SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council approved an ordinance Thursday authorizing the withdrawal of city participation in VIA's streetcar project.
Councilmembers voted 8-2 to pull the city's $32 million in funding for the project and redirect the funds to center city projects, to be announced at a later date.
The decision also called for a public vote on any future streetcar projects and created a charter amendment commission to vet several issues to allow the council to pass an amendment in the municipal election in May.
"I am eager to begin the process of developing a diverse Charter Review Commission that will vet potential City Charter amendments and gain much-needed community input," Mayor Ivy R. Taylor said.
Streetcar opponents have called for a vote on the streetcar charter amendment to take place in November. Councilman Mike Gallagher put that on the table, but the motion failed.