[alexjon]

Originally Posted by 1Post2

Public infrastructure upgrades such as sidewalks, lighting, improved access, surrounding utilities, streetscaping, etc. always lower barriers and encourage development. Streetcars certainly fall in that category. Do they cause development? Probably not, but nothing is that black and white. A multitude of factors, the private market being the largest by far, cause investment and development.

New bus lines are improved transportation infrastructure too, but as people have been pointing out, psychologically they don’t make as big an impact. They're not as physical or tangible or as constant as a rail line. From a site assessment standpoint, I bet the same applies.

Portland built a streetcar line to link the nascent Pearl District with the central business district. Dave Davis of Pearl District Properties said the streetcar was "very, very important" to the area's redevelopment.

"Ridership is high. The streetcar had a lot to do with helping Pearl," Davis said.

From the Express-News