If Boise learns in January that it was awarded a $40 million federal stimulus grant for a Downtown streetcar, the city is ready to get the $60 million project under construction by next fall - but it may take longer before we hear the first clang of a streetcar.

Delivery time for a new streetcar is 18 to 28 months from the time the order is placed, and before that can happen, the city has to put the project out to bid and go through some other legal processes.

"A lot of time transpires, many months actually, before you can actually order the cars - and then it's two years before you get a car. That will be a challenge," said task force member Clay Carley at Friday's meeting of the city's streetcar task force.

Boise Mayor Dave Bieter wants a circulator connecting 1st Street and 15th Street Downtown to boost economic development and start the first steps toward a more comprehensive public transit system in the Valley.

But the task force discussed the possibility of going back to the drawing board if the city does not get the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant in January.

"I think you take a time out and do that," said task force Chairman Gary Michael, the former CEO of Albertsons.

"Do the right route?" asked BoDo developer Mark Rivers, who along with some other panel members is still not persuaded the 15-block downtown loop is the right path for the first phase of the streetcar.

Even though the task force decided early to agree on this route, some members want that discussion to happen.

"It seems like the TIGER grant is driving some of our decision-making and the availability of free money is driving the decision-making, whether or not it is the right decision," said Matt Bell with St. Luke's. "If the right route is north-south, to the airport or wherever, we ought to at least deliberate on that instead of letting the TIGER grant drive the decision."

The feds might be willing to negotiate on project details, said Michael Zuzel from Bieter's office, but the federal grant criteria gives preference to transportation projects that can be completed by February 2012. Changing the route could delay the project and lower its ranking.

Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428