By Daria Kroupoderova
Northwest Asian Weekly
The Seattle City Council decided that First Avenue will have the first streetcar route during the July 21 council meeting. City Council will seek $75 million in federal money for the $110 million project.
The vote was 8-1, with councilmember Nick Licata voting no on this resolution. “There’s no plan to get $40 million,” Licata said. He cited that since Metro buses are already being cut, there is no funding available. Licata suggested looking into trolleybuses.
Councilmember Bruce Harrell along with Chinatown/International District neighborhood supporters said that the neighborhood deserves the streetcar, which will boost the neighborhood’s economy.
The streetcar capacity would be 150 people and would have its own transit lanes. (end)