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Cincinnati Streetcar project identified as regional priority by OKI

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments has identified the Cincinnati Streetcar project as a regional priority in a newly released video. The video comes after the metropolitan planning organization approved $4 million for the project which was the highest scoring project for CMAQ funds in the region.

Cincinnati’s federally-mandated and federally-funded transportation policy-making organization, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI), approved $4 million for the Cincinnati Streetcar project in May 2010. Now, OKI has unveiled a new video that discusses the highlights of the modern streetcar system and why it was the recipient of the money.

The funds OKI approved came through the federal government’s Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) program. At that time, the Cincinnati Streetcar project was the highest scoring of 14 total transportation projects being considered for the money.

Within the video, OKI highlights the appeal of connecting the region’s two largest employment centers, encouring redevelopment of historic Over-the-Rhine and then further expanding the system so that it reaches other areas including Northern Kentucky.


Cincinnatians For Progress will be hosting a kick off party and fundraiser at Grammer’s (map) tonight from 5:30pm to 8pm. The event will feature happy hour specials all night and is expected to have a large turnout of those interested in learning about how they can support the Cincinnati Streetcar and potential light rail transit in the region.

By Randy A. Simes

Randy is an award-winning urban planner who founded UrbanCincy in May 2007. He grew up on Cincinnati’s west side in Covedale, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s nationally acclaimed School of Planning in June 2009. In addition to maintaining ownership and serving as the managing editor for UrbanCincy, Randy has worked professionally as a planning consultant throughout the United States, Korea and the Middle East. After brief stints in Atlanta and Chicago, he currently lives in the Daechi neighborhood of Seoul’s Gangnam district.