WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be in Detroit on Monday to discuss the future of a proposal to build a light-rail line along Woodward Avenue.
His visit follows a federal review of the investors’ plans.
If LaHood announces money for the plan it could jump-start the rail project that supporters see as a way to revitalize the core of Detroit.
Rip Rapson, head of the Kresge Foundation, said he’ll be there and supporters Roger Penske and Quicken Loans’ Dan Gilbert changed travel plans to attend.
“I assume that wouldn’t be happening if LaHood is coming to give us bad news,” Rapson said.
The Kresge Foundation pledged $35 million toward the M1 Rail project.
The meeting is set for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s office; Gov. Rick Snyder and several investors in the M1 Rail group are expected to be on hand, a U.S. Transportation Department official confirmed.
Chris Brown, Bing’s chief operating officer, said he is “cautiously optimistic to see where things are going.”
“At the end of the day you’ve got to show a capital plan that works and how long-term operations and maintenance can be funded,” he added.
Private sector investors including Penske Corp., Quicken Loans, the Ilitch family and Peter Karmanos’ Compuware have contributed to the effort to build a 3.3-mile light-rail line on Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to New Center. The group submitted plans to federal officials in April, saying it raised most of the $137 million needed to build it and promising 80% of the estimated $5.1-million annual cost of operating it through 2025.
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