Not Convinced Cincinnati Would Benefit from Streetcars?

If you aren’t convinced Cincinnati will benefit from building a modern streetcar, here is some information on the Cincinnati Streetcar.

There are these websites:

• Cincystreetcar.com
• Protransit.com
• City of Cincinnati’s Streetcar Website
• This blog [start reading from the first post]

There are these Studies and Reports:

• HDR- Cincinnati Streetcar Feasibility Study
  • Appendix A
  • Appendix B
  • Appendix C
  • Appendix D
  • Appendix E
• HDR- Cincinnati Streetcar Economic Impact Study
• University of Cincinnati Streetcar Study Evaluation
• City of Cincinnati Streetcar Presentation
• City of Cincinnati Climate Action Plan (pg. 52)
• Growth and Opportunities Study of the City of  Cincinnati (pg. 61)
• Agenda 360 (pg. 20)
• Over The Rhine Green Preservation Study

These videos:

Laure Quinlivan’s Streetcar Video

Mayor Mallory discussing Streetcars on Newsmakers

After all that, if you still aren’t convinced Cincinnati would benefit from streetcars, one question–how long did it take to read the 349 webpages and blog posts, 176 pages of studies and reports, and watch the 54 mintues and 17 seconds of video above?

 

Vertical Construction to Begin on the Banks in December, Grand Opening Spring 2011

From a press release issued by Carter Dawson, the master developer of the Banks:

Construction on the private overbuild will begin in December, with a grand opening of Phase 1A set for Spring 2011…

The Banks is a mixed-use development that will benefit the entire region. In addition to creating a destination where people can live, work and play, The Banks will be a catalyst for regional economic growth. It will drive an estimated $600 million in private investment to our riverfront and provide a place to live for more than 3,000 residents. Once completed, The Banks will be Cincinnati’s largest single, mixed-use development and be composed of a dynamic blend of residential, office, hotel and retail components.

The Cincinnati Streetcar will connect The Banks with the rest of Downtown Cincinnati, the Uptown Area, the University of Cincinnati, and the new casino on Broadway Commons, tying together some of the regions main attractions and creating new jobs and development along the line.

Cincinnati Streetcar passing the Freedom Center, entering The Banks

 

Covington and Newport Pass Resolutions in Support of the Cincinnati Streetcar

In March, Covington and Newport passed this joint resolution supporting the Cincinnati Streetcar and expressing a desire to extend the Streetcar into Northern Kentucky.  The text of this resolution has been reproduced here for those new to this site.

Newport, KY

The text of the joint resolution with Newport:

WHEREAS, the Cities of Covington and Newport, Commonwealth of Kentucky (Cities) recognize that a strong and economically vital center city is necessary to support a strong and economically vital region, and that the City of Cincinnati’s proposed Streetcar Plan will bring new development, economic vitality, and greater connectivity between any of the region’s exciting cultural institutions; and

WHEREAS, the Cities understand the magnitude of such an investment requires a staged phasing approach that develops and initial critical mass of ridership and development activity within the center city neighborhoods of Cincinnati, and also understands that the system anticipates future extensions into other neighborhoods including Covington and Newport, to create improved mobility and connectivity throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, the Cities recognize the role Streetcars have in encouraging and supporting the exciting, authentic, “walk able” urban neighborhoods desired by talented young professionals, and that these neighborhoods are critical to the region’s success in competition globally for these talented people, both as residents and workers; and

WHEREAS, the Cities endorse and support the Cincinnati Streetcar Plan, its anticipated goals and outcomes, and the phases approach to bringing the benefits of the Streetcar to the region’s center city communities.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF COVINGTON, KENTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY:

Section 1: That the Cities enthusiastically approve the efforts of Cincinnati to develop and implement the Cincinnati Streetcar Plan, and offer their support toward the timely implementation of the Streetcar Plan.

Section 2: That this order/resolution shall take effect and be in full force when passed and recorded according to law.

Passed: 3/24/09

Covington, Kentucky

 

World Class Hotel, Casino to Be Built on Streetcar Line

The Enquirer is reporting that the Metropole building on Walnut Street “will be remade into a world-class hotel and contemporary arts venue under a $48 million plan billed as a key to revitalizing Cincinnati’s Backstage entertainment and arts district.”

This development will be a great addition to the lodging and entertainment options.  Guest staying at the Metropole Hotel will be able to board the Cincinnati Streetcar on Walnut and take it down to the entertainment options at The Banks or ride up to the casino to be built on Broadway Commons, about a block from the streetcar line.

The streetcar will connect the casino with the other entertainment options downtown and ensure that those who come to visit the casino will spend time at local business rather than just hop off the interstate, go to the casino and leave.

Visitors can park once, at the casino, Fountain Square or anywhere else along the route and use the streetcar to get to the various destinations they want to visit.  Someone could have dinner at Nada, take the streetcar to the casino or a ball game, and then take the streetcar back to their hotel or to see some live jazz at the Blue Wisp or Schwartz’s Point.

According to the Enquirer, the casino operators have “pledge(d) not to build on-site hotels to keep customers “captive,” but to cooperate with downtown hotels, restaurants and other businesses.” The streetcar will allow those visiting the casino to easily get to the downtown hotels, including the Metropole Hotel.

Someone visiting Cincinnati on for a convention and without a car will have their entertainment options expanded, which will increase the desirability of Cincinnati, hopefully increasing convention business.

The Cincinnati Streetcar will connect the new developments that are happening in this city with our largest employment centers and will itself generate new jobs and growth along the line.  We’ve been making considerable progress in this city, let’s tie it together and keep Cincinnati moving forward by building the streetcar. Support Cincinnati’s Renaissance–Build the Streetcar.

 

Take a Virtual Tour of the Cincinnati Streetcar

Click the link below to take a virtual tour of the streetcar route, produced by Queen City Discovery.

 

Want to Learn More About the Cincinnati Streetcar?

If you would lake to learn more about the Cincinnati Streetcar, the City of Cincinnati is holding a series of Open Houses to gather public input and answer any questions about the streetcar.  The dates and locations of the remaining open houses are below.

Wednesday, November 4

6-8 pm

LeBlond Recreation Center

2335 Riverside Drive 45202

Tuesday, November 10

5-7 pm

City Hall, Room 115

801 Plum Street 45202

Wednesday, November 18

6:30-8:30 pm

Price Hill Recreation Center

959 Hawthorne Ave 45205

 

Let’s Make Cincinnati a Better Place to Live

Thank you to all those who helped overwhelmingly defeat Issue Nine by 56% to 44%. For the first time in 36 years, the City of Cincinnati has won a transit election.  The message from voters was clear—we want passenger rail in Cincinnati.  Light rail, streetcars, and high speed rail to Chicago and Cleveland will create new jobs and economic development in our City.  These projects will put people back to work and create new activity in our urban core.

Voters also showed their support for Cincinnati Streetcar by re-electing Mayor Mallory, who made the streetcar one of the centerpieces of his campaign.  Every Council Member who voted for the Cincinnati Streetcar was re-elected to council and Laurie Quinlivan, the candidate who during the campaign was the strongest streetcar support among the non-incumbents [you can see here excellent video here] was elected as well. The top vote-getters on City Council, Qualls, Thomas, Bortz, and Berding, have all been vocal streetcar supporters.

In between the Stadiums, The Banks and the new Central Riverfront Park are under construction, a new casino will be built on Broadway Commons, and the areas around Fountain Square and the Aronoff are filled with restaurants new entertainment options.   The Cincinnati Streetcar will connect these destinations along with the Cincinnati Zoo, the University of Cincinnati and our region’s two largest job centers.

The Cincinnati Streetcar is a good investment because it will create new jobs, support the investments the City has made and will continue to make in the urban core, connect our major attractions and the two largest employment centers that contain over half of the jobs in the entire City, stimulate new economic activity along the route, and enhance and accelerate existing development that is occurring in the center city—resulting in more revenues for all of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods.

Let’s improve Cincinnati’s transportation options with light rail, streetcars, and high speed rail.  Let’s create new jobs and economic activity in our city.  Let’s grow our population and make Cincinnati a city people want to choose.  Let’s Make Cincinnati a Better Place to Live—Let’s Build the Streetcar.

 

Re-Envision Cincinnati