KC Light Rail

Kansas City's lobbying firm in Washington reports on Thursday their initial findings on the feasability of the approved Light Rail plan.

Details:
Thursday, January 18th at 1pm
City Hall, 26th Floor, City Council Chamber

This will most likely be broadcast on Channel 2 and online

From City Hall:

News from City Hall

Mayor Kay Barnes
29th Floor, City Hall
Kansas City, Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 17, 2007

City Transit Advisor to discuss review of Light Rail initiative at Council’s Business Session on Thursday

At tomorrow's City Council business session, Jeff Boothe of Holland & Knight, the City's Washington based lobbying firm, will present his review of the details of the light rail proposal passed by Kansas City voters on November 7, 2006.

Boothe was asked by Mayor Kay Barnes and the City Council to review the initiative in November 2006, including an analysis of the climate in Washington following the November elections, for potential federal funding. Boothe has previously advised several cities on light rail proposals. He has substantial experience in representing public transit authorities and metropolitan areas through the Federal Transit Administration approval process for new start projects, on matters relating to federal transportation policy and legislative and regulatory affairs, and transit oriented development.

He was recently elected to serve on the American Public Transportation Association Business Member Board of Governors. He is also an active member of the APTA Legislative, Legal Affairs and Policy and Planning Committees; the Major Capital Investment, Environmental and Land Use and Development Subcommittees; and the TEA-21 Reauthorization and Light Rail Task Forces.

Thursday’s business session begins at 1 p.m. in the City Council Chamber on the 26th floor of City Hall, not on the 10th floor. Preceding the presentation on light rail will be a discussion of the Housing Policy and Oversight Committee Final Report.

At the November 9, 2006, Council business session, Mayor Kay Barnes laid out an initial process by which the City will review the light rail proposal.

The Mayor stated that the voters sent a clear message that they want the City to implement a meaningful Light Rail plan by approving an extension of the 3/8 cents transportation sales tax. The Mayor also stated that she believed that voters approved the proposal understanding that elements of it may be impractical, financially and/or logistically.

Therefore the Mayor laid out an initial process to provide this and the next Mayor and City Council with a context by which to move forward.