Tacoma — Another Streetcar

Rail Transit Online, May 2006

City officials are getting behind a proposal for a historic streetcar network that could link Tacoma’s business and residential districts.  The heritage cars — either originals or replicas — would connect with the modern Tacoma Link streetcar line, a 1.6-mi. (2.6 km) route connecting the Dome to the Theater District.  The city council’s environment and public works committee on Apr. 12 approved a resolution asking city staff to study the trolley’s feasibility.  The full City Council is expected to consider the resolution shortly.  A key provision would require staff to coordinate its efforts with Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, neighborhood councils and the business community.  A representative of Pierce Transit who spoke at the committee meeting said his agency is “very enthusiastic” about the proposal, which was developed by Tacoma Streetcar, a volunteer grassroots organization.  The group has developed a three-phase construction plan.  First to be built would be the 6.1-mi. (9.8 km) Blue Line, a loop serving the Sixth Avenue, Stadium, and Proctor Districts.  Next would come the 4.6-mi. (7.4 km) Yellow Line loop on Tacoma and Hilltop avenues followed by the 4.7-mi. (7.6 km) Green Line through the Lincoln District and the Tacoma Mall to South Tacoma Way.  Still to be determined are capital costs and funding sources.