Proposed DC Streetcar Routes May Need to be Reviewed

February 16, 2012

At the end of January 2012, the DC Office of Planning released the Streetcar Land Use Study. It was an 80 page report that analyzed the benefits of building a streetcar system in the District of Columbia. The study touched on the quality of life, potential real estate development and the positive economic and fiscal impact on the city. However, the study’s least developed part was how it addressed the system challenges and “next steps” in the complicated coordination effort that will be required between the District Agencies and the communities directly affected by the 37 mile streetcar system.

After much review, many believe that one area that is in need of revision is the 37 miles of street car routes that were proposed in the study. Much of the study celebrated the fact the street car routes would improve accessibility to reliable, high-quality transit. The routes would improve access to jobs, encourage new growth of “main streets” and improve access to schools. The study highlighted that real estate development would be most pronounced with the addition of the DC streetcar system. With this in mind, Dan Malouff with GreaterGreaterWashington.org wrote an excellent piece on 10 main streetcar routes that needed to be revised in order to benefit the community and provide better transit service to areas of the city that will see a boost in real estate development. I highly recommend reading Mr. Malouff’s in-depth route analysis and propsed changes.

The extensive streetcar system will be an exciting addition to the District Columbia when it is built. However, it will be essential that the DC Office of Planning be willing to listen to the community and make the necessary tweeks to the streetcar routes. Only then will the 37 mile streetcar system truly make the positive impact on the city that their 80 page report proposes.

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