St. Louis Streetcar On Path to Revival

"Edwards, who is best known for his Blueberry Hill restaurant-nightclub and for helping to reinvigorate the Delmar Loop, is considered the father of the planned Loop streetcar comeback. He has proposed and won the support of regional and federal backers for an electric hybrid version of colorful old St. Louis electric streetcars that used to travel up and down the Delmar Loop and to Forest Park. The last fixed-track trolleys ran in St. Louis in 1966.

The route would run from near the Lion Gates at Trinity Avenue in University City to DeBaliviere Avenue in St. Louis, and then south to Forest Park and back, traveling with car traffic. The trolleys would circle the Missouri Historical Society and a roundabout at Trinity.

The project is not without critics. Some people question whether trolley projects are a good use of federal money. Others worry about traffic congestion and the inconvenience of construction."

The $43 million project could begin construction early next year and open by 2013.