One federal official says Cincinnati should not be discouraged it didn't receive funding for the streetcar project and should apply again. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, City Manager Milton Dohoney and other city officials had a meeting in late February with the #3 ranking official at the U.S. Dpartment of Transportation. City Council this week received a memo with a summary of what happened during that session. The Undersecretary told the group the Cincinnati streetcar plan is exactly the type of project the department wants to fund. But there simply was not enough money in the program to do it in the first round. The city is being urged to re-apply early next month for funding. Federal officials say the city could strengthen it request by seeking more engagement with development partners for economic activity associated with the project. They also want more specifics on who will operate the system and how such an agreement will be structured. They say the city should spend some local money to show they are serious about the plan. Meanwhile, the city could learn later this spring if it will get another $25 million federal grant it applied for. Officials are also asking the state for $50 million. The streetcar project would link Downtown, Over The Rhine and the Uptown area near UC. The 1st phase of the project is expected to cost $128 million.

Cincinnati partnership wins federal funding
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Protest planned after no felony charges filed in homeless death
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Reds announce postseason ticket details
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Comair plans to cut planes and jobs
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23rd Smog alert this year
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Service will celebrate life of Erich Kunzel
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