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Open-air market announced for downtown Newark Written by Advocate staff report NEWARK — The vision former Evans Foundation Chairman Gib Reese had for the south side of downtown becomes reality in two years in the form of the Canal Market District. The centerpiece of the district will be the Canal Market Plaza, three separate structures forming an open-air market on what is now a gravel parking lot bordered by Canal, Market, Second and Third streets. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20140527/NEWS01/305270010/Open-air-market-announced-downtown-Newark

It is on US DOT's website: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2012/dot6812.html

Cincinnati received funds from both programs: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/projects/streetcar/docs/news_grant.cfm http://www.wlwt.com/money/24182448/detail.html

^why was Cincinnati not considered the first?

Committee Leaders to Roll Out Northeast Corridor High-Speed Rail & Intercity Rail Privatization Plan June 14, 2011 Washington, DC – House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Railroads Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) at a national briefing on Wednesday will roll out a dramatically new approach to bring private sector competition to high-speed passenger rail in the Northeast Corridor and intercity passenger rail service across the country. “After 40 years of highly subsidized, poorly managed Amtrak operations, it’s time for Congress to change the direction of America’s failed high-speed and intercity passenger rail service,” Mica said. “This new direction will employ private sector competition to bring real high-speed rail to the Northeast Corridor, reform passenger rail service across the country, and lower taxpayer costs. After spending billions of dollars, Amtrak and its snail speed, last-century level of service have reached the end of the line.” “As high-speed trains and passenger rail service around the world speed by, America remains stuck at the station,” said Shuster. “It’s time to leave behind the decades-old, inefficient and unproductive Amtrak monopoly and deregulate passenger rail service.” Chairmen Mica and Shuster will unveil their proposal via live webcast and teleconference from Washington on Wednesday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). Members of the media may attend the briefing in person, watch live at http://transportation.house.gov, or call the following number to listen and pose questions: (877) 229-8493 and enter the code 184163. WHO: U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Chairman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), Chairman, Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee WHAT: Rollout and Briefing: Northeast Corridor High-Speed Rail and Intercity Passenger Rail Privatization Initiative WHEN: 11:00 a.m. (EDT), Wednesday, June 15, 2011 WHERE: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Watch via live webcast: http://transportation.house.gov http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1304

Missouri seeks $1B for Kansas City-St. Louis high-speed rail Kansas City Business Journal Missouri will apply for almost $1 billion in high-speed rail financing from the federal government to build a line between Kansas City and St. Louis, Gov. Jay Nixon announced Tuesday morning. The proposal would include two phases — immediately upgrading existing rail lines to improve Amtrak train speeds and reliability, and preparing to build a separate high-speed line. The immediate upgrades would help create more than 1,300 construction jobs in Missouri during the next few years, Nixon said Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2011/03/29/missouri-seeks-federal-dollars-for.html

High-Speed Rail: Obama's High-Stakes Gamble By Michael Grunwald Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 The master builder Robert Moses had a legendary strategy for ambitious public-works projects: start now, and figure out how to finish later. "Once you sink that first stake," he liked to say, "they'll never make you pull it up." And that, in essence, is the Obama Administration's strategy for spreading high-speed passenger rail across the United States. It's an understandable strategy, since a true national network of bullet trains could cost as much as $1 trillion, and Obama has secured only $10.5 billion to start. But it's also a risky strategy, because the Administration is preparing to sink stakes in projects that might make perfect sense as links in that larger chain but look silly on their own. The first bullet train, an Orlando-Tampa line, has the feel of a glorified Disney shuttle. The boldest project, a Los Angeles–San Francisco line, was initially designed to begin with a train from nowhere to nowhere. Ohio got $400 million to launch a "high-speed" passenger service — with an average speeds of only 39 m.p.h. (63 km/h). Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2039897,00.html#ixzz19YbXo74l

McClain gives peek into plans for multi-use development in Newark Written by KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Construction could begin next year on the first building in developer Jerry McClain's plans to revitalize downtown Newark around the Ohio 16 interchange. McClain released a rendering of a proposed three-story building, adjacent pond, greenspace and walking trail on land surrounded by Ohio 16, Mount Vernon Road, Locust Street and Hudson Avenue. The stunning structure is Second Empire style, with red brick, limestone block, mansard roof, dormers, and a cupola bringing in natural light from atop the building. READ MORE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20101128/NEWS01/11280307/1002/McClain-gives-peek-into-plans-for-multi-use-development-in-Newark

Casey, mayor promote commuter rail line development Monday, November 08, 2010 By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today hailed a $1.5 million federal grant that will be used to plan construction of a "green boulevard" with a commuter rail line and biking-walking trail in Lawrenceville. The two met with officials of the federal Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments in the heart of a proposed redevelopment area, at 43rd and Railroad streets. "This is about jobs, this is about the quality of life and it's about the future," Mr. Casey said. Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10312/1101734-100.stm#ixzz14kGCgp2k

True, Ohio is considered a donor state in terms of the Highway Trust Fund, but its more along the lines of 92-94% rate of return. That is about as low of a ROR of any state however.

Arcade owner wants to restore building BY KENT MALLETT AND AMY HOLLON • Advocate Reporters • August 23, 2010 NEWARK -- Not long after Deb Donley moved to Newark from Westerville, she spotted The Arcade through one of the downtown alleys and was immediately intrigued. Like many Newark residents, Donley found the historical architecture of the city's first enclosed shopping center compelling. But like others, Donley was disappointed to find it mostly empty. "I just drove by and could see through here and I thought, 'That's really cool,'" Donley said. "It is so neat. So, we walked through here, and there's nothing here. I can't imagine the rent being that much." And although many of the city's leaders have spent years reminiscing about regularly visiting The Arcade in their youth, other residents largely have forgotten the historic structure, defining Newark's downtown as the Licking County Courthouse Square. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100823/NEWS01/8220305/Arcade-owner-wants-to-restore-building

Four-lane link not in plans July 31, 2010 - By PAUL GIANNAMORE, Business editor COSHOCTON - A year-old draft that one ODOT official said might not change much might mean no four-lane link between the end of the U.S. Route 250 expressway portion at Newcomerstown and U.S. Route 22 at Cadiz. The Columbus-to-Pittsburgh Corridor Steering Committee met Friday morning at Central Ohio Technical College's Roscoe Village campus to discuss steps to be taken as the release of a feasibility study for the highway approaches toward year's end. http://www.heraldstaronline.com/page/content.detail/id/544822/Four-lane-link-not-in-plans.html?nav=5010

Typically, "student" trips are included as work trips. What is not included are recreational trips - trips to sporting events, concerts, shopping, etc.

My guess is that they did not apply for funding to the Federal Transit Administration.

McClain: Funding set for manager to 'ramrod' downtown vision BY L.B. WHYDE • Advocate Reporter • July 7, 2010 NEWARK -- Developer Jerry McClain, invited speaker of the Downtown Newark Association, told a Tuesday morning gathering about funding already committed for the needed next step in realizing a Newark renaissance. What's required, McClain told DNA members, is to hire a manager to "ramrod" the project and proceed with what McClain envisions as a four-phase project to give the downtown a new face. Already, $50,000 in private funding has been committed to hiring such a person, although McClain is looking for more. Along with $25,000 pledged from Park National Bank, McClain also committed $25,000. He hopes to raise about $200,000. "We need a manager to get some things done," McClain said. "The opportunity is in our paw. We need to take advantage of it to make Newark come back to life again." Read More: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100707/NEWS01/7070316/McClain-Funding-set-for-manager-to-ramrod-downtown-vision

I haven't seen estimates of the profits to be gained, only vague conjectures of "tens of billions" in some articles. Most articles just refer to profits being used for other infrastructure items such as smart grid, 1st responder networks, and high speed rail.

Not sure if this belongs here, but it is an interesting thought that selling "air" could fund high speed rail...the next to last paragraph has the reference to high speed rail. Obama endorses plan to boost wireless broadband (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed on Monday plans by regulators to nearly double the spectrum now available for wireless devices. The White House announced a plan modeled after proposals by the Federal Communications Commission to free up 500 megahertz of spectrum over the next 10 years to meet the demand for laptop computers and smartphones such as Apple Inc's popular iPhone. Some estimates suggest the next five years will see an increase in wireless data of between 20 to 45 times 2009 levels, reflecting the burgeoning use of wireless devices. The Federal Communications Commission, which manages commercial spectrum licenses, and the Department of Commerce, which oversees government spectrum, have been working together to locate unused spectrum. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65R59O20100628

High Speed Rail Moves Forward: Federal Railroad Administration Seeks Applications for $2.3 Billion in High-Speed Rail Grants FRA 07-10 Contact: Rob Kulat Telephone: 202-493-6024 Monday, June 28, 2010 Washington, DC Funds Complement President Obama’s $8 Billion Initial Investment to Enhance High Speed Rail in America The Obama Administration today took the next step toward realizing its vision for high-speed rail in the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will begin accepting applications for $2.1 billion in grants to continue the development of high-speed intercity passenger rail corridors. In addition, FRA will make another $245 million available for individual construction projects within a corridor. Funds for both come from the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act. “This important step builds on the $8 billion for high-speed rail that President Obama announced last January,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The President’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer for U.S. transportation. It will not only create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, but also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.” “We are excited to move the President's vision on high-speed rail forward and are working quickly to get money in the hands of states,” said FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “These new funds will allow the states to further advance their high-speed rail plans and represent a commitment to developing a world-class transportation network.” Applications and proposals for these latest funds will be due back to FRA by August 6, 2010. Grant awards, including the $2.1 billion and $245 million from the FY2010 appropriations, are expected to be announced by September 30, 2010. In addition to the President’s $8 billion investment for high-speed passenger rail in the Recovery Act, DOT earlier this spring made available $50 million in planning funds appropriated under the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act, and approximately $65 million in construction funds appropriated under the FY 2009 DOT Appropriations Act. A new report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that full construction of high-speed rail networks, in conjunction with healthy metropolitan economies over the next twenty years, and supportive infrastructure investments to allow high speed rail benefits to be realized, in Los Angeles, could create up to $7.6 billion per year in new business and up to 55,000 jobs; in Chicago, up to $6.1 billion per year in new business and up to 42,000 jobs; in Orlando, up to $2.9 billion per year in new business and up to 27,500 jobs; and in Albany, NY, up to $2.5 billion per year in new business and up to 21,000 jobs. The Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA) are available at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/477.shtml

^SR 161/37/16 just opened to a four-lane limited access facility from I-270 to Newark and beyond (save for one intersection - Cherry Valley Road). Downtown Newark definitely has potential for an urban revitalization, but there is a debate as to whether the expanded SR 161 corridor will aid in that development. Time will tell....

New development director: Newark poised for opportunity BY AMY HOLLON • Advocate Reporter • June 27, 2010 NEWARK -- With the Ohio 161/37 expressway recently completed and developer Jerry McClain making plans to rebuild a portion of Newark's downtown, Kim Burton thinks Newark is poised for opportunities. Her new role as the city's development director will be to bring two city departments together to take advantage of those opportunities and tackle the challenges Newark inevitably faces, with the combined resources. Read More: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100627/NEWS01/6270304/Newark-poised-for-opportunity Burton targets grant for bike connections and lanes, streetscape ADVOCATE STAFF REPORT • June 27, 2010 NEWARK -- As part of Newark Development Director Kim Burton's new duties, she will help the department pursue grants for various city projects. Burton already has her eye on a Tiger II grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. If Newark received the grant, the city could pay to build all bike lanes and connections between the East End of Newark and Granville. It would connect the two bike paths to each other and provide connections from one end of the city to the other. The grant also would help the city improve the streetscape the downtown Read More: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100627/NEWS01/6270303/Burton-targets-grant-for-bike-connections-and-lanes-streetscape

PennDOT to seek federal funding for high-speed rail study May 19. 2010 2:18PM By Tim Hahn A high-speed rail corridor that cuts through Erie County could become the focus of a study that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hopes to fund with a federal grant. PennDOT District Executive Bill Petit told members of the Erie Metropolitan Organization's coordinating committee this morning that his agency was putting together an application to the Federal Rail Administration for funds to study a possible high-speed rail corridor between Cleveland and Buffalo. READ MORE AT: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100519/NEWS02/305199883

I'm not sure what is meant by "efficient" in this statement as it could be taken a number of different ways. In terms of time efficiency, that is a very difficult argument to make because of the wide ranges in "value of time" costs. Value of time costs can only be obtained through some sort of stated preference survey and then it would depend on working time and non-working time comparisons. Personally, as a family of four with two young kids, being able to take a train for a staycation to Cincinnati or Cleveland would be more "efficient" for us because of a more flexible schedule and not driving in a car with a 1-year old carries its own value. Conversely, if our schedule is not as flexible and requires a down-and-back trip, then I agree, car travel would be more efficient and practical. As my engineering professor used to tell me - the appropriate answer is sometimes "It depends."

Hottinger not on board state's rail plan By KENT MALLETT • Advocate Reporter • April 14, 2010 NEWARK — State Rep. Jay Hottinger, a member of the State Controlling Board, said Wednesday he cannot support the state’s passenger rail plan connecting Ohio’s major cities. Hottinger, R-Newark, previously considered the key vote on the seven-member board, might no longer be the decisive opinion Monday when the board considers a $25 million request to study a rail connection between Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. “As of right now, there’s no way I can support it because there’s too many unanswered questions,” Hottinger said. “Why rush to spend this $25 million? Show us your vision and costs associated with that.” FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100414/UPDATES01/100414023

City explores grant for downtown loft housing BY AMY HOLLON • Advocate Reporter • April 2, 2010 NEWARK -- Ideas to revitalize Newark's downtown have been varied over the years, but one of the reoccurring themes has been the desire to convert the second and third floors of downtown buildings into residential apartments or condominiums. It is an idea that recently was revived by developer Jerry McClain as part of his revitalization plans for the area. Now, Newark city officials hope they might be able to start the process in one vacant downtown building. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100402/NEWS01/4020309/-1/NEWS17/City-explores-grant-for-downtown-loft-housing

Mayor: Some McClain ideas are under way BY CRAIG MCDONALD • Managing Editor • April 2, 2010 NEWARK -- On March 25, developer Jerry McClain called together about 50 influential people from the city's private and public sectors at The Works to discuss an ambitious vision for the redevelopment of downtown Newark. McClain's stated fear was that like many meetings before, everyone would disperse and nothing would come from the gathering. Earlier this week, Mayor Bob Diebold told The Advocate that McClain's message had been clearly received by the city. He noted some aspects of McClain's proposed plan for a downtown renaissance already have generated constructive discussion; other elements are already being pursued, the mayor said. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100402/NEWS01/4020307/-1/NEWS17/Diebold-praises-developer-for-energizing-city-leaders-with-recent-meeting