Queen City Cycling

Recently, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported that the new Central Riverfront Park currently being designed is being modified to include a bike rental and storage facility, complete with showers for biking commuters. It sounds very similar to Chicago’s in Millennium Park. With that article and Sunday’s Morning Glory Ride, I am still wondering about the status of the Ohio River Bike Path from Lunken to Sawyer Point. The article didn’t really address it and completing the path I think would be key to the facility being planned.

Building Cincinnati reported in May of 2007 that there were three alternatives being considered. And I thought I read somewhere that at least a temporary solution was being worked on. The City’s Bicycle Transportation Programs has the following statement:

"Currently, the City is working to define an alignment for the Ohio River to connect the Lunken Loop to Downtown Cincinnati. Through collaboration with all the shareholders, a feasible alignment will be identified to provide this connectivity. Additional information will be posted on this website."

But that is all I see.
Anyway, I think the Cincinnati Riverfront Park will be even more successful if it is linked by dedicated bike routes to other parts of the city, particularly the East End and Columbia Tusculum. And ultimately it I think it should have those connections to the Little Miami Bike Trail and even the Westside. Let's hope we see this get done.

Keep up with other bike news at the Queen City Bike blog. I've added the link to my blog roll.

The Streetcar Stall Tactics

The Enquirer and John Schneider (via email) reported a few things yesterday regarding the Streetcar. In summary:

1.) Finance Committed voted 5-2 in favor to approve $800,000 for preliminary studies required for federal funding applications. The studies would include the Uptown-downtown link. Motion moves to the full City Council for a vote on Wednesday. It should be clear that Qualls and Cranley voted against the measure.

2.) In addition, a motion to place the question of building the streetcar on this November's ballot was drafted by Council Member Chris Monzel (and co-signed by John Cranley) and forwarded to the City administration for a report.

I have a few thoughts regarding what happened . . .

1.) If Qualls and Cranley say they are pro-streetcar, they are liars. Unless I am mistaken, they previously said they were not against the streetcar, just that it should include Uptown in the Phase I. They voted against studies that included the Uptown link. The additional studies would be ultimately required to get the Uptown portion funded so why not vote for the measure? Clearly, getting the streetcar to Uptown is not their priority.

2.) Monzel, in pushing for a referendum, said, "I want to be the voice of reason," according to the Enquirer. What is clear is he the voice of stalling, ineffectiveness, and dare I say treason, not reason. Cecil Thomas was the voice of clarity saying, "This council was put in place to make decisions." What Cecil Thomas understands is this council cannot afford to get bogged down in politics and move beyond a perception that we cannot get anything done. It is a big decision with a large financial impact but Council does not need a referendum to move forward. Are we going to have referendums on all large capital projects like Broadway Commons, 3CDC funding, and "Go Cincinnati" initiatives, etc.? Calling for a referendum is like voting against this city. I do not dispute the public’s ability to call for one if they choose, but city leaders should not initiate it in this case. Think big and act like leaders.

3.) I will remember these actions by this Council and our Mayor come election time. And I will do whatever I can to make sure others remember as well if you are running for council or other elected office.

Streetcar Shenanigans

As most of you know there has been some news on the streetcar front today. Here was the article in the Enquirer this moring. Apparently, Roxanne Qualls came out of the closet with her own proposal.

I'm so mad I do not even know where to begin so I'm just going to go to the gym. I might write more later but you can follow along over at UrbanOhio in some of the conversation.

Image from BigKid

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