April 10, 200817 yr ^Or, if you subscribe to the thinking that these streetcar lines are better built in under-performing neighborhoods, then Corryville and Walnut Hills would be the priorities. Clifton Ave. I think is a solid step that would attract decent ridership, look good, and helps UC as a recruiting tool but doesn't spur as much new private investment. Therefore the city is not necessary getting maximum return on its captial investment and ongoing operations. But Corryville and Walnut Hills are both low rent areas with many vacant lots. Right, but I guess my point was that to really have Over-the-Rhine at its full potential, you'd need it to serve as a high density neighborhood both for people who work Downtown and those that work in the Clifton/Pill Hill area. LincolnKennedy - I don't mind "guarantees" either but the form of the guarantee does matter. Uptown would be an obvious extension/connection, but the guarantee should not be don't build anything until there is money and buy in for everything. Right. But that's not going to happen. Cranley and Qualls don't have the votes to make it so all the funding for both the Basin and the Clifton phases are in place before we build, and Mallory and company want to get this thing started. Also any 'guarantee' would essentially be unenforceable. If a legislative body has the power to create a law they also have the power to dismantle it. All I was saying was that if, while passing the funding for the initial phase, if they resolve to proceed with the Clifton/Corryville connection immediately after (as a sop to Qualls) this could be beneficial in encouraging later councils with different members from the one which passed the resolution to follow through on it, despite the fact that it would probably be more difficult and expensive than a West End or Walnut Hills extention. One of the reason plans like this or the Banks don't get implemented or aren't implemented fully is because they take longer to finish than eight years (four council or two strong mayor terms) and the new pols don't feel as connected to or responsible for the actions of their predecessors.
April 11, 200817 yr Can someone tell me what we have done to the guy that does "CONSIDER THIS" that makes him want to run one negative piece after another against the streetcar and only highlights empty buildings and completely ignores any and all progress here in OTR? He needs to be hit with a barrage of counter arguments and the news room should be copied. Channel 19 is downtown here and should know better.
April 11, 200817 yr About Tacoma's streetcars ... Thought it would be good to clear something up. Cheryl Crowell keeps saying that streetcars succeed in Tacoma because Tacoma has light rail. The problem is, Tacoma doesn't have light rail trains. Here's the story: Tacoma has a 1.6 mile streetcar line that uses the same equipment as Seattle and Portland -- the Skoda streetcars running in single-car consists. I think it's called "Tacoma Link" or something like that. They refer to it as "light rail" -- I think to make it seem like a bigger deal than it really is -- but it's not. It's a streetcar So Cheryl goes online and probably sees a reference to "Tacoma Light Rail" and has her "Aha!" moment, not really understanding what's going on there. Tacoma also has diesel-powered "Sounder" commuter rail trains running to Seattle. But these are peak-hour, early-morning and late-afternoon services, not frequently and continuously-running LRT trains. Just one of the risks of surfing, then writing without knowing what you're talking about.
April 11, 200817 yr Can someone tell me what we have done to the guy that does "CONSIDER THIS" that makes him want to run one negative piece after another against the streetcar and only highlights empty buildings and completely ignores any and all progress here in OTR? He needs to be hit with a barrage of counter arguments and the news room should be copied. Channel 19 is downtown here and should know better. They ran a positive "Consider This" on the streetcars earlier in the week. Mon. or Tues night, can't remember. I think it has to do with viewer input. Get on there Michael!! :wink:
April 11, 200817 yr The Sounder trains are classified as "commuter rail"..... and operate on the same rail corridors as the freight railroads.
April 11, 200817 yr They ran a positive "Consider This" on the streetcars earlier in the week. Mon. or Tues night, can't remember. I saw the "consider that" response and had some great counters about the streetcar but watch the original "consider this" on the channel 19 website. He makes it sound like nothing is going on in OTR whatsoever and that it is full of abandoned buildings with no development whatsoever. Now I realize this is an opinion piece but the facts here are not debatable. OTR is in one of the biggest redevelopments that Cincinnati has ever seen. Not a mention of 3CDC, Gateway, Main, SCPA, Art Academy, Findlay Mrkt, Jean Robert or any of the other new stores moving in--but only showing borded up buildings in the background and saying the city needs to do something about it. Opinions are opinions but the facts are also the facts and he had to drive past the Q to get to the buidlings that he showed to prove a flawed point. http://www.fox19.com/Global/category.asp?C=65470 under "vacant buildings" I think it has to do with viewer input. Get on there Michael!! I went a step further and contacted the Chamber and 3CDC so hopefully it will be a stronger response than just fodder for his little "opinion" piece.
April 12, 200817 yr Tacoma also has diesel-powered "Sounder" commuter rail trains running to Seattle. But these are peak-hour, early-morning and late-afternoon services, not frequently and continuously-running LRT trains. Just one of the risks of surfing, then writing without knowing what you're talking about. Plus, there is no easy connection between the Sounder commuter trains and the Tacoma streetcar. Both are very introductory, cursory systems though Sounder service is being expanded. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 12, 200817 yr Author If you want to learn more about the streetcar, there will be presenters at the OTR ale house in Findlay market today from 11-7
April 12, 200817 yr We may be too late in the game for this, and these may already exist (I only go to OTR for the occasional Findlay Market trip), but it might not be a bad idea for someone to make some pro-streetcar signs and bumper stickers. They could be displayed/sold/freely distributed by OTR businesses. It would be a visual sign of support for The Cincinnati Streetcar, getting the message out there in a subtle yet visible, non-agressive manner, since apparently streetcar supporters have somehow gotten a bad reputation so far. I never put anything on my car, but I'd proudly display a "Support The Streetcar" bumper sticker.
April 12, 200817 yr That is a great idea. One would think this would have already been done. Do you think because it is not an issue that requires a public referendum that "support the streetcar" banners etc. have not been used?
April 12, 200817 yr The Sounder trains are classified as "commuter rail"..... and operate on the same rail corridors as the freight railroads. Isn't this what they're thinking for the Eastern Corridor? And I'd like a Support the Streetcar bumper sticker
April 13, 200817 yr Author Cafe Press Compeition: Design the best 'support the streetcar' bumper sticker. Grand Prize: Free Bumper Sticker; Sold on the cincystreetcar.com website, link to purchase distributed to the streetcar email list.
April 13, 200817 yr You know Dan would sell it too ;) I'll buy enough (a few $100) that some stores can sell em down there if someone comes up with a cool design!
April 13, 200817 yr Author Cafe Press Compeition: Design the best 'support the streetcar' bumper sticker. Grand Prize: Free Bumper Sticker; Sold on the cincystreetcar.com website, link to purchase distributed to the streetcar email list. You know Dan would sell it too ;) I'll buy enough (a few $100) that some stores can sell em down there if someone comes up with a cool design! these claims are independent
April 13, 200817 yr ^ Yes, indeed. Come up with the design/win the competition, and I will buy $200 worth of the bumper stickers from cafe press to be sold at shops in OTR. (Independent of the competition itself). Just know, your artwork will be bought :) Also, an idea that did get thrown out today that is worth some consideration... There are some folks who would be willing to put money down now to reserve a pass on the proposed line. Private money funding option? At least worth considering. Heck, I'd throw down some money now for an "annual pass" on whatever line gets built.
April 13, 200817 yr A bumper sticker that said something like "This car wouldn't have just cut you off if Cincinnati had a streetcar". Other options in a similar campaign: "You wouldn't be breathing my exhaust if..." "You could have had this parking space if..." etc.
April 13, 200817 yr A bumper sticker that said something like "This car wouldn't have just cut you off if Cincinnati had a streetcar". Other options in a similar campaign: "You wouldn't be breathing my exhaust if..." "You could have had this parking space if..." etc. Ooooh! I like! Can I try using a couple of those? ;)
April 13, 200817 yr A bumper sticker that said something like "This car wouldn't have just cut you off if Cincinnati had a streetcar". Other options in a similar campaign: "You wouldn't be breathing my exhaust if..." "You could have had this parking space if..." etc. That's awesome! "I wouldn't have dinged your door if..." "I wouldn't be driving drunk if..." <- kidding on that one, but we could put those on all cars witht the party plates
April 13, 200817 yr I'd like to see something simple, with just one or two colors and clean lines. Just a short message like "Cincinnati Streetcar" or "Support the Streetcar". I really like the design of the "This blog supports the Cincinnati Streetcar" image that appears on so many local blogs, and wouldn't mind a modified version of that. I enjoy the phrases above, but I've never liked bumper stickers that consist of more than 3 or 4 words. You can never actually read those unless you're at a stoplight. Of course, I'll buy one, whatever design is chosen. Gotta represent!
April 14, 200817 yr Hah, I really like: "You would've had this parking space if Cincinnati had a streetcar." With your car sitting in a parking lot, it wouldn't matter that it's so long.
April 14, 200817 yr "A bumper sticker that said something like "This car wouldn't have just cut you off if Cincinnati had a streetcar". Alabama ExPat-- That's great! "I wouldn't be driving drunk if..." <- kidding on that one, but we could put those on all cars witht the party plates" I can imagine UOers trying to rationalize with the police by saying that after being pulled over drunk. :drunk:
April 14, 200817 yr OK, so what we really need is not just cool slogans for the bumper stickers but the actual design... Has anyone put together any mock ups? Lets get this competition goin! ;) (I like the simple lines, eg, "Cincinnati Streetcar - Coming Soon" or just "Support the Cincinnati Streetcar", with some nice graphics backing them up)
April 14, 200817 yr I just created a logo yesterday for a new company... I'd like to give this a shot... Any stipulations? i.e. color, shapes, fonts?
April 14, 200817 yr No stipulations other than it should be able to be printed on a bumper sticker (fewer colors makes printing a whole lot cheaper). Take a look at "this blog supports the streetcar" logos for some color ideas, but it really is wide open!
April 14, 200817 yr ^ I like the orange of the "blog design" because it is eye catching and there aren't many orange cars. It would be nice if these things were easy to spot, and with a short message, so that they are effective even on cars zipping by on I-75. Does anyone have thoughts on size/shape? I'd lean towards the standard rectangular variety, but there might be some interesting possibilities for square or oval.
April 14, 200817 yr Actually, why not use a dark green like the "I <3 OTR" stickers. Its very eye-catching, jives with the pro-environment aspect of the streetcar and ties it in with a like-minded effort.
April 14, 200817 yr Here's a list of what the options on cafe press are for stickers These are all printed using water & UV resistant inks, printed on a vinyl backing 10" x 3" - standard bumper sticker size 5" x 3" - half bumper sticker size 5" x 3" Oval They also will do 3" round lapel stickers, but these are printed on paper, not vinyl, and are not water or UV resistant. Base your design on one of those format sizes - I like the I <3 OTR sticker colors too...
April 14, 200817 yr A week from today is the next finance committee meeting. I haven't heard anything yet about what will be going on at that meeting...
April 14, 200817 yr How is this for a design? Of course, any suggestions w/ regard to color or font is greatly appreciated. I took the blog sticker design and went with the basic concepts... tried to keep it simple.
April 14, 200817 yr Nice, I like it :) Entry number one in the contest! Keep em coming!! It can't be a competition without more than one entry :)
April 14, 200817 yr I need to wrap up my taxes and then I'll give it a show, but it'll be later on ... Is there a deadline?
April 14, 200817 yr I'm a big fan of orange. My only suggestion would be to make it deeper, i.e Bengal orange. Here's a swatch:
April 14, 200817 yr No explicit deadline, hopefully we can get a bunch of competitors by mid week so we can vote on which people prefer :)
April 15, 200817 yr It looks too red to me.. could just be my comp though... ? That could past for the Reds red. :-) The first orange I suggested may not be printable. I assuming this will be a one-color job, which means you could use a Pantone color. If that's the case, I would recommend: 1665 C or a lighter shade would be 165 C. Again, just a suggestion.
April 15, 200817 yr Yeah.... photoshop didn't recognize your swatch... :-/ But the Reds' red is nice. And I think I like the lighter orange and the green better. But, of course, the color would be up for a vote perhaps? (if my design were selected.) On another note... can multiple designs be submitted?
April 15, 200817 yr Submit as many as you want, its always best to have some variety. I say lets close off the submissions at the end of Wednesday, and then I can get an order for stickers in by the end of the week. Here are some guidelines on the final image constraints - http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/help/images.aspx The plan is to print with cafepress unless someone can think of a local printer who can do a quicker turnaround at a decent price (Initial order of 100 or so bumper stickers, depending on cost).
April 15, 200817 yr ^ Bryan over at Decal Impressions (also the OTR Electric Motor Car Company) does a really good job, and is a strong supporter of the neighborhood. (513) 721-3801 [email protected] www.decalimpressions.com 227 Stark Street Cincinnati Ohio 45202
April 15, 200817 yr The plan is to print with cafepress unless someone can think of a local printer who can do a quicker turnaround at a decent price (Initial order of 100 or so bumper stickers, depending on cost). All the I love OTR stickers you have seen the last couple of years on people's cars were printed by Decal Impressions. Buy the stickers from an OTR Business that is Pro-OTR and less than half a block from the proposed streetcar line and also located in the Brewery District. I would buy 10 stickers if they were green.
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