_Here is the latest on the Streetcar...

The initial paperwork to form the streetcar's Transportation Development District was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court. This is the first of many steps towards funding our downtown streetcar's construction and operations. A draft map of the boundaries are attached in PDF format. Please note the boundaries now include the entire Loop.

Federal funding has been identified and the lead consultant (HDR, Inc.) is already at work on the grant application. The program is called TIGER and it has been very friendly to streetcar projects in the three previous cycles. Kansas City is seeking only $25 million of the $100 million construction cost, which makes us very competitive (the minimum local match is 20% and the program typically sees billions more in applications than there are funds to disperse). The application deadline is March 19. Winners will be announced sometime this summer or fall. The City will be seeking letters of support for the application from neighborhood groups and home owners associations, so stay tuned for information on how to help!

The TDD election has been targeted for Tuesday, June 5 and will be a traditional format. You will not need to request a ballot by mail, as was previously reported. Downtown turnout for municipal elections has been terrible (15% in last year's mayoral election), so we will need to be vigilant about encouraging our neighbors to register and participate. Check now to make sure your registration matches your downtown address: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterlookup/