Bowing to criticism from council members who've complained about being left out of the debate and responding to concerns of residents and businesses, Mayor Michael B. Coleman removed a request to begin design of a High Street route and acknowledged he has more selling to do.

In a memo to Council President Michael C. Mentel pitching his $103 million idea as a catalyst for economic development, Coleman said, "While these issues are clear to me, our public needs more information."

Council kept $2 million in the 2008 capital-spending plan that Coleman had requested for design and engineering of a 2.8-mile streetcar line from Downtown to Ohio State University. But it took the streetcar label off the money at the mayor's request.

"Frankly, we are not ready to spend these resources," Coleman said in a memo that acknowledged "an obligation to further educate the public."

Spokesman Mike Brown said legislation to move forward on streetcar engineering will wait until a financing package is finalized. Coleman unveiled a plan in late March that would include new taxes on off-street parking and tickets to sporting events and concerts, but he has said repeatedly that it's subject to change.

"Over time, we think we can win a lot of hearts over," Brown said. "We're going to do more outreach now."

Councilman Kevin L. Boyce said last night's decision to remove streetcar references from the $1.1 billion capital budget shouldn't be interpreted as a rejection of the mayor's plan. Leaving in $2 million without an earmark shouldn't be interpreted as an endorsement, either, he said.

"To me, it comes down to money -- cost," said Boyce, who chairs the council's finance committee. "We have to look very closely at how we take on new projects."

Councilwoman Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, the only council member who has publicly endorsed streetcars, echoed Coleman's promise for more debate. But she cast the plan as equally important to Columbus as the streets, sewers, sidewalks and other projects funded by the capital plan.

"People have to begin thinking of mass transit as essential infrastructure," she said.

Nearly three in four dollars approved in the capital budget -- $788.4 million -- will go toward sewer and water improvements, most of which are designed to meet Ohio Environmental Protection Agency demands that Columbus stop dumping untreated sewage into area waterways.

Another $111.4 million is earmarked for street repairs, sidewalk installation and other projects in the Department of Public Service.

Council members approved one of the summer's biggest street projects last night, $13.3 million in High Street improvements planned just north of the OSU campus. Public Service Director Mark Kelsey said crews will install new storm drains, fix sidewalks and spruce up the area between Lane and Arcadia avenues.

rvitale@dispatch.com