Coleman Asks For $200M For Light-Rail System
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Colemans Asks For Light Rail Funds
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is asking for $200 million from the federal government to build a 13-mile light rail system.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is asking for $200 million from the federal government to build a 13-mile light rail system in Columbus as part of a $334.5 million economic stimulus package funding request.
Published: January 8, 2009
Updated: January 9, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is asking for $200 million from the federal government to build a 13-mile light rail system in Columbus as part of a $334.5 million economic stimulus package funding request.
In a letter sent to President-elect Barack Obama last week, Coleman said his proposal would integrate the best elements of the 2006 North Corridor Light Rail Plan and the downtown streetcar plan.
The federal funding could provide for 70,000 jobs, officials said.
Tell us your thoughts on Coleman’s request and what you think by posting a comment blow.
A total project cost is not provided, and Coleman’s letter said the remainder of funding will be requested through federal, state and local sources to be determined over the next two years.
The proposed light rail system would stretch through the Short North, The Ohio State University campus and past Polaris Parkway.
Patrick Preston: “Is light rail the city’s top priority?“
Councilman Andrew Ginther: “You’ve got a couple top priorities. Light rail/mass transit is one of them.“
Ginther said that at a time when the city faces a nearly $96 million budget gap for 2009, the city needs new jobs and new tax revenue.
“The best way to help short- and long-term is to put people to work so they can pay income taxes on the jobs they’re doing,“ Ginther said.
Other major funding requests include:
- $26 million to renovate the old police building in downtown Columbus.
- $25 million to improve the infrastructure around Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
- $20 million for roadway and park improvements in the River South District.
But all other projects combined don’t add up to the investment the city is asking for in building a light rail system.
“Light rail/mass transit is where we need to go as a city and a region,“ Ginther said.
Coleman traveled to Washington, DC Thursday to take part in a briefing with Obama, alongside several other mayors and governors.
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Reader Reactions
The system has to start somewhere. From what I gather, since no plans are available yet, the route would cover in some combination the routes proposed by both the recent streetcar proposal and the North Corridor project.
Both of these sit on or in close proximity to the highest trafficked bus routes. It’s a starter line and needs to be looked at as such. If there is success, then they move on to the next. It would use existing rail lines for part of it, I’m assuming the northern line that runs adjacent to 71. Which does connect into Linden and Weinland Park, not the most gentrified areas of Columbus.
A comprehensive system takes time and doesn’t come overnight.
Unfortunately the proposed light rail system would not benefit the majority of our city inhabitants. The COTA system is also not the most useful to most of us. After living in a “big” city for several years in Europe (Berlin) I got used to a truly integrated public transit system for the masses of all social classes.
You did not have to walk more than a couple blocks in the most populous areas to find a bus stop. Train/light rail stations were located in the suburbs and in the downtown areas with an intricate networked system for getting from one corner of the city to the other. Has something like this been mentioned as an option for the proposed Columbus system?
How are we (because we all know it is going to be the citizens that ultimately pay for the rail system, whether in taxes or fares)going to pay for the up keep on such a system - $200+ million is by no means enough to run that system for 5 or 10 years or 30 or 50 years (at least I would not think we would get off that easy)?
I agree the city does need a solution that works for mass transit in addition to the current option(s). Let’s just not set our sights on the fancy Arena District and Polaris Mall; think outside the box a little and maybe go for something that would benefit potentially say 80% or more of the citizens?
Just some thoughts…
While I think a light rail is a good thing for the city, I wonder about all the still boarded and burned out houses on Myrtle Avenue, where I live. I know I am not the only person living in a plighted neighborhood in Columbus and am wondering how the rest of the people feel about being one of three houses lived in on a street while 11 other homes are boarded up.
And If we should have a light rail, why would should it serve high street to Polaris?
Why not connect the learning centers of our city with the poverty stricken portions of our city, much as other major cities have done when they made their rail system?
examples:
http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_cha_2008-08a.htm
http://www.lightrail.umn.edu/
http://www.houstontomorrow.org/publications/story/light-rail-and-universities/
My point being, while the University district will benefit from it, by connecting major cultural centers of Columbus, to area’s such as Lindon and then to Polaris, will improve the overall quality of our city by exposing less fortunate peoples to the great culture our city has to offer.
Light rail or crime and boarded up homes? My home, I maintain even though others are giving up, versus voting on a light rail that I will not even benefit from? Not likely.
I would like to see this area cleaned of crime and shown a spark of interest before I vote to approve a light rail. The Shorth North, German Village, Polaris, they all drive cars and clog our freeways and waste resources. I gave my car up a long time ago in hopes that a rail would serve me and my neighbors. Not happening.
Sorry Mr. Coleman. You lose.
A rail system in The Capital City is fine, however more importantly, we need an economic stimulus ALL over the Buckeye State! Southeast Ohio is an area where we especially need industry and good paying jobs. The highways all over the state need repair, and we need to build Recycling Industries throughout the USA, possibly one for each corner of the state. We all need to learn to recycle everything that can possibly be recycled, and there needs to be incentives to recycling, like money or coupons back from the manufacturers. Also the fact that we are protecting our world. When we build the recycling industry, we build JOBS for everyone- from the person peeling the label off soup cans, to the Engineer-who researches the ability of a material to be recycled.
Does Coleman not get it? The people have stated in the past they don’t want this. He just wants something to be named after him. COTA doesn’t get enough riders to support itself and they have been decreasing routes over the past several years. This nothing but a PORK project and has nothing to do with a stimulus project. We need bridges and roads fixed, the $96 million deficit budget plugged, the laid off workers rehired, police and fire departments funded, fix the sewers that stink up the streets downtown, and lets not forget the empty mall that is bleeding us to death. Obama said this would be to rebuild the INFRASTRUCTURE and not fund every mayor’s pet PORK project. Hey mayor this is our money you are spending!!!!! I can’t believe some of the other projects that other mayors have proposed either. Don’t forget our children will be paying for all this stuff for many many many years to come and we should not be wasting it.
i’m sorry, but i have sat here long enough and listened to all of your liberal spewing garbage. I want everyone of you who not only claim that the automobile will be a thing of the past, but that we are apparently turning into a ‘chicago’ or ‘new york’ to CITE YOUR SOURCES. you people are making some very arrogant comments. you are thinking very selfishly. if you want improvement in this city, then why dont you think about the large shortage of both police officers and fireman. I want to know why this person i regret to call my mayor is more focused on toy train, rather than trying to put money into areas of actual importance. for those that live ‘in the city’ as you put it, what are you going to do when you have this nice rail system but have to worry about being robbed, raped, murdered or overrun by crime. this is the biggest focus that our city should be on right now and you people clearly are not thinking clearly.
again, cite your damn sources for your claims you ignorant morons
WILL SOMEONE PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN!!!
No one is disputing the fact that private automobiles are here to stay for awhile. But were talking about the city of Columbus, not rural areas elsewhere… If we continue to overuse our personal automobiles as our only transportation option, our traffic congestion, air pollution, and the exorbitant costs of maintaining our roads and bridges will continue to escalate above any growth it may generate (as it has been)...and its only going to get worse unless we provide alternatives. Light rail works as an alternative all over the country. We must not continue to put all our eggs in one basket. Besides, Im sorry, but clean, alternatively-fueled, and affordable cars are a long way off…Light Rail is at least fueled by electricity generated here in the states.
I for one do nott see the need for a light rail system. The mayor is gung ho about this idea that a light rail will bring more people to the downtown area. Here is an idea, why don’t you do something with the City Center Mall that is now sitting vacant. There is more important things the city need besides a light rail. How about putting that 200 mill into the schools or local communities. i know my area could use some money for improvements. Let’s say we get the light rail, how do does the city want to pay to operate it, raise taxes? Again, I am struggling as it is now with all the tax burdens the city has placed upon me, I don’t want or need anymore.
germanvillager…The personal automobile will never go away; the fuel it uses my not be petroleum based in the future, but this nation will not function without private cars and trucks for the masses. As a resident of German Village, you may not be familiar with places like rural northern Maine, North Dakota, Nebraska and the like. Mass transit cannot and will not reach everywhere. Alternative fuels will arrive someday, but the private vehicle is here to stay.
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