The 11 projects detailed below signify what Governing senior editor Tod Newcombe identified five years ago, namely the fact that cities are rediscovering that streetcars "connect neighborhoods, increase accessibility and spur economic development."
Newcombe has been following the revitalization of American streetcars for years. In 2012, his piece on the now 14-year-old Portland streetcar explains the model which cities today are hoping to replicate.
"Behind many of these streetcar projects is the desire to revitalize neighborhoods. When Portland built its line in 2001, the city hoped it would encourage transit-oriented development. The line has done just that. Today, it is credited with leading to $3.5 billion in new construction, 10,000 residential units, and more than 5 million square feet of office and hotel space."
Here are the cities hoping to follow Portland's lead:
Proposed Length: 10 miles
Service Begins: 2015
Projected Cost: $150 million
Washington, D.C.
Proposed Length: 2.4 miles
Service Begins: 2015
Projected Cost: $190 million
Kansas City, Mo.
Proposed Length: 2.2 miles
Service Begins: 2015
Projected Cost: $61.7 million (The total project budget comes to $102 million, which includes design, four streetcar vehicles, a streetcar maintenance facility and other related costs.)
Minneapolis
Proposed Length: 3.4 miles
Service Begins: TBD
Projected Cost: $200 million
Oklahoma City
Proposed Length: 6 miles
Service Begins: 2017
Projected Cost: $130 million
Detroit
Proposed Length: 3.3 miles
Service Begins: 2016
Projected Cost: $140 million
Dallas
Proposed Length: 1.6 miles
Service Begins: 2015
Projected Cost: $51 million
Los Angeles
Proposed Length: 4 miles
Service Begins: 2019
Projected Cost: $270 million
Sacramento, Calif.
Proposed Length: 3.3 miles
Service Begins: 2017
Projected Cost: $150 million
Milwaukee
Proposed Length: 4.6 miles
Service Begins: 2018
Projected Cost: $123.9 million
Cincinnati
Proposed Length: 3.6 miles
Service Begins: 2016
Projected Cost: $147.8 million
