A new economic impact study has tried to put a tangible number on the intangibles of the benefits from investing in streetcars.
$1.3 billion over 25 years is the expected benefit to the city for the $280 million investment.
The study, conducted by TheSABÉR Research Institute, says the 5.9 mile streetcar route will spur development and the ascent of property values.
Streetcar opposition has questioned the study's honesty and continue to push for a vote. They claim they have collected more than the requisite 20,000 signatures to add the issue to the November ballot. It is unclear whether the vote will have any impact on the progression of the project under state law.
Guests:
- Jeffrey Arndt, president of VIA Metropolitan Transit
- Steve Nivin, chief economist for The SABÉR Research Institute
- Greg Brockhouse, spokesperson for the Streetcar Vote Coalition and chief negotiator for the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Union, who have helped push for a vote on the streetcar issue.
*This is the first segment in the July 7 edition of The Source, which airs at 3 p.m. on KSTX 89.1 FM.
