the benefits of an east end streetcar...2012/08/14 · cities with billions of dollars invested in...

The Benefits of an East End Streetcar What they are and why we’re excited.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Agenda

7:30-8:00

8:00-8:05

8:05-8:30

8:30-8:40

8:40-9:00

Meet and Greet

Introductions

Streetcars. What they are and why we love them.

Urban Circulator Alternative Analysis Update

Questions & Comments

Streetcar Into Public Meeting – August 14, 2012

Introduction Metro's Light Rail will begin operating in the next couple years, creating great access to downtown, U of H, the Medical Center, parks, etc. It will really benefit you, right?

If you are going to work, how will you get to the station? Will you walk, how far away do you live, once you get to the last stop how far to your destination? Can you take a bus to get there, will you ride your bike? What about getting around your neighborhood to shops and restaurants?

Cities with billions of dollars invested in light rail and subways are asking the same question, it is called the last mile question. Over 30 cities including Dallas think they have the answer, back to the past, Street cars. Did you know that we used to have 91 miles of street cars in the city of Houston? Street cars are the last mile answer and have been shown to attract jobs, retail and housing to the neighborhoods where they are built.


Where are Streetcars? America Rediscovers the Streetcar


What are Streetcars? Three General Types of Streetcar


MODERN STREETCAR Quieter, smoother, and ADA compliant Portland, Seattle, Tacoma

REPLICA STREETCAR New cars built to Antique Design Port of LA, Tampa, Little Rock, Lowell, Charlotte, San Francisco

VINTAGE STREETCAR Actual Antiques Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle, Memphis, San Francisco, Kenosha

Transit cities are Multi-modal.


Each city had a different combination of bus and rail modes to address urban, suburban and exurban travel markets

Where do Streetcars fit in?

Who are Streetcars for? and … What does this mean for YOU?


Residents Consumers Students Elderly Visitors Professionals

Why Streetcars? 1. Add Excitement & Value to Neighborhood Development.


Streetcars are a catalyst for bringing in much needed neighborhood amenities such as grocery stores, shops, jobs, housing etc. which also energizes street life.

Portland

Development Plan ($3 billion)

Development Plan ($3 billion)

The marketplace bets on Urban Rail.

Seattle Streetcar District

Why Streetcars? 2. Creating healthier, more walkable communities


• Promote walkability and vibrant street life.

• Slower speeds, quieter, shorter routes and less threatening to pedestrians than cars and light rail.

Why Streetcars? 3. Supports Local residents and businesses.


• Enhance resident and local business owner sense of pride.

• Public infrastructure investments spur private development.

Portland’s Streetcar connects to Parks, Brew Pub and Portland State University

Why Streetcars? 4. Connecting people to places.


• Creates local circulation and connections to community assets.

• Increases accessibility for ALL users.

Why Streetcars? 5. Place-making.


• Streetcars become part of the street environment.

• Define the district and emphasize its distinctive character.

• Attract visitors who normally would not travel through East End.

Doing all this within the existing right-of-way and street

Why Streetcars? 6. Long term and highly visible investments.


• Using attractive local transit to create places where people want to live.

• Attract more sidewalk activity and stimulate businesses.

• Create a more secure business environment.

Why Streetcars? 7. Supports Transit Service.


• Increased transit services. • Support other transit

investments. • Answer the Last Mile Question

First Hill/Capitol Hill Line Central Line South Lake Union Line Fremont /Ballard Line V Line South Transit Link Light Rail George Benson Waterfront Streetcar King Count Metro RapidRide BRT

Seattle Streetcar

Why Streetcars? 8. Improves Environmental Quality.


• Reduce automobile dependence and carbon emissions.

• Reduce parking requirements which helps with managing drainage.

• Save gas, reduce costs of travel.

Streetcar Summary Benefits of the Streetcar


1. Add Excitement & Value to Neighborhood Development. 2. Creates Healthier, More Walkable Communities. 3. Supports Local Residents & Businesses 4. Connects People & Places. 5. Place-making. 6. Creates Long Term & Highly Visible Investment. 7. Supports Transit Service. 8. Improves Environmental Quality.

Provided the inspiration: New Orleans

• Rail Renaissance of historic trolley projects

• One of the first things the community attempted to bring back after Katrina

Historic Trolleys

Transit Remains a valid option.

• Historic trolleys are designed more as an amenity

Dallas Trolleys

Tampa Little Rock

Charlotte Memphis

• Strong midday ridership • 82% of trips made by residents either

nearby or adjacent to Streetcar • 88% walk to and/or from Streetcar • 21% are choosing not to own a car • 87% ridership increase between 2001 &

2004 • Serves multiple purposes: work trips,

dining, shopping, school, recreation

Portland has 7.8 miles of Streetcar (More than Houston’s LRT)

Survey Findings

Portland Streetcar Rider Survey

Redeveloping Rundown Areas Before…

Redeveloping Rundown Areas …And After

Seattle South Lake Union Line

20,000 passengers per day!

San Francisco’s new “F Line”…

Atlanta

Vancouver, BC

Miami Beach

Winston-Salem, NC

Won’t you be my Streetcar Neighbor?

Upcoming Events September Exact date and time TBA

Find out about the progress made in the FTA Streetcar Study for the East End. Check out some potential streetcar routes and weigh in on important issues.

EAST END Streetcar PublicMeeting#2


the benefits of an east end streetcar...2012/08/14 · cities with billions of dollars invested in...

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