$60 Million Streetcar to Nowhere!
Boise Mayor Dave Bieter has successfully pushed the concept of a downtown Boise streetcar, consisting of 2.6 miles of in-ground rails, with a total project cost of about $60 million for just this first phase. He hasn’t gotten the project very far, yet, though.
On Monday, members of the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) Board voted 13 to nine in favor of supporting a list of projects to recommend for federal “stimulus” funding. Included among the three local projects was a $40 million request for the “Downtown Boise Circulator.” If the federal government approves the $40 million in funding for this project, it is unclear to me where the funding for the additional $20 to $25 million project cost will be obtained.
According to Boise City’s Urban Renewal Agency Executive Director Phil Kushlan, approving this project and spending this $40 million is an, “important first step toward accessing further federal resources.” Mayor Bieter touts the potential economic benefit of the project. He claims that a fixed-rail system will bring development to the downtown core, along the system.
I view the streetcar proposal, Idaho’s version of Alaska’s Bridge to Nowhere, as a shockingly expensive project with no guarantee of any significant benefit to the taxpaying public. Even if most of the dollars come “free” from the feds it is irresponsible, at best, to push for this expenditure. Can you imagine how much better off taxpayers would be if the $40 million simply remained in our pockets and bank accounts, instead of us being indebted for projects such as this one, by the federal government?
Also shocking was the announcement at the COMPASS meeting that all four members of our Idaho delegation in D.C. are supporting this expenditure.
I asked for a roll call vote of the Board, the results of which look something like this:
Supporters of the motion to approve the project list:
Kathy Alder – Canyon County Commissioner
David Bieter – Boise Mayor
Keith Bird – Meridian City Councilor
Vern Bisterfeldt – Boise City Councilor
Elaine Clegg – Boise City Councilor
Tom Dale – Nampa Mayor
Charlie Rountree, sitting in for Tammy DeWeerd – Meridian Mayor
John Evans – Garden City Mayor
Kelli Fairless – Valley Regional Transit Executive Director
David Ferdinand – Canyon County Commissioner
Phil Kushlan – Capital City Development Corporation Executive Director
Garrett Nancolas – Caldwell Mayor
Mike Vuittonet – Meridian School District Trustee
Opponents of the motion to approve the project list:
Sherry Huber – Ada County Highway District Commissioner
Carol McKee – Ada County Highway District Commissioner
Bryce Millar – Nampa Highway District #1 Commissioner
Nathan Mitchell – Star Mayor
Steve Rule – Canyon County Commissioner
Jerome Scroggins – Canyon County Highway District #4 Commissioner
Martin Thorne – Nampa City Councilor
Fred Tilman – Ada County Commissioner
Sharon Ullman – Ada County Commissioner
posted by Sharon Ullman @ 2:20 PM
10 Comments:
You are RIGHT ON, Sharon. Frankly, I can't envision a streetcar being anything more than something to show your out-of-town visitors, and maybe a way to do bar-hopping or "First Thursday." It won't alleviate any parking issues or provide a true alternative transportation mode, since it doesn't go to any meaningful residential parts of town. Mayor Bieter has really jumped the tracks on this one. (What is it about Boise mayors and fixed-rail transportation?)
You suggested the relative benefit of keeping $40 million in taxpayer pockets. Consider also how the Boise BUS system could be improved and/or operated for $40 million! I'd be interested to hear why Kelli Fairless voted in favor, since the Regional Transit has been so perpetually underfunded. Does she get to drive the choo-choo on Wednesdays?
Bikeboy ~ At the COMPASS Board meeting, the bus issue was raised. In one of the other two local project proposals, money is being requested for 4 new buses for expanded service and 27 replacement buses. According to Kelli, there are no additional local funds available for ongoing operational costs so asking for more buses than that would be pointless.
I don't know what it is about Boise mayors and fixed-rail transportation; however, at the meeting, I suggested they use vans for a shuttle service if the need is there. It would be far more cost effective. Mayor Bieter indicated that only a fixed-rail system would provide the necessary incentive for economic investment along the route because it can't be changed as easily.
For all the talk about pork at the federal level, you will seldom find any of our representatives in Congress opposing any spending that comes to Idaho. Turns out that pork and stupid expenditures nearly always occur in the other 49 state.
Thanks for this info. No mention elsewhere. The votes go the way expected. Most mayors (thanks Nate) wanting to create there own kingdoms.
Thanks to you and the others that voted against this silly project. Sadly the $40 million is only available for projects such as this and not smarter alternatives.
Had the proponents of the project ever considered why most cities (Boise included, I believe) abandoned fixed-rail streetcars/trolleys in favor of buses by the mid-1950's? It is because they are expensive to maintain, and cost too much to expand. Not to mention being less safe than buses, as they are unable to avoid hazards on the route (Google the "Chicago Green Hornet Trolley Disaster" for a good example). If they were money-makers, cities would have kept them.
Sharon,
Please consider visiting Portland OR and reconsidering your position on streetcars. Streetcars are such a community asset there. It is such a pleasant way to get around a city.
There are many people in Portland who do not have a car, due in large part to the fantastic public transit system, including the streetcars/Max system. The streetcars also make it much easier to get around on a bike, because you can easily put the bike inside the streetcar.
The Max even takes you out the airport, which is a huge convenience. You never have to park your car at the airport.
The streetcars are almost always packed, so they reduce traffic and air pollution.
Please consider the many, many ancillary benefits to having an excellent public transit system before slamming it.
What is your solution to the lack of public transit in the Treasure Valley-- and the EPA's impending crackdown on air quality?
Kristin Ruether
Boise
The streetcar to nowhere needs to graciously give up its funding to fund a project that is more beneficial to Boise, namely installing the long-neglected sidewalks throughout the city. Boise is planning far too many sexy projects with too little vision for the future or consideration of City beautification projects, like sidewalk construction. The vaunted "stimulus" would still enter the economy (although only fat-cat public works contractors will benefit). I can't imagine why Canyon County Mayor and Commissioners are pushing this garbage. It's like they've lost their way.
Wiebe's thought of the day after viewing The Open House - Seems really expensive for what you get at the end of the day. I left the viewing, walking out onto the sidewalk, and there before me was a BICYCLE TAXI. Imagine that! Me, my wife and our 5month old daughter hopped in and we took off! Fast, direct and easy. Quiet, green, fun, friendly and left us with a smile. Took us anywhere we wanted to go downtown for just a tip. No fees... just a tip. Music too. Owner/Driver says the bike-cab costs about $10,000. Says he has a taxi permit from the city. Says he can't get anyone to listen to him. This is a progressive solution that brings communities together. Can you get behind this solution? It clearly solves the issue of helping people navigate the 2.3 miles the trolley would travel. Just imagine 10 of these tools. Fantastic! Try it, you'll see what I mean. Visit www.bicytaxiboise.com to learn more.
Opposition to the streetcar sounds exactly like opposition in the 70s and 80s to the Broadway/Chinden Connector. Read the text in the 3rd pic, the back of the 1976 NIMBY brochure at the following link.
I did a blogumentary 2 1/2 years ago on the history of the Broadway/Chinden Connector:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4572176#post4572176
Sharon, I'm shocked! You should know better than use appeal to emotion techniques and statements such as: "shockingly expensive."
The Connector has been a success and so will the streetcar especially once redevelopment of the Fairview/Main corridor gets going. And about that; the first baby step is beginning this month with start of construction of the white water feature at the Clocktower pond just downstream from the Main Street Bridge.
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