Though distracted and delayed by months of negotiation, objection, and caution, the Kenosha, Wis., City Council reportedly is close to approving a preferred route to extend the city's existing heritage streetcar route, and may make its decision as early as Monday, Sept. 22, 2014.
Monday's City Council meeting will determine only the streetcar's route, which has been debated and modified in recent times following input from business owners, historical preservationists, self-identified fiscal conservatives, and homeowners concerned about property values. Four route options are still in play.
Downtown business leaders currently support a north-south route also backed by Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman, according to local media. "The idea is to give the businesses more exposure," Bosman said in explaining his preference.
Still to be decided is the need for $1 million in funding to rebuild streets where the extension would occur. Kenosha already has committed $2 million of its own funds toward that purpose, but city officials say the amount falls short of covering the full They also tag the $1 million as a street repair cost, not a streetcar cost.
Streetcar supporters anticipate annual ridership doubling to about 100,000 persons per year once the extension opens for revenue service.
Kenosha's existing 1.7-mile streetcar east-west route, patrolled by PCC streetcars, links the city's Metra passenger station with the city marina and two parks along Lake Michigan.