^ That's great news!  Speaking of which, does anyone know if the owner of Christian Moerlein is a streetcar supporter?  It seems like he would be, but that's totally a guess.  Wow, if we could get one or two breweries operating in OTR again, that could really be the start of something special.

 

Yes he is.  Greg Hardman is on the boards of both the Brewery District CURC and the Over-the-Rhine Foundation.  He is on the record that he eventually wants his brewery in OTR:

 

http://www.otrbrewerydistrict.org/about_news_110007_cg_hardman.php

 

 

Cool.  I knew that he wanted to brew in OTR, but had never heard anything about his stance on The Cincinnati Streetcar. 

 

Now who are these guys at The Cincinnati Beer Company?  I've never heard of that before.  Is it a startup brewery or am I just woefully uniformed?

^

Bryon and Jack at the Cincinnati Beer Company aren't close to brewing or opening anything yet.  I know they have some interesting ideas, but as far as I know nothing is set in stone and at the earliest anything happening on that site would be a few years away.

Off to Portland with another streetcar tour for five days. If you hear anything interesting about the streetcar, please email me = [email protected]. I'd keep talking among your friends and get commitments to attend on the 25th. Sound like a long afternoon. But then, the party afterwards could be especially good.

 

Thanks.

 

be sure to send anything to John as plain text.

 

I am entering into negotiations for a post hearing cordial, I will keep everyone informed

Here are some photos of some of the streets and locations recently discussed.

 

Looking south on Ruther, Jefferson is ahead and to the right.  This shows how the gulch that existed here for ten thousand years was recently filled in to extend the zoo's parking lot, making an easy rail connection possible: 

 

Widening of Vine St. from Erkenbrecher south to the VA hospital has begun:

 

Clifton Ave. at Ludlow.  Unfortunately some large trees would have to be taken out if rail runs on the east side of the road and where the sidewalk is now:

 

At the very least some limbs would be cut back for the overhead wire:

 

At University Ave. looking north up Eden Ave. toward the UC Med Center:

 

Looking south down Eden Ave. toward Corryville:

 

Looking north up Eden Ave. toward Avondale.  The pass-under looks like it used to be an entrance used by ambulances but is no longer.  Rail could alternately swerve to the left between this newer buidling and the pharmacy school:

 

Something new on Eden Ave.:

 

On Erkenbrecher looking south where Eden Ave. used to run before it was turned into a parking lot:

 

On Eden Ave. looking west up University Ave. toward Vine St.:

 

The Short Vine business district (no busses use this street any longer):

 

 

One thing I noticed while walking down Erkenbrecher is that the line could possibly terminate at Dury Ave. instead of at the main Vine St. entrance and then simply have people walk that last block.  I don't think it would hurt ridership at all, it would avoid having to integrate a turnaround into the zoo's main entrance, and avoid any congestion of that intersection.  Also, it raises the possibility of using zoo property along Dury Ave. for shop facilities. 

 

Another thing I noticed recently is that it appears that along the Calhoun/McMillan strip could pair up between W. Clifton & Clifton (yes, Clifton Ave. parallels itself for one block) between Calhoun's north sidewalk and the law library, and make the turn from Calhoun to Clifton out of traffic's way.  The downtown-bound track would cut down to McMillan on W. Clifton. 

twelve days to the hearing.  we need everyone present.  round up the troops, start getting the word out now.

from the 2/13 pulse of the city (nee downtowner)

 

Staying on track after 'State of the City'

By Guest Columnist Brad Thomas

 

"Cincinnati is on the move." It was one of the first lines of Mayor Mallory's "State of the City" address, and it best captured the message of the evening. On Monday, Feb. 4, Mayor Mark Mallory delivered his annual update for the City of Cincinnati before a capacity crowd at the Playhouse in the Park.

 

In an astute political move, John Eby, a Westwood Republican, introduced the mayor. With the exception of a single mention of Westwood, the focus of the speech was largely on the urban core and the east side of Cincinnati. By including Eby, the mayor showed a desire for bipartisanship and hopefully reminded the Westside they are not forgotten at City Hall.

 

The mayor had mostly good news to deliver. Crime and homicides are down; the population and building permits are up. The mayor rattled off statistics throughout the speech, ranging from office space rented and millions of dollars invested to new trees planted.

 

The speech was largely a recapitulation of the developments and progress that have been made in the past year. The mayor proposed increasing funding for summer youth employment and creating a task force to ensure the 2010 census will provide an accurate count of the city's population. Aside from these initiatives, the mayor missed an opportunity to introduce a new agenda for the coming year.  Many have criticized Mallory as a 'do-nothing' mayor, but this is not the case. The mayor's greatest accomplishments in office have been intangible and largely out of view of most Cincinnatians. The mayor has improved our image, both around the United States and abroad.

 

He has sought out investment from Germany and Israel, and he has presented many of his ideas, like the Young Professional Kitchen Cabinet, to mayors from around the country.

 

Although the mayor called the Cincinnati streetcar "Priority Number One," he missed an opportunity to silence some of the project's critics by explaining in detail the benefits of the system in terms of mobility and economic development. For all of the progress the mayor has made in improving the city's image and signing the development agreement on The Banks, there is little physically to show. By leading on the streetcar, the mayor can rally the city around a tangible symbol of progress.

 

Mayor Mallory has restored a sense of optimism to the City of Cincinnati. He is working actively to strengthen the urban core by building a streetcar and attracting a grocery store to serve the ever-growing population of downtown. For an allegedly conservative city, Cincinnati is making great strides in terms of being environmentally friendly. The Office of Environmental Quality, along with all of the LEED buildings popping up, and the Parks Department are all using larger amounts of renewable energy.

 

The mayor's "State of the City" portrays a Cincinnati that is "moving toward our full potential." The city has made great strides in the past year, and our civic leaders should work to continue these gains into the future.

from the 2/13 pulse

 

A streetcar in search of desire

 

By Cincinnati City Manager

Milton Dohoney

This month's column may be a bit longer than most I will write because there is so much to say about the latest hot topic being debated in Cincinnati: the streetcar. Those entering the discussion seem to matriculate into three camps: those who support it, those who oppose it, and those still seeking more information so they can make up their minds.

 

So that we do not waste any time pondering where I stand, I will say it right up front. I support the development of the streetcar in Cincinnati. I think it will be good for our city (all of it). If it is done within a reasonable time frame, it will complement the current momentum in the city not detract from it.

 

If we do build it, Cincinnati will be enhanced. Streetcars complement and spur development. Streetcars help with mobility. Walking five blocks with packages really is not far, but we sure do look for ways to avoid doing it. Streetcars connect job and social activity centers together. A streetcar will complement growth in Over-the-Rhine and uptown. It helps draw the YP demographic that cities thrive on.

 

If we intend to remain competitive, we do not have the luxury of making decisions for today only. Being forward-thinking is imperative.

 

So what are we talking about?

 

A rail car that travels relatively slowly along a fixed route, holds about 130 passengers, and is on tracks in the street with other vehicular traffic. It runs on electricity. It is built to accommodate persons with disabilities. It has dual-sided access doors so it can operate on both sides of the street. Streetcars circulate people within a particular area.

 

It is not the same as light rail. It is not used for long commutes. It does not travel all over the region. It is not as expensive. It is not a trolley.

 

Why are we talking about it now?

 

In 2007, a City Council committee asked the staff to investigate a potential streetcar project for Cincinnati and report back on what it would take to have it operational by 2010.

 

The staff has already presented in front of the Economic Development Committee and is prepared to present in front of the Finance Committee on Feb. 25. It will then be voted on by the full City Council.

 

What route would it take?

 

We want the streetcar to connect downtown to uptown (hospital/university area). Future phases of it could go east, west or even to Northern Kentucky. Those would have to be determined through a planning process that weighs the advantages of each option.

 

Now comes the tricky part

 

We cannot physically build a streetcar system from The Banks development to uptown by 2010, even if we had all the money that is needed.  There has been an assumption and a desire to get some federal money to help pay for this. You might think local governments take a long time to do things. The federal government sometimes takes longer. Some of those processes take years to work through, delaying when

we'd actually have a streetcar to ride on.

 

Because of all that, the staff, with citizen and consultant input, developed a strategy enabling us to start now! We can construct the first streetcar line in two parts. The first part of the line would be a route of nearly four miles. It would connect The Banks, Government Square,

Fountain Square, the Aronoff Center, Contemporary Arts Center, Findlay Market and Music Hall.

 

If we pay for the first part of the line at the local level, that investment can serve as a federal match for the second part of the line. That means we could start now and use that beginning to qualify for federal money to help complete the line. The construction of the continuing uptown segment could begin just as we are opening the downtown part.

 

What does it cost?

The first part of the line is projected to cost $102 million. The second part of the line, which takes us up to Vine Street into uptown, would cost an additional $80 million. Private sector support is vital. Without it, the line simply cannot be built.

 

Why not wait until you have all the money before we start?

For every year we wait to begin, the cost increases an additional $5+ million. Delay also does not build upon the momentum the city is currently experiencing. If you delay long enough that becomes a de facto strategy to just not do it at all.

 

For those of you who love old movies, this is not a remake of "City Manager Meets Chicken Little." If we do not build it, the world will not end, but it would be another example of opportunity (to grow) lost.

 

A streetcar in our city would only be the first step in a much larger strategy for a regional transportation network. You would have to admit getting to Step 5 without taking Step 1 is challenging even for the multi-taskers. Everything has to start somewhere, and we think downtown is a good place to do that.

 

I have heard someone say streetcars are cool. Perhaps cool points have no place in a discussion like this, but they do signal positive things are happening, and they help convince others to consider coming to our city to live, work and play.

 

So what's next?

 

This like any other big project must pass through a series of green lights. The staff needs preliminary approval from the policymakers to go out and see what level of corporate partnership support is out there to combine with city dollars. As that work is taking place, planning for the uptown portion of the line will be underway.

 

There always is a bottom line and in this case we can have a streetcar system if we have the desire.

 

See you next month!

 

in response to william herbert smith

 

Where has this guy been?

 

Dear Editor,

 

When you print letters from people, do you make sure they were written within the last 2 to 3 years? Mr. William Herbert Smith must have written his letter to the editor in 2005. The first clue is when he claims programming on the Square is "unhip" and then goes on to suggesting mimes.  Mr. Smith obviously doesn't know that downtown IS a destination; that Fountain Square IS bustling with activity and diverse entertainment, and that a streetcar would help tie together all the development that is happening.

 

Mr. Smith, get out of Avondale and come downtown. But before you do, may I suggest removing your head from a certain part of your body so you can actually see what's happening.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bill Donabedian

Managing Director of Fountain Square

in response to WHS

 

 

Looking at the big picture

 

Ms. Jessie Gridley

Managing Editor,

 

My goodness who in the world is William Herbert Smith, the author of a letter to the editor entitled "Streetcars will not bring people?"

 

Obviously he is a person who believes the only good ideas originate in his head. Where has he been that has streetcars where they have not spurred economic development?  There is virtually no city in either the U.S. or Europe that has an effective transit system that is not a very vibrant, city, but there are certainly many without systems that are "deader" than Cincinnati.  Everything in the article is negative. I cannot imagine anyone who loves their city saying anything as defamatory as "students who complete local colleges, for the most part, have no interest in Cincinnati beyond their undergraduate experience."  I am sure that statement is based upon very serious research. Maybe, just maybe, they would love to stay if there where more jobs through economic development. Virtually every other statement is either misleading at best, or most certainly tending toward absolute untruths.

 

Mr. William Herbert Smith suggests that he has "traveled and lived in other parts of the world and has seen what truly creative and enlightened leadership can do and has done."  Perhaps Mr. Smith should have taken up residency in another city where his enlightened perspective would be more appreciated.

 

Fred Newman

Over-the-Rhine

 

in response to whs

 

Building momentum

 

Dear Editor,

 

I am a supporter of the Cincinnati streetcar precisely because streetcars have the potential to build the environment required to support development. It is circular to suggest that the downtown environment must change before we move forward on progressive initiatives to change the environment.

 

To deny that there is building momentum in and around downtown is to put your head in the sand. When I leave work, I often see lines at restaurants, families on Fountain Square, people waiting on the streets for a show to start or even just smokers gathered outside a busy bar. Because I often ride my bicycle to and from work, from uptown to downtown, I get a somewhat more nuanced and leisurely view than many. This experience doesn't even account for the weekend, when it is sometimes as difficult to get a dinner reservation as it is in New York tried to get a table at Nada lately?  While there is momentum in various areas downtown, the momentum is often isolated. Buses are not the answer to this problem. A bus can take me from point A to point B, assuming I know the schedule, changes and route numbers. However, the streetcar is better than buses because it concentrates traffic within the areas where we are already seeing development and interest. There are no route numbers, or changes, just get on at one great location and get off at another. Isn't downtown more attractive when it's more than a one location visit? We have all watched the success across the river in Newport. The primary reason why Newport has been such a success is that the shopping district concentrates people around a central area with a diversity of activities. Why wouldn't the streetcar do the same for downtown?

 

The notion of setting up permanent vendors on Fountain Square and closing off the square both recognizes what the streetcar plan hopes to accomplish concentrating traffic to build up the environment yet at the same time claims it does something different. Why should we consider closing off the square, a major traffic hub downtown, when we can connect that hub with the other entertainment in the area?

 

We do not need to bring mimes, street performers and vendors to the square; we need connect the square with the quality theatres, restaurants, bars, museums and shops that abound in the area. Beyond connecting the square to the fine venues that already exist, we need to give people a reason to invest in and develop the areas in between. The streetcar line can do this. The square is just now reaping the benefit of the redevelopment project, closing the square and bringing in street hucksters and mimes is not the answer.

 

Nearly three years ago, my wife and I packed our belongings in Boston and made the journey out to Cincinnati to build a new life for ourselves. It was the building momentum and positive change in Cincinnati that made that move possible. It is disheartening to see that many who were born and raised in Cincinnati see it as a "major joke." I have long watched Cincinnati from the outside and now see it from the inside. This city is not in stasis, and the progress is positive. Connecting these areas of progress will make the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

 

Christopher St. Pierre

Software engineer working downtown, UC law student

 

from the 2/13 pulse

A streetcar in search of desire

By Cincinnati City Manager

Milton Dohoney

 

It is not the same as light rail. It is not used for long commutes. It does not travel all over the region. It is not as expensive. It is not a trolley.

  :-D

bam, bam, and BAM!  Those are some great letters to the editor.

that guy must be related to Cleveland's Dick Feagler

Those are really great letters to the editor, and I especially like the article written by Milton Dohoney.  His article is very concise and to the point.  His arguement is well supported and I would forward it to anyone who is sceptical about the project (Cranley).  He makes it clear that the priority is to connect Downtown to Uptown, but it must be done in piecemeal fashion for funding reasons.  Getting the federal match for the Uptown connection funding seems like the best way to go.  I especially like the idea of already planning for it while the first Phase is under way.  Beautiful!  I'm so excited about this project.  Rally!

 

I have heard someone say streetcars are cool. Perhaps cool points have no place in a discussion like this, but they do signal positive things are happening, and they help convince others to consider coming to our city to live, work and play.

 

 

What a great point!  :clap:

i'm just glad some of this conservative "we dont need to change" attitude that a lot of cincinnatians have is finally starting to go out the window.  a streetcar is a definite start.  hopefully cincinnati can add light rail in the not so far distant future

^ I think that a conservative "we don't trust our government not to raise taxes and waste our money" attitude is more accurate.  I don't think it's change in general that is unpopular and I believe that if the streetcar project were somehow totally free, you'd see a lot less opposition.  I really don't blame the uninformed public for being gunshy on this, especially after the sales tax was raised to build the stadiums and The Banks project that was supposed to accompany them is still unstarted.  That was an extremely unpopular situation, and it still stings in the minds of the Hamilton County residents.  But they need to realize that this Streetcar is important, easily attainable, and most importantly that it won't be financed with a tax increase.  Cogent, well written arguments like Dohoney's are going to be key in the coming months.

 

I share your hope that light rail is on the horizon.

i'm just glad some of this conservative "we dont need to change" attitude that a lot of cincinnatians have is finally starting to go out the window.  a streetcar is a definite start.  hopefully cincinnati can add light rail in the not so far distant future

 

the problem is that if the streetcar were to fail, light rail will be at least a decade away, probably more

i'm just glad some of this conservative "we dont need to change" attitude that a lot of cincinnatians have is finally starting to go out the window.  a streetcar is a definite start.  hopefully cincinnati can add light rail in the not so far distant future

 

 

the problem is that if the streetcar were to fail, light rail will be at least a decade away, probably more

 

I know.  and thats what scares me...once people see the benefit of streetcars, its only logical to progress to the next step and connect the burbs to the center

i'm just glad some of this conservative "we dont need to change" attitude that a lot of cincinnatians have is finally starting to go out the window.  a streetcar is a definite start.  hopefully cincinnati can add light rail in the not so far distant future

 

 

the problem is that if the streetcar were to fail, light rail will be at least a decade away, probably more

 

I know.  and thats what scares me...once people see the benefit of streetcars, its only logical to progress to the next step and connect the burbs to the center

 

 

Definitely!  But the streetcar is even more important than light rail.  If an extensive streetcar system is built and light rail never happens, at least the people living and working in the urban core can take advantage of it on a daily basis.  If the people in the suburbs never wake up and demand light rail, they'll be the ones sitting in traffic every day.

So I guess what we're saying is that if you support light rail in Cincinnati, you should show up to the Finance Committee streetcar hearing on Feb. 25th (1pm).  SHOW UP AND BRING AS MANY SUPPORTERS AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE!

^ I think that a conservative "we don't trust our government not to raise taxes and waste our money" attitude is more accurate.  I don't think it's change in general that is unpopular and I believe that if the streetcar project were somehow totally free, you'd see a lot less opposition.  I really don't blame the uninformed public for being gunshy on this, especially after the sales tax was raised to build the stadiums and The Banks project that was supposed to accompany them is still unstarted.  That was an extremely unpopular situation, and it still stings in the minds of the Hamilton County residents.  But they need to realize that this Streetcar is important, easily attainable, and most importantly that it won't be financed with a tax increase.  Cogent, well written arguments like Dohoney's are going to be key in the coming months.

 

I'm not sure if this is an accurate description.  Obviously Hamilton County residents voted for the stadium sales tax increase, and I wouldn't be surprised if a higher percentage of those 'yes' votes came from inside the City rather than outside.

 

It strikes me that most of the opposition to the streetcar project comes from people who live outside the City, and the opposition is therefore moot.  And remember this project will proceed based on a vote in Council, not because of a City-wide referendum.  I think the majority of City voters support the streetcar project and are generally satisfied with their local government.  After all, they did just re-elect every member of Council.

I'm not sure if this is an accurate description.  Obviously Hamilton County residents voted for the stadium sales tax increase, and I wouldn't be surprised if a higher percentage of those 'yes' votes came from inside the City rather than outside.

 

There's no way to prove it scientifically, but I remember hearing a lot of Hamilton County residents say things along the lines of "they just raised the sales tax for a stadium that I'll never go to, now they want to raise it AGAIN for a train that I'll never ride".  The stadiums, from their financing to their location, were a huge point of controversy, with a lot of voters acquiescing despite disliking the plan, because they knew Cincy would never get another NFL team.  CityBeat had a great article on Paul Brown Stadium last year.  It's a great stadium and I'm glad we built it, but I do think that light rail would have had a better shot if it had been on the ballot first.  But that's just one man's opinion.

 

It strikes me that most of the opposition to the streetcar project comes from people who live outside the City, and the opposition is therefore moot.  And remember this project will proceed based on a vote in Council, not because of a City-wide referendum.  I think the majority of City voters support the streetcar project and are generally satisfied with their local government.  After all, they did just re-elect every member of Council.

 

I couldn't agree more.

Pardon my ignorance to the subject, I'm a relative newcomer in this arena and don't have anywhere close to the amount of knowledge of urban planning, etc. as most do on here. I'm a huge proponent of public transportation, but is there an argument to be made that having a metro light rail system would in fact contribute to urban sprawl as it would be easier for folks to live out in Mason-West Chester-and beyond and get to work downtown? Certainly I'm aware of the environmental and traffic congestion benefits of having a metro light rail system. However, if that is the case, the streetcar and future extensions are greatly more important than a metro light rail system. The streetcar system would attract residents to the urban core as opposed to the light rail system forcing residents even further away from the center. I would be in favor of a vast urban streetcar system and inter-city regional rail system versus metro light rail. Am I wrong? It's just a question, I need the education...

I'm sure you would get many different opinions on that. I would say yes. That is why I didn't favor the light rail proposal in Cincinnati; it catered to the suburbs more than the city.

Any sort of rail increases the value of the hub over the spokes.

Adding light rail lines offers alternatives to road based transportation.  This could possibly help reduce traffic congestion on highways.  As for its effects on encouraging or limiting sprawl is debatable.  Light rail is a powerful tool for reducing sprawl type suburban developments but ultimately stopping sprawl rests in the hands of suburban planners decisions on land use regulations, comprehensive planning and zoning.  Suburban leaders have a opportunity to reverse the trend and adopt regulations that encourage pedestrian activity, on-street parking and a denser style of development as opposed to big-box driven lifestyle centers and so forth. 

Rail can have distant suburbs, but it tends to mitigate traditional sprawl. You have density around the stop while the areas in between have less value. Even more so than highways, the less stops the better the rail system - speed - and all.

IMO, Light rail could ultimately be a boon to many of Hamilton County's older, struggling neighborhoods and 1st generations burbs.    Some are dying and need this attention NOW, and not as part of major revitalization in 30 years.

A serious push could spark those older ring suburbs to opt in to beter ties with each other as in moving them towards soft-unification.

from the 2/18 enquirer

 

STREETCAR BEING CONSIDERED IN A VACUUM

 

I fear that the downtown streetcar system is being considered in a vacuum, with inadequate planning or proper due diligence. City Council is being pushed feverishly to support this idea based on the success of streetcars in Portland, Ore., a city similar in some ways to Cincinnati and dissimilar in others. The project is expected to cost $100 million and would proceed without a public vote or a definite financing scheme.

 

The plan, as suggested, will not connect essential parts of the city or Northern Kentucky. For a project like this to succeed it is vital that we first create and commit to a comprehensive transportation master plan with a realistic funding program for the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Anything less would be outrageous.

 

Harry Davidow, Downtown

 

from the 2/18 enquirer

 

STREETCAR BEING CONSIDERED IN A VACUUM

 

I fear that the downtown streetcar system is being considered in a vacuum, with inadequate planning or proper due diligence.

 

wrong, Numerous studies have completed, a stake holder working group was created and public input was recieved

 

City Council is being pushed feverishly to support this idea based on the success of streetcars in Portland, Ore., a city similar in some ways to Cincinnati and dissimilar in others.

 

and many other cities around the country, and the aformentioned studies

 

The project is expected to cost $100 million and would proceed without a public vote

 

how many interstate highway projects well over 100 million proceed without a public vote?

 

or a definite financing scheme.

 

wrong

 

The plan, as suggested, will not connect essential parts of the city

 

wrong

or Northern Kentucky.

 

yet

 

For a project like this to succeed it is vital that we first create and commit to a comprehensive transportation master plan with a realistic funding program for the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.

 

wrong, streetcar can stand on its own, but a regional plan would be great as well

 

Anything less would be outrageous.

 

wrong

 

 

Harry Davidow, Downtown

 

wrong, you live in the east end

 

 

^ LMAO!

Harry Davidow, Downtown

 

wrong, you live in the east end

 

 

 

April D & Harry B Davidow

home

900 Adams Xing, Ste 11300

Cincinnati, OH 45202-1696

(513) 421-4432

 

Hmmm, that looks relatively downtown to me....  Unless downtown is defined as west of 271, in which case its still damn close to downtown... not to nit pick, but yeah, otherwise, right on! ;)

we shouldn't publish this guy's address, but I believe east of 471 is the east end

I'd give this guy credit for being downtown at that location, but this letter is like a bad reminder of why some projects take so much time - too much waffling and what if's without making a conscious decision to get something done.  Unfortunately for us, that behavior has been exhibited from some of our leaders.

Appraisal Area  EAST END 00303 ADAMS PLACE CONDO

I think we all know that this is officially the East End, but for me this is close enough.  I actually think they should expand the boundaries.  It is already included in what the city is calling the "Greater Downtown" area - why not make it official.

we shouldn't publish this guy's address, but I believe east of 471 is the east end

 

And why not?  His name is out there on the article, and the rest is just a quick internet search away.  He didn't elect to keep the address private, so.....

 

My point is that yeah, its east end, but its about as close to downtown as you could possibly be without being officially downtown...

 

Edit - point being, don't go for the weak rhetorical point when the rest of your argument is so strong, just gives detail oriented folks a way to tear you down on nothing ;)

eh, I was on a roll; the joke was he was so wrong about everything in the article he couldn't even get where he lives right, which he didn't

I know, I know.. just keeping you clean ;)  You know where I stand!

Harry Davidow, Downtown

 

That reminds me of the idiot that calls Queens Tower in East Price Hill downtown in the citybeat real estate classifieds.

Harry Davidow, Downtown

 

That reminds me of the idiot that calls Queens Tower in East Price Hill downtown in the citybeat real estate classifieds.

 

Interesting observation, that. Harry Davidow used to own the Queen's Tower.

Whoa!

 

New streetcar plan avoids OTR

BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected]

 

The much-talked-about plan to bring streetcars to Cincinnati could be delayed by a new proposal that asks more financial questions and endorses a line from Downtown to Uptown, rather than a loop through Over-the-Rhine.

 

Written by Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls and supported by five other council members, a majority, the motion is expected to be introduced at or before Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, which has been set aside for a discussion about the $100 million streetcar proposal.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080220/NEWS01/302200123

I'm not sure what to think of all that. Maybe both loops should be considered at the same time? I don't know.

This is a toughy. On the one hand, the OTR streetcar would do great things for OTR, but if there is the energy to do the uptown loop first I think that expands dramatically the folks that can be pulled in for support, plus if it is partially funded by a TIF, suddenly the value of the land explodes and would spread the cost out quite bit. Throw in the access to capital that UC and the hospitals have and voila a streetcar.

but if there is the energy to do the uptown loop first 

 

there isn't

Politics as usual.  This is disappointing to say the least.  To me, this smells like stall tactics of the worst kind, the economic studies for the proposed phase 1 loop have already been completed, and they suggest that the proposed route would generate a significant economic upside.  Nothing in the current proposed loop precludes an uptown extension, in fact it contemplates it as part of the project, and to come out with this "proposal" does nothing more than throw a monkey wrench in the works. 

I'm confused. If it went downtown to uptown, wouldn't the line go through OTR?

Bortz didn't sign on and he is the biggest Streetcar supporter there is

 

Berding didn't sign on and he is the second biggest streetcar supporter

 

Cranley is the biggest streetcar opponent and he did sign on

 

Monzel is a streetcar opponent and he did sign on

 

what does this tell you about the new Qualls' plan?