If only we charged a Community Revitalization Levy in Vancouver….(tongue in cheek). It’s amazing how Vancouver has been addicted to Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) for almost 30 years but some cities are just starting to figure it out.
“Told repeatedly that there’s no way to afford the southeast LRT for perhaps decades, Ald. Shane Keating will bring another fundraising idea to council Monday.
He’ll ask colleagues to explore whether the same complicated funding scheme that finally got the East Village redeveloped can also deliver his southeast ward’s long-awaited dream project.
Some colleagues say it’s a long-shot proposal, but Keating said he’ll test it “rather than sitting here and having no money.”
“Let’s find the money instead of (saying), ‘I want to steal it from wherever,’ ” he said.
After finishing the nearly $1.5-billion west LRT, the city has a group of more modest and partially completed transit projects slated for the next decade: special bus-only lanes down 17th Avenue S.E., bus-only lanes partway up Centre Street, and the first phase of a new southeast “busway” road that will eventually become LRT to the south hospital.”
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Novel+funding+plan+could+kick+start+southeast/8043975/story.html#ixzz2MgUgqQw6