Private Sector Support for Downtown Streetcar Vanishes (San Antonio, Fredericksburg: construction, school districts)

[catriona]

Thoughts on this, anyone? We can't get potholes fixed or alleyways paved, but we CAN have streetcars? How many southside streets are still flooding because drainage has not been addressed? Just who is supporting this waste of taxpayer money? Where does the proverbial "Money Trail" lead to?

EXCLUSIVE: Private Sector Support for Downtown Streetcar Vanishes - NewsRadio 1200 WOAI, San Antonio

[Bo]

Nelson Wolff wanted this and Nelson Wolff got it. He's been chasing rail projects since the early 90s and by finagling these streetcars into existence, he finally got one. If people don't want trains, they need to quit re-electing Nelson Wolff!

[TXStrat]

Just another example of the San Antonio city government ramming another wrong headed idea through, that none of the locals want. There is no private sector support, and little to no public citizen support. Guess who ends up footing the bill? Us taxpayers...again.

[kevcrawford]

Originally Posted by Bo

Nelson Wolff wanted this and Nelson Wolff got it. He's been chasing rail projects since the early 90s and by finagling these streetcars into existence, he finally got one. If people don't want trains, they need to quit re-electing Nelson Wolff!

^^^^^THIS!!!! He's the main proponent of the street cars, trains, etc. We need the infrastructure, THEN to move on to these things IF they turn out to be needed.

[TrapperL]

Nelson has done a lot for this community over the years. But he's a democrat and democrats have one thing in common, spend, spend, spend regardless if there's a need for it or not. Moderator cut: off-topic Looks like voting has become a matter of a popularity contest rather than who is the best man for the job. Everything is normal.

[kevcrawford]

Originally Posted by TrapperL

Nelson has done a lot for this community over the years. But he's a democrat and democrats have one thing in common, spend, spend, spend regardless if there's a need for it or not. Moderator cut: off-topic Looks like voting has become a matter of a popularity contest rather than who is the best man for the job. Everything is normal.

That's exactly what politics is now. A popularity contest. Nobody can put aside their partisan ideals to look at facts and use common sense.

Just a "hey, our guy won" attitude.

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by catriona

Thoughts on this, anyone? We can't get potholes fixed or alleyways paved, but we CAN have streetcars? How many southside streets are still flooding because drainage has not been addressed? Just who is supporting this waste of taxpayer money? Where does the proverbial "Money Trail" lead to?

EXCLUSIVE: Private Sector Support for Downtown Streetcar Vanishes - NewsRadio 1200 WOAI, San Antonio

Lots to dislike about this.

"We" are getting potholes fixed (the city just completed a stretch on Woodlawn between Blanco & Fredericksburg, a stretch I often drive on). And the city (and county) is constantly making improvements to drainage, road, and other utility infrastructure, both through the general budget and via bond elections.

Just because every single square inch of San Antonio isn't in brand-new condition doesn't mean that "we" can't make improvements and investments in other parts of town. Especially parts of town (the area around Pearl, for example) that have seen privately-funded construction representing somewhere north of $250mm in capital investment over the past 3 years. For the math-challenged (or conspiracy minded) this new investment will contribute somewhere north of $6mm every single year to school districts, the city, county, ACCD, etc. And that's just in the last few years.

There are plenty of people supporting this, ahem, "waste of taxpayer money". Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's not legitimate.

Last, the "private sector support" was never critical for getting these monies allocated and the streetcar project approved. Nor should it be; local governments are responsible for prioritizing and determining how/when infrastructure investment occurs. We don't ask suburban developers to help build "free" highways and interchanges, do we?

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

Lots to dislike about this.

"We" are getting potholes fixed (the city just completed a stretch on Woodlawn between Blanco & Fredericksburg, a stretch I often drive on). And the city (and county) is constantly making improvements to drainage, road, and other utility infrastructure, both through the general budget and via bond elections.

Just because every single square inch of San Antonio isn't in brand-new condition doesn't mean that "we" can't make improvements and investments in other parts of town. Especially parts of town (the area around Pearl, for example) that have seen privately-funded construction representing somewhere north of $250mm in capital investment over the past 3 years. For the math-challenged (or conspiracy minded) this new investment will contribute somewhere north of $6mm every single year to school districts, the city, county, ACCD, etc. And that's just in the last few years.

There are plenty of people supporting this, ahem, "waste of taxpayer money". Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's not legitimate.

Last, the "private sector support" was never critical for getting these monies allocated and the streetcar project approved. Nor should it be; local governments are responsible for prioritizing and determining how/when infrastructure investment occurs. We don't ask suburban developers to help build "free" highways and interchanges, do we?

Well said. +1

It's tough to fight against logical responses. You sir won this round with swift ease.




BN

[teenwolf80]

The incredibly bias and sensational headline doesn't give ablreviewbof the ops political view

Private sector support for streetcar hasn't vanished. Support for a PID is what seems to have bottomed out. Big difference.

Also, money for the street cars isn't taking away money from pot holes or whatever things you incorrectly listed.

Moderator cut: off-topic

[TexasRedneck]

Rail makes ZERO sense in San Antonio. While rough on streets, bus service is more logical, since it can easily adapt to changes in rider traffic patterns.

THAT is a fact.