Mayor, council, staff and citizens,
Below is the link to the Ohio Rail Commission web site and
list of members for your reference.
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Pages/Commissioners.aspx
We urge you to begin talking about the importance of this
project, and the proposed stop in Middletown, to your elected officials:
county, state and federal.
As for tomorrow’s meeting, we are unable to determine
details, but we are hoping that there will be an opportunity for at least the
Mayor to speak. The Mayor will ask all those from Middletown to stand and
show support.
Also, in case anyone else would like to make some comments,
I’ve included some talking points you are free to draw from:
·
Middletown – it is not just a name – we are
centrally located, and the shortest route, between Dayton and Cinti. We
have been told that there will be only one stop in Butler County, Hamilton is
also interested in being a stop, we believe that the Middletown stop is better
suited due to location and a number of other factors.
·
We own and operate a bus system and a regional
airport. Both are near-by the proposed train stop. Our regional
airport has the longest runaway in the area. I-75 is close-by as well as the
multi-use trail which will soon be connected to over 250 miles of trail.
We have established a connector bus service from Middletown to
Hamilton and are researching opportunities for connections to other cities as
well.
·
The proposed Middletown stop is easy access from
the Dayton and Cincinnati suburbs.
·
Our downtown redevelopment plan includes the
train stop; we’ve begun making plans for the stop. Our central business
district which includes restaurants, shop and a hotel, is one block away from
the stop. City hall and other government buildings are close-by as
well.
·
We have a historic train depot along with other
local resources to ensure proper infrastructure to support the train
stop.
·
We have a historic hotel with a restaurant and
banquet facility a few blocks away to accommodate overnight visitors.
·
We are well positioned to accommodate and expedite
the needs of the business traveler, but we also have a full complement of
activities easily accessible to the stop to provide a great experience for
those who will ride the train to Dayton, Cinti, Columbus or Cleveland to seek
entertainment opportunities.
Judith
A. Gilleland
City
Manager
City
of Middletown
One
Donham Plaza
Middletown,
Ohio 45042
(513)
425-7836
