The Wave Streetcar - Ft. Lauderdale Goes Rail

[Ocklawaha]

http://www.youtube.com/v/hq6Q9zzhR8k?version=3&hl=en_US

Well Jacksonville? "Ready...Fire...Aim?" What's the old saying? You can only find oil if you drill wells and, you'll miss 100% of the shots you don't take. We can study it again, call in wizards and warlocks, but we can't think our way to success downtown, we have to implement our way to success. Meanwhile - There goes another one.... rolling right past us.

Broward County approves operational funds for streetcar project

Wave Streetcar website release:

In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., "The Wave" modern streetcar has been given unanimous approval by the Broward County Commission and is expected to open by 2016. The county's portion, which funds operating and maintenance costs, is $2.5 million annually.

"This is a gigantic step in public transportation for Broward County. This project will move our county into the next dimension of convenient, accessible and desirable commuter services. It also brings with it amazing economic development opportunities, which will empower us to expand and move forward in a new and bold way," said Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs.

Initially, "The Wave" will travel a 1.4-mile loop around inner downtown Fort Lauderdale. The next step, dependent on federal financing, will expand the route to 2.7 miles, encompassing Sistrunk Boulevard to the north and 17th Street to the south. A $50-million Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) grant has been requested to complete the entire 2.7-mile system.

The total cost for building the 2.7-mile "Wave" is approximately $143 million and will come from federal, state and local sources. Funding partners to build the transportation system include the city of Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority in coordination with FTA and the Florida Department of Transportation.

[thelakelander]

At least one Davis will get to enjoy walkable access to real streetcar service this decade in Florida.  My older brother just built a house near Las Olas that's within a two block walk of this project.

[Ocklawaha]

BTW, on this day 101 years ago in the Los Angeles 'Southland', the giant interurban Pacific Electric extended north to San Fernando along a route that became the 'Orange Line BRT' in another life.

[tufsu1]

At least one Davis will get to enjoy walkable access to real streetcar service this decade in Florida.  My older brother just built a house near Las Olas that's within a two block walk of this project.

hey...at least you got to design it

[thelakelander]

^True, but the experience of doing custom residential infill for a close family member pushed me right out of architecture and into planning.  Nevertheless, I guess the final product came out okay...

[Ocklawaha]

Well look at it this way, maybe some of our local talents will get to design their streetcars too!

BTW, cool residence Ennis, Libia says your hired to do our next place!