Member Update: The City Said “No.” So We’re Going Higher

Alliance Members,

We just walked off the steps of City Hall after a high-stakes meeting with the Mayor’s office. I promised you transparency, and here is the blunt truth: The Mayor has definitively said "No" to direct financial assistance for our businesses.

When pressed, the Mayor stated that providing aid is "unconstitutional" and maintained that TIF funds are strictly for construction. However, our pressure has forced the City to admit they have failed us, and now the City has agreed to a "Hard Reset" of the entire construction corridor.

The Immediate Logistical Wins:

While they claimed they couldn't write a check, they offered several concessions to make the area more attractive to customers:

• $1 Parking: A plan to drop rates to $1 in select garages to encourage visitors.
• GPS Fixes: Active Google Maps integration to finally fix navigation issues.
• Text Alert System: A real-time system for construction updates so you aren't surprised by closures.
• Safety Doubled: Doubling the personnel dedicated to worksite safety to prevent further pedestrian strikes.
• Weekly Accountability: The Mayor’s staff has committed to weekly meetings with SIA leadership for the next month to ensure these promises aren't just more talk.

The Strategic Pivot: The Road to Lincoln

Since the Mayor has confirmed the City will not lead, we are moving to our next option: The State Government. We made it clear on the steps of City Hall to KETV, WOWT, and KMTV that if the City refuses to find a mechanism for survival, we will find a leader who will. We are exhausting our options in order, and the Governor’s office is next.

Administrative Update

We are to continuing to pursue securing a Fiscal Sponsorship with an established non-profit. Their board is currently reviewing our mission to ensure it meets IRS "charitable cause" definitions (specifically regarding the prevention of community blight).

• Timeline: We expect a legal green light in 7–10 days, followed by a 2-week application process. We are approximately 3.5 weeks away from being able to accept tax-deductible donations to fund our legal and advocacy efforts.

What’s Next: The City wants us to accept $1 parking as a substitute for rent money. We won't. We will use these weekly meetings to hold their feet to the fire on safety and navigation, while we turn our full attention to state-level intervention.

They said No. Let's get to work.

In solidarity,

Clark Ross

Chairperson

Streetcar Impact Alliance