Where can I find more images like that! I've only been in the region for a few years and would love to see some great shots of Cincy over the years.

 

Look at the sidewalks! They look packed.

 

That's approximately 7th and vine right?

 

Location is 5th & Vine?

^ The signs right at the forefront are 6th, the first intersection you can see is 7th.

"That makes me wonder if there's going to be any effort to clean things up a bit along the streetcar route."

 

I read that in other cites such as Denver, up to half of the cost of light rail was attributed to "urban design," which I assume is pavement, curbs, lights, street furniture, shelters, etc.

 

In Europe I noticed that many streets didn't have streetlights on poles, but lights attached to buildings, or simply enough light coming out from within the building. Also, streets with catenary often didn't have other overhead utility lines.

 

For all that has been said about the visual effect of catenary, it seems that addition of catenary and removal of all other overhead utilities as well as most poles would really make a much better appearance than what we have today.

I noticed that in Denmark (and indeed a number of places in Scandinavia and Europe) they hang their street lights from wires strung rather taught overhead, even on major freeways.  It's actually not that unlike the Beechmont levee, only done much more tidy.  In tight urban areas the wires are attached directly to buildings rather than poles.  I find that rather amusing to see in countries that have been so thorough about burying their electrical infrastructure otherwise.  Google Street View

 

I'd also like to mention that overhead catenary is overkill for streetcars, and even many light rail projects where it's running on the street.  A directly suspended wire is much less visually intrusive than catenary. 

 

The Cincinnati streetcar should be using something like this or this instead of this.  Don't laugh at that last photo, that HAS been done in urban areas for light rail projects.  Baltimore's light rail uses catenary, though it's all done with wires instead of the large poles and brackets, but it's still pretty elaborate.

>Where can I find more images like that!

 

Sorry, Cincinnatians were too busy watching TV to take photos of their city back then. 

Great shot of Vine Street. 

 

Looks like the Theatre was still there in 1973:

 

 

In somewhat streetcar related news, Smitherman said he's running for mayor in 2013. 

In somewhat streetcar related news, Smitherman said he's running for mayor in 2013.

 

I can only imagine...with the dribble that comes out of his mouth on his local TV program...WOW.

They start tonight in College Hill

 

 

Streetcar foes start petition drive to block spending

By Barry M. Horstman • [email protected] • January 19, 2011

 

 

Setting the stage for a second ballot showdown over the Cincinnati streetcar, opponents have started circulating petitions for a proposed charter amendment to block City Hall from spending any money on the $128 million-plus project for the next 10 years.

 

The courts, however, may have the first say on the measure, a decision that could determine whether voters have theirs later this year - by which time construction of the Downtown-to-Uptown line could be under way.

 

The essential question posed by that prospective and potentially messy scenario is whether the streetcar project could be halted midstream, perhaps leaving half-built tracks to become a modern equivalent of Cincinnati's unfinished subway tunnels from the early 1900s.

 

On that key point, the two sides are diametrically opposed.

 

cont

In somewhat streetcar related news, Smitherman said he's running for mayor in 2013. 

 

Doesn't surprise me. I can't really see him getting enough support to get elected, but who knows.

 

I just wish the streetcar opponents would stop finding more red tape to 'wrap' around the project. Now there's some gibberish about assuring the streetcar project will not detract from the historic aspects of OTR.

They start tonight in College Hill

 

 

Streetcar foes start petition drive to block spending

By Barry M. Horstman [email protected] January 19, 2011

 

 

Setting the stage for a second ballot showdown over the Cincinnati streetcar, opponents have started circulating petitions for a proposed charter amendment to block City Hall from spending any money on the $128 million-plus project for the next 10 years.

 

The courts, however, may have the first say on the measure, a decision that could determine whether voters have theirs later this year - by which time construction of the Downtown-to-Uptown line could be under way.

 

The essential question posed by that prospective and potentially messy scenario is whether the streetcar project could be halted midstream, perhaps leaving half-built tracks to become a modern equivalent of Cincinnati's unfinished subway tunnels from the early 1900s.

 

On that key point, the two sides are diametrically opposed.

 

cont

 

I shouldn't be surprised by this, but I kind of can't help it.  I mean, who would of thought they'd be desperate enough to try this again?  GOD! I am so SICK of these morons! 

Well, what can we do to stop them from running OUR city?!

One problem with Smitherman running is he'll draw the black vote away from the democrat, helping the republican.

Leave it to Chris "any means any" Finney to come up with yet more completely idiotic and broad-reaching language for this nonsense.  A perfect anti-campaign for this vote (if it makes it past legal muster) is that even if the Feds, the State, or some philanthropic individual wanted to pay for the system, the City still wouldn't be allowed to build it. 

If Smitherman can run for mayor, it seems like any idiot can. I am putting my name in for 2013.

Great shot of Vine Street.

 

Looks like the Theatre was still there in 1973:

 

 

 

Now THAT'S nice.

Sadly, the streetcar opponents continue to gain strength as this project is endlessly delayed.  I know there are reasons, but let's face the facts.  We will have to continue to fight for this project until the first rail is put in the ground.  Honestly, I'm feeling fatigue constantly sticking up for the project.  I just hope other supporters have more energy than I do.

Ok. So what's the next step for streetcar supporters? What is Cincinnatians for Progress doing? What can the rest of us do? I have the energy. I'm young, and I want the best for this city that I now call home. We need to kick NCAAP/COAST out of our city.

I live in Indy and want to see this project happen for more reasons than just the benefits of seeing a streetcar roll through places it should be rolling through.

 

This has regional implications.

 

Someone should pay for a full page ad in the Enquirer touting the economic benefits of this, and how many other organizations have studied this and called it a firm economic driver. Get the message to the people.

Neville! You should join Cincinnatians for Progress. I know they have capacity and a need.

Someone should pay for a full page ad in the Enquirer touting the economic benefits of this, and how many other organizations have studied this and called it a firm economic driver. Get the message to the people.

 

I wouldn't spend a nickel on the Enquirer. And it's not my anti-old media bias talking here. Quite simply, the Enquirer's readership is not the market you need to reach. You need to build a base among the younger people. There needs to be a TV infomercial on streetcar benefits so people can see it and hear it. Then post it on the web -- ie: if it's a 30-minute infomercial, break it up into 10-minute segments and post all three on YouTube. And while you're at it, get a speakers bureau with materials understandable by children and start combing the schools for educational speaking engagements. Get the young involved before the other side does.

Ok. So what's the next step for streetcar supporters? What is Cincinnatians for Progress doing? What can the rest of us do? I have the energy. I'm young, and I want the best for this city that I now call home. We need to kick NCAAP/COAST out of our city.

 

EDIT

 

 

Anybody in Hamilton County can use Media Bridges to get on local access cable (Time Warner). Sillyman uses it all the time. You have to attend an orientation seminar & then go thru 1 or 2 of their very easy training classes to familiarize yourself with the equipment.

If anybody is interested, I would be glad to help. I would have to do one of the classes again because it has been a few years since I did it before.

http://www.mediabridges.org/

It's free.

Another angle to bring up in the debate is that much of the opposition is coming from outside the city limits.  Finney and I think some of the other COAST folks don't even live in Cincinnati.  So who do they think they are, trying to tell those of us who do live in the city what we should do within our own borders? 

 

Even the opposition that's coming from within the city tends to be from the more outlying suburban neighborhoods like Westwood, College Hill, Mt. Lookout, or Mt. Washington.  They can have SOME say in the project, but not veto power, because the benefits of tax revenue that are realized along the route will be available to use in projects throughout the city.  People need to realize that though.  This notion that "anything which doesn't directly benefit me is bad" is very pervasive in Cincinnati and the midwest in general, and it's very toxic. 

 

What we don't see is any opposition coming from neighborhoods along the route.  The Mt. Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Findlay Market, and many other businesses along the way are all in favor of the project, but all the focus in the media is on the naysayers from the suburbs.  Interestingly, this is the opposite situation of most major road and highway projects.  In those cases the local neighborhoods are bludgeoned by suburban interests to destroy themselves "for the greater good" of more traffic, wider streets, sprawl, and pollution.  However, when a project is proposed that will strengthen those inner-city neighborhoods without affecting those suburbs at all, it's still demonized.  Double standard maybe?

Neville! You should join Cincinnatians for Progress. I know they have capacity and a need.

 

I already am.

Can we get our own petition going to have the charter amended to make it more difficult to put dumb alterations to a vote?  The streetcar is just the issue du jour for Smitherman.  This is all about making himself feel important.  After this is over, he'll be touting some other idea to keep himself in the news.

Can we get our own petition going to have the charter amended to make it more difficult to put dumb alterations to a vote? The streetcar is just the issue du jour for Smitherman. This is all about making himself feel important. After this is over, he'll be touting some other idea to keep himself in the news.

 

Nope, its State Law

BTW it's just my opinion but I fail to see the wisdom of spelling out any strategies on this or any other publicly-accessible site.

 

Unfortunately The Enquirer continues to AGGRANDIZE Smitherman and provide him a prominent forum.  Anyone can see he's been using the NAACP to further his personal political ambitions, with the help of his main enabler, The Enquirer. 

 

And what does The Enquirer get in return besides a higher-frequency of hits on its website when it runs a Streetcar or Smitherman article?  It scores points with and offers affirmation to its suburban/exurban readership by portraying Cincinnati politics as a 3-ring circus led by Bozo-in-chief Smitherman, as well as perpetuating myths it thinks its suburban readers believe in:  that urban living is less desirable and less in demand than it really is, and that it requires more subsidy than suburban living.  Simply put, The Enquirer panders to its subscribers. 

Someone else has posted here that "they" have a lot of support. Someone else said if it went to a referendum, most people in general arent educated enough to know right from wrong, and simply know all the negative propaganda being spewed.

 

Unless the general public is educated on why this is a good idea, it could easily get voted down. In this case, representative democracy worked and the project is moving forward. Because only key people needed to be sold on the concept.

 

Grassroots education works, but it takes a while to reach large amounts of people unless you start with a lot.

^ I think we're fine, really.

 

John, was this an expected move? Does their argument hold water?  Are you hearing any other feedback from the Solicitor on whether it will get through the court?

^ I expected they would do this.

 

I wouldn't want to speculate on the legal aspects because I assume streetcar opponents read everything we write here.

^ I expected they would do this.

 

I wouldn't want to speculate on the legal aspects because I assume streetcar opponents read everything we write here.

 

I hear you.  I appreciate the response though.

Where's Smitherman and the NAACP when two black men shoot up Tucker's? Where is Smitherman when those two black gunmen shoot a black young women and paralyze her?

 

If he gives a damn about Cincinnati, OTR, or the advancement of colored people, it's mighty hard to tell.

Smitherman only cares about himself.  I know most people here hated 700 WLW, but their sound bites of Smitherman are hilarious. 

Only in Cincinnati do the Tea Party and NAACP unite more often than not.

Only in Cincinnati do the Tea Party and NAACP unite more often than not.

 

In your world Tea Party = COAST? I don't agree with your calculus.

Sadly to say, we're in deep s**t  if Smitherman runs for council/mayor - and he will run.  As mentioned by others, he's nothing more than a self-serving professional troublemaker who will sucker-punch any progress this city tries to make.  And, like some Freddy Krueger apparition, he just won't go away.

Sadly to say, we're in deep s**t  if Smitherman runs for council/mayor - and he will run.  As mentioned by others, he's nothing more than a self-serving professional troublemaker who will sucker-punch any progress this city tries to make.  And, like some Freddy Krueger apparition, he just won't go away.

Great point. If he wins, he might be there for a long time (is council term-limited?)

 

Cincinnatians for Progress has its work cut out for it.

Only in Cincinnati do the Tea Party and NAACP unite more often than not.

 

In your world Tea Party = COAST? I don't agree with your calculus.

"Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes" = "Taxed Enough Already"

 

The local TP people and COAST get along nicely.

Sadly to say, we're in deep s**t if Smitherman runs for council/mayor - and he will run. As mentioned by others, he's nothing more than a self-serving professional troublemaker who will sucker-punch any progress this city tries to make. And, like some Freddy Krueger apparition, he just won't go away.

Great point. If he wins, he might be there for a long time (is council term-limited?)

 

Cincinnatians for Progress has its work cut out for it.

Council is term-limited. (So is the mayor.)

 

I think it's more a problem if he runs for mayor. If he can command much of the black vote, he may hand the mayorship to a Republican. I know you like Republicans, but they don't like transit, cycling, complete streets, etc.

Only in Cincinnati do the Tea Party and NAACP unite more often than not.

 

In your world Tea Party = COAST? I don't agree with your calculus.

"Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes" = "Taxed Enough Already"

 

That doesn't mean current spending is being spent properly.  More people need to join the Tea Party/COAST who think that our priorities are screwed up (rail vs roads) AND we're overtaxed and overspent.  Just because too little is being spent on rail and too much is being spent on roads doesn't mean we can/should shoulder more debt and wreckless spending (be it wars, entitlements, etc.)

Sadly to say, we're in deep s**t if Smitherman runs for council/mayor - and he will run. As mentioned by others, he's nothing more than a self-serving professional troublemaker who will sucker-punch any progress this city tries to make. And, like some Freddy Krueger apparition, he just won't go away.

Great point. If he wins, he might be there for a long time (is council term-limited?)

 

Cincinnatians for Progress has its work cut out for it.

Council is term-limited. (So is the mayor.)

 

I think it's more a problem if he runs for mayor. If he can command much of the black vote, he may hand the mayorship to a Republican. I know you like Republicans, but they don't like transit, cycling, complete streets, etc.

 

that's weird, I'm republican and like all those things you mentioned.

Neither group is what they claim to be. "Streetcar = boondoggle", "Medicare > Government healthcare", etc.

that's weird, I'm republican and like all those things you mentioned.

 

Wenstrup doesn't. Winburn doesn't. Ghiz doesn't. Monzel doesn't.

 

Okay, so the bike plan was voted on unanimously. I'll retract that statement, though I have a feeling if motorists start challenging the bike plan, the R's will bail...but that's admittedly just my feeling.

There are R's that support Rail.  Look at the DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. 

I understand that, but we're talking about Cincinnati council and mayor candidates. I don't know one Cincinnati Republican politician who supports, say, the streetcar.

Recent Tweet from @CincyCtyCouncil:

 

"@GOCOAST is looking for a pro-Cincy streetcar speaker to debate at their TBD Feb meeting at Oakley Rec Ctr. Message me for contact info."

 

 

Recent Tweet from @CincyCtyCouncil:

 

"@GOCOAST is looking for a pro-Cincy streetcar speaker to debate at their TBD Feb meeting at Oakley Rec Ctr. Message me for contact info."

 

 

 

Yeah, right.

Smitherman won't hurt in the general election--

 

The mayoral primary is a top two... If Dale Mallory (rumored to run for mayor) and Smitherman run they will split the black vote, meaning the top two could end up being Cranley & Qualls, Cranley & a republican, or Qualls and a republican in the General Election in November. If more than two conservatives run, they will split the conservative base and neither might make the top two-

 

Back to the Streetcar, Leslie Ghiz was endorsed by CincYPAC because she showed support for the streetcar-- then she flopped and announced her opposition- something tells me they won't be endorsing her again.

This is getting to be disastrous.

 

700wlw is now broadcasting where one can go to sign the COAST petition.  Deters just rambled on for an hour about how he hates it and how he's going to city hall with his followers to speak at the next meeting . So many ridiculous and erroneous statements from callers and Deters...Just another blastfest and its literally happened everyday on that station.  No objectiveness whatsoever

Eric Deters is clearly prepping for a political run of some kind and has tangled himself up with Tom Luken, Westwood Concern, and the rest of these losers: 

 

 

 

Also, they blatantly lie about the grade of the Vine St. hill