The Delmar Loop is returning to the old ways to navigate city streets.

Students from CHS often visit The Loop on weekends to eat, see concerts, socialize, or shop. Little do they know that The Loop was not named after Fitz’s crispy onion rings, or the loopy fans at The Pageant.

The road of food and entertainment is named after the streetcar loop that transported teenagers, families, and tourists through Delmar, around Delmar Garden Amusement Park, and back to downtown St Louis at the turn of the 20th century. With the General Motors Street car conspiracy and the technological advancements of the century, the Peter-Witt streetcars were replaced by buses, the metro, and cars.

So why should the Trolley be brought back now? Since 1997, when the question of how to increase investment east of Skinker, Joe Edwards has been building consensus. Owner of Bueberry Hill, The Pageant, contributor of the Moonrise Hotel and the Tivoli Theatre, and old Meramec Elementary student, Edwards not only wants to create another “fun place where people are happy”, but is a firm believer that the trolley will bring benefits to St. Louis.

The Loop Trolley will serve as a clean electric transit for the environment. Studies have guaranteed long-term savings from a fixed track trolley system vs. rubber tire look-alikes. Additionally, trends indicate that because the trolley provides a fixed route, people will invest in the area.

But the benefits are not limited to the environment and the economy. The streetcar system will provide a vehicle for a preserved St. Louis history. While on the exterior, the cars will look like the prototypes, such as the stationary one outside the history museum, they will incorporate modern technology like air conditioning, as well as wheelchair lifts, bike racks, and other modern equipment. Additionally, volunteer citizens will be on the cars to share some history with the tourists and residents. “I like to think of it as a ‘back to the future’ project”, said Edwards.

Although 97% of registered voters from the L-shaped quarter around The Loop voted in favor of the project, there are questions regarding the crime and traffic issues that may be encountered in The Loop.

According to Edwards, there need be no worry. The streetcars will not gain their own lane, but will, rather, share the double lanes with the cars. They will only take one or two parking spots when they pull to the side at a stop, and will overall ease congestion. Rather than bringing one’s car into The Loop and circulating in search of a parking spot, visitors can park anywhere along the route, and thanks to the affordable daily, weekly, and monthly passes, they can get on and off at their convenience. If the route expands in the future, many workers will combine the use of the trolley and the metro and limit their car use.

The streetcars will not contribute to crime since they will both move slowly, at the average 15-20 mph speed of The Loop, and will only accept passengers with a ticket. Also, because they will attract many people, they will automatically be safer. Edwards’ believes in the idea that “the more activity you have on a sidewalk, the safer it is”. Although trolleys in other cities have not been problematic, cameras, such as the new ones in the area, could be added to the streetcars if need be.

Edwards and the nearby residents are not the only ones enthused with the project. The city of St. Louis, St. Louis county, and University City have collaborated with the planning. Additionally, St. Louis was among the 5 cities out of 65 that received a $25 million grant for a trolley project, beating cities such as Washington DC. Edwards believes that we may have won because of the devotion to feasibility studies, route mapping, and maintenance planning that has taken place for years now. Regardless, it is certainly a prideful success, “one of those rare times St. Louis should stand up and cheer”.

Although some plans are yet to be finalized, the optimistic prediction is that building will start during the coming summer and will be completed the next. Residents and visitors of all ages will be able to grab an ice cream cone and hop on the trolley cart with their family and friends, and enjoy our beautiful city. “This should put St. Louis on a silver platter out there”, said Edwards, “This is a fun city, and it’s easy to navigate”.