I love profiling innovative business concepts and this is definitely the right time to employ creative ideas that pack an economic development wallop!
This Streetcar Study is co-sponsored and partially funded by Colorado College, the Downtown Development Authority, the Business Improvement District, the Urban Renewal Authority, the Old North End Neighborhood, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and Bircham’s Office Products. It’s not supported by city tax dollars.
Molly the Trolley
And since other cities like Portland, Seattle, Arlington and Tucson either already or soon will have streetcars rolling through their communities, like “Molly the Trolley” in Fort Worth TX, we’re not reinventing the wheel either! In other cities, the data reveals streetcars have brought downtown areas renewed prosperity and actually increased real estate values.
Personally, I love the historic and nostalgic appeal. (Read more about the history of streetcars in Colorado Springs)
So to learn more, I interviewed Val Snider, Chair of the Streetcar Taskforce. The Taskforce is a private sector group providing guidance to the study consultant team. The consultant team is led by URS Corp, a firm nationally recognized for transit system development. Val is a busy guy these days. He thought he had retired when he left the military, but couldn’t help getting more involved in the community on a volunteer basis. He’s an interesting guy! Please listen to my interview with Val Snider.
And, since many of the readers on this blog are from other parts of the US and may be interested in this project as an economic development model for their own community, I’ve included a link to the project website at: www.CSStreetcar.com.
So let’s close with this popular trolley scene and see if it doesn’t put a bit of nostalgia into your day!
Q: What is the Colorado Springs Streetcar Feasibility Study?
This study is a citizen-driven initiative to determine if there is support for bringing back an electric streetcar system in the core downtown area as a catalyst for stimulating economic development. The study is funded by a federal planning grant (that can only be used for a transit planning study and not for transit operations) and private investment. This is a case of the private sector stepping up to work with government in finding solutions to our long-term community needs.
The study is analyzing how a streetcar system would fit into the overall Colorado Springs transit system for improving connectivity, walkabilty, business vitality, mobility, historic preservation, environmental sustainability, tourism and economic development that can happen as a result of a streetcar system.
More than 90 cities nationally are either already operating an electric streetcar system or are in the planning process to do so. Cities that have implemented streetcar projects have reported that hundreds of millions of dollars of new economic redevelopment have resulted in conjunction with the improved mobility gained from a streetcar system.
Q: Why is this study being conducted during these economic times and city budget cuts?
As a community, it’s important we look beyond the current economic situation and plan now for the future.
Mountain Metropolitan Transit is administering this study; however, this is a citizen-driven initiative in which the private sector is planning for the future by exploring creative solutions to some of our community needs, especially the need for an economic development catalyst in the downtown area.
It’s true that current Colorado Springs transit operations have been drastically reduced due to the economy and the city government funding situation. Transit operation/service is a serious problem that also needs to be addressed. However, planning study grants cannot be used for transit operations.
It’s important to take advantage of planning grants as they come available that will put our community in line to potentially receive federal dollars for construction of transit systems, as has happened in other communities.
The planning study process is also a mechanism to obtain public input to shape the project as the study progresses.
Q: What is the typical timeline for implementing a streetcar system?
The first step is typically a feasibility study such as this to determine the best options for alignments and vehicle types, and to analyze possible funding sources. The next step, which is required if federal funds will be pursued, is to conduct an Alternatives Analysis followed by an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. These steps combined typically require three to five years. Construction of the system is relatively fast and can be completed within approximately 18 to 24-months.
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