Cleveland Real Estate News

The All Aboard Ohio site has a full listing, but as part of the task force, there was a good list made up regarding rail in Ohio.  Here is the pdf task force report. (From Ohio Dept of Transp) I received this from the All Aboard Ohio executive director, Ken Prendergast, today:

See http://www.allaboardohio.org/cms/index.php for more information…

All Aboard Ohio supports state transportation task force recommendations

All Aboard Ohio, the only statewide citizens association whose mission is to
advocate for improved passenger rail and transit services, welcomes and
supports the recommendations of the Ohio 21st Century Transportation
Priorities Task Force. The task force recommended to Gov. Ted Strickland and
the Ohio General Assembly that they should develop a more multi-modal
transportation system that puts much greater emphasis on railroads and
public transportation than it has in the past. 

All Aboard Ohio was a member of the task force through its Northeast Ohio
Director Kenneth Sislak. The task force brought together many diverse
interests, including those representing public transportation, freight
railroads, economic development, environmental issues, labor, biking,
aviation, waterways and, of course, highways. 

“The recommendations issued today (Jan. 6) are the kinds of policies and
projects which we believe would create jobs in Ohio in a responsible,
sustainable way that respects the challenges of the 21st century,” said All
Aboard Ohioâ?Ts Interim Executive Director Ken Prendergast. “We are facing
very difficult economic, energy and environmental questions. Our fragile
economy and environment cannot afford to ignore these questions or respond
to them inadequately. Bold answers are needed and All Aboard Ohio believes
this report offers them.”

The full task force report can be downloaded here:
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/groups/tft/Pages/default.aspx

One of the most important sections of the report, All Aboard Ohio believes,
is in Recommendation M (see Page 54), which would “Establish a dedicated and
adequate source of funding for public transit, including buses, light rail,
streetcars, trolleys, intercity and intra-city passenger rail.”

The text in Recommendation M also refers to the previous section, for
Recommendation L, where it called for the state of Ohio to: 

> Through a voter referendum that amends the state constitution â?” levy a
new special motor fuel tax using the revenue from that special tax to secure
bonds, and making both the proceeds of the bonds and the increased revenue
available to all transportation modes. 

> Target a specific percentage of the proceeds of the bonds and the
increased revenue to support public transit, including both intercity and
intra-city passenger rail, including the planned Ohio Hub system (see
www.ohiohub.com).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please let your state senators and representatives in Columbus know how you
feel about this report and what they should do with its recommendations. 

Call their offices or write a short letter in your own words that has this
basic message: “I support dedicated state funding for passenger trains and
public transit at dollar amounts recommended in the transportation task
forceâ?Ts report. That includes dedicating new gas taxes to the development
and operation of passenger trains and public transit.”

Thank you for any positive communications you can make with your state
legislators to support trains and transit!

One Last Reminder: Our 3C Corridor Stakeholders Meeting is tomorrow morning, 7:30 to 9:30 am at the Corner Alley on East Fourth.  Plenty of time for you to come and here a group of informative speakers and enjoy a full breakfast as well.  Details here.   Peace Out – 3C