Population, which peaked in the 1950 census, for the river cities of Covington, Newport, Bellevue, and Dayton plummeted in the post-rail era. The correlation is clear. But before we discover how to go about curing Northern Kentucky’s cancer of depopulation, we have to ask, what was the cause?
Recently, one of our favorite urbanists and rail advocates at greenlakebluecity.com channeled his love for our corner of the Commonwealth and published an interesting study on connecting Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati with a streetcar. The study is chock-full of facts, graphics, and renderings.
Four railway officials and employees are shown aboard the Green Line parlor car, “Kentucky,” which made it’s next to last run on July 1, 1950 during ceremonies celebrating the conversion of the Fort Mitchell line from streetcars to buses. Pictured are Morris Edwards President of the Cincinnati Street Railway and the American Transit Association; William Warton, operator of the Green Line, who retires today after 28 years of service; Charles Cummins of Covington and David L. Ringo, President of the Green Line. Credit: Cincinnati Enquirer
Until 1950, Northern Kentucky was home to a web of streetcar tracks and connections that served a wide swath of the river cities and beyond. The streetcars are our heritage. One could ride the rails and visit, commute, and do business in Bromley, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Park Hills, Covington, Ludlow, Latonia, Newport, Southgate, Bellevue, Dayton, Fort Thomas, and yes, even Highland Heights. The system was tied to Cincinnati by three river crossings on the Roebling, Central, and L&N Bridges.
Northern Kentucky was home to a large share of the 222 miles of streetcar tracks in the region.1
But at 12:05 AM on Sunday, July 2, 1950, that legacy became part of our past. That’s when Elmer Denigan, guiding the Fort Mitchell “rattler”, reached the end of the line and then navigated the cars back home to the to the barn at 20th and Madison in Covington. The Cincinnati, Newport and Covington Railway yielded to the buses that replaced it with the promise of additional service and modern comforts.
A day and a half earlier, in an effort to foment enthusiasm for a motorized future, the soon-to-be-mothballed “Old Kentucky” from the Fort Mitchell line led a parade of the new modern buses across the Roebling and into Dixie Terminal. The condemned cornerstone of our connectivity was forced to parade it’s spiritless, expendable replacement around town for all to see. (more…)
Pat Frew, Executive Director of the Covington Business Council and Michael Monks, Editor and Publisher of The River City News joined Mark Heyne, host of Cincinnati Edition on WVXU yesterday to discuss the Northern Kentucky Streetcar.
You can listen to the podcast here.
Northern Kentucky’s river cities are a key part of creating a cohesive urban core that straddles both the Ohio and the Licking Rivers. While they may seem separated, parts of downtown Covington and Newport are as close to downtown Cincinnati as is OTR. Constructing a Southbank extension to the Cincinnati Streetcar will create connections and a more complete system that is more economically impactful.
Tuesday’s interview preceded the Covington Business Council’s January Luncheon on the subject this Thursday at The Madison Event Center.
Frew pointed out that the luncheon is an opportunity to get the conversation started. The purpose of the panel, which will include Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach, former Cincinnati Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls, and transit activist John Schneider and will be moderated by Michael Monks, publisher of The River City News, will be, “not incite but to inspire and inform.”
As far support, we know that the mayors of Covington and Newport are open to the idea.
But what kind of kind of route will the NKYStreetcar follow? Monks points out that a feasibility study is needed to decide which bridges to use and if Newport may be the first best option.
Monks also shared that he believes Northern Kentucky is unique. He feels that big things are possible but that “Northern Kentucky really had it’s act together in the 1990’s but that has shifted back to Cincinnati. Northern Kentucky can learn from Cincinnati and drop the rivalry.”
On that, Frew pointed out, “Northern Kentucky was the envy of Cincinnati, now the opposite is true. Cincinnati needs Northern Kentucky to pick up the slack.”
As far as where the NKYStreetcar would potentially have the most impact, Frew anticipated that “Newport makes sense due to development along river and the residential that has developed along Monmouth deeper into the city.”
He also pointed to downtown Covington which also has good momentum with UpTech, biologic, Hotel Covington, and Gateway among others.
“Conditions are right (and) we can connect to an existing system.”
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Thursday, January 21, 2016 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
700 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41011
THE CINCINNATI STREETCAR IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Covington Business Council to host All-Star panel discussion about the issue
As the Cincinnati Streetcar prepares to take its first real trip around the Queen City’s downtown, would a future phase include Northern Kentucky? The Covington Business Council is hosting an All-Star panel discussion at its monthly luncheon in January.
How will the streetcar benefit Cincinnati? Is it something that Northern Kentucky’s River Cities should be exploring a connection to? Is this what the next wave of residents want in an urban core?
Panelists include Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach, former Cincinnati Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls, and transit activist John Schneider. The panel will be moderated by Michael Monks, publisher of The River City News.
“We all know what a hot button issue the Cincinnati Streetcar is, so as it comes to fruition, what does it mean for the Queen City, and what could it mean for Northern Kentucky? That’s what we’ll explore at this luncheon,” said Pat Frew, executive director of the Covington Business Council. “Cincinnati’s redevelopment success has proven to be a successful model for Northern Kentucky to complement and as we see success with connectivity through initiatives like Cincy Red Bike on both sides of the river, a discussion about the streetcar makes sense, too.”
The Covington Business Council, hosts a luncheon each month at the Madison Event Center. The cost is $15 for CBC members and $30 for non-members and includes a buffet lunch. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program runs from noon to 1 p.m.
WHO: Covington Business Council & an All-Star Panel
WHAT: The Cincinnati Streetcar in Northern Kentucky?
WHERE: Madison Event Center, 700 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011
WHEN: Thursday, January 21, 2015, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
| Description | Price |
|---|---|
| Member Registration Within A Week | $20.00 |
| Non-Member Registration Within Week | $35.00 |
Northern Kentucky Streetcar 