The South Lake Union streetcar line could have company in the future after the Seattle City Council voted Dec. 8 to support developing a four-line streetcar network, including service to Ballard, although development of that line could be years away.

The resolution passed 6-3 and contains no specific designs, timetables or funds for the new lines, but states the council's desire to move forward with the streetcar concept they unanimously approved in February.

The four new lines in order of priority are First Hill, Central, Ballard and University District.

The First Hill line will be built first because it is the only line with a definite source of funding. Sound Transit 2, approved by voters as Proposition 1 in November, dedicates $120 million to construction of that line plus some operating costs.

The Ballard line, to run Downtown via Fremont, is a priority because Ballard and Fremont are two areas of the city that need a lot of attention in terms of reliable and attractive transit said council president Richard Conlin.

Completing the four proposed streetcar lines is important for creating a seamless transit system in Seattle, council member Jan Drago said.

The South Lake Union streetcar has exceeded projections by serving approximately 500,000 passengers since it opened in December according to Drago. But new lines are needed to connect it with the forthcoming First Hill line and other neighborhoods to utilize it to its full extent she said.

Opponents of the resolution and supporters of a defeated resolution opposing the streetcar network said it is too soon to offer support for a transit plan that has no source of funding and may not help transit in the area.

According the Streetcar Network Development Report, construction of the four lines could cost as much as $685 million. With the city facing a projected budget shortfall, there is no guarantee when funds for construction, exempting the $120 million from Sound Transit, will be available.

"It's a wonderful idea," council member Richard McIver said. "But we ain't got no money."

One possible funding method could be the creation of a Local Improvement District, where property owners along streetcar lines would be taxed to pay for part of construction, council member Nick Licata stated in a newsletter about the resolution. This method was used to pay for half the construction costs of the South Lake Union streetcar, he said.

Council member Tom Rasmussen said he would like to see any available money for transit be spent on expanding the already existing electric trolley network. Each additional mile of electric trolley service would cost $7 million to $8 million to construct as opposed to $30 million to $40 million per mile of streetcar.

Drago asserted that the resolution is not meant to find funding for the project, only to endorse the concept of a streetcar network. It puts the council is a position to accept funding as it becomes available in the future, she said.

Another concern expressed by members of the council is that an expanded streetcar network will actually harm transit in the city.

According to the Streetcar Network Development Report, the Ballard streetcar line could necessitate cuts to Metro routes 17 and 18 to Downtown. These potential cuts in bus service would mean more transfers and less convenience for commuters according to Rasmussen.

In his newsletter, Licata asserted he is concerned because the money used to operate the South Lake Union streetcar for 11,000 hours could have funded 16,500 hours of bus service. He said he wants to make sure new transit doesn't leave residents with less hours of service.

Council member Sally Clark said it is too early to speculate about possible cuts in Metro service, and Drago said the concerns and questions from Rasmussen and Licata are preemptive because no definite plan has been detailed yet.

Licata, who sponsored the resolution to not support the streetcar network, voted for the pro-streetcar resolution after successfully adding amendments to it. His amendments require the city to demonstrate there is committed funding for the project and that a streetcar would produce measurable improvements in service, as well as how other transit in the area will be affected, before construction could begin.

Michael Harthorne may be reached at 783-1244 or michaelh@robinsonnews.com.