Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A Streetcar Named Milwaukee-- Part 1

From the October 25, 2012, Chicago Tribune "Milwaukee's transit debate: Streetcar desire vs. disaster" by Richard Wronski.

"The last time a streetcar rattled along the rails in this city, in 1958, the Braves played at County Stadium and Pabst, Schlitz and Miller were the brewers that made the city famous.

Today the Brewers play at Miller Park and the Braves are long gone, but the streetcars may be making a comeback."

And, who knows where Schlitz and Pabst are made these days?

Mayor Tom Barrett wants a brand-new streetcar system to traverse a 2-mile route theough the city's East Side, downtown and Historic Third Ward areas.  He wants to base it on Portland, Oregon's popular and successful system.  Its system has also been the model for cities nationwide, including Kansas City, Missouri which is planning a $93 million line.

Chicago hasn't caught on, however, preferring to work on bus and rapid-transit lines.

Stella!!  Stella!!!  --Cooter

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