Civvik

It deserves its own post: The Enquirer's Streetcar Numbers Don't Add Up By Kevin Osborne For supporters of Cincinnati’s proposed streetcar system, it was the final straw. Having discussed privately among themselves for the past few months what they viewed as unfair, lopsided coverage of the streetcar debate by The Enquirer, the lead story in the newspaper’s May 23 edition brought their simmering anger into public view. And in a big way. Splashed across The Enquirer’s front page Sunday in a font size usually reserved for the declaration of war or World Series championships was the headline “Poll: Most Oppose Streetcars.” The article’s tone was quickly set by its breathless, cleverly worded first paragraph: “Cincinnatians overwhelmingly oppose the proposed $128 million streetcar project, objecting 2-to-1 to City Hall’s plan to borrow tens of millions of dollars for a plan widely viewed as a waste of taxpayer money, an Enquirer poll shows.” Or did it? http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-20742-the-enquirers-streetcar-numbers-dont-add-up.html

^ I think landline-only is flawed, but I don't think you can accuse them of skewing the demographics if they did indeed get a representative spread. They say they did. I'm not really sure how. Otherwise, I think your post summarizes the hypocrisy that a lot of people on UO are angry at.

I think all this is fascinating. The paper is going head to head with the bloggers (and grassroots reporters, really) which means they command respect, or maybe fear?

TruthMightSting is constantly getting his posts removed for violating the terms of service. Not only were the blacks in the Enquirer's streetcar poll more likely to say they would ride the streetcar, they were no more or less fiscally opposed than whites, and more willing to admit that they didn't have enough information about a question - especially in predicting whether the streetcar would actually happen. (Whites assumed "no" when in fact there is not much left that could stop the project.)

Not necessarily. A ranger or a police substation might not be a bad idea for a while. But hopefully the future of the neighborhood won't require anyone to worry about the park being a homeless hotel.

You know what's funny, I would only half believe that except for the fact that since my parents passed age 55, they have become inexplicably addicted to crime dramas on TV. On the other hand, they canceled their Enquirer sub quite a while ago because they think it's a terrible paper.

^ Very good post. The whole thing is so confusing for most people. I think there are several misconceptions, and the poll reflects them, at least in my opinion: -Many people don't know exactly where the streetcar will go or what it actually is. I'm tempted to believe that 30% of respondents think they will ride it frequently because they think the system will be more extensive than it really will be. -Many people don't understand the difference between the capital budget and operating budget, or why they are separate. -Many people don't understand the economic impact analysis. Summarily, I think many people think the system will be more expensive, more extensive, and less economically viable than it actually will be, or is predicted to be by professionals. Before I am accused of being elitist, I can anecdotally point to at least half of my college educated friends who fall into all three of the above categories.

^ We will always have Ault Park and Eden Park for that. I agree with you, but I'd rather trade a little classical ambiance for a lot more activity.

Politics Extra is impossible to find for the average reader on the front page. I don't even consider what they post here to be "published."

But the very concept of "no reputable polling company will use mobile phones" is flawed. Even the most perfectly crafted poll is flawed if it is not random and representational.

This appears to be a new story. The first three six paragraphs are basically handed to Tom Luken. It's disgusting, but more so it is sad. The streetcar is either going to be in the bag by November or it won't, there's nothing the other team can do at this point, and this kind of coverage will be seen in retrospect as desperate and dishonorable.

There is so much good grass roots reporting of development stories in the city these days that I haven't been to Cincinnati.com on a daily basis in about two years. I say good riddance.

I'm kind of glad it doesn't look taller. In a list, our tallest is new. In person, the skyline retains some tiny semblance of symmetry. Win-Win from my perspective. But I'm more of an urbanist than a tower-buff. If that makes sense.

Would you be mad at me if I said I was 100% behind this idea?

Wow, they flat out lied. Is anyone surprised? You could ALSO say from this data: 1) One third of all respondents plan to ride the streetcar at least once a week. Really? ONE THIRD? 60,000 riders A DAY? Twelve times more than the projections? 2) Cincinnati is actually split on the streetcar in general, 48% to 44%, with 7% undecided. Within the margin of error. So, the Enquirer has lied. Most don't oppose the streetcar. Most approve or are undecided. They've flat-out lied about their own data, and then published it right there for you to see. An honest headline would have read "City residents split on Streetcar" with a subheading "Oppose city bonds 2:1."

I'm pretty sure this discussion pops up about once a month around here.

There has been discussion around here in the past on moving Greyhound to RTC. It simply wasn't designed for that kind of operation, there's not enough room.

Do you think it will follow that general arc outlined by the rent a fence in the second pic? Am I asking a really obvious question? LOL

^That's quite a find! Hmmm...isn't there a convo around here somewhere about what to put in the FWW cap parks?

The catenary in Dayton is actually kind of cool. It doesn't feel cluttered at all, I was surprised.

Good comments guys. I had been about how this could be an opportunity to underscore how historical and unique the neighborhood actually is. Maybe an opportunity for public art, or a contest to design Italianate-inspired shelters with the same flair as Paris' metro entrances. But, I also love the ultra-modern glass shelters. I can't decide! I'd definitely go modern south of Central Parkway.

Yes, they most definitely have programmed the living daylights out of this park.

Y'all could live in Chicago. I paid $295 for my home spot, work paid $349 for my work spot. That lasted about six months, then I went car-free when I convinced them I could get to suburban meetings with a ZipCar.

That is a great question! I think cap greenspace could compliment office workers looking for a place to sit at lunch, since it would be the closest greenspace to 4th and 5th streets. When you've got maybe 45 minutes to eat, every block counts. (At least it did for me in Chicago.)