Columbus Streetcar
The Columbus Streetcar was a proposed streetcar system to be located in and around Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Initially planned to run along High Street, the line would have run for 2.8 miles (4.5 km) and connected the Ohio State campus with the Franklin County Government Center.[1] As of February 2009, the plan is indefinitely on hold. Discussion took place for a larger scale light rail system which would run along the streetcar route and also connect the northern part of the city to downtown.[2] In 2014, the CBUS free circulator bus began operation on much of the proposed streetcar route.[3][4]
Plans for a modern system
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Initially proposed in a February 2006 State of the City speech by Mayor Michael Coleman, the system was touted as a tool to connect the various sections of downtown as well as promote development.[5] On 22 March 2006, the mayor convened a working group consisting of various political and business leaders as well as community stakeholders to investigate the feasibility of returning streetcars to the city.[6] Initially, three routes were proposed.[7] A Blue line route would run along High Street from Frankfort Street in German Village to Buttles Avenue in the Short North. A Red line route would extend the blue line north to 11th Avenue adjacent to the Ohio State campus. A Green Line (initially called the Z-line) would run in a Z pattern from the Arena District to the Discovery District around the Main Library. After the results of the economic study showed 3,000 new downtown jobs, 300 hotel rooms and 1,500 new housing units from the most conservative standpoint, the working group voted overwhelmingly in favor of pursuing a streetcar system in Columbus.[8]
Unlike recently built systems in Kenosha and Little Rock, the Columbus system would not use vintage cars or equipment. Media reports often used the term "trolley" to describe the new system, to which Mayor Coleman publicly stated his dislike.[9][10] He cited the fact that the system would use modern cars similar to the Portland Streetcar, and would not be intended as a tourist attraction.
The proposal gained support from organizations such as the Columbus chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Experience Columbus, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, COTA, the Building Owners and Managers Association of Columbus, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.[11][12][13][14][15][16] In a survey of 1,000 downtown residents, employees, and students, 73% said they would ride the streetcar if it were built.[17] Ridership was projected to be between 5,000 and 7,200 riders per day depending on the final route chosen.
Funding
The initial system was projected to cost approximately US$103 million.[1] Coleman proposed a funding plan which would have relied on fees rather than income or property taxes. The majority of the funding would have come from sources within a "benefit zone" which is the area within six blocks of the route. A 4 percent surcharge would be added to concert, sport, and theater tickets with a face value above $10. Parking meter rates would be raised by 75¢ per hour, and all money from meters in the area would go to funding the streetcar. Off-street parking in lots and garages would also be subject to the 4 percent fee. The Ohio State University pledged to provide $12.5 million over 25 years. Various small federal grants were expected to support the streetcar.
The funding system was designed such that Columbus residents who live in suburban areas far away from the line would not have any of their tax dollars diverted to fund the system.
References
- ^ a b Vitale, Robert (2008-03-27). "Mayor proposes ticket surcharge to pay for streetcars". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ Gebolys, Debbie; Vitale, Robert (2009-01-09). "Will stimulus plan put light rail back on track?". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
- ^ "Never Built Columbus: Transit". 9 February 2020.
- ^ "Curious Cbus: What Happened to Columbus's Streetcars?". 23 November 2016.
- ^ "2006 State of the City" (PDF) (Press release). City of Columbus. 2006-02-23. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ "Mayor Coleman Announces Streetcar Working Group" (PDF) (Press release). City of Columbus. 2006-03-22. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ "Downtown Streetcar Enews". Downtown Streetcar Enews. 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ McGinn, Dennis (2006-11-17). "Downtown Streetcar Enews Volume 4" (Mailing list). Downtown Streetcar Working Group. Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ Henderson, Angela (2008-03-31). "Gee endorses trolley". The Lantern. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ Ferenchik, Mark (2008-03-29). "Not all aboard on streetcar notion". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ Bernstein, Scott (2007). "Reconnecting Columbus" (PDF). American Institute of Architects. Retrieved 2008-04-21.[dead link]
- ^ "Experience Columbus Supports Streetcars" (Press release). Experience Columbus. 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2008-04-07.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The Ohio Rail Development Commission Endorses Columbus Streetcars" (Press release). Ohio Rail Development Commission. 2008-03-28. Archived from the original on 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ Doulin, Tim (2008-04-01). "COTA willing to run streetcars, sees benefits". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ "BOMA Columbus joins Mayor Coleman's Office in support of Downtown Streetcars" (Press release). Building Owners and Managers Association. 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-04-07.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Committed to Streetcars" (Press release). MORPC. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-04-07.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Danter Group (2006). "Downtown Streetcar Enews Volume 6". Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-21.