May 16, 200718 yr Next Tuesday, May 22nd, the city staff and consultants that have been studying the Downtown Cincinnati Streetcar will be reporting their findings to Cincinnati City Council's Economic Development Committee. The meeting will be at Noon in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 801 Plum Street, downtown. There is lots of cheap garage parking and some two-hour meters nearby. Bring a friend or two if you can. We are first on the agenda starting at Noon. The city staff report will take 30 - 40 minutes and then the floor will be open to interested citizens to comment. If you wish to comment on the proposal, you'll need to pick up and fill out a yellow Speaker's Card from the Clerk's desk at the side of the room. Do this when you first arrive. Your name will be called, and you will have two minutes to speak. Don't go over the time limit. There will likely be a lot of news coverage on this. As always, a concise letter of about 100 words to a local paper is impactful. Plus, send a letter -- a letter and not an email -- to any council members you know. Hope see you in Council Chambers next Tuesday. Thanks, John Schneider 513-579-1300
May 16, 200718 yr ^I sent out a message regarding this event to my 'Cincinnati YP Alliance' on Facebook (166 members). I might also send out an email to the School of Planning listserve.
May 17, 200718 yr ^I sent out a message regarding this event to my 'Cincinnati YP Alliance' on Facebook (166 members). I might also send out an email to the School of Planning listserve. I would. I can't imagine anything more relevant to planners right now than this project.
May 18, 200718 yr Without getting into the specifics -- the details are under wraps until the report to City Council next Tuesday -- I can report that the findings of the Downtown Cincinnati Streetcar study are quite favorable. Construction and operating costs are in the ballpark of what we've been talking about, even with the inclusion of a large contingency. First year ridership is good. And there is a substantial increase in property values along the alignment. The assumptions behind the study are very conservative, so much so that the finance types in the room -- some of them streetcar skeptics -- were saying that they probably understate the results by a fair amount. For example, some categories of sizable benefits were left out of the analysis altogether. Anyway the consultant team is working through the weekend to refine their numbers and perhaps try to get their arms around some of these other benefit categories before they return to City Council at Noon on Tuesday. Just wanted to let you know that it looks really good so far.
May 18, 200718 yr DOWNTOWN STREETCAR PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL RESCHEDULED I learned late this afternoon that the report to the Economic Development Committee of Cincinnati Ctiy Council has been rescheduled for Noon on Wednesday, May 30, 2007. It's still in Council Chambers on the Third Floor of Cinicnnati City Hall, 801 Plum Street, downtown. I'm sure there will be a report issued. Hope to see you there.
May 19, 200718 yr Maybe its posted somewhere but does anyone know where I can see a map of the proposed route or is that what the meeting is unveiling?
May 19, 200718 yr ^ Is this the same meeting that was planned for Tues.? Yes That stinks. I was planning on attending, but I won't be able to now.
May 19, 200718 yr Maybe its posted somewhere but does anyone know where I can see a map of the proposed route or is that what the meeting is unveiling? The recommended route has been out for a while...try here: http://citybeat.com/2007-04-18/Final_street.pdf
May 20, 200718 yr http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070520/NEWS01/705200343 Does Cincy need streetcars? Backers say loop could spur revival BY TONY LANG | [email protected] Michael Moose envisions sleek, new streetcars that whisk riders from riverfront condos to downtown theaters to trendy boutiques in Over-the-Rhine. A 4-mile streetcar loop could do that and more, he says, while encouraging commerce and community ties in the city's central core. That vision soon will get a crucial airing. A City Council committee expects to hear by month's end from consultants on whether a modern streetcar loop would be a good fit for Cincinnati.
May 20, 200718 yr ^ Note that they used one of John Schneider's pictures of a modern day streetcar. :) They usually dig up a picture of a streetcar from the 50s, so this is a huge deal.
May 20, 200718 yr The article could not have been written better. The author clearly delinated the streetcar from the Lightrail 2002 debacle. I cant tell you how many people I talk to who when I bring up the street car proposal think we are talking about a $4B train out to Blue Ash. This was spot on and it should be an interesting next few months as this builds momentum.
May 22, 200718 yr "Bortz, committee chairman and a developer, says a streetcar loop would be a success even before it's built. As soon as the route is finalized, he says, investors will snap up properties along the line. "You will see enormous real-estate activity," Bortz predicts." This is actually something that kinda worries me. I can see speculators buying up properties and then putting them back on the market unimproved and at exorbitant prices, thus retarding development.
May 22, 200718 yr Author Which is one reason why property taxes should be based on the value of the land, not the improvements. I guess that might be a problem, but because the loop is so long (4 miles) and throws a developable blanket three blocks in either directions, the number of properties touched by the project is so enormous that it really isn't terribly important if someone sits on a few of them.
May 22, 200718 yr >The article could not have been written better. Also Angela Ingram from Channel 12 is putting together a tentatively pro-mass transit story. Not a huge deal but the mood of the population is not going to change until TV says so. I gave up trying to debate these things with real people in real life a long time ago. The medium of television has too much authority.
May 22, 200718 yr TV and facebook. Randy's vicious optimism is pervasive with his YP alliance and I <3 OTR groups. Ever since the group started, a lot of my friends that I've invited have been asking me questions about the street cars.
May 22, 200718 yr Anyone know when the next Portland trip is being scheduled (after May)? Next trip will probably be in September or October. Some people -- often at the last minute -- get out there for as little as $250, usually on United or Northwest from Indy, Dayton or Columbus. Also Frontier. The Alliance is charging people $99 for everything on the day of the tour, including meals and tickets and gifts for our speakers and the people who set up our dinners. We lose money on every person who goes. I'm leaving tomorrow. Most people will arrive on Thursday and will stay through what looks like a perfect weather weekend. Well, perfect for Portland. Call me if you're a last-minute traveler @ 513-470-1300
May 23, 200718 yr Randy, can you send me an invite to your pro-transit facebook page and I'll spread the word!
May 24, 200718 yr TV and facebook. Randy's vicious optimism is pervasive with his YP alliance and I <3 OTR groups. Ever since the group started, a lot of my friends that I've invited have been asking me questions about the street cars. First off, I have to say that I love the description of "vicious optimism"...that's awesome!!! I just figure it's a simple way for me to push the envelope on these issues. You wouldn't believe how many people (especially young people) are completely clueless about the streetcar plan; and once you tell them about it, immediate excitement usually follows. It's something very small that could have an impact down the road.
May 28, 200718 yr Just got back from leading a group of fifteen people to Portland. It's totally off the charts there. I mean, hundreds of new businesses along the streetcar line, lot of great restaurants, great public spaces. They're building the north/south light rail through downtown now -- right next to our hotel on Fifth Avenue. Was a great oppotunity to see the construction. And they're extending the streetcar another half-mile along the waterfront. Mike Powell, CEO of Powell's Books, was our lunch speaker, and Charlie Hales, who's leading the Cincinnati study, spoke at dinner. There were two public officials on the trip, and we move the ball further down the field. The YP's is the group were amazing. By the time I first caught up with them, they had already been to the two best wineries in the Willamette Valley. The found the geatest new restaurant that they compared to Slims. And today, they were taking the LRT up to Washington Park on a long hike back to the city through the Pearl District. Best of all -- the weather was perfect. Remember, we're before City Council with the streetcar plan of Wednesday at Noon. More later.
May 28, 200718 yr It's time to rally in support of the Streetcar. At Noon on May 30th, the city's Economic Development Committee will hold its first hearing on the Downtown Cincinnati Streetcar. The site is City Council Chambers on the Third Floor of City Hall, 801 Plum Street, downtown. Cheap parking is available in the old Lazarus Garage southeast of City Hall between Seventh and Garfield. Please make every effort to attend and bring people with you if you can. Have a problem finding children care? No problem. Bring them along too. If you wish to speak to Council, you should fill out a yellow Speaker's Card that can be obtained from the Clerk of Council who will be seated at the side of the chamber. You will have two minutes to state your views; please don't go over the time limit. A lot of the report will be fairly technical. I'd just speak from the heart about what such an improvement would mean to you and your family and to the competitiveness of our city. Hope to see you there. John Schneider 513-579-1300
May 28, 200718 yr ^ I think we should have an actual rally/protest outside of city hall or on Central Pkwy! Big crowds making a lot of noise would definitely get the media's attention. Let's get passionate about this!
May 28, 200718 yr ^ I think we should have an actual rally/protest outside of city hall or on Central Pkwy! I wouldn't. We did that in 2001 on the Courthouse steps, and it backfired. There's really nothing to protest. I think the council and mayor are pretty much in favor. But turn out in huge numbers, sure.
May 29, 200718 yr From www.go-metro.com 'Round Town Trolley Beginning Friday, June 1, and running every Friday through August, Procter and Gamble will be sponsoring the 'Round Town Trolley, a great way to beat the heat and hit your favorite lunch or shopping locations downtown. The trolleys will run every ten minutes and are FREE thanks to Procter and Gamble and Downtown Cincinnati Inc. Click here for a route map or more information
May 30, 200718 yr Click here for a route map or more information Clicking on that link gives me the following message: File Not Found The file you have requested does not exist on this server. D'oh!!
May 30, 200718 yr Well it appears as though it is a problem with www.go-metro.com and their link. It doesn't work from there either...obviously my posting skills are of the utmost so. :-D
May 30, 200718 yr Well it appears as though it is a problem with www.go-metro.com and their link. It doesn't work from there either...obviously my posting skills are of the utmost so. :-D Sorry, UncleRando. I should have been more specific. I know it wasn't your post...I was commenting on the broken link on Metro's webpage. I checked it from their page as well and noticed that it didn't work. :)
May 30, 200718 yr ^I know...I was just messing around. Kind of a boring night...trying to amuse myself. :-D
May 30, 200718 yr At Noon on May 30th, the city's Economic Development Committee will hold its first hearing on the Downtown Cincinnati Streetcar. The site is City Council Chambers on the Third Floor of City Hall, 801 Plum Street, downtown. Cheap parking is available in the old Lazarus Garage southeast of City Hall between Seventh and Garfield. How'd it go? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 30, 200718 yr Very well. Many folks spoke, including John Schnieder and thomasbw, in favor of the streetcar. Only one voice expressed skepticism, though her main point I suppose was that Cincinnati isn't Portland. The presentation was solid, though I hope they post the materials online. Virtually all of the council members on the committee spoke favorably. Bortz and Tarbell were the strongest supporters, as well as Berding. Thomas is so excited he wants run more lines immediately, which surprised me somewhat. Ghiz had some questions, and it sounds like she's concerned about how we pay for it, but she said she's convinced that it's a good idea. Only Monzel didn't weigh in. As Bortz said, it was a love-fest.
May 30, 200718 yr ^ I spoke as well. Unforunately, I was unable to stay for the entire thing. I had to get back to work. :( I left when it was opened up for questions.
May 31, 200718 yr Today was really good. Thanks to everyone who showed up and especially to those who testified. Charlie Hales called me on his way out of town to say that he had never seen a more favorable reception before any city council in any city in America on the subject of streetcars. And he's a guy who was the top vote-getter on Portland's city council for several terms and who is doing a dozen of these studies right now. Write letters. This could definitely happen.
May 31, 200718 yr From www.go-metro.com 'Round Town Trolley Beginning Friday, June 1, and running every Friday through August, Procter and Gamble will be sponsoring the 'Round Town Trolley, a great way to beat the heat and hit your favorite lunch or shopping locations downtown. The trolleys will run every ten minutes and are FREE thanks to Procter and Gamble and Downtown Cincinnati Inc. Click here for a route map or more information FYI, the PDF link is now working!
May 31, 200718 yr Here is a good one...there are articles about the streetcar meeting today in both the Business Courier and Cincinnati Enquirer. The Enquirer cites that the total cost will be $100 million...while the Business Courier says it will total $88 million. Hopefully the Enquirer wasn't just rounding up a mere $12 million! Behold: Streetcar price tag: $100 million May 30, 2007 | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER CINCINNATI - Cincinnati officials hope for a report within a month that tells them what to do next in the push for a streetcar line and how they might pay for it. Supporters of the proposal to install a streetcar line here packed City Council chambers this afternoon for a presentation by officials of HDR, the Omaha engineering firm that studied the feasibility. They estimate cost for the initial 3.9-mile phase of the line -- from the riverfront past Findlay Market to McMicken Avenue and back -- at about $100 million and predict about 4,600 people would ride it on an average day. Each car holds 125 people, mostly standing. Study: Downtown streetcar could have $1.9B impact May 30, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER CINCINNATI - A 3.9-mile streetcar loop connecting Great American Ball Park to Findlay Market would cost $88 million to build but generate economic benefits totaling nearly $1.9 billion, an Oregon-based consultant has concluded. The $160,000 streetcar impact study, conducted by Portland's HDR Inc., was presented to Cincinnati City Council's Economic Development Committee Wednesday. With a cost-to-benefit ratio of 15.2 to 1, a new streetcar system is a no-brainer for Cincinnati, said Chris Bortz, development committee chairman.
May 31, 200718 yr Also notice the difference in headlines...interesting. Same story, two ways to tell it.
May 31, 200718 yr "The Enquirer cites that the total cost will be $100 million...while the Business Courier says it will total $88 million." Of course, the Enquirer was quoting a study by HDR of Omaha, while the Business Courier was quoting a study by HDR of Oregon. Or did one of them get that wrong too!
May 31, 200718 yr I think the 100 million is factoring in the cost it would take to build in 2010. I believe thats what was said at the meeting today...
May 31, 200718 yr ^ I think we should have an actual rally/protest outside of city hall or on Central Pkwy! Big crowds making a lot of noise would definitely get the media's attention. Let's get passionate about this! Haha, people holding up signs "Honk for street cars!" That would be hilariously contradictive.
May 31, 200718 yr Author Very well. Many folks spoke, including John Schnieder and thomasbw, in favor of the streetcar. Only one voice expressed skepticism, though her main point I suppose was that Cincinnati isn't Portland. basically the woman who expressed skepticism said, we should study this more so we know that this is a wise investment. Then they presented the study results 15 minutes after she spoke and, as it turns out it is a wise investment. Things are going well, but this is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning.
May 31, 200718 yr Even if its not as successful as Portland's, it has to be damn near impossible for this to not be a "good investment".
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