Despite fears of a ‘black hole,’ Broward sticks to streetcar plan

Late-breaking opposition to the Wave, Fort Lauderdale’s planned electric streetcar system, didn’t derail the $195.3 million project Tuesday.

In a 6-3 vote that showed increasing skepticism that the streetcars are the solution to Broward’s future transportation needs, county commissioners kept the behind-schedule project moving forward.

“I am concerned we are spending a lot of money on something that I think could be addressed better and much, much cheaper through basically shuttle buses,” said Commissioner Steve Geller, who still voted to support the project. “I am concerned that we may have gone so far that if we pull back now that we would have problems with our credibility with both the state and federal government.”

Commissioner Nan Rich worried Broward’s commitment to operate and maintain the system, which she estimated at $6 million a year, will drain taxpayer dollars needed for other county priorities.

“I just feel like this is a black hole, and we’re going right down it,” said Rich, who voted against the new agreements along with commissioners Dale Holness and Michael Udine.

The Wave has been in the works for more than 14 years. When the initial federal funding came through in 2012, the first streetcars were expected to be up and running in 2016. The plan now is to start construction by the end of 2017 and have the streetcars in operation in 2021.

The 2.8 miles of track will serve passengers near Andrews Avenue between Northeast Sixth Street and Southeast 17th Street. The system could be expanded to other parts of the county. It’s being paid for with state, federal, county and city dollars, and assessments charged to people and businesses living near the route.

Critics say the streetcars, which will travel in a lane with cars and other vehicles, won’t reduce congestion or provide faster trips for their passengers. Even many supporters acknowledge the overhead lines that will power the streetcars will be unsightly and could come down during hurricanes.

Residents of the city’s northwest area near Sistrunk Boulevard have complained the city is using $7.5 million from redevelopment money for part of the project, money that Holness said should be spent to build up blighted areas.

“That’s $7.5 million that’s being robbed from that community and it is being placed east of the railroad tracks,” Holness said. “It’s totally unfair.”

The Wave has already succeeded in one of the original goals, giving an economic boost to downtown by enticing developers to the area.

“We believe over $3 billion of downtown economic impact has occurred because of the Wave,” said John Milledge, attorney for Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Development Authority. Despite misgivings, a majority of commissioners said it would be a disaster to change course on the fully funded project.