McEUEN: Light rail better priority

My alternative proposal to the McEuen Plan: Resurrect the Spokane to Coeur d'Alene Rail Line. It worked once before to bring visitors and tourists; its time has come once again.

The Spokane Coeur d'Alene Light Rail Line would be the future now.

The economic benefits allow for applications to be submitted to the states of Idaho and Washington for grants and funds. It also allows for applications to be submitted to the federal government for federal grants and funds.

The economic benefits: Jobs would be created on the rail line from maintenance to operations. Retail businesses would open along the rail line route, creating more jobs. More visitors and tourists means more dollars spent here with less vehicle traffic.

College students from both states would benefit. Business professionals would benefit.

According to history, four railroads served the city, one being the Inland Empire Railroad electric line. Coeur d'Alene's major industries were timber, tourism and agriculture. By the early 1930s, Coeur d'Alene was Kootenai County's economic and social center.

The rail line can be acquired now at a fraction of the cost to repurchase the line or the real estate later. We do not have to make the mistake other cities did and give up the railway.

Then work on the McEuen Plan after we have implemented a plan to bring the people in that will make money, not waste money.

Coeur d'Alene is a destination town. What better way to bring them here without their vehicles?

So as a community, let's get onboard and see this idea that worked once to work again.

DAVID LETRO

Coeur d'Alene