COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Mayor Michael Coleman requested $334.5 million last week from President-Elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus package.
$200 million of that federal funding is earmarked for a 13-mile light rail system that would travel from downtown Columbus to the Delaware County line.
NBC 4 viewers sent emails and wrote comments about the multi-million-dollar projects. Some of those emails praised Coleman, saying, "The system has to start somewhere … a comprehensive system takes time and doesn't come overnight."
But others questioned the use of the funding writing, "The last thing this city needs is a light rail system. Who is going to ride this train?"
For a week, NBC 4 has been trying to take your questions to Coleman and Friday, he sat down with NBC 4's Mikaela Hunt for almost an hour -- to give you answers.
"I felt it was important to at least ask or we shall not receive … and I don't know if we'll see a dime," Coleman said.
Coleman was very candid about his request for the light rail money.
The federal stimulus money is most readily available for infrastructure and "green" requests that invest in Columbus' future.
"What makes our need for light rail in Columbus so great compared to some other things out there? Maybe if you could explain that to people who might wonder," Hunt asked.
"Well the future of our country -- the future of our competitive cities or cities that are competitive -- will be those that consider job creation, economy, environment, transportation," Coleman said.
Coleman said a light rail system could mean a potential 11,000 jobs in the Central Ohio area.
"If we get it, we'll have a look at what the timeline will be. It won't be next year. We won't build tracks next year. There's engineering studies and all that. But we have a good foundation on which to build," Coleman said.
He understands the hesitation of some Central Ohioans about the project.
"I know people are going to have to talk about it, get used to it, have a community discussion," he said. "If Columbus is left behind, we'll be a system far worse off than we are today."
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.
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