BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The impasse between Over-the-Rhine residents and some businesses over whether to convert Vine Street to a two-way road was never more apparent than Tuesday night.
Before a public hearing on the issue at St. Francis Seraph School began, there was an announcement that proponents of a proposed two-way Vine Street would not be in attendance because they were concerned about the location of the meeting sponsored by city council's public works committee.
The reason: The school, at 14 E. Liberty St., has been a proponent of maintaining the one-way northbound roadway with some safety and cosmetic improvements. Many in the business community favor the conversion to two ways, saying it would slow traffic and make the area a more inviting place to do business.
Even without strong representation from two-way proponents, a parade of 30 speakers -- largely Over-the-Rhine residents -- spoke their piece to city officials and Councilman Todd Portune. Mr. Portune is chairman of council's public works committee.
Mr. Portune said he thought the site was neutral, because the committee sponsored the meeting.
In 1995, council asked the city administration to study converting the street to a two-way.
On Tuesday, an Over-the-Rhine resident in favor of maintaining a one-way Vine Street chastised city officials for not dealing with the issue in a more timely manner. The will of the people was obvious, he said.
"I would expect better leadership," said Greg Scanlan, whose comments were greeted with some clapping and shouts from the crowd of about 100. Most of the one-way Vine proponents raised questions about pedestrian safety on a street that's difficult to cross because of the traffic volume. Many were concerned that it would be more difficult to maneuver on foot if traffic were moving in both directions. Only one business representative spoke out for a two-way Vine Street, submitting a list of businesses that support the conversion. Chris Frutkin, representing the Central Vine Business Association, said a larger core of two-way proponents did not show Tuesday because they were concerned that the public hearing was at a non-neutral site.
He said that he had the backing of the business district and that converting Vine Street to two-way would help economic development. But Bonnie Neumeier, vice president of the Over-the-Rhine Community Council, said her organization promotes business development, but not at the cost of safety.
"Our lives are more important than any business development on Vine Street," she said.
Community council officials say about 20 businesses and organizations are supporting the one-way effort.
While the issue is contentious, both sides can agree on this: Something needs to be done about the milelong stretch of Vine between Central Parkway and McMicken Avenue.
Mr. Portune said he would like his committee to make a final recommendation to council for its consideration as soon as next Wednesday's regular weekly meeting.
