I'm writing to express my strong support for the current Seattle Streetcar proposal.

As an active volunteer within the Design Review Program, I work firsthand to understand and enhance our evolving public realm. While there are several valid arguments against streetcars, the primary reasons that I see which make streetcars an attractive option for our city are summarized below:

- Many more people will ride rail than buses.

- Rail, including streetcars, don't need the fuel or spew the greenhouse gas that diesel buses do. In our region electricity is particularly more "green" than in other parts of the country.

- Streetcars catalize development and land use patterns; buses follow them. Having streetcar track and defined stops helps developers and businesses locate around existing and new neighborhood centers with confidence.

- Streetcar rides are smoother than buses.

- Streetcar stops are farther apart, reducing travel time. They are much clearer to find and provide more information to riders than bus stops. The SLUT tells me when the next train is coming. If a Metro bus gets delayed or taken out of service, I have no way of knowing.

- There is a historical precedent for streetcar development, and many alignments exist that have already been graded and sloped for streetcar use. This will ease further expansion of the system one the main lines are in place.

- Maintenance facilities and a "starter" line has already been constructed in South Lake Union, and needs support.

Several other cities have successfully deployed streetcars as a companion to bus and heavier rail systems. Boston and Portland are two models that come to mind. Our citizens will benefit from more transit options, from biking to buses, from streetcars to cars.

Let's embrace all new potential forms of transit for Seattle.

Evan Bourquard

Ballard