Responses: 7. Streetcar

7. Do you agree with DC’s push to build a streetcar network? Check Yes or No. Explain your answer.

Biddle: Yes. I agree with DC's push to build a streetcar network for multiple reasons:

• We had a streetcar system in operation when the District had 800,000 residents and it served our city well. As the population increases the growth of a new streetcar system will help us to meet the transportation needs that will result from our population growth. 
• I am in favor of DC and federal workers having multiple public transportation options to get to work everyday. 
• In terms of the H Street corridor, it will attract more people to the businesses already located on H Street and attract an estimated $5 - 8 billion more in development over the next 10 years. 
• The streetcar system will have an environmental impact on neighborhoods and add its part to having more livable, walkable neighborhoods.

Douglas: Yes, I am in agreement with the streetcar network. I believe that the streetcar will provide a good, clean mode of transportation to and from neighborhoods and business communities. Additionally, the streetcar network will carry potential patrons to places that are not as easily accessible.

Lopez: Yes. I support the streetcar network because I believe this is a good alternative source for transportation. The streetcar is coming along the H St. corridor and will continue down Benning Rd. This is a street that has no access to the Metro. Residents who live along these streets have to rely heavily on the bus system if they do not have a car. The street car will be a great way to serve a community that may not necessarily need to use Metro to get to Capital Hill, but will be able to utilize a new system instead of relying solely on the bus.

Mara: Yes. There are many underserved parts of the District whose residents need affordable, consistent forms of transportation. The streetcar program will encourage growth in these underserved areas and provide transportation for low income families and workers. The DC streetcar network can be powered with electricity from green programs, providing a clean, efficient, and effective means of transportation.

Page: Yes. Streetcars spur development along the rail line in a way that bus lines (which can be altered at any time) never could. Further, streetcars are more environmentally friendly than the buses used by WMATA. Streetcars also hold more riders than a single bus could. Finally, empircial data indicates that streetcars are the most preferred form of public transportation. Since getting more residents to use public transportation and out of their cars is a key component to neighborhood-level smart growth and an environmental plus, streetcars are definitely a smart option for the District.

Weaver: Yes. I do support the District's push to build a streetcar network for several reasons:

1. I think that in many of the areas where they want to build the streetcars it will actually be conducive for economic growth;
2. That it's a far greener mode of transportation;
3. It fits into a mold that you will have an integrated transit system;
4. It provides another mode for people to have access to employment.

What is the DC Progressive Alliance?

The DC Progressive Alliance promotes a community based on economic opportunity and security, environmental sustainability, equal rights for all, safe and livable neighborhoods, and government that is transparent, accessible and inclusive.

We envision a community that will:

• employ our workforce through large and small businesses that respect the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit
• allow every person who lives and works in the District to get to work in less than 30 minutes safely and affordably, without being forced to use a car
• guarantee the human rights of every person, including those who are poor, undocumented, ex-offender, gay/transgendered, or disadvantaged in any way
• restore the health of the Anacostia River ecosystem
• fully fund community needs with taxes that are proportionate to ability to pay

This has five major components:

1. Building community through economic opportunity and security by helping each able adult work while earning a living wage, and providing for the basic human needs of every person who is not able to work. Government should guarantee quality public education, health care, and affordable housing. Economic development should be guided by enforceable standards for community benefits and responsible business behavior.
2. Building community through a network of safe and liveable neighborhoods where residents can live, work and shop. Land-use policies should grow our population while preserving age, race and income diversity. Public transportation should be accessible and affordable to all residents and a viable option to car use. Every neighborhood should have access to affordable, healthy food and safe public spaces.
3. Building community through environmental sustainability by restoring the health of our area watersheds, starting with the Anacostia River and its tributaries. Building and infrastructure design and materials should reduce pollutants in our river, promote energy efficiency and incentivize renewable resources. Our natural resources must be preserved and managed to maximize access to parks and open space while restoring the health of natural systems.
4. Building community through human equality and guarantee the human rights of every person. Public policy should promote human rights and civil liberties. People should be free to associate with whomever they wish and marry whomever they wish.
5. Building community through government that is transparent, accessible and inclusive. We expect government to be honest, efficient, transparent, democratic, and inclusive, and to encourage all residents to participate on the basis of one person, one vote. We support financing public programs through a tax policy that shares the cost proportionate to people’s ability to pay.