cincySAL

The Bearcat Transportation System is around for the sole purpose of transporting students only. It must be newer b/c it wasn't around when I was there. If it was, it didn't do much transporting. Either way, it doesn't compare to the benefits of a streetcar going by campus.

As a UC alum, I always complained that there wasn't an easy way to get students downtown. We always took cabs, but they were expensive and far from convenient. The bus routes weren't very good and didn't have good hours. I always thought they needed UC buses that would transports students only. That was before, at least to my knowledge, any discussions on streetcar. I didn't even know what streetcars were until I started traveling to Portland. I would have loved to have streetcars taking students from Clifton to Downtown. The potential there is through the roof. I can't even imagine how many students would have taken a streetcar downtown. Not only that, I can guarantee you that a lot of students that lived off campus and at home would have moved to Clifton for that reason alone.

You're correct. The Dean is muddying the issue deliberately. I believe the $185 submitted for the stimulus would be used on the next two phases as well, and if it was just called 'phase 1' in the request I'm sure it was an omission. You're correct. I have, on more than one occassion, personally informed Mr. Haap (aka The Dean) about the correct route, phasing, and respective costs of each. The easiest and most clear breakdown can be seen here: http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/the-project/ This link has been provided to Mr. Haap probably a half a dozen times, maybe more. The answers to his questions about the route, phasing, and respective costs are all right there and presented in a colorful and easy to read manner. You can check out the full GoogMap version here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111016685324550263695.0004608905e32b3f80b3a&z=13 And just to break it down for you once more:

Does anyone know of any recent articles that say what the city of Portland (and/or other cities) thinks about their streetcars? I'm trying to send them on to someone who isn't much of a streetcar supporter.

I've played there before but the games aren't too good. Being able to walk down to the riverfront park during lunch hour and play a game would be effing awesome.

That is what I figured might be a potential road block, but they really need something of the sorts down there. Maybe they can at least put basketball courts somewhere else downtown, but it's hard to believe they don't have any (other than gym memberships). I know this is completely out of the question, but it would be sweet if they put a artificial grass field somewhere down there that would allow people to play soccer, football, ultimate frisbee, etc. The cost would probably be a lot more but they might make a decent chunk back on maintenance. Plus it could be used year around regardless of weather. Pipe dream, I know.

How do we go about getting basketball courts on the riverfront? Probably impossible, or unwanted by a lot, but I would love some courts down there. Downtown cincy has no basketball courts anywhere. Hopefully they have some kind of field for recreation such as football/ultimate frisbee, etc too.

Sorry if this has already been addressed in this thread, but if there is a future connector to NKY, who is going to pay for it? I would assume Newport/Covington would and not Cincinnati (at least for the part that is in KY). I'm a big streetcar proponent, but I sure wouldn't want to pay for it to go into KY.

What ever happened with the idea to turn it into a beer hall of fame and have a beer garden there? Maybe I'm making that up, I can't remember, it was probably years ago that I remember reading something on that.

Smitherman IS wacky...and clueless. This has nothing to do with the advancement of colored people. Gentrification has no merit when OTR is 70% vacant, or whatever the number is. When are the people of Avondale going to do something about Avondale? You really think this is a conflict of interest with Bortz, and he supports streetcars b/c he works for Towne Properties? Unethical, corruption? You must be Smitherman.

I had noticed that today. I'm assuming that is right by PBS? I saw they were drilling, but it seemed weird because the parking lot was still in tact, it was just one little area where they were drilling.

Unfortunately the Devou Park trail has been postponed. Apparently the volunteer turnout was not what they had hoped for and decided to delay it.

Well I guess from reading the first article posted, it took 51 days to complete the 3.9 mile trail in Hamilton County, so 8-10 mile trail may take around 3-4 months assuming it's created at a similar pace.

Awesome, can't wait to use this trail. Any idea when it will be completed? I have no idea how long it takes to make trails.

Does anyone know the location of this first phase other than around Mehring way? Will it be south of Mehring and east of Roebling?

That wall coming down is long past due.

JMeck, are those parking spaces still there? There have been times on week nights where I've driven around for quite a while looking for a free spot. I think the improved downtown has made it hard to find those. Either way, I think the vast majority of Reds goers look for parking lots. If I lived downtown/OTR, I'd definitely buy a annual pass for $300 but as someone who lives outside of downtown and works downtown, I might be less inclined. Just my opinion.

Bengals games, probably, but Reds games cost $10 to park right next to the stadium (might change with The Banks). So if it cost $4 to ride the streetcar and you have to pay around $4 - $5 to park a mile away, I doubt many would do that...not that the streetcar should cater to the Reds but it would be nice if there were promotions/better deals for special events. It'd also be nice to subsidize the cost for people who live/work downtwon, but that's not likely to happen either. Edit - has there been numbers thrown around for monthly/yearly passes?

Will the timestamp be flexible for events like the Bengals and Reds games, that way people don't have to purchase one for before the game and one for after?

What's not going to happen? The whole Eastern Corridor project?

I really hope they decided to stay downtown.

Freedom Way is terribly lame.

Does anyone have any more information on this? It looks like a cool thing but it doesn't give a very good description. I'm assuming drinks aren't included, but what does a "taste" mean?

Does anyone know what the installation of red light cameras have to do with the advancement of colored people?

Yep. Why on Earth would anyone not go downtown or to OTR because of a streetcar. I understand someone not supporting it but not going somewhere b/c of it doesn't make any sense.