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BlauBaum A rally on the square would be a great idea! I agree the word has to be actively put out to the citizens.

As far as money is money and it all comes from the taxpayer I won't argue that, although it is a varying list of types of taxes. However, money can not be used for just anything as has been explained. But the big thing for me is, I would rather Cincinnati benefit from funding by investing in projects that will bring in more revenue, instead of another competing city getting the funds. I am sure Columbus, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland would all love to have the funds to make investments so their cities can become more appealing. Believe me Living in Gin I understand what you are saying. I know there are those that are stuck in their ways, but for those who can see reason, arguments have to be explained when many of them are just making up their minds on hearsay and readings from the enquirer. From my point of view there will have to be a huge PR push by streetcar and rail supporters to have a chance at beating the anti-rail amendment. Heck when I was in town last week I educated some of my friends who had no clue about the streetcar except that they were against it, but by the time I was finished some had changed there minds! All because the information and reasoning I gave them has never been presented to them, all they have seen are the negative articles and tv reports. I was born and raised on the westside of Cincinnati where a lot of the conservative and cynical thinking towards city expenditures are rampant. I am 24 years old and left Cincinnati in search of a place where people aren't satisfied with keeping things status quo. My first stop has been in Columbus where I live in a neighbohood just north of downtown. The area has a lot of YP and I walk to the grocery, bars, restaurants, and the bus. However, the city lacks character and a form of mass transit. I believe my next stop will be in D.C. where mass transit, rail, and plenty of YP reside. I LOVE Cincinnati and I know I annoy people with how much I talk about it, but until Cincinnati aspires to be something more than a city 20 years behind the times, I will not be returning, and I think many YP feel the same way. I think Cincy is on the verge of breaking out of the past and has many great things under construction and planning. I just hope the progress can keep going so we can take back our status as one of the great cities of the midwest and in the country

I found the answer to my funding question and was very surprised at what I found. Of the 185 million only 36 million of it could be allocated to other projects, and 25 million of that could only be used for infrastructure improvements. So really there is only the 11 million from the Blue Ash Airport sale that could be allocated to different projects. Also, if you take out the 36 million I have mentioned, and the 25 million TIF which can only be spent in downtown and OTR, you are left with 124 million that will only exist if the plan to build the streetar moves forward. So really the question is why are people up in arms about investing a negligible amount of money on a streetcar system that could possibly be extremely lucrative and a catalyst for the revitalization of the inner core of Cincinnati? With congress approving an extra 4 billion dollars for new rail systems, I can't think of a better time for Cincinnati to "seize the day". Can anyone help me out with any answers or ideas on my other questions about private investors, and right of way acquisition?

I have a few questions that I hope some of you can answer. How much right of way acquisition will the planned route require? Out of the 185 million the streetcar will cost, how much of it will be paid by outside funding(ie. blue ash airport, state and federal funding, private contributions)? Are any of the major institutions on the route likely to commit funds for the streetcar? For example in Columbus, eventhough a streetcar plan is in its infancy, Ohio State has offered to contribute 12 million to the project. I was wondering if cincinnati could expect similar investments?