LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2010 - L.A. Streetcar, Inc. (LASI) today announced a powerhouse roster co-hosting a September 30 fundraiser at L.A. LIVE to benefit the Downtown L.A. Streetcar project. The cocktail reception fundraiser, themed “Get On Board” is designed to promote efforts to advance a modern and environmentally friendly streetcar transportation system being developed for downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar will be joined by Eli Broad, founder of The Broad Foundations, Rick Caruso of Caruso Affiliated, and Tim Leiweke of AEG / L.A. LIVE. The co-hosts joined forces to highlight their belief in the economic, cultural, transportation and livability benefits a modern streetcar system will bring to downtown Los Angeles. The proposed streetcar route is approximately 4-miles in length, and would run 7-days a week, about 18 hours a day. It would serve areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“The streetcar will help create a better connected, pedestrian-oriented downtown, bringing jobs, economic development and revitalization all around the route. A more efficiently run and successful downtown is good for our entire City and the streetcar will help get us there,” said Huizar, who has championed the streetcar effort within the City and METRO through his Bringing Back Broadway initiative. “By having the streetcar go through areas that have already experienced the downtown renaissance – as well as those that have incredible potential but are still in need of a catalyst for revitalization – the streetcar will help downtown function as a complete, cohesive, neighborhood.”

» Read more: Downtown L.A. Streetcar Makes Another Move Forward

After further public review, consultation with engineering firms, and Downtown stakeholders, goLAstreetcar is pleased to release updated alignments. They generally maintain the same configuration as the prior release, but key sections have been updated to reflect stakeholder input. Download a copy here, and leave feedback on our Facebook page!

We’re making a video about you and your Downtown.

On Saturday May 29th, 2010, goLAstreetcar is hosting an all-day event to capture your feelings and thoughts about a better Downtown – one where the streetcar is a catalyst for sustainable urban living. We want to get you on video talking about your vision for a revitalized Downtown Los Angeles and how the streetcar will make it happen.

If you want to participate, RSVP now as space is limited! Click here for more information.

We’re one step closer to bringing a modern streetcar to Downtown Los Angeles! All our outdoor advertisements are now up, and we encourage you to take a close look at bus shelters throughout Downtown and the surrounding communities. To view all the ads, take a look at our Facebook photos.

goLAstreetcar Downtown L.A. Billboard

For those who missed it or have yet to connect with us via Twitter/Facebook/Email, make sure to read our 2009 Year in Review! We are looking forward to another exciting year working with the Downtown L.A. community!

Great news for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project! Metro has agreed to procure an environmental consultant following the Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project’s submission of a $25 million federal grant application, which will enable LASI to secure environmental clearances in 2010. Assistance from Metro will be paid for by the CRA/LA and LASI’s federal funds that have already been obligated. The RFQ/P process will be initiated shortly following Metro’s solicitation procedures.

Securing federal funds has been a top priority for LASI and our partners (CRA/LA, the City of LA, LADOT, METRO, and others), and we just submitted a $25 million federal grant application for streetcar funding to enhance the livability and sustainability of Downtown L.A. The federal government made a significant pool of resources available for streetcar projects through a competitive application process, and this funding source does not compete with other transit projects in L.A. Grant awards will be announced in Summer 2010.

On December 10, 2009, the Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project received $250k in federal funding to move the streetcar project into its environmental phase of analysis! This funding was secured by Congressmember Lucille Roybal-Allard and will play a critical role in positioning the streetcar project to better compete for a multitude of funding sources. LASI’s Executive Director celebrated this news with Councilmmeber José Huizar, and you can read more here.

“A downtown streetcar will create jobs, help people circulate between destinations, connect transit options and spur economic development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “I applaud Congressmember Roybal-Allard for believing in our goal of riding a streetcar Downtown by 2014. We’re very fortunate to have a strong streetcar advocate in Washington D.C.”

- Councilmember José Huizar

Just announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: $280 million in grant funding will be available for streetcar systems in 2010. Rest assured, LASI and our partners are going to aggressively pursue this funding!

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of $280 million for urban circulator projects such as streetcars, buses, and bus facilities to support communities, expand business opportunities and improve people’s quality of life while also creating jobs. [...]

A maximum amount of $25 million per project will be made available from approximately $130 million in unallocated discretionary New Starts/Small Starts Program funds.  Eligible projects include streetcars and other urban circulator systems. Priority will be given to projects that connect destinations and foster the redevelopment of communities into walkable, mixed use, high-density environments.

A second pot of money totaling $150 million in unallocated discretionary Bus and Bus Facility funds will be available for projects that will foster the preservation and enhancement of urban and rural communities by providing new mobility options which provide access to jobs, healthcare, and education, and/or contribute to the redevelopment of neighborhoods into pedestrian-friendly vibrant environments.

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