Trolley could connect campus with Harbor
Board of Estimates approves $200,000 in funding towards a study to decide if line is possible
Though the firm knows that the trolley line will use North Charles Street and University Parkway, Kittelson & Associates is still deciding which lane to use for the trolley system.
"Having a trolley system is an idea that has been knocked around the city for decades," McCarthy said. "Mayor Dixon has been extremely interested in gathering bids from companies."
"It's an idea that looks like it's gained a lot of popularity," said David Hill, executive director of the Charles Village Community Benefits District.
According to Hill, some residents of Charles Village are opposed to the idea of the trolley being independently funded by foundations.
Hill also stated that some residents have also indicated some issues with the implementation of a trolley to the Inner Harbor, mostly citing concerns with the location of the tracks on the road and traffic congestion.
The business communities, such as those on St. Paul and the southern part of North Charles Street near Hopkins, find the trolley system beneficial and attractive. "Trolleys are quaint and attractive, and they would enable the rest of the city to see the sights here," Hill said.
Although the estimation and planning has seemed to be taking a long time, Myers added that this project is not unusually long. Finding funding has been a problem for the firm and has been sporadically funded by street development companies, which means that the line will be both privately and publicly owned.
According to Pratt, the Charles Street Development Corporation received a grant in the amount of $30,000 from the city and state to study the costs associated with building either a rail or rubber-tire operated trolley system last November. These funds will be used for a third study being conducted, which will take approximately 12 months, Pratt said.
After the study is completed, a full design project of the trolley system will have to be done along with identifying construction and operating costs, as well as funding capital for the streetcar system, according to Pratt.
While she was not aware of the Board of Estimate's actions, Susan Boswell, dean of Student Life, was supportive of the idea. "I think it would be a great idea both for the students and the surrounding community," she said.
"Having a trolley system is an idea that has been knocked around the city for decades," McCarthy said. "Mayor Dixon has been extremely interested in gathering bids from companies."
"It's an idea that looks like it's gained a lot of popularity," said David Hill, executive director of the Charles Village Community Benefits District.
According to Hill, some residents of Charles Village are opposed to the idea of the trolley being independently funded by foundations.
Hill also stated that some residents have also indicated some issues with the implementation of a trolley to the Inner Harbor, mostly citing concerns with the location of the tracks on the road and traffic congestion.
The business communities, such as those on St. Paul and the southern part of North Charles Street near Hopkins, find the trolley system beneficial and attractive. "Trolleys are quaint and attractive, and they would enable the rest of the city to see the sights here," Hill said.
Although the estimation and planning has seemed to be taking a long time, Myers added that this project is not unusually long. Finding funding has been a problem for the firm and has been sporadically funded by street development companies, which means that the line will be both privately and publicly owned.
According to Pratt, the Charles Street Development Corporation received a grant in the amount of $30,000 from the city and state to study the costs associated with building either a rail or rubber-tire operated trolley system last November. These funds will be used for a third study being conducted, which will take approximately 12 months, Pratt said.
After the study is completed, a full design project of the trolley system will have to be done along with identifying construction and operating costs, as well as funding capital for the streetcar system, according to Pratt.
While she was not aware of the Board of Estimate's actions, Susan Boswell, dean of Student Life, was supportive of the idea. "I think it would be a great idea both for the students and the surrounding community," she said.
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