Greg Harris: Do Not Succumb to Sticker Shock

David Wells' post on the cost of street cars is well-reasoned. But my gosh, if we don't find the dollars to fund this system, the city will bypass an opportunity to generate so much new wealth over the long-term.

I'm confident our corporate citizens and philanthropic sector will step up to the plate to help raise the $20 million in private dollars needed. We can also raise money through selling development rights along the street car lines--indeed, in other cities developers helped fund street cars. And while it's understandable that Duke cannot contribute all $20 mill, I'd be surprised if they don't contribute a sizable sum. Duke would significantly profit from street cars. For they would not only provide the power, but the compact development spurred by street cars helps offset the tremendous costs of sprawling development that costs electric and gas companies a great deal of money.

Ultimately, we have to determine what kind of future we want for our city. Do we want to be a Can Do city that leverages and inter-connects its tremendous assets? Do we want to be a green city that attracts and retains talent? The economic and environmental dividend of street cars would help us realize this vision.

We currently devote 2/3 of the city budget to public safety. Our ability to fund items that improve the city's livability (arts, recycling, street maintenance, festivals, health centers, etc.) is increasingly shrinking. The street cars offer incredible return on investment--Cincinnati's shot to generate hundreds of millions in new revenue. If we don't take a bold step to grow our prosperity as a region, our future will be a continuous cycle of defeatism and cuts, cuts, cuts.

Greg Harris

www.votegregharris.com