Outreach

National Streetcar Conference

Bringing Back Broadway, CRA, Metro, LADOT and others co-sponsored the National Streetcar Conference held May 2008 at the Orpheum Theatre, coordinated by Reconnecting America. It was the largest of its kind in the U.S., bringing together over a 125 community members, local businesses, property owners and included presentation by streetcar experts from across the country who came to share their insights, expertise and advice to help Los Angeles.

A highlight of the conference was a talk given by Michael Powell.  Mr. Powell is considered one of the biggest public supporters of the Portland Streetcar system, and was one of the most well received speakers at the conference.  Mr. Powell displayed his enthusiasm for a streetcar as both a streetcar advocate and owner of Powell‘s Books in Portland, which is sandwiched by the streetcar on two sides of the street. Initially Mr. Powell was opposed to the Portland Streetcar because he, likely many others, believed that the construction would kill his business.  As Mr. Powell researched and talked to experts about streetcar construction he learned that the construction would only take one week per block and would only interrupt one lane of traffic while keeping the sidewalks open for pedestrian traffic.  In the end, Mr. Powell found that the streetcar is so beneficial that he saw an increase in his property by 300% and watched the foot traffic into his store skyrocket.

Broadway Streetcar Charrette

This Bringing Back Broadway and Los Angeles Streetcar design workshop was held in August 2008 at the New Los Angeles Theatre Center. More than 200 people attended, and shared their ideas and input on six options for how a Broadway streetcar could integrate with the Broadway streetscapes, how to best connect a streetcar with other forms of transit, how to make the best of use pedestrian paseos between Broadway and adjacent streets, and options for mixed-use maintenance facility.