For an amazing example of the ability of streetcars to be the most aesthetically-appealing form of transportation, see this fountain in Oslo, through which streetcar tracks are routed:
Here is a link to a brochure by the company that made the jets for the fountain, which wisely turn off when a train is coming through. This is what they look like when full:
The moral of the story: when the public works engineers say it can’t be done, don’t believe them!
Edit: I’m trying to get the google streetview link to work:
Getting Around Minneapolis 