Milwaukee city leaders discuss proposal to expand streetcar

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After a lot of discussion, Milwaukee city leaders tabled a vote on expanding the city's streetcar. 

A Common Council Committee heard from the public Tuesday about the proposal that would extend the streetcar to the Wisconsin Center, north to Bronzeville, and south to Walker's Point. 

The project would cost $46 million. 

Alderman Tony Zielinski says it's financially irresponsible. 

"I guarantee once we start having to pay the federal money from the TIGER grants, when that dries up we are going to have to come up with millions of dollars for the operation of the streetcar. With expansion, that's going to add more money to the operational costs," Ald. Tony Zielinski, 14th District - Milwaukee, said. 

The committee decided not to vote on the proposal on Tuesday. Instead, the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee will hold a special session on May 28. The full Common Council is expected to vote on the proposal on May 29.

Supporters are hoping they'll still have time to approve the project and extend the line to the Wisconsin Center before the Democratic National Convention in July of 2020.