“This, of course, is a very big, very expensive project that will take years in order to get done and a lot of work making sure we pull together the financing necessary to make it happen,” Slay said. “That’s not going to be easy. It will be a challenge. It’s something we’re committed to do.”

He also had strong words for those who fear MetroLink expansion will bring increased crime to their neighborhoods.

Slay said light-rail expansion is an infrastructure investment that attracts development, and helps address, not spread, poverty and crime.

“If somebody says, ‘we don’t want light rail in our neighborhood because we’re afraid those people are going to come here and steal and rob us,’ that is a racist statement and that’s absolutely wrong,” he said.