From: "Friends of Transit NEWS" To: "Friends of Transit NEWS" Subject: Arizona Republic Article - Glendale to vote on light-rail plan Date: Saturday, October 27, 2001 1:20 AM Glendale to vote on light-rail plan Both sides worried about outcome By Dennis Godfrey The Arizona Republic Oct. 27, 2001 Here is the pitch to Glendale voters: Give us a half-cent sales tax boost and we'll give you better streets, more buses and light rail. Phoenix and Tempe voters bought similar bids in recent years to upgrade their transportation systems. Now Glendale voters have their turn. The election is Nov. 6. Should Glendale turn down the $1 billion plan, it will be its loss and not a devastating blow to the rest of the Valley, transit proponents say. "I don't think it would have a negative impact on the rest of our system. I think it would have a negative impact on Glendale if they don't pass it," said Diane Scherer, the chairwoman of Phoenix's Citizens Transit Commission. Becky Fenger, a Phoenix resident and a dedicated opponent of light rail, said Glendale is one piece of the puzzle, but not a critical piece. "If it does fail, it does not mean that another town won't bring it up, because that is the plan. It's never say die," Fenger said. "Certainly, the light-rail interests are not going to give up." Cities to the west of Glendale might have the biggest stake in the vote. Peoria Mayor John Keegan said he is watching the election closely. "Peoria's ability to develop a transit system is very much contingent on Glendale's," he said. "They kind of are our window to the central and eastern part of the Valley." Should the vote fail, "I don't know that it would close the door, but it would certainly change the nature of our planning," he said. Glendale proposes paying half of Phoenix's costs to extend the light-rail system three miles from Chris-Town Mall to the Glendale boundary. Glendale then would build two more miles to its downtown at 59th and Glendale avenues. Mayor Elaine Scruggs said the rest of the Valley, particularly Phoenix, has made its decision on light rail. "Our decision is, are we going to isolate ourselves or are we going to give ourselves the opportunity to be part of a regional system." Light rail is enormously expensive. Phoenix has committed $43 million a mile and the costs could run much higher, according to recent projections. Phoenix, as well as Glendale, is counting on much of that money coming from federal grants. Scruggs acknowledged the cost and noted that the costs might keep the system from being built. "What we're voting on now is keeping our options open. . . . The question is . . . do we want to be left out?" Fenger thinks Glendale made a mistake by not putting a sunset on the sales tax increase. Phoenix's increase of four-tenths of a cent, approved by voters in 2000, expires after 20 years. Glendale officials say their proposal is honest; that maintenance costs and upgrades will require the indefinite sales tax revenue. Fenger agrees. Phoenix's costs will not go away in 20 years, she said. "Phoenix was just being sly, not responsible. They knew it was forever because there's no way that you can stop light rail. All you can do is throw bad money after good once you have light rail." Glendale officials are quick to note that light rail is only part of the package and a relatively small part. Improved bus service gets the most money, under city projections. Now, Phoenix buses on extended schedules turn around at Glendale's borders. A yes vote Nov. 6 would mean Glendale could match the evening and weekend service that Phoenix has. Reach the reporter at dennis.godfrey@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6921.