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| Freight fright |
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| Written by Eric Firpo | |
| Wednesday, 13 August 2008 | |
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Union Pacific Railroad calls a plan to put freight trains on tracks through Tracy "premature," but it’s not too soon for officials to worry about the plan that could cut the city in two.
For months now, there has been talk that UP would once again put freight trains on little-used tracks that run along Byron Road in western Tracy, through the Bow Tie area downtown and past 11th Street and MacArthur Drive in eastern Tracy. But it’s only recently that the company has talked openly about its plans, which cropped up at a July City Council meeting in the Bay Area town of Oakley. Runs could include as many as 40 trains a day, up to 2 miles long, through Tracy. UP spokeswoman Zoe Richmond said it’s "premature" to assume that freights will soon be a common sight on Tracy’s railroad tracks. But it’s true that the company has already decided to reactivate long-dormant tracks in the region so it can move more goods into and out of the Port of Oakland. Whether the railroad will put rumbling freight trains back on what’s now known as the Mococo line in Tracy remains to be seen. The railroad must first decide what needs to be repaired on the little-used tracks. And homebuilding and other growth undoubtedly mean part of those tracks are no longer up to code, Richmond said, another facet the company has to analyze. She said the company would go into schools to teach kids about the dangers of freight trains if they become a more common sight in town. The plan is driven in part by high fuel prices that make moving goods by truck increasingly pricey. Mayor Brent Ives, a board member of San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, believes it’s unlikely that UP would put dozens of trains on those tracks. But even a handful of trains, officials say, would be bad news for the city. "The Mococo line would create some dire consequences for Tracy," said City Manager Leon Churchill. The biggest worry is that freight trains would cut the town in two not just for residents, but also for fire trucks and police cars that need to speed to emergencies, not to mention school buses, city buses and ambulances. The tracks that UP plans to revive cross some of Tracy’s most heavily used roads, including 11th Street, Central Avenue, Tracy Boulevard, Corral Hollow and Grant Line roads.It would also seriously complicate the city’s plans to breathe new life into the economy of downtown Tracy, where the city recently broke ground on a $12 million transit station that someday envisions passenger trains, which take a back seat to freight. The city hopes to one day build housing near tracks in the Bow Tie area, and officials wonder how appealing those homes would be if freight trains there were a fact of life. "I don’t believe it fits with our vision of what we intend to have happen downtown," Ives said. But other than persuasion, it appears there’s little officials can use to prevent the company from reviving tracks that have barely been used for the past 20 years. Last year, former City Manager Dan Hobbs and Andrew Malik, the head of the engineering department, met with Union Pacific officials after the city first got wind of the company’s plans, Ives said. Malik is on vacation and is unavailable for comment. "We have got to get together with (Union Pacific) again so we can have a real heart-to-heart," Ives said. Ives said cities can work with railroads sometimes to lessen the ear-piercing blare of train whistles, but what the city might to do prevent maddening traffic delays is another matter. It may have to start planning now to build overpasses or underpasses, which county officials peg at a cost of $35 million apiece. "It’s a nightmare," Ives said. "It’s really is a bad scenario for us. We’ll fight it to the degree that we’ll have to." Trackback(0)
Comments
(307)
 written by what? , August 13, 2008
This sure puts the kybosh on the Brent Ives pet project, "Transient Station"!
 written by fortheunderdog , August 13, 2008  I agree with you what? I think we've both said it since its beginning that the transit station is a bad idea. It's going to be a mostly empty building with an occasional Tracer bus picking up or dropping off passengers. Maybe you should make "passengers" singular.  I'm sure the building will have some of the commenters visiting there in the early a.m. to have breakfast of coffee in one of the restaurants that they're saying should be located inside. Hopefully they'll all be regular customers or that restaurant will be short lived.  written by CATPReader , August 13, 2008
Wait wait.. reactivating the freight traffic would be a problem for the city? Wait wait.. who's been pushing the building of the transit station in the middle of downtown in hopes to push ACE through the same tracks? Wasn't Tracy a railtown in it's early beginnings anyway? The tracks have always been there. Who cares if there's more freight traffic. The only "problem" I could see is if an emergency vehicle needed to get through and there was a 2 mile freight train going slow through town. You could always do like the City of Newark did next to city hall and build an overpass instead specifically as a bypass in case a freight train got stuck. Geeze.. people want to have their cake and eat it too but they don't want to put any work into things.
written by fortheunderdog , August 13, 2008
CATPReader,
There much more to it than just having the tracks already in place. The city was thinking of having passenger trains with scheduled stops at the transit station. If UP was to start up the Mococo line again, they were saying that up to 15 trains, each 2 miles long, could be utilizing the tracks. Then you'd have a problem with scheduling, even though it could probably be done, which could prevent passenger trains from using the transit station or make scheduled stop times unattractive for potential passengers. You talk of building an overpass or possibly even an under pass but that's going to take money. The transit station is building is being built on grant money. Unlike Newark, which has a much bigger tax base to work with, Tracy would have trouble raising the money for overpasses/underpasses without having another bond vote which would likely run into trouble. written by CATPReader , August 13, 2008
Hmm... scheduling has always been an issue between freight and passenger on the current rail system. I'm sure this is why UP is considering reactivating the tracks. I look at this as a win-win situation. People have been pushing to have the expansion of ACE especially with high fuel prices.. however it's difficult to expand ACE when there is already limited space on the existing tracks. Adding another set of tracks relieves some of that congestion. That and the fact that the port of Stockton could potentially handle more frieght means more potential jobs out in the Central Valley which people have been screaming about for years. I mention the fact that the tracks were already there because it shouldn't come as a surprise if suddenly they were being used for what they were put there for in the first place. UP stopped using the tracks many years ago because they simply didn't have enough traffic to maintain two sets of tracks. Now that business is booming again it's only natural that they would want to reactivate domate tracks. This is something the city should have thought about years ago. The whole.. what if situation.. what if the tracks were needed again? The way the whole Tracy Blvd road is done down by 11th street is a joke to begin with... why isn't that road straight? I would think that would be a great place to build an overpass and straighten out that road a bit. Yes it's $$$ but I'm sure something could be worked with UP and the developers of the transit station. What if the transit station opens up and ACE stalls across the tracks? No different than a freight train. Still causes a mess for traffic. Granted ACE doesn't run 2 mile long trains. All things that should have been thought about in the first place when planning to even consider opening the tracks... passenger, freight or otherwise.
written by CATPReader , August 13, 2008
By the way.. Tracy wants to consider itself as the gateway into the Central Valley because of it's location to the Altamont and such. Look at car traffic on 205 and what it's done to 11th street with people trying to bypass the freeway? Being a gateway into something means you'll see a lot of traffic simply passing through. All things that a city planner needs to figure out ahead of time. Whether this be trains, trucks or automobiles. They've already rerouted truck traffic in many cases because of the amount of freight being passed trough the city. Autos on 11th street, trucks on Coral Hollow and other places, now freight. All "perks" of being a gateway city. Deal with it because sooner or later the surrounding cities are going to put pressure on you anyway.
written by what? , August 13, 2008
The city of Tracy will have to deal with the freight traffic. The city hall has zero power to control any of the rail lines in and around Tracy.
Do you think any of the brainiacs in Planning would start some kind of road and future traffic solutions before the UP activates the MOCOCO line? written by what? , August 13, 2008
New name for the "Transient Station"
BOXCAR WILLIES TRACY,CA HOBO HAVEN! written by fortheunderdog , August 13, 2008 Also, don't forget that Burlington Northern utilizes the UP tracks too. If UP decided to add more track before starting up the Mococo line that would ease up on the scheduling a bit. And if UP scheduled the, up to 15, freight trains on the Mococo line around Tracy's peak traffic time, that would be good too but it won't guarantee quick response times by emergency vehicles.  written by Tracy RealNews , August 13, 2008
NEWSFLASH:
For the blogger named "what?". There are already boxcars sitting east of the Bowtie (the area south of downtown where the railroad tracks cross. I haven't seen HoBo's living there yet. I think you are an obstructionist and a Celeste Garamendi supporter? written by Tracy RealNews , August 13, 2008
That's right Irene Sundberg told the City Staff to call Jerry McNerney and he will fix the RR problem.
Councilperson Sundberg is running her platform on "traffic issues"??? Let's see the delivery??? That was in June, 08? Right? Still waiting, Sundberg. Did Celeste Garamendi put you up to that? Wasn't she in the back of the room during that Council meeting? wink, wink, written by what? , August 13, 2008
TRN,
Wrong again, Skippy! Set up your patio furniture at the Transient Station and sell coffee. Do something creative! written by what? , August 13, 2008
TRN<
Wink at the HOBOS and Gang members - See what kind of resoonse you get from them! written by fortheunderdog , August 13, 2008 Question: What does the yet unbuilt transit station and Ives have in common? They both don't have a platform yet.  Sorry couldn't resist...saw the word "platform" above and had a flash of humor.  written by eyeswideopen2 , August 13, 2008
Check out Stocktons downtown transit station if you want a future vision of Tracy.
 written by Richard1 , August 13, 2008
well i put a link to another newspaper in this story http://tracypress.com/content/view/15341/2279/ sounds like theres way too much work needed to the railroad tracks before they could support the kind of traffic union pacific thinks it will put on it
 written by maybenotdumBcommenT , August 14, 2008
If they want to start up the Mococo line in Tracy, the city of Tracy has no say whether it can be done or not. That railroad and 200 feet of land on each side of the tracks belongs to the railroad. They can do what ever they want. Ives can't stop it.
 written by Radioman1 , August 14, 2008
Oh boo hoo Tracy. The city is worried about cutting the town in half. Manteca has had it that way for a very long time and no lives have been lost. I guess the developers want to build the houses there and the poor baby's wont be able to get their pound of flesh from the taxpayers. The more trucks that the RR gets off of 205 is alright with me.
 written by amy , August 14, 2008
I would plan in the event the nation is in danger of going into a grinding halt due the cost of oil, and the environmentalist's refusal for allowing the drilling for the oil...the word "recession" comes up more often.... I just think we already are? Need to have a way to get food, and supplies to Tracy, as well, too.
-amy Noticed how quickly the other article on the rail was removed. Now a question, if a person places an ad in the paper, will that person have the power to request removal of an article? Just a question. written by amy , August 14, 2008
Oh well, should have bookmarked the website I found on the news of the Mococo Line.
-amy written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
MNDC is correct. UP OWNS the tracks and the land on either side. UP has enough track there now to start-up the Mococo line without too much repair of the tracks. All they'll have to do is inspect the tracks and switches and off they go. And, with the side tracks, they could "park" RR cars there indefinitely which reminds me...manuevering the engines so that the correct car can be parked takes time. Central Av could really be backed up if that occurs. I can see cars driving fast to get to MacArthur or Corral Hollow before the crossing guards go down. It's going to be a mess. Unlike Manteca, which has hardly any side tracks anywhere near their downtown area.
Looks like Tracy will finally get their wish and have passenger trains sooner than thought, in the way of freight cars loaded with transients. written by amy , August 14, 2008
That is something I was not aware of, I know that right of way by UP is correct and that they own the land along the rail, (therefore their responsibility to clean up the toxic materials further up the rail?) Instead of Tracy footing the bill for future clean-ups is what I am concerned about. Just don't want to see Tracyites further burdened by unforeseeable event, such as this in my knowledge.
If they own all that land along the rail, clean ups may be required... will they fully foot the bill? And spare Tracy's economy? Have not yet read anything on that agenda. -amy written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
Oh, and the restaurant that everyone is asking for to locate in the transit station is about to be delivered and will sell coffee, hot chocolate and a "continental breakfast".
Insert $.50, wait for cup to drop, push button for sugar or creamer. Insert $1.50, push selection, wait for pasty to drop. Sarcasm at its best on a Thursday a.m. written by amy , August 14, 2008
Then put the Courthouse by the Transit station and they can deal with vagrants right at that spot? Or more of a mess? Just don't know. Liking the idea of space between Village Green,(just my individual preference for the health of Tracyites) and the Courthouse with other governmental building or at Chrisman if that is still open.
Just hope it won't get so compacted at Bow Tie. -amy written by amy , August 14, 2008
I even had this thought, but not in my hands, of course, why not switch location, courthouse at Bow Tie, station at Chrisman?
But the ground was already broken, not in my hands, but did have many thoughts of options before breaking of the ground. Now, I probably will get blasted and be called something for my alternative thought? -amy written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
amy,
UP shouldn't have to do any clean-up of their property unless they're planning on building on it for public use...like a restaurant, housing, etc. Otherwise, they're good to go after an inspection. If they utilize the side tracks to park freight cars, that takes time with the engine having to slow down, go back and forth, unhook the car...well, you get the picture. If this happens, the view from the transit station will be freight cars waiting their turn to be hooked up and taken elsewhere. I don't envision passenger trains to be a part of that station. written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
Are they trying to make the tracks look scary? To the blogger known as "what?": I don't see any "hobo's" in that picture? Are you the "hobo"? I don't get it? Your jokes really aren't that funny? And what "patio furniture" are you talking referring to?
written by amy , August 14, 2008
Yeah, was thinking it not very attractive to see if that occurs at Bow Tie, hopefully there will be pre-designated stops for hook-ups, perhaps one rail for passenger and one rail for freight, in two different routes, will see what they will compromise on.
This announcement from Union Pacific must have put a "money wrench" in their plans and can see from reading Bay, Journal, Herald, Churchill and Ives and others are working hard at it. Watch your tax dollars at work. The more they sweat over it, the more satisfied Tracyites taxpayers feel?  That is good to know about the clean ups! Looking forward to the "outcome" of this news. They are being "put to test" that is for sure. Will wish them and all involved good luck in finding the best solution for the City and Tracyites. -amy written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
But, wait a minute, fortheunderdog. I thought you said if they wanted passenger trains then the city would have to fix the RR tracks? This is a discrepency. Are you making it up as you go? I don't think you are a retired RR Engineer, but you do have a lot of opinions. Given the discrepencies, I don't think your vision is wearing the correct corrective lenses? Which story (or "vision") is it? Is this related to Garamendi's "courhtouse vision"? Who are you supporting, here?
written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
Why would Union Pacific not have to clean up their property???
Now that the property is getting "cleaned up" don't you notice the sudden interest from Union Pacific? No more assumptions please! written by amy , August 14, 2008
My preference is still for Green Village Living, the Bow Tie Transit for passenger train, for increased foot traffic in the City to benefit the merchants and bring in more revenue, having Courthouse poses too much problem in my view, creating "negative" congestions if in too close proximity to the Transit Station. My original preference still stands, but with this announcement, options may have to be thrown in to make one reconsider to accomodate this "news".
I understand that they are working hard on creating two routes, one away from the passenger rail, to improve the scheduling signals in the tracks, so much of engineer talks goes into it... so just going to bide my time and observe the work as it progresses. I really like the vision and Ives Platform of Green Village Living,(less dependence on automobiles) more family friendly people frequenting businesses, theatre, musical, movie activities in the Parks, and so on. I can't see that happening with the Courthouse Vision, this news may change things or not, will see. -amy written by amy , August 14, 2008
PS, before anyone blasts me away, that is my preference for Green Living, being health conscious for the mind and body of all people, (Whether they want it or not, it is better for them!
(Candy or Fruit? Which is better? Both are sweet.. for example) Not in anyway against the Courthouse idea, but wrong place for it, is just my view. -amy written by amy , August 14, 2008
Just made me think of King Solomon, the cutting of the town in two.... well, make one side academic/government/Courthouse... and other side Family Friendly Green Living with Sportspark/Wetlands set up?
Just then, maybe all the Tracyites and political parties will be happy?? -amy  written by RonniD , August 14, 2008
My house is next to those tracks and I certainly do NOT want to hear whistles blaring while I try to sleep. Also, the traffic will be crazy especially when school is in session and kids are trying to get to school on time. I hope they keep those tracks closed!!!!!
written by what? , August 14, 2008
TRN,
It is obvious to me you have never lived by an active train line... Your the one who has been bloviating about sipping coffee at the new Transient Station and how commerce will blosom at the hand of Ives and the Amigos! UP controls and has the power here! If and when they activate this line will be irrelevant to what the city hall and leaders plan or do. Our city hall has zero control! Now is the time to start planning a direct traffic flow and road improvement plan for our surface streets. Not 10 years from now! written by what? , August 14, 2008
Better yet....
If Ives knew a year ago that MOCOCO line would be freight and an active train line.. Measure K money could have been used for bridges or over pass.. Not a Transient Station for freight cars! written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
TRN,
I should have said this...If UP is going to start up the Mococo line they would have to clean up the debris around the tracks they are going to be using. They would not be required to clean up the property of toxic materials that someone else mentioned unless the property is going to be for public use. What I said was the tracks may have to be realigned to meet passenger train requirements for scheduling and the Mococo line. Whether or not that actually happens, debris will still have to be cleaned up. This is not an assumption, I was told this by a relative who works for the railroad. You are correct. I am not a retired RR engineer. I say my opinions as you do. I can see you going on the attack here because you're an avid Ives supporter, which I am not. All any writer has to do to get a rise out of you is to speak negatively against Ives and his watchdogs come running. If you like the guy that's great. I don't like him. written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
I'll bet this got to you too, huh?
"Oh, and the restaurant that everyone is asking for to locate in the transit station is about to be delivered and will sell coffee, hot chocolate and a "continental breakfast". Insert $.50, wait for cup to drop, push button for sugar or creamer. Insert $1.50, push selection, wait for pasty to drop." written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
Wait again.
"Insert $1.50, push selection, wait for pasty to drop." Pasty should be pastry, although any to do with boobs and Ives are similiar. written by amy , August 14, 2008
Oh my gosh, really going to get on your case fortheunderdog... you are so in big trouble with me!!!!!
.........for saying such offensive word............ "Pastry!!!" How about an apple? written by amy , August 14, 2008
"money wrench"... wow, caught that after rereading it, that mistake is more true than ever! Meant to say, "Monkey wrench!"
-amy written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
fortheunderdog,
You've got to be kidding? An "attack"? I simply asked a question. You're the one with second hand information and assumptions about the vending machines. Further, it doesn't matter which candidate you support. You could still support a Transit Station, either way. You seem to have given up all hope of anything nice in the downtown. Anyone who sees a future in the downtown without Garamendi's courthouse idea is "demonized", according to your philosophy. I don't take that same philosophy. I simply asked you a question about your RR experience, to which you answered that you got the information, second hand. Now, we also see, elsewhere, that you are also supporting a courthouse in the downtown. Why can't we put Garamendi over where the DMV location is? The DMV is going to be moving over behind the mall. That will create an opening in the DMV parking lot, for the courthouse. It will be closer to the other government buildings and the TPD can keep an eye on the "social element" at the same time, over there. That's how Stockton solves this problem too. Hope Garamendi will learn from experience, before its too late for our downtown! Thanks! written by amy , August 14, 2008
Exactly, when the Bow Tie was being cleaned up last year and partially paid for by the Union Pacific... the sudden interest it seemed to me to occur at the time, easing some monetary pressures on them in one way or other? Environmental reading of the soil along the tracks? It was very toxic at the Bow Tie, that is why the cleaning is required to remove arsenic, lead, other toxic materials settling in the soil after years of rail use.
My concern is that agenda, the toxicity of the soil and possible extra burden on the taxpayers? I prefer UP foot the bill completely if it is called for. -amy written by amy , August 14, 2008
I really would like to know what the "options" anyone may have heard or told by the city council are at resolving this issue.
Hope to read it later... logging off, good day to all of you. -amy  written by doglvr , August 14, 2008
I find it interesting that that Bret knew about the possibility of a locating a courthouse in Tracy. We would not have learned about it if Celest had not called it our attention. Now we learn that Bret knew about the UP railroad issues a year ago. Does anybody see a trend. Was he tooo busy working on developer deals to take care of our city needs? Way to go Bret - So much for our open government.
 written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
It seems that Union Pacific is only now interested in running the Mococo line through Tracy after the cleanup. Why did they leave trains sit idle East of the BowTie and along Byron Rd for so many years prior to this. Now they are attributing the sudden interest in the gas prices. Union Pacific also contradicted themselves in saying that they also plan to increase the number of trains when the economy picks up. Union Pacific better get their story straight. It looks like Union Pacific is blowing smoke. And, it ain't coming from a steam engine. Follow the money. Union Pacific wants to see if they can get a free ride?
Tracy is OUR town - not UP's. How do we protest Union Pacific? Let's do it! http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/ 2008-05-29-2853378892_x.htm written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
doglvr,
The problem with the courthouse downtown was not adequately addressed by Garamendi. There are simply too many problems with her idea. As I have suggested. Let's put the courthouse where the DMV is. From another article: She did not, however, address the potential unintended consequences of such a facility. Traffic, parking problems and the potential social element (that's about as politically correct a term as I could come up with) that in some cases gravtates to the courts are all factors that were ignored. Before embracing the "bow tie" courthouse idea, those issues need to be mitigated. I'm not saying a downtown court facility is a bad idea. But there are many importent unanswered questions, some of which were not raised. Also, the article didn't say that UP discussed this plan openly. I don't know where you got that? Cheers! written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
TRN,
Sorry to jump the gun about your attacking. I'm not for the transit station and I'm against Garamendi's courthouse idea of locating downtown. I'm also against slow-growth and rapid-growth. I prefer sensible growth. I'm against graft and bribery. I'm against back-room dealings/talks. I'm against the deal in which Surland/AKT will get building permits in exchange for a $20 million bribe...er, donation for an aquatic park. I want my city government to represent me, the resident of this city, and I'd like that representation to reflect my integrity just as I'd expect that from MY city government. The location of a courthouse in Tracy isn't the issue here. The soon-to-be vacant DMV area isn't large enough, in my opinion, to support a court house with adqequate parking. Sure, the courthouse in Stockton is next to their police department which is working out fine for them. Fremont's courthouse is about a mile or more away from their police department. I don't think that having a courthouse close to the police department will have that great an impact. Besides there will always be bailiff's, sheriff's deputies, police officers, CHP, etc roaming the hallways or testifying in cases who would be a deterrent for those social misfits. I also wouldn't want to see a courthouse located across the street from Tracy High. Just too much commotion when school lets out plus what you call the "social element". Traffic will be worse than it is now and with UP possibly starting up their Mococo line traffic could be considerably worsened. written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
It appears that the city has known for months, if not longer, about UP and the Mococo rivival. http://www.ble.org/pr/news/headline.asp?id=23256
This and other articles are saying that up to 40 (FORTY!) trains up to 2 miles long each could traverse Tracy daily. Also stated in articles is the price of $35 million for EACH overpass/underpass if built. written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
I'm finding more info on UP talking to city officials about Mococo.
On Tuesday, July 3, 2007 council meeting, Ives instructed city staff to start discussion with UP to verify their (UP) intentions. http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/uploads/fckeditor/File/city_council/agendas/2007/07/03/minutes.pdf So it now appears that Ives has known for over a year the possibility that UP would start up that line. Also, Ives is a board member of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission so he should have had an idea of what was to come. written by what? , August 14, 2008
Like I said, Ives and the Amigos could have applied for grant money Measure K to address the traffic flow problem. Over pass could have been built, underpass, bridge.... but instead we get a transit station that has no transit!
Way to go IVES! written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
You're putting undue obligations on others. I don't think the job of a politician to spread rumors. If UP has been spreading rumors they should come clean and say it openly. The article said they would not do that. How can you expect someone to be forthcoming with information about some other organization that will not be forthcoming. That would be called speculation. We have seen that from Garamendi with the Courthouse idea. Again, she has no plan for the courthouse (in the downtown).
UP spokeswoman Zoe Richmond said it’s "premature" to assume that freights will soon be a common sight on Tracy’s railroad tracks. written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
Have you visited any of the downtown coffee shops. They don't serve from a vending machine and they are successful.
Folks should know that both of the current, downtown, coffee shops (not just one of them) are busy. Also you can go to any of the five Starbucks in Tracy; they are also busy every day of the week. Java Makers too. Hope that helps if anyone wants to validate the need (like a business plan). You should go downtown during the Farmers Market. You will see a vision of what the downtown should look like. People are there. There is a need to market the downtown. Where is the DTBIA on this? Hope they are not supporting the "social element" of the downtown courthouse idea? That will just serve to work against them! Tell the DTBIA that the Transit Station would finally get people into the downtown. And that is exactly what is needed to improve business and revitalize our downtown. The courthouse idea would also bring people downtown, but because of the social element and other issues, why not offset the location over by the DMV? This way we would get some business downtown without the problems associated with courthouses, in a downtown. Also putting it where the DMV is would not bring all that "social element" into downtown - chasing away any potential revitalization of the Tracy downtown night life. Put the Bail Bonds stores over by the exit ramp toward I5, instead of downtown. The courthouse and the Bail Bond stores will work contrary to getting people into the downtown. City Council: can you put this on an agenda? No Bail Bonds Stores downtown! By the way, putting a Transit Station downtown and putting a courthouse over at the DMV location would be very good for the South Side. You know, the better the downtown does - the better the South Side will do! Thanks! written by what? , August 14, 2008
Another empty building downtown is not what is needed. We already have the Grand Theater that sits empty 90% of the time.DTBA is not interested in the Transit Station that has no Transit! When freight starts running people will be trapped on the other side of the commercial district. How does that generate revenue for business owners?
Ives knew about the UP plans for a year at least and not once was this addressed on how the surface streets and traffic flows will be impacted! UP does not have to answer to anyone. All they have to do is post future traffic.  written by sb2482 , August 14, 2008
40 trains per day.....? Yikes. My house is located along those tracks. Before anybody chimes in with the old "didn't you know the train tracks were there when you bought your home." arguement, YES, we did know and we're okay with it. Frankly, I'd rather have trains on that track than kids who throw crap into my yard, most recently a railroad spike! That being said, 40 long trains each day is a bit much. I figure my house will fall down in a few years from all the shaking and rattling. It'll be like one continuous earthquake. Hmmm, I guess it's time to seriously consider moving.
written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
To the blogger known as "what?":
I'm beginning to think you are "bob blinker"? Where does it say Ives knew of a "plan" for a year. In fact the article said UP never had "plans" there were only rumors coming from UP, that's why Ives insttructed the City Staff to discuss this with UP. The City Engineer is on vacation, as the article clearly stated. When the cats away - Regarding the Grand Theater; it is not empty 90% of the time. You are providing misinformation. There are classes there and other activities during the day. It would also be a nice place to host a small art show, in the lobby. Other events have taken place there, as well. No other downtown building brings business 100% of the time. You just validated the need for more activities (and yes buildings too) that will bring business downtown. For example: the Bean Festival, The Farmers Market, The Grand Theater. There are several businesses downtown. People are going to the Tracy Mall instead. Protesting downtown business on a blog site is working contrary to the DTBIA. You cannot market a Wine Store, Coffee Shops, restaurants, etc by saying so many negative things about downtown that are simply not true. written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
Call that lady who plans the Tracy Arts for the City:
Get her on the phone with the DTBIA... Let's have Music in the downtown! They roll up the streets in this old town. There aren't any cars down there anyway. Nobody will be affected. Find a way to move the Music from Lincoln Park to the Downtown. Bring the Steel Drums and some Jerk Chicken and Green Bananas.
written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008 Do it like a Farmer's Market. Call Tom Benigno, tell him to bring the IRS. I'm just kidding Tom! (we can leave the Farmers Market on Saturdays) written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008 Forty trains a day??? Others have not delivered; but I hope Union Pacific will provide "promises" of "transparency"! Did someone's, Sacramento-based, elitist brother pull strings at Union Pacific to get this rumor started? Sure sounds fishy, when UP can run trains around Tracy on their other tracks. written by what? , August 14, 2008
TRN,
The heat must be getting to your brain! I am not knocking the hard working business owners in the downtown area. DTBA is a hard working group of people and you need to give all the credit to them for breathing any life into the downtown. City Hall has done little to nothing for these poor folks! Transient Building is just going to be an empty building on 6th street. Nothing more! Freight trains will block traffic on all surface streets and Brent Ives knew about this problem for up to a year or more. Malik was informed a year ago also. The city of Tracy blew it with wasting Measure K money on a Pet Project and we will suffer for it! written by amy , August 14, 2008
Had a wild thought, if the campus was moved to Tracy, why don't they offer solar engineer programs and paralegal/legal programs?
Bring business to Tracy knowing of solar engineering to Tracy? Just a wild thought, OK? Night. -amy written by fortheunderdog , August 14, 2008
TRN,
This subject has turned you into a cheerleader for the Ives brigade! Not only are you trying to "sell" the idea of a courthouse across the street from THS but you're also trying to sell a location for a bail bondsman. And you're not doing a very good job at either. Desparate to bring up coffee shops? I only mentioned a coffee shop/restaurant inside the future transit station because all the other bloggers were saying that's what they want. But to answer your question about the current downtown coffee shops..."NO"... I have never been a patron of foo-foo coffee. If I want coffee I'll pay less at McDonald's and get a equally good cup of coffee. Now you bring up the Farmer's Market and say that's how downtown should look like. Tracy's downtown will never be that busy. It will never look like Livermore's, Pleasantan's, Danville's, San Ramon's, etc, downtown. Heck, even old town Niles has Tracy beat. And lastly you bring the future transit station into the mix by saying that it "would finally get people into the downtown". What?? If pedestrian traffic is slow in downtown now, what makes you think an empty transit station is going help? I do applaud you for having sights of grandeur for Tracy but let's be realistic. I don't think Tracy is ever going to be the "gateway" to the valley that everyone in city gov't thinks it will be. written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
To the blogger who calls him/her self "what?":
The information you provided is pure conjecture and there are simply no references to back up any of your predictions. Nobody said anything negative about the DTBIA, where do you come up with this stuff? Who/what are your affiliations? Has a hint of Garamendi propoganda to it? Don't you think? written by what? , August 14, 2008
TRN,
Your 100% affiliation to Ives and the propoganda crap that city hall spews out makes you look ridiculous! Your comments are always 100% SPIN! written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
fortheunderdog,
You missed the point I am interested in the idea of a courthouse outside of the Downtown. As you know, its what Garamendi doesn't tell us that concerns me. And, define your idea of a "gateway". We already have the majority of our workforce commuting out of the city to work. What's unrealistic? The ACE Train's ridership experienced nearly 20% growth explosion. It is unrealistic to expect revitalization to the downtown without bringing something that will attract people into the downtown. I don't usually drink coffee myself, but I made a point to stop by anyway. I observed that the Downtown coffee shops have a base of customers. I agree with you. I don't want a courthouse in the downtown. Let's see if Garamendi responds. If Garamendi is afraid to put a courthouse across the street from TH, then why would we want it in the downtown? I would prefer it closer to the other government buildings. Is there any other property nearby. How about Alvarez? Put Garamendi's courthouse idea at Alvarez? Anyway, thanks for making my point. Let's also consider the Chrisman/Elevent site that Maciels recommended. And with any number of these slightly offset location - the downtown will still get business from these alternative locations. Cheers! written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
To the blogger who calls him/her self "what?":
The information you provided is pure conjecture and there are simply no references to back up any of your conjecture. Where is there an "affiliation"? Where do you come up with this stuff? written by Tracy RealNews , August 14, 2008
To the blogger known as "what?"
You've really said nothing except conjecture of gloom and doom. Anyone can say something about the future. That doesn't make it correct. You are becoming a philosopher? Does Aristotle know about you? Will you also require me to disprove Nostradamas? I think you are wasting our time. written by maybenotdumBcommenT , August 15, 2008
ftud, I'll blast you if you want me to, JK. Any way. Haven't you all noticed how clean the tracks are lately? That is why when the Mococo Line was brought up I was 99% sure the RR was a go. And something else. Railroad land is private property. They have to follow all the same rules as far as clean up as a homeowner does. If they get the call by C E they have a mess,(complain please) they have to clean it up. They are called because of course no person sitting on the track waiting for C E action or a citation. If they don't comply the city can take them to court to clean up the mess. It should never look like a mess, I think the RR got away with the mess for a long time. Now the homeless have no tumble weeds to build up to make their homes. They stack nicely and as many as there were out there the insulation would be really good I bet. I saw some guy pop out of one once on 6th street. Sorry, but I chuckled. If they are that creative come on get a job.
written by fortheunderdog , August 15, 2008
TRN,
I don't think I missed your point. You want the courthouse across the street from THS and I don't. I do not think that having "social misfits" that close to a school is a good thing. I also don't want the courthouse located downtown. The area is going to be too cluttered. As far as Garamendi not telling you anything, what about Ives knowing about possible UP Mococo back in 2007 and still decides to place a transit station where freight traffic might do away with passenger train service and cause heavy traffic throughout Tracy. Both sides are guilty of not saying what they mean or you can say they're both guilty for not meaning what they say. It's a play on wording but I think you get the gist of it. I get the feeling from city gov't that their definition of "gateway" is a grand portal entrance that will connect all surrounding cities with Tracy, making Tracy the focal point of the valley. That's not going to work. Tracy will always be the city you drive through once you get off of the Altamont heading to Sacramento, Los Angeles, or Yosemite. Unrealistic is the transit station not servicing the people with a passenger train. You're right about ACE ridership but that's located on Chrisman. Quite a distance from the transit station. Maybe the city can advertise ACE as a way to get to the Tracy Airport. I have no suggestion on where to locate a courthouse. I would have to guess that it should be placed close to eateries for jurors, judicial members, courtroom staff and easily located for people coming from out-of-town. So, with all that in mind, I would have to say somewhere around the mall (at this time) unless another location is selected. written by fortheunderdog , August 15, 2008
mndc,
The area around RR tracks are clean around Central Av/6th St and that's only because there is construction going on with the transit station. I'm sure that once it's built, the city will bend over backwards to keep that area from looking like a ghost town. I'm also assuming that the city and UP made some sort of $$ agreement as to how much each party will pay for clean-up. UP has no requirement to tell the city if they're going to start up the Mococo line. They could start it up tomorrow if they wanted and Tracy would have no say. The same goes for the land that UP owns. As you know, for the Mococo line to start up UP will probably have to inspect all the tracks that will be utilized by the "up to 40 trains" using the tracks daily. And if each train could be up to 2 miles in length the tracks will have to be inspected regularly or repaired. Same goes for those side tracks that are used to park freight cars. Those eyesores can be left there indefinitely by UP for our taggers to use for murals. written by maybenotdumBcommenT , August 15, 2008 I get the feeling from city gov't that their definition of "gateway" is a grand portal entrance that will connect all surrounding cities with Tracy, making Tracy the focal point of the valley. I always thought they were trying to do this to. Downtown business doesn't seem to want that or they would practice being open ALL weekend long. Why don't they tear down the old courthouse and build a new one. They can move that portable any where. Get a few more portables while they build it. Oh shoot! forgot about parking, Guess they could dig a big hole for an underground parking lot. Is the lot big enough? I'm going to guess "not". written by maybenotdumBcommenT , August 15, 2008
ftud, Haven't you been down Byron lately? Any way, no sweat but no the city has no $$ deal to assist in cleaning it up. It is private property. The city doesn't have to.
written by fortheunderdog , August 15, 2008
mndc,
You're correct that UP property is private property. I recall on another blog that the city and UP would probably negotiate to get the tracks cleaned up. If you're saying that there has been no deal between the two I will not argue the point because I have no info on that. Haven't been down Byron Rd in a long time. What's happening there? Maybe I'll venture out tomorrow if the heat isn't that bad. written by amy , August 15, 2008
Instead of getting all worked up over this, going to wait for further reporting on what options they may arrived at: Nothing is set in stone as of now..... Union Pacific Railroad calls a plan to put freight trains on tracks through Tracy "premature,"... About the cleanups, two I was able to find: http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/uploads/fckeditor/File/city_council/agendas/2008/06/17/01a.pdf |
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Wasn't it Irene Sundburg who stated the problems involving the relocation of railroad crossings, which might have made the Alvarez location a little more sutable for the installation of a youth sports park, should be addressed to our Congressman Jerry McNerney?
Well it certainly seems, if the railroad's plans come through, that Tracy will have a reailroad crossing issue and good ole Jerry is the man to take care of it. At least according to people like City Counselwoman Irene Sundburg he will take care of it. So let's put him to the test shall we?
Jerry, "Handle it, handle it!"
Dave Hardesty