Comments on: Update On Desire Named Street Car

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:15:19 +0000

Rod – Commenter named “WHAT?” is correct. You’re off.

EDITOR NOTE– Where is obvious! Where is Why? Who really knows What? No, Who is prime minister of China and he replaced When. That’s What. Wrong, What is in Boise.

By: cyclops

cyclops — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:17:31 +0000

TEAM DAVE has already stated they will continue with the project by applying for other federal dollars. I seriously doubt this is over unless we can unseat the current mayor and at least three of the city council.

By: Al

Al — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:57:38 +0000

Thank god we didn’t get the TIGER funds to support this street car. It is going to ruin the unique character of downtown Boise and it is a big waste of money that is going to run a bunch of business out because of the tax increase they will be faced with. What do we have to do to STOP this street car business? I am serious, this needs to be put to an end!!!!

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:47:59 +0000

If “What?” is commenting on health insurance reform, he is way wrong. Reforming the health insurance system is wildly popular. In fact, most Americans favor a single payer system. And furthermore, Obama isn’t doing it by himself, Congress is doing most of the work on that issue.

As to his claim of 65% opposition to the streetcar to nowhere, I don’t think there has been any polling done on that. I am willing to bet that about 65% of Boiseans ARE opposed to the streetcar to nowhere, they just haven’t been asked.

Comparing Obama and health insurance reform with Bieter and the streetcar is not realistic. Obama has to deal with Congress. Bieter just has a few like-thinking yes-persons on the city council. The mayor needs a tighter leash than Obama and 535 other elected officials.

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:19:40 +0000

Headline news: no TIGER funds for Boise streetcar. Will the city continue to pursue the project without federal backing?

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:03:12 +0000

TJ, maybe your memory has faded, but rush hour traffic on Fairview/Main was considerable, even approaching gridlock back in the 70s and 80s. With the metro area having doubled since the Broadway Chinden connector opened, traffic on Fairview/Main would simply be unacceptable. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

There is a plan for an Urban Renewal District for the Fairview/Main Corridor to help fix damage done by the lack of traffic. BG and many others don’t like it but offer few solutions and mumble about free market. Free market solutions would be great if a free market actually existed.

In reality, there all kinds of zoning restrictions, to make a long story short.

You are aware of the Blueprint Boise/30th Street Master Plan draft #42 /:-) open house at Idaho History Museum, Thursday at 6pm.

By: TJ

TJ — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:14:15 +0000

I would be thrilled if they ripped up the connector. I used to work in the downtown for about 30 years but don’t even like going there anymore. The connector made the area from 16th going west into a vast wasteland because all the traffic was diverted away from the businesses on Main and Fairview. The city bought all the car lots on Main and is still sitting on the purchase which is generating no tax dollars for the city. What a damn waste. I own property in Boise near the 30th street wasteland, but live in Eagle where the city fathers and mothers are even more greedy and shortsighted than Bieter and his gang. What a system we have.

I can’t imagine a trolley being a magnet for tourists in the area where it is being proposed.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:02:38 +0000

A greenbelt from Lucky Peak Dam to Centennial Park in Caldwell would be a recreational asset to the valley.

The Rails to Trails projects in Sun Valley/Hailey/Bellvue as well at the Trail of Coeur d Alene’s and the Trail of the Hiawatha have really helped the tourism in Idaho.

Too bad the Compass/Mayors/Politicos of the valley can’t figure this one out. It would be something people of all ages could use to commute, recreate and enjoy.

I can’t imagine a trail would cost nearly as much as a trolly and the bike trail would be used by people.

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:06:14 +0000

Hello everyone! Did you see today’s Statesman article about the passing of Bill Onweiler? You know, the father of the Greenbelt.

The nattering nabobs of negativism said the same thing back in ’68, ’69 and ’70 about the greenbelt and Onweiler’s grandiose plan. It’s too expensive they wailed. We can’t afford it. After all, where would they dump their garbage and entrails once the river became a place for recreation?

Fast forward 40 years, and try to imagine tearing out the greenbelt and selling off the land to the highest bidder. Yeah, that’ll go over like a lead balloon.

Back track 30 years and the same nabobs nattered about the Broadway Chinden Connector. Too expensive. Tax money this, tax money that. Again, try to imagine ripping up the Connector today and hauling it to the dump. Ain’t gonna happen.

I would call myself Boise-Optimist except for having to hear all this myopic tripe.

Ok, gotta go for a walk on the greenbelt to cool off. L8tr!

By: WHAT?

WHAT? — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:12:26 +0000

Rod – not sure what planet you are on….Obama wants to change a system that 62% of voters DO NOT want changed… and the Mayor wants a streetcar that 65% of the voters DO NOT support. Neither are doing what the MAJORITY of voters want.