231 replies to this topic

[CentralArkansas]

johnnydr87, on Mar 17 2006, 11:30 AM, said:

Really? I always hear that..... but is a "global village" really THAT big of an attraction?

I have my doubts.

The global village will be productions of villages in third world countries, down to the types of cattle/roofs/etc. It won't be like walking around looking at an exhibit - you will literally walk into another country, explore it, then move on to another. Heifer is so well known internationally (saying "Heifer" in South America, Asia, or Africa is like saying "Salvation Army" here) that the HQ itself will be a major boon for LR - it will draw many "hunger conventions," speakers, etc. With the learning center, classrooms, theater, along with the global village, even conservative estimates put visitors far above what the Clinton Library has drawn so far.

[johnnydr87]

CentralArkansas, on Mar 18 2006, 03:49 PM, said:

The global village will be productions of villages in third world countries, down to the types of cattle/roofs/etc. It won't be like walking around looking at an exhibit - you will literally walk into another country, explore it, then move on to another. Heifer is so well known internationally (saying "Heifer" in South America, Asia, or Africa is like saying "Salvation Army" here) that the HQ itself will be a major boon for LR - it will draw many "hunger conventions," speakers, etc. With the learning center, classrooms, theater, along with the global village, even conservative estimates put visitors far above what the Clinton Library has drawn so far.

HMmm.... interesting...... do you know how many acres this will be on?  

Very cool that this "global village" will be within walking distance of downtown LR!

On a competely different note, that Arkansas Democrat Gazette building needs to either be demolished or renovated.  It's an eyesore.

[Aporkalypse]

johnnydr87, on Mar 18 2006, 04:38 PM, said:

HMmm.... interesting...... do you know how many acres this will be on?  

Very cool that this "global village" will be within walking distance of downtown LR!

On a competely different note, that Arkansas Democrat Gazette building needs to either be demolished or renovated.  It's an eyesore.

Agree on the Demozette building, though I think 15 yrs ago it was probably the least offensive building in the area.  It's a shame the Democrat had to win the newspaper battle, the old Gazette building is so much more beautiful.

[skirby]

Aporkalypse, on Mar 20 2006, 08:28 PM, said:

Agree on the Demozette building, though I think 15 yrs ago it was probably the least offensive building in the area.  It's a shame the Democrat had to win the newspaper battle, the old Gazette building is so much more beautiful.

The "Demozette building" you are talking about was built by the Gazette to replace the old Gazette building at 3rd and Louisiana. The old Democrat building on Capitol is still in use by the paper.

[Aporkalypse]

skirby, on Mar 20 2006, 11:05 PM, said:

The "Demozette building" you are talking about was built by the Gazette to replace the old Gazette building at 3rd and Louisiana. The old Democrat building on Capitol is still in use by the paper.

I didn't know that.  All of that happened long enough ago I was too small to really know what occurred.

[skirby]

Trolley #411 was completed and departed for Little Rock this week. Work on #412 continues at the shop of Gomaco Trolley Company.                                                                                                                       Picture of #411 on the  truck ready for the trip to LR.

Th trolley has arrived in NLR. Also, the trolley barn will have to be expanded before #412 arrives. It was built to hold four cars and with #412 there will be five for the River Rail system.

Edited by skirby, 07 April 2006 - 06:36 AM.

[skirby]

Track work complete on Commerce between 2nd and 3rd. Just needs to be connected to existing rail.

[Mith242]

Thanks for the updates skirby.  I guess I never thought about how they got them over to Arkansas.  It would be an interesting site to see one of those out on the interstate.

[skirby]

With Phase II under construction the question is where will Phase III go. NLR has been working on plans for Phase III. Bill Valentine of the Arkansas Travs has made the comment that NLR has  plans for the trolley to go by the new ballpark.

[Aporkalypse]

skirby, on Apr 18 2006, 09:00 PM, said:

With Phase II under construction the question is where will Phase III go. NLR has been working on plans for Phase III. Bill Valentine of the Arkansas Travs has made the comment that NLR has  plans for the trolley to go by the new ballpark.

Seems like the logical next step.  I'd like to see Main and the Quapaw Quarter involved as well.

[skirby]

Power poles are being put in place along Phase II. They are the black poles closest to the street between the light poles.

[Mith242]

Thanks for the update skirby.  
A bit off topic here but does anyone think any other part of Arkansas could support a trolley system?  I was in Eureka Springs last week and saw some old photos with the old trolley system.  Not sure if Eureka Springs would really have to money or would even want to bother with trying to put in a real trolley again.

[CentralArkansas]

Mith242, on Apr 28 2006, 03:05 PM, said:

Thanks for the update skirby.  
A bit off topic here but does anyone think any other part of Arkansas could support a trolley system?  I was in Eureka Springs last week and saw some old photos with the old trolley system.  Not sure if Eureka Springs would really have to money or would even want to bother with trying to put in a real trolley again.

I think a trolly around Dickson street, the square, and the University in Fayetteville is the only other place that could support one.

I think it'd be a neat asset to the area, too.

[Mith242]

CentralArkansas, on Apr 28 2006, 03:19 PM, said:

I think a trolly around Dickson street, the square, and the University in Fayetteville is the only other place that could support one.

I think it'd be a neat asset to the area, too.

I certainly wouldn't mind having one here.  I had wondered if Eureka Springs could use one.  Not sure if they really need it over their current bus system.

[Aporkalypse]

Mith242, on Apr 28 2006, 05:41 PM, said:

I certainly wouldn't mind having one here.  I had wondered if Eureka Springs could use one.  Not sure if they really need it over their current bus system.

I'm not sure it could make it up that damn hill.



I do think the UA and Fayetteville could cooperate on a trolley system that would include the campus itself, Dickson, and the square and it would be heavily utilized by students and tourists.  I could concievably see it working in downtown Hot Springs as well but it would be tricky to do there.

[Mith242]

Aporkalypse, on May 1 2006, 09:10 AM, said:

I'm not sure it could make it up that damn hill.
I do think the UA and Fayetteville could cooperate on a trolley system that would include the campus itself, Dickson, and the square and it would be heavily utilized by students and tourists.  I could concievably see it working in downtown Hot Springs as well but it would be tricky to do there.

Yeah you could be right on Fayetteville.  As far as Eureka Springs I do know they had trolleys in the past.  Although I admit I don't know what routes they ran.  Isn't San Fran rather hilly as well and has trolleys?  Then again I also can't say I know where the trolleys run there either.

[johnnydr87]

Aporkalypse, on May 1 2006, 08:10 AM, said:

I'm not sure it could make it up that damn hill.
I do think the UA and Fayetteville could cooperate on a trolley system that would include the campus itself, Dickson, and the square and it would be heavily utilized by students and tourists.  I could concievably see it working in downtown Hot Springs as well but it would be tricky to do there.

Hot Springs? Try impossible.  Traffic is already at  standstill without a trolley to block two of four lanes.

[Aporkalypse]

johnnydr87, on May 1 2006, 04:00 PM, said:

Hot Springs? Try impossible.  Traffic is already at  standstill without a trolley to block two of four lanes.

That would be the problem I speak of when I said it would be "tricky".  Of course theoretically the trolley would decrease the number of cars.  A New Orleans-style median trolley could work but that would mean destroying the fountains and landscaping that is so attractive on Central, which I wouldn't support.

Edited by Aporkalypse, 01 May 2006 - 03:05 PM.

[skirby]

Update on the trolley line extension. Work has been completed on the extension of the rail except for "specialty track located at 2nd and Commerce (tie- in to existing system) and track switch at World Street and 3rd Street". These are being fabricated at another location. CAT expects  construction to resume in August. Poles are in place but work remains for the World Street terminus stop. Overhead power line still have to be placed.

Location of the World St. station stop. Just south of the Clinton Library and east of Heifer International.

[Mith242]

Thanks for the update skirby.  I actually got a chance to see some of the progress this weekend as I stopped by to take some pics.