"I'm betting on the future:" Ahead of crucial Common Council vote, Barrett makes case for downtown streetcar
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A critical vote is planned for next week (Wednesday, January 21st) on the proposed streetcar project for downtown Milwaukee. Ahead of the Common Council's decision, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is trying to get folks on board with the plans. This, as a group of those opposed to the proposal try to derail the project.
Mayor Barrett says more millennials are living in downtown Milwaukee and prefer fixed transportation to cars. He believes the plan is good for everyone -- emphasizing that the construction alone would create 720 jobs.
"If this were a stock, you`d want to have bought this stock," Mayor Barrett said.
Inside the Milwaukee Theatre on West Kilbourn Avenue on Tuesday, January 13th, the critical third act of the city's downtown streetcar saga played out in front of a captive audience.
"I want us to be able to compete, to have young people here so we can continue to have momentum that we have started in downtown Milwaukee," Mayor Barrett said.
Mayor Barrett outlined his vision for a proposed four-mile streetcar loop connecting downtown, the lakefront and the East Side. The $123 million project will be voted on by the Common Council next Tuesday. Barrett says the project will be paid for with grant money, an already approved TIF district and $54 million in federal dollars earmarked specifically for a streetcar project. He says it won't involve a property tax increase.
"My plan is to get this started and have this extended to other parts of the city," Mayor Barrett said.
Eventually, Barrett would like to see the track extended to other parts of the city -- like UW-Milwaukee's campus and even the airport.
Supporters of the proposal, like Gary Witt, CEO of the Pabst Theater say the streetcar will help grow downtown businesses.
"The businesses of downtown have grown at a tremendously rapid rate. It`s pretty much time for the city to step up and support that growth that has happened downtown," Witt said.
But not everyone is on board.
Ryan Antczak attended Tuesday's meeting to voice opposition to the proposal.
This, as last week, a group led by Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman Joe Davis launched a petition drive to try to derail the project. They are looking to gather 31,000 signatures in the next two months to force the issue to a binding referendum.
Alderman Donovan has issued this statement to FOX6 News, encouraging folks to participate in the petition drive:
"Time is of the essence for anyone who believes the voice of the people should be heard on the wasteful downtown streetcar project. UNITED for Milwaukee is pushing to collect signatures to pass direct legislation that would require the city to hold a binding referendum in order to construct any rail transit system exceeding $20 million. The UNITED for Milwaukee petition drive is coming to a head, and I am urging residents to get out in force and help collect signatures during these next few days.
You can obtain signature sheets at:
- Sobelman’s Pub & Grill – 1900 W. St. Paul Ave.
- The Packing House Restaurant – 900 E. Layton Ave.
- Sherman Perk Coffee Shop – 4924 W. Roosevelt Dr.
- Wolski’s Tavern – 1836 N. Pulaski St.
- CJ’s Sports Bar – 3279 S. 9th
- Mama’s Italian Cuisine – 7718 W. Burleigh
- McKiernan’s Tavern – 2066 S. 37th
- Ron & Russ’s Flooring and Design – 2648 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
- Sebring Garage – 6005 W. Howard Ave.
- Southside Gardens – 1576 W. Oklahoma Ave. (signatures only – not drop-off)
Please go get your signature sheets and take them with you to the store, to the next high school sports event, to church on Sunday – and even to your Packers NFC Championship viewing party on Sunday!
Despite the outpouring of overwhelming support I am hearing from those opposed to the streetcar, I see reports that the mayor held a pro-streetcar informational meeting last evening in the swanky Milwaukee Theatre rotunda. I read that at the sparsely attended meeting, the mayor told the crowd that he’s looking to expand the streetcar if he can get it built first downtown. Mayor, where is the billion dollars going to come from to pay for the expansion of the streetcar across Milwaukee?
The mayor wants his way on the streetcar because he thinks he knows what’s best for our city. Well mayor, as we grow up we realize we can’t have everything we want. It’s time to let the people tell us what they want, and I have a feeling they are ready to tell EVERYONE loud and clear that we don’t need the mayor’s wasteful streetcar!
On a personal note, I am looking forward to joining former Kenosha Mayor John D. Bilotti and supporters of Common Sense Kenosha tomorrow night (Thursday, January 15) at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Club of Kenosha, 6028 8th Ave., during a town hall meeting. I will be lending my voice and my moral support as Common Sense Kenosha works to defeat an effort to expand the Kenosha streetcar route."
Donovan hosted a press conference Thursday, January 15th at the El Rey grocery store on W. Burnham Street -- calling for a "full court press" on the petition drive.
"I am optimistic. I am certain, without a doubt of the belief that if we had additional time we could get 100,000 signatures in this city. I have no doubt in my mind the level of opposition," Donovan said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Barrett says he hopes a streetcar line will help to spur even more development than the $2.5 billion in completed construction projects over the last decade.
"If there`s one thing I want you to take away from this - I`m betting on the future," Mayor Barrett said.
If approved next week by the Common Council, and if the opposition fails to get the issue to a referendum, the streetcar could be up and running by 2018.
Alderman Russell Stamper has scheduled a community informational meeting next Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board on N. 27th Street. Mayor Barrett will be on hand to provide an overview of the project.
“This public meeting will provide the opportunity for community members to learn more about the streetcar project and to ask questions about it. I strongly encourage neighbors to come out on Tuesday evening and watch the Mayor’s presentation. We can learn about the streetcar together as a community, helping to make a decision together as a community,” Alderman Stamper said.
The Common Council vote is set for Wednesday, January 21st.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the streetcar project.
CLICK HERE for further coverage of the streetcar proposal via FOX6Now.com.