Over-the-Rhine
once had a population of nearly 50,000. This number has
fallen to around 7,000. If Over-the-Rhine’s population increases
to even half its historic high, there is going to be a severe
parking shortage in the neighborhood. The streetcar can help alleviate
the parking requirements and act as a tool of both development
and historic preservation.
The
product of German immigrants, Over-the-Rhine was built in an era
before the automobile. It was designed for walking, streetcars,
and carriages. The building lots are generally too small for parking
structures. |
|
To
build enough garages to accommodate all the cars would require leveling
countless structures from the 19th century.
A treasure like Over-the-Rhine exists nowhere else in the country.
Over-the-Rhine is the largest collection of Italianate Architecture
in the United States and was named one of the 11 most endangered
historic sites in America. The streetcar can help save
the wonderful structures and houses that remain in Over-the-Rhine
by cutting down parking ratios, encouraging renovations of old buildings,
and increasing home ownership levels. By
lessening the importance of the automobile and encouraging renovations
and rehabilitations, Phase 1 of the streetcar system will
help preserve Cincinnati’s most unique and historic neighborhood. |
