Good points on Kasich.  I am a little confused about the article that Cygnus posted from Channel 9 - in the Enquirer article on the subject they seem to be talking about the $45 M that the streetcar has already won and the new Mayor will simply ask Valerie Jarret to repurpose the money.  The Channel 9 article seems to imply that the $44 M is part of the money turned down by Kasich in 2011 (the $50 M), and they could have discussions to save the project.    Thoughts?

You can bet Mark Mallory has a direct number to Valerie and Foxx, and that he is not going to let Cranley do that

I'm starting to see a real pattern of DINOs in Cincinnati politics. The R's extreme right-wing and the Tea Party have destroyed their brand so badly, especially in cities, that the only way for them to get a foothold is to manufacture DINOs such as Cranley and The American Dream Dusty Rhodes or even quasi-independents such as Slitherman. These people prey on under-informed voters (targeting minorities for sure) that think, "D is good!" without questioning what's going on. They won't be able to do it forever, but it has worked so far. People will start figuring out what's going on -- after which these DINOs and the local Democratic Party as a whole will suffer greatly.

:-D

 

I'm suspicious that the Democrat party rigged this election.  Cranley is obviously much more valuable to the party in 8 years than would be an almost 70 year-old Roxanne, and the presence of two D's kept the R's from showcasing one of their next Brad Wenstrup.  The presence of two white candidates kept surprises from the black electorate at a minimum.  Plus, both she and Mark Mallory were completely calm and unconcerned about the fate of the streetcar project last night at the election party.  So is there actually a smooth transition of power occurring as we speak?  Did Cranley make a deal to keep the streetcar project happening in exchange for the mayor's office?  Will Roxanne soon be named U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso?

Within 1 day after being elected mayor,  john Cranley has already split the Democrat party in Hamilton County.  Tim Burke let this happen

Interesting theory (even if it is unlikely).

 

Perhaps a more likely reason that Qualls was so calm last night was that her campaign's pre-election polls probably showed Cranley with a big enough lead that it would be nearly impossible to overcome.  I think deep down inside, Qualls was already expecting the defeat, and the official results just confirmed the inevitable for her. 

 

I was really disappointed by the results last night.  Going back closer to the primary, I had a feeling that Cranley was going to run away with this race, but I was getting excited reading the posting on here the last week or two, and I really did believe the postings on here that said the race was close enough that it was within the margin of error of the polls.  I guess that data proved to not a very accurate reflection of the race.

You know who really needs to get all up Cranley's ass about this and has been way too quiet all throughout the project?  P&G, Macy's, Kroger, 5/3.  Seriously, they're always crying about not being able to attract good talent.  I know I've brought this up before from time to time, but honestly, where have they been in all this?  Any one of those companies could bankroll the whole project if they wanted to.  What good is having a bunch of Fortune 500 companies in town if they don't do squat for it? 

 

That'll never happen.  What should and may be possible, though still a long shot, is to get some of the companies that have recently moved or announced plans to open shop along the lines say the streetcar weighed into their decision.  I have to believe the locally owned OTR shops are strong supporters of the streetcar.  They need to speak up as well as some of the bigger companies/hotels/etc that are in the CBD that recently moved business here.

^Add Horseshoe to that list.  They aren't streetcar dependent, but I think I remember hearing that the CEO of Harrah's is pro-rail.

^Add Horseshoe to that list.  They aren't streetcar dependent, but I think I remember hearing that the CEO of Harrah's is pro-rail.

yes - he came out pro-streetcar

Tim Burke definitely wanted Cranley to win this election. Despite Roxanne being better for Mayor of Cincinnati, Cranley was better for the Democratic Party. Just as Jake said. They want him to pursue higher office. Hopefully he does just that in 4 years and essentially gives Qualls the reigns in the next election without completely dismantling the progress that has happened so far under Mallory. I think it would be hard to find someone who is more qualified or motivated to make Cincinnati a better place than Roxanne Qualls. Hope everything works out fine.

For fun, here is a drawing showing all of the streetcar lines in 1912:

For fun, here is a drawing showing all of the streetcar lines in 1912:

 

For fun?! I guess a bit like sadomasochistic fun! Reminds me so much of Danish cities that ripped their streetcars up and are now trying to build them again. I guess there is comfort in knowing that Cincinnati is not alone...

^With the labor we have today it's impossible to have that kinda system today.

Wall street journal has contacted Derek bauman about the streetcar. They talked. More coming The fight is going national.

 

If Cranley kills it,  everyone is going to know about it.  If Cranley truly has higher political aspirations,  were about to find out

I'm suspicious that the Democrat party rigged this election.  Cranley is obviously much more valuable to the party in 8 years than would be an almost 70 year-old Roxanne, and the presence of two D's kept the R's from showcasing one of their next Brad Wenstrup.  The presence of two white candidates kept surprises from the black electorate at a minimum.  Plus, both she and Mark Mallory were completely calm and unconcerned about the fate of the streetcar project last night at the election party.  So is there actually a smooth transition of power occurring as we speak?  Did Cranley make a deal to keep the streetcar project happening in exchange for the mayor's office?  Will Roxanne soon be named U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso?

 

Guys, be scientific.  The simplest explanation is the most likely.  28%-29% of people voted.  Cranley won with 16% of the vote.  Roxanne ran a terrible campaign.  She didn't plan it, didn't think it through, and assumed that she could run the same sort of campaign she always ran for Council.  Why she didn't realize that she wouldn't get as many votes as she usually does in a race where people can't vote for multiple candidates is a question only she can answer.  The local Democratic party is too incompetent to plan some grand conspiracy.  Roxanne lost the race through her own faults.

As the shock of this election begins to fade, I think it's critically important to not give up. I'd suggest working with developers and business owners, as well as the contractors actually doing the construction to a) call on Cranley and council members to impress upon them the support for this project. It might be a good time for the contractors to directly tell Cranley that any attempt to kill the streetcar would result in legal action for breach of contract, and b) ask these and other stakeholders to bankroll a new ballot issue in the event that Cranley DOES try to kill the streetcar. If victorious, this coalition could later push for more service.

 

This thing is not over by a longshot. That's what sets it apart from what Kasich did with the 3C project.

I'm suspicious that the Democrat party rigged this election.  Cranley is obviously much more valuable to the party in 8 years than would be an almost 70 year-old Roxanne, and the presence of two D's kept the R's from showcasing one of their next Brad Wenstrup.  The presence of two white candidates kept surprises from the black electorate at a minimum.  Plus, both she and Mark Mallory were completely calm and unconcerned about the fate of the streetcar project last night at the election party.  So is there actually a smooth transition of power occurring as we speak?  Did Cranley make a deal to keep the streetcar project happening in exchange for the mayor's office?  Will Roxanne soon be named U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso?

 

Guys, be scientific.  The simplest explanation is the most likely.  28%-29% of people voted.  Cranley won with 16% of the vote.  Roxanne ran a terrible campaign.  She didn't plan it, didn't think it through, and assumed that she could run the same sort of campaign she always ran for Council.  Why she didn't realize that she wouldn't get as many votes as she usually does in a race where people can't vote for multiple candidates is a question only she can answer.  The local Democratic party is too incompetent to plan some grand conspiracy.  Roxanne lost the race through her own faults.

 

100% agreed.  Roxanne lost because she did not run a good campaign.  Cranley dictated the message(streetcar and parking) at every turn and she never 'punched back'

 

Cranley fundraised at tea party/GOP parties and used that money to helped built a coalition of more prominent local figures(Sure he paid them but nevertheless). I've heard from numerous prominent ppl in the black community that Qualls never 'returned their calls'

 

This is about voter turnout.  Anyways, Cranley is in Washington right now meeting with people to get out of the streetcar contracts and use the money for MLK interchange.  Lets hope Mallory is active as well

Here comes the national attention

 

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304672404579182001569711422

 

 

I just get: "Cincinnati's New Mayor Calls Halt to Streetcar Project

Log In"

 

Do you have the printer friendly version? Sometimes that works with the WSJ.

Anyways, Cranley is in Washington right now meeting with people to get out of the streetcar contracts and use the money for MLK interchange.  Lets hope Mallory is active as well

 

I'm still not 100% clear on that $44M.  Does that figure represent money already assigned to the streetcar project or money previously refused by Kasich?  Is Valerie Jarrett trying to stop Cranley from killing the project via redirected funds, or is Cranley trying to redirect already assigned funds?  Is there a good article on this, because that Kevin Osborne article left me with more questions than answers.

^^copy and paste the headline into google and then click on the article.

Wall Street Journal against takes the faux-conservative stance. They published no interviews of advocates of the project, including those who would also move out of Cincinnati if the project were stopped.

Pretty terrible piece.

Everyone should take a moment and write to Senator Brown. He has supported the streetcar in the past and opposed Steve Chabot's attempt to ban federal funding for the project.

 

Senator Brown:

 

I am writing to you to respectfully ask for your continued support of the Cincinnati Streetcar Project.

 

As you know, the Cincinnati Streetcar has faced a string of political hurdles in recent years. Opponents have collected signatures and forced two referenda on the issue, and in both cases, Cincinnati voted in favor of rail transportation.

 

Today, Cincinnati Mayor Elect John Cranley announced that he intends to cancel the Streetcar Project, and is seeking to divert federal funding from the Streetcar to other projects, including a new highway interchange.

 

It would be incredibly irresponsible for Mr. Cranley to stop the Streetcar, which is already under construction. Additionally, he would be disregarding the will of the voters who have approved the Streetcar on two occasions.

 

In 2012, I wrote to you about the Cincinnati Streetcar. In your response, you stated that public transportation "improves air quality, and helps reduce energy usage," and that the Cincinnati Streetcar "will connect neighborhoods across the city’s urban core, improving accessibility for thousands of people."

 

A new highway interchange does not help us improve air quality or connect urban neighborhoods. It will not have the same economic development or quality-of-life benefits as the Streetcar.

 

The federal funding that Cincinnati has received to build the Streetcar should be used for its intended purpose and not diverted to other projects.

 

 

Thank you,

 

Travis Estell

Cincinnati, Ohio

 

Send him a message at: http://www.brown.senate.gov/contact/

The Enquirer posted that they are getting flooded with emails to Cranley to save the streetcar. Add your voice here: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/07/enquirer-readers-to-john-cranley-save-the-streetcar/

Here comes the national attention

 

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304672404579182001569711422

 

 

 

The one (completely random) person they interview, Mike Gendron, is some old fart living in Mt. Adams. He's exactly the type of entitled geriatric that continues to resist any positive change in Cincinnati - they want things to stay the same because they live comfortable lives. He's the epitome of the type of person that shows up to vote.

So they interviewed one guy that threatens to leave if the streetcar is built. But they didn't interview any of the hundreds of OTR residents and business owners that would not be here if the streetcar wasn't being built.

Sent an email to Sherrod Brown and filled out the Enquirer form (sent to City Council). MoveOn petition is up to 2,011 signatures.

As of yesterday, CAF spokeswoman Virginia Verdeja said CAF has not heard anything from Cincinnati yet & does not expect its contract w Cincinnati to be canceled.

What's next for the Cincinnati streetcar project?

Mayor-elect ran on anti-streetcar platform

 

A day after mayor-elect John Cranley reiterated his biggest election promise, to stop the streetcar project, received a possible offer that might save it.

 

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama invited Cranley to Washingon DC to discuss reprogramming $44M in streetcar grants, according WCPO's Kevin Osborne.

 

Those grants were originally turned down by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2011.

 

The city was able to recoup some of that grant money when it brokered a deal with the Obama administration.

 

Cont

 

Wow.  That would be huge. 

Everyone should take a moment and write to Senator Brown. He has supported the streetcar in the past and opposed Steve Chabot's attempt to ban federal funding for the project.

 

Senator Brown:

 

I am writing to you to respectfully ask for your continued support of the Cincinnati Streetcar Project.

 

As you know, the Cincinnati Streetcar has faced a string of political hurdles in recent years. Opponents have collected signatures and forced two referenda on the issue, and in both cases, Cincinnati voted in favor of rail transportation.

 

Today, Cincinnati Mayor Elect John Cranley announced that he intends to cancel the Streetcar Project, and is seeking to divert federal funding from the Streetcar to other projects, including a new highway interchange.

 

It would be incredibly irresponsible for Mr. Cranley to stop the Streetcar, which is already under construction. Additionally, he would be disregarding the will of the voters who have approved the Streetcar on two occasions.

 

In 2012, I wrote to you about the Cincinnati Streetcar. In your response, you stated that public transportation "improves air quality, and helps reduce energy usage," and that the Cincinnati Streetcar "will connect neighborhoods across the city’s urban core, improving accessibility for thousands of people."

 

A new highway interchange does not help us improve air quality or connect urban neighborhoods. It will not have the same economic development or quality-of-life benefits as the Streetcar.

 

The federal funding that Cincinnati has received to build the Streetcar should be used for its intended purpose and not diverted to other projects.

 

 

Thank you,

 

Travis Estell

Cincinnati, Ohio

 

Send him a message at: http://www.brown.senate.gov/contact/

 

Done!

What's next for the Cincinnati streetcar project?

Mayor-elect ran on anti-streetcar platform

 

A day after mayor-elect John Cranley reiterated his biggest election promise, to stop the streetcar project, received a possible offer that might save it.

 

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama invited Cranley to Washingon DC to discuss reprogramming $44M in streetcar grants, according WCPO's Kevin Osborne.

 

Those grants were originally turned down by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2011.

 

The city was able to recoup some of that grant money when it brokered a deal with the Obama administration.

 

Cont

 

Wow.  That would be huge. 

 

This article has been updated.  It now reads:

 

"A day after mayor-elect John Cranley reiterated his biggest election promise, to stop the streetcar project, received a possible offer that might give the city more cash.

 

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama invited Cranley to Washington DC to discuss reprogramming $44M in streetcar grants, according WCPO's Kevin Osborne.

 

Those grants were originally earmarked for only the streetcar and turned down by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2011."

As of yesterday, CAF spokeswoman Virginia Verdeja said CAF has not heard anything from Cincinnati yet & does not expect its contract w Cincinnati to be canceled.

 

Bring on the lawsuits, bring on the petition drive (2 or 3 even). I love for any cancellation to be as difficult as it was to start building.

 

And someone needs to keep a running total of how much Cranley is costing the city (lawyers, etc) with his cancellation.

^^Well that sucks.  I don't think he should be able to use it for anything that isn't transit related.  But again, his article is unclear.  If the funds were turned down by Kasich in 2011, does that mean that it's money that isn't currently being factored into the streetcar budget or money that they are trying to repurpose FROM the current streetcar budget.

What's next for the Cincinnati streetcar project?

Mayor-elect ran on anti-streetcar platform

 

A day after mayor-elect John Cranley reiterated his biggest election promise, to stop the streetcar project, received a possible offer that might save it.

 

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama invited Cranley to Washingon DC to discuss reprogramming $44M in streetcar grants, according WCPO's Kevin Osborne.

 

Those grants were originally turned down by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2011.

 

The city was able to recoup some of that grant money when it brokered a deal with the Obama administration.

 

Cont

 

Wow.  That would be huge. 

 

This article has been updated.  It now reads:

 

"A day after mayor-elect John Cranley reiterated his biggest election promise, to stop the streetcar project, received a possible offer that might give the city more cash.

 

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama invited Cranley to Washington DC to discuss reprogramming $44M in streetcar grants, according WCPO's Kevin Osborne.

 

Those grants were originally earmarked for only the streetcar and turned down by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2011."

 

We'll see.  Kevin Osborne is firmly in Cranley's pocket.  That wouldn't be good news at all

I'm really confused by this whole story. The current grants the feds are giving us are not being repurposed, right? It is part of the $52 million that Kasich turned down?

In 2009, 40,288 voters said "No on 9," which allowed the streetcar project to proceed.

 

In 2011, 37,462 voters said "No on 48,"  which allowed the streetcar project to proceed.

 

In 2013, 32,716 voters voted for John Cranley, and somehow we're supposed to believe that this election was a referendum on the streetcar?

I'm really confused by this whole story. The current grants the feds are giving us are not being repurposed, right? It is part of the $52 million that Kasich turned down?

 

It is confusing, but the way I see it, this is about Cranley going to Washington to try to get the administration to let him use the FEDERAL funding for other projects.  I think the $52 million in state funding is long gone, and there's no hope for any of that money coming back for any project.  I could definitely be wrong, however.

This sounds like MAYBE Jarret will say "finish the streetcar construction, and we can repurpose some grant money that kasich gave back to us for your other projects."

^ That is a much better interpretation.  Let's go with that ;)

It's been ages since I've posted, but I'm hoping that someone can shed some light on this.

 

It's my understanding that most or all of the federal funds received in support of the streetcar were use-constrained, like the FTA's urban circulator grant. I suppose the TIGER 3 funds could be reappropriated. What money of the 44M is fungible? If we want to make a case about how much money the city will lose, this is a crucial point.

 

If Cranley can just put a call in to Valerie Jarret and put the whole funding at risk, well, then I've had a very naive understanding of federal grant making.

 

The reporting on this is awful, trying to get a clearer picture.

 

 

OK, partial answer to my own question. Statutory requirements for the Urban Circulator Grants.

 

http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/about_FTA_11006.html#statutory_requirements_to_use_Section_5309

 

Yes. To be eligible for funding under Section 5309, a project must be based on the results of an alternative analysis and preliminary engineering.  In addition, a project must meet one of the following guideway criteria:

 

Be a fixed guideway for at least 50% of the project length in the peak period OR

Be a corridor-based bus project with

Substantial Transit Stations

Signal Priority/Pre-emption (for Bus/LRT)

Low Floor / Level Boarding Vehicles

Special Branding of Service

Frequent Service - 10 min peak/15 min off peak

Service offered at least 14 hours per day

 

So $25MM of that money at least, can't be used for MLK exchange. Hop On certainly doesn't seem like a corridor based bus project.

^So it could be repurposed to a new Metro*PLUS route along Reading, Madison, or Hamilton then... Assuming it meets all of the requirements (I don't believe the current Metro*PLUS has signal prioritization or "substantial" transit stations (though it does seem to be the goal in the long run).

The "state" money cut by Kasich in 2011 was in fact federal money that the states got to allocate as they wished. 

The current PLUS route doesn't meet the frequency requirements either.

 

If they tried to repurpose the UCG, would they be able to use the same feasibility study and alternatives analysis that was done for the streetcar grant? Certainly seems like no. It looks to me like the UCG is the line to fight on. Might want to make that specific point in communication to Brown and the incoming council.

 

Looking to the group to correct me if I'm wrong. Cranley certainly thinks so...

The "state" money cut by Kasich in 2011 was in fact federal money that the states got to allocate as they wished. 

 

Right Jake. I'm trying to understand the federal money left in the project. Cranley seems to think you just ask and the money moves wherever you like. I'm hoping we don't live in that world.

 

Roughly:

$25MM from FTA Urban Circulator grant, as mentioned above.

$4 MM from FTA passthrough to OKI CMAQ

$16MM from TIGER3 from USDOT

 

My very limited understanding suggests only that $16 mil could be easily reassigned. If that's the case, the city is getting a raw deal in any cancellation.

Federal money is highly regulated and subject to complicated environmental reviews. If the planning process shows the funding should be used a certain way yet is awarded in a different way, it would completely undermine the entire NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process that has been in force since the 1960s and guides all federally funded/regulated construction projects. And it will almost certainly trigger a lawsuit from well-funded environmental organizations who would fight to the death to protect NEPA.

 

The $16 million from the TIGER program is, by definition, a flexible transportation program. However, the Obama Administration has been giving greater priority to spending these funds on projects that promote sustainability AND jobs. If the city gives these funds back, they would either be subject to an RFP by applicants nationwide or simply awarded to the previously highest ranked project(s) somewhere in the USA which has yet to receive TIGER funding.

Twitter is incredible sometimes

The "state" money cut by Kasich in 2011 was in fact federal money that the states got to allocate as they wished. 

 

Right Jake. I'm trying to understand the federal money left in the project. Cranley seems to think you just ask and the money moves wherever you like. I'm hoping we don't live in that world.

 

Roughly:

$25MM from FTA Urban Circulator grant, as mentioned above.

$4 MM from FTA passthrough to OKI CMAQ

$16MM from TIGER3 from USDOT

 

My very limited understanding suggests only that $16 mil could be easily reassigned. If that's the case, the city is getting a raw deal in any cancellation.

 

The only money that can be reassigned is the CMAQ. Tiger and Urban Circulator Grants are subject to intense competition and environmental analysis. The Hop-On people would have to issue an RFP for consultants under a Federally-approved procurement. The environmental analysis would not be transferrable even it it used the identical route. And if they received Federal funds, they would have to have union drivers from Local 12 of the ATU. Their proposed costs would be much, much higher than what they have been talking about.

 

All together now: "$41 million of the $45 million in Federal funds for the Cincinnati Streetcar will just go to another city if it's not used here in Cincinnati."

The "state" money cut by Kasich in 2011 was in fact federal money that the states got to allocate as they wished. 

 

Right Jake. I'm trying to understand the federal money left in the project. Cranley seems to think you just ask and the money moves wherever you like. I'm hoping we don't live in that world.

 

Roughly:

$25MM from FTA Urban Circulator grant, as mentioned above.

$4 MM from FTA passthrough to OKI CMAQ

$16MM from TIGER3 from USDOT

 

My very limited understanding suggests only that $16 mil could be easily reassigned. If that's the case, the city is getting a raw deal in any cancellation.

 

The only money that can be reassigned is the CMAQ. Tiger and Urban Circulator Grants are subject to intense competition and environmental analysis. The Hop-On people would have to issue an RFP for consultants under a Federally-approved procurement. The environmental analysis would not be transferrable even it it used the identical route. And if they received Federal funds, they would have to have union drivers from Local 12 of the ATU. Their proposed costs would be much, much higher than what they have been talking about.

 

All together now: "$41 million of the $45 million in Federal funds for the Cincinnati Streetcar will just go to another city if it's not used here in Cincinnati."

 

 

 

Thanks for the clarification and input on this. 

 

So if $41 million of the $45 million cannot be re-assigned, then what's the purpose of inviting Cranley to DC for discussion?  Any insight that you've heard regarding this that you could share?