Million Dollar Bridge Streetcar
Dec 15, 2014
Million Dollar Bridge Streetcar
Go to Lewiston at 70mph
Streetcars in Portland, ME
Interurban Era
Interurban Map
Portland-Lewiston Schedule
Portland, ME Streetcar and Interurban 1916
Portland, ME Streetcar Map
Boston and Maine
Portland, ME RR Stations
Streetcar Scandal
Post-War Period
Suburban Subsidy
Victor Gruen’s Plan
•.
Urban Removal in Portland, ME
UnionStation
•Demolished in 1961
Franklin Street Before and After
Today the Tide is Turning
Registered Cars in Portland, ME
Homebuyers want to walk
Transit Ridership Growth
American Streetcar Projects
US Streetcar Systems
Portland, Oregon
Pearl District Redevelopment
Density near Streetcar Lines Portland, OR
Floor Area Ration near Streetcars PDX
Streetcar development CDB PDX
Providence, RI Streetcar Route
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
New Jobs and Residence RI
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Land Use of Streetcar
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Streetcar Development Attributed over Time
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Potential new Property Tax Revenue
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Increase in Property Value
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Maine Transit Today
Metro
•gpmetrobus.com
Regional Transit
•.
What’s next for Portland, ME?
Future Systems
Peninsula Transit Study
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Commercial Street Trolley
Commercial Street Trolly Map
Congress Streetcar
2003 Study of Regional Rail
Thompsons Point TIF Bus Rapid Transit
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Tax Increment Financing
•The State of Maine recently amended TIF law to allow for municipalities to capture property taxes from increased property values and new development and invest the money into transit infrastructure and operations.
Assessment District
•Municipalities can create a TIF district to capture new property value along the transit corridor. Most of the new development will occur within three blocks.
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Increased Development Supports Transit
Federally Funded Streetcar Projects
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
TIFIA Loans Defined
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
TIFIA Loan Amounts
http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
TIFIA Loans Pie Chart
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
TIGER Grants Defined
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
TIGER Grants Pie Chart
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
Streetcar Funding
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
Raising Money at the Ballot Box
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
Ballot Measures
•http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/2012T4-Financing-Transit-Guidebook.pdf
Portland Streetcar Circulator
Circulator Impact Area
Circulator Impacts Redevelopment Zones
Circulator with Busses
Circulator, Busses, Light Rail
Spring Street Today
•Spring Street Arterial was part of Victor Gruens Plan. It is 100 feet wide today.•The City of Portland has funds allocated for
redesigning Spring Street.•The Cumberland County Civic Center on the left
is being renovated.
Transforming Spring Street
•What if we removed the jersey barriers?•What if we rebuilt the sidewalk 30 feet inward to
make room for new development such as retail and housing?•What if we created a dedicated transit lane and
planned for a streetcar?
Transforming Spring Street
•What if we sold the new development lots?•What if developers built lot-in to lot-in as it is
allowed in the downtown business zone?•What if the new development and increased
property values was used to invest in transit?
Spring Streetcar!
•What if we invested in a modern streetcar line with low-floor technology?•What if the streetcar circulated around the
downtown?•What if the existing bus lines connected into the
streetcar circulator?
Streetcar Lines Attract Investment
•https://mereda.org/documents/eventmaterials/event338_handout.pdf
Regional Growth
•The Greater Portland region is growing.•Only about one-
third of the region is accessible by transit.•We have rail lines
that are not being used.
Diesel Light Rail
PACTS Region•The metro area is growing fast along the Rt 302 corridor towards Sebago Lake and along I-295 north of Portland•Windham is
the fastest growing town.
•Mountain Division Line Railroad runs from Thompsons Point in Portland to Westbrook, South Windham, and Standish
St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad runs from the eastern waterfront in Portland to Falmouth, and Yarmouth.
Regional Connect
•The two railroads can connect along the Portland waterfront.
•Diesel light rail could provide regular service going up to 79 mph.
•The State of Maine owns most of these railroads.
•There is currently no activity on either railroad.
Regional Transit
•The Maine Line Railroad is owned by PanAm, which has an extensive freight operation.
•Amtrak Downeaster accesses the Maine Line to connect with points between Boston and Brunswick
•Passengers could transfer at Thompsons Point.
•If Amtrak stopped in Yarmouth, then passengers could transfer there as well.
DAMarshall.blogspot.com
•Painting of the San Francisco Cable Car by David A. Marshall
•DAMFineArt/com
•Presentation created by David A. Marshall, City Councilor and Chair of the Transportation, Sustainability, and Energy Committee.