Greenway could use Grasshopper trolleys
The proposed greenway for downtown Greensboro is a great idea. However, the tracks on the west side of the loop should remain for a trolley car like in Charlotte’s downtown South End district. Capital and operational costs are very inexpensive and would require no overhead wires.
The trolley could be called "The Grasshopper." That would be a great name because it fits in with the theme of a greenway, it’s the name of our baseball team and that’s what the old trolleys used to be called.
Decorative iron fencing could be put in place for the safety of pedestrians using the greenway, and it would be a great attraction for residents and school children visiting downtown for field trips. One suggestion is to use this trolley to connect the ballpark and Bellemeade Village with the proposed development at South Elm and Lee streets. Hopefully, Greensboro citizens will support the greenway as a unique attraction for downtown.
Tim Jones
Greensboro
Comments (7)
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So Tim,
I suppose you would want the government to come to my house and at the point of a gun, take money out of my pocket to fund your dream?
Posted on July 4, 2005 9:17 AM
We really must focus on the vitality of our center-city. By doing so we create jobs, improve our city's image and the qaulity of life. I think there is nothing wrong with using some tax dollars to fund this greenway. The momentum for downtown revitalization is growing and we can't stop now. When the new ballpark received wide spread support we entered a new era. Greensboro is now a "can do" city.
Posted on July 4, 2005 3:07 PM
I would also like to add that a trolley system such as the one I propose is not very expensive to start up. The tracks already exist. All that is needed is a trolley car and barn. In Carlotte it was run by volunteers and in other cities non-profit organizations run more extensive trolley systems. Charlotte realized the value of a trolley and the city chipped in $16 million dollars to extend the system. We would not have to spend not even close to that figure. like i said, the primary costs would be the construction of the trolley barn and trolley car itself. City leaders seem to support a Triad regional commuter rail system that will cost in the millions. There is no way the purchase of a trolley car for a rail line that already exisits would put a dent in the city's budget. Vintage trolley cars are pretty inexpensive these days and a used one would cost even less.
Posted on July 4, 2005 3:26 PM
This is beginning to make sense now. Jim Melvin is truly trying to make amends for being part of the crowd who destroyed the character of downtown Greensboro 30-40 years ago with the massive city/county plaza and Murrow Blvd. road to nowhere.
Posted on July 4, 2005 3:41 PM
Well then Tim, if it's "not very expensive to start up," why don't you nicely ask Action Greensboro to raise the money through corporate sponsorships?
While YOU don't think that there's anything wrong with "using some taxpayer dollars" to fund these initiatives, I absolutely think that the average taxpayer is just tapped out with funding this project, that project, etc.
Feel free to go ahead and make your personal contribution to this new initiative, but please leave the rest of our wallets alone.
Posted on July 5, 2005 8:50 AM
Gotta agree with SC on this one. The Grasshoppers are a private enterprise and any trolley associated with them should come from private funds. Remember, no tax revenue was used for the construction or purchase of the baseball field. (wink, wink)
Posted on July 5, 2005 9:41 AM
Tim,
Why don"t you take your money and start this business? I am tried of paying for every sham that comes along. I could write a letter on the high speed internet in Caswell, guess what no paper will print it, to many GOOD OLD BOYS saying they are going to make MILLIONS off of these SHAMS.Want to guess where the millions are coming from.
Posted on July 6, 2005 7:20 PM