Re: “Seattle’s South Lake Union streetcar is an empty monument to cash” [Jan. 24, Local News]:
Kudos to Danny Westneat for his column concerning the financial folly of the money-burning streetcar system. However former Seattle Metropolis Councilmember Nick Licata’s suggestion that property house owners alongside the “tradition connector” route cowl prices of the 7-year venture with an evaluation, after already being hit with huge assessments for the waterfront venture, can be like sending harmless folks to jail after which charging them lease.
Companies and tenants alongside the proposed route are overwhelmingly towards the venture, citing the everlasting elimination of three lanes for visitors circulate, all avenue parking, and most passenger and industrial loading zones as existential threats to their livelihoods. Counter to metropolis intentions, it might danger creating new financial useless zones downtown, and drive out anchor tenants such because the Showbox.
To attain “tradition connection,” deliver again buses to First Avenue, together with a route immediately from T-Cellular Park to Seattle Middle.
Jim Margard, Seattle
