Tempe Modern Streetcar

After years of study and a recommendation by METRO light rail, the City of Tempe recommended a modern streetcar loop as part of the Tempe South transit study. A Modern Streetcar isn’t a small trolley like many envision.  It is similar to a light rail car in that it rides in a fixed guide way. The Tempe Streetcar is said to carry 130 passengers with 35 seated and 95 standing. These cars have more frequent stops than light rail cars and travel with traffic instead of dedicated lanes like the light rail cars we have here in the Valley. According to METRO, this 2.6 mile, $163 million project is scheduled to begin operations in 2016 with an annual operating and maintenance cost of $3.1 million for the City of Tempe.

Many people are not aware of the what, where, why and when of this project so let’s look at some of those questions.

WHAT: Tempe Streetcar – An electric powered vehicle very similar to but smaller than our light rail cars. While a modern streetcar does run on tracks, they typically operate within lanes of traffic and not in their own lane like a light rail car. Many people think of a small trolley when they hear streetcar, but these are just smaller vehicles that make more frequent stops. Because they are so similar to light rail cars which run on a fixed track, the Tempe streetcar will also be considered a catalyst for economic development in an area. The projected cost estimate for this 2.6 mile Tempe streetcar project is $163 million, which will be paid for using regional funds, prop 400 tax revenue, and federal grant money. Even though Tempe has been forced to make cuts to some city programs in this current economy, the funds allocated for this project can not be moved to other things. That might be bureaucracy at it’s finest, but them’s the breaks. While the City of Tempe doesn’t have to foot the entire cost of construction, they will be required to pay operational and maintenance costs in the $3.1 million range. Several options are being considered with naming rights, special assessments, changing bus service and others being discussed.

View Tempe Modern Streetcar Map – Stretching the Mill Avenue District in a larger map

WHERE: The proposed Mill Avenue Loop will run from Rio Salado to University on the North and South and between Ash Avenue and Mill on the East and West. The entire extension will be between Rio Salado and Southern Avenue. There has been some talk of having a “stub” at one or both of the Rio Salado turning points to be able to connect future extensions along Rio Salado easier. Phase two involves plans for the Modern Streetcar to go East on Southern to Rural and then possibly connect to a Rapid Bus route where other options still appear to be up in the air. Within the Mill Avenue Loop corridor, there has been interest in further developing Ash Avenue as well as properties / land inside of the loop. I have heard talk of an RFP to make changes in this area.

WHY: METRO CEO Steve Banta has mentioned a desire for a cohesive transportation system for the region. While the Phoenix light rail system makes most of the headlines around here, the connections to bus and eventually the Tempe Streetcar and High Speed Rail are constantly being evaluated. As far as the loop is concerned, the ability to shut down Mill Avenue during large events is looked at as a benefit to the loop. Any time I hear METRO speak about the system, the economic development opportunities seem to be a large focus. One of METRO’s slides showed that “for every $1 invested in rail transit, you can expect $1.30 in return in other community benefits.” Each of the extensions and all of the transportation modes are designed to work together in the region. Said Steve Banta, “we will not be successful if we don’t have the end user in mind.”

When: Since the Tempe South extension has made it past the Tempe City Council, it will then run through another process. ( I think MAG votes, after that it goes to the FTA ? ) If all goes as planned, we will see streetcars on Mill Avenue in late 2016.

Many questions remain about the process, the possibility of changes to bus routes, connection with and to light rail, costs, station locations, car design, neighborhood impacts, and more. We will try to post updates as we learn more about the Tempe Modern Streetcar project.

Since we have found the most interest in businesses and homes within 1/2 mile from our light rail line, we are including the map below showing homes for sale within ( approximately ) 1/2 mile of the Tempe Streetcar route. Once the station locations are determined, we can update the map to be more specific with the 1/2 distance from each stop. It will be interesting to see if the addition of the Modern Streetcar line will change the way people look at Tempe real estate in the area. Given the easy access to ASU, it just might be a great place for people to consider.

More Tempe Streetcar info / updates:

A few things to think about concerning concerning Tempe Streetcar’s future.

More talk of potential for economic development, good article by Garin Groff