UT-downtown rail link to be explored

Meetings to review transit proposal

 

By DAVID PATCH

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

www.toledoblade.com

 

TOLEDO - The possibilities for developing a rail transit link, most likely a streetcar, between downtown and the University of Toledo will be the subject of two public meetings today. As an extension of an earlier study that focused on Toledo's downtown business district, the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments is looking at how a "fixed-guideway" route might be established along parts of Monroe and either Dorr or Bancroft streets.

 

Contact David Patch at:

[email protected]

or 419-724-6094.

 

 

 

1,000 to 2,000 people doesn't exactly make for a very large potential ridership, even assuming they get a good capture rate.  How far is UT from Downtown?

If Toledo gets rail trans. before Cin-Day there'll be hell to pay - Hell I say!!

If I remember, UT is about 4-6 miles from downtown.  I think the Monroe street plan is bad just because it does not go anywhere near campus.  Door street would be best due to all the blight along that stretch.  When I attended the University, I bartended at a bar on Door called Jakes Saloon.  Basically, it was a hole in the wall bar where people went to get really drunk.  They said when you walk into Jakes, kiss your sweet ass goodbye.  Is that bar still there?

If Toledo gets rail trans. before Cin-Day there'll be hell to pay - Hell I say!!

 

Damn, your identi-con scares me enough as it is -- every time I read one of your posts, that scary-looking dude is banging away like he wants to lay down a beating on someone...

 

KJP

If I'm reading correctly from TMACOG, expect a preliminary report in June and a final report in December.

NSC, I am a current student at UT (grad in 4 days though) but yes, Jakes is still there. You are correct that campus is about 4-6 miles from dt. Dorr is a really rough stretch, but it is definately better then Monroe. I mean that area is so desolate, however, I hope if this project goes through it will change that area.

It would be great to see something like in downtown Columbus, serving such nearby areas as OSU, German Village, The Arena District and the Short North.  But then, that would take some vision on the part of both COTA and City Hall, which have been nothing more than vision-challenged. 

 

TARTA, GCRTA, Akron METRO and other transit authorities around Ohio are seeing increases in ridership and are achieving that (at least in part) by both creative marketing and providing innovative services.  By contrast, COTA has done nothing but cut service and routes and is bleeding ridership numbers even as gasoline rises above $3 a gallon.  Meanwhile, the current mayoral administration has developed downtown redevelopment plan with little or no regard for local mass transit, and has (so far) been almost entirely silent on the subject of intercity passenger rail. (And this guy wants myvote for Governor? Ya gotta show me somethin' Mikey.)

does anybody think this stuff is going to become reality a lot quicker if gasoline prices remain so high?!?

as a resident of columbus(new albany to be exact) what can i do to make my opinions heard about the lack of talking on the issue of light rail/streetcars and improved bus service? is there anything at all i can do i.e. form a group of contact certain people? any help would be appreciated. thank you

You can get in touch with One-Thousand Friends of Central Ohio.... I think their web address is www.1kco.org .... they sponsor a "rail breakfast" every other month at the North Market.  It's a good place to meet other rail advocates, and even some COTA execs attend on occassion, so it's a good place to let your voice be heard.  I believe they have a meeting on the second or third Wednesday in September, but the website can tell you that for sure.

Info on Columbus Rail Breakfast for those of you in the Columbus and Central Ohio area:

 

bacon eggs and rail breakfast club

 

wednesday, september 14, 2005

 

7:30 am – 9:00 am

 

north market – rail car diner

 

$10.00

 

Please RSVP to

 

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

agenda

 

 

 

How to Create a Winning Campaign – Marilyn Hyland

 

Marilyn Hyland is president of Marilyn Hyland Agency in Cincinnati where she specializes in marketing, government and development issues, and the social-political positioning of issues to communities. Most recently she worked with the Cincinnati Public Schools Supplier Diversity Program. Two other clients included the Indiana and Ohio Railroad and the Central Railroad of Indiana, where she served as government liaison, representing the railroads to elected officials, civic leaders and the media. In 2000, she was awarded “Best Rail Advocate” by the CityBeat of Cincinnati for her work in promoting the benefits of mass transit passenger rail for Greater Cincinnati.

 

Marilyn is deeply committed to serving her community and has been involved in many diverse organizations including: founding member of the Hamilton County Land Conservancy; board member of Leadership Ohio; member of county political steering committees and judicial selection committees; and, a champion of civil rights efforts.  She was a board member of the Clifton Town Meeting, a group dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the neighborhood. As vice-president of the Clifton Theater Corporation, she created the marketing strategy that resulted in a successful campaign to keep the Esquire Theater from becoming a fast-food restaurant and included raising $500,000 to put the Esquire back into business as a viable neighborhood theater. 

 

Update on the Transportation Bill that Finally Passed! – (22 months after the expiration of TEA-21) – and How it Impacts Ohio

 

See you there!

 

North Market - 59 Spruce Street – Upstairs in the Rail Car

 

Parking available along street and in lot connected to North Market (validation for partial expense provided at meeting)

 

thanks for the info. i hope to be able to attend.

At least a decade away!? Shouldn't streetcars be even more viable in a smaller city like Toledo? And in a decade gas is going to be much too expensive, so they better start earlier and not wait til the last minute.

I believe it is still in the city's plans to link downtown Toledo and Toledo Union Station with a streetcar line.  The city, the local MPO (TMACOG) and TARTA are also working with the Ohio Rail Development Commission on a possible study of development potential around Toledo Union Station.  A streetcar line could very well fit in to those plans.