I wasn't the biggest fan of the George Benson Waterfront Trolley in terms of utility for locals, but it was quaint if nothing else, and was the likely starter for a line further past the ID should that ever occur. And lest we forget, our City and County politicos did actually promise to bring it back after the original trolley barn was torn down to make way for the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Promises, um, promises?

tourist draw, kids loved it, it is like tearing everything apart in the downtown and nothing left that is familiar.

only a total fool, ie. staff at the mayors offices, could ever thought of the trolley as part of a grandiose many, many billions transportation plan.

Too small - you bet - throw it out. Lots of payoffs in the 7 billion sound Transit stuff - cash galore going to a very few companies and consultants ....hum?

It is a logical feeder to the sculpture part as well and ALL the water front stuff - oh hell, who cares about all that access - all those venues that create jobs and revenue and fun - just kids, families and tourists, shit, who needs them happy?

trolley folly - use it as a headline

Ignoring, ofcourse, that the waterfront is going to be torn up for several years...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djstroky/2384161106/

Too bad they didn't tear up the ones still sitting on Main St. Have to cross those bitches every day on my way to/from Bikestation.

Ethan Melone is a tool of Nickels. We need him fired.

http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2001/05/21/story6.html

And here I am fucking up the Monorail:

http://www.seattle.gov/planningcommission/minutes/january_09_03_Approved.doc

You'll never guess what's on the cover in pristine condition.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jeONxuXjL._SS500_.jpg

Mmmmm hum.

The city fails for wasting money on transit ideas that service few people at best and are little more than quaint novelties.

lets hope this money goes towards a line that is better integrated with a new system!

When it shut down, I assured my 3-year-old son, who was devastated, that they promised it would be back. He still asks me when that's going to happen. Now I get to tell him they were lying. Just like I knew they were. Assholes.

Aah, those trolleys weren't too useful, but they added something. World-class city, my ass.

"It looks like the waterfront streetcar line, which seemed to be saved last year when city and county leaders announced a new location for the displaced maintenance facility, has hit another bump and could be in serious jeopardy.

Developer Greg Smith said Wednesday that "as currently planned" he won't be able to complete a $50-million development project in Pioneer Square that would have included housing, retail, and a maintenance barn for the waterfront trolley..."

at least they could have saved a bunch of money and just moved the trolleys over to south lake union.

at least capitol hill and first hill will get to join in on the carnival of futility when they get their own useless amputated leg of the outwalkable trolley system.

With some funding, perhaps the Melbourne cars could be operated between Woodinville and Redmond via the wineries and Willows Road. Could an LID help fund the capital cost; it would help the two downtowns and the wineries. It is a right-of-way of opportunity.

There goes another Stranger campaign issue down the drain.

Nobody will miss it, other than the MSM.

i cannot believe you're making an argument that an empty lot is an asset to a dismal, crackhead-ridden failure of an urban park. should we tear down the buildings to the west because they block the afternoon sun?

redevelopment of that lot is essential to creating a thriving urban park. and re-opening occidental to vehicle traffic. both blocks from jackson north. fuck the art walk. close the street 1 night/month if it's so great.

After his wife died, he would take my #5 to downtown from the Ida Culver House once a month so he could talk to me. Why was he going downtown for lunch, you ask?

He had a monthly lunch with one of his former protege’s: Greg Nickels. Now Nickels has destroyed Benson’s legacy. That is how the mayor rolls. I wonder how many times Nickels promised Bensen that he would make sure the Waterfront Streetcar would be put back in service someday, or how many times he assured that old man that he had his back on the Streetcar.

I will also say this, as sure as anything I know. The Waterfront Streetcar was an tourism power house in the summer, generating big time tourism bucks along the waterfront and Pioneer Square. Those Streetcars were packed all summer long.

Anybody want to bet who would have more ridership..the streetcar, or the SLUT? I would be happy to take your money, because the Streetcar WAS SELF SUPPORTING! THAT IS RIGHT!!! IT MADE MONEY!!!

This town is lucky it has natural beauty, because otherwise it would have less personality than Cleveland.

As Lincoln said, it is better to keep your mouth shut, and have people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and leave no doubt.