The city of Cincinnati has long been seen as being several decades behind the times as quoted by the great American humorous Mark Twain. This sentiment is yet again being exemplified with the city’s upcoming election where Issue 48 is up for vote. The passage of Issue 48 would eliminate the city’s ability to develop transportation plans and other economic development projects for the next 10 years. In a time of economic turmoil and with uncertainty of how high gas prices will rise, the passage of this Issues in the Nov 2011 Election could be a detrimental blow for the City of Cincinnati.
Many who are in favor of the issue fear that if passenger rail, in the form of a street car, is allowed, it would take money away from other city initiatives like paying city police and fire fighters. This is definitely not true, The city of Cincinnati have procured allotted funds to develop passenger rail, and these funds are only ear marked for this purpose and this purpose only. If Issue 48 is passed, these earmarked monies will go to another region of the United States.
Though Issue 48 is not just about the development of a street car, the City of Cincinnati has proposed an initial street car route which connects the city’s Downtown Business District with its uptown neighbor, home to The University of Cincinnati, University Hospital and a plethora of other city attractions; winding through the city’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. All with the hopes that Issue 48 does not pass. Studies have shown that there has been considerable economic development on and around street car routes installed in other parts of the United States and Over-the-Rhine, with its historic construct and multitude of vacant buildings prime for development; should be no exception.
There is a running misconception that Issue 48 will lower the city’s budget deficit, something that officials have been trying to do for some time. As stated in literature issued by Cincinnatians For Progress, a local non-profit organization attempting to squelch Issue 48, states that “it (Issue 48) would deny development that expands the tax base and kill hundreds of jobs overnight and in the future.”
With the development of the city’s street car not withstanding, Cincinnati has been attempting to expand its current railway along its eastern corridor; a set of rail that has been in place for close to a century. The current inundation of railway is lacking in appeal, speed and allure, despite the fact that the corridor which whiparallels the railway is jammed packed with commuters coming in and leaving the downtown area on a daily basis. The future development of this artery is yet another reason why Cincinnati residents should not shoot themselves in the foot and allow for this Issue to pass.
The fact of the matter is, if Issue 48 is passed, it will cripple the city’s ability to make conscience decisions to adapt with the coming economic climate. Never a good idea for a city struggling to rise above the shadow if being “behind the times”.