New Economic Analysis of Streetcar Likely to Leave Controversy in Wake

Arlington County:

“County government officials say they in coming weeks will release an updated analysis of the projected impact of the Columbia Pike streetcar project on the local area’s economy. ‘We anticipate the study being complete in mid- to late February,’ officials of the county government’s Department of Environmental Services told the Sun Gazette on Jan. 31.

The county government in September contracted with HR&A Associates, a consulting firm, to undertake the study. At the time, completion was expected in December. The analysis is being conducted using information that has become available since the county government’s 2012 application for federal funds for the streetcar project. The county was turned down for those funds; the Federal Transit Administration said the cost of the project was higher than was allowed for the ‘Small Starts’ funding pool.

County Board Chairman Jay Fisette on Jan. 30 told a Leadership Arlington gathering that he expected the report to be out in coming weeks. As for what it might say? ‘We’ll know soon,’ Fisette said.”

~Writes Scott McCaffrey of the Sun Gazette

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