The Reno Streetcar March 8, 2016 RTC 2040 Regional Transportation Plan Economic Development Forum

Reno has a Streetcar history Reno Traction Company Reno to Sparks

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Why a Streetcar? Appropriate scale and carrying capacity for Reno Favored by the Department of Transportation, which offers substantial subsidies Makes a city “walkable” (people will walk 2 to 4 blocks on either side of a fixed guideway Streetcar, or between stops) People prefer Streetcars to buses, perceiving them to be safer A known, fixed guideway system gives developers confidence because of its permanence, helping them to achieve better financing

Why a Streetcar? Proven catalyst for transit-oriented development as currently zoned Stimulates economic revitalization with investment 12 to 60 times the system cost Encourages dense, mixed use, pedestrian-friendly building near transit Creates an urban environment and a sense of place attractive to millennials Reduces travel between living, working and shopping activities 20-40% Attracts rider who won’t ride buses Reduces air pollution and energy consumption Page 6

Battery Powered Streetcars Eliminates most overhead catenary wires and electrical substations Reduces cost Liberty Streetcar A division of Brookville Streetcar Bombardier Montreal, Canada Alstrom Saint-Ouen, France Tesla for batteries?

Where will it go? Page 8 Serving key regional hubs now… Education (University of Nevada) Downtown Reno Midtown Resorts, Convention Center to the south And in the future Southeast (Renown Regional Medical Center, resort, Reno/Tahoe International Airport) Downtown Sparks

How can it be designed to work in streets? Page 9 Runs in existing street right-of-way Move off-street parking to lots in each block on alternating sides Enhance pedestrian connections with wider sidewalks, landscaping, etc. between transit stops Increases pedestrian traffic in front of retail establishments Utilize existing Rapid accessible platforms

When should it be built? Design in conjunction with street improvements for Virginia Street Rehabilitation Project Select the best funding and financing options Best case: start in conjunction with the 2017 Virginia Street Rehabilitation Project so tracks can be laid during construction of street improvements Coordinate with new University Gateway Project through Downtown to Midtown, making Reno a true “college town,” connected with nearby urban areas desirable for living, working, shopping and recreation Use emerging storage technology and power with renewable sources from Northern Nevada to reinforce our new technology and renewable energy based economy Future expansion of the Streetcar to the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, and to Sparks Page 10

How will it be built? Self-Powered Streetcars Limited overhead electrical system and substation costs dramatically reduces capital costs Costs will include: Track Rolling stock (streetcars) Maintenance building and charging system(s) Stops (as needed – existing Rapid bus stops are compatible with a Streetcar) Special embedding of rails on the Truckee River and I-80 bridges Additional concrete bridge reinforcement (as needed) Surveying, design, engineering and permitting Page 11

Is Reno an appropriate city for a Streetcar? A fixed guideway corridor stimulates transit oriented development in blighted areas. Virginia Street corridor site examples:

Opportunities along Virginia Street Vacant land:

Opportunities along Virginia Street Potential redevelopment sites:

Transit Oriented Development What does it feel like? What does it look like?

How can a public private partnership (P3) model be used for the Reno Streetcar? Capital costs can come from: Federal grant (50%) Converting roadway impact fee to fixed guideway transit impact fee in Virginia Street area Advertising revenues Potential self assessment along streetcar routes from businesses that benefit Operations and maintenance costs can come from: RTC funds used for service being replaced (Sierra Spirit and Ride) Fares Advertising revenues Taxes currently used and/or available for transit (e.g., gas and sales tax) Potential self assessment along streetcar routes from businesses that benefit Alternate to RTC constructing the system: Not-For-Profit private entity can finance, construct, own and lease to RTC to operate Page 16

Who is supporting the Reno Streetcar? The Reno Streetcar Coalition Property Owners University of Nevada Professionals Architects and Planners Economic Development Practitioners Community Relations Professionals People Who Love this Community Many others in the community are tracking the Streetcar and signing up to receive updates at Page 17