CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 39 Bianca Shoneman, who first initiated a trolley conversation with Huff when she was hired in 2019 as president of the Cool Spring Downtown District, envisions a variety of uses for the trolleys. "We were talking about our shared vision for the downtown for the families of visitors and residents alike," she said. "I hope the trolleys will be an integrated part of the community." A trolley, she said, like a subway or train, has an excitement about it. A street trolley fits in with the look and feel of downtown Fayetteville. "I can see a Holly Jolly lights tour with elves on the trolley and everyone singing Christmas carols," she said. "I can see history tours and people renting the trolley for private events. It's an opportunity to make memories." Getting the trolley up and running was no overnight endeavor. In her previous position as CEO of Uptown Greenville, Shoneman worked with a third-party operator to have trolleys at special events in the downtown college community. She and Huff talked about how popular they believed the trolleys would be for all ages. "Well, Bianca, that is a great idea," Huff said, "and I can tell you right now I'll be glad to help you with that." But the COVID-19 pandemic put the trolley plans on hold until earlier this year. Shoneman's research yielded two options, one new electric trolley or two diesel- powered used trolleys. e decision was clear once they learned that the electric trolley could only run for six hours at a time and then would need to charge for eight hours. "at totally would not work," Huff said. "I wanted to be respectful of the idea that electric is good, but it wasn't a bit practical. I want the trolley eventually to be able go to Methodist University and stop at Fayetteville State University and drop some young kids off downtown at 11:30 in the morning and make a reverse run at 1:30. And then do it again at 5 and 7. With the diesel trolley, everything is possible." Huff and his wife Linda paid for half the cost of the trolleys, while Huff 's Coldwell Banker partners, Suzanne Pennink, Tim Milam and Gary Rabon, agreed to pay the other half. "ey whole-heartedly and instantaneously agreed to do that," Huff said. FTCC Corporate & Continuing Education EXTEND YOUR REACH Through Computer Training at FTCC! (910) 678-8309 www.faytechcc.edu/continuing-education NEW CLASSES BEGINNING SPRING 2022 CompTIA Certifications CISCO Computer Literacy for Absolute Beginners Computer Literacy in Español Connecting Your Tech Dots Creating Webpages (Online) Microsoft Office Training Networking Introduction Time Flies. Fly Fay. Find flights at www.flyfay.com SAFE, FAST FLIGHTS FROM FAYETTEVILLE. Pardon our progress! Experience shorter lines, more accessible parking, and enhanced safety measures when you FlyFAY. We're making improvements to serve you better—our terminal renovations will be complete in the Spring of 2022.

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