Seattle City Council has recently voted to embrace and further enhance our nascent streetcar system. So far, our City only has one line and that is in South Lake Union, affectionately called the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley).

Well, last fall the voters funded the First Hill/Capitol Hill streetcar line in Proposition One, which is meant to connect the regional Link Light Rail stations planned for the International District and Capitol Hill, and to replace the lost First Hill Light Rail Station. This line is fully paid for – $120 million!

The map SDOT has published is pretty vague, but according to planning documents, the First Hill/Capitol Hill streetcar will likely run from the ID, up Boren to Broadway, thus traversing the land of hospitals on First Hill.

Here’s the problem: streetcars involve pricey technology ($40m a mile to install) and thus are largely undertaken by cities for economic development reasons; i.e. you get more transportation bang for your buck with a bus system. Broadway is currently nearly 100% built out. 12th Avenue, however, especially the southern end near Yesler, is marred by vacant lots that are desperate for economic development. Add to this that the King County Detention Center at 12th and Alder will be redeveloped within the next 5 years and you have to wonder why on earth our City is considering placing a streetcar on Broadway?