An advisory task force has been formed to consider rebuilding a historic streetcar system in Tacoma, Washington. Infrastructure and funding issues are proving to be major hurdles.
Somewhat ironically, the City of Tacoma once had one of the most extensive streetcar systems in the country. However, as the automobile became more pervasive, Tacoma scrapped their system shortly before WWII. Now it appears they should have left them in place as an advisory taskforce is suggesting that the solution to providing walkable and sustainable neighborhoods is a streetcar system.
"One key obstacle discussed last night was how to balance mapping out a route while paying mind to existing public utilities infrastructure. Should engineers move a 50-year-old water main with a 100-year-old life span, incurring additional costs up front, to lay tracks, or build above the main and deal with repairs or replacement decades later?"
"Another obstacle: funding a streetcar line. The study is expected to shed light on costs associated with the idea, which some people have guessed could total $15 million per mile. According to the committee's presentation, streetcar lines in other cities range between $22.2 million per mile in Atlanta to $46 million per mile in Denver."
Thanks to morgan
FULL STORY: Group kicks off feasibility study for Tacoma streetcar

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie