Dallas — Streetcar Proposal

Rail Transit Online, January 2005

Two private sector companies on Dec. 13 presented plans for a three-line downtown streetcar circulator system to a Dallas city council committee and representatives of DART.  The 14-page proposal was developed by Pegasus Parking Ventures and Stanland & Associates, an urban design and planning firm.  “We're not asking the city to give us money,” said Miguel A. Del Valle II, CEO of Pegasus Parking.  “The only critical thing now is to get a high-level policy group in place that we can work with.”  One possible route would run through the arts district, then along Ross Avenue, San Jacinto Street and Main Street.  The modern streetcars would connect with DART light rail stations and the existing McKinney Avenue heritage streetcar line.  Del Valle and Raymond E. Stanland of Stanland & Associates emphasized that their scheme is only in a very preliminary stage but added that they believe streetcars can help boost downtown economic development.  City Council and DART board members agreed to explore the plan, although some of the DART representatives expressed reservations, especially about costs and financing.  However, several council members appeared to be enthusiastic, saying streetcars could keep people out of their autos for short trips around downtown.