Streetcars make return to Atlanta

ATLANTA » The Atlanta Streetcar rolled into downtown on its inaugural journey Tuesday, marking the first time streetcars have regularly traversed those city streets in more than 50 years.

A grand opening ceremony was held Tuesday in Woodruff Park, one of the downtown stops on the streetcar route.

Pastors blessed the bright-blue streetcar with prayers, a band played tubas and horns, and onlookers snapped photos on cellphones.

"You know it’s been more than 50 years since we’ve had a streetcar and cities all across the United States of America are trying to win streetcars," Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said.

The streetcar’s 2.7-mile trek will connect neighbors to several tourist attractions, museums and entertainment venues. The route includes 12 stops. Passengers will be able to ride for free for the first three months.

"We’re really excited that the streetcars will be able to bring people around Atlanta, let them visit and tour without being in their cars and be able to appreciate the beauty of Atlanta," said Meg Sheldon, 36, who lives in the Grant Park neighborhood.

Custer State Park upgrades slated

PIERRE, S.D. » South Dakota’s Department of Game, Fish and Parks plans to ask the Legislature to approve $11 million in debt for improvements to resort facilities at Custer State Park.

The state would pay off the bonds over 15 years with a 4 percent increase in the annual franchise fee paid by the private company that operates the state-owned facilities, Game, Fish and Parks said in a statement. Custer State Park Resort Co. currently pays a 10.4 percent franchise fee on all gross receipts.

The goal is protecting and enhancing the park’s status as a premier destination, state Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer said. The Black Hills park drew 1.9 million visitors last year — about one-fourth of all visitors to South Dakota’s state parks, recreation areas and nature areas — and gross receipts totaled $13 million.

Major aspects of the proposed project include renovation or replacement of the main lodge at Legion Lake, and the renovation of guest rooms at the State Game Lodge. Construction would take place during the next two tourism off- seasons, generally run from October to June.