Sharon Coolidge

scoolidge@enquirer.com

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has this message for Over-the-Rhine residents who pushed for the streetcar project to restart: Put a neighborhood tax in place or operation might be scaled back.

Despite that threat, it's unlikely federal authorities would allow any cut in operations. In its grant application the city promised the streetcar would run up to 18 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cranley said there would be no cuts to basic services to pay for streetcar operations.

"This is in (residents') hands; this is a reasonable plan, a reasonable request," Cranley told The Enquirer. "But there are consequences if it's not done. This gives them the power to choose their own destiny."

Streetcar operations are estimated to cost $3.8 million a year. Though that money isn't needed yet, no sources for it have been identified. About $1 million in startup costs is needed by next April. The streetcar is scheduled to begin carrying passengers in the fall of 2016.

Cranley outlined the operating math:

• The Haile/U.S. Bank Foundation pledged $900,000 a year for 10 years. That takes the operating cost gap down to $2.8 million.

• About $1 million a year could come from fares. That would take the gap down to $1.8 million.

• Cranley is proposing that parking – extra meters in Over-the-Rhine and residential parking permits – could bring in another $700,000 a year. That would take the gap down to $1.1 million.

• The rest, Cranley said, should come from Over-the-Rhine residents imposing a tax on themselves. The idea originated with City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld and streetcar supporters in December. The problem: So far no citizen has initiated creating a special taxing district.

Cranley suggested his plan in a radio interview with WLW-AM host Bill Cunningham about Friday's Enquirer examination of where the money will come from to operate the streetcar. Supporters were quick to call for full-time operations.

"Remember there is no obligation that we have to run it on a certain level of frequency," Cranley said in the interview. "So if it doesn't end up having a lot of ridership we can reduce the rides on it. Maybe we just do it on the weekend or days when something is going on – Reds games, Bengals games, that kind of thing."

Ryan Messer, who led last fall's grass-roots Believe in Cincinnati movement that succeeded in getting streetcar construction restarted, said threatening scaled-back service isn't productive. Messer, who also is president of the OTR Community Council, said raising parking costs does not take into account the diversity of Over-the-Rhine and would drive away low-income residents.

"The mayor would like to blame and point fingers at people in hopes of saying, 'I told you so,' and that is not leadership," Messer said. "Leadership is about getting all the parties to the table to find a solution that is best for all Cincinnatians. If there were ever a time for John Cranley to demonstrate leadership, this is it."

Messer said there needs to be communication between the city and streetcar supporters; so far there has been none. "We welcome the opportunity to sit at the table and help find solutions."

Cranley disputes the lack of communication. He has met several times with streetcar supporters, including Attorney Paul DeMarco and Eric Avner, of the Haile Foundation. In fact, Cranley said, he is meeting with them again on Thursday.

The Enquirer reviewed the city's agreement with the federal government and found the city must have regular operations, but there is no mention of specific days or times. The city did make promises when it sought $41 million in federal money for the $133 million project. Funds are limited under Federal Transit Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation grant programs. The TIGER and Urban Circulator grants are discretionary and thus highly competitive. ■

What city said in applications

On Cincinnati's TIGER application, for which the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $15.9 million in funding, the city stated: "The route will be serviced by a fleet of five modern streetcars operating roughly 16-18 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year."

On its Urban Circulator application, for which the Federal Transit Administration awarded $25 million, the city stated: "The streetcar feasibility study outlined service seven days per week, averaging 18 hours of service per day. The streetcars will operate every 10 minutes during peak travel time, and every 20 minutes in the off peak. These daily and hourly schedules can be adjusted based on demand, for example, during festivals or sporting events."