KGUN 9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsWill millions in streetcar money stay on track?

Will millions in streetcar money stay on track?

By Craig Smith

Will dollars---or the lack of them derail a key part of the plan to get downtown Tucson back on track?

      We're talking about a modern street car to infuse development....

      But it needs millions in federal dollars, and skeptics wonder if they'll really come through.

       This 4th avenue underpass was completely re-worked to make a smooth passage from 4th through downtown, for cars, the antique trolley,and a sleek modern street car...

       But a project like that needs money for fuel...and there's a question of when or if it will get it.

      The city of Tucson has a lot riding on plans for a modern street car.  It's to glide from UMC past U of A and through downtown, spreading people, business and a jolt of new life.

      Christian Encinas had enough faith in downtown to buy Enoteca Pizzeria & Wine Bar on Congress.  He'd love to have a modern street car roll customers right up to his door.

        Craig Smith asked him: "Is it critical, or just a nice addition? Christian Encinas:  "A nice addition for us.  We've only been open three months.  We took over ownership so everything that's coming at us now is a welcome addition."

        But officials like County Supervisor Ray Carroll, and City Councilmember Steve Kozachik worry the Federal government will not come through with 75 million dollars required to make the streetcar roll.

        Kozachik says the project may snag enough in grants in the next few months.

        "But we don't know that yet and so I'm just going to be very conservative in spending other people's money and committing to it until we know that we got it lined up."

       Tucson Transportation Director Jim Glock says Tucson will not be shut out in the competition for federal stimulus money.

        Craig Smith asked: "So when jurisdictions all across the country, thousands of them, are putting their faith in Federal money flowing down through stimulus, Tucson's got an edge still?  Glock: First in line and way ahead.  Craig: In what way? Glock: In what way, in particular with respect to the federal planning process we have met all the national environmental policy act requirements, we have as published in the Federal register a finding of no significant impact we have permission already and are pursuing final design by the Federal transit administration...In fact we have a conference call tomorrow to review our progress on the design of the project."

     The city transportation director says he thinks we'll see that street car running in a little less than two years..

       But with the city struggling to balance the budget is this a good use of the money when they're trying to avoid layoffs?

         It's not money they can divert to anything else. About 87 million in local money will go toward the project, but it's sales tax paid into the Regional Transportation Authority, not the city and transportation's all you can use it for.