Councilmember Koop and I traveled to Portland and Seattle last weekend to tour each city’s streetcar system and bicycle infrastructure. Assistant City Manager A.C. Gonzalez (who oversees economic development) and Jay Kline (DART’s streetcar coordinator) joined us.
STREETCARS
Both cities have used streetcars as economic catalysts, allowing considerable mixed-use development in depressed areas. The Pearl District in Portland is a great example. Only a few years ago, it was a run-down, crime-ridden warehouse district. Today, it’s a vibrant, clean, mixed-use community with businesses and residences. MORE….
I met with leaders of DART this morning to discuss the future downtown rail alignment, the possible Love Field DART connection, issues surrounding an Arts District LRT stop, and the possibility of creating a DART Rail stop at Knox – Henderson.
DART planners excavated the underground shell of a Rail station at Knox – Henderson when creating the current Red/Blue Line, but the station was never completed due to neighborhood concerns. As Knox – Henderson has evolved, I believe that now is a good time to consider creating a stop in this bustling, growing area. As always, finding the funding for this project will be the most challenging aspect.
