Bellevue Light Rail/East Link thread - Page 7

CityView Jim · March 10th, 2010, 06:01 PM

I'm just curious, who gives a rat's ass what the Bellevue City Council says?! Do they have ANY decision-making authority?

HAWC1506 · March 11th, 2010, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CityView Jim

I'm just curious, who gives a rat's ass what the Bellevue City Council says?! Do they have ANY decision-making authority?

Not after this...They're only damaging their credibility with continuous, pointless debate. I highly doubt ST is willing to spend more money studying B7. As I understand it, preliminary engineering work has already started for B3.

bgwah · March 11th, 2010, 05:03 AM

Interesting to see Bellevue adopt the Seattle process.

Backstrom · March 11th, 2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgwah

Interesting to see Bellevue adopt the Seattle process.

This has nothing to do with the Seattle process. This is very different.

Publicola's article on the violation of the Open Meetings Act:
http://www.publicola.net/2010/03/09/...gs-violations/

BellevueBoy · March 11th, 2010, 09:18 AM

Is B7 the "Vision Line"?

BellevueBoy · March 11th, 2010, 09:22 AM

Okay just read up a little more and it is the vision line. I'm ashamed that half our city council is made up of goons who are collecting checks under the table from Kemper Freeman. Luckily I'm pretty sure the city has no say on the final design of East Link. The preferred route is just that, a preferred route for the city but at the end of the day ST will make the final call.

CityView Jim · March 11th, 2010, 04:49 PM

And in 4 more years we will have yet another council opinion and perhaps another sway. This is all so silly. That's why we have the transit board. Not happy? Get on the board I guess!

CrazyAboutCities · March 11th, 2010, 07:01 PM

I am not really familiar how this system works.... Does Sound Transit board has more power to make decide which routes than Bellevue councilors? Or Bellevue councilors have more power to stop or change the route? I hope it is possible for Sound Transit board to ignore Bellevue councilors and go ahead build it though downtown Bellevue.

meku · March 11th, 2010, 08:55 PM

In the end, from what I understand, it's Sound Transit's decision ( they have the voters approval and authority). The Bellevue City Council can only express their preferred route (and possibly sue ST if they won't like what ST picks ). But even that would probably only delay the start/finish of the construction.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

sequoias · March 12th, 2010, 05:00 AM

Not again....When will Bellevue make up their damn minds?

uwhuskies · March 13th, 2010, 08:36 PM

I go to Portland every other week for my company to manage the accounts there. The last several visits I have gone to the 24 HR Fitness near the Beaverton Light Rail station.

Why does Bellevue think that a SURFACE station has to look ugly and/or not fit into the Bellevue image. That is poppycock! The Beaverton station is awesome! Great density AND open plazas that are tastefully done with PLENTY of parking nearby albeit not all the parking structures allow Tri-Met parking.

Beaverton has similar demographics and size to Bellevue.

By the way, I am so envious regarding the new Transit Mall shelters that Tri-Met has installed in Downtown Portland. Seattle's Metro should hang their head in shame! EVERY Tri-Met bus shelter is a modern, glass structure that is brightly lit with its own flat screen LCD displaying the bus times. Is there anyway we can swap our crappy Metro design/planners for those who are working for Tri-Met. I will try to remember to take a picture on my next visit, but it just might cause mass depression to Seattle transit boosters if I post them

Found this link for the new Portland shelter design...sigh

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...Day_Shot_2.jpg

alexjonlin · March 13th, 2010, 09:23 PM

Beaverton doesn't have nearly the scale of Bellevue though. I can see why Bellevue doesn't want a surface alignment in their downtown, as it would probably cause more congestion and end up in a lot of car accidents. I really hope they can get the tunnel option.
In San Francisco and a few other places, they've gotten their crappy shelters replaced by nice ones by selling advertising rights and using the money to build new shelters. So lots of SF's shelters have a big ad on them, but they also look like this: http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content...ith-wifi-1.jpg. I think it's definitely worth it.

just4ivaylo · March 13th, 2010, 10:49 PM

Actually, from what I've seen, the Tri-Met shelters are usually very ugly and not maintained. However, that one looks pretty nice.

uwhuskies · March 13th, 2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexjonlin

Beaverton doesn't have nearly the scale of Bellevue though. I can see why Bellevue doesn't want a surface alignment in their downtown, as it would probably cause more congestion and end up in a lot of car accidents. I really hope they can get the tunnel option.
In San Francisco and a few other places, they've gotten their crappy shelters replaced by nice ones by selling advertising rights and using the money to build new shelters. So lots of SF's shelters have a big ad on them, but they also look like this: http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content...ith-wifi-1.jpg. I think it's definitely worth it.

Yeah San Francisco has nice shelters (though I am so envious of the new ones that Porland has for their transit mall) but Metro does not want to appear to cozy up with business.

WTF is it with the darn government is holier than business attitude? I was born here and it still puzzles me. That is why those expensive latrines the city of Seattle had to yank out due to constant breakdowns--there was no corporate sponsor to pay for appropriate upkeep.

Seattle turned down corporations that offered to pay AND maintain those toilets so that they could appear distant from business. These old rivalries and laws that prevent business and government from partnering need to be removed to the trash heap of history. What the heck do these politicians think their precious tax revenues come from anyways?

uwhuskies · March 13th, 2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just4ivaylo

Actually, from what I've seen, the Tri-Met shelters are usually very ugly and not maintained. However, that one looks pretty nice.

you should see them at night...very cool. the entire shelter is immersed in light with the columns lighting up (the columns are a honeycomb of metal that has embedded lights)

HAWC1506 · March 14th, 2010, 01:46 AM

I'm liking the shelters. The problem I have is that we are likely not to maintain the glass in a way that will keep it looking nice for a long time. Just take a look at the Rainier Valley stations. Nice design, but the lack of maintenance ruins it.

just4ivaylo · March 14th, 2010, 08:02 AM

Exactly. It won't be cleaned regularly and it will become an eyesore. It looks great though.

HAWC1506 · March 15th, 2010, 08:59 AM

I think what would make the elevated tracks look much better would be if they padded the concrete with a casing of some sort. Some of the concrete at Tukwila station is padded with a metal mesh casing. I think that looks very nice.

The airport station on the other hand has too much exposed concrete. Either pad it or paint it.

Here's padding.

CrazyAboutCities · March 15th, 2010, 07:14 PM

I think this shelter design in Galleria area in Houston metro area is great fit for downtown Bellevue. I tried to post the picture from flickr here but it seen doesn't working...

just4ivaylo · March 15th, 2010, 10:55 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saveena/231066185/

This? I don't like the way it slopes into the ground. I'd rather have a much more "straight" type of bus stop. However, you have to take into consideration that this area is one (if not the most) rich area of Houston. Everything is a lot better maintained there than anywhere else in the city.

March 13th, 2010, 08:36 PM	#131
uwhuskies Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 646 Likes (Received): 3	I go to Portland every other week for my company to manage the accounts there. The last several visits I have gone to the 24 HR Fitness near the Beaverton Light Rail station. Why does Bellevue think that a SURFACE station has to look ugly and/or not fit into the Bellevue image. That is poppycock! The Beaverton station is awesome! Great density AND open plazas that are tastefully done with PLENTY of parking nearby albeit not all the parking structures allow Tri-Met parking. Beaverton has similar demographics and size to Bellevue. By the way, I am so envious regarding the new Transit Mall shelters that Tri-Met has installed in Downtown Portland. Seattle's Metro should hang their head in shame! EVERY Tri-Met bus shelter is a modern, glass structure that is brightly lit with its own flat screen LCD displaying the bus times. Is there anyway we can swap our crappy Metro design/planners for those who are working for Tri-Met. I will try to remember to take a picture on my next visit, but it just might cause mass depression to Seattle transit boosters if I post them Found this link for the new Portland shelter design...sigh http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...Day_Shot_2.jpg Last edited by uwhuskies; March 13th, 2010 at 08:44 PM.

March 15th, 2010, 08:59 AM	#138
HAWC1506 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,269 Likes (Received): 15	I think what would make the elevated tracks look much better would be if they padded the concrete with a casing of some sort. Some of the concrete at Tukwila station is padded with a metal mesh casing. I think that looks very nice. The airport station on the other hand has too much exposed concrete. Either pad it or paint it. Here's padding. Last edited by HAWC1506; March 15th, 2010 at 09:05 AM. Reason: Added picture

March 15th, 2010, 07:14 PM	#139
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	I think this shelter design in Galleria area in Houston metro area is great fit for downtown Bellevue. I tried to post the picture from flickr here but it seen doesn't working... Last edited by CrazyAboutCities; March 15th, 2010 at 07:21 PM. Reason: The picture won't show up.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

March 10th, 2010, 06:01 PM	#121
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,941 Likes (Received): 61	I'm just curious, who gives a rat's ass what the Bellevue City Council says?! Do they have ANY decision-making authority?

March 11th, 2010, 05:03 AM	#123
bgwah honk!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,733 Likes (Received): 76	Interesting to see Bellevue adopt the Seattle process.

March 11th, 2010, 09:18 AM	#125
BellevueBoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,058 Likes (Received): 0	Is B7 the "Vision Line"?

March 11th, 2010, 09:22 AM	#126
BellevueBoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,058 Likes (Received): 0	Okay just read up a little more and it is the vision line. I'm ashamed that half our city council is made up of goons who are collecting checks under the table from Kemper Freeman. Luckily I'm pretty sure the city has no say on the final design of East Link. The preferred route is just that, a preferred route for the city but at the end of the day ST will make the final call.

March 11th, 2010, 04:49 PM	#127
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,941 Likes (Received): 61	And in 4 more years we will have yet another council opinion and perhaps another sway. This is all so silly. That's why we have the transit board. Not happy? Get on the board I guess!

March 11th, 2010, 07:01 PM	#128
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	I am not really familiar how this system works.... Does Sound Transit board has more power to make decide which routes than Bellevue councilors? Or Bellevue councilors have more power to stop or change the route? I hope it is possible for Sound Transit board to ignore Bellevue councilors and go ahead build it though downtown Bellevue.

March 11th, 2010, 08:55 PM	#129
meku Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 979 Likes (Received): 15	In the end, from what I understand, it's Sound Transit's decision ( they have the voters approval and authority). The Bellevue City Council can only express their preferred route (and possibly sue ST if they won't like what ST picks ). But even that would probably only delay the start/finish of the construction. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

March 12th, 2010, 05:00 AM	#130
sequoias Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midwest US Posts: 1,601 Likes (Received): 0	Not again....When will Bellevue make up their damn minds?

March 13th, 2010, 09:23 PM	#132
alexjonlin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,248 Likes (Received): 82	Beaverton doesn't have nearly the scale of Bellevue though. I can see why Bellevue doesn't want a surface alignment in their downtown, as it would probably cause more congestion and end up in a lot of car accidents. I really hope they can get the tunnel option. In San Francisco and a few other places, they've gotten their crappy shelters replaced by nice ones by selling advertising rights and using the money to build new shelters. So lots of SF's shelters have a big ad on them, but they also look like this: http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content...ith-wifi-1.jpg. I think it's definitely worth it.

March 13th, 2010, 10:49 PM	#133
just4ivaylo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,968 Likes (Received): 29	Actually, from what I've seen, the Tri-Met shelters are usually very ugly and not maintained. However, that one looks pretty nice.

March 14th, 2010, 01:46 AM	#136
HAWC1506 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,269 Likes (Received): 15	I'm liking the shelters. The problem I have is that we are likely not to maintain the glass in a way that will keep it looking nice for a long time. Just take a look at the Rainier Valley stations. Nice design, but the lack of maintenance ruins it.

March 14th, 2010, 08:02 AM	#137
just4ivaylo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,968 Likes (Received): 29	Exactly. It won't be cleaned regularly and it will become an eyesore. It looks great though.

March 15th, 2010, 10:55 PM	#140
just4ivaylo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,968 Likes (Received): 29	http://www.flickr.com/photos/saveena/231066185/ This? I don't like the way it slopes into the ground. I'd rather have a much more "straight" type of bus stop. However, you have to take into consideration that this area is one (if not the most) rich area of Houston. Everything is a lot better maintained there than anywhere else in the city.