Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1501FY0102
Ice Palace to Whiting Line - Tampa Electric Streetcar
Requester:		Steve Carrol			Organization:		Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority
Project Title:		Ice Palace to Whiting Line - Tampa Electric Streetcar			Date Submitted:		1/18/2002 11:27:19 AM
Sponsors:		Bob Henriquez, Arthenia Joyner, Sara Romeo
Statewide Interest:
The Streetcar will encourage tourism in Downtown Tampa. This will result in increases in sales tax revenues. As a potential candidate for a future Summer Olympics, the streetcar would also increase Florida's chances of winning the bid because it will help move people through the area, giving them a positive Florida experience to remember.
Recipient:		Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority			Contact:		Steve Carroll
		201 E. Kennedy, Suite 900			Contact Phone:		(132) 236-8312 212
		Tampa 33603
Counties:		Hillsborough
Gov't Entity:		Yes	Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):
Project Description:
This projectis a 1/3 mile extension of the Tampa Electric Streetcar system. The project extends the streetcar line northward from Ice Palace Drive at the Southern Transportation Plaza to Whiting Street, which is at the core of the Central Business District (CBD). There are two stations and two cars included in this segment. Line I of the streetcar is funded by a combination of local funds, and both federal and state grants. Line I of the streetcar system is 2.34 miles long and runs from historic Ybor City (past the cruise ship terminals) terminating at the Southern Transportation Plaza across from the Tampa Convention Center. The Southern Transportation Plaza is an intermodal center accomodating rail, buses, bicycles, taxis, and pedestrian traffic. Line I is designed with nine stops and will be in operation June 2002 with eight cars. The cars are reproduction Birney cars with air conditioning and full accessibility to disabled riders. These cars also have bicycle securements inside. The Ice Palace to Whiting Street project connects with Line I at the Southern Transportation Plaza at the intersection of Ice Palace Drive and Franklin Street and runs north on Franklin Street to Whiting, stoping at the Fort Brooke Municipal Parking Garage and the Esplanade where the Hyatt Regency Hotel is located. Along this streetcar segment there are four blocks already cleared for development.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The extension of the streetcar, funded by this grant request, is expected to be a catalyst for development and redevelopment on the 1/3 mile area along this streetcar segment, which will result in increased property and sales tax. Development along this streetcar alignment is expected to relate to tourism due to the connection to Ybor City and the Channel District Port facilities. This will generate additional sales tax revenues. According to the State Department of Revenue, the current sales tax revenues from 1999 for the business along the segment was based on $9,301,298 in total gross sales, giving a total sales tax revenue of $617,247 (statistics provided by the State Department of Revenue, Sales Tax Division). There are estimates of $2 billion dollars in development already underway in Tampa along the Phase I alignment with the four blocks in the downtown core cleared for development and the recent announcement of three office towers on the line, property tax revenue increases will be substatntial. By 2005/2006 with the completion of this project and other development in the area, there could be 100% increase in property tax revenues.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$5,000,000
Identify items(s) in the FY 2002-03 Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:			2045
Specific Appropriation Title:			State Transportation (primary) trust fund
Amount to be reduced:			$5,000,000
Total cost of the project:			$7,600,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
What type of match exists for this project?					Local
	Cash Amount:		$2,600,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Yes
	Fiscal Year:		2000		Amount:		$500,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							No
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		The Downtown Linkages Project, by FDOT District VII completed in 1999, 2001 Arts District Plan
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:		10/19/2001