Streetcar Public Meeting Slated for Monday, April 28

Bring Your Friends. Bring Your Voice.

Columbus City Council is hosting a special meeting to review the financing plan for a streetcar system on Monday, April 28 at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall. You are invited to attend.

This is a very important time to tell City Council Members what you think about streetcars. Bring your friends and help Columbus City members understand why streetcars are an exciting addition to our city. 

Streetcar Public Meeting
Monday, April 28
5 pm
90 W. Broad St.
Second Floor
City Council Chambers

Parking available in the lot north of City Hall

Mayor Coleman recently presented a financing strategy for streetcars which relies on a 4% parking and ticket surcharge in a benefit zone – roughly a two block area surrounding the streetcar line. That means if you park in a lot for $5.00 – you’ll pay $5.20 and receive a free streetcar ticket to boot. MORPC has already pledged $20 million for the project.

Streetcars received a huge vote of confidence at the Columbus Bicentennial Citizen’s Summit and at a public meeting held in late March. Your voice is important.

"Traffic, parking top streetcar questions" Business First of Columbus

Link: Traffic, parking top streetcar questions
Jeff Bell
Business First of Columbus
April 18, 2008

...City officials are working on answers, including whether the streetcar line would run down the center of High Street or in the curb lanes headed north and south, said Mark Kelsey, Columbus' public service director.

An engineering study needs to be completed to address that issue and others involving traffic flow, he said. Such a study won't begin until after city officials determine whether Kelsey's department, the Central Ohio Transit Authority or some other agency would oversee engineering and construction, Kelsey said.

That decision should come in 60 to 90 days...

"Audubon Center breaks ground" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Audubon Center breaks ground
David J. Cross
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
April 24, 2008

Officials from the Grange Insurance Audubon Center celebrated the groundbreaking for a new facility Tuesday with an Earth Day tree planting.

The 18,000-square foot center, located at Scioto Audubon Metro Park on the Whittier Peninsula, is expected to be completed late spring 2009.

The event also marked the start of the not-for-profit's fundraising campaign. To date public and private donations have contributed about $13-million to the center's $14.5-million goal. The organization is looking to the public to help close the funding gap...

"Talk begins on Grandview Yard zoning" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Talk begins on Grandview Yard zoning
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
April 24, 2008

The Grandview Heights Planning Commission April 16 began a discussion about establishing zoning for the Grandview Yard development and the rest of the city's Commerce District.

Planning facilitator Greg Dale of the planning and zoning consulting firm McBride Dale Clarion reviewed for the commission a draft discussion outline he and director of administration/economic development Patrik Bowman had prepared.

The zoning change will be city-initiated, so there will be no formal application needed, Dale said...

"New home sales plunge to lowest level in 16 1/2 years" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: New home sales plunge to lowest level in 16 1/2 years
Martin Crutsinger
The Columbus Dispatch
April 24, 2008

Sales of new homes plunged in March to the lowest level in 16 1/2 years as housing slumped further at the start of the spring sales season.

The median price of a new home in March, compared with a year ago, fell by the largest amount in nearly four decades.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that sales of new homes dropped by 8.5 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 526,000 units, the slowest sales pace since October 1991...

"Streetcar plan approved" The Enquirer [Cincinnati]

Link: Streetcar plan approved
MARGARET A. MCGURK
The Enquirer
April 24, 2008

Cincinnati City Council voted 6-2 Wednesday for a plan to build streetcar lines linking downtown, Over-the-Rhine and Uptown (the area around the University of Cincinnati), putting council on record as wanting to build the system.

But the vote left two question marks attached.

While the city has identified sources to pay for more than two-thirds of the initial line in the system, the plan calls for another $31 million from corporations and other private sources - money that has not yet been solicited...

"COTA gets aboard streetcar planning" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: COTA gets aboard streetcar planning
Tim Doulin
The Columbus Dispatch
April 24, 2008

COTA will contribute up to $50,000 toward a feasibility study for a Downtown streetcar line, but one member of its board questioned whether supporters have objectively studied the demand for such a system.

"Projections on ridership may be more wishful thinking than realistic thinking," Robert Weiler said after the Central Ohio Transit Authority board meeting yesterday...

..."Many of whom had no background in transit and some of whom were against streetcars when we started," Brown said. "Our team has done the homework and asked the tough questions.

"That is what this next six to eight months is all about, us going back out to businesses, going back out to partners to explain, piece by piece, how we came to these conclusions."...

"State wants refund from Skybus" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: State wants refund from Skybus
MArla Matzer Rose
The Columbus Dispatch
April 23, 2008

...Skybus Airlines' failure has prompted the Ohio Department of Development to try to recoup $1.15 million worth of incentives it had paid the airline before it ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy on April 5.

The money was in the form of two grants that made up a portion of the $16 million incentive package that the state gave Skybus before it began flying in May 2007.

The state wants to recover a $900,000 Rapid Outreach grant and a $250,000 grant for Skybus marketing efforts based on its failure to create 800 jobs in Ohio within three years, as promised, said Steve Schoeny, an official with the Department of Development. At the time Skybus folded, it employed 365 people here...

"New ballpark" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: New ballpark
Web-only letters to the editor
The Columbus Dispatch
April 23, 2008

I have read with considerable interest the editorials concerning the ongoing controversy surrounding Franklin County and the Huntington Ballpark. The central idea behind this issue appears to suggest that our County Commissioners are serving the public interests by qualifying contractors. I would like to suggest that our County Commissioners qualifying contractors is bad policy and frankly bad government...

Chamber launches ColumbusInternships.com

Provides training for businesses on hosting an intern

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Chamber has launched Columbusinternships.com, a free internship portal that seeks to increase the number of internships offered in the Columbus Region and strengthen the connection between the business and higher-education community.

“Our members tell us that workforce, specifically stopping brain drain, is a critical issue to their business today,” said Ty Marsh, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. “The Columbus Chamber has developed strategies to attract and retain a talented workforce, which includes this effort to connect the business community to the 110,000 untapped assets in our community, our college and university student populations. Research shows that internships increase the likelihood that students will stay in our community following graduation.”

The Chamber worked with the region’s 20 colleges and universities to create this portal. ColumbusInternships.com provides a virtual marketplace for internships in the Columbus Region, in addition to answering frequently asked questions, dispelling common myths, and explaining why internships are integral for our future workforce.

In conjunction with the portal launch, the Chamber is hosting a training session for businesses interested in starting or improving their current internship program. The event will take place on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 3 p.m. at Columbus State Community College’s Center for Workforce Development, located at 1070 College Ave. Registration is available at www.columbus.org. The session is free to Chamber members and $25 for non-members.

“As is well-documented, our region boasts a young, well-educated, diverse workforce that is nearly 1 million strong,” Councilmember Charleta Tavares noted. “Research shows that connecting college students to meaningful internship opportunities increases the chance that they will stay in our community after graduation.”

Background: The Chamber's three-pronged approach to workforce development, known as Attract & Retain Talent, reaches college-age students, young professionals, and employers. The Columbus Chamber, in partnership with several private and public entities, has a strategy to increase the quantity and quality of our workforce to position the Columbus Region competitively in the global marketplace.

“How to Host an Intern” training is presented in partnership with Columbus State Community College and Business First.

"Existing-home sales slide again" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Existing-home sales slide again
From Wire Reports
The Columbus Dispatch
April 23, 2008

Sales of existing homes fell in March as a severe slump in housing showed no signs of abating. The median price of a home fell compared with the price a year ago.

The National Association of Realtors said sales of existing single-family homes and condominiums dropped by 2 percent in March to 4.93 million units...

"Streetcars in Columbus" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Streetcars in Columbus
Kevin Wood, Presdient, Downtown Residents' Assoication of Columbus
Web-only letters to the editor
The Columbus Dispatch
April 23, 2008

I have heard and read many comments regarding the proposed streetcar from Downtown to OSU. Some say this is a bad idea because it will compete with existing cars and buses on the streets, or because it doesn't serve a large enough area. I was a member of Mayor Coleman's Streetcar Work Group that traveled to Portland and I saw for myself how a modern streetcar functions. These cars are very quiet and fit within existing urban traffic patterns without a hitch. I saw cars, bikes and pedestrians sharing the right-of-way with an attractive streetcar system that has spurred development all along its path.

Ridership on the streetcar line was significantly higher than that on the bus which ran along the same route. Why? People can see where the tracks go, and they feel that this is a permanent form of public transportation...

"Fertilizer prices soaring in U.S." The Columbus Dispatch

This article may seem off topic, but in relation to higher fuels costs and some of the outlying effects it has on other markets, we can see some results of the chain reaction in the agricultural world.

The fact that growers are moving towards ethanol, and given the reports out there that ethanol is not a viable alternative since the supply, it is suggested, could never meet the demand, means we are seeing some prices inflate in markets that are not sustainable.

Out of the frying pan into the fire:

Link: Fertilizer prices soaring in U.S.
The Columbus Dispatch
April 23, 2008

...In the United States, high gasoline prices are prompting growers to plant fertilizer-dependent corn for the manufacture of ethanol fuel. High energy prices also have affected the availability of natural gas, a key ingredient of nitrogen-based fertilizers that can now be sold more profitably as fuel...

"Council's streetcar hearing set for Monday" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Council's streetcar hearing set for Monday
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
April 23, 2008

...Council's first public hearing on the issue has been scheduled for 5 p.m. at City Hall, Councilwoman Maryellen O'Shaughnessy's office announced yesterday.

The public will have a chance to share its opinions, too, the councilwoman's office said.

The hearing will focus on the funding plan issued last month by a Coleman-appointed advisory group, which recommended new taxes on off-street parking and entertainment-event tickets, an increase in Downtown parking-meter rates, and several other sources to raise the $103 million needed to get a 2.8-mile streetcar line up and running...

"City Center can spur Downtown's rebirth" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: City Center can spur Downtown's rebirth
Tom Fortin
Letter to the Editor
The Columbus Dispatch
April 22, 2008

Since 2004, I have witnessed over $500 million of investments in Downtown by local and national investors. They are forward-thinkers with the positive attitude to recognize great potential. My partners and I have invested more than $20 million during this period. Two developers who made unsuccessful attempts to buy Columbus City Center made disparaging comments and said our Downtown could not attract retailers (Dispatch article, April 7). It just doesn't make any sense.

"What's different now from before?" you ask The advent of three new malls and the exodus of some major Downtown employers hurt. In addition, high rent common to new malls gave City Center a bloody lip. Recently, however, our city purchased the City Center at a price that allows it to rent space at prices suburban developers cannot afford to match. Our city can offer tax incentives and abatements suburban malls cannot always offer. With these new tools, sensitive management and the right attitude, we can attract a major retail anchor to City Center...

"Gas prices? Try $3.50" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Gas prices? Try $3.50
Adam Schreck
Associated Press
The Columbus Dispatch
April 22, 2008

NEW YORK -- Rising gasoline prices tightened the squeeze on drivers yesterday, jumping for the first time to an average $3.50 a gallon at filling stations across the country with no sign of relief.

Crude oil set a record for the sixth day in a row -- this time closing above $117 a barrel -- after an attack on a Japanese oil tanker in the Middle East rattled investors.

"It's killing us," said Jean Beuns, a New York cabdriver who estimated he now makes $125 to $150 less per month than in the fall because of costlier gas. "And it was so quick. Every day you see the price go up 5, 6, 10 cents more."...

"Sign of things to come: Carfree conference comes to the U.S." CoolTown Studios

Link: Sign of things to come: Carfree conference comes to the U.S.
Neil Takemoto
CoolTown Studios
April 23, 2008

What's a carfree conference? That's probably what most U.S. citizens would wonder since the first six carfree conferences occurred only in Europe**. However, as you read through the list below, you'll see that's about to change...

Towards Carfree Cities I: Lyon, France; October 1997;
Organized by EYFA (European Youth for Action) and RVV (Regroupement pour une ville sans voiture, or Group for a Carfree City, Lyon), with 60-80 primarily young participants. This led to the founding of Car Busters, the magazine and resource centre (which later became the World Carfree Network) of the global carfree movement...

"Streetcars to get public hearing next week" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Streetcars to get public hearing next week
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
April 21, 2008

...The day and time haven't been firmed up, but Councilwoman Maryellen O'Shaughnessy said she wants the session to take place before the council votes on Coleman's proposed 2008 capital budget.

That budget, which includes a $2 million request to begin design and engineering work for the streetcar line, is scheduled for council action on May 5.

O'Shaughnessy, a streetcar supporter, said she wants her colleagues “to have copious amounts of information.” She offered an apology to council members “if any of you feel you haven't had an opportunity to be briefed on this.”...

Lifestyle Communities Development Efforts Moving Forward

City to invest $5 million to start new neighborhood in Downtown RiverSouth

(Columbus)  In his 2008 State of the City speech, Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced that Lifestyle Communities would break ground on more than 200 new apartments and condos along Front Street between Town and Rich streets. The Mayor is asking City Council to approve legislation tonight to invest more than $5 million in bond proceeds for public improvements to the area, including updated infrastructure like brick sidewalks and new granite curbs, that will beautify the area.   

“As more apartments and condos are built downtown, more affordable options are needed to attract more renters and buyers, especially young professionals,” Mayor Coleman said. “When it comes to building for the young and talented, Lifestyle Communities gets it and they are going to build a neighborhood in our RiverSouth area to enhance our Downtown housing options.”

The $25 million private construction project will create a new neighborhood replacing four empty surface parking lots along Front Street between Town and Rich streets.  Lifestyle Communities will bring both housing and on-site parking to the area, with 130 apartments starting from $750 to $990, and 76 condos selling between $125,000 and $250,000.

Recent public and private investments have made RiverSouth an emerging neighborhood. Construction for the Main Street Bridge has been under way for several years, and the Lazarus Building has been renovated into an award winning "green" office space and is 99% leased. The Scioto Mile Park is set to begin construction in May and the municipal garage at the corner of Front and Rich streets will be completed in the spring of 2009. Lifestyle Communities will move their corporate headquarters downtown in June.

In addition the City will begin the next phase of converting streets from 1-way to 2-way this summer, with completion expected in 2009.  Road Conversions around RiverSouth will include:

• Front Street (Broad to Rich)
• Ludlow Street (Town to Rich)
• Wall Street (Town to Rich)
• Rich Street (High to Ludlow)

The City of Columbus is helping lead the implementation of the Downtown Business Plan with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and local businesses.  2007 marks the fifth year of the 10-year plan to bring new investment, energy and activity into downtown.  The total new investment in downtown since 2000 is estimated at $2.19 billion, with $711 million in public funding helping leverage $1.48 billion in private investment.  This includes projects proposed, under construction, or built since 2000.

"MORPC: Changes needed to accommodate Columbus growth" Business First of Columbus

Link: MORPC: Changes needed to accommodate Columbus growth
Matt Burns
Business First of Columbus
April 16, 2008

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is taking a glass-half-full perspective with the lull in Central Ohio development amid the economy's slowdown.

"If anything, this gives us a good chance to take a step back and look at a new reality we're facing and think pragmatically about how we're going to grow when the next spurt comes," said Matt LaMantia, the commission's regional development coordinator.

The commission is helping to paint a picture of the area that includes Franklin and 11 nearby counties with its 2008 State of the Region report, released Wednesday. The document, which the commission plans to adjust and redevelop as new data are unveiled, shows a number of shifting trends among Central Ohioans, the land and the economy that put the region at risk of being unable to sustain itself...

"ODOT creates transportation-planning task force" Business First of Columbus

Link: ODOT creates transportation-planning task force
Business First of Columbus
April 17, 2008

The Ohio Department of Transportation has assembled a task force of more than two dozen business and government officials to map out the state's transportation future, on and above the ground.

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force will be led by Ty Marsh, president of the ColumbusChamber, and co-chaired by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Montgomery County Commissioner Deborah Lieberman.

The group's goal, ODOT Director James Beasley said, is to prioritize how the state balances the movement of people and freight, boosts safety while cutting congestion and encourages growth. Efforts will include examining financing options for the state's transportation system, digging up new funding sources for state and local governments, and boosting private-sector involvement...

"Comparing Columbus" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Comparing Columbus
Robert H. Milbourne, The Columbus Partnership, New Albany
Roberta F. Garber, Community Research Partners, Westerville
Web-only Letter to the Editor
The Columbus Dispatch
April 18, 2008

We commend the Dispatch for helping the community learn about Benchmarking Central Ohio 2008, prepared for The Columbus Partnership by Community Research Partners. The project aims to stimulate discussion about how central Ohio compares with other metro areas, and it has done just that, particularly with regards to the Arts Establishments indicator. However, some clarification is needed:

We were aiming for breadth in the selection of indicators, with a focus on economic competitiveness. A report focused on a single topic, such as the arts, could capture many more dimensions of that issue.

We did not conduct a survey. Each indicator uses quantitative data, available from a single source, that is regularly updated. The Census Bureau was the original source of the Arts Establishments data.

The project does not include collecting data on the diverse local and national perceptions of "quality" regarding the arts—or the other 59 indicators—although we hope it is a vehicle for surfacing these observations...

"Get involved to improve transportation system" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Get involved to improve transportation system
Chester R Jourdan, Execuive DIrector, MORPC
Letter to the Editor
The Columbus Dispatch
April 19, 2008

Two recent letters to the editor ("Columbus would benefit from streetcars" and "City needs to connect rail line to airport," March 18) recognize the need to build streetcars, trolleys, light rail and/or commuter trains in central Ohio. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission could not agree more.

In addition, MORPC is an advocate of providing options for bicyclists and pedestrians and to help people become more fit by expanding and extending bikeways, greenways and sidewalks, and by embracing "complete streets" principles. The availability of these options not only helps address congestion and air-quality issues but also is a key component in creating prosperity by providing the amenities to retain young creative professionals in the region...

"Ohio Gas Prices Reach Record Highs" WBNS-10TV

Link: Ohio Gas Prices Reach Record Highs
WBNS-10TV
April 18, 2008

Gasoline prices have reached record territory in Ohio.

The Daily Fuel Gauge report from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service shows the statewide average cost of regular-grade gas has risen to $3.40, tying the record set just before Memorial Day weekend last year...

...The current national average for regular is an all-time high of  about $3.45 per gallon...

"Hatching innovative ideas" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Hatching innovative ideas
Amy Saunders
The Columbus Dispatch

In a former mattress factory near Ohio State University, some of central Ohio's most promising start-up companies are working to fight cancer, squash the smell of smoke and cast a future TV star.

They're among the 26 tenants of TechColumbus, a nonprofit organization and business incubator that's growing in strength along with the region's tech reputation.

Forbes.com recently named Columbus the No. 1 up-and-coming tech city in America, a ranking that TechColumbus hopes to use in marketing its companies to venture capitalists...

"Old meters to stay" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Old meters to stay
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
April 18, 2008

In the battle of change vs., well, change, the nickel and dime kind wins.

After testing out bill- and credit-card-friendly machines for parking in the Arena District, Short North and Downtown, Columbus Public Service officials are recommending against their widespread adoption.

In the end, kiosks with solar panels, dial-up modems and computer displays couldn't outperform coin-operated, old-school parking meters that have been around since the 1930s...

"City's green efforts have a ways to go" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: City's green efforts have a ways to go
The Columbus Dispatch
April 20, 2008

...The successes have been big and small: from paper-saving electronic-payment options for parking tickets to an ordinance requiring builders to recycle tons of construction debris.

But Get Green Columbus has fallen short in significant areas, too. City government has fewer cars and trucks on the road but bought 232,000 more gallons of fuel last year. And the residential recycling rate remains among the nation's worst, inching upward from 3.8 percent before the campaign started to 5 percent in 2007...