![]() ![]() Others include expanding the bus network, adding and repairing roads, expanding cycling infrastructure and investing in sidewalks and safe crossings for pedestrians. One key part of Charlotte’s plan is the Silver Line, a proposed east-west light rail line. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, not the City Council, would levy the new tax, the city’s legislative agenda states. Increasing that tax by one penny, or 1%, would transform Charlotte’s transportation system, some officials say. The Charlotte Area Transit System has relied on a half-cent transit tax to fund itself for more than two decades. “It takes a lot of communication, education and we’re grateful for the delegation taking the time to work with us.” “I know it’s not something that we’re going to get immediately,” Lyles said. “We need to get away from historical tensions between the parties and between Raleigh and Mecklenburg County and work together towards that cause.”Ĭharlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said she appreciated Cunningham’s candid tone about Raleigh’s current position. “(A transportation plan) affects many aspects of our lives: air quality, social issues,” Driggs said. So I think that would make a lot of people start to feel uneasy.”Įd Driggs, one of the two Republicans on the City Council and transit committee chair, urged both sides of the aisle Friday to have open minds. And I’m your one Republican from Mecklenburg. “I’m not even sure what the final plan is. “If there is a plan in place to move something in the legislature, I have not heard about it,” Bradford said. Bradford is the county’s only Republican legislator. Plans remain stagnant for the Red Line, a 25-mile commuter rail corridor in north Mecklenburg that would use an existing Norfolk Southern track.īradford, who was not in attendance at Monday’s meeting, told The Charlotte Observer this week he has yet to even see a plan to support. Residents in northern towns have paid a CATS transit tax for more than two decades with little return. Winning north Mecklenburg County support will be no easy feat, Cunningham said, especially because officials and residents have preexisting concerns about public transit. John Bradford, who also represents northern Mecklenburg, about increasing the sales tax to pay for transit projects, but “they are not ready.” They are who hold the power.”Ĭunningham she’s talked to Huntersville Mayor Melinda Bales and GOP House Rep. “The power in Raleigh is on the other side of the aisle. “One thing I’ll say is it’s good that Dana is up there walking the halls (in Raleigh) because those interactions means something,” Cunningham said. Tim Moore said he wants to see a plan focused more on roads rather than transit expansion, adding transitioning Charlotteans from car reliance is unrealistic. This week, Charlotte’s lobbyist, Dana Fenton, told a transportation committee the city hadn’t yet asked legislators about transit funding because it might require regional cooperation to pass, WFAE reported. General Assembly’s interest in supporting Charlotte’s plans have been growing. “If (Republicans) made a decision of what they’re not going to do, they’re not going to do it.” “You have to do some negotiating, you have to do some conversating and be present in their face,” Cunningham told the council during a briefing with members of the Mecklenburg delegation. Carla Cunningham, a Democrat who represents part of University City and northern Mecklenburg County, offered some advice about how to do that. The city needs the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly to approve putting a penny sales tax increase on voters’ ballots to pay for an ambitious transportation plan that includes building an east-to-west rail line in Charlotte. Charlotte needs to do more negotiating with the legislature and get “in their face” if it ever wants to see a transit plan pass, a Mecklenburg legislator told the Charlotte City Council Friday. ![]()
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