City will issue RFP for Uptown streetcar route analysis

The City of Cincinnati will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for consultants for a study that will examine alignment alternatives for the Uptown Connector and Uptown Circulator streetcar routes, according to a report from city Manager Milton Dohoney Jr.

In the report, which will be presented before city council's Economic Development Committee on January 27, Dohoney says that the consultant is necessary to untangle all of the issues and concerns that are emerging from representatives of the Uptown neighborhoods.

"Alternatives analysis studies are designed to examine all potential alignment alternatives and to select a preferred alternative to move forward for future development, design, and engineering," Dohoney says. "These studies are part of established transportation planning processes and are required in most Federal Transit Administration decision-making processes."


No option is perfect

Last fall, the Clifton Heights Improvement Association (CHIA) advocated the benefits of a West Clifton route over a Vine Street route, including a densely populated corridor that could bring the streetcar immediate success.

Such a route could also take advantage of tax increment financing and give a boost to some of the neighborhood's stalled redevelopment initiatives.

Dohoney says that despite the advantages of the West Clifton route, several "significant" technical issues exist.

"The steep grade and narrow width of the street, the impacts on parking and existing transit operations, and ride comfort are also factors in determining the desirability of one alignment over another," he says.

Yet another concern, voiced in a communication from Corryville Community Council president Clyde Nowlin and later seconded by resident Peter Dryer, was that new plans by Anchor Properties for the University Plaza site could jeopardize ideas to route the streetcar up Short Vine.

"Although the Streetcar Feasibility Study illustrated a direct connection from the William H. Taft and Jefferson/Vine Street intersection to the Short Vine and Corry intersection, that connection may be made through a plaza or parking area in lieu of following a vehicular route, which is more typical," Dohoney says.

Dohoney adds that streetcars could follow a route along Jefferson to Corry, then east to Short Vine.

"This option appears to have a number of engineering and operational issues to resolve," he says.


Team to form

The study team will consist of consultants, City staff from several departments, community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders from the Uptown neighborhoods.

The team will be charged with developing a "purpose and need", or mission, statement, and will define the evaluation measures that will assess how well each alternative serves that mission.

"These evaluation measures could include effectiveness, impacts, financial feasibility, equity, and cost effectiveness," Dohoney says.

A set of conceptual alternatives will then be developed showing potential alignments.

The RFP is expected to be issued to qualified firms from the Department of Transportation and Engineering's contingency consultant contracts, with selection and authorization of a consultant complete by mid-February.

The alternatives analysis study will conclude in June 2009, when a preferred alternative will be recommended.

Previous reading on BC:
Corryville homeowner says Kroger development would hinder streetcar (8/6/08)
Streetcar: W Clifton or Vine? (7/29/08)
Cincinnati streetcar vote possible today (4/23/08)