In the first signs of life for the beleaguered transit project in over a year, Seattle officials found some of the money they need to proceed with the Central City Connector streetcar project.
"On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council’s transportation committee will consider a proposal to continue work on the Center City Connector by authorizing $9 million in engineering work," reports Doug Trumm.
If approved, the new funding could be the first positive movement for the streetcar project since Mayor Jenny Durkan halted work on the project in March 2018 dude to budget concerns. The Central City Connector has been a topic of hot debate in the city ever since.
To support the renewal of the the Central City Connector project, the Seattle Department of Transportation has ridership data in the First Hill Streetcar showing a 31 percent increase, and total streetcar rides in the city reached 1.7 million in 2018.
"The Center City Connector would extend the First Hill Streetcar and link to the South Lake Union Streetcar, making one unified line projected to attract about 20,000 daily riders basically as soon as it opens," explains Trumm. "That’s more than the busiest bus in Seattle."
FULL STORY: As Streetcar Ridership Grows, SDOT Requests $9 Million for Connector Work
A Streetcar Hangs in the Balance in Seattle
A new streetcar extension would complete Seattle's streetcar network in a particularly busy corner of the city's downtown. The mayor doesn’t seem enthused with the idea, even if riders are already enthused with streetcars.
Seattle's First Hill Streetcar 'Soft Opened' on Saturday
The long-delayed First Hill streetcar offered its first trips to the public last weekend in Seattle. Big questions about the operation and effectiveness of the streetcar still remain.
Has Seattle Found the Way Forward for Streetcars?
A planned streetcar line in Seattle will have its own dedicated lane, but perhaps even more interesting is that the existing South Lake Union Streetcar could also get a lane dedicated to transit. Is Seattle's leadership a way forward for streetcars?
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Caltrans
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service