Downtown Streetcar

Streetcar Workshop Set to Get Underway

By Eric Richardson — May 22, 2008

Today is the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop, and I'm sitting in the Orpheum Theatre as opening remarks kick off. Ed Fuentes is to my right, all set to take photos of the day's events. Thanks to the theatre's WIFI and power we'll be posting live updates throughout the day. After each session I'll post a recap here on the site. Those who are particularly eager...

Workshop Looks to Sell L.A. on Streetcar

By Eric Richardson — May 15, 2008 — 13 Comments

Eric Richardson

The concept of a Downtown streetcar isn't new, but the current push is picking up steam in a way past efforts never did. Political will, redevelopment and transportation necessity seem to all be coming together to make the project suddenly seem quite feasible.

Next Thursday, May 22nd, Reconnecting America and the Seaside Institute will be hosting the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop at the Orpheum Theatre, and we've got a special offer for those looking to attend. The day is designed to help Downtown stakeholders understand what streetcar systems have done for other cities around the country, and what a new system might do for Downtown. — Continued Inside...

The Modern Streetcar's Greatest Asset: Low Floor Boarding

By Eric Richardson — April 22, 2008 — 18 Comments

Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| The proposed streetcar system for Downtown is often referred to as a revival of the Red Car, the romanticized system that connected all parts of the L.A. area. That has led many to think that the system should use historic vehicles, either original or recreations.

Last week a delegation from Downtown visited Portland and Seattle, two cities that have opened streetcar systems in recent years. Both cities use modern cars from Skoda-Inekon, a manufacturer in the Czech Republic.

While the desire to connect with the history of L.A. is admirable, the benefits of a modern streetcar are overwhelming. Perhaps most importantly, the low floor height of the cars has huge ramifications for how the system integrates into the urban landscape and how efficiently passengers are able to get on and off the car. — Continued Inside...

Streetcar Construction Not Your Typical Rail Project

By Eric Richardson — April 18, 2008
4 Comments

One of the most interesting things presented in yesterday's talks about the Portland Streetcar was the pace of construction. Mike Powell, owner of massive Portland bookstore Powell's Books, told the delegation how he was originally opposed to the project, which was scheduled to run on two sides of his store. His experience with rail construction was the work...

First Glimpses from the Portland Streetcar Trip

By Eric Richardson — April 17, 2008 — 8 Comments

Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| It was a full day for the more than two dozen members of the Downtown group up in Portland to ride streetcars and hear about how development has blossomed along the streetcar's route. Councilman Jose Huizar led the delegation of Downtowners, most of whom will be visiting Seattle tomorrow before returning to Los Angeles.

While many concrete ideas and possibilities came out of the presentations by those involved in Portland revitalization, the most important outcome was the increased sense of enthusiasm for a Downtown streetcar. Huizar, already a supporter of the concept, came away from his day in Portland even more set on making sure that the Downtown system happened. — Continued Inside...

Downtown Delegation Heads North to Ride Streetcars

By Eric Richardson — April 16, 2008 — 16 Comments

Phillip J. Salzman

Councilman Jose Huizar leads a trip to the Pacific Northwest this week, as a delegation of approximately two dozen head to Portland and Seattle to ride streetcars and learn how a similar system could work here in Downtown.

The two-day trip is to help those involved in the Downtown streetcar efforts get a feel for modern streetcar systems in advance of a May 22 conference on streetcars to be held at the Los Angeles Theatre. Attendees will be in Portland on Thursday and Seattle on Friday. — Continued Inside...

Broadway Trustees and Red Car Board Get Into Gear

By Eric Richardson — February 14, 2008
30 Comments

Last night the Bringing Back Broadway Trustees held their first meeting high above Downtown in City's Hall Tom Bradley room. The group was created last month to shepherd Broadway's revitalization efforts. At this first meeting the Trustees started to get down to the business of figuring out how to go about achieving their mission. A framework for the Executive...

CRA Moves Streetcar Campaign Forward

By Eric Richardson — February 08, 2008
13 Comments

Yesterday the CRA Board approved a $60,000 expansion of its contract with the IBI Group, the consultants working on plans for a new streetcar in Downtown. The group had been awarded $120,000 for the phase one feasibility study back in 2005. Phase two of the project will consist of putting together a preferred routing and coming out in the end with a real budget...

'Bringing Back Broadway' Unveiling Offers Energy and Promise of Cooperation

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — January 28, 2008
1 Comment

Turnout was high for this morning's unveiling of the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, and the energy in the room gave rise to hope that this might finally be the time that revitalization of the historic street succeeds. The colorful curtain of the Los Angeles Theatre provided a fitting backdrop for a presentation filled with grand ideas for a once-majestic...

A Little Late, but Finally the CRA Streetcar Study is Out

By Eric Richardson — September 07, 2006
7 Comments

Earlier this week the LA Times ran the unfortunately named "In Los Angeles, the Desire of Some Is Named Streetcar. It talked about the release of the CRA's plodding streetcar feasibility study, which I last covered back in December, when the Advisory Board last met. The study, which was planned to last six to eight months, was awarded last April. This post...

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