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When the vote passed seven to four the room erupted.
Those who supported the Gold Line extension said the project is about the future of their community.
Many told the City Council it is needed to help revitalize businesses and neighborhoods.
Tuesday night's vote comes after the city manager's office came up with a new plan to pay for the extension without a tax increase.
It would rely on federal grant money matched by city money which leaders said is surplus money to pay for the estimated $126 million project.
Some council members said they still weren't comfortable with the city spending its money this way.
"I'm not willing to drain every piggy bank we've got," said City Council Member Andy Dulin.
Tuesday night the Mayor, who has been a big proponent of the extension, walked into the meeting just as Council Member Beth Pickering told the crowd she would now support the project.
He was greeted by a standing ovation, later saying to the crowd that this project is about bringing the community together.
"We've got to raise the bar and by raising the bar we look at our friends and neighbors and say you matter to the future of this city," said Mayor Anthony Foxx.
The city still has to apply for the federal grant money, and receive it, before the project move forward.
WSOC
