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“Milwaukee Downtown” announces support for streetcar project, as Donovan again calls for referendum
"Milwaukee Downtown" announces support for streetcar project, as Donovan again calls for referendum
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A group representing downtown Milwaukee businesses is taking sides in the streetcar debate. "Milwaukee Downtown" on Monday, December 8th announced it supports the proposed streetcar project. Meanwhile, one of the proposed project's loudest critics says everyone in the city should have a say.
"We`re selling this city to developers. We`re selling this city to employers. If we`re gonna build a city of the future, sometimes you have to make bold decisions and sometimes you have to make bold investments and you know what? The return is gonna be there for us on the streetcar," Beth Weirick with Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 said.
Weirick says Milwaukee Downtown's board voted last week to back the streetcar proposal.
Mayor Barrett's latest proposal says the streetcar would cost more than $120 million, and would involve laying more than four miles of track between downtown, the lakefront and the East Side.
Perhaps the loudest critic of the plan is Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan.
"I do know I had breakfast with about 10 other business owners earlier this week - downtown business executives who are very much opposed to the streetcar," Alderman Donovan said.
Donovan, who is running for mayor in 2016, says if city tax dollars will help pay for the project, there should be a referendum.
"I`m simply saying why not give everyone the opportunity to have a voice -- because ultimately, we will all be stuck paying for this," Alderman Donovan said.
Milwaukee Downtown says its businesses would contribute many of those tax dollars, and they believe the streetcar would help to attract more employers and residents.
"We`re not talking about a clank-clank trolley. This modern, beautiful, high-technology streetcar is just going to be the first leg of what will come to fruition to serve other nearby neighborhoods of downtown Milwaukee and beyond," Weirick said.
A spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office says the earliest Mayor Barrett would be available to comment on this is Tuesday.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Public Works is set to present an update on the project at City Hall.
Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 issued this statement Monday, December 8th:
Alderman Bob Donovan issued this statement Monday, December 8th:
Alderman Joe Davis Sr., who is also opposed to the streetcar project issued this statement:
CLICK HERE to learn more about the streetcar project.