Transit Updates for Greater Grand Rapids

[GRDadof3]

Back to transit....

How to Defeat a Millage: How KCFFR and contingent helped to defeat the millage.

Ha, don't be surprised if someone from there checks in here:

http://live.feedjit.com/live/redstateeclectic.typepad.com/

[Veloise]

Back to transit....

How to Defeat a Millage: How KCFFR and contingent helped to defeat the millage.

A comment to that blog: "a fascinating read with positive action at its core."

Seriously, that game plan could be used for just about any purpose. (Wish those "fair and balanced" reporters had bothered to ask why folks from Cascade cared at all.)

[RegalTDP]

Back to transit....

How to Defeat a Millage: How KCFFR and contingent helped to defeat the millage.

Hopefully Peter Varga read this, so he has a better idea of what he's up against next time... The "Scared and didn't understand it" remark really didn't help the cause well, and he's been getting hammered in the Press public pulse all week.

Edited May 17, 2009 by RegalTDP

[GRDadof3]

Hopefully Peter Varga read this, so he has a better idea of what he's up against this time... The "Scared and didn't understand it" remark really didn't help the cause well, and he's been getting hammered in the Press public pulse all week.

Yeah, that statement might be appropriate when just addressing your "troops", but not for public consumption.

[Raildudes dad]

Neither Varga nor KCFFR give the voters credit for common sense. Too many $$$(regardless of where they were coming from) for questionable benefit.

[Rizzo]

Peter Varga will talk about the 'next steps' for the Silver Line. Apparently, the feds might keep the money for The Rapid for another go around. Maybe another millage request in 2010.

Plus, at the the board meeting tomorrow (4pm) the Number 17 will be under review. That the route between Ford Intl. and Woodland Mall.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Rizzo

[Allison Slater]

I wonder what will happen with the 17. It's the only route to see service reductions the past few years due to low ridership.

[tamias6]

Peter Varga will talk about the 'next steps' for the Silver Line. Apparently, the feds might keep the money for The Rapid for another go around. Maybe another millage request in 2010.

Plus, at the the board meeting tomorrow (4pm) the Number 17 will be under review. That the route between Ford Intl. and Woodland Mall.

Since the voters turned down the Silver Line, who's to say it any future attempts to put it before the voters again won't result in another 'no' vote? As much as many here including myself think the Silver Line would have been a great addition, the voters clearly think otherwise. Rather its valid points such as Division already has a bus route to big bad government fat cats over taxing us poor little guys, I think the voters will be a brick wall to this and any other mass transit proposals. If the Silver Line is to ever to see the light of day, its going to have to rely on other sources to get approval and funding. This way it not only bypasses the voters and get the project off the ground. It would provide an opportunity to show the voters the benefits of such a system. Once they see that then maybe they would be more receptive of voting for more things like Silver Line.

Edited May 27, 2009 by tamias6

[Rizzo]

I wonder if the FTA will provide funding if the operating expenses were matched by a not-for-profit effort?

Edited May 27, 2009 by Rizzo

[Veloise]

Since the voters turned down the Silver Line, who's to say it any future attempts to put it before the voters again won't result in another 'no' vote? As much as many here including myself think the Silver Line would have been a great addition, the voters clearly think otherwise. Rather its valid points such as Division already has a bus route to big bad government fat cats over taxing us poor little guys, I think the voters will be a brick wall to this and any other mass transit proposals. If the Silver Line is to ever to see the light of day, its going to have to rely on other sources to get approval and funding. This way it not only bypasses the voters and get the project off the ground. It would provide an opportunity to show the voters the benefits of such a system. Once they see that then maybe they would be more receptive of voting for more things like Silver Line.

The SL should have come up on a major ballot, not a teensy school election one. What was the turn-out, 15% of the electorate? It passed in the urban core; it's the 'burbs who voted it down (and the unaffected opposition out in the townships who raised all the ruckus).

[GRDadof3]

The SL should have come up on a major ballot, not a teensy school election one. What was the turn-out, 15% of the electorate? It passed in the urban core; it's the 'burbs who voted it down (and the unaffected opposition out in the townships who raised all the ruckus).

I would assume it will be presented again as a millage request in the future, with maybe a few changes to it. After working on this since what, 2003 (?), that they'll keep trying.

[francishsu]

The SL should have come up on a major ballot, not a teensy school election one. What was the turn-out, 15% of the electorate? It passed in the urban core; it's the 'burbs who voted it down (and the unaffected opposition out in the townships who raised all the ruckus).

Sadly, I think it would have been voted down regardless of turnout in the election unless you could have somehow dramatically boosted it in GR without boosting it in the surrounding cities. For the past couple of Rapid millage requests, each has gotten less support than the one prior. It seems that the only mass transit project (assuming it requires an increase in taxes) that will pass is one that would require votes from only GR/EGR. The votes in GR/EGR might be enough where you could possibly include Kentwood and still come out with a majority. But once you throw in Wyoming and Walker, it's over.

Edited May 27, 2009 by francishsu

[GRDadof3]

[John E]

I was wondering what was going on in front of Central Station this morning. I believe this has been in the works for a couple years, but don't remember the story behind it. I found the web page for it:

http://www.dennisoppenheim.org/JourneyHome.html

~John

[GRDadof3]

I was wondering what was going on in front of Central Station this morning. I believe this has been in the works for a couple years, but don't remember the story behind it. I found the web page for it:

http://www.dennisoppenheim.org/JourneyHome.html

~John

Yes, it was commissioned a few years ago. Looks like it's finally going in>

Although I don't know if the final version will look exactly like that model.

[John E]

That looks like a photo of the finished product. It sure looks super cool.

I wonder if it will be able to be entered into the ArtPrize???

I just got back from taking a couple installation photos also:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/3573428865/sizes/l/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/3573429777/sizes/l/

~John

[GRDadof3]

That looks like a photo of the finished product. It sure looks super cool.

I wonder if it will be able to be entered into the ArtPrize???

I just got back from taking a couple installation photos also:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/3573428865/sizes/l/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/3573429777/sizes/l/

~John

I assume there's a lot more assembly to be done, and it probably has to be placed on that pedestal/planter.

Since this work was commissioned specifically for The Rapid, I don't know if it could be entered into Art Prize (although the timing is cool, because I think The Rapid is talking about registering as a venue).

Might end up looking like a larger version of this one of Oppenheim (also called Journey Home):

http://www.hillgallery.com/images/gallery/e_w.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...VMIKFlAf61NS8BQ

[John E]

I emailed The Rapid asking when the installation would be completed and I received this response from Judy DeVries:

The installers from LaPaloma Fabricators Inc, hope to have our new sculpture installation finished by June 2nd. ITP will then complete the sculpture base with 'plantings' and 'lighting' and 'signage'. Shortly thereafter a date for the dedication ceremony will be announced.

jd

~John

Edited May 29, 2009 by John E

[Allison Slater]

..maybe I just don't get modern art.

[John E]

Here is the latest installation picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/3583606162/sizes/l/

See the rest of them in the May 2009 set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/sets...57617514749627/

~John

[GRDadof3]

The Press has an article about the installation today:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/ind..._the_grand.html

It is actually looking more and more like the original design.

[John E]

Took some photos of the installation this evening.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/3590094979/sizes/l/

More in the June 2009 set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johne777/sets...57619077360583/

~John

http://www.youtube.com/johne777

[John E]

Sorry, no updated photos this time. I forgot to stop by there on my way back from Millenium Park.

Granholm is headed to D.C. to push for high-speed rail.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/MI...discussed_in_DC

~John

[RegalTDP]

Granholm is headed to D.C. to push for high-speed rail.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/michigan/MI...discussed_in_DC

From the article:

Michigan wants to get high-speed service connecting Chicago, Detroit and Pontiac.

THANKS GUV! Really feelin' the love over here in GR.

Edited June 4, 2009 by RegalTDP

[GRDadof3]

From the article:

THANKS GUV! Really feelin' the love over here in GR.

WTF? Chicago, Detroit, and Pontiac?? Why not connect it to Sarnia and Bad Axe, and we'll be all set.

When is her term up?