Detroit
business leaders have raised 75% of the construction cost for a new light rail line on Woodward through private donors, advertising, and foundation support. Perhaps this is a model that could be followed in other cities looking to build new transit lines.
4 comments:
It's a great idea, especially if you want corporate interests deciding who has access to transit and how it affects the enviornmental/social aspects of the city.
If you are okay with transit serving the wealthy suburbs and newly gentrified innercity neighborhoods, sounds great.
Don't get me wrong, the notion of civic businesses supporting transit is a fantastic thing; I just worry about letting businesses have too much control over the process and plans.
I thought big business already controlled the USA at the federal level, who cares about naming a few stations?
It's nice to see a proactive stance, also remember the streetcar lines were first built by the private sector, it wasn't ultra socialized highway system came along and put them out of business. Maybe the table are starting to turn?
With this and the Seattle Streetcar setting a trend of partial private financing, I think we'll start to see cities figure out how to build networks, but I have yet to see it. This gives me an idea...I'll post on it.
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