Nearby Commercial Interests May Be Asked to Fund D.C. Streetcar System

Washington D.C.'s planned 37-mile streetcar system will be a boon to nearby businesses, according to a recent report. As a result, the mayor is pushing a plan that would ask commercial property owners to help fund the system.

1 minute read

May 20, 2010, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"A BID-commissioned study by the Brookings Institution, Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) and Reconnecting America, a transit advocacy group, suggests that streetcars would increase the value of the revenue-producing commercial properties along H Street and Benning Road Northeast by $1.1 billion over 20 years.

'Anytime you can make transportation much more convenient and establish fixed connections from place to place, you are automatically going to increase value,' said Shyam Kannan, an RCLCO vice president."

The city is proposing that the business owners taking in the benefits of the $1.5 billion system play a role in its funding. Various ideas are being floated, including a special tax district and increased zoning fees.

FULL STORY: Commercial property owners may be asked to pay for part of streetcar costs

Monday, May 17, 2010 in The Washington Post

Community / Economic Development Government / Politics Transportation District of Columbia Funding Washington D.C. Commercial Property Streetcar Tax Assessment District BID View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Get 25% Off Your Subscription

Advertise with us

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.