Demone

Phoenix launches Light Rail Line: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28401074

The connector and UC circular is what most people envision to be the obvious phase 2 choice. My concern is after 2-3 years of feasibility and ROI studies Roxanne now want to add to the scope of the initial plan. Back then no one on council offered any opinion on what the consulants objectives should include or what routes the study should take. It was just go out and do it and tell us what you think. When the result were delivered council voted 8-1 in favor of moving forward, no mention of a UC connector. Probably most council members underestimated the momentum that Chris Bortz and the supports would have in getting things this far. They felt go head, here is $150K for another study and we can forget about it. I'm really optimistic about how well things are going and I believe Bortz has the votes to get this through the hoop, If they insist on guarantees for a UC connector than we will not see tracks in the ground for another 5 years. That would be a missed opportunity.

I sent an email to him today and got the same reply

Here you go: WRITE LETTERS TO: Cincinnati City Hall, 801 Plum Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 CINCINNATI CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Vice Mayor David Crowley Jeff Berding Laketa Cole Chris Bortz John Cranley Leslie Ghiz Chris Monzel Roxanne Qualls Cecil Thomas

Something like this, maybe? http://www.thecrowellco.com/ LOL! Awesome John. So the truth comes out, I was wondering what her agenda was and now we know.

Exactly! Your right, but people WILL DO that with the streetcar. Cincinnati has to realize how much the streetcar opens up the downtown radius. This permanent loop will have an enormous impact on where and how people live, work and play. Think of the loop as a circular flow of cash, empowering the entire urban core to participate in the 24 hour city.

I guess we should start a list of who is against the streetcar and put Cranely at the top. I get a kick how he says the City does not have $100M and then suggest his preferred 1st phase be a loop from downtown-UC-hospitals. What would that cost Mr. Cranley....$250M?? He knows this proposal would not fly therefore it is another way for saying he is against it.

Peter Bronson article today in the Enquirer ripping the Streetcar initiative: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071023/COL05/710230400/-1/columnists

I wouldn't say Cranely doesn't get the big picture, I believe he is being realistic about the current transportations issues and what City Council is willing to prioritize. Let's face it, any light rail project which involves multiple counties will be a circus in terms of funding and political in- fighting. He might be thinking his top priority for transportation is the street cars for the city core. Our region needs short term wins; consequently, the streetcars would provide not only a new and successful mode of transportation but also the catalyst for investment along the street car routes. Building on the success of the streetcar, the natural progessing is extending the streetcar lines futher out to UC, HP, West side, etc. Eventually the idea of light rail will gain political and popular support, until then we have to walk before we run. (pardon the pun)

I can't say that I am surprised, the battle over where the lines are drawn has significant financial impact so I guess it is too be expected. The biggest obstacle is Vine being a 2 way street passed Central Pkwy, where as the planned route keeps everything in sync via the one way routes. Also moving this route east would move it farther from Music Hall and Washington Park. I can't see the Music Hall power brokers agreeing to this not that any of them will be traveling on a streetcar anytime soon. So other than Vine and Elm being more in the center of the city, I cannot see this as being a better alternative.

The article could not have been written better. The author clearly delinated the streetcar from the Lightrail 2002 debacle. I cant tell you how many people I talk to who when I bring up the street car proposal think we are talking about a $4B train out to Blue Ash. This was spot on and it should be an interesting next few months as this builds momentum.

It's s complementary service from P&G and it should be applauded even if it is a one day a week. What it does show is P&G is clearly in favor of a transit system in the CBD. I am sure behind the scenes they will be a huge positive influence on the upcoming streetcar campaign.

John, I believe the HBR study was due to be completed in mid May. Have you heard any news on a specific completion date, is it still on track? (pardon the pun!)

LOL! this article is so ridiculous it cannot be accurate. Portune has to be on the same page with Bortz and the city for the real streetcars solution not this amusement ride. If I had to guess I would say the author has the story wrong not Portune. Now if this is his thinking than he belongs in the circus along with the ride.

I bet if you asked them in a really nice way, they will put on extra Sounding Sessions. The two they scheduled for next week sold out the first day, so they know there's more demand than what they have provided for. If you'd like to see Michael Moose's really excellent presentation, "The Case for a Downtown Streetcar", you could come to City Cellars, 908 Race, at 5:30p this evening. It will last until 7:00p. More than anything else, I think it's what convinced the city to undertake its study. Space is limited. If you interested, please RSVP to me asap: [email protected] I am sure the information shared at the YP event will not be new data to anyone on this thread. Actually, that's not exactly true. What Mike Moose, Dan Deering and I are doing is talking to groups about the "what and why" of a downtown streetcar in Cincinnati. The city's process involves the nitty-gritty "who, when and where" of a downtown streetcar in very specific terms -- a plan, if you will. Dan, Mike and I are using the Portland example to show in a very general way how an improvement like this might benefit Cincinnati. On the other hand, the Sounding Sessions are more about how a streetcar would really work here -- when it might be built, where it would run, how it might be paid for, etc. We don't presume to answer those questions. We're laying the groundwork. The city of Cincinnati is really doing the hard work. If you're really interested in this, I'd follow the city's process closely. The three of us are useful idiots in the city's process, necessary but not sufficient. See what I mean? Yep, I do and I certainly agree. except the part about the idiots:) The city is treating this like a campaign issue already, building it's support base if you will. So far I am impressed with the effort and strategy.