Quote:
Originally Posted by the urban politician
^ I'm trying to understand why this particular route was chosen for the streetcar? Not a lot in between, really a ton of empty lots
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You need to read what I wrote. Also, visit the
website.
Joe Edwards, the de facto mayor of the Delmar Loop, pushed for the Loop Trolley.
In fact, he owns a large percentage of the attractions and real estate on the street (Moonrise Hotel, Pin-Up Bowl, The Pageant concert venue, several restaurants, St. Louis Walk of Fame, the Tivoli movie theater etc.).
This man single-handily revived the U-City/Delmar Loop, which now stretches into St. Louis City.
It was his dream to have the Loop Trolley (a streetcar) return to the Delmar Loop, which hadn't seen a streetcar since 1966.
This trolley line WILL NOT be run or financed by the local/bi-state transit authority.
It will operate independently pretty much like the local Madison County Transit Authority on the Illinois-side of the region or SCAT in St. Charles County.
With that said, The Loop is one of metro St. Louis' busiest nodes for pedestrian activity and entertainment.
Tons of empty lots? That's an exaggeration.
Nonetheless, since the Loop Trolley's announcement, development has stretched east into St. Louis City and a number of lots in St. Louis City's portion of The Loop have been redeveloped.
Washington University's Loop Lofts were partially built in the City of St. Louis. Old buildings have been revitalized/renovated and other developments are planned such as
The Loop Media Hub.
As the tracks are laid, 1-gig fiber will be laid under the tracks creating The First Gigabit Main Street.
In essence, the trolley project is for tourists, visitors to The Loop and it is being constructed as a tool for economic development.
I just personally wish the cars were sleeker and modern.