Bistate rail idea lives on
BY: Kellie Houx, Staff Affiliate
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 5:21 PM CDT
Light rail proponents and opponents agree on one point – the first portion of a light rail spine needs to run from the Country Club Plaza to a point north of the river.
Light rail activist Clay Chastain and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Direct-or Mark Huffer announced this agreement at a public forum hosted by the American Institute of Architects Kansas City on April 9.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Tom Hoenig said many Kansas City leaders want light rail.
“We have economic reasons to see light rail succeed. There is also the energy crisis itself. Even if the world settles down, the global demands (will continue) with countries like China and India requiring huge energy supplies,” he said.
Hoenig said he understands people may hesitate to support rail at $30 million per mile.
“However, it could be a good use of taxpayer money,” he said. “Development is expected to follow.”
Mid-America Regional Coun-cil Transportation Director Mell Henderson said Kansas counties, especially Johnson, seem to struggle to set aside tax money for a regional plan.
“There is still work to do,” he said.
The Missouri General Ass-embly approved legislation to enable Clay, Platte, Jackson, Cass, Ray and Buchanan counties to raise funds for regional transit services. The effort could offer MARC and other leaders a chance to ask voters for up to a half-cent sales tax.
Kansas lawmakers did not OK a companion bill this session.
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