501 replies to this topic

[The_sandlapper]

I used to think that density was a requirement for LRT/ mass transit, however now with the announcement for a serious study in the Greenville area I don't think that it is necessary anymore. Another thing that changed my mind about LRT working in Columbia was a very recent trip to Portland, OR (October). DT Portland was very dense and walkable, realistically you can pretty much see all of DT on foot b/c they have half blocks. However with their LRT system much of the city looked like many southern cities ie CLT, ATL, & Cola in the "burb" areas. Infact much of Portland's LRT provided service to outlying town in the metro such as Beaverton, and Gresham.

Maybe the town & country act could be used in conjunction with LRT building stations at already existing points of intrest, and at developements yet to come creating density along mass transit routes encouraging future growth, so on and so on!

Infact the model above for Columbia looks similar to Portland's LRT map.

[Hybrid0NE]

The_sandlapper, on Nov 14 2005, 12:28 PM, said:

Infact the model above for Columbia looks similar to Portland's LRT map.

I am so suing Portland for copyright infringement!

[803metlife]

Light rail would go well with Columbia. I can't believe Columbia hasn't taken a more serious approach on light rail usage. Especially when their goal by 2025 is to have a pop. over 600,000. And they think the traffic is out of control now. We should atleast have someone doing reasearch for future usage.

[Hybrid0NE]

803metlife, on Nov 14 2005, 06:47 PM, said:

Light rail would go well with Columbia. I can't believe Columbia hasn't taken a more serious approach on light rail usage. Especially when their goal by 2025 is to have a pop. over 600,000. And they think the traffic is out of control now. We should atleast have someone doing reasearch for future usage.

At least the some of private sector has it in mind. Aren't the Bull Street Campus developers leaving the rail in place for future mass transit? Maybe the private sector can give Columbia rapid-rail transit and force the City/State to buy it back once it's successful.

[krazeeboi]

803metlife, on Nov 14 2005, 06:47 PM, said:

Light rail would go well with Columbia. I can't believe Columbia hasn't taken a more serious approach on light rail usage. Especially when their goal by 2025 is to have a pop. over 600,000. And they think the traffic is out of control now. We should atleast have someone doing reasearch for future usage.

As far as that population is concerned, do you mean the city and outlying areas (urbanized area) or metropolitan population? The metropolitan population right now is quite close to 700,000 (2004 est 679,456 ). But I agree; this issue needs to be considered seriously in greater Columbia.

[The_sandlapper]

Hybrid0NE, on Nov 14 2005, 06:15 PM, said:

I am so suing Portland for copyright infringement!

You should man, I'm sick of Portland's urban utopian outdoorsy crap anyway!

Edited by The_sandlapper, 14 November 2005 - 06:57 PM.

[The_sandlapper]

This was discussed in the Columbia area developments thread but thought it would be appropriate here as well.

The area is studying the possibility of bringing commuter rail in 15-20 years, using existing lines from Cola to Newberry, Batesburg-Leesville, and Camden. I think it should be extended to Florence, Sumter, Orangeburg (SC State), and Aiken as well. My pop's works with quite a few guys who commute from Florence to Cola.

Commuter Rail Study

[HAMMETTM]

krazeeboi, on Nov 14 2005, 07:21 PM, said:

As far as that population is concerned, do you mean the city and outlying areas (urbanized area) or metropolitan population? The metropolitan population right now is quite close to 700,000 (2004 est 679,456 ). But I agree; this issue needs to be considered seriously in greater Columbia.

Just out of curiosity, what is considered the metro region of Columbia? Would it be the counties surrounding Columbia (Sumter, Newberry, Lexington, etc.)?

[waccamatt]

HAMMETTM, on Dec 12 2005, 07:28 PM, said:

Just out of curiosity, what is considered the metro region of Columbia? Would it be the counties surrounding Columbia (Sumter, Newberry, Lexington, etc.)?

Columbia's MSA includes Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun and Saluda Counties. Newberry County is added for the CSA and I expect Sumter and Orangeburg Counties to be added to the CSA in 2010.

[HAMMETTM]

waccamatt, on Dec 12 2005, 08:01 PM, said:

Columbia's MSA includes Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun and Saluda Counties. Newberry County is added for the CSA and I expect Sumter and Orangeburg Counties to be added to the CSA in 2010.

Thanks. With the addition of Orangeburg and Sumter the population should soar to over 1 million

[Spartan]

Maybe 900,000, but not over 1 million. I still don't think they will join up though.

[HAMMETTM]

Spartan, on Dec 13 2005, 01:07 AM, said:

Maybe 900,000, but not over 1 million. I still don't think they will join up though.

We may not be here to see it, but I still think they will join one day. The development in Sumter is stretching west on US 76. Also the development on Garner's Ferry in Columbia is stretching East. Although there is some wetlands and forests in between, I truly believe that one day there will be contiguous development between Sumter and Columbia. The same will probably be said about Newberry, Kershaw, Orangeburg, etc.

[CorgiMatt]

Spartan, on Dec 13 2005, 01:07 AM, said:

Maybe 900,000, but not over 1 million. I still don't think they will join up though.

It's not up to them to join or not join a CSA.  That's up to the census bureau.

[Spartan]

CorgiMatt, on Dec 13 2005, 05:18 PM, said:

It's not up to them to join or not join a CSA.  That's up to the census bureau.

Well, more accurately the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). I know its partley a political arrangement, but there are some statistics involved with it, which is where then Census comes in.

[Ellen]

HAMMETTM, on Dec 13 2005, 05:32 PM, said:

Although there is some wetlands and forests in between, I truly believe that one day there will be contiguous development between Sumter and Columbia.

I pray I never live to see the day. You're talking about the Wateree River and surrounding swamplands. When malls and condos are built in those places Hell will freeze over. I hope.

[krazeeboi]

SCANA will no longer be a major funding source for CMRTA as of 2009. In the meantime, it appears as though the regional bus system is just left to dry. I cannot imagine a metro area as big as Columbia having NO mass transit; that would be totally abysmal.

[CorgiMatt]

krazeeboi, on May 31 2006, 12:43 PM, said:

SCANA will no longer be a major funding source for CMRTA as of 2009. In the meantime, it appears as though the regional bus system is just left to dry. I cannot imagine a metro area as big as Columbia having NO mass transit; that would be totally abysmal.

Just the physical absence of the busses would take a huge bite out of the cosmopolitan feel of the city.  If they were gone people would feel like there's something major missing, and then they would figure it out.

[g-man430]

If you think our state is going to get LRT within 20 years, think again. Our state can barely keep up the bus system. What makes people think they'll be able to keep up LRT?

[sonofaque86]

What kind of city with a metro of nearly 750,000 doesn't have a BUS SYSTEM...Slack...Only in SC

[803metlife]

Every city in s.c. has experienced this one time or another within the last 10yrs