TIF districts as a way to fund streetcars?

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "City eyes transit hub development - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review." I mention this from time to time, that urban renewal districts of various sorts can be used to create the funding mechanisms for local funding for transit. This is what Portland, Oregon did to build the Yellow or Interstate light rail line in East Portland.

Given that DC is using up its capital funding capacity on things like the baseball stadium, we're going to have to look at this more closely. From the article:

According to state law, the special transit districts allow Pittsburgh to use additional taxes generated by new businesses in the zones to pay for improvements to lighting, sidewalks, benches and other amenities around transportation depots such as light-rail and bus stops.