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104st funicular - student concept - think outside of the box

IanO

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Love this student design proposal and for those who may have forgotten or didn't know, there was an idea of putting a raised or railed tram/gondola from Bay LRT south of Jasper to 97 Avenue a number of years ago.

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Love this student design proposal and for those who may have forgotten or didn't know, there was an idea of putting a raised or railed tram/gondola from Bay LRT south of Jasper to 97 Avenue a number of years ago.

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Not sure if this location really makes sense? Who would be the target? 97ave is so hostile to pedestrians.

Ezio faraone park to fortway drive, or 125st to government house park seem like higher usage areas for a funicular type project
 
Not sure if this location really makes sense? Who would be the target? 97ave is so hostile to pedestrians.
I think Ian has a point here about connecting Rossdale. It would be a good way to connect Rossdale to DT, which is sorely needed.
 
If we're just talking about the 104 St Funicular concept, it would replace a set of wooden stairs from 99 Ave down to almost 98 Ave with something similar to but unique from the 100 St funicular. There are many condos and apartment buildings within the 2 block radius of the lower terminus and also gets people within 4 blocks of Re/Max Stadium and the old Rossdale Power Plant if the gondola never gets built. Even if the gondola does get built, the funicular would continue to provide accessbility for 98 Ave residents.
 
If we're just talking about the 104 St Funicular concept, it would replace a set of wooden stairs from 99 Ave down to almost 98 Ave with something similar to but unique from the 100 St funicular. There are many condos and apartment buildings within the 2 block radius of the lower terminus and also gets people within 4 blocks of Re/Max Stadium and the old Rossdale Power Plant if the gondola never gets built. Even if the gondola does get built, the funicular would continue to provide accessbility for 98 Ave residents.
I use the stairs regularly as do others living in the area, but going up can be a struggle for some and not possible for people with accessibility challenges. This could help to better connect (and possibly even expand) the residential area below to the core area above.
 
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How many people even know about this hill that starts from 100 Ave?
How many people per day use these stairs?
How many people per day will be using this proposed funicular?
How many days per year will this funicular be down due to maintenance or vandalism?
 
I think there's a better business case for this funicular than the 100 St funicular (don't get me wrong, I like the 100 St funicular) as it would actually serve residents who would use it at all hours and year round. The stairs are sparsely used for the reasons David A pointed out.
 
The stairs are well used by residents. Adding a funicular would be great, but because it could not operate 100% of the time, it should be a supplement to the stairs not a replacement.
 
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How many people even know about this hill that starts from 100 Ave?
How many people per day use these stairs?
How many people per day will be using this proposed funicular?
How many days per year will this funicular be down due to maintenance or vandalism?
I use these stairs very frequently and I see people on them quite often. I hate them because they're so dang steep, but they beat 103 St, which is equally steep but much uglier. Having said that, I don't think it would work here. As it stands, the stairs are very often used by our favourite folk to do drugs or sprawl out and "relax". If you're lucky, they'll leave some room for you to pass. If you're not, well, you'll just have to go around, won't you? The landing at the top is all too frequently used as a bathroom for the very same folk, and I was recently screamed at by someone who said I was pointing a gun at her, while she and her stuff lay sprawled all over the top landing. I had to go back down and find another way up the hill. Point being - I'd love it if we had a funicular here but there is no way in hell it wouldn't get destroyed as things stand now.
 
I agree with the steep part and that they are much nicer than 103 Street, so I also use the stairs regularly actually often in the evening. Like elsewhere downtown, I do sometimes see people hanging out, although usually not causing problems and leaving enough room to get by, so I feel that is not usually too bad. However, I also do have some concern that something nice and new could become a target for vandalism or damage.
 

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