Iowa City Chamber of Commerce hopes to keep passenger rail 'in conversation'

The Chamber of Commerce and other Iowa City officials are hoping to keep the possibility of a passenger rail in the minds of local government leaders and citizens across the state despite a lack of support from the state legislature.

Of late, that effort has focused on the economic benefits the proposed Omaha to Chicago rail would bring to Iowa City, drawing on examples from other cities across the country.

Thursday, local officials and citizens heard from John Robert Smith, who serves as CEO of Reconnecting America. He also served four terms as mayor of Meridian, Miss. , where he spearheaded a passenger rail transportation project that brought $135 million into the town for developments in the surrounding area.

That money, paired with the 300,000 people the rail draws into the town of 40,000, allowed Meridian to restore its city hall, build a new fire station, and create affordable housing options, among other projects.

"Good design breeds other good design," Smith said, adding the city and chamber of commerce should continue to push for support, despite reluctance from the legislature.

Because Iowa City officials hope to invest in similar projects - such as courthouse renovations and a new justice center - they said they will continue to push for support.

Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek added the project will keep the state competitive overall.

But despite lobbying efforts, the legislature has not yet agreed to appropriate the state's $3 million annual operating subsidy for the project, pending the results of a study from the Department of Transportation.

But Iowa City Assistant City Manager Geoff Fruin says that's OK.

"I think the state did the right thing in requesting more information so they could make an informed decision," Fruin said.

The study, expected to be complete next spring, will provide detailed information on environmental impacts, ridership and route alternatives.

In the mean time, Kelly McCann, Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce communications director, said the goal is to keep the possibility of a passenger rail "in the conversation" by discussing the benefits of the passenger rail with the community and legislators.