Daily Willie Green Choo-Choo thread.
Posted on 07/29/2010 11:51:36 AM PDT by Willie Green
The historic Longview Junction Train Depot will undergo a major restoration effort thanks to federal funds totaling $2,169,461. In addition to the federal funds, the City of Longview is required to provide $450,000 as a local match. The City of Longview acquired the building from Union Pacific in 2009 and has a 20 year lease on the land.
The project includes the restoration and rehabilitation of the depot. The restored depot will be a part of the Longview Transportation Center, which will serve as a central multimodal area for Longview that would include access to Amtrak, Longview Transit, Greyhound, and more.
A master plan has been prepared that recommends returning the circa 1940 structure to its original condition with attention given to historical accuracy. The depot building is approximately 9,300 square feet, but only a small portion of the building is currently occupied.
The depot currently serves Amtrak passenger services and is a communication site for Union Pacific Railroad. This project would allow for the full utilization of the building with services that enhance transportation convenience and efficiency while securing its place in history.
Although well maintained, Lonview station does look like it could use a little refurbishment/restoration to provide service standards expected by 21st Century travelers.
from donations?
Apparently, the definition of "match" has changed, when dealing with the gubmint...
More stimulus cash down the toilet.
Wow, the Longview Station served 79 people per day last year.
A real Grand Central Station over there in east Texas.
it would be cheeper to buy them cars and personal drivers for life.
Good point.
$2,169,46 / 365 = $5943 dollars per day
$5943 / 79 = 75 bucks per person.
Assuming a 10-year lifetime of these "improvements", they could pay for it all by a 7.50 increase in the fare.
But why bother? Uncle Sam will do it....
Obama’s train station to nowhere...
Your tax dollars at waste.
Isn’t this like painting the outhouse?
How many people put their kids in substandard schools, or went without a family vacation to fund this boondogle? At least they can all sleep tonight knowing Willie Green is happy.
I enjoy historical railway stations quite a bit but if we want to preserve them without spending public money, let’s turn them into a restaurant/bar or another legitimate business that adds to the economy.
Kinda like this place does:
Wow, the Longview Station served 79 people per day last year.
A real Grand Central Station over there in east Texas.
Granted, Longview isn't quite as busy as Dallas, Fort Worth or San Antonio... but many passengers enjoy the convenience of having brief "whistle stops" in smaller communities that the airlines typically scoff at as "flyover country."
Amtrak provides convenient, efficient service to communities that the airlines ignore.
“Amtrak provides convenient, efficient service to communities that the airlines ignore.”
If Amtrak was such a great idea why do I, the American Tax Payer have to subsidize Amtrak at a rate of $100.00 per rider?
Seems to me that those people in “flyover country” could pay their full freight and not burden the American Tax Payer with their transportation costs.
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6146
But, now that you have revealed that you wish for me to subsidize your personal transportation costs, is there anything else that I can do for you?
Make a house payment.
Pay your electric bill
Help you sign-up for Welfare?
I enjoy historical railway stations quite a bit but if we want to preserve them without spending public money, let’s turn them into a restaurant/bar or another legitimate business that adds to the economy.
I don't think that the ideas are mutually exclusive.
In fact, I think local transit planners should work with local developers and business community to provide upscale services that cater to travelers. IOW, a refurbished intermodal rail station can not only spark local investment in nearby restaurants, but also hotels/motels and entertainment businesses that are frequented by travelers.
As I’ve mentioned before, Amtrak in Texas is neither convenient or efficient, and it’s not for lack of government investment either.
Amtrak from Dallas to Longview: $33.00.
Greyhound from Dallas to Longview: $24.64
Greyhound ostensibly takes a bit longer, but Amtrak is never on time so you can figure your trip would take about the same amount of time.
Why take Amtrak, again?
Make a house payment.
Pay your electric bill
Help you sign-up for Welfare?
LOL. I may have use that some day.
With whoppers like that, and the other socialist propaganda you post, your nose should reach from Houston to Dallas.
It won’t shock you to know that even with 39 plus years of federal subsidy, Amtrak now takes 42 minutes longer between Dallas and Longview than the privately owned Missouri Pacific Railroad did 60 years ago.
Daily Willie Green Choo-Choo thread.
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