2014-06-23 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gary Nelling, 850 Warder Avenue, University City, MO Mr. Nelling provided Council with a three-page letter covering in more detail some of the topics previously presented. He thought it was marvelous that the City desired to have a trolley system however there were four metrics that every successful trolley system that he has looked at follows, and currently University City only met one of the criteria. The first criteria is that they all originate in a downtown area; typically a central business district with a population of 12 to 18,000 people per square mile. University City has approximately 6,000 people per square mile and maybe a half to two-thirds of that in St. Louis north of Delmar. The second criterion is that every successful system has multiple desirable destinations. Currently University City’s system has the Loop and the History Museum. Mr. Nelling stated that the museum however, is not a well-attended destination. The third criterion is that these systems interface with other forms of public transportation, which University City does meet by interfacing with Metro-Link and busses. The fourth criterion is that they traverse broad boulevards and travel in a loop system which allows the trolley cars to be spaced no more than ten or twelve minutes apart in order to minimize the wait time. He stated that the only time these systems traverse a single boulevard is when it is broad enough to have two parallel tracks, with one series of cars going up, while the other series is going down. Mr. Nelling stated that he is not suggesting that the City abandon the trolley project, just that serious consideration be given to incorporating some of the criterion to ensure that University City reaches the point of other cities that operate successful systems. Primarily, to make a loop pattern on streets that are broad enough to handle traffic. He stated that the problem with the Loop Trolley system is the very narrow street. There is a center turn lane, two drive lanes and two parking lanes. So it will be difficult to sacrifice any of that to a trolley system and still maintain the kind of traffic and parking that the City now has, which is already at a deficit. Mr. Nelling stated that what he would suggest is to make a loop that starts at Delmar and Skinker, runs through the broader part of Delmar up to DeBaliviere, south on DeBaliviere to the History Museum and Forest Park; and then returns along Lindell through Forest Park; picking up at the Forest Park Trolley bus and Washington University bus; comes back down Skinker forming a loop. He stated if there was any chance of relooking at the City’s plan in light of the four criteria, he would certainly encourage it. Mayor Welsch stated that Council had received a letter from Ms. Carol Wofsey of 7171 Kingsbury Boulevard, University City, MO. She stated that Ms. Wofsey could not be at tonight’s meeting and asked that her communication be placed in the public record. Mayor Welsch stated that the letter has been passed on to the City Clerk. Hearing no further comments Mayor Welsch closed the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. J. CONSENT AGENDA K. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT 1. Approval of award to R.V. Wagner for Chamberlain Avenue bridge replacement project for $355,603.30. Mr. Glickert moved to approve, was seconded by Mr. Sharpe and the motion carried unanimously.