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The Dispatch wrote
‘Benefit zone’ may finance scaled-back streetcar plan
Thursday, March 27, 2008
BY ROBERT VITALE AND TIM DOULIN
Mayor Michael B. Coleman is convinced streetcars carry economic benefits because he has seen them succeed in cities such as Portland, Ore.
Shoppers, drivers, diners and drinkers are among the people most likely to pay for a Columbus streetcar line that Mayor Michael B. Coleman officially endorsed yesterday, two years after he first raised the idea.
It would cost about $103 million to get electric streetcars started on a route along High Street, from the southern edge of Downtown to the Ohio State University campus, Coleman said. It would cost about $4.5 million a year to keep them running.
And at least three-quarters of the money would come from a zone that extends three blocks to either side of the line, covering “people who work and play” Downtown, in the Short North, in Victorian and Italian villages and in the University District.
Comments
- Liz Samuelson: Why can't they just pay someone to do it versus a contest? I really like t
- RichLauro: Awesome! Good for Justin and best wishes!!
- Liz Samuelson: @jpizzow – Thank you for the compliment, yes lots of potential and lots o
- Taz Devil: Oh, and it should be finished soon considering that they work late into the
- Anne: I bought one of the raspberry and chocolate mousse tortes from Mozart's las
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News
‘Benefit zone’ may finance scaled-back streetcar plan
By: Walker
Related Posts:
I thought that Streetcar was just going like 300 mph.
:shock:
i propose a streetcar “of a different color”. it should change as it moves through the city like the horses in The Wizard of Oz.
Man. I was hoping they invented a street car that would stay still and the world around it would move really fast. My hopes are shot now. Way to spoil it for me.
As for the Scarlet and Grey issue, OSU probably brings in more money than any other entity in Columbus, even the Limited Brands or Nationwide. A huge portion of tourism is linked to both OSU sports and high school athletics being held at OSU, the increased population from a constantly changing student population, the influx in educated young professionals staying in the city after relocating here for college, all of the symposiums and conferences held there, and not to mention the family and friends of students and faculty that come to the city. I would imagine OSU will be responsible for more than 50% of the rideship of the streetcar line. Even if the major pushers of the plan are Short North and Arena District people they are only a small fraction of the intended riders. Students are by far the largest user base of the #2 Cota line and during OSU events there will be a ton of people riding from the downtown hotels to campus on the streetcar. I really doubt that it will be Scarlet and Grey but I really wouldn’t have any problem with it.
I really wish the street car would come up to atleast Lane. I think ending it at the Gateway may restrict a little bit of their campus based ridership. It is still better than ending it further south though. If they extended it to Hudsun or even just to Lane they could probably reduce the frequency of the #2 Cota route since it would be an alternative for a large portion of their rider base.
when I thought of “Benefit Zone”, I totally was not thinking of street cars…but it sounds like a place I really want to be!
When I think of street cars I always think of the old Pacific Electric cars in LA (remember “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”) because of their distinctive red color.
The street cars should be given a distinctive color that will make them instantly recognizable as COLUMBUS street cars.
Oh, and the color should be bright or warm. Something that would be exciting to see passing down High Street, especially in the middle of winter.
this is what i mean… this is what i think of when i think of street car. All because of the color
I am watching the Streetcar Financing Plan meeting on GTC right now, and I think Gordon Gee said they WILL BE Scarlet & Gray. I looked up and saw the same pic posted on here. Maybe he was joking. (I was only half-listening). Does anyone know if anyone from CU is attending?
I think I read Walker is there. I wish somebody would have mentioned this was on TV. I am watching now… missed the first few minutes.
I think I read Walker is there. I wish somebody would have mentioned this was on TV. I am watching now… missed the first few minutes.
No, it’s been on since at least 6pm, when I first caught it. Coleman, Gee and Mike Reese have already spoken. I didn’t catch the name of the last speaker. It’s a Q&A session now.
I think I just saw Walker :shock: in the front row… I’m guessing based on his pic.
Some chick from OSU just asked about hours of operation, as it relates to getting her drunk-driving friends off the road. :lol:
Some chick from OSU just asked about hours of operation, as it relates to getting her drunk-driving friends off the road. :lol:
Hey, in all sincerity, that’s a BIG one for me and I think a huge selling point for suburbanite parental types too!
WOW @ 30+ acres of undeveloped land along the route…downtown…
Is there a way I can get the “highlights” of tonight’s meeting. Walker podcast? :D I was just able to see a few Q&A’s and the mayor’s closing comments.
What is the next step? Does city council have to put a vote on this still? How was the streetcar going to be funded? Of course these answers will appear in print tomorrow morning.
I was the one that mumbled the question about why it was slated to terminate at 11th Avenue. They took away the card with my question, so I got nervous and couldn’t articulate. I hope I didn’t look all a fool.
GOOD QUESTION! And the response??
Quite a few actually that I spotted. At least 10-15 people who post on the site and probably another 20-30 who I know are lurkers. ;)
I’ll try to post something up tonight.
They run regular City Council meetings on “local indemand” if you have Time Warner Digital Cable. This whole thing will probably be on there in a few days.
Some chick from OSU just asked about hours of operation, as it relates to getting her drunk-driving friends off the road. :lol:
Ha, I sat right next to her. I actually think its a great question too. In fact, I bet they could make a ton of money by extending the hours esp. on the weekends.
Oh yeah, she was a writer for the Lantern so I think she was suppose to ask an OSU based question.
GOOD QUESTION! And the response??
The answer was that nothing was set in stone and as the design and engineering progresses that has the potential to change.
They have yet to design where or how the streetcar rails will loop and turn around. It could end up being at 12th, I hope it goes farther north and loops around on college road.
BY ERIK JOHNS / MARCH 27, 2008
Tonight, the streetcar committee will present a financial plan to the public. City Hall remains tight-lipped about the specifics, but word is it won’t include new citywide taxes. Those who stand to benefit from the streetcars—businesses and residents along the lines—will be expected to bear the burden of funding its construction, which is estimated somewhere between $130 and $165 million.
He said tonight’s proposal won’t be etched in stone, adding, “What it will be is a scenario that demonstrates that this can be paid for.â€Â
A study commissioned by the streetcar committee makes lofty claims of economic benefits along the lines: private investment of roughly $500 million, 3,000 jobs, 90,000 new visitors, 1,500 new housing units and 300 new hotel rooms.
“It is the first step toward many more steps in the future: rapid transit, light rail, a Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati rail line,†he said. “This is our first a step in a longer journey.â€Â
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