Doug Allen: your comments are thoughful.One point I disagree with in your comments is "shuttle bus idea was a big waste".

For many, the shuttle bus was an interim solution until NM substantially developed (and the other public needs are in place or started-parks, greenway, transportation solutions, etc.); and these ideas that you include, plus the tram, could be carefully considered.

Also, you didn't explain the technology connections at Barbur and Ross Island-was it Howell's suggestions? The neighborhoods did ask for exploration of other ideas including Howell's, as you said.

The shuttle buses could also achieve the inter-modal connections at Barbur and Ross Island that you mention. Plus, buses could better distribute people at both OHSU and NM, and importantly, in between. Most people forget that the walking time with the tram to other parts at both OHSU and NM will approach 20 minutes, or need a second means of distributing people. In NM the future trolley can distribute people somewhat, but it doesn't go everywhere like a bus can. Also, not all circumstances (like some wheel chairs, medical cases, guerneys, etc.) can be distributed by trolley. Same goes when you arrive at pill hill Imagine a major heart condition patient w/respiratory problems getting to the VA from the OHSU terminal with a walker vs. a shuttle bus dropping the patient off right at the VA. Thanks

Sam, contrary to some of the posts: changing guard at URAC has some benefits (thank you), and we need accountibility. But the issue is still; should the Tram be built? Your office recently did studies of the feasiblity of stopping the tram ($6M). It should still be up for discussion, now. NM URAC in Decembers meeting asked for a true life-cycle cost for the tram from 20 years to 50 years. An honest evaluation should be made using life-cycle cost analysis compared to the stopping or delaying the tram. A rough estimate of a 20 year life-cycle cost for the tram is $216M-compare that to stopping the tram.

And compare that to the minimum $7.5M that taxpayers have already contributed to the tram in right-of-way costs, land costs, etc. See bojack.org for analysis. This doesn't include the NM $3.5M taxpayer contribution already on the table. Thanks