Comments on: Sunday Open Thread: Our Train Station

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:42:17 +0000

Thinking harder :-) I wonder if the overpass on the line of Weller Street could be extended to form a nice walkway to ID station. Perhaps 4th Street could dive to track level and back… It’s a bit out-of-the-way, but it makes for a decent connection to Link if signed properly.

The sidewalk across 4th would need to be much improved (and widened), and the “Union Station Parking Garage” would need its entrance relocated. A *parking garage entrance* is occupying prime walking space….

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:29:01 +0000

Looking at it, I believe the correct method is to build an overpass over the tracks, with the steps & elevators to platforms right across the freight tracks and across 4th Street into International District Station.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:56:41 +0000

No. The Landmarks Preservation Board rejected the Greyhound station for preservation in Feb 2008, because the remodel in the 60′s had ‘compromised the architectural integrity’.

The proposal for 811 Stewart (below) shows a completely new design and the DPD website notes “existing office structure and bus station to be demolished”.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3008299-&-3008442AgendaID2141.pdf

By: Matt the Engineer

Matt the Engineer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:59:54 +0000

Great! Thanks.

By: Jeff Doppmann

Jeff Doppmann — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:03:17 +0000

I used Link to get home three weeks ago. There is good signage in the baggage claim area that leads the way to the station. If you tell them to follow the signs to the parking garage and walk north they cant miss it if they do not go to baggage claim.

By: Matt the Engineer

Matt the Engineer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:53:10 +0000

Does anyone know if the airport has good sinage to get to Link? My parents are flying in for a visit this week, and I need to know how much instruction I’ll need to give them to find the station.

By: Erik G.

Erik G. — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:25:40 +0000

I hope Mr. Former Mayor is having fun in Cambridge riding on the “Trackless Trolleys” and checking out the Red Line, the Green Line as well as the rest of the “T”.

By: Tim F.

Tim F. — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:32:19 +0000

I resent that. while not perfect I think we do a pretty damn good job considering we have no extra engines, run on someone else’s tracks, etc.

By: Tim F.

Tim F. — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:30:06 +0000

there’s no way this is actually greg nickels!

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:07:47 +0000

Chicago’s loop area Metra/Amtrak stations’ platforms are indoors (underground or part of larger buildings)

By: aw

aw — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:01:48 +0000

Here’s another unused train shed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communipaw_Terminal

Now a part of Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

By: alexjonlin

alexjonlin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:46:35 +0000

Maybe he means they will preserve the facade like on some of those SLU buildings?

By: litlnemo

litlnemo — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:38:56 +0000

I love those roofs! Here’s one in York:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/litlnemo/2872868995/

By: litlnemo

litlnemo — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:36:14 +0000

This page has more info: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreet.htm

By: Crazy Man

Crazy Man — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:20:04 +0000

I just use my Clear Wimax USB modem. Works great in Sounder and Metro buses.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:53:18 +0000

Short answer is I think “Nope”, though some of the structures still exist. St. Louis retains it’s train shed, but the train’s don’t run to that station. Same in Philadelphia where a train shed is now part of their convention center.

Others?

By: Mickymse

Mickymse — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:17:29 +0000

Really, lazarus?

The Las Vegas Monorail is one of the few examples of a private entity trying to provide public transit, and a great lesson in the hell that prevents more private businesses from doing so?

And just imagine if we built transit here that covered 100% of Operations & Maintenance!

There’s nothing all that “creative” about it. They’ve been trying to cover O&M and pay back all capital expenses, and do so in a down economy when folks aren’t quick to travel to Las Vegas and drop money, and they have not succeeded.

It’s a cautionary tale, to be sure, but not really that spectacular. If the city knows what’s good for them, they’ll kick in some taxpayer monies to help support it — and then extend it to their airport.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:09:06 +0000

Thanks for the details.

By: Tom Payne

Tom Payne — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:32:41 +0000

Not directly relevant, but clearly passengers and trains at king street station are exposed to the elements. Are there any train stations in the US which still have their big glass overall roofs? We’re lucky in the UK to still have almost all of ours

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:27:22 +0000

The old Greyhound site is scheduled for Hedreen’s 50 story hotel development. I’m pretty sure they won’t be keeping the station.