The Nati Life

I went to the channel 12 thread. I laughed, I cried, I left astounded. Just unreal. There was one post that was insightful, but other than that it was a lesson in ignorance, groupthink and abhorrent English.

I agree, I would have figured he'd be more articulate... guess it lends to his overall disposition. :roll: I thought the same thing at the time and laughed out loud at the radio. And to his argument about upkeep... does anyone else notice the extensive potholes on I-71 (particularly around the Taft Rd. entrance ramp)? It's like swiss cheese! Seems to me that happens just about every year. You can't tell me that you're going to have to repair rails every year. And who honestly expects transit to never break down or require maintenance? Utterly ridiculous. PS - Bortz is the man!

This isn't that tough. All that (IMO) needs to occur is 3CDC needs to purchase some nearby property (of like-kind and like-size) and swap it with CPS. That's in an ideal world. But we all know CPS' hesitance to appear they are losing or adding value in their holdings (because we can't have that!). It's a true shame that they can't do what's best for the community (because we can't have that, either!).

Mind-blowing stuff here. Why don't they rename all of Sprindale "Krazy City" and have a bunch of carnival rides everywhere. But then again, they'll have to reinforce the concrete floor to support 100s of customers.

Ah, if only we could level all the Italianate architecture and OTR and replace it with ^, it would be a better place. Only then could we consider it "revitalized." Then, we wouldn't even need streetcars, we could all drive cars to- and fro.

I'll look for it in the editorial pages this week, if it makes it that far!

Ghiz is for it. From the 2/20 Enquirer article reacting to Qualls' hold-up resolution: "Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz disagrees. She did not sign Qualls’ 19-page plan. 'It’ll slow up the whole process,' she said. 'We’ve already paid for a study.'”

Thanks for those who attended and gave updates here! Like many others, I couldn't get out of work. I'm sure there will be more... And btw, Cheryl has great taste in development... I'll take a nice strip flex building over Italianate architecture any day. And her paper is priceless... love the project status for the Madison streetcar: "off the table." Is that academic language or what?

CityBeat February 25, 2008 Manager: Uptown Link Will Have to Wait A proposed $102 million streetcar system in downtown and Over-the-Rhine won't jeopardize funding for other development projects, Cincinnati's city manager said today, but added that it's unfeasible to consider building a route to the uptown area at the same time as the downtown loop is constructed.

jmeck: I've never made the walk myself, so I'll have to take your word for it. I just can't imagine a streetcar being the best commuter mode there. Given the slow speed to get down the hill and the frequent stops, it doesn't make sense to me. Councilman Bortz: Welcome, and thanks for the insight!

Sorry for multiple posts, but I'm getting steamed: 1) This whole "link Uptown and Downtown thing": Why is that such an immediate need with the first phase? This is not commuter rail. If a Clifton resident wants to commute Downtown, this is not their mode. It will probably take at least 3 times longer to get there by streetcar than to hop on 71 or 75. Can you imagine taking that thing all the way down the hill to Government Square? Better wake up at 4 to get in the office on time! 2) I've heard that an estimated 40 cities are now in some sort of investigation of streetcar implementation. If they're all on more accelerated paths than Cincinnati (my guess is, they are), by the time we install track we will be catching up to the rest of the country rather than getting an edge. 3) Qualls is smart, she knows exactly what she is doing. This is obvious stall, you can't dispute that. But have we considered that maybe she's still behind this and that she didn't want to put it to vote for other reasons? Obviously, we don't know the whole story. Perhaps she needed some more time to gather support (or convince Cranley?). Doubtful, but no one else has thrown it out there. 4) Either way, this isn't fair to the residents of this fair city and of these neighborhoods to keep delaying these projects. By holding up these things in council, we get a day older. These are projects that people want, and politics is getting in the way of improving peoples' lives. And that's just plain unfair to the people who decided they should be making decisions for them. Sorry for ranting, I should save this for the blog.

From CityBeat: "Later Wednesday, however, some supporters reconsidered after discussions about the motion’s impact. A few members began expressing doubts, stating the funding restrictions could delay or kill the project." Nothing like signing a document before reading it! In the private sector, that gets you fired. If you're a councilmember, that makes you prudent?

Ah, and while we're at it giving historic quotes, as I've told John before, my favorite when discussing the streetcar: "Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into execution new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion." -Benjamin Franklin

Rando - what are those apts like inside?

What a great point! :clap:

Olive Garden is more your thing isn't it? :-D Can't beat those breadsticks!

The new building we went through - I believe it's called Trideca Flats? I couldn't find it anywhere on the internet. I believe Model Group was doing it, but it wasn't on their website. I couldn't even find the name when I Google'd it. I don't know if I'm even spelling it right! Someone help!

^ Eh, good point. I guess you can't have too much of a good thing. But still, I hate TGIF!

Haha that's great! But seriously, that's a great idea. I'll be sporting the suit.

^ Yes, but when you have Rock Bottom about two blocks away, are that many more people going to go to TGIF? Same price range and I think Rock Bottom is better food (certainly better beer) and a better location. Would this be the dreaded Jeff Ruby prediction coming true?

>It is particularly so if one has traveled and lived in other parts of the world and has seen what truly creative and enlightened leadership can do and has done in other countries. I would agree with this point, actually (did I just say that? :bang:). But I think that our council is moving in the right direction, hence the streetcar project. Once there is a little more turnover on council (we all know who I mean), then you will see better synergies and creative/progressive alliances. I think Chris Bortz is the proof of that, and as he gets older and wiser you will see him emerge as one of the leaders on that council.

I'm in... Time? Place? I'm sure Cranley would love some rowdy fools in the back chanting "Street-car! Street-car! Street-car!" You know Bortz is down! Hell, he'd probably meet up with us before too!

Thomas: I got the Pete Rose reference... well done! Max: Love the "I heart WLW" David: Thank you for questioning intelligently. If someone has questions or objections, that's how they should be raised, rather than throwing around half-truths and lies *ahem* Scott Sloan *ahem*

Amen. Couldn't have said it better.

3CDC wants the streetcar, but they just want it to go up Vine St. so they don't lose out on their massive investment. Problem is, Vine St. up until Central is the busiest street in Downtown. 3CDC would love the streetcar, but only if it runs up Vine.