Facing a midnight deadline to resume the project or forfeit federal government funds, the Cincinnati City Council is supporting completing a new streetcar system after finding outside help to cover operating costs.
“We’re gonna have a streetcar.”
"That was the announcement, met with cheers, from Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley this afternoon," reports Angie Schmitt. Cranley's announcement, made after it became clear this morning that six members of the City Council supported moving forward with constructing the new streetcar system, put an end to a six-week saga that threatened to derail the in-progress project.
"The system is expected to cost about $2.5 million annually to operate, which could be defrayed through private donations, advertising, sponsorship, and potentially other sources," notes Schmitt. "Nine million dollars for operations was committed by the Haile Foundation, a champion of the project."
“I can’t thank them enough along with other people who worked long and hard to make this a reality,” said Council Member Kevin Flynn, the crucial sixth vote that prevented a mayoral veto. “We have no choice but to make this a successful project.”
FULL STORY: Cincinnati Will Complete Its Streetcar
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