well, after a long and contentious political battle, the milwaukee streetcar downtown starter line has
FINALLY been passed by the milwaukee city council, paving the way for the long planned line to finally move forward.
ground breaking on the line is now expected to start by the end of this year with service on the new line beginning in 2018.
it's a brand new day for rail transit in milwaukee!
Quote:
Milwaukee council OKs streetcar plan
By Crocker Stephenson of the Journal Sentinel Updated: 9:54 a.m.
A streetcar connecting the Milwaukee Intermodal Station with the city's lower east side was approved by the Common Council Tuesday, bringing to a pause at least decades of sometimes acrimonious debate.
The council approved, on 9-6 vote, a measure that established the project's $124 million capital budget, its estimated $3.2 million operating and maintenance budget and its 2.5 mile route, which includes a lakefront spur connecting the line to the proposed $122 million, 44-story Couture.
The council, by the same margin, also agreed to create a new tax incremental financing district at the east end of Michigan that would generate $31 million and to amend a TIF district on E. Erie St. that would generate another $18.3 million.
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full article:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwauk...291390051.html