WPIX.COM
By Greg Mocker
ASTORIA, N.Y. — It would travel about eleven miles-per-hour carrying riders between Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Astoria, Queens. It could cost $2.5 billion dollars to build and $30 million a year to operate. The trolley system may offer 45,000 to 50,000 daily rides.
Planners, potential riders, drivers and neighbors are looking at the numbers and being asked to consider the possibilities.
Plans to build it are purposely moving along at a slow speed.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation held the first in a series of public meeting in Astoria along 21st Avenue at the Variety Boy’s & Girl’s Club.
Riders and neighbors were asked to take part in a “vision session” to log and address their concerns.
Questions about construction, parking and the actual route were raised. Some homeowners asked about the project’s financing and the impact on their home values. Those are are tied to the amount of property taxes they pay.
As it did with Hudson Yards, the city is considering financing the $2.5 billion project with bonds that are backed by the rising property values from new development. That is not a tax increase.
