FRESNO (KMJ) — Fresno City Council approves a deal which could end up bringing an extra 1500 permanent jobs. But that’s dependent on High Speed Rail selecting the city as home to the new Heavy Maintenance Facility.
The 5-2 vote Thursday morning, authorized a maximum $250,000 deposit for twelve month control over land chosen for the site.
“We are weeks away from decisions about this, not years away”, says Councilmember Oliver Baines. “We know that this is a game changer for Fresno. Being awarded the heavy Maintenance Facility puts Fresno at the center of the universe of high speed rail in America”.
But those against it cited concerns that it the plan was not going to bring the benefits being promised.
“I hear local local local local”, says Councilmember Clint Olivier. “Then I hear that the consultant that’s being hired is from England. I hear that the trains are being built in China. That the Siemens company of Germany is going to make money off this.
“When I see our local people working, then I’ll begin to be satisfied”.
If the decision is made to place the Heavy Maintenance Facility in Fresno, expected to happen in the first quarter of 2017, construction would start as soon as possible.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
