I am very excited and enthusiastic about the proposal to bring streetcars to Cincinnati. As a long-time supporter of public transportation and a leader during my tenure as Mayor to advance Light Rail I believe an efficient public transportation system is essential to our attractiveness and competitiveness as a community. The City of Cincinnati is currently looking at the possibility of building the first link in a streetcar system. (You can click on links below to access the Feasibility Study presented to City Council last October.) This study focuses primarily on a loop from Second Street in Downtown Cincinnati up to Findlay Market. As you read the report you will see consistent reference to the fact that the October study is a preliminary study. Even so, it is a substantial piece of work that the indicates the economic development potential of fixed rail investment. I am working with members of City Council to lay out a series of steps-"green lights" if you will, the administration must pass through to insure that a substantial public investment in a streetcar is successful. The priority for this investment is that it connects the two major employment centers of the region-Downtown and Uptown while going through Over-the-Rhine. In addition, the administration must demonstrate to City Council's satisfaction that: 1.  There is a reasonable and feasible financing plan in place that will get the streetcar to Uptown and not have it stuck at Findlay Market. (We do not want to revisit the days of the failed subway.) 2. The use of city capital dollars does not adversely impact current and anticipated neighborhood projects. 3. The city's operating budget will not subsidize the operations of the streetcar; and, 4. That agreements are in place with our partners in the business community and with the institutions in Uptown to assist in financing the connection. I know a number of people get anxious when anyone starts raising questions about the streetcar. They think that asking questions and stating ones policy position means one is against the streetcar. In my case, that is not true. I think a streetcar system integrated into an expanded bus system and ultimately into a light rail system is exactly what this city and region needs. To get there, however, requires, that we now do the heavy intellectual lifting required to insure we have the financial capacity and the committed partnerships to complete what we start. Please click on the following link to read the Streetcar Motion, the Feasibility Study and its Appendices.  The documents are at the bottom of the page.