LA streetcar advocacy group to host fundraiser
Written by Douglas John Bowen “Get on Board” is the theme for a cocktail reception and fundraiser planned for Sept. 30, 2010, by L.A. Streetcar, Inc., an advocacy group promotinga namesake project.
The group was formed by downtown property owners, civic, and business interests to advance planning, design, and construction of a four-mile streetcar line serving Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, and the Los Angeles Convention Center, among other locations.
The group says more than 40,000 people are estimated to live within the downtown area, with 550,000 people coming into the city each day for work and tourism.
“Downtown Los Angeles has many distinct districts including the sports-entertainment-convention district around L.A. LIVE and the cultural and civic district along Grand Avenue. A streetcar will connect these vibrant areas of our city center and will enable more people to easily visit them,” said Eli Broad, founder of The Broad Foundations and a streetcar advocate. “We have a treasure trove of cultural riches in our region, and a streetcar will help visitors and residents alike enjoy all downtown Los Angeles has to offer.”
The proposed project is included in Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Range Transportation Plan, and has received some funding from federal sources for study. Backers are seeking a $25 million federal grant through the Urban Circulators program.
