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Trolley could connect campus with Harbor
Board of Estimates approves $200,000 in funding towards a study to decide if line is possible
Issue date: 9/20/07
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As the University struggles with how to strengthen ties to the community, a literal connection to the rest of Baltimore may soon be arriving in the form of a proposed trolley line that would run from Homewood to the Inner Harbor.
The Board of Estimates approved $200,000 of funding last June to study the feasibility of creating a proposed seven-and-a-half-mile trolley line along Charles Street. A projected $800,000 will be used for the study on the logistics of the system.
"Charles Street is a major corridor in our city. The trolley system would increase economic development along this corridor, enhance urban life for residents along this route and be accessible for citizens and tourists to local attractions such as The Walters Art Gallery, The Baltimore Museum of Art and Lyric Opera House," said Comptroller Joan Pratt, who is also a member of the Board of Estimates.
First proposed in June 2005, the idea of a streetcar from the Homewood campus was thought to potentially revitalize the city by serving tourists, cultural destinations and entertainment venues. "Johns Hopkins has contributed in an enormously positive way to the quality of life in Baltimore," said Anthony McCarthy, director of communications for the Mayor.
According to McCarthy, Hopkins has helped in the development of city projects and has been involved in the Renaissance of the Charles Village Community.
For the past three years, the Charles Street Development Corporation has coordinated a study regarding the demand of adding a trolley line along Charles Street to the Inner Harbor.
"It's been a telltale on planning right now for three years," said Ed Myers, senior principal of transportation firm Kittelson & Associates. According to Myers, the firm is still between the planning and engineering stages and will likely begin engineering a year from now. "It's not a done deal yet," he said.
Kittelson & Associates is studying three aspects of the trolley line: ridership, financial feasibility and route. The firm has been at this stage for the past three years and the community involvement in this process has been generally positive, Myers said.
The Board of Estimates approved $200,000 of funding last June to study the feasibility of creating a proposed seven-and-a-half-mile trolley line along Charles Street. A projected $800,000 will be used for the study on the logistics of the system.
"Charles Street is a major corridor in our city. The trolley system would increase economic development along this corridor, enhance urban life for residents along this route and be accessible for citizens and tourists to local attractions such as The Walters Art Gallery, The Baltimore Museum of Art and Lyric Opera House," said Comptroller Joan Pratt, who is also a member of the Board of Estimates.
First proposed in June 2005, the idea of a streetcar from the Homewood campus was thought to potentially revitalize the city by serving tourists, cultural destinations and entertainment venues. "Johns Hopkins has contributed in an enormously positive way to the quality of life in Baltimore," said Anthony McCarthy, director of communications for the Mayor.
According to McCarthy, Hopkins has helped in the development of city projects and has been involved in the Renaissance of the Charles Village Community.
For the past three years, the Charles Street Development Corporation has coordinated a study regarding the demand of adding a trolley line along Charles Street to the Inner Harbor.
"It's been a telltale on planning right now for three years," said Ed Myers, senior principal of transportation firm Kittelson & Associates. According to Myers, the firm is still between the planning and engineering stages and will likely begin engineering a year from now. "It's not a done deal yet," he said.
Kittelson & Associates is studying three aspects of the trolley line: ridership, financial feasibility and route. The firm has been at this stage for the past three years and the community involvement in this process has been generally positive, Myers said.
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