PAVELISH ON THE STREETCARS

The streetcar discussion seems to be taking up a lot of media space the last few days and maybe it is time for me to share my thoughts. When I first heard about the streetcar coming to Cincinnati I thought, 'GREAT NEWS'. I am strong on economic development and I've been preaching to City Council for quite awhile " DO SOMETHING and DEVELOP SOMETHING"... The streetcar ,WOW, this is it. Then later I learned that the proposed route would go from north of Findlay Market --- travel to the Banks --- and return to north of Findlay Market again. Great , I own some land nearby and perhaps make a few bucks. Probably more than a few bucks. Portland, Oregon has the streetcar and boy, what a success. Some routes charge no fare to ride. I spoke with a few friends in Portland and though they did not ride the streetcars they were pleased to have them there. And Cincinnati wants to copy the Portland plan. Great...And Atlanta has a streetcar system plan also and ready to go.

Now why did the streetcar system work in Portland so well? In the 1990's Portland was a GROWING city in need of transportation. The nations young professionals were moving to the Pacific Northwest and to Portland. The streetcar became a major sounce of transportation in Portland just as Metro buses are here and of course it succeeded. And much of the same can be said of Atlanta.

Most older cities do not have streetcars. WHY?? Maybe the streetcar fiasco in Buffalo should be a warning and the answer. Buffalo's streetcar program was a failure. Buffalo is a older city with a DECLINING population. Buffalo is not a very exciting city (though I enjoy the people of Buffalo very much). And Buffalo has a large bus system. Does this sound familiar??


If Cincinnati builds the streetcar system by the proposed date of 2010 and the Banks project may be completed by as late as 2027... it looks like the streetcar will loop from north of Findlay Market to the Banks THAT WON'T BE READY BY 2027 and back to north of Findlay. What am I missing here?? Plus, the streetcars are made in the Czech Republic. That's right, the Czech Republic...


And finally, who owns or controls much of the land that would benefit from Streetcar Phase I ?? It is not Pavelish and it is not you. Just follow the money and see which Councilmembers push this proposal thru.


Are we getting streetcar Portland or are we getting streetcar Buffalo??? And, again, don't forget to follow the money.


http://www.pavelish.com/