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
Arrogant, as you can see, I am educated enough to capitalize your city’s name.
Steve
You obviously don’t use COTA. I do weekly, and with the weather currently, daily. I am impressed with the level of service they provide given the circumstance. Citizens like you and a sprawled city don’t lend themselves to a bus-centric transit system. Their funding has been stripped by people who see COTA as welfare and not as transportation. The same people who don’t balk at $1 billion + infrastructure improvements on our highways.
COTA just rolled out some service changes that are working pretty well. The majority of my experience has been pleasant with them and I do believe they have moved ahead in the last few years.
Arrogant, nothing was said about educated people.
However, I believe there are many talented, older people who can continue to contribute and not burden the infrastructure. Stay in Detroit. I can assure you, none of us Buckeyes would be caught dead moving to that city.
onmybike…Would you propose that COTA administer and operate light rail? They can’t run a fourth rate bus route. If you say yes, then all I can say is BWAHAHA!
Arrogant…You demonstrate snotty class warfare at its worst. So, in your opinion, the city belongs to juvenile metrosexuals and pseudo-intellectuals. Aren’t you just so “progressive!“
The beginnings of a rail system here in Columbus-or should I say the return after the long standing one was gutted by auto-centric infrastructure-is and should be a priority for our city.
Like it or not, we are competitive for new hires, retirees and families looking to relocate with cities like Chicago and NYC. We have many of the same amenities (arts, museums, education and sports)-at times on our scale-that provide a wonderful quality of life. And we have a decidedly lower cost of living.
Adding rail based transit will diversify our current system and provide broader service. It may take 15-20 years to see a full system (check out some of the fantasy maps at Xing Columbus) that can really connect our region, but in the end it will be worth it.
Most major cities offer unlimited service on their transit systems per month for a set price, usually around $60-80 a month. About what some of us were putting in our gas tanks last summer, right? Having such a fixed transportation budget would go a long way to helping new families, low income earners and our retirees stretch their dollar in hard times. Not to mention provide a broader connection (at times quicker) to our surrounding region.
Arrogant…You certainly live up to your screen name.
quoting captjack
“So I guess only “young, talented, urban professionals” can push this city forward?“
Yes, what do you really think untalented, uneducated, people are going to push any city forward? Sorry guy, you should have gone to school, and then you would have talents to offer. I reside in detroit now, it is filled with untalented, uneducated people like those you admire, you should move up here.
columbusfornow & osupleasure…Gee, I forgot. “Community Organizer” is a real job too. After all, that’s what the media told me after the Magic Kenyan ascended to sainthood.
So I guess only “young, talented, urban professionals” can push this city forward?
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