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From YouTube: Jay Fisette on the Argument for Streetcar Investment
Description
Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette makes the argument for streetcar investment at the Board's annual organizational meeting, January 1, 2014.
A
So,
in
addition
to
this
six-point
plan,
continued
strategic
in
structure,
particularly
transportation
and
technology,
will
be
critical
to
our
future
economic
health.
The
county
this
year
will
take
several
actions
to
advance
the
streetcar
system
plan
for
Crystal
City
and
Columbia
Pike.
This
board,
along
with
the
fairfax
county
board,
has
voted
multiple
times
since
2006
to
add
streetcars
to
meet
our
growing
needs
along
the
pike,
which
is
already
the
most
heavily
traveled
bus
quarter
in
northern
virginia
in
recent
years.
A
Questions
have
arisen
and
there
is
a
more
organized
effort
to
derail
the
streetcar
I
would
like
to
take
a
moment
to
reiterate
why
I
continue
to
believe
the
streetcar
is
the
best
option
for
the
corridor
from
skyline
to
pentagon
city
to
potomac
yard.
First,
the
community
planning
process
has
been
extensive
and
inclusive,
starting
in
1998,
with
the
effort
to
create
the
Columbia
Pike.
Revitalization
plan
transportation
and
land
use
planning
have
been
integrated
at
every
step.
Such
a
thorough,
broad
based
decision
making
process
should
not
be
easily
disrespected
or
reversed.
A
A
Also,
let
me
correct
what
I
believe
are
two
common
misperceptions.
First,
that
bus,
rapid
transit
or
brt
is
possible
on
columbia
pike.
This
is
not
true,
as
brt
requires
a
dedicated
lane,
at
least
for
a
major
portion
of
the
route.
Second,
that
funds
used
to
construct
the
streetcar
system
could
be
shifted
to
other
capital
needs
like
schools.
This
is
not
true,
as
the
streetcar
will
be
built
with
dedicated
transportation
funds
in
eligible
for
other
uses.
A
For
those
who
want
to
learn
more
check
the
county
website,
there
is
gobs
of
information
there
on
the
streetcar
plan,
the
FAQ
s
and
the
history.
It's
also
telling
that
in
2013,
New
Orleans
in
salt
lake
city,
open
streetcar
lines
and
10
other
cities
around
the
country
has
streetcar
projects
under
construction
with
four
do
to
come
online
this
year,
including
our
neighbor,
the
District
of
Columbia,
which
will
launch
their
initial
22
mile
streetcar
system
this
year.