A four-member Streetcar Steering Committee has been appointed by Mayor Michael B. Coleman to determine if a downtown rail circulator could be funded by local, state and federal grants.  The new committee, which includes William Lhota, president and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), will expand the work done last year by the Downtown Streetcar Working Group, which after a preliminary assessment determined that streetcars would be both feasible and desirable as a tool for economic redevelopment in Columbus.  The working group suggested three basic routes — Blue, Red and Green — that could be mixed to create seven lines.  “Every expert we've spoken with has advised that we will see a positive return on this investment (and) that streetcars are a great way to reconnect neighborhoods, build up our convention business, help people get around the city and address the parking issues,” Coleman said in a statement.  “To move forward, I need to know that we've developed a realistic funding plan and that the project will not require a citywide income tax increase.”  Lhota said COTA is pleased to be part of the streetcar initiative.  “As this effort moves forward, COTA will continue to provide technical expertise and counsel as part of the steering committee,” he said.