ext_243180 ([identity profile] jeffpaulsen.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] xthread 2010-07-28 05:44 pm (UTC)

thinking of it in terms of geographic range for walkers is very cool. However if MAX is a streetcar to an urban planner, then there seems to be a need for another category... distinctions between MAX and the portland streetcar:

MAX cost a metric buttload to build per mile
you have to wait a lot longer at a stop for the MAX you want
MAX largely connects suburban park&ride lots to a walkable downtown, whereas the streetcar connects different walkable areas into one awesome whole that you couldn't easily cover on foot yourself

I like stadiums as a place to have events, but I agree they don't drive development. Portland is going to run a zillion more streetcar lines in the next 5 years, some of which will even go through our "Rose Quarter" stadium district. It will be interesting to see if the streetcar development effect can overcome the stadium effect that it is its opposite.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting