Greg Harris: Bring Back Street Cars

Today's Enquirer asks readers to contribute our thoughts about bringing back street cars in Cincinnati.

I strongly believe Cincinnati should implement cost effective transportation alternatives that in other metro-areas have proven pennies to the dollars in terms of their return on investment. As your Councilman, I will advocate for the re-implementation of a street car system in Cincinnati. Other medium-sized cities (with less assets than Cincinnati) like Tucson, AZ., Little Rock, AK., Birmingham AL., and Trenton, N.J., have enjoyed tremendous dividends through adoption of streetcars. A recent USA Today article (see below link) states that their charm and cost effectiveness is “so appealing that some developers are helping pay for the systems.”

In Cincinnati, similar public-private partnerships should be pursued to leverage our compactness as a city by re-activating street car lines that will make transportation safe and seamless and will dramatically spur economic development. In fact, a recent estimate projects $15 in new economic activity for every $1 invested(see second link below). Street cars are good for the environment, good for the economy, and will help counteract years of sprawling development trends by unleashing new development and new wealth in the urban core.

Cincinnati can and must recapture the boldness and confidence of those who built this city. The symbols of the Queen City’s “can-do” spirit abound, including wonderful neighborhoods, incredible arts and culture, a great parks system, and historically significant architecture. Street cars will help us leverage and inter-connect these tremendous assets, harnesses our rich past, and become a Can Do Cincinnati again.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-01-08-streetcars_x.htm

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/city/downloads/city_pdf16341.pdf