News and Issues

Portland, Oregon has long been known as the model city in the U.S. for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users with its extensive system of light rail, streetcars, buses and bikeways. While St. Louis has made its foray into light rail, recent cuts in rail and bus service have left many wondering whether the Portland vision is achievable - or even applicable here.

On June 25, Citizens for Modern Transit, East-West Gateway Council of Governments and The Loop Trolley Company hosted Portland developer John Carroll, president and CEO of Carroll Investments, LLC, and a panel of local officials to answer just that question. More than 150 St. Louisans heard Mr. Carroll share how the Portland Streetcar - similar to the trolley proposed here -- has been a critical development tool that has connected and further spurred sustainable, prospering areas along the route. He said that the process takes a long time, but is truly feasible with fixed track systems versus the rubber tired systems.

Mr. Carroll discussed how the permanence of streetcar/trolley tracks assures developers and financiers alike that the investment is there to stay. Public and private investment then follows. In Portland, the streetcar is not only used as a tourist attraction, but is viewed by residents as a viable form of transportation through the area.

A local panel including Joe Edwards, chair of The Loop Trolley Company; Catherine Powers, planning director for the City of Clayton; and Joe Adams, Mayor of University City reacted to and discussed, along with the audience, lessons Mr. Carroll learned in Portland, where Carroll Investments has built and managed a number of new and historic residential and retail developments along the streetcar route. Questions ranged from parking concerns to fare structure to ridership numbers. These issues and concerns are currently being addressed in St. Louis as a part of the preliminary engineering study underway for The Loop Trolley.