Metro wants your thoughts on University Line

Got an opinion on Metro's proposed University light-rail line? Now's your chance to put it on the record: Metro will hold two "scoping meetings" this week designed to record citizens' concerns. The alignment of the proposed rail line, you'll remember, has sparked a great deal of controversy — in the initial rail referendum, it was identified as a Westpark rail line, but some observers are worried running the line along Westpark would doom it to low ridership. The most commonly discussed alternative, running it along Richmond Avenue, drew opposition from residents and business owners who worry the line would destroy their homes, businesses and trees.

The scoping meetings are required by federal law so transit authorities can get residents' input on proposed projects. The comments may either be written on comment cards or dictated directly to a stenographer; they will be included in the federally required enrivonmental impact statement on the project. There will be no public speeches or formal presentations at the meeting — just informational displays and staff on hand to answer questions. After these meetings, the next step will be a public meeting in late July to report on engineering and environmental work on the proposed line, which is expected to be finished by the end of the year. This week's scoping meetings are open to anyone.

Metro scoping meetings on proposed University line
4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis
4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn Select, 2712 Southwest Freeway