JohnWirtz wrote

Wow, more confusion about what a streetcar is. Houston has a light rail line that runs in the street, but due to it’s length and station spacing (7.2 miles, with 16 stops) it’s not exactly comparable to a streetcar line. I will have to do a post on XingColumbus soon to explain the different modes.

I posted some info:

http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/rail-mode-definitions/

Thank you for your continued attention and commitment to the growth and prosperity of Columbus, a city which I have been proud to call home for all of my life (approaching 40 years). I have seen it’s ups and downs, but have rarely seen the type of recognition and change that I’ve witnessed over the last several years under your guidance and Mayor Coleman’s vision. I believe Columbus is finally on the precipice of realizing a dream I’ve had all my life here, which is to become a “heavyweight” in comparison with the other major cities of the U.S., and I believe that the streetcar is an integral part of this future.

Skepticism seems to abound, and this can only benefit the plan, because scrutiny and caution are certainly critical components in the streetcar’s success, however after a great deal of personal research, I think many of the criticisms are unfounded. When I’ve examined the results in the more than 20 cities who have developed streetcars and light rail over the last decade, I’ve seen that in every case the prognostications of development, ridership, and success were enjoyed in those cities. This isn’t a case of Columbus attempting to keep up with San Francisco or New York, cities like Kenosha and Little Rock and Tacoma have seen hundreds of millions of dollars of development follow the creation of their own streetcars, and thanks to the forward thinking individuals in government who supported them. I believe Columbus is now the largest city in the country who has a public transit system entirely comprised of busing, and in order for us to not only maintain our position but continue to grow, this must change. The realities of “brain drain” and stagnant corporate commitment are being felt in every other city in Ohio, and many around the Midwest, and if Columbus isn’t careful, our own population numbers and GDP will begin to join Cleveland and Cincinnati in their downturns. The argument that this only serves a limited number of people in a limited area is frankly not a strong one, as I can think of no better place to begin a starter line. Serving 60,000 OSU students, 2.5 million visitors, tens of thousands of downtown and Short North residents, and the abundant number of downtown workers who reside in outlying areas, seems to provide as diverse a likely ridership as you would find in any 3 mile stretch. It doesn’t seem to be a question of if the development will follow the streetcar, because time and time again, in 100% of the cities who have built them, it has followed. Those 36 underdeveloped acres along it’s route are holes in the center of our city crying for assistance, and I have seen nothing that would be more likely to bring that assistance than light rail.

I am hopeful that the voices in support of this initiative will remain patient and committed to the Columbus of the future, because the alternative is being left in the past. Those who say they won’t ever ride it, that say they won’t benefit from it, are not seeing the benefits that everyone enjoys from a more prosperous city. Forward thinking, planning for growth, and bringing Columbus into the present with a comprehensive transit system as a goal is the only way that this city will remain competitive in attracting investment and in attracting the corporate development that is required in the 21st Century to succeed.

Thank you,

Please write more letters and send more emails everyday in support of moving forward with the study!

Emails to write to courtesy of Brewmaster:

MKRutkus@columbus.gov, yjnelson@columbus.gov, KAOwens@columbus.gov, KCPaul@columbus.gov, lecady@columbus.gov, jcragland@columbus.gov, CGWilliams@columbus.gov

Kevin L. Boyce wrote Thank you for contacting my office regarding your support of streetcars in

downtown Columbus. I am always glad to hear from our community on issues that interest them.

At this time, the City of Columbus is continuing to meet with our

residents regarding their interests in this project. We remain dedicated

to hearing from the public on all aspects of the proposed streetcars,

including funding strategies and alternatives to its creation. Please

continue to reach out to the City Council and Mayor’s offices regarding

your point of view. This is an ambitious proposal by the Mayor and we as

Council members will look to the opinions of the public in making our

decisions on this project.

Last week, City Council passed the Capital Improvements Budget, which

decides the projects, funding levels, and funding sources for the 2008

City projects. In the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Budget proposal to

Council, there was a $2 million earmark for a design and engineering

study for a 2.8 mile street car downtown. Due to the concerns over the

level of input from community members, City Council and Mayor Coleman

decided to remove the earmark for the streetcars from this Capital

Improvements Budget, and to budget $2 million

for miscellaneous economic development.

This decision is not an endorsement or rejection of the Mayor’s street

car plan-by keeping the money available, but not specifically dedicated

it to any project, we have many options. We may choose to spend that

money on the design and engineering study, should the public encourage

us to do so. Or, we may allocate that money to various other City

projects if Council chooses to go in another direction. At this time, we

have left our options open.

The City is still in the planning and decision making stages of this

potential project and welcomes input from the community regarding

ongoing projects. I greatly appreciate hearing from you on this issue

and will take all information into consideration when Council is asked

to vote. If you have any additional questions please feel free to

contact my Legislative Assistant Rachel Klegman at 645-0852 so she can

assist you.

Sincerely,

Kevin L. Boyce

President Pro Tem

Columbus City Council

luchobucho wrote Yeah, I was gonna say, I don’t remember seeing a streetcar line in Houston, only a Light rail line.

I think people just want rail, any kinda rail, that they’re willing to point to all kinds of rail installations just to prove a point.

You’re probably right, but I’m worried that people think they’re getting something much bigger than a 2.8 mile streetcar line that still stops every couple of blocks. Most people on this site that are opposed to the streetcar seem to be opposed because they would rather have a bigger system. That’s not really an either/or choice though. A more comprehensive light rail line would require jumping through FTA New Starts funding hoops and would probably take a lot longer to implement. I think it’s just going to be a continuing education effort, regardless of how good or bad the previous education efforts have been.

JohnWirtz wrote

Walker wrote

The Dispatch wrote Streetcars are big success in Houston

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

In 2001, I moved from Houston to Columbus to attend Ohio State University. During that time, Houston was in the process of breaking ground on a light-rail project that was met with heavy criticism. As a homeowner in the University District, I can’t help but feel that Columbus would be remiss if it didn’t at least give the streetcar a chance.

We need a green alternative to transportation in the city, an opportunity to bring economic development to Downtown and a chance to connect the 50,000-plus students and residents of the University District to the city’s core.

In November 2007, Houston carried its 40 millionth passenger, a goal it didn’t expect to hit until 2020. One trip to Houston will quickly demonstrate the successful economic impact and connectivity that a project like this offers.

JOEL DÍAZ

Columbus

READ MORE

Wow, more confusion about what a streetcar is. Houston has a light rail line that runs in the street, but due to it’s length and station spacing (7.2 miles, with 16 stops) it’s not exactly comparable to a streetcar line. I will have to do a post on XingColumbus soon to explain the different modes.

Yeah, I was gonna say, I don’t remember seeing a streetcar line in Houston, only a Light rail line.

I think people just want rail, any kinda rail, that they’re willing to point to all kinds of rail installations just to prove a point.

But yeah, there is a lot of confusion on what exactly the differences in these rail systems are.

Walker wrote

The Dispatch wrote Streetcars are big success in Houston

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

In 2001, I moved from Houston to Columbus to attend Ohio State University. During that time, Houston was in the process of breaking ground on a light-rail project that was met with heavy criticism. As a homeowner in the University District, I can’t help but feel that Columbus would be remiss if it didn’t at least give the streetcar a chance.

We need a green alternative to transportation in the city, an opportunity to bring economic development to Downtown and a chance to connect the 50,000-plus students and residents of the University District to the city’s core.

In November 2007, Houston carried its 40 millionth passenger, a goal it didn’t expect to hit until 2020. One trip to Houston will quickly demonstrate the successful economic impact and connectivity that a project like this offers.

JOEL DÍAZ

Columbus

READ MORE

Wow, more confusion about what a streetcar is. Houston has a light rail line that runs in the street, but due to it’s length and station spacing (7.2 miles, with 16 stops) it’s not exactly comparable to a streetcar line. I will have to do a post on XingColumbus soon to explain the different modes.

Edit: Found this on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Can we just have the engineering study to address the concerns that everyone has? Beats the rampant speculation and misinformation that will ultimately kill this in Columbus.

The Dispatch wrote Streetcars are big success in Houston

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

In 2001, I moved from Houston to Columbus to attend Ohio State University. During that time, Houston was in the process of breaking ground on a light-rail project that was met with heavy criticism. As a homeowner in the University District, I can’t help but feel that Columbus would be remiss if it didn’t at least give the streetcar a chance.

We need a green alternative to transportation in the city, an opportunity to bring economic development to Downtown and a chance to connect the 50,000-plus students and residents of the University District to the city’s core.

In November 2007, Houston carried its 40 millionth passenger, a goal it didn’t expect to hit until 2020. One trip to Houston will quickly demonstrate the successful economic impact and connectivity that a project like this offers.

JOEL DÍAZ

Columbus

READ MORE