After Mayor Ivy Taylor's surprise announcement yesterday that the city of San Antonio would be asking for the $32 million it gave to VIA Metro Transit for the modern streetcar, many questions about the future of streetcar and downtown development were left unanswered.
The decision comes after months of intense political and public pressure on the city to put the measure on the November ballot.
Supporters of a public vote claimed having more than 27,000 signatures, but there were concerns many would be invalidated as they lacked a circulator affidavit, or a written confirmation from the person soliciting signatures that all the signatures were legitimate.
VIA has stated it will not be able to comment on the future of the project until its trustees meet on Thursday, July 31, at 3 p.m.
The announcement was met with immediate response online. Some, like Republican candidate for Bexar County Judge Carlton Soules, were celebrating.
Mayor Taylor steps up, Nelsons streetcar fantasy goes off the rails , and the citizens win. http://t.co/gHidoIukaN
— Carlton Soules (@CarltonSoules) July 29, 2014
The issue was one that Soules had successfully used to combat the incumbent Judge Nelson Wolff. The Bexar County judge, a streetcar advocate, had been less visible in the fight for streetcar, saying he had his own campaign to wage.
Others were less happy. Many in San Antonio still want some form of rail. What is the future of rail in San Antonio?
Guests:
- Ryan Loyd, TPR city reporter
- Vianna Davila, transportation reporter for the San Antonio Express-News
- Ramiro Cavazos, president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Greg Brockhouse, campaign manager for the petition to Let San Antonio Vote
- Joe Krier, city council member for District 9
*The Source airs at 3 p.m. on KSTX 89.1 FM.
