Link: blogdowntown.com/2010/05/5346-la-streetcar-announces-fundraiser-and-video
L.A. Streetcar Announces Fundraiser and Video Campaign
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Downtown streetcar may not be scheduled to make its first runs until 2014, but L.A. Streetcar, Inc. is looking to make a big push in 2010 with a fundraiser and a promotional video.
The September 30 fundraiser will be hosted by Councilman Jose Huizar, philanthropist Eli Broad, shopping mall developer Rick Caruso and AEG CEO Tim Leiweke.
"We know that a fundraiser isn't going to build the streetcar, but it does allow us to do critical near-term things," explains Dennis Allen, L.A. Streetcar, Inc.'s Executive Director.
He credits Huizar for getting the together the group of heavy hitters to host the event. "He reached out to them, but they understand the significance of what it means for Downtown."
Some of the money raised from the event will go toward increasing the project's visibility with the Downtown public and property owners.
An ad campaign using kiosk space donated by CBS Decaux went live at the end of March, and Allen says the result has been a big uptick in hits to the project's website and new fans on Facebook.
To continue that outreach effort, the project is looking for those who are interested in going on camera to share their thoughts about what a streetcar could do for Downtown.
The promotional video will combine local sentiment with footage of systems in cities such as Portland and Seattle. Allen says that understanding the impact of those systems really requires seeing them in action, and he hopes the video can simulate that. "We asked, how can we bottle that experience and bring it down here?"
Also included will be 3-D renderings of what a streetcar might look like on the streets of Downtown.
Those interested in being interviewed can sign up on the streetcar project's website. Filming will take place on Saturday, May 29.
"Save the Date" information for the September fundraiser can also be found online.
The proposed first phase of the streetcar is intended to connect Bunker Hill and L.A. Live via the Broadway corridor. It is currently estimated to cost around $100 million to complete. Approximately $10 million of that has been raised so far, though the project could get a big boost at the end of June if itreceives a $25 million grant from the federal government.
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