Tag: streetcars

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Development News Politics Transportation

TIGER II grants to target projects that make impact, create jobs

Photo by Jake Mecklenborg

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will distribute $600 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects later this year. Pre-applications are due on Friday, July 16, and formal applications are due on Monday, August 23 from state and local governments. The City of Cincinnati is expected to apply for the TIGER II grants to help fill the remaining $41.5 million needed for its modern streetcar system.

Over the past month, Cincinnati officials have secured $86.5 million for the project, but local politicians have vowed to seek out federal funds to help fill the financing gap. Project officials are hopeful that the project will fare better in this round of TIGER grants because of the recent approval of $64 million in local money to the effort – something federal officials noted as a critical missing element for Cincinnati’s proposal in TIGER I.

Another critical item federal officials docked Cincinnati for was the lack of zoning policies along the proposed route that would encourage mixed-use development, transit ridership and walkability. Since that time, Cincinnati has introduced an amendment that would reduce parking requirements for residential buildings located within 800 feet of a streetcar stop by 50%, and complete eliminate parking requirements for those buildings needing fewer than five spaces after the initial 50% reduction is calculated.

The $600 million available in the latest round of TIGER funding is less than half the $1.5 billion available in its first round that was distributed February. DOT officials state that the money for TIGER II will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or metropolitan area and can create jobs.

“The enormous number of applications we received for the first round of TIGER grants shows that we have a backlog of worthwhile transportation projects waiting for funding,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “This money will go to the kinds of projects that will help spur lasting economic growth, reduce gridlock, provide safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation choices and create jobs.”

Selection criteria for applications will include those that contribute to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation, improving the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving the safety of U.S. transportation facilities and improving the quality of living and working environments of communities through increased transportation choices and connections. The DOT will also give priority to projects that are expected to quickly create and preserve jobs and stimulate rapid increases in economic activity.

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Development News Politics Transportation

Cincinnati transit agency votes to operate modern streetcar system

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) board of trustees voted today to authorize the transit authority to serve as a partner in developing an operating plan for the Cincinnati Streetcar system. The plan is to eventually have SORTA serve as the operator for the modern streetcar system operating in Cincinnati’s Downtown, Over-the-Rhine and Uptown neighborhoods.

There are still several items to be worked out between SORTA and the City of Cincinnati in addition to formal approval from the City. Once an agreement is reached, the two organizations will work together to develop a comprehensive engagement program. There is the opportunity for the City to select a different operator for the system should an agreement not be reached.

Last week the Cincinnati Streetcar secured $86.5 million of the total $128 million needed to make the initial part of the Cincinnati Streetcar system reality. So far the State of Ohio has contributed $15 million, OKI Regional Council of Governments has allocated $4 million of CMAQ federal funds, the City of Cincinnati has approved $64 million in bonds, and another $3.5 million came via contributions from Duke Energy.

“With more than two-thirds of the funding for the streetcar system in place, we are in a good position to further develop the operating plan for the streetcar system’s long-term sustainability,” said City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr in a press release. “We are glad to pull on SORTA’s transportation expertise and resources to make that happen as quickly as possible.”

SORTA officials tout several advantages to an expanded transit operation partnership between the City and the transit organization that runs the Metro bus system including coordinated planning efforts between bus and streetcar operations that will maximize efficiencies and reduce costs. SORTA officials also state that Metro’s proposed Uptown transit center near the University of Cincinnati can be developed to operate as a connection poitn for the Cincinnati Streetcar, Metro bus service and the various Uptown shuttle services.

“The streetcar is a city economic development tool of regional importance, but it’s also a transportation mode that must be integrated with current transit service and operated efficiently and effectively,” said Melody Sawyer Richardson, chair of the SORTA board. “SORTA will bring extensive transit expertise and understanding to the project, as we work with the city and the community to develop the best possible streetcar operating plan. The City Manager has assured SORTA that his recommendations for funding will not include taking City earnings tax revenue that SORTA receives to operate Metro and Access.”

SORTA is also designated as the region’s federal transit funding recipient. This relationship could allow the agency to leverage federal grant dollars for the Cincinnati Streetcar project and even serve as a conduit for those funds.

In March, SORTA’s newest, and youngest-ever, board member spoke to the potential benefits of larger, more comprehensive transportation system overseen by one transit authority.

“Our area is overdue for new transportation alternatives, and I plan to work very hard to help create solutions to transportation issues that fit realistically within the available resource base,” said J. Thomas Hodges. “A comprehensive multi-modal transportation system is vital for the health and success of our City and region.”

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Development News Politics Transportation

OKI approves $4M for Cincinnati Streetcar project

The good news for the Cincinnati Streetcar keeps rolling the day after Cincinnati City Council approved $64 million in bonds to build the modern streetcar system. The Executive Committee for the OKI Regional Council of Governments announced earlier today that $4 million will be distributed to the Cincinnati Streetcar project through the Federal government’s Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) program.

“The thing about the Cincinnati Streetcar is that it is more than a transportation project; it’s an economic development project which will open up development opportunities with a fixed transportation project,” described OKI Deputy Executive Director Bob Koehler.

The announcement means that there has now been $86.5 million in funding announced for the Cincinnati Streetcar which is projected to cost $128 million to build six miles of track connecting Cincinnati’s riverfront with its downtown, historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and Uptown communities surrounding the University of Cincinnati.

“The Cincinnati Streetcar will help circulate residents, employees and visitors in Cincinnati’s urban core,” said Brad Thomas, Founder, CincyStreetcar.com. “The streetcar will also connect over half the jobs in the city with nearly 1 in 5 residents, and attractions that are visited by 12 million people each year.”

The urban circulator project received the highest ranking of the 14 total projects to receive funding through the CMAQ funds which will benefit roadways, transit and freight projects throughout the region. OKI’s Executive Committee also allocated more than $60 million from the federal Surface Transportation Program (STP).

The CMAQ projects were subjected to a rating system that was able to fund almost all of the requests made by OKI. The $4 million for the Cincinnati Streetcar will officially be authorized next spring, but were approved today to give project teams a jump start on the 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Plan developed and overseen by OKI.

“The projects approved today are critical to continuing our efforts to provide our citizens with a variety of commuting options that will save them time and money while alleviating stress that comes from traveling on congested roadways,” OKI Executive Director Mark Plicinski explained. “OKI continues to move multi-modal projects forward which benefit our commuting population, environment and economy.”

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Development News Politics Transportation

Cincinnati commits $64M to build modern streetcar system

City Council’s Budget & Finance Committee voted yesterday 6-2 to approve $64 million in bonds that will fund Cincinnati’s modern streetcar system.  The move comes on the heels of a $2.6 million bond approval and now sends a clear message to the Federal government that Cincinnati is committed to this project financially.

The local commitment covers about half of the total $128 million streetcar system that will run from Cincinnati’s riverfront, through Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, and up the hill into the Uptown neighborhoods.  The Cincinnati Streetcar was also recently recommended for $15 million in State funds.

The Finance & Budget Committee meeting held yesterday attracted fewer people and public comments, but the breakdown was much the same.  Of the 10 people to speak, only one person, COAST’s lawyer, spoke against the project.  The other public comments were made by residents all over the city, business owners and students.  Over the course of the past two meetings that brings the public comment tally to 38 in favor, 4 opposed.

The City of Cincinnati will now wait to hear back from the Feds next month about another $25 million for the transportation project.  The Federal funding is considered to be critical for the project, but has been out-of-reach due to the lack of a local financial commitment to the project.  Streetcar supporters say that with this approval Cincinnati stands a much greater chance at receiving Federal funds that passed over Cincinnati during the first round of TIGER grants.

Roxanne Qualls, Laure Quinlinvan, Chris Bortz, Jeff Berding, Cecil Thomas and Laketa Cole voted in favor of approving the bonds for the Cincinnati Streetcar while Chris Monzel and Charlie Winburn voted in opposition.  Leslie Ghiz was absent.  The full City Council, which is made up of the same body, will vote on the measure this Wednesday, May 12 and is expected to pass with a 6-3 majority after Ghiz casts her opposition vote.

You can stay up-to-date on the Cincinnati Streetcar project by reading its blog, or by following the City’s official webpage where you can also make contributions online to help make the project become reality.  Follow @CincyStreetcar on Twitter for even more information.

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News Politics Transportation

City Council to vote on Streetcar bonds

Streetcar at Findlay MarketCity Council is expected to vote today on whether to approve $64 million in bonds toward funding the Cincinnati Streetcar.  Providing this local funding greatly increases the likelihood of receiving federal funding for the remainder of the cost of the project.  Cincinnati was passed up in the first round of TIGER funding due to a lack of local financial support.  Several additional federal funding sources are available, including one specifically targeted at urban circulator projects such as streetcars.

On April 19, Council voted to support $2.6 million of funding to keep the project moving forward.  Council members Quinlivan, Cole, Qualls, Thomas, Berding, and Bortz voted in favor of the funding in April, and are expected to also approve the bond issue today.

Twenty-nine citizens spoke in favor of the Streetcar project at the April 19 council meeting, while only two spoke against it.  This overwhelming community support certainly played a role in council’s decision.  To ensure council continues to support the Streetcar and pass today’s critical bond issue, please attend today’s session if you are able and register to speak in favor of the project.

Today’s meeting will begin at 2:30 at City Hall.  To show your support of the Streetcar, show up 15 minutes early to fill out a card to speak at the meeting.  Alternatively, you can e-mail your comments to City Council.

Get live updates from today’s council meeting by following the #CincyStreetcarVote tag on Twitter.