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CRA to discuss potential CRA support for fare-free streetcar next month
Summary
The CRA board agreed to receive and file a proposal and hear HART representatives next month about possible CRA contributions toward making the downtown streetcar fare-free, including retroactive funding and use of funds from districts the streetcar serves.
Board member Viera moved that the CRA receive a proposal and hold a discussion next month on whether CRA funds can support a fare‑free streetcar in downtown Tampa; the board asked HART representative Justin Willett to participate in the discussion. The motion did not allocate funds; it directed staff to present the proposal and any legal, financial and CRA‑district implications.
Viera said CRA allocations to sidewalk and bus-stop work could be repurposed for the first year of a fare‑free streetcar pilot in the block of downtown where the car operates, and that she had been tasked at a separate HART board meeting to seek a compromise with the mayor’s administration. The motion specifically asked staff to discuss potential funding from CRA districts the streetcar traverses and to include HART in the conversation. The board approved the motion.
Why it matters: making the streetcar fare‑free would change how transit is funded and may require CRA policy clarifications about allowable uses of district funds. The board did not approve any funding; members asked staff and HART to return with a full presentation at the next meeting.
Ending: CRA staff will coordinate with HART to bring a proposal and legal/financial analysis to the CRA for discussion at the next meeting.
