Streetcars

By Joan Kaup

When looking at building the net worth of Cincinnati, streetcars are an essential component of the solution. They attract economic development and provide a valuable service to residents and visitors.

I spent Memorial Day weekend in Portland, Oregon, where I learned first-hand how that city has benefited from electric streetcars. The trip opened my eyes to how streetcars can be a catalyst for economic development.

Solutions are not always grand, sweeping changes. The first phase of a streetcar project does not have to be an entire system -- just a couple of miles through the city center will make a difference with demonstrative impact. During a five-year period following the advent of streetcars, Portland's downtown Pearl District documented the growth of pedestrian traffic at a key intersection from 3 to 933 pedestrians in an hour. If that seems unbelievable, cut it in half. What if the increase were only from 3 to 465 pedestrians in an hour along a line in Cincinnati? Imagine what that would means to retailers and restaurants. Imagine how it could improve people's ability to move throughout the center of our city.

A streetcar circulator is safe, manageable and easy to install. It connects people to their place of work, homes, art institutions, entertainment venues, restaurants and stores. More importantly, it connects people with people. I rode the streetcars with professional from the hospitals, the airlines and commerce and with casual tourists and little old ladies out with their canes to do some shopping. The diversity and dialogue was warm and genuine.

When looking at building the net worth of Cincinnati, streetcars are an essential component of the solution. They attract economic development because their tracks are installed in the streets. Tracks and infrastructure the length of a city block can be installed in a few weeks, causing only minimal disturbance to current business and pedestrian activity. Streetcar service will not be rerouted or discontinued like a bus service might. Property along a streetcar route is prime real estate for developing businesses, parks, and homes.

The more people who live in the city, the more property taxes contributed to our coffers. The more money that people spend in the city, the more sales taxes generated for our city budget. The more money our city has to spend, the more services we can provide to all residents -- in all neighborhoods.