West U. supports Metro's Richmond rail line
The West U. City Council has told Richmond-line opponents that it does not intend to fight Metro's new planned route:
State Rep. Martha Wong, R-District 134, and a small contingent of business owners and stakeholders trying to stop Metro from placing its University Line project along Richmond Avenue appeared before the council to gauge the city's interest in joining them in their effort to route the line on Westpark.
But council members said running the new line along Richmond would prove more beneficial to West U., as well as to people who would use the line to get to the Galleria and Greenway Plaza, the two major employment centers along its route.
[snip]
Wong said the initial referendum called for the Westpark line to serve both Bellaire and West University Place, but Councilman Mike Woods said having the line run along Richmond makes more sense for the city.
"I don't think it's as appropriate for accessing major employment centers as it is on Richmond, which is what makes light rail successful," Woods said. "There are some very good reasons for it going down Richmond. Greenway Plaza and the Galleria are better served than they would be on Westpark."
Said councilman Dick Yehle, "My definition of a successful line is one that goes where I need to go. The line needs to go to places that people would otherwise drive to and for this line, that's the Galleria and Greenway Plaza."
If it was so obvious that the line needed to go down Richmond, why did Metro choose Westpark for the referendum?
Wong said residents who live and work along Richmond are overwhelmingly in favor of having the line run along Westpark.
But West U. Mayor Burt Ballanfant said it's for the same reasons those residents are worried — the hassle and negative effects on business that will come with construction of the line — that most West U. residents would want to keep it off Westpark.
"I think Metro learned from Main Street that they were very insensitive to businesses during construction," Ballanfant said. "In the long run, it may be good for businesses, but I think owners here would be worried about the construction process if the line were to go along Westpark."
In related news, a town hall meeting will be held Monday evening to discuss Metro's proposed rail routes. Expected to attend are Councilwomen Anne Clutterbuck, Ada Edwards and Pam Holm; Rep. John Culberson; Mayor White; and Metro's Frank Wilson.
BLOGVERSATION: Off the Kuff.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 03/17/06 08:55 PM | Print |
Previous Entry | Home | Next Entry
ADVERTISING
DISCLAIMER
All content © 2004-09, blogHOUSTON and the respective authors.
blogHOUSTON.net is powered by Nucleus.
Site design and Nucleus customization are by Kevin Whited.