Los Angeles — Streetcar Study Expanded

Rail Transit Online — February 2008

The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has allocated $60,000 to fund the next phase of the Downtown Red Car feasibility study, which is examining a Pacific Electric-style urban streetcar line that would connect the new $2.5-billion L.A. Live entertainment district with a soon-to-be-revived section of Broadway and the planned Grand Avenue redevelopment project.

An initial study costing $100,000 was completed in 2005 by consultant IBI Group which examined four potential alignments, ranging from a basic 3.1 -mi. (5 km) core line between the Civic Center and Staples Center arena via Broadway to an expanded 4.6-mi. (7.4 km) route.

The consultant found that the streetcar is not only feasible, it would give the area a significant economic boost. Replica historic trolleys would be purchased, although a few authentic museum pieces would be sought. The latest phase of the study will select possible station locations and the site of a maintenance base, determine operational needs and examine funding scenarios. "There is a coalition of support for this along Broadway and how it would connect to Grand Avenue and L.A. Live," CRA project manager Curtis Gibbs told the Los Angeles Downtown News. "This project has lots of momentum right now."