Reported by: Bill Price
Over 50 years ago, streetcars were a common sight throughout Cincinnati and now they may be starting to make a comeback.
Later today, plans will be unveiled for a new streetcar system linking Over-the-Rhine, Downtown and the Riverfront.
A Cincinnati City Council committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday afternoon on a proposal to build a 4-mile, $100 million streetcar system that would shuttle people around Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.
The plans would be much smaller and less ambitious than that "Metro Moves" plan for extensive light rail trains running through Hamilton County. Instead of a street-based "streetcar" system, Metro Moves looked to using light rail cars, often on existing freight tracks in Hamilton County to bring commuters into downtown and get them around Hamilton County.
Voters overwhelming rejected a sales tax increase in 2002 to pay for that plan. It's believed this simpler "city of Cincinnati only" streetcar system serving would possibly be paid for by floating bonds, that then would be paid back with new taxes paid for with new homes and commercial development that goes in along the streetcar route.
A similar plan in Portland, Oregon is credited for helping to build over 7,000 new homes and apartments there.
The public hearing will be held by the City Council's economic development committee. It will start at 1:00 p.m. in City Council chambers at City Hall.
Currently, the only way you can ride a streetcar in Cincinnati is to go to an exhibit at Union Terminal, where a former Cincinnati street car is on display. It doesn't go anywhere.
