By Dave Niinemets
Enquirer contributor

COVINGTON - Newport and Covington officials are still on board for a proposed $130 million streetcar system in their cities.

That's despite the overwhelming rejection by Hamilton County voters of the light-rail initiative that was proposed to link to the Northern Kentucky streetcars.

"Just because it didn't pass it won't affect this," Newport City Commissioner Beth Fennell said. "We knew all along it would have no effect, positive or negative on the streetcars."

Among the stops being considered are Newport on the Levee, River Center, Riverboat Row, the World Peace Bell and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

"It would be another economic enhancement vehicle," Covington City Manager Greg Jarvis said. "It would certainly have an impact on our conventioneers and the convention center."

Ms. Fennell has been involved in what's been called the loop study, a regional effort including the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments and Northern Kentucky's Southbank Partners.

The streetcars would run across the L&N Bridge and pick up passengers on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati.

Mr. Jarvis has also been involved with the loop study committee. He says the streetcars could have the same success as the Southbank Shuttle that has served the downtown areas since 1998.

He said there is no official timetable for getting the streetcar system up and running but he's optimistic.

"Obviously there are a lot of variables in play we have to address, funding in particular," he said. "But this isn't a way-down-the-road project, at least from my perspective."

The loop study committee came to the conclusion that the streetcars were the best form of transportation. A personal rapid transit proposal was nixed and the committee also ruled out light rail. Streetcars were more viable for an urban setting and offer nostalgia.

"You've got a particular challenge in Covington because of the size of the streets," Mr. Jarvis said. "You couldn't have large train cars there, plus the vintage streetcars would fit with the historic parts of town."

Tom West is chairman of the Covington Business Council. He believes the streetcars would provide a boost to businesses.

"We understand the importance of commuting people through the urban centers," Mr. West said. "When you move people, you move their money.

"Anything we can do that can help move people and be an attraction in and of itself can only help businesses."

Ms. Fennell said the streetcars would be very conducive to leading people to commercial areas of town. She also believes it would provide relief to Newport's limited parking situation.

Although many of the details of the project are being sorted out, the biggest will be funding.

Ms. Fennell said federal money would likely be available, with state and local matches. A tax of some sort would likely be needed for the project.

Whether the light-rail vote is a good barometer for attitudes for a streetcar tax remains to be seen.

"I have heard people very much in favor of mass transit," Ms. Fennell said.

"My gut feeling is that there would be support," Mr. Jarvis said. "There would be support in Covington and Newport, certainly in the business community."

Ms. Fennell said another hurdle may be the effect the L&N Bridge, slated to open as a pedestrian conduit between downtown Cincinnati and Newport, has on the project.

She said when the state turns over ownership of the walking bridge to the city, it could try to reduce the amount of state transportation money for the streetcar project.

She said she is checking with the Transportation Cabinet on that aspect. She believes projects such as the streetcars will help keep the riverfront area on par with other major cities.

"Dollars for the economy follow transportation improvements," she said.