Milwaukees streetcar desire: Mayor touts economic benefits, but critics exist (Oct. 25, 2012 by Richard Wronski, Chicago Tribune) MILWAUKEE — The last time a streetcar traveled the rails in this city in 1958, the Braves played at County Stadium and Pabst, Schlitz, and Miller were the brewers that made the city famous. Today the Brewers play at Miller Park and the Braves are long gone, but streetcars may be making a comeback. Mayor Tom Barrett is the prime mover behind Milwaukees plan to build a brand-new streetcar system. Bright, modern vehicles would traverse a two-mile route through the citys East Side, downtown and historic Third Ward, a former warehouse area now popular for its shops and restaurants. Barrett believes flashy streetcars can revitalize Milwaukees city front and points to the popularity of the 10-year-old system in Portland, Ore. Todays streetcars, Barrett says, are more about attracting attention than providing transportation. I look at this as an economic development tool, Barrett told the Tribune. Look at Portland. That system has aided in spurring development and growth, which is what all communities are looking for now. Portlands system has been a model for cities across the country. Among them are Kansas City, Mo., which is planning a $93 million system, and St. Louis, which has a $43 million line in the works. Chicagos former Mayor Richard M. Daley pushed for a $775 million downtown trolley system in the 1990s. And in 2003, former U.S. Rep. William Lipinski proposed a route on Ogden Avenue and Cermak Road, extending to Navy Pier. Both plans went nowhere. In recent months, a North Side streetcar advocate, John Krause, launched a low-key campaign for a Chicago streetcar renaissance. With a Facebook page, a blog and a slick website, chicagostreetcar, Krause envisions a car-free Clark Street dedicated to streetcars, bicyclists and pedestrians stretching from Wrigley Field to downtown. A Clark Street line would be attractive to a new generation thats shown little interest in the time and money it takes to own and operate a car, Krause said. For now, transit advocates are focusing attention on Milwaukee, where Barretts grand scheme is advancing. Milwaukees system would cost nearly $65 million, most of which would come from federal funds, with the rest coming from tax increment financing. Theoretically, the streetcar line would enhance the value of property along its route. Youd be hard-pressed to name a vibrant North American city that doesnt have fixed rail as part of its mass transit arsenal, Barrett said. Transportation experts agree that modern streetcars, like those in Seattle or Toronto, or even traditional systems in San Francisco and New Orleans, have cachet, or a coolness factor. A lot of cities are looking for that elusive type of beachfront property benefit that can attract residents, that draws people, said Mantill Williams, a spokesman for the American Public Transit Association, which represents transportation agencies. Thats a lure used by Kenosha, which installed a vintage streetcar line along its redeveloped lakefront in 2000. One of the systems cars is a Green Hornet that plied Chicagos streets until 1958. These are much more sleek, attractive vehicles that are comfortable to ride. Theyre not for every part of the metro area. They will not displace other forms of mass transit, Barrett said. According to the projects website, themilwaukeestreetcar, the goal is to present an image of a modern and forward-thinking city that will help attract outside investment, business and talent. The streetcars also would help shape the brand and identity of Milwaukee, making the city more attractive for residents, businesses, visitors and investors, proponents say. One anchor of the streetcar line would be Milwaukees transportation center for intercity buses, Amtrak and potential high-speed rail. The station would provide access to the city without the need for a car. Barrett acknowledges current plans are just the start. He envisions extending the line farther north along the citys East Side, and also through more of the downtown area. Although Barrett has strong support on the citys Common Council, one member, Ald. Bob Donovan, who represents the citys South Side, has sought unsuccessfully to have the council approve a referendum on the proposal, and opposition has also come from two conservative organizations, the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy based in Madison, and Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political group headquartered in Arlington, Va. Opponents have taken their fight to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, because underground service lines on streetcar routes would add to the cost. The commission then made a ruling to require the city and utility companies to share the costs. Meanwhile, at the Milwaukee Public Market, one of the main attractions in the Third Ward, shopkeepers are excited about the prospect of streetcars rolling in with more customers. Its amazing to me how many people who live locally still havent spent much time downtown or in the Third Ward or even been to the public market, said Phil Bilodeau, proprietor of the Thief Wine Shop. I think anything that would make it more accessible to people is great.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:42:10 +0000
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