The Revitalist

The USA Today reports on the growing popularity of streetcars as a tool to revive downtowns and spur economic development (via CoolTown Studios (at least someone reads USA Today)). The article points out the success of new streetcars lines in Tampa, FL, Kenosha, WI, Little Rock, AR, and Portland, OR. In Tampa the 2.5 mile system cost $55 million and "attracted well over $1 billion in private investment." That sounds like a good deal. In Kenosha the director of transportation says, "Streetcars have sex appeal." Well, I don't know about that, but they are kind of cute. And there are those who argue that putting more obstacles on the road actually increases driver awareness and overall safety. Of course, I'm sure that there are those who ask why people don't just walk the one mile to the next stop...