New monorail transit system discussed at city council meeting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There is new talk about a monorail system coming to Memphis and how it could possibly transform the city.
For beleaguered Memphis commuters tired of being stuck in traffic, a new monorail rapid transit system proposal being considered by the city council could one day put them on the fast track.
During a Memphis City Council Transportation Committee meeting, a group called Iceland Investments unveiled what could be described as an ambitious plan for a Monorail Rapid Transit System and Smart Grid Upgrades for the city.
The proposal is called “Zoom 2125.”
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The Memphians behind the plan say it would “revolutionize the economic and social conditions in the city,” creating thousands of new jobs and innovation for the next 100 years.
But council members had a lot of questions for the group, regarding their communication with Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), what role the City of Memphis will play when it comes to securing funds for this multi-billion-dollar project and whether this would be a city, county and federal government collaboration?
In response to questions about the obligation of the city, Patrick Price, the Chief Investment Officer of Iceland Investments said that it would be fairly minimal.
“Basically, we would just need you guys to sign off on allowing our group, our consortium group to be the sponsor – to be the group that’s leading the charge for this initiative,” Price said. “Our responsibility will be to raise the capital, the private capital and secure federal funding and also to bring the leadership in certain areas of construction, operation and management.”
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The dream of building a contemporary rail line in and around Memphis has been talked about for years, including the possibility of connecting Memphis to cities like Nashville and Atlanta.
That’s especially the case considering the city’s monorail to Mud Island Park lies dormant and needs repairs.
“As we’re looking at this, I know it seems crazy and pie in the sky, but you have to have a vision to make something crazy happen and something big happen,” City Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren said. “I think all we are doing here is giving permission to these guys to go out and explore and bring us back a project with money so that we can say go for it.”
Dr. Warren is not alone in his intrigue in the possibility of a monorail.
“(It’s) a great idea. Plus, it might enhance the city’s tourist attractions,” residents Joseph Garner and Gail Rayford said. “Memphis wants to be an upscale city.”
Even Downtown Neighborhood Associate President Jerred Price told WREG that he sees the value in establishing one in the city.
“It would benefit our downtown because it would then inner link and better connect our city so that patrons from Midtown to downtown to Boxtown could hop on a monorail or light rail system and be anywhere in the city in just a few minutes and not have to worry if they have a car,” Price said.
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