CollegeAvenueIndy.org has been made aware of a 10-10-2016 press release that was shared with multiple local media outlets. Below are a few key points... • Congress has delayed action on the funding of IndyGo’s Small Starts grant until after the November 8th election. Construction funding still remains unclear. • IndyGo is proceeding with plans to construct phase one of the Red Line in spite of uncertain federal funding and uncertain results of the voter referendum. 80% of construction costs are expected to be funded by the yet to be determined 2017 congressional budget. • The proposed Red Line plan will include permanent 15-inch-high concrete medians down the middle of Meridian St. and College Ave (with 60-ft. bus stations in the middle of both streets). • Meridian and College will decrease to one lane in each direction to accommodate bus lanes and stations and more than 50% of parking along Meridian and College will be permanently eliminated. • Businesses along the route are being informed that College and Meridian will be closed for a full year while the route is built. • IndyGo described the Red Line project as “one of the largest infrastructure projects Indianapolis has ever seen” according to its June Board materials. Given the recent cost and timeline overruns encountered for the construction of the relatively modest Julia M Carson Transit Center, CollegeAvenueIndy.org questions IndyGo's competence to manage a much larger undertaking. • If Marion Co. voters approve the referendum on November 8th, IndyGo will receive $100 million annually from taxpayers ($56 million from the referendum and $44 million from property and state taxes). IndyGo’s requested budget for 2017 is over $70 million but only $11.2 million of this will come from rider fares. The remaining $58.8 million (80% of their total budget) will come from taxpayer subsidies. • Marion Co. residents are bieing asked to vote to increase overall county option income tax to 2.1 percent, including the .25% increase to fund the Marion Co. Transit Plan. This would mean a resident who makes $40,000 a year will actually pay $850 annually for their total county income tax. A $100,000 earner will actually pay a total of $2,100 (whether they ride the bus or not). • To build the system by 2021, IndyGo must identify $390 million in capital funds, none of which has been secured to date. Marion Co. property owners already pay two property taxes, one subject to the property tax cap and one that is dangerously open-ended. • There is no priority for low-income residents or residents who depend on the bus system to get to jobs and health care. College Avenue and Meridian Street remain the first priority despite the apparent lack of ridership demand along the route. Click the below link to access the full press release.