UrbanCincy - Latest Comments

Re: Visit from President Obama raises political stakes surrounding the Brent Spence Bridge project

Travis — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:46:44 -0000

Don't forget that there are also two major construction projects happening on I-75 in Cincinnati at the same time as the Brent Spence Bridge project. There will be construction from the Ohio River all the way to the northern I-275 interchange.

Re: Cincinnati receives national bicycle award, announces bike share feasibility study

Randy A. Simes — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:50:48 -0000

Interesting. When I looked into this yesterday I found a different list that had much fewer cities on it (just under 50 total). Thanks for the heads up. I will make a correction to the story.

Re: Cincinnati receives national bicycle award, announces bike share feasibility study

Wade Johnston — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:34:29 -0000

Cincinnati isn't the only Bicycle Friendly Community in Ohio--both Columbus and Dayton are also ranked in the bronze category. http://www.bikeleague.org/prog...

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Travis — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:59:11 -0000

The current Amtrak routes serving Cincinnati are so limited that it's not a real transit option for most passengers. I believe passenger trains only stop at Union Terminal three days a week at around 1:30 a.m. each day. We should not be satisfied with this. We should be pushing for increased frequency, more convenient times, and higher speeds that can be achieved with rail infrastructure improvements.

You shouldn't write off the 3C corridor plan because it "only" connected Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland. Not every interstate highway connects every city you need to visit, but when you look at the network as a whole, you can easily get where you need. Likewise, the 3C corridor would have connected to other corridors and eventually provided high-speed service to the other cities you mentioned.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Justin — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:48:37 -0000

I don't think it's so much that Americans can't build inspirational structures as much as we just can't afford to charge it on our Chinese Visa card anymore. With the debt this country is in we're going to have to take some *serious* austerity measures and, just like in Greece, they're going to be extremely unpopular. We do have rail here as we're an Amtrack stop, as you briefly mentioned. As you know, the 3C line would have just connected us to Cleveland and Columbus. Who cares? We're already connected to Indianpolis, Chicago, and everything worth seeing on the east coast. In fact, I plan to fly into Boston and ride the Amtrack back to Cincinnati, stopping in Philadephia and seeing Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Why isn't the existing Amtrack line advertised more around here? No one talks about it. I don't care that we didn't get the 3C rail line as much as I care about the money going to California. A local light rail system would be far more effective for this city than the 3C line anyway.

Re: Cincinnati receives national bicycle award, announces bike share feasibility study

Zachary Schunn — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:28:16 -0000

The city should look at UC's bike share program for tips and for possible partnership opportunities. I can say that if the city isn't prepared for the massive bike maintenance requirements, they shouldn't pursue it.

I believe UC's program was designed with possible inclusion into a city-wide program at a later date in mind.

Re: Latest phase of Stetson Square takes on new urban form

Randy A. Simes — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:27:30 -0000

I agree. The Uptown Consortium has played a huge role in what's happening uptown.

Re: Latest phase of Stetson Square takes on new urban form

Zachary Schunn — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:40:22 -0000

Agree with your initial comments. But don't underestimate the work Uptown Consortium, CHCURC, and other smaller groups are doing for the area. Yes, it's not quite 3CDC-like, but they've been instrumental in getting all the new development here.

Re: Latest phase of Stetson Square takes on new urban form

Matthew — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:33:47 -0000

We'll get all three. This is a midtown area which trades on having an urbane mix that other neighborhoods can't replicate. Say what they will about historic neighborhoods and their desire to rehab, the professional classes want move-in ready housing as much as anyone else. Smaller housing units are holding their value relatively better than old victorians or new mcmansions while more and more students are living without cars. They want to be close to UC and the action. Most surprisingly it's happened without a 3cdc-style takeover. That means that a broader number of interests see real value in the area. I wonder what role a development corporation for corryville/University heights/clifton could play in these areas.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Zachary Schunn — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:49:36 -0000

Wow, did COAST finally just admit they LOST?

The "boondoggle" Fountain Square is now packed throughout the week, the "boondoggle" Banks project is a smashing success, the "boondoggle" Washington Park is about to open to much fanfare, and the "boondoggle" and "failed" streetcar project is now under construction after being supported by voters in TWO elections.

As for the high-speed train (hey, I consider 14 mph faster than interstate speeds high-speed), it'll be back in 2014. At the latest.

(And on a side note: why in politics do we always have to make it one side vs. the other? It's not right vs. wrong, left vs. right. It's about pro-growth policies, which USED to be something everyone could get on board with. But we seemed to have reach a point where people would rather see their "enemy" fail than the country succeed.)

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Travis — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:52:49 -0000

You can say it was "destined to be a failure" all you want, but that doesn't make it true. All Kasich did was reject the federal funding so that it could go to another state and be used to build a high speed rail line elsewhere. As gas prices continue to rise, Ohioans will feel the pain while states with high speed rail will have an alternative that's cheaper, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

COAST — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:17:37 -0000

Thank heaven for Governor Kasich. The so-called 'high speed' snail-rail boondoggle was destined to be a failure no matter what. He simply got us there without the senseless waste of $400 million plus.

Zach calls it a stalemate. It's not that at all. The right side won, and the wrong side lost.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Zachary Schunn — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:24:33 -0000

^By the way, I didn't mean for that post to sound like a pro-stimulus rant. Growth can come from the public sector, private sector, or both. Part of our economic problems now is tied to $2T sitting in corporate bank accounts--many oversees--NOT being used to stimulate growth of those companies in our country. Corporate spending is now occurring in China, India, and other places, but not here.

But look at local successes like 3CDC. We can leverage public dollars to attract private investment. It happens; it works.

On the flip side, the notion that cutting spending will grow the economy, when by definition our economy (GDP) IS spending, is ludicrous.

Alright, end rant. I know I got a little off topic but I think it all ties together.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Zachary Schunn — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:12:43 -0000

Regarding our current political stalemate:

If you believe that history repeats itself then we are in much the same situation as happened in the 30's. Yes, FDR imposed radical changes in his first term, but there was plenty of push-back from debt/spending alarmists in the mid-30's that prevented us from quickly recovering. It took until WWII in the early 40's for true growth to really force us out of the depression. In fact, though the interstate system was tied to FDR, he was unable to push it forward and it took until 1956 to get approved.
If you believe, as I do, that urban development will pull us out of this recession similarly to how suburban development helped pull us out of the Great Depression, then we are already on a strong trajectory. But we are in a political battle now between growth-based policies and deficit-reduction policies, and unfortunately most in this country don't seem to see that those two can go hand in hand. (I read too much Paul Krugman, can you tell?)

We need economists setting economic policy, not politicians setting economic policy. If we go the route of austerity, we may be in for the same troubles Europe has placed themselves in. If we pursue growth, we can increase revenues in the long-term, cut recession-related expenses (for ex. costs of welfare and unemployment), and manage our deficit.

With history as a guide, I think growth will take us out of this recession, but it will take another shock for everyone to realize that Tea Party politics does NOT stimulate the economy. It could be an economic shock, political shock (with so many moderates moving away from the Republican Party don't be surprised if we've seen the last of the Reagan-Republican political era), environmental shock, something. But something will pull us out of this.

I'd love to see real rail projects underway--all the cards are lining up against the gas-based auto right now--but it takes visionary political leaders to push those forward. Mallory is a visionary; Kasich is not.

I'm hoping in 3-5 years time we'll all think it crazy we were arguing over light rail, green tech., and other no-brainer growth policies that could be boons for our country the way they are in Germany (until recently), China, or Brazil. But... we'll see.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

jasomm — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:51:22 -0000

hear hear!

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Randy A. Simes — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:46:56 -0000

No big deal. I'm happy to get the feedback, but my intention was to highlight the fact that America isn't building these kinds of things anymore. Instead of the world looking to the United States in awe of what we can accomplish, the world is now looking towards Asia.

There are obvious differences that can explain the difference in scale between things happening in China and the United States, but it appears as though politicians here are simply trying to cut costs rather than supporting the best possible product for its citizens. This was not always the case, and I would like to see that change.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

jasomm — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:37:44 -0000

I didnt mean to turn this into a big thing, but I dont think that is an accurate synopsis of the article.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Jake Mecklenborg — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:58:35 -0000

Randy, the Miami-Erie canal was built by the State of Ohio and construction of the Interstate Highway System was funded by a redirection of the existing Federal gasoline tax into a trust fund that was then divided according to a formula between the various state DOT's. Union Terminal, by contrast, was built almost entirely with private money. I have never seen a comprehensive breakdown, but it appears that only about 10% of CUT's capital expense was public, with much of that being the city's donation of Lincoln Park as the terminal's construction site and the establishment of a "replacement park" by the Park Board immediately south (this park was sold to commercial interests when the West End was bulldozed). The city also paid about 1/4 of the cost of The Western Hills Viaduct, and because 8th St. was a state route, Ohio rebuilt the 8th St. Viaduct to permit the terminal's elevated approaches from the C&O and Southern bridges. Union Terminal did not become a public building until the 1970s, after passenger rail service ceased.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Randy A. Simes — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:23:51 -0000

I wouldn't call Charlotte, Houston, Salt Lake City, Dallas, or Phoenix "progressive regions' yet they are all pushing forward with regional rail programs of their own. Salt Lake City's is perhaps the most impressive and unexpected of the group.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Randy A. Simes — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:20:21 -0000

I agree with you too...that's why I didn't come out and say something like that. My point is to highlight that the current political stalemate we're in is preventing us from moving forward, and building for the future the way we once had. This timid political period needs to come to an end.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Eric Douglas — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:19:47 -0000

I think Colorado and Portland have done a good job regionally with rail, but those are progressive regions. Like everything, rail tends to get shot down in the Midwest once you get out of the democratic cities and into the suburbs, except for Chicago and Minneapolis where there are more democratic suburbs. It might be politically doable to run something up 75, but I don't think it'll ever happen in the western or eastern suburbs.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Randy A. Simes — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:18:48 -0000

I disagree with the statement that it shows us that "the Interstate Highway System is obviously still the preferred method of transportation between cities." You could make that statement, but it's easy to be the most preferred when you're the only option.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Eric Douglas — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:13:55 -0000

The 110+ mph Chicago to Kalamazoo line has to defer to freight traffic and can take up to two hours sometimes. It's still much easier to take Megabus or just drive around the lake. Streetcars are cute and will help OTR, but Cincinnati will not be a true big city until it has heavy/commuter rail.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

Eric Douglas — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:12:30 -0000

It teaches us that outside of the Northeast and Chicago, the Interstate Highway System is obviously still the preferred method of transportation between cities. Other countries don't have the extensive highway system we have or the minimal gas tax funding for transit. Cincinnati and other metropolitan areas should pursue commuter rail. Once people see that they can get to work without having to fight traffic and congestion on 75/71, maybe they'll be more open to taking rail to Dayton, Indianapolis, Chicago, etc.

Re: What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

jasomm — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:05:27 -0000

No, you're right, and I completely agree with you. I guess I am just thinking the stance of 'Look how much the US sucks compared to that country' doesn't lead to inspirational mega-projects as well as saying, 'look what we've done so far, look what they're doing over there, lets take it to the next level.'
It's probably more of an issue when political figures voice those assessments than news outlets, since one reports the differences, and the advocates policy, but both sources dissolve into the ether.