Kevin posted his liveblogging meeting notes here

Look for my very poor taste Tacomic about why it is so very important to limit train noise round the rescue mission IN THE FUTURE!

Weren’t the Prairie Line rail lines and trains running there when the mission was built pre-2003? If so, the mission hasn’t a leg to stand on.

Besides, isn’t the new rail line designed to get people to work and back? So we should not build something for the people who work so the people who don’t work have a more restful afternoons (the Sounder doesn’t run at night)sleep? Huh…

Once the tracks are improved, there is reasonable expectation they’ll be utilized for cargo traffic as well.

I did not mean to indicate that this is an either/or situation by any means. The mission is not trying to obstruct construction any more than PT wants to keep the homeless from resting. The primary concern is that a run of the mill noise mitigation plan may not suit the mission’s needs (window modifications, generally). Whether this is true or not is beyond my expertise. Whether they can withhold the 4’ strip until satisfied with the noise plan, from what i understand, is the thrust of the suit. The primary right of way is already secured. This is just a 4’ appurtenant strip to the main ROW, and the issue is likely to be decided quickly.

This kind of negotiation is not uncommon, and could be considered a kind of “value exchange.” in my personal view, I would be very hesitant to criticize the mission’s concerns until there is proactive assurance that the mission can continue to function in its current location.

Actually, the freight trains will continue to use the tracks alongside the water. They won’t be going past the Rescue Mission.

Amtrak will though, and they happen to go through in the wee hours of the night.

However, the Mission folks new all of this when they built their building a few feet from where the railroad tracks would be situated. They put themselves in this predicament. They are the root cause for any sleepless nights their residents will have.

The Rescue Mission is simply trying to extract their own pound of flesh from Sound Transit, and make my taxes go up in the process. They will no longer get any donations from me. The left leaning transit supporters are also the same compassionate people that donate to their cause. These people are biting the very hands that feed them.

people think this is a test of train noise. It’s not. In reality this is a test of faith.

Imagine how the noise will disturb this valuable lesson about blind rock climbing = faith.

Freight will move on that line if there are closures of the Ruston way tunnel or slides along the water which close the main line. Tacoma Rail also retains traffic rights so, in theory, could use those rights to service South Tacoma clients (X-Cell Feed, Atlas, Tacoma Steel etc). The main freight traffic will however continue (for the most part) on the waterline.

From what it sounds like, both parties are working together to make sure all concerns are addressed and taken care of. I don’t think it’s an issue of the Rescue Mission trying to squeeze out a few bucks for “their own use.” Which, if you ask me, they are providing a great service that we should all help to contribute towards. I can understand both sides, but neither one seems milicious to me. Sound Transit is trying to be more efficiant, and TRM wants to make sure there wont be horrible noise. It’s a legit concern and NO ONE should claim they’re out for their own. Their service is one to the public, should any one be unfortunate enough to be homeless. And if our taxes have to be raised so more people can be provided for, personally, I have no objections.

The TRM built their facility in 2001. Trains were still running nearby at that time. Granted that the tracks are being moved slightly, but still, the train tracks were really close. Certainly closer than I would want to live next to train tracks. But still, the TRM chose to build there, and had no concerns with guests sleeping at night at the time. Now, all of a sudden, when they think that they can get something from ST (which really means from all of us Pierce County tax payers) they want to hold out their hand for a coerced donation. South Tacoma and Lakewood have been waiting to use their Stations. Commuters have been waiting to have access to more frequent trains. Amtrak is waiting to move their Station over next to FHS, and FHS desperately needs all the foot traffic that it can get. I really hope that the TRM decides to stop trying to delay this project.

TRM put themselves next to the tracks on purpose. Surprise, trains make noise, who could’ve known that ahead of time.

If quieter walls and windows are the “pound of flesh” that TRM gets from this negotiation, they should fire their VP in Charge of Greed, because he/she clearly doesn’t understand the point of it.

I understand the frustration with the slow development of mass transit here. But if all TRM is arguing for is a commitment to a satisfactory mitigation plan, they only benefit by not having to relocate. This is hardly a case of nefarious obstructionism.

I’m sure the price of the lot was a major factor in its selection for the TRM site. The land had to be pretty cheap.

I’m just saying… no need to put all the bricks on one side of the see-saw.

I’m not an expert here, but if TRM is physically in the way (i.e. obstructing forward motion) and refusing to sell until their demands are met……. whaddya call it?

If we were playing basketball, TRM would be called with a foul since they stepped in front of a player with forward motion to the basket (in this case the basket is So Tac Sounder Station). TRM would be the player sprawled on the court asking the ref to call a charge even though he knowingly stepped in front.

@lostinlosangeles

have you considered a career in locally televised city council public commenting?

WISH we had a public access channel. then we’d really be a bohemian city… Let’s get the Community and Economic Development Department on that.

Why Silence is CRITICAL at Tacoma Rescue Mission: the Tacoma Rescue Mission vs. Sound Transit Tacomic

you saw it here first folks!

Click on my name to see some condos in San Jose built right against a freight line. They were going to put light rail (or BART connector) there until the railroad started using it again.

WSDOT and Hwy 16 sound barriers have nothing to do with ST. ST has nothng to do with WSDOT. ST being behind schedule is one of the reasons for this suit and all of the obstructionist’s like TRM along the entire route employing delaying tacticts.

If you don’t want to listen to trains going by, don’t move next to the RR tracks. It’s not rocket science. Besides its Amtrak’s trains that’ll be going by at night anyways, not ST’s.

Send your collection plate over to Amtrak if you want another donation. Stop asking ST to use Pierce County transit tax dollars for non transit purposes. As a transit user, I’m sick and tired of seeing people try to delay the train I use to get to work every day.