Lancaster — Streetcar Planning Grant Sought

Rail Transit Online, July 2009

The city council voted unanimously on June 23 to apply for a $20,000 county grant to finance an economic and engineering feasibility study of a proposed 2.6-mi. (4.2 km) streetcar loop between Vine Street and the Amtrak station.

The non-profit Lancaster Streetcar Co. has purchased three unrestored PCC cars for the project, which was twice rejected for a $14.2-million FTA Small Starts grant during the Bush administration.

The city is seeking funds for the analysis from the county's Urban Enhancement Grant program, which requires a dollar-for-dollar match. Council member Jose Urdaneta, who is also a member of the streetcar company board, told the Intelligencer Joumal that the study will provide city officials with sufficient information to make an "intelligent decision" on whether to support the streetcar line.