The last time light-rail officials took their plans straight to the public, they met with rejection. But Thursday night's open house in Avondale proved more favorable.

        Some residents who attended the informational meeting at the Grassroots Learning Academy on Reading Road were optimistic but cautious about the possibility of a light-rail system cutting through their neighborhood.

        Though he didn't favor displacing homeowners, Bob Crosswhite of Forest Park, a Burnet Avenue property owner, said the plan has advantages.

        “I don't want to be too negative or too positive,” he said. “But I don't think (a light-rail line) will be too detrimental to the area.”

        Preliminary plans call for construction to begin in 2004. Alignment of track and selection of stops has not been made final, although light-rail officials hope to run the system from Covington to Blue Ash along Interstate 71 and possibly through some Cincinnati neighborhoods such as Avondale, Mount Auburn and Over-the-Rhine and suburbs such as Norwood.

        “It's important to go one step further and talk with people to thoroughly address their questions and concerns,” said Judi Craig, project manager for the I-71 Light Rail Transit study.

        In October, officials held a similar meeting in Norwood, where residents roundly criticized the proposed system.

        John Smith, a resident of Hickman Street in Avondale, said Thursday he still was undecided.

        “I realize it will make our city a lot more accessible, but based on what I've seen, the only people (in his neighborhood) who'll benefit from it are at the Medical Center or the University of Cincinnati.”

        Charlene Morse of North Avondale was more optimistic.

        “Having been to other cities where a light rail is already in place, I know the benefits,” she said. “In New York, people consider it an advantage” to live close to a transit system.

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