Today at the Forum: What Young Professionals want more than happy hours

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

What Young Professionals want more than happy hours

What draws bright young people to Greater Cincinnati and keeps them here?

In the past, there's been a Disneyland approach to that question -- entertain them, give them places to go, attractive people to meet and rounds of happy hours and arts events to fill up their calendars.

We underestimate them.

When Mayor Mark Mallory brought representatives from his Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet to meet with the editorial board, they were brimming over with ideas and excitement -- not about where to go this weekend, but about how to solve the city's problems in housing, economic development, the environment and civic engagement.

The mayor recruited 100 bright young residents to serve on 10 committees that deal with just those issues, and he not only makes sure they're heard, he helps them get their ideas into play.

Mallory has his brilliant strokes -- always more people-oriented than policy-oriented -- and this is one of them. He's not only getting fresh ideas on age-old problems, but he's connecting a new generation of talented people to their city in deep and meaningful ways. Meanwhile, he's breeding a new pool of leadership.

In that vein, a local delegation is studying a national program that could expand such efforts. It's called City Year, and it's a national service program that encourages people ages 17-24 to commit to a year of service to their city in the areas of education, health and public safety.

It not only introduces young people to community issues they may have never been exposed to, but the City Year corps is a deliberate mix of educational, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. The young people begin to understand the challenges of a city at the ground-level as they tutor, run after-school programs and work on health issues. Fifteen American cities already have the program, which has been around since 1988. I hope Cincinnati becomes the 16th.

Why not encourage young people to take one year out of their life-plans and give something back to Cincinnati -- and meanwhile prepare themselves to be policymakers and civic leaders of the future, who have a fundamental understanding of local issues?

37 Comments:

at 3:39 PM, June 12, 2007

Anonymous said...

Krista, where can we read about these great new ideas to solve our age old problems, from the 10 committees of young residents you reference? Please provide weblinks.

at 4:13 PM, June 12, 2007

Krista Ramsey said...

Thanks for your comment. Let me talk to the mayor's office, add some details from my notes . . . . or, better yet, ask the Kitchen Cabinet members to join this conversation.

at 5:18 PM, June 12, 2007

Anonymous said...

The Kitchen Cabinet is indeed a welcomed fresh start to how we can change Cincinnati for the better. But as a member of the Cabinet, I see that one key component to ensuring the Cabinet's success is still missing--a young professional from the Cincinnati media as a member. Can we count on the Enquirer to recommend one of their own to join the Cabinet? Perception is reality, as they say. The only way we will bring change to Cincinnati is by spreading the word via our local mass media. And reporting the news and actually being involved in making change happen are two very different things. This is a challenge I also make to all other media in Cincinnati.

at 5:51 PM, June 12, 2007

Unknown said...

Greetings,

Mayor Mark Mallory has methodically leveraged the knowledge and experience within the Young Professional realm to thrust our community in a positive and productive direction; understanding that we are a part of the development of our great region. Engaging constituents such as myself, in important decision making processes and project implementation in the City of Cincinnati allows the YPKC to be effective in shifting the paradigm of Cincinnati in the eyes of Young Professionals.

It is indeed an honor and a privilege to work alongside the Mayor’s office and my fellow ambassadors of Cincinnati as we move to effect positive and ever lasting change within the City of Cincinnati.

I would be more than happy to address any questions or comments relating to the Young Professional Kitchen Cabinet (YPKC).

Thank you for your time,

Best regards,

Ms. Watson
Chair, Mayor Mark Mallory YPKC Public Relations Committee
epicelectronics@hotmail.com

at 7:51 PM, June 12, 2007

Anonymous said...

After landing my dream job right out of college I found myself a reluctant resident of downtown Cincinnati. Honestly, the city was far from the top of my list, but I vowed to make lemonade from the lemons. This city, now my city, has a ton of potential so I decided I should stop complaining and do something about it. I joined the YPKC to let people know that we want more from our city than just Paul Brown Stadium and that the crime problem can’t be solved with more cops and bigger jails, but in a good, fair education for everybody, even if you don’t live in Hyde Park.

Bryan Baecker
Civic Engagement Committee

at 8:14 PM, June 12, 2007

Anonymous said...

Please.....

at 8:35 PM, June 12, 2007

Anonymous said...

Ms. Watson, thanks for your offer. This blog doesn't seem to be the proper place to post a volumous report of what the 10 committees are doing.

Don't you have a website for the 10 committees that reports committee names and missions, priorities, membership ids, findings to-date, etc.?

at 7:52 AM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

The YPKC allows me to get involved with my community, to focus on areas that are important to me and to the City, and to work on new and interesting projects. As a father of 3 with a full time job, it is challenging at times to find the time to work on these projects, but it is also immensely rewarding.

at 9:13 AM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

I think what is truely significant is that the YPKC is a collective representation of a transformational movement that has been taking place in the city. Where collaboration, diversity, and creative thinking are becoming more embraced for the good of the city rather than just being incidental. Our approach is not intended to be an end all and solve all organization, but to serve as an additional resource for the community.

I encourage more senior members of the community to appreciate the contribution and help cultivate the actualization of this generation of leaders. This is imperative not only for the continuation of your own legacy, but also for that of the community as a whole.

Coby Williams
Mayor Mallory's YPKC,
Vice President

at 9:42 AM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

Young Professionals are drawn to places with great public transportation like Portland, Chicago, New York, and hopefully soon, Cincinnati. Streetcars and subways create walkable, 24-hour cities with a vibrant arts scene and great nightlife—exactly what Young Professionals want. To attract and retain more young, upwardly mobile citizens, Cincinnati needs to build a streetcar system. In addition to attracting more YPs, the proposed $88 million streetcar system will generate $1.9 billion in economic activity. It will put more people walking out on the streets, increasing the vitality of downtown and helping Cincinnati businesses recruit and hire the best young talent. The streetcar is a wise investment for the entire city of Cincinnati.

Brad Thomas
Mayor’s YPKC
Transportation Committee

at 10:01 AM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

OK ladies and gents. I've read a few posts pontificating about the great YPKC.

How about some sustentative material without all the meaningless verbiage. What are you doing to make a difference? Where is your website to inform the public? What are your ACTION plans?

So far, I read poor English Compositions about gobbledegook. I’m interested in learning if you are making a difference.

What are you doing about the declining CPS, Crime (real or perceived), N.Ky overtaking Cinti, Jail Tax, Lack of Citizenship Participation by "Joe Blow", Drug dealing and prostitution, Lack of respect for Police action, Unwillingness to id criminals, subsidized housing, a dead downtown without a ballgame day, panhandling, parking, Purple People Bridge, fleeting manufacturing job base, wireless high speed access, public transportation, the “rhyming reverends”, racial tensions, Banks Project, etc.

What are you doing to improve the national image the City of Cincinnati?

at 10:05 AM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

It truly goes without saying that Mayor Mallory has assembled possibly the most passionate, driven, intelligent, and highly creative individuals in not just the City of Cincinnati, but the entire Region. The Mayor has recognized that the future success of our invaluable urban core and its outlaying suburbs rest with regional engagement and cooperation, and not competition. I also applaud the Mayor for taking the visionary initiative in not just forming another “YP group”, but actually making YPKC’s young professionals some of his most trusted advisors; we talk and he listens! The Mayor sees Cincinnati as a place that is on the cusp of greatness and knows one man, no matter how dedicated, alone can not bare mantle of that monumental task. He has challenged all of us to raise our level of responsibility to Cincinnati and to each other, no-matter age, income, color, or geography.
As Vice-Chair of YPKC’s Civic Engagement Committee I can speak first hand about our projects we have been entrusted with to raise the civic involvement of YPs. Our projects have included assisting YPs getting involved in their respected community councils, and joining critically important committees such as the street car initiative. We also are currently working on a proposal for a massive voter registration and information drive for eligible teens in Cincinnati Public Schools; because we firmly believe appreciation for civic involvement should begin young. However, I want to be very clear every committee could testify about projects similar in scope. Cincinnatians everywhere should feel hopeful that there are initiatives and proposals that aren’t just being studied or talked about, but are actually being accomplished, a rarity in Cincinnati!

Chris Lawson
Vice-Chair Mayor Mallory’s YPKC
Civic Engagement Committee

at 1:09 PM, June 13, 2007

Unknown said...

Greetings,

By no means is the YPKC perfect, yet we are a selection of persons that take a different perspective than most young professionals. We don’t ask, “What is the city doing for us?” “What is the city doing about the declining CPS?” Why didn’t I get a raise last year? “What are you doing for me?”

We choose to be more proactive and take an inside out approach, which will allow us in time to be more effective in addressing many of the opportunities within Cincinnati.

When addressing every opportunity for improvement within Cincinnati we ask ourselves,

1.) “What attributes do I possess that could help remedy this particular situation?”
2.) “What connections/resources do I have that would assist in this circumstance?”
3.) “How can I be of service in Cincinnati?”
4.) “How do I take ownership of the “perceived problems” within Cincinnati?”

The YPKC has taken ownership for our city and we are assisting other Young Professionals adopt this same mentality. It is those persons that possess a “quick fix it” mentality that the YPKC seeks to assist in understanding that you solve problems by becoming a part of the solution. For every “problem” persons pose, we respond, “I understand that’s an opportunity within our city, how are you helping in developing a solution?”

Every city has it’s opportunities but it’s those individuals that develop a proactive positive mentality that thrust the city forward, not those that are accusatory and closed minded.

At this point in time the YPKC does not have a website, yet I hope this does not define the cabinet. I would be more than happy to sit down with any person that is interested in learning more about the YPKC initiatives/projects, concerns and goals for Cincinnati.

Please feel free to contact me via email. I look forward to meeting with you.

Best regards,

Ms. Watson
Chair, Mayor Mark Mallory YPKC Public Relations Committee
epicelectronics@hotmail.com

at 1:27 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

Come down to OTR as a start...the recent OTR tour of homes had major participation by numerous YPKC committees in its representation, including a 5K that was well attended by YPs and citizens of all ages with small children running through the historical district.

Tangible activities by YPKC members include participation and coaching in the city's youth opportunities fair, accompanying the mayor to the International Council of Shopping Centers convention to attract retail stores to the central business district, and sponsoring a recycling campaign in the Cincinnati high schools with Rumpke. These are only a few things young professionals with full-time jobs have been doing.

Above all...there is finally a little more transparency and a belief by the members of the YPKC that we are doing our small part of including people of all walks of life to participate and make change in a city/region that needed to push change yesterday instead of tomorrow. Now it is time for all citizens to be proud of the Cincinnati region and the media to cover it with a positive spin.

at 1:41 PM, June 13, 2007

Unknown said...

Well said~

at 2:27 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

by the way, you do not have to live in the city of Cincinnati boundaries to participate in the YPKC.

I challenge the YPs living in the 'burbs to join the YPKC and get to know more people besides your high school and local college friends.

at 4:26 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

I read through this blog. I think the YPKC needs a spokesperson.

You come off as a bunch of want-to-be-intellects without any substance, patting each other on the back.

How do others not associated with the YPKC read their comments?

at 7:46 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

Here's some weblinks to great new ideas to solve our age old problems with youth, education, parenting, & more:

http://strivetogether.org/
http://my.cincyafterschool.org
http://www.uwgc.org/
http://www.cincyclc.net

I'm a YP who was a first member of the Chamber's c-change class & will be with Cincinnati's City Year delegation on Friday, trying to bring a great national service initiative to help support the efforts listed in the links. While I'm not a part of the YPKC, I help to lead the Mayor's Youth Council to engage teens in the life of the community. While we have significant challenges to overcome, we can improve the outcome for youth and their families if we work together. Anyone at the links above would quickly welcome volunteers in program or board service.

at 8:22 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

I was a member when it started. It was a good initiative but it was not yet organized. I give a lot of Kudos to Candace Klein and the other members of leadership in the organization. They have taken on a big task (starting a new organization) and are doing a good job, considering.
As a former member I can say that it still has a few wrinkles to work out, but the idea behind it all is solid.

at 8:40 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

I've learned late in life that there are essentially three different type of people in this city... Those who complain about what's going on or not going on.
Those who sit and wait for change. Then there are those who want to get out and do something and make a change. Mayor Mallory's YPKC gave me the perfect opportunity to be the third.
I appreciate the privilege and honor to work on the YPKC and see it as a serious charge as I hope all my fellow cabinet-mates do. This first year has been interesting and challenging.
When people ask me what do I get out of or expect from my experience with YPKC... I tell them I hope that I will be able to look back and say that I was apart of a very young, energetic, exciting group who had the privilge of laying the ground work for YPs that follow us. I see this first year as simply an opportunity to "set the bar".

Edward Staples, Jr
Arts & Entertainment Committee
YPKC

at 9:50 PM, June 13, 2007

Anonymous said...

My five cents (inflation hurts).
What do you call a bunch of kids unable and unwilling to explain what they are doing? Simple, sounds like Veteran Politicians in the making to me.

at 7:48 AM, June 14, 2007

Anonymous said...

To Brad Thomas, Mayor’s YPKC, Transportation Committee

Brad, you are the only member to forward some specifics. You appear to endorse:
"To attract and retain more young, upwardly mobile citizens, Cincinnati needs to build a streetcar system. In addition to attracting more YPs, the proposed $88 million streetcar system will generate $1.9 billion in economic activity."

My observations. For the recent project to move the Fountain Square-Tyler Fountain, the City Spent $43 million for $2 million in value. Not a good return on investment. That wasted $40 million could have funded many other programs.

For your streetcar proposal, why do you need to commit $88 million before you learn if the idea will attract visitors and pedestrians as hoped? Can't you operate a 1 year prototype project, with track-free electric motor trolleys running within a few selected primary routes, marked with traffic painted street lanes? With leased electric trolleys and some traffic line paint you could do this test, to collect real market data, for under $3 million, while actually providing a service.

Seems simple enough. A successful low budget $3 million test program could sell your grandiose master $88 million plan that will end up actually costing $200 million.

at 9:32 AM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

For the recent project to move the Fountain Square-Tyler Fountain, the City Spent $43 million for $2 million in value.

The City only spent $4 million on Fountain Square. The rest was private money.

at 10:18 AM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

If the only purpose of building the streetcar was to act as a people mover, then substituting busses instead of the streetcar might be worth studying. However, the streetcar has a dual purpose, both to move people around Downtown and Over-the-Rhine and to focus and spur economic development. The streetcar’s ability to revitalize urban neighborhood sets it apart from any bus system or electric bus trolleys.

Downtown Cincinnati is already traversed by dozens of bus lines. Busses are an important part of any transportation system, but due to their impermanence they do not focus economic development like a streetcar does. To change a bus route, all you need to do is re-paint a few different telephone poles. To change a streetcar route you need to tear up the track and move it—an unlikely event.

Because a streetcar is a permanent improvement, developers are more likely to base their investments on the route. Had someone invested money on Vine Street because it was on the 17 bus route, they would have been dismayed when the 17 was moved to Main Street after Government Square opened.

The streetcar is fixed to a route—there is steel in the ground. A developer knows the route will not change.

Parking is the number one problem in developments downtown. It forces developers to either build only very high end projects or ask the city for tax rebates and credits to finance the construction of underground parking structures. Building a parking structure, especially underground, is very expensive, to the tune of $25,000 per space. If a condo has two spaces that adds up to $50,000 per unit. This may not be a problem for a $1 million dollar condo. The parking would only by 5% of the total cost. However this is a problem for the $200,000 condo, parking would account for 25% of the cost.

If you have a streetcar, you can get rid of one of those parking spaces. That would drop the $200,000 condo to $175,000. In addition that household would only have to pay upkeep on one automobile, saving around $5000 a year (gas, insurance, wear and tear, car payments) or $420 dollars a month that could be put towards the mortgage.

A place that wouldn’t be affordable now is, or that household can get more space and amenities for their money.

The streetcar is a more comfortable ride on smooth, freshly laid tracks. It is easier for the disabled to use. On busses, people in wheel chairs have to wait for the lift to be extended, board, and then be strapped into place by the driver. On the streetcar, someone in a wheelchair needs only to press a button on the outside of the car, a ramp extends and they roll right on. The capacity of streetcars is greater than busses, especially important on days when there is a Reds or Bengals game.

Streetcars are easier to navigate than busses. Many people don’t know where the 47 or 16 busses go, but the streetcar has rails in the ground. You can look down the street and see the direction they run.

The streetcar attracts riders that would otherwise not ride the bus. In Portland when the streetcar line opened, bus ridership fell by around 1000 per day but the streetcar had 5300 total riders per day.

The City of Cincinnati has already commissioned a study of the streetcar route. This study was done by HDR, a group that also did the study for the Portland streetcar. The results of the study are available at this website: http://cincinnati-oh.gov/pages/-16338-/ But I will briefly summarize the findings.

The $88 million figure is in 2007 dollars. The longer the project waits, the more expensive it will be due to inflation. Typically, streetcar lines cost between $15-20 million per mile. The Cincinnati estimate puts our costs at around $22 million per mile. This includes the rolling stock and a maintenance facility. In addition, the projection includes a 15-25% cost overrun built in to the $88 million figure.

The cost benefit ratio of the streetcar is estimated at 15.2 to 1. This means for the $88 million dollar investment, over the next ten years the values of the existing properties along the line will increase by $379 million and there will be $1.48 billion dollars of redevelopment.

The study included three different redevelopment scenarios: high, conservative, and low. These projections are under the conservative scenario.

Some people have stated that Cincinnati isn’t the same as Portland and we shouldn’t expect the same results that Portland has achieved. This is true and the study came up with different figures for Cincinnati than Portland. Portland’s economic multiplier is 28.5 to 1; Cincinnati’s is 15.2 to 1. Portland added 7,000 new residents as a result of the streetcar; Cincinnati is expected to add around 3,400. Portland experienced a lot of new development in the Pearl District, whereas Cincinnati would experience a lot of rehabilitations in Over-the-Rhine.

A 15.2 to 1 cost benefit ratio and thousands of new residents would be a bonanza for Downtown. The streetcar system can be expanded across the river to Newport and up the hill to UC increasing the development potential and ridership of the system.

Redevelopment is occurring all around Downtown and in Over-the-Rhine. A streetcar system is needed to connect the dots between Fountain Square, The Banks, the riverfront, Music Hall, Main Street, Findlay Market, the emerging Gateway Quarter, and the numerous other Downtown attractions and residents. The initial study has shown the benefits of the streetcar system are considerable. As Councilman Bortz put it, it’s not a question of whether or not to build to streetcar, it is a question of if this is an opportunity Cincinnati can afford to miss.

Brad Thomas
Mayor’s Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet
Transportation Committee

at 10:32 AM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

Please get your facts straight:
Financing Plan

Uses and Sources

USES

Hard Construction Costs
$26,304, 500
Soft Costs
$8,851,112
TOTAL USES $42,655,612

SOURCES

Private

Conventional 1st Mortgage $15,000,000
New Market Tax Credits $10,750,000
Cincinnati Equity Fund $4,000,000
Corporate/Philanthropic Contribution $4,905,621
Urban Redevelopment Loan $4,000,000

Public

City of Cincinnati $4,000,000

TOTAL SOURCES $42,655,612

Public Investment

3CDC will pay the City $7.5 Million for 40 a year leasehold interest (or the length of the outstanding debt term, whichever is less) in the garage.

Income from garage will support the private capital structure necessary to fund improvements for both garage and plaza.

City maintains ownership of and ultimate control over both plaza and garage.

3CDC will operate the garage and will agree to covenants that will ensure below-market parking rates and short-term parking for retailers.

City will contribute $4 Million (budgeted for garage improvements in 2006) towards plaza improvements in the form of a grant.

$4 million City investment will leverage into an additional $38 million in private investment into Fountain Square Plaza and garage.

Leveraging of City Funds
The Project will use the initial $4 million City investment to act as a catalyst for over $72 million in overall investment in the Fountain Square District.

at 1:52 PM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

First, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to post a comment and ask some very candid questions. We need an open dialogue in order to affect change, and I applaud the Enquirer for offering us that. I would ask all of you, however, to augment any criticism with suggestions. We have been brought together to serve as a voice for young people, to open an ongoing conversation with the Mayor's office, and we have 100 members who are committed to doing just that.

Specifically, Sean Rhiney and the Arts and Entertainment Committee served as a voice for YP support for the Arts community during the budget session, offering a resolution incorporated by the Mayor's office for increased funding for the arts, and have since strengthened the tie between our arts venues and the city through their Arts Allies initiative. Rolnecia Albert and the Civic Engagement Committee have made a goal to create a grassroots movement through YP involvement in our Community Councils, a venue for policy creation not well known and currently under-utilized. Roshelle Rosemond and the Economic Development Committee have worked to retain our youth through leading the Youth Opportunities Fair and to attract retail through recruiting Social Compact to do a DrillDown population study to better understand the buying power of our urban core. Sean Suder and the Housing Commitee have worked to open the door for YP home ownership opportunities by taking a lead role in the tour of living programs, partnering with city incentives and bank first-time homebuyer programs. And Nicole Mathena from the Economic Development Committee has begun a program to partner with the HR department of our local corporations to better sell the Cincinnati lifestyle when offering a position to potential creative class job candidates.

I have only begun to name the initiatives started by an organization not yet a year old. Our volunteers...and I repeat...volunteers, care deeply for the success of our city and have worked countless hours to provide more opportunities for our young people to lead our region.

Have we figured it all out? No. But that is the beauty of an organization like the YPKC. We have been afforded the opportunity to channel our passion to an entity that makes many of the decisions that we will live with for years to come, and that makes our work worthwhile.

Please continue to offer suggestions. We welcome the chance to connect you to the city, and to work with you to strengthen and celebrate our amazing region.

Candace Klein

at 2:02 PM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:32 am …..3CDC Manages the development of Downtown Cinti projects, including Fountain Square Renovation Project. They are a private, Non-profit organization setup by the City of Cinti.

So the city gives 3CDC exclusive control of fountain square, for which 3CDC borrows $40 million against to renovate Fountain Square. In exchange, the 3CDC will pay approx $1 million a year in lease fees to Cinti., from garage fees.

How is this all private funding? If 3CDC defaults, isn't the City of Cinti guaranteeing the loans? Wouldn’t an open market lease for the garage parking have generated more income to the City of Cinti.

It’s a shell game, to suggest that the city of Cincinnati only put up $4 million of the $45 million to renovate Fountain Square is disingenuous at best; and more accurately a lie.

at 3:36 PM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:02:

See Anon 10:32's comment. It's right there for you. City commitment is $4 million.

Here's a link to 3CDC's website which also clearly states the city's contribution:

http://www.3cdc.org/content.jsp?articleId=110

For you to suggest that the city of Cincinnati put up more than $4 million of the $45 million to renovate Fountain Square is disingenuous at best; and more accurately a lie.

Give credit where credit is due on this one.

at 4:49 PM, June 15, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:36pm Sorry that posting from Anon 2:02pm was over your head and not dumbed down enough for you.

at 1:53 PM, June 16, 2007

Anonymous said...

It was a pretty dumb post, wasn't it? Especially the part about Cincinnati spending more than $4 million on Fountain Square.

Some people are bound and determined to find fault with whatever the city does, and will even make up their own facts to support their flawed views.

Yep - that is dumb.

at 8:56 AM, June 18, 2007

Anonymous said...

To Brad Thomas.
You’ve addressed my post. Thank you. I don’t know you but I’m impressed with your communication skills and presentation of your argument. You’ve offered specific data supporting your position without the others’ practice of useless fluff and bluster.

The YP group should look to you for greater leadership and as a spokesman.

That being said, I still support a prototype program to learn if an in-ground-track trolley system will work in Cincinnati. And if the answer is YES, how best to implement it, without committing $90-$200 million on a ‘best guess’. Cincinnati public projects are notorious for missed budgets and missed placed investments.

I understand the public commitment that a $100+ million in-ground track system demonstrates to private developers along the trolley lines. But don’t forget the experiences of the underground subway system, Purple People Bridge Climb, the downtown skywalk, Fountain Square Renovations (2+ times), and two debacles of tax payer financed public stadiums on the Riverfront. (These stadiums and surrounding area are now controlled by the Brown Family and Reds, and not the public.)

I agree another bus line is not needed. I envision a test system with true upscale trolley-like-cars that are trackless operated but within designated traffic neon-painted lanes. For a one year test, most can follow visible neon painted traffic lines, just as well as in-ground metal track, for direction. Make rider ship free when possible during the test but require survey responses in return for free service.

Cincinnati folks are Midwesterners and like their cars. I see trolley riders that also own cars, minimally for weekend excursions.

Finally, bravo to you and please continue to present deeply needed leadership within the City of Cincinnati. (Please stay out of politics or you will lose your vision and way.)

at 11:19 AM, June 18, 2007

Anonymous said...

I've read this entire blog to this point. I'm very disappointed with the YP's. I'm sorry, but only one of you actually answered coherently with a specific idea for the rest of the city to consider, which brought forth actual numbers and data to process and analyze. That is what we were asking for; we expected you to be able to provide it. You did not. That's unacceptable, and very disappointing.

Your qualifying criteria for addressing situations does not actually address the problem, rather, it only inflates the ego of the group.

We have enough half-baked politicians in this town, and a couple of good ones, so we really don't need this thinktank of future nonsensibility and lack of clear communication. You don't need a spokesperson; you need to go back to college and learn how to effectively write for business in clear, concise and specific ways.

And, what is your racial composition? I've read elsewhere that this is a group of all-white, wealthy people. If that is so, and if this is your idea of future leadership, I can't leave this town fast enough, which should be your primary concern.

You asked for specific suggestions for improvement when we have something critical to say. I have provided suggestions within the body of this post, but I want to re-emphasize them so we are clear as to recommendations for any future action on your part: give us specific examples of real concrete ideas, backed up with hard data, and write your opinions clearly, so we can understand you completely and comprehensively. Stop offering politically written platitudes, stop patting yourselves on the back, obtain a diverse and accurately represented demographic of our city in your group, and start to address this city with the intelligence we expect and deserve, especially those of us with experience.

Thank you, and best wishes for your future plans. I do admire the basic philosophy behind your efforts, and with the implementation of these improvement suggestions, you could truly do great things for this city.

at 2:50 PM, June 18, 2007

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:19am posted ....And, what is your racial composition?

I assumed YPs were mostly Black. You suggested they are mostly White. Does it matter?

A good idea should be a good idea for Blacks, Whites, Yellows, Browns, etc. If you determine good or bad ideas based upon who suggested them, you are not objective in your evaluation of the proposed projects' merits.

at 3:09 PM, June 18, 2007

Anonymous said...

This racial diversity overemphasis is meaningless. In 30 years, by demographic trends, Hispanics may be the Majority, with both Blacks and Whites minorities.

I don't know if Brad Thomas is Black, White or whatever. He is the only YPKC to communicate any ideas of value.

As a side note, I laughed at the suggestions that the Banks Project needed a minority investor. I assumed that meant a local Black investment group. Instead the city got an out of state Black owned firm, named Carter. How is an out of state Black firm going to better held local minorities than a Local owned firm, be it Black, Yellow, White, or Brown? This color focus is silly.

at 10:33 AM, June 19, 2007

Anonymous said...

Wow. I didn't know the city had so many anonymous experts.

at 12:09 PM, June 19, 2007

Anonymous said...

WOW !!! ……Anon 10:33am complaining about other posting anonymously.....now that's a classic hypocrite.

at 12:59 PM, June 19, 2007

Anonymous said...

Krista, I think you wrote the YPKC article as a coming out party for the group. Unfortunately the party was a flop. But if the YPs are talented they will learn from their mistakes:
-10 committees, one year, and no website to report the groups’ mission and work. This sounds like a true government operation of bloat, waste and inefficiency. Why 10 committees? First, get one that is working effectively. Don’t YPs know how to use computers? Even my grandma maintains a website.
-Sometimes if you have nothing to say……keep quite.
-Only one person in a group of 10 committees could write a composition of value.
-The group needs to refocus and retool. They are not ready for prime time. They come across as a social group of self-gratifying snobs (except Brad T).

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

What Young Professionals want more than happy hours

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