Eastside Streetcar - Bad Idea

It's time for a decision on the eastside streetcar. And it looks like the decision is going to be "build it."

A big mistake. The streetcar is nothing more than a glamorous (for now) immobile bus. When the glamour wears off, it will be seen as a colossal waste of money.

As for the economic development the streetcar will supposedly spur, I think that development can and will occur whether or not a streetcar is put in. There is a strong incentive for new high density development just because of the existing MAX line and stations at the Convention Center, Lloyd Center, and Rose Quarter. Good bus service along MLK/Grand will serve that density just as well for now. Some day, if a light rail line crosses at the south end of downtown (the Caruthers Bridge) to the east side, a MAX connector, on its own separated right of way, from the Conventio Center to the OMSI area may be feasible or appropriate. But that's a long way off.

Jack Bog's right on this one, pointing out the exorbitant costs involved in this project, although I don't agree with his eastsude anti-development diatribe.

Amanda Fritz has some interesting thoughts and has done some good research on the project and process too.