1) The fact that Reno has only 300,000 in its metropolitan area (vs. Portland with over 500,000) does not preclude a viable streetcar system. Streetcar (or tram as sometimes called) systems operate, for example, in many European cities as small as 100,000 to 150,000 people. While the population densities in these cities may be higher than in Reno, I argue that the prime areas for future development are not without of the current boundaries of the city (as we have grown until now, i.e. sprawled out north, south, east, and west), but within.

2) The chicken and egg scenario. More than a new bus line for example, light rail and streetcar plans represent a more important and permanent commitment to the improvement of an area. These systems require expensive permanent infrastructure which not only provide the track on which a streetcar will travel, but they mark an area which a city has committed many resources to improving. A bus line may be moved or canceled without much wasted infrastructure; perhaps a few wasted signs or bench which probably could be moved. Tracks for trains inlaid into the road are permanent structures and these therefore provide assurance to all involved (residents, business owners and patrons, land developers, etc., etc.) that the city will invest and continue to invest in improving the area.

3) Projects like these require thinking outside of the box. Too often personal automobiles are given priority in the planning process. If we build a streetcar, where will the cars go? The question should be, how do we eliminate some of these cars by providing more efficient transportation options? You argue that there isn’t enough room on Virginia to put the streetcar. Many cities in the world have converted busy streets into pedestrian zones (or transit/bike/pedestrian only) zones. Imagine Virginia, between say the river and 4th street where traffic is very slow already, completely closed to all traffic except streetcars, pedestrians, and bicycles. An example of where this has occurred is Seville, Spain. I invite you to investigate.

How this project goes forward only time will tell. The Obama Administration has showed much favor towards streetcars recently by awarding Portland $75 million for a 3 mile loop there. Next year we will see an important transit bill which surely will contain federal funding for rail transit. Gas prices will rise further, increasing demand for mass transit. Streetcars are efficient and can draw power from for example solar power, a vast resource Nevada has only begun to tap.

Thanks!