New Cincinnati Streetcar Poll

There's a new poll out by SurveyUSA on support for the Streetcar within the city of Cincinnati. The Key findings are:

48% Cincinnati residents believe the streetcar is a "waste of taxpayer money".
7% are unsure
20% say it's a risky project
and just 27% say is will "Revitalize Cincinnati's core"

51% say most of the ongoing funding for the streetcar should come from fares. In reality, even supporters' ridership assumption will pay for much less than half. If all voters were aware of this, I suspect support would fall further.

When it comes to actually paying for the project: 61% disapprove of the city borrowing of $64 million to pay for the Streetcar, and only 31% approve.

So, there is overwhelming opposition within the city to the streetcar plan just passed. It seems the majority correctly see the project as an unnecessary burden and hindrance to future growth in the city. This poll should be devastating to the Streetcar project. So, why is it being pushed through, if not in response to the wishes of voters? Once again, I suspect it might have something to do with support for the streetcar among certain special interests (landowners and businesses along the route) who see a large profit opportunity.

I believe this issue should not be decided by elected officials, who are more easily influenced by the small group who will benefit from the project (like pork legislation). This is essentially a special interest project and given it's size should be put to an up/down vote on the ballot. The city and the taxpayers should be allowed to decide this one. Tom Luken has said he will circulate petitions to place the streetcar on the November ballot. That would be very good for the city of Cincinnati.