Work on Cincy streetcar resumes after key vote

CINCINNATI (AP) — Work on Cincinnati’s streetcar was getting back on track today, after the project was saved by a powerful groundswell of citizen support.

Rail delivery was scheduled today with installation work planned for Friday on the 3.6-mile line. The future of the $133 million streetcar was in doubt when city elections last month gave John Cranley a solid mayoral victory after a campaign in which he targeted the project as too costly and not the best way to boost the city. He appeared to have enough support on the newly elected city council to keep his anti-streetcar pledge.

But a grass-roots group called Believe in Cincinnati sprang up quickly in the election aftermath to turn around the momentum. It had its beginnings in the living room of sales executive Ryan Messer, who helped mobilize more than 1,000 people who were unhappy about the project’s impending end, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Supporters, including leaders of the previous city administration, believe it will draw visitors, residents and businesses to downtown.