Well I disagree with you on this one David. Property values may increase near a transit stop, but not simply next to a train track. Property values are reduced by proximity to an active rail line. Here the noise would be exacerbated by the curve. Train wheels make much more noise when negotiating a curve. The project would require moving existing natural gas lines (yes, more than one) and moving the current freight rails even closer to the residential properties. And the crossing at 182nd is problematic. They may go under it to prevent impact to this busy road. But in all honesty, with the type of traffic analysis they use (VMT) they will not even be able characterize the traffic impact of trains every ten minutes.
The logical choice is down the middle of Hawthorne, elevated. It will not impact traffic. it is well distanced from commercial development and it is no impact on residential development. The stop will be a short walk from Redondo’s bus transit center and right next to the Galleria. This choice is so obvious, it is amazing that there is even a debate.
The metro train. A couple of years ago I went to a meeting on this. The topic was which route. I asked a guy from the metro why they didn't run it down the right of way between Condom and Firmona. I live on 171st and Firmona and we hear the freight trains a couple times a day to the delight of my little neighbor boy. My argument was it would be cheaper and less disruptive than tearing up Hawthorne Blvd. The guy said the metro entity or some such government entity already owned that right of way and the train lines pay them to use it. Well, when I stood up to root for the current right of way the silence was deafening. Why reinvent the wheel, get into lawsuits over inverse condemnation from businesses on Hawthorne Blvd when they can run another set of tracks, keep collecting from the train lines already using the right of way. At least I wasn't stoned.
One of many studies showing a negative impact on property values. This one concludes an average of 20% drop in property value. And it shows that proximity to a station raises values. However, in this case the distance to the station is significantly increased because the residential development is on the wrong side of the rails and has limited crossing points for the residential neighborhood to access the station.
Well I disagree with you on this one David. Property values may increase near a transit stop, but not simply next to a train track. Property values are reduced by proximity to an active rail line. Here the noise would be exacerbated by the curve. Train wheels make much more noise when negotiating a curve. The project would require moving existing natural gas lines (yes, more than one) and moving the current freight rails even closer to the residential properties. And the crossing at 182nd is problematic. They may go under it to prevent impact to this busy road. But in all honesty, with the type of traffic analysis they use (VMT) they will not even be able characterize the traffic impact of trains every ten minutes.
The logical choice is down the middle of Hawthorne, elevated. It will not impact traffic. it is well distanced from commercial development and it is no impact on residential development. The stop will be a short walk from Redondo’s bus transit center and right next to the Galleria. This choice is so obvious, it is amazing that there is even a debate.
The metro train. A couple of years ago I went to a meeting on this. The topic was which route. I asked a guy from the metro why they didn't run it down the right of way between Condom and Firmona. I live on 171st and Firmona and we hear the freight trains a couple times a day to the delight of my little neighbor boy. My argument was it would be cheaper and less disruptive than tearing up Hawthorne Blvd. The guy said the metro entity or some such government entity already owned that right of way and the train lines pay them to use it. Well, when I stood up to root for the current right of way the silence was deafening. Why reinvent the wheel, get into lawsuits over inverse condemnation from businesses on Hawthorne Blvd when they can run another set of tracks, keep collecting from the train lines already using the right of way. At least I wasn't stoned.
One of many studies showing a negative impact on property values. This one concludes an average of 20% drop in property value. And it shows that proximity to a station raises values. However, in this case the distance to the station is significantly increased because the residential development is on the wrong side of the rails and has limited crossing points for the residential neighborhood to access the station.
http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/bestpractice162.pdf