Plans for a comprehensive streetcar system in Dallas have been in the works for nearly two decades, but as of 2023, the system and ongoing vision remain incomplete.
During a Wednesday briefing, city council members expressed mixed views as to whether additional streetcar funding would be feasible and sensible given that their long-term vision for Dallas is a walkable and urban hub.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) operates the existing streetcar system, which connects downtown Dallas and the Oak Cliff community through the Houston Street Viaduct. The streetcar system has six dedicated stops, including Union Station, Greenbriar, Oakenwald, Beckley, 6th Street, and Bishop Arts.
Proposed extensions outside the Central Business District (CBD) – the largest urban cultural district in the country – would include Knox Henderson, Southern Gateway, Ross Avenue, Gaston Avenue, West Dallas, and Central Link.
The Central Link — deemed the most important — would be a modern streetcar alignment connecting the Union Station/Omni Hotel area through the central core of Downtown Dallas, linking the M-Line trolley near Uptown and Klyde Warren Park.
According to Evan Sheets, VP of planning and policy at Downtown Dallas Inc., the Central Link extension represents a critical component of a completed system that sees the true value of the streetcar.
“Connecting the existing incomplete system is critical to realizing the full economic impact,” he said during Wednesday’s city council briefing. “Without a completed system, we don’t believe that this is possible. We also see this as the only way to see the full vision of an expanded network reaching further out into additional neighborhoods.”
One of the stronger proponents of the streetcar expansion was District 14 Council Member Paul Ridley, who suggested moving forward with plans for the Central Link.
“I am a big fan of streetcar systems,” said Ridley. “Specifically, the Central Link, which I think is critical to taking full advantage of the two existing lines that we already have and providing a connection through downtown.”
To get the Central Link expansion moving forward, Sheets and Dr. Ghassan “Gus” Khankarli, director of the City of Dallas Transportation Department, have asked for the city council to authorize a feasibility study on the operation and maintenance of the proposed expansions and to confirm the Central Link alignment and explore additional grant opportunities for construction.
However, not all council members support dumping more funds into the Central Link expansion.
Dallas Council Member Cara Mendelsohn of District 12 said the City should not be funding transportation expenses like streetcars when the bus system is just as suitable, if not better.
“Is it just that streetcars are so sexy that everybody wants a streetcar, but nobody wants a bus?” Mendelsohn asked. “Because when you talk about capital expenses, and you talk about all these other things, it seems like a bus isn’t that expensive, and it can provide exactly the same transportation.”
District 7 Council Member Adam Bazaldua said he agrees with the need to build the Central Link but believes too much money has already been spent supporting growth in the CBD.
“I would like to reiterate that we need to stop pounding money into just the Central Business District and stop ignoring the fact that we have a lot of neighborhoods to connect to the Central Business District right now,” said Bazalua. “We have put all of our eggs in the basket of a regional entity that has, quite frankly, built out a system that is most conducive to people who live outside of our city limits to come into our city.”
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold, who represents District 4, said she has seen no real outcry from her constituents for streetcars.
“I will simply say that the streetcars are cute, you know? I liked them. But it’s not about just me; it’s about the people in my community. Can they get where they need to go with a good bus? I would say so,” Arnold said.
