Eric J. Jones
- ejjones.threed@gmail.com
From: "Hubbard, Drew (COUNCIL)" <DHubbard@dccouncil.us>
Date: Jun 25, 2012 1:11 PM
Subject: Fw: Press Release: Councilmember Marion Barry Outlines Reasons For Disapproval With The Street Car Project
To: "ejjones.threed@gmail.com" <ejjones.threed@gmail.com>
From: Foster, Latoya (Council)
Sent: Mon Jun 25 12:02:20 2012
Subject: Press Release: Councilmember Marion Barry Outlines Reasons For Disapproval With The Street Car Project
MARION BARRY Tel: (202) 724-8045
COUNCILMEMBER WARD 8 Fax: (202) 724-8055
For Immediate Release
June 25, 2012
Contact: LaToya Foster
Councilmember Marion Barry Outlines Reasons For Disapproval With The Street Car Project
WASHINGTON, DC –Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry has outlined reasons for a disapproval resolution with the street car plan–identifying job creation, and local, minority subcontractors and business participation as reasons for his resolution disapproval against the Dean-Facchina LLC contract.
"There are many who believe that this resolution is in isolation," said Barry. "My staff and I review every contract over $1 million. This is not unique," said Barry. "As a result of my work in this area, hundreds of jobs and minority business opportunities were given to residents and local and small businesses in the District who wouldn't have received them otherwise."
D.C. Code § 2-301.05a requires that contracts in excess of $1 million during a 12-month period shall be deemed approved by the Council following the 10-calendar-day period beginning on the first day following its receipt by the Office of the Secretary to the Council. If a member of the Council introduces a resolution to approve or disapprove the proposed contract then the review period is extended to 45 calendar days.
"In order to understand my decision to file a disapproval resolution on the Dean-Facchina LLC contract, you must understand the history surrounding the street cars," said Barry. "In 2006, then-Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray and I, along with other city officials, went to Portland, Oregon to observe the city's light rail system. When we returned we had an idea to begin the streetcar project at Bolling Air Force Base through Anacostia, over the 11th street bridge, essentially connecting east of the river with west of the river. With Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Councilmember Jim Graham (Ward 1) chairing the Transportation and Environmental Committees, the streetcar project became a $237 million project with the H Street line being the first phase to be completed. The city has already spent $36 million, and has asked for an additional $50 million."
Presently, there are three Metrobus lines (X1, X2, X3) that service the H street corridor. The proposed streetcar line will serve an average daily ridership of only 1500-2500 passengers, and create only 41 permanent full-time jobs. The street car line will serve as an alternative mode of transportation servicing the newcomers to this neighborhood.
"I've been briefed on this project several times and each time I have expressed my unhappiness with spending this tremendous amount of money on a street car line that won't go anywhere," said Barry. "The fare will not cover the operational costs of the line and will ultimately have to be heavily subsidized by hundreds of dollars per passenger by the District," said Barry.
The District of Columbia currently subsidizes the Washington Area Metro Transit Authority (WMATA) with over $350 million in subsidies annually.
"Further, the Department of Transportation (DDOT) has yet to figure out how to get the H Street line over the H Street Bridge to Union Station and across the Benning Bridge, connecting several wards in the city," said Barry. "It's not well-planned, it lacks cost benefits, and I am concerned about wasting tax-payer dollars," said Barry. "I am attempting to protect the tax-payer and am opposed to any further money being spent on streetcars while there are other extensive capital needs in this city, specifically in Wards 5, 7, and 8–including school modernization, sidewalk restoration, or the construction of new health centers, recreation and aquatic centers," Barry said. "The city could also complete the $57 million land transfer at Poplar Point and finally bring much needed development to an area of the city that has been neglected."
Councilmember Barry received a commitment from the Gray administration that the city will do everything in its power to place as many District residents as possible in temporary construction positions. Additionally, Councilmember Barry received a commitment that the project will set a goal of using 50% small and local minority businesses. "The most important goal is to keep as much money in the District as we can. My goal has been and continues to be creating jobs and opportunities for District residents and safeguarding their hard-earned, tax payer dollars," said Barry. "For these reasons, I've withdrawn my disapproval resolution."
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