Mayor Rybak Hails Latest Step Forward for West Broadway Streetcar
City Council votes to apply for federal funding for streetcar study
April 13, 2012 (MINNEAPOLIS) — Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today hailed the City Council’s vote today to authorize City staff to apply for competitive federal grant funding to conduct “Alternatives Analysis” of a modern streetcar on West Broadway in North Minneapolis.
In his State of the City speech on Wednesday that focused on North Minneapolis, Mayor Rybak called for moving forward with a West Broadway streetcar that will promote economic vitality.
“Modern streetcars build vibrant streets. We need that on West Broadway,” Mayor Rybak said.
In his State of the City address, Mayor Rybak announced that Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council had both agreed to join the city in jointly funding the 20 percent local match that the Federal Transit Administration requires for Alternatives Analysis.
Council Member Don Samuels said, “North Minneapolis needs more than a fast ride somewhere else. A West Broadway streetcar with 15 stops in North Minneapolis will add much-needed jobs, housing and economic development.”
City Council Vice President Robert Lilligren said, “I’m especially pleased that Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council have agreed to share the local cost of this study with the City. This represents progress in our regional partnership around streetcars.”
Today’s action follows two other steps forward for streetcars in Minneapolis: in 2010, the City was awarded $900,000 from the Federal Transit Administration for Alternatives Analysis of a Nicollet Avenue/Central venue streetcar; and in 2011, Metro Transit was awarded $600,000 for Alternatives Analysis of a Midtown/Lake Street streetcar.
“A new study of a streetcar on West Broadway is the perfect complement to our ongoing study of a Nicollet/Central streetcar, which will be the spine of our future system,” Mayor Rybak added.
Published Apr. 13, 2012