Los Angeles — Streetcar Report
Rail Transit Online — October 2006
The glory days of electric streetcar service in downtown Los Angeles could
return if the vision outlined in a consultant’s report commissioned by the
city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is fulfilled. The document
predicts that an on-street rail circulator system could encourage
development, attract tourists and bring more people to public transit,
reflecting the experiences of Portland and other cities. “This isn't just
a cute little tourist attraction,” Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the
influential Central City Association, told the Los Angeles Times. “We
need a sophisticated and fun circulator that ties together all the vibrant
districts that are spread around downtown.”
The idea for a new streetcar network has been floated before but this
is the first official analysis. The $100,000 study by consultant IBI
Group looked at five possible routes, all on a north-south alignment
connecting major traffic generators and costing between $60 million and
$73 million, the price tag depending on length and amenities. The
proposed routes outlined in the 68-page report include a reverse "S" on
Hope Street, First Street, Broadway, Seventh Street and back to Hope
Street; a loop along Broadway, 11th Street, Flower Street and First Street
with a short spur on Figueroa Street to the sports and entertainment
venues at Staples Center and L.A. Live; and three variations of a loop
generally serving Civic Center, Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Chinatown
and the Fashion District. IBI recommended a follow-up study to examine
each route in detail.
So far, there’s been no commitment from city officials, including Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa who has previously announced that a costly extension
of the Red Line subway to West L.A. and Santa Monica is number one on his
transit agenda. The CRA also has not taken a position on the proposal.
But Councilwoman Jan Perry, who represents the area that would be served
by the streetcar, said she likes the idea. “I think that anything that
could serve residents and tourists, and reduces the number of car trips,
can't just be rejected,” Perry told the Los Angeles Times. If it were to
go forward, the project wouldn’t be completed for six to eight years and a
funding scenario involving both public- and private-sector contributions
still has to be developed. It would most likely be managed by the city or
a non-profit agency, not the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Streetcars
operated by the legendary Pacific Electric and Los Angeles Transit Lines
once blanketed much of Los Angeles; the last lines were scrapped in 1963. |
|
