^ I think Charlotte and Phoenix defeated similar efforts after construction began.

Anything can happen before construction is complete, but the bid award is an important milestone date. The bid award basicly gives the contractor permission to start, and promises to pay him for his work.

 

To my knowledge, there has been no bid award yet, for trackwork, vehicle purchase, maintenance facility, or anything else other than design. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. What has happened so far is design and a little bit of utility work.

 

What normally happens if the contract is cancelled after the bid is awarded? I don't know, because I've never seen it happen, but I imagine that the contractor can sue the city for payment.

No one knows what would happen, but we can all be sure the courts would be busy figuring that out for some time.

So the streetcar will loop back via Henry Street (per city's website) and not go all the way to McMicken (per cincy streetcar blog), right?

City, Duke making progress on relocating utilities

 

http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/cincinnati/City-Duke-making-progress-on-relocating-utility-lines/-/13549970/15148450/-/12bnhw6/-/index.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

So I was at a local Republican club meeting on the east side as a guest to present some projects I'm involved in.  Someone from the prosecutor's office was there to encourage people to vote for Dieters this fall.  One of the questions was whether or not Joe supports a bigger jail.  She really didn't answer the question but stated that there is definitely a need, as they are already releasing prisoners and that the casino and streetcar would increase the number of people needing to be jailed.  I almost drew blood at how hard I had to bite my tongue.

 

Don't even get me started on their discussion about city council and taxes.

Duke customers could face streetcar tab

Utility seeks OK to pass along line relocation costs

 

Duke Energy’s customers in the city of Cincinnati could end up paying to help relocate the utility’s lines for the streetcar, if state regulators allow Duke to recover costs related to mass transit projects.

 

With Duke and City Hall still trying to resolve what initially was a $12 million dispute over relocating utility lines to make way for streetcar tracks, Duke has informed the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that it intends to seek permission on ways to offset those expenses.

 

Under Duke’s proposal, the company could recover relocation costs stemming from a transit project “from either a local government or its residents,” said Duke spokesman Jason Walls.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120618/NEWS01/306190008/Duke-customers-could-face-streetcar-tab

So this morning 550's Brian Thomas complained about the city...having a separate capital and operations budget.  His quote was something like "when you and your wife get together to work on your budget, it's all one pot!".  You know what else Brian?  You and your wife aren't required to make every line in your budget public.  You can't sell bonds, either. 

I bet he and his wife aren't required by Ohio law to keep separate budgets either. Especially since he lives in Kentucky.

So this morning 550's Brian Thomas complained about the city...having a separate capital and operations budget.  His quote was something like "when you and your wife get together to work on your budget, it's all one pot!".  You know what else Brian?  You and your wife aren't required to make every line in your budget public.  You can't sell bonds, either. 

 

Why is a moron like that allowed to have a microphone and a transmitter?   I would love to see this guy's educational accomplishments. And if he graduated from college, whoever helped pay for it should demand a refund.

http://www.masstransitmag.com/press_release/10731483/cincinnati-metro-names-rail-manager-for-streetcar-project

 

"Cincinnati Metro Names Rail Manager for Streetcar Project "

 

Paul Grether has been named rail manager for Metro. In this role, he will manage Metro’s involvement in the Cincinnati Streetcar project.

 

Ultimately, Grether will be responsible for streetcar operations, vehicle maintenance, training, street supervision and other functions delineated in an operating agreement between the city of Cincinnati and Metro, which is being developed at this time.....

>Why is a moron like that allowed to have a microphone and a transmitter? I would love to see this guy's educational accomplishments. And if he graduated from college, whoever helped pay for it should demand a refund.

 

 

He is a graduate of UC Law and is a practicing attorney of some kind.  He has the radio gig because his dad was a long-time morning host.  So he inheritted all of his dad's old lady listeners and caters his whole show to them, including his monthly "listener lunches" where he and 30 of his closest old lady friends get together at an area restaurant.  What's wild is that Chris Smitherman has started coming to them, who no doubt will be hitting them up for campaign money if not outright swindling them out of their retirement savings with his financial planning day job. 

 

Duke customers could face streetcar tab

Utility seeks OK to pass along line relocation costs

And on the Toast blog:

 

"...Well, the largess of Mayor Mallory, who cares deeply about the little people, will drive more of them to fiscal ruin, just so he can have his toy streetcar, and his glass atrium on top of City Hall.

 

COAST is working on a strategy to encourage the PUCO to stop this looting of Cincinnati ratepayers dead in its tracks.

 

This Council, this Mayor, this Manager, are very simply bat shit crazy."

He is a graduate of UC Law and is a practicing attorney of some kind.

 

Certainly not in public finance. Even so, you don't need to have taken so much as a class in public finance or administrative law to understand why operating and capital accounts must be kept legally separate. I doubt he's ever heard the term "bond rating." Of course, if they get their way, these would be the first yahoos to complain to Moody's that the city's paying more in bond interest because their bond rating was lowered!

But wait, there's more...today at 11am Scott Sloan of 700WLW was aping Brian Thomas, again making the family budget analogy to municipal budgets.  When you hear different hosts using the same jargon, it's obvious that these talking points are being orchestrated by some unseen puppet master.  He was going nuts over the federal tiger grant only being able to pay for the streetcar and not potholes, or whatever.  He's like "when I get my paycheck, I can spend it on a new roof or water heater or whatever.  it doesn't say I can only spend it on a streetcar!". 

 

I don't remember talk radio being like this until around 1992 when Rush Limbaugh came on the scene and then all the local talk guys got in lock step.  It would be great to hear some vintage late 80s Bill Cunningham clips, when he was gushing with hometown pride. 

 

^It started when the Fairness Doctrine was idled in 1987 due to a U.S. Supreme Court case. Before that, it was against FCC regulations to have one-sided political talk shows. Each side of a controversial issue was required to be allotted equal air time. There was a bit of a lag as producers and hosts came up with ideas for one-sided talk radio formats.

 

You know what kind of governments don't keep separate budgets? Dictatorships.

You know what kind of governments don't keep separate budgets? Dictatorships.

 

What TIGER-III grant for the streetcar was announced today? The third paragraph of this article about road projects near Rickenbacker seems to indicate that there was one announced today. I can't find anything on the Enquirer's site.

 

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/19/pickaway-county-receives-grant-for-east-west-corridor.html

They're up to TIGER IV now. There's been no official announcement yet, but this guy was usually on top of the past TIGER award leaks and he's not disappointing again. Just because only one Ohio award is on this yet (so far), could mean that news hasn't leaked yet for other projects yet (only $217 million worth of award from the $500 million in this round has been leaked thus far)....

 

http://www.transportationissuesdaily.com/a-budding-comprehensive-list-of-tiger-4-grant-awards/

I'm pretty sure the reporter is thinking of the awards announced over the winter for Cleveland and Cincinnati.

 

Unofficial TIGER III Grant Awards

 

This shows Cincinnati receiving the Riverfront Loop extension and Cleveland getting money to "Relocate and construct the Mayfield Road Transit station, ClevelandRegional Transit Authority, Ohio". I think the author of the article may be correct about Columbus, but incorrect about Cincinnati and Cleveland. We will see though.

Also, here is the actual update from Sherrod Brown's website:

 

http://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-federal-resources-to-expand-rickenbacker-intermodal-facility-create-jobs-and-help-central-ohio-businesses-expand-market-access-

 

It doesn't look like the streetcar was the recipient of any awards this time around. Seems like the last paragraph simply states that the streetcar has been a recipient of TIGER funds.

Guys, We're now up to TIGER IV. If it doesn't say TIGER IV, disregard it. Use the link I just provided to get the first sneak peak at the TIGER IV awards list.

 

And note that less than half of the dollar amount of awards has been revealed so far.

Guys, We're now up to TIGER IV. If it doesn't say TIGER IV, disregard it.

And note that less than half of the dollar amount of awards has been revealed so far.

 

I realize that projects can be awarded TIGER grants more than once, but I was using the previous awards as evidence that the streetcar probably didn't get any awards this time and the article was simply referencing previous TIGER awards that we did receive.

 

Also, I think Brown would have put a little bit of info about the streetcar getting additional funds in that same release if he knows about it. I hope we get some though.

"If he knows about it." There are congresspersons and senators out there who don't yet know about $233 million worth of awards. And in past TIGER awards, Brown didn't list all of them at once. He announced them as he learned about them. And it's still possible that not all of the awards have been decided.

 

Here's the question: will a TIGER award in Cincinnati help any Democrat (including Obama or Brown) who is seeking re-election this fall? If so, then the Cincinnati Streetcar has a shot.

^ No, the question is whether the powers that be believe that to be the case.

^ No, the question is whether the powers that be believe that to be the case.

 

OK, fine. And which is usually based on polls, surveys and feedback from high-priced political consultants. :)

If there are polls and surveys about the effect of feds granting streetcar money on the reelection of Brown or Obama, I'd love to know!

If there are polls and surveys about the effect of feds granting streetcar money on the reelection of Brown or Obama, I'd love to know!

 

I don't know how specific they are, but I think you'd be very surprised the level of detail their polling, focus groups and surveys, mathematical modeling and so forth goes into such campaigning or the impact of specific and general policymaking. But it would not surprise me, considering how high-profile the streetcar issue has been and the hundreds of questions that get tested that a regional or state field office has not tested responses on that issue. As part of a national opinion assessment effort recently, two focus groups I helped lead in 2011 each lasted more than two hours and tested every major issue and many minor issues in that community. They were then provided to organizations which conduct transportation advocacy on a national level. So yes, local issues can and do affect national transportation policymaking.

 

Campaigns aren't about a candidate licking his finger and pointing it into the air to see which way the wind is blowing. Today it's about excruciating levels of data processed by computer models, statisticians, and policy analysts. They ultimately have it nailed down so much that the Southwest Ohio directors for the Obama campaign and for the Romney campaign probably do know exactly how people in a wide variety of demographic groups and political persuasions feel about major issues in those communities. And the streetcar project is s major issue. Local, regional or state campaign directors may be encouraging elected officials leaders to get more money to pending projects or push to complete projects in areas where their polling shows it can strengthen public opinion among likely voters in support of that candidate and other candidates in the same party who may be facing stiff challenges. The funding may or may not be streetcar-specific. Party leaders probably don't even care what the funding is for is as long as its "something" and its plays to the base. But before deciding whether to put money into that project, local, regional or state campaign leaders may look at their statistical analyses and check with campaign consultants to see if more funding will help or hurt the candidate among likely voters among various demographic groups who are may be leaning toward one candidate or the other. Or perhaps the funding should go elsewhere to help another candidate in a tougher race or where the likely voters may respond positively to it.

 

And if you still think I'm overstating things, consider this..... Both Strickland and Kasich had this level of detailed data on the 3C rail project. It showed Strickland could not win on the issue because the strongest support for 3C was among young people (especially women) who were unlikely to turn out at the polls in 2010. Strickland supporters who were likely to vote weren't very supportive of 3C. So Strickland was advised not to go on the offensive regarding 3C, as were top staff at ODOT. They were specifically told to lay low on 3C unless they had to answer a reporter's question. Meanwhile Kasich was advised to attack on the issue because it could anger and activate people most likely to vote for him -- older conservative men who were registered to vote. Yes, the data was that detailed and which allowed the political strategists to arrive at those conclusions. And sadly, they were right.

This is the type of media we are dealing with in this town.  A young girl is shot dead in OTR, and the Enquirer makes a point to showcase the following picture for page hits:

 

 

 

I know we're all supposed to mourn the decline of print journalism, but that sad decline has been entirely self-inflicted. I'll do a happy dance in the street the day Gannett finally pulls the plug on the Enquirer and shuts it down. And that day is coming soon; I'd bet good money that the Enquirer won't exist to cover the streetcar's grand opening. They've been actively cheerleading the city's failure for decades, and the city would be better off without them.

Overall, it was a disgusting piece of work by The Enquirer.  I mean, the headline was "Girl's blood marks Over-the-Rhine dividing line".  And there is absolutely no reason why they should have comments sections for violent crimes. 

And there is absolutely no reason why they should have comments sections for violent crimes. 

 

Right!  Seriously, that sort of thing takes the internet to classless levels.  Allowing some random joe to editorialize about how some unfortunate person's death is some sort of symbol for the failure of a neighborhood, is a disservice to the Hope family.  I feel bad for them and all those before them who have had their family's suffering turned into a message board style spectacle.

This is the type of media we are dealing with in this town.  A young girl is shot dead in OTR, and the Enquirer makes a point to showcase the following picture for page hits:

 

 

 

 

And, if you recall, in the glowing piece they wrote a few months ago on the improvements taking place in OTR, they never showed the route on the map or even mentioned the streetcar in the article -- not even one time.

And yet even more distortion from the fishwrap today:

 

Tax debate turns to streetcar

Current, former city officials argue funds

 

Written by

Barry M. Horstman

 

Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney Jr.’s request for a property tax increase has opened a new chapter in the city’s protracted streetcar debate, with critics attacking the proposal as a “hidden streetcar tax.”

 

It would not be the first one, the critics argue – a claim City Hall officials stoutly deny.

 

Twice in the past two years, the city approved increases to a portion of property taxes used to pay off bonds and notes related to city debts, according to Hamilton County auditor records.

 

The first time was in October 2010, only two months after City Council committed more than $100 million in grants and bonds to the streetcar project.

Is this the Enquirer article people are complaining about?

 

Maybe I’m optimistic but I thought it was really just a follow up to the article about the shooting, which they had put up earlier. This article seemed to be about development in OTR and how drive-by shootings on busy streets (with “no witnesses”) are going to become a thing of the past sooner or later.  The article pointed out that the bustling gateway quarter doesn’t see the type of behavior that is seen north of Liberty, and that development will come there eventually. 

I think the Enquirer itself isn't the problem.  Its Barry Horstman. 

Duke customers could face streetcar tab

Utility seeks OK to pass along line relocation costs

 

Duke Energy’s customers in the city of Cincinnati could end up paying to help relocate the utility’s lines for the streetcar, if state regulators allow Duke to recover costs related to mass transit projects.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120618/NEWS01/306190008/Duke-customers-could-face-streetcar-tab

Is this common in other towns?

Over at the Business Courier they also say Duke will want to be able to shut down the streetcar operations when they need to work too close.

Is that common policy?

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2012/06/duke-energy-floats-streetcar-solution.html

Duke customers could face streetcar tab

Utility seeks OK to pass along line relocation costs

 

Duke Energy’s customers in the city of Cincinnati could end up paying to help relocate the utility’s lines for the streetcar, if state regulators allow Duke to recover costs related to mass transit projects.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120618/NEWS01/306190008/Duke-customers-could-face-streetcar-tab

Is this common in other towns?

Over at the Business Courier they also say Duke will want to be able to shut down the streetcar operations when they need to work too close.

Is that common policy?

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2012/06/duke-energy-floats-streetcar-solution.html

 

How do they recover costs for relocating/extending utilities for suburban or road related projects? Mass transit construction fees should come from the same pot.

^ In Silverton they put in new traffic light at the corner of Plainfield and Montgomery Rd. This was completed about 2 years ago. Then a year later they tore everything up again at im sure higher costs.  Everything looks new again. Yet I  saw no increase in the bill.

 

I have no idea why they didn't do the work when they were putting in the new light. Crazy waste of money for all involved. Well waste of tax payer money.

Duke customers could face streetcar tab

Utility seeks OK to pass along line relocation costs

 

Duke Energy’s customers in the city of Cincinnati could end up paying to help relocate the utility’s lines for the streetcar, if state regulators allow Duke to recover costs related to mass transit projects.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120618/NEWS01/306190008/Duke-customers-could-face-streetcar-tab

Is this common in other towns?

Over at the Business Courier they also say Duke will want to be able to shut down the streetcar operations when they need to work too close.

Is that common policy?

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2012/06/duke-energy-floats-streetcar-solution.html

 

How do they recover costs for relocating/extending utilities for suburban or road related projects? Mass transit construction fees should come from the same pot.

 

For road projects, relocation of utilities is sometimes reimbursed by the DOT, if the utility has been there for some time, generally.  If they are in R/W by permission of the DOT (By permit), then the relocation cost is borne by the utility; and, most likely is passed onto the ratepayers. I posted some information upthread

I think the Enquirer itself isn't the problem.  Its Barry Horstman. 

 

Perhaps you might consider filing a complaint with the Society of Professional Journalists with incidents/dates cited for each offender (I recall that there is more than one offender in Cincy). Then write a press release about it, post it to a website and share the link on social media. If newspapers really are dying, then use the type of media that's supposedly causing their death. Yes, I realize newspapers are killing themselves as much as social media is, but use their eventual replacement to help expedite the process.

And here we go:

 

"Smitherman 'Postpone the streetcar and atrium projects'

 

http://www.fox19.com/story/18840543/council-member-calls-to-postpone-streetcar-and-atrium-projects

Well the way they put that story together they made it look like those Elm St. tracks are new.  I'd love to see a survey of how many people thought those tracks are new tracks.  Also, the reporter looked to be about 12 feet shorter than the cameraman.

Smitherman just called into 700wlw and said the streetcar will cost 1 billion dollars

 

He said voters were bamboozled last vote

He was already on 550 for 30 minutes earlier this morning.  Announced that the NAACP is devising a charter amendment that seeks to destroy the City Manager form of government, because "the mayor and council are hiding behind the City Manager".  Keep in mind that Smitherman is a former Charterrite, whose aim is to maintain the Charter form of government approved by voters in the November 1924 election.  So essentiall Smitherman want the return of machine politics.  I also suspect that he has cut some kind of deal behind the scenes with John Cranley.   

The city has got to go on the offensive in relation to PR. They cannot sit back and allow a few loudmouths to persuade public opinion with their propaganda

 

 

^They really just need to post a graphic with pictures of Milton Dohoney and all of the projects that have come on-line during his term as City Manager (The Banks, Fountain Square, Washington Park, etc.) on one side.  Then a dividing line with a picture of Smitherman and his accomplishments (?) on the ofther side.  Tag line... "Who's the real problem in Cincinnati's government?"  That would make who is actually working toward this city's future abundantly clear.

 

Smitherman has somehow managed to build a position of moderate power for himself, but what (if anything) has he done for Cincinnati?  How has he made this city better in any way?

^ So true. It is truly amazing how much progress has occurred during the Mallory/Dohoney tenure. When discussing the streetcar project with skeptics, I try to put it in context of all of the changes from the last half decade or so - fountain square, the banks, otr redevelopment, etc. I try to make a point that, first of all, this administration has credibility and a solid perspective on how to spur development, and secondly the streetcar is a thread that connects all the other pieces. 

Smitherman and the other clowns aren't worried that the streetcar will fail. They're worried it will succeed -- for a lot of reasons.

BTW, just because you've built a rail line or even a rail system as Houston has done (despite decades of fights), doesn't mean the fight is ever over......

 

TX: Culberson Inserts Metro Rail-Line Limits into Federal Spending Bill

STEWART M. POWELL

SOURCE: HOUSTON CHRONICLE

 

June 21--WASHINGTON -- For the first time in his long-running dispute with Houston Metro, Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, has managed to insert language into a $51.6 billion spending package that could block federal funding to expand the light rail system along Richmond and Post Oak.

 

Culberson, vowing to win passage of committee-approved restrictions by the entire House and Senate, told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday the restrictions would "protect the quality of life" of constituents along Richmond Avenue and prevent Houston Metro from expanding beyond what it can afford.

 

Metro chief Gilbert Garcia ducked a public fight with Culberson, a member of powerful House Appropriations Committee. Garcia hailed the legislation's inclusion of $200 million for Metro next year and said he hoped to work with Culberson to address the lawmaker's ongoing concerns.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/10732608/tx-culberson-inserts-metro-rail-line-limits-into-federal-spending-bill?cmpid=email_MASS120615002&utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS120615002