Today the LA Streetcar released the findings from its economic impact report, and the results are excellent.  The study by AECOM projects the 4.75 mile streetcar loop will induce $1.1 billion in economic development to Downtown LA by 2035, including 2,100 permanent jobs, 2,600 new housing units, $24.5 million in annual spending, $1.9 million in annual city revenue, and 7,200 construction jobs (versus a baseline growth alternative).  The results are no surprise, judging by the tremendous economic benefits in Portland and Seattle.  What's most interesting about this study, however, is that it separates and directly quantifies the additional benefits that a streetcar will bring to Downtown LA—something that the Oakland Streetcar Plan could not do.  I highly recommend looking through the resources that the LA Streetcar has put together; they are the best out there.

The always insightful Transport Politic has an excellent article on the current state and future outlook of streetcars in America.  This article further demonstrates the ever-increasing interest in streetcars as a means of economic development by cities across the nation, suggesting the 2010s could be the decade of streetcars in America.  Read more here.

Streetsblog LA has a great article updating progress on the Los Angeles Streetcar, which just released the video above.  It's great to see other cities moving forward on their streetcar plans—it's time for Oakland to catch up!