The El Paso Transnational Trolley Project

HERE IS A LINK TO THE BOND WEBSITE: http:// www.elpasotexas.gov/homepage_bond_election.asp

HERE IS THE BOND IDEA WE SHOULD PROPOSE:

What type of project/improvement would you like to see in the community and why?

I would like to see a transit oriented development initiative based around a fixed rail mass transit system connecting the UTEP/Kern Place Entertainment district with Historic downtown, the Central Plaza area and the Downtown Entertainment District. This would be important as it would be a natural and historic way to brand the history of El Paso to tourists while helping to boost the city’s and region’s self esteem and cultural pride. It also makes sense as helping to brand El Paso as a forward thinking progressive city as the Streetcar corridor would use sustainable electric energy and could be complimented by a pedestrian and bike lane only corridor on Oregon St. as well. It would also help economically by encouraging property owners and developers to densify and buildup the area between UTEP and downtown. This project alone would encourage high density mixed-use living , making downtown more palpable to younger, educated citizenry.  It  would discourage drunk-driving and could probably subsidize free streetcar rides Friday & Saturday nights by M.A.D.D. and other concerned groups. 

It could compliment other projects such as a Mexican-American /Latino Art Center, or an Arena or cultural center. 

The City of El Paso owns 6-8 P.C.C streetcars which are part of our history and and are sought out by other cities…Rather than selling our history we should celebrate it!

Where would it be located?

On Oregon St. between the Glory Road Transfer Center to the newly completed Paul Foster Parking Garage  at Main st. or it could go further to the border itself.   Most likely on Oregon St. but it could have another corridor on Stanton St. as well.  The design could follow Exhibit 1.8 alternative 3 on the “El Paso Rail Transit Study” prepared nov. 2010 by Cambridge Sytematics.  It would make sense for this plan to be expedited as Oregon St. is still being renovated…for more info here is a link to the plan:  http://50.22.88.223/~epmpo/Rail/RailTransitStudy.pdf

In other cities downtown revitalization has spurred economic development to include job creation, housing, tourism, as well as increase the tax base. What signature type projects for downtown would create this opportunity? What do you want to see in downtown?