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Streetcar Alliance Unveils Vision for a Seattle Streetcar Network
SEATTLE — December 6, 2007The Streetcar Alliance, a community-based partnership of private and public advocates for a Seattle Streetcar network, today announced the release of a report outlining funding options for a potential streetcar network in Seattle. The report, commissioned by the newly formed Streetcar Alliance and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and created by the University of Washington Urban Form Lab and Washington State Transportation Center, highlights potential funding mechanisms for the operation and maintenance of five future streetcar lines. The report outlines successful strategies for operating a larger streetcar network in Seattle that provides a linked, seamless transportation option for employees, residents and visitors, reconnecting Seattle’s urban neighborhoods and downtown core. “Our goal was to create a vision for a streetcar network in Seattle,” said James Kelly, president and CEO of the Urban League and co-chair of the Streetcar Alliance. “The report demonstrates that there are funding options available to create the network and there is a strong base of support from many neighborhoods to proceed in building out streetcar lines. Our hope is that this report will be the foundation for further investigation by the city of Seattle that leads to a new network.” Connecting Seattle’s Neighborhoods with Rail, Study Outlines Five Future RoutesThe report analyzed five new routes for streetcar lines—1) Westlake Avenue to Broadway Avenue, 2) Seattle waterfront to Interbay, 3) Yale Avenue to the University District and the University of Washington, 4) Seattle waterfront to the International District, and 5) Harrison Street to Seattle Center. The report examined multiple streetcar lines throughout the country, including Portland and the new South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar, to provide a base of comparison. According to the report, the best model for supporting streetcar operations and maintenance is through the creation of ‘benefit districts’ encompassing each route. In effect, those neighborhoods that would benefit the most from a specific line would shoulder the majority of the funding. “Throughout the country, it was clear that streetcars were successful at increasing property values and spurring growth,” said Anne Vernez Moudon, professor of urban design and planning, architecture, and landscape architecture at the University of Washington and the principal investigator for the report. “It was also clear that capturing the benefits of that growth through the creation of local improvement, or benefit, districts was the best way to fund further streetcar lines.” The ‘benefit district’ model has proven effective across the country including the South Lake Union line where area property owners agreed to contribute costs and contribute $25.7 million toward the project (approximately 50 percent of capital costs). No city general fund dollars were used to construct the line, and the remainder of funds came from federal, state and local governments. Sponsorships of the Streetcars and stations will provide 25 percent of the service cost for operations. Report Focuses on Creative Financing Mechanisms, Funding OptionsThe report, entitled “Funding Options for an Expanded Seattle Streetcar System and Network,” looked at revenue sources that were created by streetcar construction such as new parking revenue. It also looked at public-private funding options such as tax increment financing (TIF), the use of tax revenue increases associated with growth along each streetcar line. The report did not examine detailed routes, focusing instead on specific areas. The investigators chose these areas based on location of employers, location to the downtown core, and neighborhood support for projected lines. According to the report, success for streetcar construction is often helped by local support in the neighborhoods a line serves. Again, those who most benefit both support and encourage development. Next Steps for the Potential NetworkIn early 2008, the Streetcar Alliance will present the report to Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, City Council and community leaders and continue to advocate for consideration of completing more streetcar lines. Mayor Nickels has also set aside funds in his 2008 budget to help advance the idea of a streetcar network The report outlines the best possible agenda for further investigation including examining economies of scale, the availability of assets to launch capital funding, determining ridership potential and considering TIFs, which are widely used across the country but have never been used in Washington. “The report provides the foundation for a discussion about how we can develop and sustain a streetcar network in Seattle,” said Bruce Agnew, Cascadia Center for Regional Development and co-chair of the Streetcar Alliance. “This is the start of the conversation, but it is a hopeful start. It is clear that we have both the public support and a variety of funding options to make streetcars a reality in the city. It’s now our job to keep the conversation going.” About the Streetcar AllianceThe Seattle Streetcar Alliance was established as a community-based alliance with public agencies to explore the feasibility of expansion of Seattle’s streetcar network from the downtown core to city center neighborhoods. The Alliance develops grassroots support for the Seattle Streetcar network through outreach to Seattle neighborhoods and helps ensure the Seattle Streetcar network will be an urban connector that is integrated into a larger regional transportation system. The goal of the Alliance is to expand economic development opportunities in Seattle’s urban centers; support the City of Seattle’s Transit Plan to connect neighborhoods with more frequent transit service, provide greater access to the region’s expanding multi-modal transit centers and services, and enhance neighborhood livability by providing healthy lifestyle choices in transportation. Streetcar Alliance MembersAaron Ostrom, Futurewise Public Sector Partners City of Seattle |
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