issued a statement of support or voted on this idea?

The fact that meeting is being held in Avon Lake tells you everything you need to know about this project. Please note that the supporters mention in detail the benefits to Lorain County.

This project offers no benefit to Lakewood.

dl meckes wrote:If the price of gas continues to rise and it is more convenient and affordable to take public transportation, there will be motivation to move forward.

It looks like the price of gas will fall between now and December according to industry analyst.

Lynn Farris wrote:DL you said

If the price of gas continues to rise and it is more convenient and affordable to take public transportation, there will be motivation to move forward.

My son is doing his thesis on sustainable design and is running into this same issue. There are some things that even people that really care about the environment don't want to give up. For example Air Conditioning in Arizona, computers among other things.

For many Americans it is the car. When we first were married (I'm showing my age) we had a diesel rabbit that got 50 Miles per gallon. Now days you can't find a car that gets that kind of gas mileage - even the hybrids (with the battery problems).

While I'm not against public transportation - I still think the pressure should be on the auto industry to create more fuel efficient cars.

I still think we should test our theory on where we want to run train lines with buses first. If the buses aren't selling out - it may not be worth the infrastructure needed to put in train tracks.

side note: the hot water tank is one of the most in inefficient appliance that we use. It is an energy hog.. I hope that these tankless hot water systems become cheaper and user friendly.

The article that Bill Call cited said that it would use existing track lines. Aren't these the same track lines that currently run through Lakewood?

These are the same track lines that Amtrak has had so much trouble with on time schedules because CSX owns them and prioritizes it's own train/freight schedule.

Something wrong there!