September 20, 201311 yr I'm going to try to avoid posting 1000 photos in this thread. I will keep adding all of my Streetcar construction photos to this Flickr set and only post some of the better ones here. Pile of cobblestones on Elm (yes, they'll put them back): Old streetcar tracks on Elm:
September 20, 201311 yr Nice photos!! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 23, 201311 yr Here's how Cincinnati's streetcar will be built: SLIDESHOW Erin Caproni Digital Producer- Cincinnati Business Courier The pavers on Elm Street near Washington Park are being removed so streetcar tracks can be installed, but that’s only the beginning of the process of building the city’s new transit system. The granite bricks will be replaced once construction teams finish getting tracks put in place on the road. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2013/09/heres-how-cincinnatis-streetcar-will.html
September 23, 201311 yr Hey everyone, I hope you guys had a great weekend. Just wanted to report with the latest info from the field. Spent the weekend canvassing for Roxanne in Bond Hill. There are a LOT of undecided voters out there. But their first question is almost always streetcar related. The opponents misinformation campaign has been effective. But people can be swayed with facts. For example pointing out that this is just the first phase of what will ultimately be a regional rail system that brings access to jobs! Transit mobility=Economic mobility! And without this first step, we can never have the rest! Do you want to suffer the eternal civic embarrassment of our new rails being torn right out of the ground?! We will never live that down. The most effective way to help right now is to volunteer for Roxanne's campaign. Email Jon (at) roxannequalls (dot) com NOW to get involved. We need all streetcar supporters to get off the internet echo chamber and make it happen! There are only 43 days left!!!
September 23, 201311 yr City releases 24-page streetcar update Cincinnati’s streetcar is scheduled to open for paying riders in just under three years. A new report and update on the $133 million project was released Monday. It came from council’s request, after approving an additional $17.4 million, for more information as the project moves forward. Streetcar monthly report "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
September 23, 201311 yr The report also lays out specific dates for various sections of track work: Elm (12th to Henry) - 9/16/2013 to 1/9/2014 Race (Elder to 12th) - 12/26/2013 to 4/1/2014 12th (Main to Elm) - 3/18/2014 to 6/20/2014 Central (Race to Main) - 4/8/2014 to 6/3/2014 Maintenance & Operations Facility trackwork - 5/27/2014 to 8/25/2014 OTR misc track work (turns and diamond) - 8/6/2014 to 11/25/2014 Walnut (Central to 2nd) - 9/16/2014 to 12/3/2014 2nd Street and bridges - 11/4/2014 to 3/9/2015 Main (2nd to 12th) - 3/6/2015 to 9/4/2015 I bet (but am not totally sure) that doesn't include any of the work on the electrical system. I'm curious to know how that would be phased.
September 23, 201311 yr 95 mil is contracted to be spent. Cranley and smitherman's positions are ludicrous
September 23, 201311 yr So Cranley's wording would be. " I want to waste 95 million to save 3 million a year in operating costs?"
September 24, 201311 yr In January, I expect all of the skeptics to be riding up and down Elm Street, trying to get their tires caught in the tracks.
September 24, 201311 yr Someone needs to compile a list of all the ridiculous arguments against the streetcar. Like when Christopher Smitherman said "No african american young male will be allowed on the streetcar" or when COAST tried to argue that the streetcars are deadly directly and indirectly Some of these opponents make a ridiculous accusation, are dead wrong, and then move onto the next ridiculous accusation. It's all about what sticks
September 24, 201311 yr ^^^Don't forget the argument that all of the riders will fall out of their seats on the hills, like it's somehow more steep in a streetcar than in a car or bus.
September 24, 201311 yr Someone needs to compile a list of all the ridiculous arguments against the streetcar. Like when Christopher Smitherman said "No african american young male will be allowed on the streetcar" or when COAST tried to argue that the streetcars are deadly directly and indirectly Some of these opponents make a ridiculous accusation, are dead wrong, and then move onto the next ridiculous accusation. It's all about what sticks Like when COAST said that Cincinnati had the "stupidest city council ever" when they expanded the recycling program... and then the city saved almost $1 million due to the expanded recycling program? I mean, how do you even counter the ridiculous arguments that Smitherman & Co. make? Smitherman claimed that Cincinnati Water Works could put syphilis into the water supply of only black neighborhoods. Just totally nonsensical stuff.
September 24, 201311 yr 95 mil is contracted to be spent. Cranley and smitherman's positions are ludicrous Might want to brush up on contract law, if the city breaches it will only be obligated to put the other parties in the same position they would of occupied had the breach not occurred. In other words, the city would only be obligated to pay actual costs already incurred plus the expected profit. They would NOT have to spend the full $95M. So let's say the costs are $22M (which is what I think the latest report was) and Messer/Prus expected to profit $20M. The city would only have to pay $42M. Which isn't to say that's not a waste, but fudging numbers is best left to the opposition.
September 24, 201311 yr 95 mil is contracted to be spent. Cranley and smitherman's positions are ludicrous Might want to brush up on contract law, if the city breaches it will only be obligated to put the other parties in the same position they would of occupied had the breach not occurred. In other words, the city would only be obligated to pay actual costs already incurred plus the expected profit. They would NOT have to spend the full $95M. So let's say the costs are $22M (which is what I think the latest report was) and Messer/Prus expected to profit $20M. The city would only have to pay $42M. Which isn't to say that's not a waste, but fudging numbers is best left to the opposition. Your numbers work for the present correct? Aren't Those number is rising everyday during construction? What will it be by November? By January? What about lawsuits? From private individuals investing along the route with the promise of the streetcar? Businesses? Contract with the actual streetcar company? Contract with the the streetcar company in NY? What about the Duke Lawsuit of $15mil? Does Duke now additionally sue for costs they've endured? Potential business they've lost due to relocation of utilites? Cincinnati Bell? Federal penalties? I've heard rumors that those funds given to us demand the streetcar be operational for a minimum of 30 years or else there will be heavy fines. Costs to dig up the rails? Cost to repave all the streets? There are many other costs too...How much does that add up to? I think when you add up everything, not including the unforeseen, it will be much much higher than $42mil.
September 24, 201311 yr Sorry, I was just spitballing numbers, not sure if I was clear on that. I have no idea what the profit margin is, and costs certainly will raise. I was just raising the point that just because the contract price is $95M doesn't mean the city would have to spend $95M in the event of a breach.
September 24, 201311 yr Sorry, I was just spitballing numbers, not sure if I was clear on that. I have no idea what the profit margin is, and costs certainly will raise. I was just raising the point that just because the contract price is $95M doesn't mean the city would have to spend $95M in the event of a breach. Ya you were completely correct on the contract itself. I guess nobody knows how it would all shake out should Cranley cancel it
September 24, 201311 yr I guess nobody knows how it would all shake out should Cranley cancel it The birds would sing again. The clouds would break up & there would be rainbows in the sky. People would embrace one another in peace & harmony. The streets would be filled with laughing, playing children. Angels would sing and trumpet blasts would echo off the hills. Cranley would be carried through the streets on people's shoulders as he threw out bags of money to everybody. The deaf would hear, the dumb would speak and the blind would see. The fields would be fertile, the factories active, the bells would ring from the church steeples and formations of fighter jets would streak through the sky. Hail Columbia! Hop On Cincinnati!
September 25, 201311 yr The trench on Elm Street is getting pretty deep. Lots of steel (the old streetcar tracks) getting hauled away.
September 25, 201311 yr I hope they leave the one old track in place, sort of a new vs. old thing, and to show the wider gauge of the old system.
September 25, 201311 yr I hope they leave the one old track in place, sort of a new vs. old thing, and to show the wider gauge of the old system. oh man, that would be a bicyclist deathtrap for sure
September 26, 201311 yr 95 mil is contracted to be spent. Cranley and smitherman's positions are ludicrous Might want to brush up on contract law, if the city breaches it will only be obligated to put the other parties in the same position they would of occupied had the breach not occurred. In other words, the city would only be obligated to pay actual costs already incurred plus the expected profit. They would NOT have to spend the full $95M. So let's say the costs are $22M (which is what I think the latest report was) and Messer/Prus expected to profit $20M. The city would only have to pay $42M. Which isn't to say that's not a waste, but fudging numbers is best left to the opposition. Why wouldn't the expected profit be included in that $95M number? Presumably the expected profit to the contractors is part of the cost contracted by the City.
September 26, 201311 yr There will also be lots of materials on the job by December. Unique-to-Cincinnati shelters, poles and special track work -- crossings and curves -- are being fabricated. I suspect MPD has hedged its purchase of copper wire, and that will have to be unwound. Our vehicles are being engineered to climb a very steep hill, and that's reflected in the size of their motors and the resulting power consumption. Selling them to Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis or Detroit might not be so easy. Cancellation is much more costly than just paying-off the contractor the amount of its profits. It's not $95 million, but it's a lot. But the Cincinnati Streetcar is not going to be canceled.
September 26, 201311 yr 95 mil is contracted to be spent. Cranley and smitherman's positions are ludicrous Might want to brush up on contract law, if the city breaches it will only be obligated to put the other parties in the same position they would of occupied had the breach not occurred. In other words, the city would only be obligated to pay actual costs already incurred plus the expected profit. They would NOT have to spend the full $95M. So let's say the costs are $22M (which is what I think the latest report was) and Messer/Prus expected to profit $20M. The city would only have to pay $42M. Which isn't to say that's not a waste, but fudging numbers is best left to the opposition. Why wouldn't the expected profit be included in that $95M number? Presumably the expected profit to the contractors is part of the cost contracted by the City. It is, but what I'm saying is that breach would not entitle the contractors to the full contract price, only the portion of costs already incurred plus the demonstrable profit was baked into the contract price. Contract law would seek to put the contractor in the same position had the breach not occurred, which is its profit. So you pay off costs it already incurred, then award them their profit.
September 26, 201311 yr This may be a stupid question but if the federal government does shut down, will it have any effect on federal funding for the project?
September 26, 201311 yr This may be a stupid question but if the federal government does shut down, will it have any effect on federal funding for the project? No, the grants are reimbursements. The city spends the money then applies for the federal government to reimburse it. Assuming it meets all grant requirements the Feds cut the city a check. So unless the shutdown drags on for months this should have no impact.
September 26, 201311 yr Spread the word! Register today for @AllAboardOhio Fall Mtg & @CincyStreetcar Stroll guided tour on Oct 26 at the Symphony Hotel! http://allaboardohio.org/2013/09/26/fall-meeting-streetcar-stroll-oct-26/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 26, 201311 yr Learn how Cincinnati's streetcar will create opportunity for development Randy Simes - Owner and managing editor of UrbanCincy.com- Cincinnati Business Courier Cincinnati has moved forward with modifications to its city regulations to allow greater flexibility with regard to the provision of parking, incentivized dense development near streetcar stops, and pursued an agenda under Mayor Mark Mallory (D) that has been focused on making the city more livable and attractive. “Transit Oriented Development is a powerful strategy that can help communities throughout the Cincinnati region encourage new development projects,” Mayor Mallory stated in a prepared release. “It has become clear that there is increasing demand to live near community assets. By making smart transportation decisions, communities provide an incentive to private investment.” One of the principle elements of this agenda has been to make the city more attractive to those who do not own personal automobiles by making the city’s neighborhoods more walkable and better connected to one another through transit. Cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
September 26, 201311 yr "Randy Simes - Owner and managing editor of UrbanCincy.com- Cincinnati Business Courier" When did Randy buy the Courier?
September 26, 201311 yr Cincinnati has moved forward with modifications to its city regulations... That's great news, but we really didn't need a streetcar for reform. Cincinnati should reform all of the regulations that hamper development all over the city.
September 27, 201311 yr Metro streetcar manager receives “Mass Transit’’ magazine award Paul Grether, Metro’s Rail Services Manager, was named to Mass Transit Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list, honoring professionals who have made significant contributions to the public transit industry. He is featured in the September/October 2013 issue and on Mass Transit’s website. Grether, an Over-the-Rhine resident, is responsible for Metro’s involvement in the Cincinnati Streetcar project. He will manage streetcar operations and other functions delineated in an operating agreement between the City of Cincinnati and Metro, which is being developed at this time. Honorees were nominated by their peers and judged on criteria that included job commitment, industry involvement and contribution, achievement in his or her position and innovation in his or her field. Grether is the third Metro employee named to the list since 2010. Cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
September 27, 201311 yr Good morning everyone! Here is the latest weekly update from the city if you haven't seen it yet. http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=91c66a5f3edf5f15778c567da&id=5872c7a796&e=0eaa1d7f4c You know, there's only like 39 days left until the election and early voting starts Tuesday already! It's important for us to now get behind the streetcar candidates so we can keep all of our positive momentum. I am going to post a couple of events coming up that I hope we can all show up to and make a strong showing of support for supportive candidates and against the misinformation campaign that has been led against the streetcar. It's important to have boots on the ground! Tomorrow is a great parade, the Ridge Day parade, in Pleasant Ridge. We are meeting up at 9:45AM. The staging area is the Nativity Church parking lot at the corner of Ridge Ave and Woodford Rd. (5936 Ridge Ave. Cincinnati 45213.) Please come out and support Roxanne in the parade. I am bringing Holtman's donuts for everyone! Afterward we are going to head out to canvass the neighborhood and as I've mentioned that is THE number one most effective way of getting the message out to voters. https://www.facebook.com/events/337940886352638/ Let's have a strong turnout of streetcar supporters tomorrow! Please message me if you have any questions! @derekbauman
September 27, 201311 yr ^Smart move putting the holtman's donuts offer in bold. It was the first thing that caught my eye and my brain/stomach immediately ordered me to figure out how I get the donuts.
September 30, 201311 yr 9/29/13 Cincinnati Enquirer quoted Cranley (pp.B7) saying "I'll see if we can get out of the streetcar contract...the companies involved can do other projects to make up their lost money..." Hmmm...?? Lots of luck, and stay tuned.
September 30, 201311 yr 9/29/13 Cincinnati Enquirer quoted Cranley (pp.B7) saying "I'll see if we can get out of the streetcar contract...the companies involved can do other projects to make up their lost money..." Hmmm...?? Lots of luck, and stay tuned. yeah, that's EXACTLY the kind of pro business attitude we should be promoting.
September 30, 201311 yr Cincinnati has moved forward with modifications to its city regulations... That's great news, but we really didn't need a streetcar for reform. Cincinnati should reform all of the regulations that hamper development all over the city. Sometimes lenders feel better about zero parking projects when they are within fixed transit walksheds...
October 1, 201311 yr What's up? Cincy4Progress @Cincy4Progress 9m Big #CincyStreetcar news coming! Meanwhile, clear your calendars for the evening of Monday, October 7! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 1, 201311 yr What's up? Cincy4Progress @Cincy4Progress 9m Big #CincyStreetcar news coming! Meanwhile, clear your calendars for the evening of Monday, October 7! If I had to guess, that's when the first rails will be put in
October 1, 201311 yr I'd guess that as well; a current view of Elm St. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
October 1, 201311 yr Ugh. If Cranley is Mayor it will be pulling teeth to get this thing up the hill. For the next 4-8 years the project will be stuck downtown and OTR only. I'm worried about this election.
October 1, 201311 yr And you can be sure he will do whatever he can to not fund its operations. That means reduced service, long wait times, etc. “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
October 1, 201311 yr Ugh. If Cranley is Mayor it will be pulling teeth to get this thing up the hill. For the next 4-8 years the project will be stuck downtown and OTR only. I'm worried about this election. If not paying its way it should be more like pulling teeth to get it expanded uptown. Why is it the proponents of the streetcar all start running scarred when the subject of operational costs comes up? We can all understand the vagaries in acquisition and construction costs, but why operational costs? Did all of the figures compiled by those formenting the streetcar have any basis in reality or where they purely invented.
October 1, 201311 yr ^The numbers have nothing to do with operating costs. Overall benefits to the city are far more widespread than just how much money is collected by fares and unfortunately people like you are incapable of understanding that. You think that if fares themselves don't directly pay for 100 percent of operating costs then the project shouldn't be built. But you ignore all of the other money that comes into the city through spinoff development along the route. Also, while living out in the suburbs do you realize your lifestyle is subsidized by the federal government to the tune of around 465 billion dollars a year? Your roads don't pay for themselves. Your massive, sprawling infrastructure doesn't pay for itself through your taxes, so why do you feel you should be an exception? Why is your infrastructure more important? Why can it not pay for itself but be fine in your opinion but the moment public transit in the center of the city doesn't pay for itself (which, hint, no transit networks do directly through fares in this country. Not even the behemoth that is the NYC subway system) you throw your hands up as if that's some reason that it isn't viable or beneficial? Please, answer this question for once since I know you've been asked very similar questions many times and you can never give a good reason.
October 1, 201311 yr Ugh. If Cranley is Mayor it will be pulling teeth to get this thing up the hill. For the next 4-8 years the project will be stuck downtown and OTR only. I'm worried about this election. If not paying its way it should be more like pulling teeth to get it expanded uptown. Why is it the proponents of the streetcar all start running scarred when the subject of operational costs comes up? We can all understand the vagaries in acquisition and construction costs, but why operational costs? Did all of the figures compiled by those formenting the streetcar have any basis in reality or where they purely invented. I'll be happy to make the streetcar "pay its way" if we make highways start paying their way, too.
October 1, 201311 yr ^The numbers have nothing to do with operating costs. Overall benefits to the city are far more widespread than just how much money is collected by fares and unfortunately people like you are incapable of understanding that. You think that if fares themselves don't directly pay for 100 percent of operating costs then the project shouldn't be built. But you ignore all of the other money that comes into the city through spinoff development along the route. kjbrill can't make these connections because event chains in his mind are only two links long. "Streetcart got built. Money disappeared." "Guy got on streetcar. Fare was $1.60 but would have been $1.85 at market rate. Streetcar lost money" Not even "Streetcar got built. People left Mason. kjbrill's house lost value". That's 3 links. Or "Streetcar got built. People left Mason. kjbrill never had to deal with 'conjestion' again"
Create an account or sign in to comment