Cincinnati Streetcar: The Land Use Connection

Tim Reynolds, AICP

Senior Principal Technical Specialist Parsons Brinckerhoff Cincinnati, Ohio

American Planning Association Indiana Chapter 2011 Fall Conference October 21,2011 The Project

Project Vision

• Connect major employment centers and iconic assets • Lay a foundation for urban development • Spur job creation • Catalyst for a multimodal transportation system Stimulates development 3,700 passengers daily

Expands tax base Benefits all neighborhoods

MetroMoves Plan, 2002 From Regional Rail Plan to Streetcar Project

• SORTA and OKI put light rail in the freezer • But the streetcar stays on the burner • Transit coalition keeps the flame burning– and turns it up City of Cincinnati Takes the Lead

• Feasibility Study- 2007 •Economic Analysis-2008 • Local funds committed- 2009 Cincinnati Streetcar: Overview Riverfront to the Zoo

Downtown, Over-the- Rhine- Uptown

6-mile corridor

140,000 jobs in downtown and Uptown

First segment: Downtown to Findlay Market

3,700 trips/weekday

$99.5 million Cincinnati Streetcar: Vehicles

Starting Criteria:

- Readily available for mid-2013 opening - Buy America compliant - Proven technology Vehicles Land Use Connections

• Downtown Cincinnati: 70,000 jobs

• Uptown Cincinnati: 50,000 jobs

•Residents: 20,000

Southern Segment: Downtown New Riverfront Development: Stadiums, Freedom Center, Park, “The Banks”

• Downtown: Fountain Square & Government Square Government Offices Performing Arts Center & Contemporary Arts Center Central Segment: Over-the-Rhine

Over-the-Rhine: neighborhood transformation 2001 2011 New and renovated housing, new businesses, new life Major Arts Venues Findlay Market Brewery District Northern Segment: Uptown Vine Street: Steep Grade University of Cincinnati Medical Centers: “Pill Hill” Cincinnati Zoo Economic Development Potential

-Vacant buildings available for redevelopment: 500

-Benefit-cost ratio: 2.7

-Average net benefits: $316 m

-Property value increase: 22%

Sources: -Cincinnati Streetcar Economic Impact Analysis, HDR Decision Economics, 2008 -An Assessment of the Cincinnati Streetcar Study, University of Cincinnati Economics Center for Education & Research, 2010 Property Values Returns on Investment

Private returns on public investment (Source: Reconnecting America, 2009)

Little Rock 920%

Portland 1794% (1st line) 7501% (extension line)

Tampa 1970% 3:1 Benefit to cost ratio (travel cost and mobility)

14:1 Economic impact to cost return (redevelopment) • Streetcars are quieter.

• Streetcars accommodate more people.

• Streetcars are 100% accessible. • • Streetcar tracks are permanent and encourage investment.

• Streetcar routes are easily understood by visitors – just follow the tracks!

• Streetcars generate transit oriented development.

• Streetcars generate more riders.

• Streetcars are coordinated with bus service “There’s a new sheriff in town.” Cincinnati Streetcar: More Bumps in the Road

• Dealing with utility companies

• Opposition to the project

• Ballot issues

• FTA $$ = FTA strings attached

FTA Urban Circulator Grant: A Mixed Blessing?

• No lead federal agency until mid-2010 • City did not follow FTA procurement procedures • City required to re-bid CM/GE portion of the Design-Build contract • No construction or property acquisition allowed until FONSI • Environmental process slowed • Historic preservation issues ….but it’s still a blessing

Where the project stands:

- $99.5 million still available - Mayor and City Manager authorize shorter “starter segment” - FONSI expected this month - MOU with SORTA - Property acquisition to commence - Construction by Fall 2011 - Vehicles to be procured by Fall 2011 - Late 2013 opening still achievable

Cincinnati Streetcar Thank you.

Tim Reynolds, Parsons Brinckerhoff [email protected]