Dallas Opened Starter Modern Streetcar Line In April

Last month I told you about my Megabus trip to Dallas & back, see Thirty Hours on Megabus: St. Louis to Memphis to Little Rock to Dallas & Back. Today I want to tell you about one of the things I did in the week I was there: I rode their newest public transit line — it opened just two weeks before I arrived!

Dallas’ light rail system includes 4 lines, 62 station, a total of 90 miles (source). Our light rail, MetroLink, has two lines, 37 stations, and is 46 miles in total length (source).  But the newest rail line in Dallas isn’t more light rail — it’s a modern streetcar line connecting downtown Dallas across the Trinity River to the Oak Cliff neighborhood:

More than five years in the making, the 1.6-mile line stretches from near Union Station downtown to the intersection of Beckley Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, near Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Oak Cliff.

A group of Oak Cliff leaders — including Luis Salcedo, Jason Roberts and Griggs before his council election – laid the project’s foundation as members of the Oak Cliff Transit Authority.

A $23 million federal stimulus grant in February 2010 brought the city, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the North Central Texas Council of Governments together as project partners. The city owns the line, DART will operate it and the council of governments has been the funding conduit.

An additional $3 million in stimulus money, the allocation of regional toll-road revenue and other funding covered what has become a $50 million investment, with plans for expansion. (Dallas Morning News)

See DART Streetcar. Why didn’t they just build another light rail line? Or even a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line?  A light rail line would’ve been far more expensive to build, it likely couldn’t have crossed a historic bridge over the Trinity River the way the streetcar does. It’s important to note the costs are for the initial system — over a historic viaduct crossing the now-flooding Trinity River. New extensions will be far less costly per mile.

From 2014:

Officials have spent almost a decade planning improvements to public transportation downtown. The matter became more urgent after Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s light-rail system reached critical mass. That 85-mile network connects downtown to the suburbs in all directions. The trains run along downtown’s edges, but not deep into its business, government and entertainment hubs.

“The conversation came up that LRT will take care of regional transportation. But what about in and around downtown?” Manoy said.

That’s when the idea of electric streetcars started to gain momentum. Like most transportation hopes, funding didn’t match ambitions. For years, planners navigated a series of route ideas, grant applications and shifting bureaucratic priorities. (Dallas Morning News)

Dallas planners see the streetcar connecting the dots — eventually a highly visible line in the heart of their downtown — connecting light rail to the CBD and other districts.

Of course, their streetcar had its critics. From 2013:

The problem is that Dallas sprawls too much to make rail-based streetcars a feasible solution. To solve our public transportation problem, Dallas ought to stop looking at models like Portland, Oregon, and look at cities that more closely resemble Dallas, places like Bogota, Colombia. Bogota has become a darling of the new urbanism crowd in the last decade thanks to its development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. 

Don’t be thrown by the B-word. Rather than a snaking web of indecipherable bus lines, like Dallas currently has, BRT systems use designated lanes, timed traffic lights, and painted ground areas to give pedestrians visual understanding of where routes go. BRT vehicles are faster, more comfortable, and more reliable than buses. And here’s the best part: for the cost of the Oak Cliff streetcar, Dallas could build a complete BRT system covering the entire city. 

Roberts likes the idea of a BRT system in Dallas, but he says it has to be perfect or it won’t work, pointing to Los Angeles’ BRT attempt, which hasn’t had the same impact as systems in Bogota and Ottawa, Ontario. (D Magazine)

So I got to ride it just two weeks after opening, I’ve also seen where it’ll be extended to.

The area is charming — once you get to it!

The Bishop Arts District is home to over 60 independent boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, theaters and art galleries. Located in the heart of North Oak Cliff, one of Dallas’ most unique neighborhoods. A historical shopping district full of great finds, good eats, and good ole Oak Cliff charm! The Bishop Arts District is made up of many independently-owned shops and eateries that maintain various hours. While many of the shops stay open late on the weekends to provide a fun shop, stroll, and eat environment for visitors, the Bishop Arts District is populated with many independently-owned businesses, so please contact them directly for their hours of operation. Wine Walks are held 3-4 times a year and on 1st Thursdays of a given month. (Bishop Arts District)

I took the free D-Link bus back downtown. For now the streetcar is also free, operating weekdays only. Once extended it’ll have longer hours and weekend service.

Again, Oak Cliff is very close to downtown Dallas but it’s geographically separated by the Trinity River  — in the news lately because of the flooding:

• Swollen Trinity causes road closures, evacuations
• Update: Rising Trinity River begins to impact businesses south of downtown Dallas

To my knowledge the streetcar line is dry, but the D-Link bus route might be impacted by road closures due to high water. The good thing about Dallas is they actually expand their transit systems, so I look forward to returning every few years to see the resulting development — if any.

— Steve Patterson

Readers: Missouri Should Follow Nebraska In Repealing The Death Penalty

When I posted the Sunday Poll I wasn’t sure what the final tally would be, I was pleasantly surprised by the results:

Q: Should Missouri follow Nebraska and abolish the death penalty?

1. Yes 24 [70.59%]
2. No 8 [23.53%]
3. TIE 1 [2.94%]
   1. Maybe
   2. Unsure/No Opinion

It seems unlikely we’ll follow Nebraska given our history:

Missouri has executed 56 men since 1997, including 10 in 2014 alone. That tied Missouri with Texas, which has 20 million more people, for the year’s most. (Editorial: Nebraska’s enlightened conservatives abolish the death penalty)

Tied with a state with a substantially greater population for the most executions last year — what an honor.

Interestingly, the debate isn’t over in Nebraska:

Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts says lawmakers’ repeal of the death penalty won’t stop his administration from proceeding with executions of 10 people already sentenced to death.

Ricketts said Friday that he doesn’t plan to cancel a shipment of lethal injection drugs that the state bought earlier this month. (Nebraska’s Governor Vows To Proceed With Executions Despite Death Penalty Repeal)

One thing is certain, there’s no shortage of information online saying the death penalty does or does not deter crime. Still, many of us just don’t think it’s a deterrent:

Wyoming attorney Traci Lacock said she has seen the deterrence question both as an academic, working with Boulder’s Radelet, and as a public defender. For her, deterrence issues became much simpler over time.

Her clients accused of violent crimes were coping with grinding poverty, mental-health issues and other challenges, Lacock said. 

“Are you really going to be asking the question, ‘Does my state have the death penalty or not?’ when you are doing something horrific to another person,” Lacock said. “Just basic common sense says no.” (No credible evidence on whether death penalty deters, experts say)

What about as a form of punishment?  It’s uncivilized, we also know that many have been wrongly convicted of crimes they didn’t commit. If we find out the truth they can be released from prison — we can’t bring someone back to life!

The rate of erroneous conviction of innocent criminal defendants is often described as not merely unknown but unknowable. We use survival analysis to model this effect, and estimate that if all death-sentenced defendants remained under sentence of death indefinitely at least 4.1% would be exonerated. We conclude that this is a conservative estimate of the proportion of false conviction among death sentences in the United States. (National Academy of Sciences: Rate of false conviction of criminal defendants who are sentenced to death)

Four precent would be exonerated! Missouri should follow Nebraska and repeal the death penalty!

— Steve Patterson

City Cars For Elected Officials — Part 1

A recent item in the Post-Dispatch las caused a lot of online debate:

Carpenter’s budgetary concern comes as she seeks a new city vehicle or a $700 monthly vehicle allowance. In her previous term as collector, she had a city car. She turned it in after leaving office.

In March, Carpenter wrote a letter to the city’s capital committee asking for authorization to purchase “a new vehicle for my use.”

“As I understand it,” Carpenter wrote, “The License Collector receives $700.00 per month for auto expense in lieu of a vehicle. This would be amenable for me.”

Carpenter, 73, is also requesting the $700 monthly vehicle expense retroactive to January.

Paul Payne, the city’s budget director, said Carpenter will get a car. (St. Louis recorder of deeds to get new city car, lays off one person)

Really!?!

The $4,200/mo pension and $97,000 annual salary isn’t enough? As many said, why does the Recorder of Deeds need a city car? For that matter, why does the License Collector?

Autotrader has an article on 7 Great Luxury Sedans You Can Lease for $500 per Month:

1. Acura RLX
2. BMW 528i
3. Cadillac CTS
4. Hyundai Genesis
5. Jaguar XF
6. Lexus GS 350
7. Volvo S60 T6

Ok, these lease deals don’t include insurance and require a down payment. Still, a new BMW 528i, for example, starts at $49,950.

I began wondering where it was authorized that elected officials would get cars, or a hefty allowance. I made some inquiries and was directed to an ordinance, the following quotes are from St. Louis City Ordinance 68716 from 2010.

First an exemption for personal licensing or use:

4.13.020 Personal licensing or use–Exemptions.

The prohibitions on the use of Missouri state license plates contained in Section 4.13.010 shall not apply to passenger automobiles assigned to and used by officials or employees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department. The following passenger automobiles are exempted from the prohibitions on the use of Missouri state license plates contained in

Section 4.13.010:

A. One automobile assigned to the mayor of the city for his personal use;

B. One automobile assigned to the comptroller of the city for his personal use;

C. One automobile assigned to the president of the board of aldermen for his personal use; and

D. Such other automobiles as may be specifically designated by the board of aldermen by resolution upon the recommendation of the board of estimate and apportionment.

Any such resolution shall clearly identify the automobile or automobiles for which Missouri state license plates are sought, the person or persons who will use such automobile or automobiles and the conditions of such use and shall justify the need for Missouri state license plates for each such automobile.

So the above means the three listed in A-C, and any added via resolution in D, can be used personally and may have a regular “Missouri” rather than “City of St. Louis” license plate. One other exemption:

4.13.040 Identification of city automobiles–Exemptions.

The requirement of the clear identification of city-owned automobiles contained in Section 4.13.030 shall not apply to passenger automobiles assigned to and used by officials or employees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department. The following passenger automobiles are exempted from the requirement of clear identification of city-owned automobiles contained in Section 4.13.030:

A. One automobile assigned to the mayor of the city for his personal use;

B. One automobile assigned to the comptroller of the city for his personal use;

C. One automobile assigned to the president of the board of aldermen of the city for his personal use; and

D. Such other automobiles as may be specifically designated by the board of aldermen by resolution upon the recommendation of the board of estimate and apportionment.

Any such resolution shall clearly identify the automobile or automobiles for which an exemption from this requirement is sought, the person or persons who will use such automobile or automobiles and the conditions of such use and shall justify the need for the requested exemption.

The same three are exempt from being identified as City of St. Louis vehicles, plus any added by resolution, don’t need to have “City of St. Louis” in letters on the side of the vehicle.

One more quote:

Section 4.13.050 Use of City Motor Vehicles

No official or employee of the City shall possess or use any motor vehicle owned or leased by the City except for those officials or employees who are specifically designated by resolution of the Board of Aldermen, upon the recommendation of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. Any such resolution shall clearly identify the person who will use such motor vehicle, their title, their job classification, the conditions of such use, and shall justify the need for such use.

So I found Resolution 259, adopted in December 2010. Here’s a quote:

WHEREAS, Ordinance 68716 requires that the Board of Aldermen approve a resolution adopting the City of St. Louis Vehicle Policy Manual (herein attached as Exhibit A) the following, which includes possession and use of City motor vehicles and reimbursement for personal motor vehicle usage; and

WHEREAS, ordinance 68716 further requires that the Board of Aldermen approve possession and use of City motor vehicles and reimbursement for personal motor vehicle usage, by title/job classification and nature and conditions of use (list attached as Evhibit B).”

Unfortunately the library has neither attachment. I contacted board clerk David Sweeney who located it and sent me a scanned copy.

Turns out Attachment B isn’t a list of any specific elected offices that get cars, as I expected. It was just a spreadsheet with people and the cars they were assigned. I reviewed the 2010 list and found only two elected officials:

• Comptroller Darlene Green: 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
• Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter: 2007 Buick Lucerne

The Vehicle Policy and most recent Assignment Survey are online here. maintains The current list is for FY2014, as of 10/14/2013 — long before Carpenter resigned last summer to avoid charges of nepotism. The only elected official on the list is Comptroller Darlene Green with the same 2009 Mercury.  The webpage notes:

This survey is conducted in accordance with paragraph 3.1 of the City Vehicle Policy. Vehicle listings and employee assignments are as of July-August of each year when appointing authorities complete the survey.  The new version is posted after acceptance by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment on or about October 1st and provision to the Board of Aldermen.

The Board of Estimate and Apportionment (aka E&A) is comprised of the Mayor, Comptroller, & President of the Board of Aldermen.

Ok, let’s dig into the Vehicle Policy to see if that sheds any light:

2.2. Specifications/Options

2.2.1. Individually Assigned

2.2.1.1. Elected Officials are typically provided new, well-equipped, full-sized sedans or advanced technology vehicles. These vehicles may include luxury packages and options at the discretion of the elected official.

2.2.1.2. Appointed Officials who require a vehicle to complete their duties are typically provided a mid-sized sedan or sport utility vehicle dependent upon job requirements. These vehicles are typically equipped with power windows and locks, tilt steering wheels and air conditioning. Luxury packages and options such as leather seats, automatic climate control systems, navigation systems and upgraded sound systems are prohibited even as part of an emergency purchase.

2.2.1.3. Civil Service employees are typically provided sedans, pickup trucks, vans or sport utility vehicles appropriate to the nature of their duties. New vehicles may be equipped with air conditioning, power windows and locks and tilt steering wheel for improved health and safety when necessary.

Ok, but which elected officials get cars? All of them? All 28 Aldermen?

3.3. Vehicle Allowance Criteria

• 3.3.1.  Employees required to drive daily on official business but who are not assigned a City vehicle because one is not available shall keep a mileage log. Employees must also file a mileage reimbursement form on a monthly basis thru the accounts payable section in their Department.
• 3.3.2.  In conjunction with the Budget Division the automobile allowance shall be established by the Comptroller annually in January for the next fiscal year. It shall be based on the IRS regulation, but not necessarily set at that rate.
• 3.3.3.  Employees receiving the automobile allowance must sign a declaration annually that they possess a valid driver’s license, their vehicle is maintained in safe operating condition at all times and that they have the following minimum insurance coverage: $25,000 coverage bodily injury per person, $50,000 coverage bodily injury per occurrence and $10,000 coverage property damage or at the minimum levels required by State statute, whichever is greater.
• 3.3.4.  Employees paid the automobile allowance may not use a City vehicle unless approved as part of a formal trip authorization.
• 3.3.5.  Each year prior to October 1, the Comptroller will supply a report to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment and the Board of Alderman detailing payments made listing the employee’s name and payment history for the previous fiscal year.

Now that I’ve gotten the background out of the way, the next part will get into more specifics. I hope get answers to the following questions:

1. Which elected officials, if any, currently have city vehicles? What kind? Are they issued a 1099?
2. Which elected officials, if any, currently receive a car allowance? How much? Are they issued a 1099?
3. Who has city gas cards? What measures are in place to ensure these aren’t used to refill personal vehicles?
4. Why isn’t the Buick Lucerne used by the Board of Elections listed on the most recent assignment sheet?

A 1099 you ask? Yes, vehicles for personal use are taxable income that must be reported to the IRS! See fringe benefits communing rule.

I have a feeling the deeper I dig into city vehicles and their oversight I’m going to find a lot that many would like to keep hidden in the trunk.

— Steve Patterson

The Public Sidewalk Is Not Your Private Driveway

Over the years St. Louis has vacated both streets & alleys, this means land previously part of the public right-of-way (PROW) is now private. Usually the phrase “vacate public surface rights for vehicle, equestrian and pedestrian travel” is used in the ordinance (from a block west), typically splitting the surface rights between the adjacent properties. The description of the vacated surface rights are very precise, also from the block to the West:

Beginning at the point of intersection of the western line of 11th Street, 60 feet wide, with the northern line of said alley; thence south 14 degrees 58 minutes 30 seconds west 15.00 feet along the western line of said 11th Street, to the southern line of said alley; thence north 75 degrees 05 minutes west 176.75 feet along the southern line of said alley; thence north 14 degrees 58 minutes 30 seconds east 15.00 feet to the northern line of said alley; thence south 75 degrees 05 minutes east 176.75 feet along the northern line of said alley, to the western line of said 11th street and the point of beginning, and containing 2651 square feet. are, upon the conditions hereinafter set out, vacated. 

The alley that is the subject today must have been vacated prior to the library putting ordinances online.

This section of alley was extra, the vacation still allowed access to all buildings and 10th & 11th Street — note that the number & configuration of buildings has changed since 1909.

Ok, so we’ve established the surface rights are now private — but this changes where? The building line — not the curb. From the 1909 Sunburn map we know the Locust PROW is 60 feet wide — from building face to the opposite building face. The roadway and sidewalks on both sides are within this 60 foot wide PROW. Unfortunately, one tenant/owner thinks the alley surface rights extend past the building line to the curb line.  Ever since the former Bride’s House building  at 1008-10 Locust was renovated people have  been partially parking in the PROW. I finally began photographing to document the ongoing problem.

Finally last month, on May 7th, I went into the adjacent business, asking if the SUV belonged to them. When they said yes I told them they can’t park blocking the public sidewalk. We had a big argument outside which continued via text after I left my business card.

I don’t know the total number of tickets the city has issued for vehicles here, likely in the hundreds. The business even got another patient involved — an elected official. I returned her phone call explaining where the line is between private property and the PROW, I also emailed her the pictures through May 7th. Hopefully she got back to more important business in Jefferson City.

In the future I’m not going to text the business, I’m just going to email Streets & Parking Enforcement and hope the vehicle’s owner must negotiate with a tow truck operator. I don’t know the total number of tickets the city has issued for vehicles here, likely in the hundreds.

Parking is allowed in the PROW — we have meters placed to know where it is ok to do so.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Should Missouri follow Nebraska and abolish the death penalty?

Last week the conservative legislature in neighboring Nebraska voted to override their governor’s veto of a bill to repeal their death penalty:

Lawmakers in Nebraska overrode Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of their vote to repeal the death penalty, making it the first Republican-controlled state in the U.S. to repeal the death penalty since North Dakota in 1973. The vote was 30-19.

As we reported Tuesday, Ricketts, a Republican, vetoed the legislation flanked by law enforcement personnel, murder victims’ family members and state lawmakers who support capital punishment. Opposition to the death penalty in the conservative state came from Republicans who were against it for religious or fiscal reasons, as well as from Democrats and independents. (NPR)

Of course, just because a neighboring state does something it doesn’t mean we should follow them. Still, this is a good public policy subject for a Sunday Poll.  The poll is at the top of the right sidebar of the desktop layout, it’ll close at 8pm tonight.

— Steve Patterson