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There are a number of issues with the streetcar which is got most people upset about, including:
1) The streetcar will not raise the capacity of the public transit along the line from its current levels to warrant the expense. And there are cheaper options out there.
2) There has been minimal open forums to discuss this matter that were not entirely rigged by the county. Most forums were only along the Pike and not through the rest of the county including the higher tax brackets which will end up footing the bill for any shortfall.
3) The development was happening already given the land constraints in the county the Pike was the next spot happening anyway.
4) The county board refuses to put the trolley to a bond referendum meaning any money will come out of general revenue. Given that the voters of Arlington County have never rejected a bond referendum what does that tell you about how a majority of Arlington residents feel about this issue. (Note the county put a 1.5 million dollar dogpark through the bond referendum process but not the Trolley).
5) The county just reinstated library hours back to normal pre-2007 levels (via an increase in the library budget of 500K) because of the economy, yet, the trolley is going to run at least 8 million/yr budget deficit. I understand that public transit is subsidized for a reason. But, this is a want not a need.
6) The cost of constructing the project has doubled in the last 3 years and will likely double again before finishing. For a county of approximately 200,000 residents that works out to $2500/resident just on this project.
7) The county currently bumping up against is self-imposed debt cap which is concerning given the money this project will entail and the need for approximately 1 billion in capital projects over the next 10 years. Where is the money coming for that - especially in light of the likely reduction in government contractor spending coming down the pike.

In the end, this is going to happen. But, it might be the impetus for residents of Arlington to see the need for more than one-party rule in the county so that white elephants are hung around the neck of the county.

by Burger on Jul 20, 2012 4:15 pm • link • report