It would take a real hat trick on behalf of opponents to stop this thing now.

 

I really don't see how it's doable.

likely it wont get any endorsements for more federal or state funds, likely meaning the city will have to close the 12 million dollar gap via alternative financing (bonds, casino revenue etc) as well as swallowing the total 64M in potential bonds that were leveraged in an effort to show government officials the city was serious about the project.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. Next TRAC list is out in December before Kasich takes office.

The first segment will happen, it's highly unlikely that anyone will be able to stop that.

But as for any future extensions the city will be on it's own- Any city/county mulit-modal transit centers, etc. will not happen, nor will state funding for future extensions.

^There is always the potential for funding the Uptown Extensions through the MPO

Thomasbw- forgot TRAC was still to come this year.

Thanks

Thomasbw- forgot TRAC was still to come this year.

Thanks

 

12/16

By the time the first phase is done, we may have a whole new regime in place, so any discussion of further phases is largely irrelevant. Its key to get phase 1 construction started as soon as possible....

By the time the first phase is done, we may have a whole new regime in place, so any discussion of further phases is largely irrelevant. Its key to get phase 1 construction started as soon as possible....

 

could not agree more

Dear Streetcar Supporter,

 

At 1:00p. on Friday, Mayor Mallory will introduce Cincinnatians to the modern streetcar.

 

This first modern streetcar made in American since the 1930's will be positioned at the corner of Fifth and Walnut, near Graeter's. You'll be able to inspect it up close and personal, walk inside, and representatives of its manufacturer, United Streetcar of Clackamas, Oregon, will be on hand to answer your questions.

 

This is a perfect opportunity to pierce the veil of misunderstanding about what our city is trying to do with this project. And so I'm asking you, as one of our most loyal streetcar supporters, to do two things:

 

* First and foremost, come to the Mayor's 1:00p news conference at Fifth and Walnut tomorrow. The forecast is for a 30% chance of rain with temperatures in the forties. A huge turnout in iffy weather will be a terrific sign of support. Bring a friend, bring a skeptic, bring a raincoat.

 

* The streetcar will be in Cincinnati through Wednesday afternoon. Over the next five days, arrange to meet people you know on Fountain Square and show them what we've been talking about all these years. There is nothing like seeing the real thing.

 

This particular vehicle will soon be placed in service as part of the Portland Streetcar fleet. People have gone to a lot of trouble to get it here. It's a one-time opportunity for Cincinnati and nearby cities with similar ambitions. Let's make the most of it.

 

See you there,

 

John Schneider

Wow, that's huge... I won't be able to make it to the press conference (conflict with my class schedule), but I'll be certain to check it out while it's on display.

 

I bet it was quite a logistical feat to get it here from Portland (and to return it). Who picked up the tab for transporting it?

 

Edit: Screw it, this is important enough to justify blowing off an hour or so of studio. I'll be there.

.

It is in United Streetcar's interest to help the city convince people and to build a relationship with the city... that way our fleet order keeps their factories humming.

 

Awesome opportunity!

Will there be a Streetcar Map on display at Fountain Square along with the streetcar itself? Based on my conversations with people who aren't closely following the project, there still seems to be a lot of confusion about where the route will go.

UOers going to the event can print some out to give to people just in case.

Just came from the "press conference." It was very informal. Mayor Mallory, Milton Dahoney, Laure Quinlavin, as well as some reps from Portland were there. Once in the car, the spaces usually occupied with ads had info about the streetcar project, such as economic benefits, ADA benefits, etc. There was a map of the route as well as some collateral with more info that people could take.

what was the crowd like #s wise?

what was the crowd like #s wise?

 

100 or so I'd say. I'm not positive

what was the crowd like #s wise?

 

"A lot of people who know each other" pretty much sums it up.

I'd never seen a streetcar in person before, so for me it was very impressive seeing how LARGE it truly is. Also, the seats are immensely comfortable. Much more so than bus seats. And the Portland fare system was on board. This may give people a taste of the type of amenities that Cincinnati will be afforded. I'm more excited than ever.

When the streetcar is up and running, I'd like to see one yellow one for nostalgia's sake.

A few photos from today's event:

 

 

 

 

 

An UrbanOhio.com moderator having fun at the controls:

 

 

Brad Thomas wasted no time finding the best seat in the house:

 

 

The entire photo album can be found here.

I guess it's red on one side and blue on the other so it can be photographed in either color?

 

 

^I think it's just red, white, and blue because of the "MADE IN USA" theme.  I suppose that's possible though.

^ This is the typical scheme for Portland's streetcars - one end and a side are one color, the other end and a side are another color. Every car is unique, and everyone seems to have a favorite car.

 

I'm partial to the lime/yellow streetcar.

 

Here they are:  http://www.pro-transit.com/PICS/

Here is a video I made today at the event:

 

Anyone interested in meeting up as a group near where the streetcar is sometime in the next few days?

Sure! For what purpose?

Mostly to put the faces with the screen names.

John what's a good time for you, how about later in the afternoon tomorrow? I'm also free after 4 or 5pm today.

^ Tuesday late afternoon would be good for me. Thinking Rock Bottom.

Why not combine that gathering with a purpose?

 

Everyone is welcome to attend All Aboard Ohio's next local meeting in Cincinnati:

 

Nov. 9th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; Hyde Park Public Library, 2747 Erie Avenue.

 

 

I think that sounds like a great idea! (and being able to get all of us in the streetcar would show how far this process has come).

 

Additionally, I was at Le Poste in Clifton with my girlfriend and she saw an older gentleman she knew- Bob something... he came by to say hi, and asked where we lived, I said Clifton, she said OTR and he said- "oh great, you could hop on the trolley", we both laughed and said ya it'll be great, and he patted me on the shoulder and replied, "it'll never get built, mark my words." 

 

I can't wait till construction starts... haha

^ This is the typical scheme for Portland's streetcars - one end and a side are one color, the other end and a side are another color. Every car is unique, and everyone seems to have a favorite car.

 

I'm partial to the lime/yellow streetcar.

 

Here they are: http://www.pro-transit.com/PICS/

 

Is that a new convention of theirs?  I seem to remember an all-red one and one that was green with an orange nose/tail.

It depends on what angle you're viewing the vehicle. From one angle, the streetcar currently on display at Fountain Square will appear all blue; from another angle, all red. From other angles, it will appear blue with a red end, or red with a blue end.

 

It's an interesting design strategy, although I hope Cincinnati does something original rather than merely copy what Portland did.

 

  We could paint them pink, with wings.  :-D

Portland's paint job is a good idea. It gives the impression that there are more streetcars than there really are if they are different colors depending from which side you see them.

Mr. Brad Thomas:

 

^ This is the typical scheme for Portland's streetcars - one end and a side are one color, the other end and a side are another color. Every car is unique, and everyone seems to have a favorite car.

 

I'm partial to the lime/yellow streetcar.

 

Here they are: http://www.pro-transit.com/PICS/

 

Is that a new convention of theirs? I seem to remember an all-red one and one that was green with an orange nose/tail.

 

They have always been this way. Because you can only see one side at a time, they appear the way you've described.

Mr. Brad Thomas:

 

The guy at 1:00 wrote this piece:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,22826.msg477158.html#msg477158

 

Another example of the small big town/big small town thing with Cincy.

No real surprise that the Enquirer has not published a story or photos of the streetcar on Fountain Square other than this blurb the day before it arrived.

 

All of the local television stations had some sort of story on it Friday.

^ I noticed that as well.

They will write something about it tues or wed when they are ready to ship it back.  Why inform your readers?  What a rag!

No real surprise that the Enquirer has not published a story or photos of the streetcar on Fountain Square other than this blurb the day before it arrived.

 

All of the local television stations had some sort of story on it Friday.

 

The Enquirer had a picture of it on the front page of the local section on Saturday

^ Enquirer or no Enquirer -- doesn't seem to have kept people away. I've dropped by several times, and there have always been 5-20 people in or around the streetcar. I'm guessing it will be swamped during the pre-game stuff on Fountain Square tonight.

 

Only met one hostile couple. They wouldn't say where they lived or even if they lived in the city. They wanted a jail instead.

**cough** racists? **cough**

I checked out the streetcar yesterday around lunchtime. It was a Sunday morning so hardly anyone was down. My wife and I and a nice couple from Clifton were there and we all were very impressed. Sure, it looks a little out of scale being up on a truck bed but the vehicle itself was impressive. The folks from Portland Streetcar were super nice too.

 

I know the vehicle hasn't been decided on but I'd like to go with Portland Streetcar since its made in America. The only gripe I have is that I don't like the design of the cabs. Overall though it's a great vehicle.

COAST will be there at 12:30 today holding a press conference, denouncing it as a "boondoggle" (yawn).

^The other finalist on the car design is also made in America.