The city council on May 15 unanimously approved a proposal laying the
groundwork for a study of the feasibility, costs and environmental impact of
a citywide streetcar system. Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal originally wanted
the analysis limited to an east-west line on Broadway and Redondo Avenue
serving Cal State University, Long Beach City College, the East Village Arts
District, Memorial Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center. But when the issue
came up for discussion, other council members expressed annoyance that their
districts were excluded. “I'd like to see it include the entire city," said
Councilwoman Rae Gabelich. “The folks up north are getting a little tired
of everything happening downtown.” So, Lowenthal, an urban planner,
modified her motion to include all of Long Beach. “The real purpose is to
encourage economic development throughout our city,” she said, adding that
she got the idea after visiting Portland. “What I realized…was Portland is
not too much unlike the city of Long Beach,” Lowenthal told the Long
Beach Press Telegram.
