Omaha Streetcar: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
→See also: remove EL, per MOS:NOTSEEALSO |
→History: misc. cleanup, incl. per MOS:OVERLINK; needs more for tone/WP:NPOV |
||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
===Background=== |
===Background=== |
||
The Omaha-Council Bluffs streetcar era began operations in 1868. By 1890, the metropolitan area had {{convert|90|miles}} of tracks — more than any city except Boston. The [[Omaha Traction Company]] was the dominant private streetcar provider of the time; it was engulfed in repeated labor disputes.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 16, 1935 |title=Militia in Omaha After Fatal Riot |page=1 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/16/archives/militia-in-omaha-after-fatal-riot-1800-set-up-martial-law-with.html |accessdate=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 30, 1935 |title=New riots in Omaha; Bricks Bombard Street Cars in Revived Strike Outbreak |page=2 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/30/archives/new-riots-in-omaha-bricks-bombard-street-cars-in-revived-strike.html |accessdate=January 3, 2023}}</ref> By 1955, the city closed its |
The Omaha-Council Bluffs streetcar era began operations in 1868. By 1890, the metropolitan area had {{convert|90|miles}} of tracks — more than any city except Boston. The [[Omaha Traction Company]] was the dominant private streetcar provider of the time; it was engulfed in repeated labor disputes.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 16, 1935 |title=Militia in Omaha After Fatal Riot |page=1 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/16/archives/militia-in-omaha-after-fatal-riot-1800-set-up-martial-law-with.html |accessdate=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 30, 1935 |title=New riots in Omaha; Bricks Bombard Street Cars in Revived Strike Outbreak |page=2 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/30/archives/new-riots-in-omaha-bricks-bombard-street-cars-in-revived-strike.html |accessdate=January 3, 2023}}</ref> By 1955, the city closed its streetcar system in favor of buses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Jessica |date=January 26, 2022 |title=After years of stalled attempts, Omaha is on track to build a streetcar |url=https://omaha.com/news/local/after-years-of-stalled-attempts-omaha-is-on-track-to-build-a-streetcar/article_823d3656-7ebf-11ec-9acc-d33c669a6c2f.html |work=Omaha World-Herald |access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref> |
||
===Planning and development=== |
===Planning and development=== |
||
Planning and research for a new streetcar began between 2008 and 2009. An advanced conceptual engineering plan was first announced in 2014 and revised in 2018 by [[Metro Transit (Omaha)|Metro Transit]], with an estimated cost of $170 million. Rep. [[Don Bacon]] was unsuccessful in obtaining an $8 million [[earmark (politics)|earmark]] for the project in 2021.<ref>{{Cite |
Planning and research for a new streetcar system began between 2008 and 2009. An advanced conceptual engineering plan was first announced in 2014 and revised in 2018 by [[Metro Transit (Omaha)|Metro Transit]], with an estimated cost of $170 million. Rep. [[Don Bacon]] was unsuccessful in obtaining an $8 million [[earmark (politics)|earmark]] for the project in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gaarder|first1=Nancy|last2=Ristau|first2=Reece|title=Omaha officials sought $8 million for streetcar but didn't get federal earmark|url=https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/omaha-officials-sought-8-million-for-streetcar-but-didnt-get-federal-earmark/article_516ae066-d535-11eb-9406-dbc52d7b8da8.html|access-date=2022-01-31|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=June 29, 2021 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629213632/https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/omaha-officials-sought-8-million-for-streetcar-but-didnt-get-federal-earmark/article_516ae066-d535-11eb-9406-dbc52d7b8da8.html|archive-date=June 29, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
||
In 2022, a revised plan was announced by Mayor [[Jean Stothert]] and the [[Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce]]'s Urban Core Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Mobility System - City of Omaha|url=https://www.cityofomaha.org/total-mobility-system|access-date=2022-01-31|website=www.cityofomaha.org}}</ref> On December |
In 2022, a revised plan was announced by Mayor [[Jean Stothert]] and the [[Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce]]'s Urban Core Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Mobility System - City of Omaha|url=https://www.cityofomaha.org/total-mobility-system|access-date=2022-01-31|website=www.cityofomaha.org}}</ref> On December 13, 2022, the [[Omaha City Council]] approved the issuance of $440 million dollars in bonds to fund the streetcar. $360 million is projected to be paid back with property taxes through [[tax increment financing]], and $80 million from a lease purchase agreement<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Journal Record, City of Omaha City Council Meeting, Tuesday, December 13, 2022 |url=https://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/images/agenda/2022-12-13j.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505220026/https://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/images/agenda/2022-12-13j.pdf |archive-date=May 5, 2023}}</ref> |
||
The streetcar |
The streetcar would run on a {{convert|3|mile|km|adj=on|spell=in}} route from Cass to Farnam on South 10th Street, Farnam west to 42nd Street, and back to 10th Street on Harney. The streetcar is expected to be operational in 2026, and free for all riders.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 27, 2022|title='Now is the time to do it': City of Omaha aims for operational streetcar system by 2026|url=https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/now-is-the-time-to-do-it-city-of-omaha-aims-for-operational-streetcar-system-by-2026|access-date=2022-01-31|publisher=[[KMTV-TV|KMTV]]|language=en}}</ref> Future expansions north, south, and west in Omaha and [[Council Bluffs, Iowa]] are also proposed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chapman|first=John|title=Council Bluffs looks to link up with Omaha streetcar route|url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/01/26/council-bluffs-looks-link-up-omaha-streetcar-route/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=WOWT|language=en}}</ref> The proposal was endorsed by Governor of Nebraska [[Pete Ricketts]], [[Union Pacific Railroad]] President, chairman and CEO [[Lance Fritz]], and Mayor Matt Walsh of Council Bluffs.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} The streetcar is expected to start construction in 2024 and be completed in 2026 alongside the new [[Mutual of Omaha Headquarters Tower]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mannion |first=Annemarie |date=May 23, 2022 |title=Planned Streetcar Line Drives New Development in Omaha |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/54158-planned-streetcar-line-drives-new-development-in-omaha |work=[[Engineering News-Record]] Midwest |accessdate=January 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524121127/https://www.enr.com/articles/54158-planned-streetcar-line-drives-new-development-in-omaha |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cordes |first=Henry J. |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Mutual of Omaha tower will rise as tallest building on city skyline |url=https://omaha.com/news/local/mutual-of-omaha-tower-will-rise-as-tallest-building-on-city-skyline/article_a11ca01a-44f9-11ed-ab78-2f4872cee2c3.html |work=Omaha World-Herald |accessdate=January 3, 2023}}</ref> |
||
At the December |
At the December 6, 2022, Omaha City Council meeting a transportation expert who grew up in Omaha expressed the view that the [[Omaha Rapid Bus Transit]] (ORBT) is superior to the proposed streetcar line on almost all standard transportation measures: going over three times as far west to serve more potential riders and destinations, faster operating speed, and more trips/day – and at a far lower cost that does not require hundreds of millions of dollars of additional taxpayer capital. The expert went on to show per [[HDR, Inc.|HDR analysis]], that ORBT has two-thirds of the growth development ability of the proposed streetcar in the development corridor under study, and since ORBT was approved for implementation years ago and has been in operation for two years, most of the development potential of the Omaha streetcar has already been achieved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2022 |title=PRESENTATION TO THE OMAHA CITY COUNCIL re THE PROPOSED OMAHA STREETCAR |url=https://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/images/agenda/ID_22_12_13/ORD-43221b.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505215914/https://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/images/agenda/ID_22_12_13/ORD-43221b.pdf |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |website=Omaha City Council}}</ref> Investor [[Warren Buffett]], an Omaha resident and owner of [[Berkshire Hathaway]], published a [[letter to the editor]] in the ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]'' to oppose the street project. He cited its cost and inflexibility compared to a bus system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Funk |first=Josh |date=December 29, 2022 |title=Warren Buffett breaks local politics vow to say not in my backyard to $306 million Omaha streetcar project |url=https://fortune.com/2022/12/29/warren-buffett-opposes-omaha-streetcar-bus-local-politics-billionaire-investor-nimby/ |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=January 3, 2023}}</ref> |
||
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
Revision as of 08:28, 12 May 2023
| Omaha Streetcar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Approved | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | City of Omaha, Nebraska | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Omaha, Nebraska | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Streetcar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Planned opening | 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 3.0 mi (4.8 km) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Character | Streetcar in mixed traffic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Omaha Streetcar is a proposed streetcar in Omaha, Nebraska.
History
Background
The Omaha-Council Bluffs streetcar era began operations in 1868. By 1890, the metropolitan area had 90 miles (140 km) of tracks — more than any city except Boston. The Omaha Traction Company was the dominant private streetcar provider of the time; it was engulfed in repeated labor disputes.[1][2] By 1955, the city closed its streetcar system in favor of buses.[3]
Planning and development
Planning and research for a new streetcar system began between 2008 and 2009. An advanced conceptual engineering plan was first announced in 2014 and revised in 2018 by Metro Transit, with an estimated cost of $170 million. Rep. Don Bacon was unsuccessful in obtaining an $8 million earmark for the project in 2021.[4]
In 2022, a revised plan was announced by Mayor Jean Stothert and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce's Urban Core Committee.[5] On December 13, 2022, the Omaha City Council approved the issuance of $440 million dollars in bonds to fund the streetcar. $360 million is projected to be paid back with property taxes through tax increment financing, and $80 million from a lease purchase agreement[6]
The streetcar would run on a three-mile (4.8 km) route from Cass to Farnam on South 10th Street, Farnam west to 42nd Street, and back to 10th Street on Harney. The streetcar is expected to be operational in 2026, and free for all riders.[7] Future expansions north, south, and west in Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa are also proposed.[8] The proposal was endorsed by Governor of Nebraska Pete Ricketts, Union Pacific Railroad President, chairman and CEO Lance Fritz, and Mayor Matt Walsh of Council Bluffs.[citation needed] The streetcar is expected to start construction in 2024 and be completed in 2026 alongside the new Mutual of Omaha Headquarters Tower.[9][10]
At the December 6, 2022, Omaha City Council meeting a transportation expert who grew up in Omaha expressed the view that the Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) is superior to the proposed streetcar line on almost all standard transportation measures: going over three times as far west to serve more potential riders and destinations, faster operating speed, and more trips/day – and at a far lower cost that does not require hundreds of millions of dollars of additional taxpayer capital. The expert went on to show per HDR analysis, that ORBT has two-thirds of the growth development ability of the proposed streetcar in the development corridor under study, and since ORBT was approved for implementation years ago and has been in operation for two years, most of the development potential of the Omaha streetcar has already been achieved.[11] Investor Warren Buffett, an Omaha resident and owner of Berkshire Hathaway, published a letter to the editor in the Omaha World-Herald to oppose the street project. He cited its cost and inflexibility compared to a bus system.[12]
See also
- Light rail in the United States
- Streetcars in North America
- Transportation in Omaha
- General Motors streetcar conspiracy
References
- ^ "Militia in Omaha After Fatal Riot". The New York Times. June 16, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "New riots in Omaha; Bricks Bombard Street Cars in Revived Strike Outbreak". The New York Times. June 30, 1935. p. 2. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ Wade, Jessica (January 26, 2022). "After years of stalled attempts, Omaha is on track to build a streetcar". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Gaarder, Nancy; Ristau, Reece (June 29, 2021). "Omaha officials sought $8 million for streetcar but didn't get federal earmark". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Total Mobility System - City of Omaha". www.cityofomaha.org. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Journal Record, City of Omaha City Council Meeting, Tuesday, December 13, 2022" (PDF). December 13, 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2023.
- ^ "'Now is the time to do it': City of Omaha aims for operational streetcar system by 2026". KMTV. January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ Chapman, John. "Council Bluffs looks to link up with Omaha streetcar route". WOWT. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ Mannion, Annemarie (May 23, 2022). "Planned Streetcar Line Drives New Development in Omaha". Engineering News-Record Midwest. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ Cordes, Henry J. (October 10, 2022). "Mutual of Omaha tower will rise as tallest building on city skyline". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ "PRESENTATION TO THE OMAHA CITY COUNCIL re THE PROPOSED OMAHA STREETCAR" (PDF). Omaha City Council. December 6, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ Funk, Josh (December 29, 2022). "Warren Buffett breaks local politics vow to say not in my backyard to $306 million Omaha streetcar project". Fortune. Associated Press. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
External links
- Official Streetcar Website
- The Secret Scam of Streetcars: How to Sell a 100-Year-Old Technology as the Future of Transportation
.jpg){kind=small} | This article related to light rail in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |