| During this
period, the City announced that it would be replacing the Colorado Avenue
bridge. It became clear that if the Foundation were going to pursue this
new vision, it would need to move quickly and decisively. The Foundation
requested that the City consider designing the new bridge to handle light
rail, which was done. Residents will notice the streetlights on the new
bridge are six feet higher than normal, to accommodate the catenary
supports for eventual overhead trolley wires.
Nine 1947 PCC cars (and
spare parts) were acquired from Philadelphia during 1995, and corporate
sponsors were obtained for all of them. The sponsors either donated the
monies to the Foundation, which continued in ownership of the cars, or
purchased the cars from the Foundation and leased them back at nominal
rates. A building was leased from the City, which serves as offices, a
restoration facility, and a museum/gift shop, with 600 feet of adjacent
test track. In April 1997, with the unanimous support of the Colorado
Springs City Council, a franchise measure was placed on the ballot, and
approved by voters, granting the Foundation a non-exclusive franchise to
operate trolley cars over City streets for a 25-year period.
Historic Pioneers Museum
in Colorado Springs,
CO.
Since that election,
Foundation and City officials have spent many hours detailing how the
system would be constructed and operated in ways that would not be
disruptive to City departments such as traffic and utilities, and the
public.
Over 200 dues-paying
members have joined the Foundation and, as of December 2000, almost 150
businesses, trusts, and other organizations have contributed monies or
services in-kind to the Foundation. Both the Board and management team
have been expanded and broadened, to carry the Foundation into the next
phase of its development: raising the capital needed to build and operate
the first segment of the
system. |
