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People Mover inches toward reality
Robert Lapensee
Mar 29, 2006
NIAGARA FALLS -- The lengthy process of creating a new People Mover system for the Falls, stalled for some time, has moved forward after proposal architects found solutions to key issues holding it back.
But the solutions are just good enough to get the project to what is known as the request for proposal (RFP) stage, and there is more tweaking that needs to be done, said the project's director.
City politicians agreed to move forward to the next step after Ed Lustig, director of the People Mover project, and consultants David Schram, of Urban and Environment Management, and Doug Allingham, of Totten Sims Hubicki, addressed concerns they became aware of after public meetings. The concerns delayed council's go/no go decision from November 2005, giving Lustig and the partners (the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, Falls Management Co. and the Niagara Parks Commission) time to work out the kinks.
One of the major issues, closing the loop at the north end by the Rainbow Bridge, has been addressed by a proposal to see the city line and the park line connected by Bender Avenue and Falls Avenue.
"We felt it would be difficult to connect (at the north end at Clifton Hill)," said Lustig, adding an open loop opened possibilities for riders to walk around the Clifton Hill tourist area. "But we heard from the residents and the tourist people. They didn't want it that way."
"We came up with a pretty unique scheme that we think the tourism people were impressed with," said Allingham. The proposal will see every second or third train take a short route up Clifton Hill.
The NPC will keep its northbound and its two southbound lanes along Niagara Parkway from Table Rock to the Maid of the Mist open all year long with a northbound lane dedicated to the People Mover on a seasonal basis.
"This appears to be a very viable solution," said Allingham.
The NPC has also expressed its preference for a rail-based tram to use with its future vintage rail line through the park, but no decisions about what technology, other than it will be an at-grade system, have been made. Technology will be worked out in the RFP.
The use of the vintage rail line prompted some questions from council, wuch as whether riders will have to transfer one tram for another and then back to ride through the park.
Lustig said the People Mover system is designed to have one fare and the project leaders are looking at all angles.
The other challenge holding up the project was getting the People Mover into a portal built into the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. The portal was built into the design with a station planned for the second floor of the parking garage.
"We have concluded it is possible," said Allingham, adding more study is needed based on the technology, cost and impact on casino operations.
"In original discussions, we were talking about an elevated system," said Allingham. "They are not huge adjustments but there are adjustments that would have to be made. They have set aside some money."
They were several other concerns that arose out of the public meetings but Lustig said those kinks will be worked out in the RFP. He added the RFP will be ready for council approval in the fall. Plans would have the People Mover operating by 2010.
Louroz
Robert Lapensee
Mar 29, 2006
NIAGARA FALLS -- The lengthy process of creating a new People Mover system for the Falls, stalled for some time, has moved forward after proposal architects found solutions to key issues holding it back.
But the solutions are just good enough to get the project to what is known as the request for proposal (RFP) stage, and there is more tweaking that needs to be done, said the project's director.
City politicians agreed to move forward to the next step after Ed Lustig, director of the People Mover project, and consultants David Schram, of Urban and Environment Management, and Doug Allingham, of Totten Sims Hubicki, addressed concerns they became aware of after public meetings. The concerns delayed council's go/no go decision from November 2005, giving Lustig and the partners (the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, Falls Management Co. and the Niagara Parks Commission) time to work out the kinks.
One of the major issues, closing the loop at the north end by the Rainbow Bridge, has been addressed by a proposal to see the city line and the park line connected by Bender Avenue and Falls Avenue.
"We felt it would be difficult to connect (at the north end at Clifton Hill)," said Lustig, adding an open loop opened possibilities for riders to walk around the Clifton Hill tourist area. "But we heard from the residents and the tourist people. They didn't want it that way."
"We came up with a pretty unique scheme that we think the tourism people were impressed with," said Allingham. The proposal will see every second or third train take a short route up Clifton Hill.
The NPC will keep its northbound and its two southbound lanes along Niagara Parkway from Table Rock to the Maid of the Mist open all year long with a northbound lane dedicated to the People Mover on a seasonal basis.
"This appears to be a very viable solution," said Allingham.
The NPC has also expressed its preference for a rail-based tram to use with its future vintage rail line through the park, but no decisions about what technology, other than it will be an at-grade system, have been made. Technology will be worked out in the RFP.
The use of the vintage rail line prompted some questions from council, wuch as whether riders will have to transfer one tram for another and then back to ride through the park.
Lustig said the People Mover system is designed to have one fare and the project leaders are looking at all angles.
The other challenge holding up the project was getting the People Mover into a portal built into the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. The portal was built into the design with a station planned for the second floor of the parking garage.
"We have concluded it is possible," said Allingham, adding more study is needed based on the technology, cost and impact on casino operations.
"In original discussions, we were talking about an elevated system," said Allingham. "They are not huge adjustments but there are adjustments that would have to be made. They have set aside some money."
They were several other concerns that arose out of the public meetings but Lustig said those kinks will be worked out in the RFP. He added the RFP will be ready for council approval in the fall. Plans would have the People Mover operating by 2010.
Louroz
