August 5,2015-
The Hanford City Council this week turned down a chance to secure a matching grant to begin the planning for a regional high speed rail station. The council did not vote as no member offered a motion to approve the project.
Several of the council members made it clear they did not want to “disrespect” the effort to fight the overall project by Kings County itself and local residents. A lawsuit filed by the county over Prop 1A is said to be heard February 11,2016 that opponents hope will still “ stop the train.”
Mayor Russ Curry cited the potential conflict with county over the proposed station location outside the city limits citing county CAO Larry Spikes question at a study session last month, “why are you planning a station in the county?”
“ We should not dictate what the other should do” agreed Curry.
Hanford City Manager Darrel Pyle had urged the council to consider the planning grant but opposition to the project remains strong in this Kings County community.
“I think it’s a little premature for a station we might not get, to a train that might not be built and that we never wanted in the first place” echoed council member Mendes.
The city was to receive $600,000 providing there was a $200,000 match, half of that to be provided by Tulare County. At least some of the Hanford portion could have been provided by staff time said Pyle.
The planning study was to include a possible light rail route to be studied to connect back to Tulare County.
Now Tulare County will lose the light rail study. TCAG’s Ted Smalley says his board will take up the issue September 21 but without a Kings County partner,will likely not proceed themselves.
The California High Speed Rail Authority had announced it would be building the Kings /Tulare station with or without Hanford’s input with a design contract slated for end of this year.