May 12, 201015 yr Interestingly there was a poll question in the Enquirer yesterday of whether or not people supported the funding. When I voted the approval was something like 70% - I can no longer find the poll. Not sure if those results held or why it was taken down so quickly.
May 12, 201015 yr Mayor touts streetcar to White House City Council expected to finalize funding today The Enquirer, May 12, 2010 Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory says he'll call the White House today as soon as City Council votes, as expected, to finalize $64 million in bonds to pay for half the streetcar project. Council's Finance Committee approved the bonds Monday on a 6-2 vote. Since all council members sit on that committee, their decision should stick when the issue comes before the full council.
May 12, 201015 yr http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100511/EDIT02/5120374 US should aid cities it ruined By Edward P. Cunningham • May 11, 2010 It is somewhat ironic that the federal Department of Transportation stipulates that unless Cincinnati can clear up questions about local funding, the city's application for a federal grant to re-establish a streetcar line will be weakened ("Federal official presses Cincinnati on streetcar funding," May 5). Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari told The Enquirer that "There's incredibly high demand for these dollars and ultimately, we're going to help cities that help themselves." Finally, a pro-streetcar editorial.
May 12, 201015 yr There needs to be more of these. It's still 2 pro vs. about 30 negative. “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
May 12, 201015 yr It's still there: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100510/NEWS0108/5090335 I see the article but no poll.
May 12, 201015 yr It's there, but if you voted for it, it may be gone. Flaky coding. Hmm, that must be VERY flaky coding then. All I see is a little link that says Vovici Online Survey Software. I guess I know who NOT to go to when I want to put an online poll on my website.
May 12, 201015 yr Follow the council meeting here ---> Cincinnati.Com - live streaming video powered by Livestream Today is a big day! Gamble house historic designation and of course the STREETCAR Funding :)
May 12, 201015 yr Anyone see this? "A $45 MILLION dollar project to be built along the streetcar line including 155 residential units and 15,000 square feet of commercial space will be constructed one block away from the Cincinnati Streetcar" http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/18-2-million-project-to-be-built-along-streetcar-line/ http://soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0511mercercommons.aspx
May 12, 201015 yr Author Funding Approved. http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/city-council-approves-funding-for-streetcars/
May 12, 201015 yr Anyone see this? "A $45 MILLION dollar project to be built along the streetcar line including 155 residential units and 15,000 square feet of commercial space will be constructed one block away from the Cincinnati Streetcar" http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/18-2-million-project-to-be-built-along-streetcar-line/ http://soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0511mercercommons.aspx Although this project was not in direct response to the streetcar, it will certainly benefit!
May 12, 201015 yr Definitely. My comments in there were partially in response to what someone wrote on Twitter, that Phase IV was the result of the streetcar, which it is not. Here is a copy of what I wrote -- "They are both independent projects, though. It is correct to assume that 3CDC is pushing for the streetcar, but it is developing these properties, such as the Mercer Commons, because the demand is there for Phase IV, whereas there was none three years ago. Note that Phase IV includes a major parking structure, and while it would be great to say that Phase IV is occurring because of the streetcar, it isn’t. It would be more accurate to say that both are in harmony. Phase IV is being built to meet market demand and will benefit the streetcar. The streetcar is being built because of increased market demand along the route and will benefit from Phase IV." If we get the federal funding, which is a sure shot at this point, developers will be lining up to secure the remaining properties not yet in control of 3CDC.
May 12, 201015 yr So for those of us who don't quite understand the process as much, what is the next step? Assuring federal funding? And if that happens is the streetcar pretty much a go?
May 12, 201015 yr Author ^as of tomorrow, we'll have $19 million more. We also have $3.5 million from Duke
May 12, 201015 yr The total project cost is $128 mill. The City of Cincinnati has allocated half the money, $64 mill. The other $64 mill has to still be secured. It is expected that the rest of this money will provided by the feds through a few different grants/sources. Once this money is secured, the project can finally, officially get underway. But we won't hear about the federal funding until the end of June, correct? In the mean time, are they doing the engineering so that when federal dollars are approved they can start construction this summer, or are we still looking at another year before dirt is moved?
May 12, 201015 yr ^as of tomorrow, we'll have $19 million more. We also have $3.5 million from Duke How does that $19 million break down? In fact, what are all funding amounts by source available, and what still needs to be secured? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201015 yr Author ^as of tomorrow, we'll have $19 million more. We also have $3.5 million from Duke How does that $19 million break down? In fact, what are all funding amounts by source available, and what still needs to be secured? I'll break it down after the funding is approved tomorrow.
May 12, 201015 yr Check www.UrbanCincy.com tomorrow afternoon for the breaking news on the additional funding.
May 12, 201015 yr The total project cost is $128 mill. The City of Cincinnati has allocated half the money, $64 mill. The other $64 mill has to still be secured. It is expected that the rest of this money will provided by the feds through a few different grants/sources. Once this money is secured, the project can finally, officially get underway. But we won't hear about the federal funding until the end of June, correct? In the mean time, are they doing the engineering so that when federal dollars are approved they can start construction this summer, or are we still looking at another year before dirt is moved? We'll be under construction by fall.
May 12, 201015 yr The total project cost is $128 mill. The City of Cincinnati has allocated half the money, $64 mill. The other $64 mill has to still be secured. It is expected that the rest of this money will provided by the feds through a few different grants/sources. Once this money is secured, the project can finally, officially get underway. But we won't hear about the federal funding until the end of June, correct? In the mean time, are they doing the engineering so that when federal dollars are approved they can start construction this summer, or are we still looking at another year before dirt is moved? We'll be under construction by fall. Excellent news! No time for COAST and/or Luken to form any stupid ballot initiatives. Also, does anyone know where Winburn is getting his numbers? Today he said it would cost over 200 mil. The other day he inflated it even higher... One last thing, the updates on the cincinnati.com letters as of May 12 2010 go as this: April - 20 negative, 1 positive May 1 - 12 - 14 negative(including 4 today), 2 positive This brings our tally to 34 negative, 3 positive over the last 2 months. Since January, the total is 47 negative and 3 positive...
May 12, 201015 yr "Also, does anyone know where Winburn is getting his numbers? Today he said it would cost over 200 mil. The other day he inflated it even higher" I don't know where his numbers came from but as a reality check no one really knows yet what this will cost. It is way too early in the design for a proper cost estimate, regardless of what previous studies have said.
May 12, 201015 yr The current project cost for the Cincinnati Streetcar that Cincinnati City Council approved is $128 million. Maybe that will change over time, maybe not, but you can only legitimately base numbers on what is currently there. Anything beyond that is just baseless speculation, and we should expect more from City Council members.
May 12, 201015 yr As is typical with such projects, the $128M also includes a substantial contingency in case of unforeseen design or construction issues. Winburn pulled the $200M figure out of thin air to score rhetorical points.
May 12, 201015 yr City council OK's streetcar bonds Opponents will try to get it on November ballot, Thomas Luken says BY BARRY M. HORSTMAN • [email protected] • MAY 12, 2010 Funding for two-thirds of the $128 million Cincinnati streetcar project is tentatively in place after City Council on Wednesday approved nearly $67 million toward the Downtown-to-Uptown line, a move that local leaders hope will draw the remaining money needed from state or federal sources. News of council’s action quickly reached Washington – from both sides.... “If you think this vote puts an end to this controversy,” Luken said, “you’re wrong.” http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100512/NEWS0108/305120048/City+council+OK+s+streetcar+bonds
May 12, 201015 yr One last thing, the updates on the cincinnati.com letters as of May 12 2010 go as this: April - 20 negative, 1 positive May 1 - 12 - 14 negative(including 4 today), 2 positive This brings our tally to 34 negative, 3 positive over the last 2 months. Since January, the total is 47 negative and 3 positive... ^ Kevin Osborne of CityBeat is doing a story on this. He's looking for facts. You should contact him = [email protected]
May 13, 201015 yr One last thing, the updates on the cincinnati.com letters as of May 12 2010 go as this: April - 20 negative, 1 positive May 1 - 12 - 14 negative(including 4 today), 2 positive This brings our tally to 34 negative, 3 positive over the last 2 months. Since January, the total is 47 negative and 3 positive... ^ Kevin Osborne of CityBeat is doing a story on this. He's looking for facts. You should contact him = [email protected] Ok thanks for the heads up. I'll contact him.
May 13, 201015 yr ^as of tomorrow, we'll have $19 million more. We also have $3.5 million from Duke How does that $19 million break down? In fact, what are all funding amounts by source available, and what still needs to be secured? I'll break it down after the funding is approved tomorrow. Cat's out of the bag. (I think?) The $4 million is from OKI.
May 13, 201015 yr Nothing has been approved yet...we'll know for sure tomorrow. Just sit tight for about 15.5 hours.
May 13, 201015 yr No time for COAST and/or Luken to form any stupid ballot initiatives. Are we sure about that?? "Luken, meanwhile, says he plans to circulate petitions to place the streetcar issue on the November ballot." "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
May 13, 201015 yr No time for COAST and/or Luken to form any stupid ballot initiatives. Are we sure about that?? "Luken, meanwhile, says he plans to circulate petitions to place the streetcar issue on the November ballot." Honestly I have no idea. John said though if everything falls into place construction could start in the fall...I'm hoping that's the case.
May 13, 201015 yr John said though if everything falls into place construction could start in the fall...I'm hoping that's the case. I sure hope so too. The last thing we need is another petition drive with sleazeballs out on the street asking passers by "would you like to vote on the streetcar?" like they did to trick people to get Issue 9 on the ballot.
May 13, 201015 yr "Streetcar Gets Plugged at UC" http://www.newsrecord.org/news/streetcar-gets-plugged-at-uc-1.2265320
May 13, 201015 yr No time for COAST and/or Luken to form any stupid ballot initiatives. Are we sure about that?? "Luken, meanwhile, says he plans to circulate petitions to place the streetcar issue on the November ballot." I wouldn't worry about that wacko. He'd be circulating them on his own. Chris Smitherman has already been quoted stating that he would not be getting involved with any more streetcar ballot initiatives. I can't remember where I read it, but he even admitted to his defeat last year and said he has no interest in pursuing the issue again. COAST will likely have the same position. Regardless, let's imagine someone did get another ballot initiative going and it ended up on November's ballot. By then the project will likely be fully funded and ready to break ground. How much support do you really think they'll get at the polls to stop the project at that point? People would have to be stupid to vote to turn down federal money we already have in hand.
May 13, 201015 yr Chris Smitherman has already been quoted stating that he would not be getting involved with any more streetcar ballot initiatives. I can't remember where I read it, but he even admitted to his defeat last year and said he has no interest in pursuing the issue again. I read somewhere recently that Smitherman was moving forward with his "Mayor Impeachment" initiative... But on Nov. 5th last year, he was quoted as saying "Smitherman is planning a Mayor recall ballot initiative as well as a streetcar ballot initiative for 2010." in this article (no longer available for free). "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
May 13, 201015 yr Author http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php?/contents/comments/smithermania_four_ballot_issues_announed_in_3_days_after_election/
May 13, 201015 yr I was just reflecting on how different the situation seems now compared to one year ago regarding streetcar mass transit in Cincinnati. And about how the recent bonds approval are a symptom and not the reason for the difference I feel. A year ago COAST and Smitherman could have thought that an anti-streetcar-rail referendum would be an easy sell, and that's maybe why they overreached. Big Kudos are due to John Schneider and Brad Thomas and other founders of the CFP for creating the organizations and power base that many others could grab onto. I can only imagine that COAST and Smitherman would rather go for elective weekly root canal than endure the hornets nest they know would envelope them with another referendum. The emergence of the lone Luken as the battle leader speaks volumes. I hope I didn't just jinx something... but don't think so!
May 13, 201015 yr Lets just hope the federal funding does come and it comes soon... I never feel comfortable when it is left up to a vote. Last year there was so many half truths and flat out lies being thrown around (Not to mention the enquirer has taken its biased side, their less than honest ways of collecting signatures, and pro issue 9 people ripping out my NO on 9 sign and replacing them with multiple YES on 9 signs). There has to be an underlying reason as to why Luken is so vehemently opposed. Hopefully that will be exposed soon.
May 13, 201015 yr Author Still waiting on confirmation, but the Streetcar was awarded $4,000,000 by OKI of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Funds (CMAQ) today at the OKI Executive Meeting. http://www.oki.org/agendas/execminuts/may_13_2010_Executive_Committee_Exhibits.pdf
May 13, 201015 yr At his age and senility level, the only lobby he should be involved in is the Assisted Living lobby.
May 13, 201015 yr Still waiting on confirmation, but the Streetcar was awarded $4,000,000 by OKI of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Funds (CMAQ) today at the OKI Executive Meeting. Everything has been confirmed. OKI's Executive Committee approved the allocation of funds as was recommended to them by the ICC. Full details here: http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/05/oki-approves-4m-for-cincinnati-streetcar-project/
May 13, 201015 yr BTW, the $15M in TRAC funds from the State also became official today with a formal approval.
May 13, 201015 yr Author BTW, the $15M in TRAC funds from the State also became official today with a formal approval. The meeting is at 1pm, have they already approved?
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