Charlotte's Light Rail: Lynx Blue Line

[Matthew.Brendan]

Open in December, shut down for good in March.... ok.  

[southslider]

^Craighead will stay open well after the March opening of BLE, due to Sugar Creek Rd still being under construction. 

[11 HouseBZ]

My co-workers and I have a running bet it never opens back up. After a recent conversation with CDOT it seemed to be confirmed (to us at least). Correct me cause I'm most likely wrong on this but I thought Craighead was open til 36th opens?  Cause we were told (same conversation) 36th had another year before opening.  If true I have no reason why it wouldn't be reopened other than the fact they didn't seem to build the rail at the crossing in a way that  would be able to have a road cross it. Please don't take this as fact though cause this was one peon talking to another and one peon's possible inaccurate observations. So yeah. 

[southslider]

^36th (Street, not Station) may not open in March. Sugar Creek definitely won't open in March. Craighead should remain temporarily open until either 36th or Sugar Creek reopens.

[kermit]

This was news to me, I certainly hope they can pull it off. The CBJ on the U City neighborhood development plan:

Quote

The vision laid out in University City Partners' plan for transit-oriented development along the Blue Line Extension in University City calls for a park at each transit stop that would connect to the city's existing and expanding greenway system. 

.....

But, Heater said, there's no money allocated in Mecklenburg County's Capital Improvement Plan for new parks in the university area. She said two land owners have said they will donate the land at the University City Boulevard stop for that park, which is near a planned entertainment district. But the question remains on how to finance the park, which could cost $15 million to $20 million.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/10/16/significant-residential-supply-infrastructure.html

Edited October 16, 2017 by kermit

[Nick2]

I've done landscaping, concrete pouring, and stonework before. I don't understand how a park can cost that much. I'd like to see where the dollars go to specifically. I have a feeling it goes multiple places that don't have to do with the park.

[tozmervo]

22 hours ago, Nick2 said:

I've done landscaping, concrete pouring, and stonework before. I don't understand how a park can cost that much. I'd like to see where the dollars go to specifically. I have a feeling it goes multiple places that don't have to do with the park.

At the low end, the math is about $60/SF for a 5 acre park. Grading, soil enhancements, turf, reinforced turf (if to be driven on), good quality hardscaping, planting beds, irrigation, underground electric power & lights, restroom buildings, plants, design fees, construction fees, etc. $60/SF actually doesn't seem like enough. 

[Nick2]

I suppose there are a lot of things that are done that I don't take into account. It's just absolutely nuts to me to have a park cost 60/sf.

I'd bet if UPers were to start out from the base land price and built it out the best way we could, we'd end up with an amazing park for a fraction of the price. 

Have to keep in mind that the people in charge of the whole process don't necessarily care about how good the park turns out or the cost. Although it obviously has to be reasonable in case there's public displeasure with it.

[jtmonk]

9 hours ago, Nick2 said:

I suppose there are a lot of things that are done that I don't take into account. It's just absolutely nuts to me to have a park cost 60/sf.

I'd bet if UPers were to start out from the base land price and built it out the best way we could, we'd end up with an amazing park for a fraction of the price. 

Have to keep in mind that the people in charge of the whole process don't necessarily care about how good the park turns out or the cost. Although it obviously has to be reasonable in case there's public displeasure with it.

Sorry but i have to disagree with your last statement.  I'm a city planner and the city I work for is in the process of revamping many of the city parks and rec centers.  Believe me when I say that the people in charge do care a whole lot about how well the park turns out, there job is on the line.  

[southslider]

A large regional park is already planned and funded near BLE. Just too bad it sits across NCRR from OCR Station and even deep off Eastway Dr for bus, bike and walk access.

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, jtmonk said:

Sorry but i have to disagree with your last statement.  I'm a city planner and the city I work for is in the process of revamping many of the city parks and rec centers.  Believe me when I say that the people in charge do care a whole lot about how well the park turns out, there job is on the line.  

yea I was going to say. What kind of monster wouldn't care about a public amenity. These people are elected officials a lot of times, their actions of consequences in their careers.

[Matthew.Brendan]

42 minutes ago, southslider said:

A large regional park is already planned and funded near BLE. Just too bad it sits across NCRR from OCR Station and even deep off Eastway Dr for bus, bike and walk access.

 

Which park are you talking about?

[southslider]

4 hours ago, Matthew.Brendan said:

Which park are you talking about?

Eastway Community Park. The park exists, but a new recreation center is planned within a short distance of Old Concord Rd station, as the bird flies. But a very long distance as anyone would walk, bike, or bus. So much for planning healthy communities, when a car is still needed to access a recreation center.

[michaelef]

This article has some pictures and a video of the light display at the parking deck on the BLE

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article179772221.html

[KJHburg]

University City station lots of development going on around here. New Blu Northline apartments to the south and across the street (Tryon) new apartments going up by Oxford Properties (sitework right now) . Rumored TopGolf 2 blocks behind the station.  More sitework being down right next to the station. 

[Popsickle]

1 minute ago, KJHburg said:

University City station lots of development going on around here. New Blu Northline apartments to the south and across the street (Tryon) new apartments going up by Oxford Properties (sitework right now) . Rumored TopGolf 2 blocks behind the station.  More sitework being down right next to the station. 

That waffle House is going to make a killing of drunk college kids coming back from a night on the town!

[kermit]

it appears that the NS tracks around 36th street have now been completely switched over to the new overpass. The work to reopen 36th street can now begin....

[11 HouseBZ]

5 hours ago, kermit said:

The work to reopen 36th street can now begin....

Please for the love of anything holy begin so it can reopen. Very inconvenient right now. 

[southslider]

^Not by March 24, 2018

 

[KJHburg]

Several stations on the Extension today.  Parkwood station area and Old Concord Rd station. 

[Scribe]

Finally! Full speed testing is here: https://twitter.com/BLEupdates/status/923550218645397504

[LKN704]

The pegboard PIDS screens seem to be activated at all stations, flashing between the date, time, and station name. 

[AP3]

Liking the bike storage structures along the light rail extension.

The street lights have been replaced with nice LED poles. Also planting is occurring in the buffer between the rail and Tryon. The Maples look good in the buffer between the sidewalk and Tryon.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dubone]

The arms were down a long time at 8th and 9th St during the game.  Every did trust the risk and turned around after a while instead of jumping the arms, but it is not a good idea to make that mistake especially during the NFL game because I'm sure it triggered some anger against the train that was unnecessary.   Mistakes happen, but it did affect people negatively.

It appeared the red lights were still on but the arms up when we came back through after the game.

 

Albeit far less frustrating/ growing pains than what NoDa has dealt with, but it will be a welcome reprieve when it opens.  

[KJHburg]

WSOCTV Channel 9 is reporting tonight another$15.3 million is needed by CATS to complete LYNX BL extension.  This is on top of $25 Million needed 8 months ago.  No delay in opening is expected.