Coleman talks about Streetcars in CBUS Magazine
Did anyone else notice the interview with Mayor Coleman in the recent C-Bus magazine? When asked how to keep young professionals he responded:
C-Bus Magazine wrote
One of my ideas is to build a streetcar in our city. I think connecting the Ohio State University to the Brewery District, and the Arena District to the Discovery District, which is CCAD area and Columbus State, is something I think will add to the value of the city, and will be an element of the quality of life to young professionals finding Columbus as a place they want to stay. And anywhere that streetcar is located, you will see restaurants, retail, offices, and residential, all along the line. It will be the spur and difference-maker for economic development in our downtown, in addition to getting around. So it’s a huge catalyst for vibrancy, a huge catalyst for economic development, and a huge catalyst for just getting folks around…
Now we haven’t decided that we’re going to do it yet, because it’s a finance question. But we are very seriously turning over every stone to figure out how it can be built in this city. And I do not envision a trolley . . . this is a monorail on the ground . . . a very futuristic, contemporary line. We’re going to rename it from a streetcar to something else, and I might ask young folks, “What do you think we should name it?”
The interview is not dated but it does say this is ‘fresh off his reelection victory’. Either way the fact Coleman is willing to devote a large portion of an interview to streetcars and make the jump from young professionals to something that is somewhat off topic is a good sign I think.
The rest of the interview is interesting too, page 19 of the magazine here. (PDF)
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Related Tags: Mayor Coleman • streetcar
January 5th, 2008 at 11:50 am
By the time this thing gets built, I won’t be a young professional anymore!!
January 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
it’s pretty sad that we can’t come up with the minimal sum to build this street car compared with other cities that come up with hundreds of millions into the billions for their innercity transportation projects. just get it done already.
January 5th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I’m glad and surprised he mentioned the line going from AD to DD, that would be great since I’d rather ride my bike than walk to a High St-only streetcar route, or if I have to, I’ll ride my bike to a High St streetcar stop.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
+1
I’m going to have to start pushing harder in support of this line. That DD stop will probably be a very close walk to my new house. 8)
January 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Someone tell them enough already.
Less talk and more work.
Let’s build this thing!
January 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
You should definitely attend the Summit on Jan. 29th and let them know how you feel.
http://www.columbus.gov/columbus2012/RSVP_form.html
January 8th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I hear there will be electronic keypad technology at that summit.
Can anyone confirm that?
January 8th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Another mid-week meeting I cannot attend due to work travel. Is there anyway to add input to the discussion beforehand?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
can we call it the C-BUS …hah, kidding…..or am i? im gonna try to make it to that summit, should be interesting!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I think the monorail on the ground analogy is the way to go. Rebranding or re-positioning the project in that vein will win more support than street cars. Nice to see city hall taking these kind of marketing ideas to heart.