a:1:{s:15:"field_blog_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:3117:"So <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140520/METRO01/305200020/M-1-track-groundbreaking-Detroit">the M-1 Rail project is getting closer to fruition</a> in Detroit. Thank goodness - I thought for a minute there would be taxpayer money going to something useful. How else can you go along the 3.3 miles along Woodward the streetcar can go except cars, buses, bike, and transported by ambulance / hearse. There are lots of opinions on this issue, but I like Pat Baldwin's enthusiasm:<br />
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<div>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure they&rsquo;ll build the first phase,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It kind of reminds me of the People Mover situation. It kind of goes nowhere, but it goes just a little somewhere. And the idea was to have it expanded and it never did. I just don&rsquo;t want the M-1 Rail to get stuck like that.<br />
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&ldquo;I think some powers that be are resistant to having mass transit,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think we can become a true cosmopolitan city without it.&rdquo;</div>
</blockquote>I'm sure the incredibly high murder rate, vast amount of homelessness, continuing population decline, and war-zone appearance will do nothing to hinder Detroit's rising to be a cosmopolitan city, either. But maybe curing those is in next year's budget. After the street cars are properly designed:<br />
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<div>The design of the streetcars has yet to be chosen, but they will be double-ended with doors on both sides with 12 stops through several stations that will be built to fit the aesthetics and historical value of the area.</div>
</blockquote>I'm wondering if the streetcars will include graffiti, or if they will wait for the good citizens of Detroit to do that job for them. And if we're making a wish list, I think each car should have portions to resemble burned out and abandoned buildings, to really set the tone of the trip.<br />
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<div>At the end of each stop, the trains won&rsquo;t turn around; rather, the trolley operator will move from one end to the other and drive it the other way. Some parts of the route will stop at stations and run in the center</div>
</blockquote>This is the most dangerous part of the trip for the driver, when he is exposed to the riders, increasing the chance of muggings. Another wish list item: A Robocop in each car.<br />
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<div>[Matthew Cullen, president and CEO of Rock Ventures and a member of the M-1 board of directors] said the financial pieces are nearly in place as they are finalizing the remaining commitments for the money. Money is needed not only to build the rail line and rebuild parts of Woodward, but also to maintain the operation.</div>
</blockquote>And don't forget, the powerful, influential people that have to be paid off to make this project happen. I wonder if the budget includes embezzlement funds and union &quot;dues&quot;. And maybe the M-1 Rail website can include a link to Uber when the streetcars operators are on strike.<br />
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Like I said, what else would they spend the money on? Improving roads?<br />";s:6:"format";s:1:"2";}}}