In October 2008, groups of Baltimore citizens headed out west to observe new transit systems in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Portland, OR. The tours were sponsored by Baltimore City, MTA, Central Maryland Transit Alliance and Citizens Housing and Planning Association. Participants saw light rail vehicles, maintenance and operation centers, and completed stations. Baltimore delegations also had the chance to hear from planners and community residents in each city about their experience through the construction of a new light rail line. Following the tours, participants shared the lessons they learned at a public forum. These are their presentations:
Los Angeles, California
Jannette Barth Fells Point Development Corp.
Los Angeles, California
Sandy Conner CCTM Sojourner-Douglass College
Phoenix, Arizona
Jason Fillippou, Greektown CDC Megan Wilson, Hale Properties
Portland, Oregon
Jason Sullivan Fells Point Development Corporation
Portland, Oregon
Rose Carter Boyd-Booth Concerned Citizens & Bertha Nixon
Seattle, Washington
Muriel Praileau Evergreen Protection Association
Seattle, Washington
Richard Wilson Trinity First Drafting