February 19, 200916 yr Mallory to meet with Obama at the White House Business Courier of Cincinnati, February 19, 2009 Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory will meet with President Barack Obama and key members of his cabinet Friday morning to discuss the implementation of the stimulus package. Mallory is working to maximize the amount of stimulus funding directed to Cincinnati to create new jobs and energize the local economy. “We need to ensure that Cincinnati receives as much of the stimulus money as possible,” Mallory said in a news release. “This face-to-face meeting with the president is part of his effort to ensure that the stimulus will have the intended effect. The president clearly understands the value of strong cities, and his stimulus plan is all about strengthening cities across the country.” In the release, Mallory pointed to several areas of the stimulus bill that could benefit Cincinnati: • Public transportation projects that could help fund the proposed streetcar project; • Community Development Block Grants for shovel-ready redevelopment and infrastructure projects; • Youth employment funding; • Neighborhood stabilization program to help combat foreclosures; • The COPS Universal Hiring Program to hire police officers; • Grants for the construction and renovation of fire stations; • Energy efficiency and conservation block grants for projects that would make public buildings more energy-efficient by installing renewable energy technology. Mallory had been working with the White House, the Ohio legislative delegation and the U.S. Conference of Mayors to ensure that the final bill included funding that will create jobs in Cincinnati. He also has been involved in a series of discussions with high-level officials on the impact of the stimulus package on Cincinnati, including David Agnew, who is President Obama’s liaison to cities, and Ron Richards, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s infrastructure czar, according to the release.
February 19, 200916 yr ^Once again, we didn't build the City's entire road network in one fell swoop, nor do we repair it in such a way. Why is it all of a sudden feasible to do such a massive project for rail - or should I say, why is it expected? Because we don't want a situation where the only line that gets done between now and the next ten years is the one currently proposed. We also don't want to further discourage the tax base we have that marginally benefit from the streetcar. When you tally up how much we've spent in both time and money between FWW, the Riverfront Transit Center that doesn't provide a benefit to mass transit, the Freedom Center and the stadiums, a streetcar network is not any bigger. I would add that none of the aformentioned have brought vibrance to our neighborhoods, sparked development, or stabilized a community the way a streetcar could along Gilbert, Montgomery or Madison Roads.
February 19, 200916 yr ^Once again, we didn't build the City's entire road network in one fell swoop, nor do we repair it in such a way. Why is it all of a sudden feasible to do such a massive project for rail - or should I say, why is it expected? Because we don't want a situation where the only line that gets done between now and the next ten years is the one currently proposed. We also don't want to further discourage the tax base we have that marginally benefit from the streetcar. When you tally up how much we've spent in both time and money between FWW, the Riverfront Transit Center that doesn't provide a benefit to mass transit, the Freedom Center and the stadiums, a streetcar network is not any bigger. I would add that none of the aformentioned have brought vibrance to our neighborhoods, sparked development, or stabilized a community the way a streetcar could along Gilbert, Montgomery or Madison Roads. The RTC you refer to, is that beneath 2nd street where you see the elvators/stairs every block? How could that be integrated, if at all, to what's being proposed? (I know nothing about this)
February 19, 200916 yr A co-worker of mine was a half hour late to work today because her bus never came....bus # 74 express. Neither the bus before hers or the bus she rides came. She said there were probably 100 people waiting there. This is the problem with anything on TIRES ... I feel her pain, I really do. Especially in times like these.
February 19, 200916 yr The RTC you refer to, is that beneath 2nd street where you see the elvators/stairs every block? How could that be integrated, if at all, to what's being proposed? (I know nothing about this) http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15121.0.html http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/transitcenter.html
February 19, 200916 yr http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Mayor-Mallory-To-Meet-With-President-Obama-In-DC/tU2SlugrI0CZB3AD847nqQ.cspx Check out the funny comments. :-)
February 19, 200916 yr i bet it's west side... I'm used to it now but it still shocks me when i see stuff like that...its really sad. Then you have the guy who claims downtown is dying, which couldnt be farther from the truth. I dont understand how people think like that.
February 19, 200916 yr So I looked at the RTC thread and link and it looks like everyone agreed it was overdone. What about a Banks/Newport/Covington circulator where you could run that in the tunnel and still have a light rail line on 2nd street? Seems to me that would take advantage of the space.
February 19, 200916 yr ^ Why would you want to run in a tunnel if you have an generally empty five-lane street?
February 19, 200916 yr welcome to cincinnati Welcome to the United States of America. I guess you missed the CNN coverage on the AG's comments on America's cowardliness. The stats of AMERICA being segregated are an eye opener.
February 19, 200916 yr When you tally up how much we've spent in both time and money between FWW, the Riverfront Transit Center that doesn't provide a benefit to mass transit, the Freedom Center and the stadiums, a streetcar network is not any bigger. I would add that none of the aformentioned have brought vibrance to our neighborhoods, sparked development, or stabilized a community the way a streetcar could along Gilbert, Montgomery or Madison Roads. I agree that the streetcar will have a more profound effect than those other projects, but I could make the argument that FWW sparked roughly $2-3 billion in development because of its realignment - the two stadiums, Freedom Center, The Banks, and Central Riverfront Park all became possible.
February 19, 200916 yr A nice story to share. A friend of my wife's came to Cincinnati from Germany with her new husband to stay for a week. He originally did not want to come to the U.S. and "waste his time here". His new wife insisted they go to NY and then cincinnati for their honeymoon. His buddy's in Germany said "your going where??? Cincinnati? why?? Anyway to make a long story short, I was happy to show him Over the Rhine and we drank alot of beer at Grammers, along with doing the usual everyday OTR routine, you know, Findlay Market, shadeau bread, Park and Vine etc. When I mentioned we might have streetcars linking the neighborhoods again he was totally blown away, he absolutley loved the basin area and the people here. He may try and make it to Oktoberfest next year. He uses the streetcar everyday in Bremen, and had nothing but good things to say about it.
February 19, 200916 yr The video of the debate is now online: http://explorecincinnati.com/2009/02/19/streetcar-debate-video/ The embed code is provided below the video, so feel free to embed on your blogs/sites. A link back to ExploreCincinnati.com would be appreciated as well.
February 19, 200916 yr ^ ^ But... but... but... isn't it true that it's always dirty and sooty in Germany?
February 20, 200916 yr Critics Say Mallory Focused On Wrong Neighborhoods UPDATED: 6:19 pm EST February 19, 2009 CINCINNATI -- As jobs are lost, help is on the way. Mayor Mark Mallory will meet Friday with President Barack Obama to help direct billions of dollars from the stimulus package to the Tri-state area. Mallory said his meeting was vital for the local economy, but one of his critics said the mayor was placing a priority on the wrong projects. The mayor has said he'd like to spend money to help widen sidewalks and bury utility lines in Mount Adams, but neighborhoods such as Walnut Hills have been left off the drawing board. "We need the revitalization of Peebles Corner," said Chris Smitherman, local chapter president of the NAACP. "Mount Auburn needs resources desperately, Bond Hill, Evanston (and) Roselawn. These are communities that City Council and the mayor have been underinvesting in." Smitherman said it would be foolhardy to pursue $12 million for a streetcar proposal that could then be derailed in November by voters. But Mallory has so far declined to modify his wish list, and he said he knew what he would ask the president. "How is that money actually going to be allocated, how will it be prioritized and how will it move to the cities?" Mallory said he would ask. Sen. Sherrod Brown provided a possible answer to some of those questions, saying that the money would be allocated quickly – possibly within days. "There's already been a project in Missouri started," Brown said. "They're moving it as fast as the governors can get it moving." Officials hope to bring $300 million and 4,000 jobs to the Cincinnati area, but they warned that much could happen to change either number http://www.wlwt.com/money/18753338/detail.html
February 20, 200916 yr Just watched the video of the debate...they better get that blue line painted on the road so i can figure out how to get to the clubs downtown.
February 20, 200916 yr "We need the revitalization of Peebles Corner," said Chris Smitherman. Peebles Corner might be the all time best example of an area that declined when the old streetcars stopped operating. Peebles Corner is a product of the streetcar. Peebles Corner used to be the second biggest shopping district after downtown. A traffic count in 1924 found that 68 streetcars per hour passed through Peebles corner - more than one per minute - and that only counts the southbound cars on Gilbert Avenue! Of course, we know what happened in the end. The streetcars were discontinued, there was little parking, and the shopping district became empty storefronts. Swifton Commons opened with acres of parking and people with money drove their cars there to shop.
February 20, 200916 yr ^ Another example of why the Uptown leg of the streetcar should use Gilbert to Taft to Clifton. Covers all the bases.
February 20, 200916 yr Smitherman said it would be foolhardy to pursue $12 million for a streetcar proposal that could then be derailed in November by voters. He says, as if he isn't the one pushing such a vote. The mayor has said he'd like to spend money to help widen sidewalks and bury utility lines in Mount Adams, but neighborhoods such as Walnut Hills have been left off the drawing board. I'll never understand why some people have such a problem with spending money in Mt Adams. It's an incredibly unique neighborhood and is a fine example of success within the city. Yes, there are neighborhoods that need help revitalizing, but it's important to make sure that Mt Adams stays as attractive as it is.
February 20, 200916 yr The other benefit of investment in a neighborhood like Mt. Adams or Hyde Park or what have you is that it sustains the kind of high property values that keeps everyone's taxes reasonable. Obviously Peebles Corner needs attention, but the return without a vibrant streetcar system is pie in the sky.
February 20, 200916 yr If anyone wants to read this, prepare to be exhausted. This is my response to The Dean and his response to my response. Obviously he's trying to turn a defeat into a victory: http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/contents/comments/hey_explore_cincinnati_djs_take_the_beacon_challenge/#comments
February 20, 200916 yr Reach out to a bigger audience. Try to post letters to the editor. http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/EDIT0202/302160003
February 20, 200916 yr If anyone wants to read this, prepare to be exhausted. This is my response to The Dean and his response to my response. Obviously he's trying to turn a defeat into a victory: http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/contents/comments/hey_explore_cincinnati_djs_take_the_beacon_challenge/#comments Wow.... His responses to your rebuttal we painful to read. Not thought out at all!
February 20, 200916 yr This streetcar HAS to happen. I cannot understand why something that so glaringly beneficial to the city and costs relatively (key word) few dollars is facing so much blind opposition. Does anyone know how the Mallory/Obama meet went with regards to the streetcar? I don't really care what Smitherman has to say...
February 20, 200916 yr ^ you have to remember that obama is meeting with a contingent of mayors form across the country. it's not like Mallory and Obama have a one-on-one meeting today, or ever for that matter.
February 20, 200916 yr Author ^ you have to remember that obama is meeting with a contingent of mayors form across the country. it's not like Mallory and Obama have a one-on-one meeting today, or ever for that matter. I think they did when Obama was asking Mallory for superdelagate support
February 20, 200916 yr This streetcar HAS to happen. The city held the last of four interviews this morning with the teams competing to design, build, operate and maintain the Cincinnati Streetcar. Today a key actor in all this told me that the project now has momentum.
February 20, 200916 yr interesting point. Maybe we get a little quid-pro-quo for delivering southwestern ohio?
February 20, 200916 yr Obama warns cities against wasteful spending Friday February 20, 2009, 12:03 pm EST Yahoo! Buzz Print President Barack Obama met Friday with 85 mayors from across the country to discuss the implementation of city-related funding from the $787 billion stimulus package. "You shouldn't have to succeed despite Washington; you should be succeeding with a hand from Washington, and that's what you're getting now," Obama said at a White House reception. "This plan does more to lay a new foundation for our cities' growth and opportunity than anything Washington has done in generations." The economic stimulus package sets aside billions of dollars for highway construction, transit improvements, school modernization and community development block grants. Obama promised that the money would not be squandered or lost to graft and corruption. "What is required in return is unprecedented responsibility and accountability on all our parts," he said. "If a federal agency proposes a project that will waste that money, I will not hesitate to call them out on it, and put a stop to it," he added. But, he noted, "I want everyone here to be on notice that if a local government does the same - I will call them out on it as well, and use the full power of my office and our administration to stop it." The mayors have put together a "Ready to Go" report that details 18,750 local infrastructure projects in 779 cities that can be started as soon as the new funding is received. The projects, which represent an investment of $150 billion, would generate 1.6 million jobs in 2009 and 2010, according to the report. They range from creating bridge guardrails in Bessemer, Alabama, to renovating elementary schools in Norfolk, Virginia. Obama was joined at the meeting by Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. The recession is severely straining cities' ability to meet their financial needs, according to a recent report from the National League of Cities. 84% of cities are reporting fiscal difficulties, the highest percentage since the group starting doing surveys in 1985. The fiscal outlook for urban areas is expected to remain tough in 2009. The report found that 92% of the cities surveyed expected to have trouble meeting their needs this year. To cope, cities are implementing hiring freezes and layoffs, delaying capital expenditures and instituting service cuts. Sixty-nine percent of cities have instituted hiring freezes or layoffs, while 42% are delaying or canceling infrastructure projects. Another 22% have instituted across-the-board spending cuts. Cities are seeing their tax revenues decline as property values drop, shopping slows and unemployment rises. On top of that, nearly one in two city finance officers report difficulties in gaining access to credit and/or bond financing. City finances tend to lag the overall economy by 12 to 24 months, the league said. The weakening economic conditions will be felt by cities through 2009 and likely through
February 20, 200916 yr interesting point. Maybe we get a little quid-pro-quo for delivering southwestern ohio? Given the way politics typically work, I would expect so. Mallory has been instrumental for Obama and Strickland. It's no coincidence that Strickland has been so pro-Cincinnati and it will not be shocking to see Cincinnati on the winning side of funding in years to come given our new helpful role to the current administration.
February 21, 200916 yr http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Cincinnati-Mayor-Meets-with-President-Obama/uLa0ujyu_U-l5t-MTeRGkw.cspx More amusing comments at the bottom of the link.
February 21, 200916 yr http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Cincinnati-Mayor-Meets-with-President-Obama/uLa0ujyu_U-l5t-MTeRGkw.cspx More amusing comments at the bottom of the link. Uh... yeah! "whats mallory and obama going to do for the average working white man! nothing but take his money and give it to the lazy welfare folks that lay around and fornicate all day" ^ That's the most hilarious comment I've seen in a while. Here is one that is positive! "The streetcar would be a tremendous benefit that would help grow revenues in the city that ultimately pour out to the suburban Cincinnati communities. Considering the streetcar amount asked for in the Mayor's stimulus request equaled less than 3.8% of the total, it does seem a bit odd to get so bothered about this one item. I've read the items in his request. They seem to help east/west as well as rich/poorer communities with infrastructure and aesthetic improvements that will put people to work and make this city an even better place to live. Thank you Mayor Mallory!!!!... Ben...." Just racist: "White elephant, black mayor, and a mutt in the middle of it all!!"
February 21, 200916 yr wow reading that dialogue on the beacon was frustrating. At least this is a passionate subject for many. It would be great if they could get the whole thing rolling before the votes are collected for it to be put on the ballot. Does anyone know what effect starting the project before the votes are collected would be? Also just a thought - how great would it be to have the streetcar running up madison and then also veering onto observatory towards alms park. The east side could benefit so greatly from multiple streetcar lanes. And to touch on the opponents beloved buses; I frequently run throughout the city and there is nothing more damaging and distracting than running by or being passed by a bus when it is at full exhaust trudging up one of our many hills, that alone makes me support the streetcar over their ridiculous, joke of an option buses or trolleys or whatever in the hell they want to call them
February 21, 200916 yr ^ You should see the people waiting for another bus at 12th and Race today. The area, already clogged with dust, became a dust storm when the bus rolled on by. Black soot included. The people waiting for just shielding their face from the coming dust.
February 21, 200916 yr http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Mayor-Mallory-To-Meet-With-President-Obama-Today/6D7WTNq1rUCr_q-2eV45Zg.cspx?p=Comments More fun You should see the people waiting for another bus at 12th and Race today. The area, already clogged with dust, became a dust storm when the bus rolled on by. Black soot included. The people waiting for just shielding their face from the coming dust That happened to me on Vine the other day, it was good dust though (from construction) I love the smell of OTR dust in the morning, it smells like victory!
February 21, 200916 yr When I read anti-streetcar comments, it makes me think that people are brainwashed to think that cars really are the only way to get around, especially since most of them know absolutely nothing about cars. The funny thing is, I LOVE cars -- for fun. I love cars much more than these people do, and I know 100x as much as they will ever know about them, yet I know that cars are only a small piece of the people-moving puzzle.
February 21, 200916 yr The problem seems, to me, that personal attacks and obvious frustration are too often thrown in with good points, so the points themselves get discounted in the end. I admit I do not know if there is any previous history than what is discussed on this thread. That being said, many on here are well educated, and know the subject very, very well. Still, you need to become good at selling others on the idea, clearly articulating and addressing their concerns without attacking.
February 21, 200916 yr The other thing is that if there are less people using the roads, then those of us who enjoy driving can have more fun. Commuting doesn't make for fun driving.
February 21, 200916 yr Just watched the video of the debate...they better get that blue line painted on the road so i can figure out how to get to the clubs downtown. No, they better spend millions on rails so people can "be comforted by knowing where the route goes." Get a grip.
February 21, 200916 yr The first loop of the streetcar route is already developed. Aronoff, Fountain Square, Cadillac Ranch, and so forth. Vine Street in OTR, Gateway Quarter, and all the buildings already under redevelopment. Washington Park, the new SCPA -- all of it. Without a streetcar. So what, is the streetcar going to make them develop all this again?
February 21, 200916 yr Dean, there are about 75 surface parking lots in downtown Cincinnati. There are dozens more in Over-the-Rhine. Everywhere where there is a surface parking lot or a garage, there used to be an apartment, office, or small manufacturing facility. You lost all credibility a long time ago.
February 21, 200916 yr The first loop of the streetcar route is already developed. Aronoff, Fountain Square, Cadillac Ranch, and so forth. Vine Street in OTR, Gateway Quarter, and all the buildings already under redevelopment. Washington Park, the new SCPA -- all of it. Without a streetcar. So what, is the streetcar going to make them develop all this again? The route actually doesn't run up Vine per the current plans. The recommended route has an Elm/Race orientation through OTR. Familiarize yourself with the facts please if you want to engage in "civil" debate. http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/route/
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