City Councilman Jose Huizar is saying that 2014 is no longer realistic as an opening date for the proposed downtown streetcar, reports the Downtown News. The planned $100 million streetcar, connecting LA Live to Bunker Hill mostly via Broadway, recently missed out on a $25 million federal grant because the project was not far enough along in planning--an environmental review is just now about to begin--and didn't have a plan for matching funds. Huizar is currently not looking at more federal funding requests, but hopes to convince local businesses to pony up some taxes that would help pay for a "majority" of the line--Portland businesses were convinced to contribute money to their streetcar, so it's not completely far-fetched. On September 30, a plea for private donations will be made to city father Eli Broad, Grove developer Rick Caruso, AEG president Tim Leiweke, and other rich people at a downtown fundraiser.
· Streetcar Opening Pushed Back [Downtown News]
· Feds to Downtown Streetcar: Not Yet [Curbed LA]
· Downtown Streetcar [Official Site]
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