Tag: public policy

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Development News Politics

Cincinnati Park Board doubles number of BigBelly units thanks to $88k grant

The Cincinnati Park Board has installed an additional 20 BigBelly solar-powered trash compactor units throughout Cincinnati’s center city. The new BigBelly units were made possible through an $88,000 grant from the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.  The Park Board states that the fund honors Mrs. Coombe’s interest in green stewardship.

The BigBelly solar-powered trash compactor units grow and update the Park Board’s existing ten unit collection. In addition to compacting trash, higher capacities, less needed maintenance, and being powered by the sun, the newest BigBelly units utilize a web-based mapping system designed by students at the University of Cincinnati that notifies park managers when individual units are filled and are ready for collection.

This next evolution of waste collection is seen as a way for municipalities save money on fuel and labor costs.  The smart trash cans enable staff to be deployed more effectively without wasting time or resources on trips to units that are not in need of collection.

In Boston the city has been aggressively expanding its use of the smart trash cans, and its efforts have been joined by those of the Boston Red Sox and Boston University who have also begun using the BigBelly units.

“The public response has been nothing but positive, and we have realized the desired benefits for the city – it will save the city time and money, keep litter from overflowing, and discourage illegal dumping of trash,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. “This will save us a lot of time when guys are filling potholes, fixing sidewalks and doing other things.”

In Philadelphia, after the city replaced 700 standard trash cans with 500 BigBelly units, the city estimated a savings of $13 million over a ten year period – or approximately $2,600 per unit.

The 20 new units in Cincinnati have been placed in Lytle Park and Piatt Park in Downtown and Eden Park in Mt. Adams. The ten older units will be used at the Park Nature Centers for “demonstration of environmentally sound maintenance practices.”

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News Politics

Weigh in on local policy issues in 2011 Hamilton County Citizen Survey

Officials are encouraging Hamilton County residents to take the 2011 Citizen Survey. The annual survey asks for input on 12 key issues including topics like the legalization of marijuana, public transportation investments, land banking policies, government consolidation efforts, and even a variety of election-related issues.

The survey takes approximately eight to ten minutes, and allows residents to share their opinions about difficult policy issues facing Hamilton County.

One of the biggest elements of the survey is the issue of government reform. Presently there are 49 different jurisdictions throughout Hamilton County. Many of which have overlapping services and functions, that if consolidated, could present significant cost savings for taxpayers.

Several questions also focus on jail overcrowding and criminal treatment programs. The issues at hand include how to immediately address the jail crowding issue while also solving the problem long-term in a cost-effective and socially acceptable manner. Two such solutions include the legalization of marijuana and an increased focus on treatment and prevention programs for repeat offenders.

Residents of Hamilton County can access the 2011 Citizen Survey online now by visiting the county’s website or by visiting the survey directly.

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Development News Politics Transportation

Cincinnati wins $25M Urban Circulator grant for modern streetcar project

Cincinnati’s modern streetcar project has won a $25 million federal grant through the Urban Circulator Systems program. The grant was announced by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff as they awarded $293 million in federal funding for 53 transit projects nationwide.

The $24,990,000 amount awarded to Cincinnati virtually matches the city’s full $25 million request, and the $25 million maximum that could be awarded to any one project through this program. The additional money brings the total project funding to $114.5 million out of the total $128 million needed. Project officials and city leaders believe that enough money is now in place to begin initial utility relocation and construction work in fall 2010, with a potential opening of the modern streetcar system in spring 2013.

“This announcement illustrates the broad-based support for the streetcar at all levels of government,” said Brad Thomas, Founder, CincyStreetcar.com. “Transportation experts at the city, regional, state and federal level have all examined the Cincinnati Streetcar and have come to the same conclusion – it is a worthwhile project that they support.”

The Urban Circulator funding was awarded to bus, streetcar, and trolley projects that help improve circulation within urban environments while also improving livability in those areas. The projects were assessed on four primary elements:

  1. Livability
  2. Sustainability
  3. Economic Development
  4. Leveraging of Public & Private Investments

“Streetcars are making a comeback because cities across America are recognizing that they can restore economic development downtown – giving citizens the choice to move between home, shopping and entertainment without ever looking for a parking space,” said Rogoff. “These streetcar and bus livability projects will not only create construction jobs now, they will aid our recovery by creating communities that are more prosperous and less congested.”

St. Louis, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Chicago, Dallas and Ft. Worth were the six successful Urban Circulator proposals out of more than 65 applications totaling more than $1 billion in requests. Urban Circulator applications in Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Seattle were left out, and the 47 successful bus projects included in the funding were among 281 applications totaling over $2 billion in requests.

“This federal award will create jobs in Cincinnati, link our largest employment centers and improve the quality of life for Cincinnatians by reducing air pollution and providing new transportation options for Cincinnatians,” Thomas emphasized. “The increased tax revenues from the business and new residents along the line will provide additional resources for our city that can be used to benefit all of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods.”

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Business Development News

CPA event to highlight Bellevue’s preservation success story

Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) and the City of Bellevue, KY will host a tour of the small Bellevue community along the Ohio River on Friday, July 9 from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

Bellevue has been recognized for its successful preservation techniques that have worked to revitalize the city’s neighborhoods and historic commercial district along Fairfield Avenue. Those attending the tour will have the opportunity to learn about the city’s innovative programs that have gotten it where it is today. Such programs include Bellevue’s local historic district and ongoing form-based code initiative.

The event will take place at the Callahan Community Center (map) and is free and open to the public. CPA is asking that those interested RSVP by calling (513) 721-4506 or emailing info@cincinnatipreservation.org.

UPDATE: Due to timing issues, the tour of Bellevue originally scheduled for Friday, July 9th has been canceled.  CPA officials say that the event will be rescheduled for a later date.

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Development News Politics Transportation

Matthews: Right the economic ship by building rapid rail

As dismal economic reports continue to be made, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews shares his idea for how to get America out of this economic rut – build rapid rail.

On last night’s Hardball with Chris Matthews show Matthews shared, on more than one occasion, his disgust about the state of rapid rail in America.  Asking at one point, “Why are we the slowest moving rapid rail nation in the world?” and further contemplating whether or not America would even build a subway system in a big American city today.

Much of Europe has already developed an advanced high-speed rail network that links those countries together, and China is in the midst of the most aggressive high-speed rail building campaign the world has ever seen.  Other countries around the world are getting up-to-speed as well, and there is the possibility that northern Africa may even soon be connected to Europe’s extensive system.

“We need to build rapid rail…and it’s time we catch the movement,” exclaimed Matthews in the final show segment.  “It will create jobs, it will catch us up to the rest of the world, it will cut our reliance on foreign oil, and it will give us something to believe in.  President Obama…just do it!”