Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 31, 1993 TAG: 9308310079
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
No, he didn't get a commitment from Mayor Maynard Jackson to support a proposal for a new Amtrak route from New York to Atlanta via Roanoke.
But Bowers and a half-dozen other officials, mostly from Eastern Tennessee, were taken to lunch by Jackson after they met with him to discuss the Amtrak route.
Jackson told the group that he will cooperate with them and send a representative from his office when they meet next month with Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., to lobby for federal funds for the train.
The Atlanta mayor hasn't taken a stand on the proposed new route.
"It's a little early for him to take a position. He was just briefed on it today," said Deborah Speights, Jackson's press secretary.
Localities in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee are hoping to use the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as a springboard to get federal funds for the Amtrak route.
Bowers and others say a new Amtrak route could carry thousands of people to Atlanta for the Olympics and ease aircraft and traffic congestion.
Amtrak has estimated that the equipment for the train would cost $60 million.
An annual subsidy of $8 million also would be needed to keep the train operating.
Amtrak says it would like to provide the service, but doesn't have the money for the train or 12 other routes that are under consideration.
If funds for Amtrak are cut as part of President Clinton's deficit-reduction package, it could hurt the campaign for the new route.
The annual subsidy may appear to he high, but it would cover the cost for an entire year, Bowers said.
As a result of Monday's meeting, the mayors in cities and towns along the route in Virginia and Tennessee will try to win the backing of their counterparts in Georgia.
Bowers said John Rowland, mayor of Cleveland, Tenn., will help organize the lobbying effort in Georgia.
Leaders of the lobbying coalition also hope to meet with Sen. James Sasser, D-Tenn., when they travel to Washington for the meeting with Robb.
A top official with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has written a letter of support, saying the Amtrak route could be beneficial for the Olympics.
Bowers said the group also will seek the support of several governors in October when the Appalachian Regional Commission's annual convention for 13 governors is held in Roanoke.
Bowers said Monday's meeting included representatives from Bristol, Cleveland and Chattanooga, Tenn., and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
by CNB