Some businesses owners in the Delmar Loop have complained about the construction of the Loop Trolley Project.
And even with a donation that’s intended to get the Trolley back on track, some business owners remain pessimistic about the project.
The delays of the Loop Trolley project have been devastating for Rich Howard-Wilmes.
"We've been in the loop for 27-30 years, and the last three years, has been the toughest," he said.
Howard-Wilmes said he's not alone.
"It's been devastating for quite a few people, especially retail," Howard-Wilmes said.
In 2008, a one cent sales tax increase was approved to fund the construction of the Trolley. Nine years later, more than $6 million was collected from that.The money came from businesses like Plowsharing Crafts that’s on the 2.2-mile trolley route. Though the money has been collected, still no trolley.
"A question mark is when is the [Trolley] going to be going,” Howard-Wilmes said.
Joe Edwards is on the board of the transportation development district that owns the trolley."I think [doubters should] give it a chance,” he said.
"Kansas City is already working on expanding theirs," he said.
That success, he said, will be evident once the trolley is functional. But, the project continues to get pushed back.
"Anybody that has ever remodeled a kitchen or a bathroom in their home, I think they found out things take a little longer than they think,” he said.
The money from the sales tax increase will now go to operations, Edwards said. Only thing is: there's still no exact time when the trolley will run.However, Edwards said the Trolley should possibly start operating sometime before summer.
And that's thanks to Clayco and CRG for a $500,000 donation. The money is intended to get the Trolley back on track. Without it, the project was up in the air.
