A coalition of civic organizations opposed to that project obtained enough signatures on petitions to draft an amendment for voters to consider.
The text is: "Shall the Charter of the City of Cincinnati be amended to prohibit the city, and its various boards and commissions, from spending any monies for right-of-way acquisition or construction of improvements for passenger rail transportation (e.g. a trolley or streetcar) within the city limits without first submitting the question of approval of such expenditure to a vote of the electorate of the city and receiving a major affirmative vote for the same, by enacting new Article XIV?"Supporters claim: * The Charter Amendment assures a public vote on passenger rail transportation – including streetcars before city funds are spent for right-of-way or construction
* Voters should have a say about passenger rail projects because they’re usually expensive and long-term investments
* A Charter Amendment is an appropriate means for citizens to petition their government
* Voting on rail transit projects will force city leaders to be transparent in funding and long-range planning
* The proposed streetcar route being considered is the wrong plan
Opponents maintain: * The amendment should not be in the charger because it’s too specific and restricts a particular aspect of city council’s legislative authority regarding passenger service in the city
* The amendment effectively prohibits the city from planning rail transit projects because voters could reject the project and funds might not be recovered
* The amendment delays the city from seeking state and federal transportation dollars if every project has to wait for voter approval
* Requiring voter approval before spending money on passenger rail transit will cause excessive delays in developing and implementing an adequate transportation system for the city.
The Cincinnati streetcar concept is being modeled after one in Portland, Oregon.
Queen City leaders have visited that Northwest city to see first-hand how the system operates and how it’s generated additional business along the route.
Federal officials have talked about high-speed rail service connecting Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. Stimulus dollars could be made available for such a project.
Already, East End residents have had a say in that project. They fought to have a temporary station built along Riverside Drive.
Instead, the structure will be located at Lunken Airport.
