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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Statement from Mayor Greg Nickels on the Seattle Monorail
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/22/2005 12:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Statement from Mayor Greg Nickels on the Seattle Monorail:
“A week ago, I pulled the Transit Way Agreement because I wanted the
Seattle Monorail Project to face up to the fundamental problem that has plagued
the agency for more than two years. There is simply not enough money to build
the project.
“The City Council has joined me by endorsing that action today.
“Without a Transitway Agreement, the monorail can not be built in the
City of Seattle. Without that agreement, I don’t believe the monorail
can execute a contract with Cascadia.
“A February ballot is too late for the taxpayers. It will waste $1 million
a week - plus the costs of a special election -- and may put the fate of the
monorail in the hands of the state legislature instead of where it belongs
- the voters of Seattle.
“Also, the monorail could be forced to start the entire bidding process
all over again, adding another two years and tens of millions of taxpayer dollars
before a spade of dirt is turned.
“The time to act is now. Give the voters of Seattle a say in this matter.
Until they decide the monorail’s fate, I will not allow Seattle’s
streets to be torn apart for a project that is not in the best interests of
the city or its taxpayers.”
The following is background on the issue:
The agency recognized in the summer of 2003 it was collecting far less (30%
less) revenue from the car tab tax than anticipated. The decision not to address
that substantial shortfall at the time led to the 50-year, $11.4 billion financing
plan that the board wisely rejected in June.
At the time, it was clear ito the mayor that the monoral needed to restore
public confidence, identify new leadership, and ask the voters of Seattle --
the people who created the project -- whether they would be willing to pay
more in taxes or accept a shorter line than promised.
Six weeks ago, the mayor sent a letter to the Monorail Board setting a clear
deadline of Sept. 15 to address the underlying financial issues. Despite the
clear and unambiguous expectations, the proposal presented last week failed
to do that.
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Office of the Mayor
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