Flying Dutchman

I haven't stopped by this thread in awhile, but I checked in this morning hoping to find a celebratory mood. People! After more than 800 pages, the streetcar is here! The feeling I have today usually only comes once a year on Reds Opening Day. A big congratulations and thank you to everyone who, despite a dozen roadblocks, made this project a reality!

Another punch to the gut. Is anyone surprised? Are the petitions even a realistic hope?

Oh so NOW he believes them! By saying we're going to move on if supporters can't secure financial commitments, Cranley is essentially saying the independent analysis is worthless and he's not even considering it. Why waste money on it?

I know after more than 600 pages we've probably had enough anecdotal tales of ignorance regarding the streetcar, but as an out-of-towner, I experienced my first one tonight and I want to share it. I was on the Red line in Chicago tonight when a group of students from LaSalle HS got on board. I struck up a conversation with them and found out they were in town on a service trip. Their Chicago-based guide/supervisor asked if they had any transportation in Cincy. The boys told the lady no, and one told the story about the incomplete subway system. Then, their middle-aged chaperone teacher spoke up and said, "And thank goodness, we'll never have it in Cincy." He said the one we were supposed to be building now was only going to travel a half-mile. I spoke up and told him that the route is actually nearly four miles. He then said, "Well, the problem is it doesn't go near anything that people go to. It doesn't go near the casino or any of the hotels." I began to rattle off the list of attractions and points of interest along the route and told him the original route was to connect downtown with UC. He then claimed, "Now that's a project I could get behind. Why can't they think of something like that?"

Many of my suburban friends have begun hanging out in other areas of downtown and OTR because The Banks bars get so crowded and there are always lines. Several of them have also expressed interest in moving downtown. Before The Banks, there was a zero percent chance of that happening.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'll pass along the suggestions.

I don't know if this deserves its own thread, but I'm going to start one. I have a friend who lives in Michigan and has been offered a job at UC. She has turned to me, a native of Cincinnati, for apartment advice. She would like to live downtown, OTR and Clifton and I, of course, congratulated her on this decision. However, I haven't lived in Cincy in eight years and I'm not quite up to speed with some of the rental opportunities out there. She'll be living by herself in a 1BR so obviously I want to suggest a safe location. She has sent me a link to an apartment she has found on Craigslist on Mulberry Street and asked for my opinion. I really don't know anything about that area. In general, what areas/apartments should I tell her to avoid? to consider? any other thoughts? She loved her interview experience, which is the only time she has been to Cincinnati, so I'm feeling a lot of pressure to make sure she's in a great spot!

This is wonderful news, but I'm trying to wrap my head around how this will work logistically. IIRC, this event attracts quite a few spectators. Will they set up temporary bleachers? I'm assuming there will be more than one court. Is there enough room?

This reminds of the scene from Seinfeld where George Costanza vows to do the opposite of everything he's ever done in the past... "Every decision I've ever made in my entire life has been wrong. My life is the complete opposite of what I want it to be. Every instinct I've had in every aspect of life - be it something to wear, something to eat - it's all been wrong, every one!"

Today's meeting was pointless, the decision had already been made...

Where's the fish wrap on this story??

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Awesome to hear, great work yet again John and those folks who put this together. One question...what are the odds that the fish wrap covers this event?

Otterbein's campus is a block or two west of Uptown.

Get used to it until you see streetcars lining the streets of Cincinnati...

To me, this seems like a pretty good start. Here are the web sites for the bottom three... http://www.hueys247diner.com/main/index.php?page=home http://www.lacrepenanou.com/ http://www.thewineloft.net/main/

It's interesting to read the comments on that blog post, it's different than most streetcar articles. Most commenters are streetcar supporters and the ones who aren't are blasting the Enquirer, COAST and police/fire for such a silly, silly article...

FWIW, Marty Brennaman said this morning on his regular segment with Tracy Jones on WLW that he is a BIG fan of the streetcar and loves the idea. :-)

Anyone know what they're building at the corner of High and Dodridge? They recently demolished the old Sunoco station that was there and work seems to be rapidly moving on a new building but haven't heard what it's for?

I've been to the one in Columbus once and I hope the one here will be much different. The one in Columbus is very much a night/dance club which doesn't fit at all in Fountain Square IMO...

Ahh, Pasquales...spent a number of evenings there during my time at Otterbein. I was a freshman when Old Bag opened and remember how big of a deal it was that Westerville was finally getting a place that served alcohol. Spent many of nights there as well (and one in that lovely police station you photographed)...

Oceanaire Seafood Restaurant has closed according to the wine me, dine me closed. Doggone thing just opened up, how can they throw in the towel so quickly? http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2009/07/oceanaire-closed/

A lot of folks have been asking about the restaurant. I read recently (can't remember where? perhaps on of the food blogs?) that a local restaurant group has the inside track on the deal. Can anyone confirm or deny this or have any speculation on what it could be?

Any word on how the anti-rail COAST event went this weekend? Haven't seen any coverage...