St. Paul street car proposal brings out critics

The St. Paul City Council voted Wednesday to continue studying the viability of a citywide streetcar line.

The decision included a detailed study of an east-west route along 7th Street that would stretch from Arcade Street to Randolph Avenue. The proposed starter line is one of seven routes in the city's long-term streetcar plan. That line could cost an estimated $250 million if approved. The study will detail streetcars costs, compare streetcar to other forms of transit and assess the success of other streetcar systems around the country.

"We want it to be more fact-driven," said St. Paul City Council President Kathy Lantry. "Rather than, 'Streetcars are cool and people will ride them,' it has to be more about, what is the ridership, can it be sustainable, is there a funding mechanism, what can it do for economic development?"

The meeting was heated at times. Those who opposed streetcars argued they were expensive and would restrict parking.

Supporters of streetcars said the routes would be an economic boon to St. Paul and prevent the city's transportation system from falling behind others in the country.

The city's streetcar studies will be coordinated with Ramsey County's study of transit options in the Riverview Corridor.