natininja

Typical Bronson. Has to take political digs, instead of just reporting and staying on topic. Why does an article on the GAT have to include digs on the Banks and the streetcar? Why does it have to be a contrast of public and private development? Way to turn something positive into sour grapes. "If you don't have anything nice to say..."

Why is it the Cards seem to lose against the teams the Reds win against, and vice versa? Very peculiar. I don't watch that closely, but with the bit of attention I've been paying, that seems to be how it goes.

Great, so Cincinnatians can now drive to Columbus to fly Delta. Makes perfect sense.

^ I think it would be nice to get at least close to (within walking distance of) an established, non-low-income Uptown neighborhood to anchor the project. That would mean the closer to the northwest side of west campus the better. While I say this would be nice, it simply doesn't seem reasonable. Neither of these solutions really do that. The best alternative, then, is to go for density, as you suggest. But at what logistical, operational, and monetary cost? These would be goals for maximizing ridership and early perception of the streetcar's success. I believe it was Qualls who demanded the first phase reach Uptown, and I think this "stable northern anchor" idea is what she had in mind. Perception of the streetcar's success should be a minimum criterion for whatever route is chosen. I'm no expert, so I can't really say what needs to be done to make this happen. If W. Clifton's density is necessary for this success, it should be the chosen route, no question. However, if the experts are confident in the (perceived) success of a Vine Street route, it is the better choice. I think your worries about the difficulty of expansion are unfounded, as the Vine St. route leaves a number of options available. In my fantasy world, I would love to see the streetcar cut across campus...perhaps partially underground.

I think Vine makes the most sense, unless immediate ridership is given a lot of weight. I envision a future connecting route which runs along McMillan and Calhoun from Vine, down Clifton, over Ludlow to Hamilton in Northside.

Someone got shot in downtown Cincy the other day. Suburbanites on the Enquirer comments are eating it up, of course. Two people were chased and arrested near the scene. One article said a police officer witnessed the shooting, but since neither of those arrested were charged with the actual shooting, it seems like there is a question of who actually pulled the trigger. They're both charged with charges related to possessing and ditching the gun. With the victim alive, and suspects in custody, the event was not nearly as tragic as it could have been.

See the Highline, it's more unique/interesting than Central Park, IMO. Underneath it on Little W 12th St. is a new, overpriced ($8/beer) biergarten which is at least worth a look, due to the unique space. While in the (relative) area, go to John's Pizza on Bleecker St. (cash only) for a great, affordable representation of NY Pizza.

Will you, Scrabble?

For Statue of Liberty, take the Staten Island Ferry (it's free) which passes it quite closely on its trip over. Best view you can get. Then, just get off and right back on the boat. Staten Island has nothing for you, but a free boat trip (plus you can buy beer on board) is worth the views of the statue and the skyline.

I think they are really missing the ability to throw meat into the shark tank once a week with a streetcar article. They should be prepared for a fizzle-pop instead of a bang. The Enquirer is now powerless with regard to this issue.

:-o What do you know about this?

Politics is a shallow business, and you guys are analyzing campaign speak too much. Kasich just wanted to throw the idea of injecting private/free-market mechanics into a public field. It makes the base go wild. They generally don't care if the idea makes any sense, or has any meat.

Lycra and helmets are Euro? Have you seen cyclists in Europe? I agree they look ridiculous, but it's stupid not to wear a helmet. You won't catch me in lycra, though. I agree it hurts cycling's image. Not the Euro-ness, but the lycra, nazi-environmentalism, and just the overall jackassery of the American cyclist community. In much of Europe (especially Denmark and Holland), cycling is just a fact of life. It doesn't have the lame-o elitist subculture, which I think is the most inhibiting factor for cycling catching on in the US. American cycling could use a bit(/lot) more European nonchalance.

It truly is a slippery slope. Plus, at the moment, governments are in the process of lowering the bar of entry and encouraging more people to start cycling. Licensure and the like would be counterproductive in this endeavor. I think you should just stick to advocating enforcement of existing laws. Do you really think ignorance of the law is the main problem?

Maybe we should license pedestrians! ;-)

Needs more diamonds.

Psst... flagpole

I'd like to see hotels along the line be given streetcar passes to give to their guests, good for their length of stay at the hotel. What a great way to welcome people to the city and help make their stay smooth and simple. If free fares are offered for a portion of the route, I think it would be a good idea to restrict this to certain hours. Only during the day, perhaps (beginning for the morning commute, ending after the evening commute), or even only have free fares at special times, like game days.

I think we should all breathe a sigh of relief and forget about the naysayers. They lost, they are irrelevant. If you want to do point-counterpoint with the idiots, pick another issue. Engaging them only legitimizes their refusal to let the issue die. w00t w00t for the streetcar!

"When you eat a pork chop, who do you think wins - you or the pork chop?"

Think for a minute. How can the infrastructure investments required to enable passenger rail service do anything but carry a significant benefit for the host freight railroads? Despite the FRA statements, such benefits are implicit. Yeah, that's why I thought it might just be hot air. Okay, gotcha.

So, rail people, what's the deal? Why is this taking so long? Is the delay unexpected? What are the implications of the stipulations not to use passenger rail grants to improve freight operations? Is that just hot air?

^ Or appeal to homosexuals by tweaking the laws, e.g. by getting rid of a certain discriminatory constitutional amendment. On top of being hardcore urban pioneers (see: Northside), gays have kids at a lower rate and (consequently?) partake in nightlife at a higher rate. This is one demographic where it is obviously fallacious to claim the primary way to draw them in is with jobs.

^ "If I recall correctly"

:-o :laugh: :clap: Just for the weekend? :wtf: :|