Why creative destruction? why a streetcar?
Businesses aren't static, cities aren't static, people aren't static and things change, technology changes.
Do the vast majority of people work in factories in 2009?
Do the vast majority of people live in rural areas in 2009?
Do young people want the same thing from life we do?
The answer is no.
Despite the protests from the CAVE* men to the contrary, people are tired of cars, the costs are too high, the cost of entry is high, the upkeep is high and the cost when its fully consumed is too high.
Disagree? J.D. Power the leading research firm whom the car companies live and die say this;
"The negative perceptions of the automotive industry that teens and early careerists hold could have implications on future vehicle sales,"
Teens don't have a desire and don't feel a need for a car, actually they may feel the opposite;
Aware of the economic difficulties their parents may be currently facing, teens are less interested in incurring the costs involved with maintaining and fueling a vehicle.
Its not going to make much difference directly in my life in the short term if the streetcar is or is not built, but the city will lose a competitive advantage to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago or any of hundreds of cities who are actively moving away from cars.
If Cincinnati is to stay relevant to the next couple generations, the streetcar must be built.
*Citizens Against Virtually Everything cincinnati ohio downtown coast streetcar coast-usa Cincinnati Issue 9
8 comments?
"If Cincinnati is to stay relevant to the next couple generations, the streetcar must be built."
ReplyDeleteWell there's your problem... Cincinnati is about as relevant as Susan Smith. And as funny.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEvan, so if Cincy is not relevant now... how do we get back there? Don't be critical without providing an suggested solution.
ReplyDeleteI'm graduating college at the end of this year and I could go anywhere. I want to stay in Cincinnati because I see tons of potential. Evan: Cincinnati is relevant to me.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, we need to actually do something to realize our potential.
There is a huge movement going on with the redevelopment of Over the Rhine, the revitalization of downtown, and more people moving back to the city. I want to, at some point in my life, live in an urban area where I can get around by walking and quality mass transit, get to know my neighbors, support local businesses, and reduce my environmental impact. Hopefully Cincinnati develops into a place where that is possible. There are very few parts of town where that is really possible now.
I have all the faith in the world that this progress will continue and Cincinnati will live up to its potential. But, as much as I love this city, if progress completely stalls and I have to look at another city to live the type of life I want to live, that's what I'll do.
Not all graduates of our local universities will be as patient as me. And those are the people that we're losing to cities who are making changes now.
Many people don't have cars now and use quality mass transit. It is called Metro and it goes just about everywhere the proposed streetcar would go for a lot less money.
ReplyDeleteReally anon?
ReplyDeleteNo one has said what the toll will be so how do you know it will be more to ride?
Great post Bob. People think the future is going to be just like today, just repeated. But this city can go in many different directions. I'm an optimist, that is why Cincy is relevant to me.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteActually there is not frequent enough service along the route where the Streetcar will go. Read this post: http://bit.ly/4kDdfP