jacksparrow82

Oh and there were all three local news channels there for the event and a host of other photographers.

When they were introducing the various representatives of the construction groups and design firms I heard them say Smitherman and I honestly thought I was either hearing things or that what I heard was just a coincidence. Sounds like its not! I don't really care what the NAACPs intentions are. I just hope this stupid petition dies and the streetcars are built.

That would be awesome to hear we got stimulus money! And I agree, I would LOVE to be able to laugh at Smitherman if they start the project before November or even before they finish their petition drive. That's what the city ultimately needs to do to avoid this stupid campaign anyway.

I'll be there on my bike with a camera in hand. I'll share news as soon as I find out.

I just heard about this a few minutes ago and I'm so excited to find out what its about I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight!! :-o What I really hope to hear is that they will just go ahead and start the darn project so that there won't be anymore garbage with the NAACP to worry about. Though I remember reading that the NAACP is planning to sue the city if they try to start the project before November. I don't think they would be able to win in a trial anyway, but it would be one more thing to worry about.

Point well taken, and I agree. I've dramatically changed my lifestyle since moving back to Cincinnati with the purpose of trying to promote urban living. I buy locally whenever possible (Findlay market for as many groceries as I can fit in my backpack on my bike, Coffee from Coffee Emporium, household supplies from Park and Vine, Breads and Pastries from Shadeau.) I also ride my bike to work everyday from OTR to Clifton. I want to do everything I can to make the neighborhood succeed and I agree that chances are the neighborhood will stabilize even without the streetcar given the current changing trends in the desire for more walkable, sustainable neighborhoods. However, I don't believe it will be as successful to the same extent it would if the streetcars are built.

Well, unfortunately I currently can't afford to do that at the moment I'm finishing up residency in 2 years so at that time I'll be able to put my money where my mouth is. However, we felt that buying a home in OTR rather than out in another neighborhood was a way to show our support for a neighborhood we've felt strongly about for a long time. The streetcar just made it that much more exciting. Yet, without the streetcar, buying a building in some random part of OTR would be an unwise choice at this time because I believe the current redevelopment will depend very heavily on rail transit for its sustained success. I'll be the first to admit that buying in OTR right now is risky, the neighborhood could go either way. With a streetcar in place, its almost a gauranteed safe investment, and likely profitable one. I'm willing to take a small risk at buying a condo in the neighborhood now, but I'm not willing to make a super large investement in the neighborhood unless I know its going to succeed (like it would with the streetcar).

Queens Boulevard, NYC at the time the Flushing subway was opened: The same location later: Thank you, enough said! I fully believe OTR would become one the most desirable neighborhoods in the country after a short time with rail transit installed.

For what its worth I thought I would share my thoughts on this subject. I agree with the above quote that as a homebuyer in the Gateway quarter area I also bought there because of centrality to not only the CBD, but also because of the prospect of a streetcar. My wife and I were ecstatic when we heard the area was getting a streetcar because we knew what that meant for the future of the neighborhood and the city as a whole (walkable, sustainable, vibrant urban living). If the streetcar goes in we already have several buildings in mind that we would be instantly interested in buying and rehabbing one for our home. We wouldn't hesitate one minute about buying a building anywhere in the neighborhood if we knew a rail line was only blocks away. I've also had countless numbers of friends from out of town, both former Cincinnati residents and not, who say they would move to Cincinnati in a heartbeat if the streetcar were built. Over the Rhine as a whole is just begging for permanent, visable, public transportation like the streetcar, because that's what built the neighborhood in the first place!

I whole heartedly agree with you.

I sincerely hope the City has plans to take the NAACP and COAST to court over this issue. They are COMPLETELY misleading people into signing something much bigger than they are telling them. My sister-in-law was approached by one of these petition gatherers in Clifton the other day and she was simply asked "Would you like to sign the Trolley Petition?" Luckily for her she knew from me that this was actually the petition that would alter the city's charter amendment and she kindly said no. However, its easy to see how many people they could easily falsely lead into signing this even if in fact they are in support of the streetcar. Or, they could simply get someone who's opposed to the streetcar to sign it when they could actually be against the charter amendment! Even Channel 5 news is guilty in misleading people into believing its simply a campaign against the streetcar. They never once mentioned what the Charter Amendment would actually be doing in the article they posted today. Something has to be done to insure that people are at least fairly informed before signing this petition. I'm not a lawyer so I don't know how the city would need to go about building a case against this, but there has to be a way that this sort of unfair, misleading language could be used to shoot down the NAACP/COAST Charter Amendment.

Also, I wanted to comment on some of the comments made. Its such a shame that there are so many uneducated, close minded, racist and stubborn people living in Cincinnati who just love to take the opportunity to say nothing but negative things about over the rhine simply because they think it is nothing but a big, bad, black neighborhood. Its time to stop living in the past and realize that now a days civilized people get a long with one another and respect each other as human beings. I too don't care who lives in my neighborhood in terms of race/ethnicity. All I care about it that everyone gets along and respects one another. I too want to see crime, drugs, violence and prostitution removed from the neighborhood. This doesn't mean remove all the non-white people. If you think that way you should seriously seek help, because you are sick. Over the Rhine is already and amazing place and its going to continue to grow and become safer and more full of life.

Thank you for posting about this. I will certainly be emailing those jerks and giving them a piece of my mind.

I know you said that you are looking for dog friendly with a yard and said that a downtown condo won't work. Before you make up your mind you should really check out some of the new condos/lofts in Over the Rhine. Some of those buildings have courtyards included with them that are very dog friendly. My wife and I own 2 medium sized dogs and are moving to Bremen Lofts in 6 weeks. We will have access to a rather large courtyard with plenty of grass and its gated from the street so we'll be able to let them run around off their leashes:) Additionally, the new Washington Park renovations are going to include a dog park, which is right around the corner from where we will be living. Over the Rhine is a really amazing place and is going to continue to improve over the next few years, especially if the streetcar project happens. I would highly recommend at least visiting a few places down there before making up your mind for elsewhere. However, if you absolutely aren't interested in Over the Rhine, my next suggestion would be Northside. Though its not as pretty on the outside as some of the comparable neighborhoods in Cleveland, its definitely one of the most comfortable gay friendly neighborhoods you'll find and definitely affordable. There are so many great people that live there and a very nice mix of different types of people. There are also quite a few great restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. My wife and I would have picked that neighborhood if we hadn't found out about all the revitalization going on in Over the Rhine. Good luck with your move! We're happy to have you in Cincy!