Los Angeles Streetcar (LASI)

Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc. (lasi) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public/private partnership modeled after the successful public-private/non-profit partnerships in portland and seattle, which pioneered modern Streetcar systems in the western united states. Lasi was founded by long-time public and private downtown Los Angeles stakeholders in january 2009. Lasi's mission is to lead the fundraising and development efforts of the Streetcar project, including oversight of all required planning, environmental, engineering, and development processes. During 2013, lasi sponsored a successful referendum to form a community facilities district which will provide $62.5 million of the capital construction costs of the Streetcar project through a community facilities district public bond issuance. Lasi has been funded initially by grants from the now defunct community redevelopment agency of Los Angeles (cra/la) and more recently by contributions from the general public and receipt of tfar (transfer of floor area ration) community benefit payments made by downtown la developers building new ground up projects in, on or near the lasi Streetcar route.