Sunday afternoon I attended a rally in front of Music Hall to help save the Cincinnati Streetcar. The newly sworn in mayor, John Cranley, has made it his first mission to shut down the project after the track work now stretches nearly a mile up Elm Street. However, he cannot do it alone and has to have the support of city council. Unfortunately it seems that the majority of council are now in favor of canceling, or at least suspending construction, which the feds have said is the same as canceling in their opinion.

Supporters in front of Music Hall

So a rally was organized to show support for the project. An estimated crowd of around 1,000 listened as speeches and presentations were made before spreading out to line the rail current rail line to the current terminus. I was so excited to see the first rails go in just over a month ago, and was really looking forward to our city’s continued progress. Now I am not so sure that the progress we have seen over the last few years will continue into the future.

My Son, Cincinnati of the Future

These streetcar tracks, while only a 3.6 mile route when complete, are a great start to any future rail expansion projects. Not only can the current rails going into the ground carry the streetcars, but they could also carry lightrail trains with no changes needed. Having an urban circulator is just as important as the lines running into town, and is the perfect place to start a system. The far suburbs and even those in Hamilton county may not want enhanced public transportation, but I believe most of the neighborhoods in the city of Cincinnati want it and would benefit from it greatly. Supporting the streetcar now will not only help our city now, it will help many years into the future.

Line The Line

More arguments for keeping the streetcar going can be found on UrbanCincy.com.