More on intermodal, transportation and personal vendettas?
There are two key parts of the discussion of intermodal and Northwestern Ohio. First the acknowledgement that other parts of Northwestern Ohio such as what is taking place in North Baltimore does benefit the economic health of the entire region needs to be pointed out. Projects like the new terminal in North Baltimore do provide jobs directly and indirectly for Toledo residents. However, the second key part of the discussion is, is Toledo doing enough to try to be the primary location for some of these projects? Are we missing opportunities?
Is it possible for us to dream of having a facility like the Port of Memphis or will other areas of Ohio take the lead on that development?
Will Toledo be the ones to benefit from ideas like the one presented in today’s Blade, City could benefit if shipping project sails in Nova Scotia where it’s stated:
“It almost seems tailored for Toledo to become a major stakeholder and beneficiary,” said James Hartung, president of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.
Or will that opportunity be lost? Is part of the problem how people are treated by the City? If you listen to a podcast of a phone conversation on WSPD with Fred and Brian McMahon on Friday, Brian McMahon relates an experience where he was invited by the Port Authority to attend a meeting but was told by Mr. Reinbolt that he was not welcome, leaving him with the impression that personal vendettas are getting in the way of economic development.
As discussed earlier, Toledo has had intermodal aspirations for well over a decade. The problem continues to be that we don’t seem to put any of the dreams into plans and other parts of Northwestern Ohio are. When a potential like this exists:
According to McMahon, it’s not unreasonable to realize that Northwest Ohio could be looking at 5,000 to 10,000 new jobs within a short period of time. There is more than 4 billon square feet of industrial space within a 300-mile radius of Toledo. What does this mean for companies shipping products through the hub? The fewer hours and days spent in transit time, the more money and time the company saves. “Where else in North America can a business get these kinds of demographics?” asks McMahon. “We have something (in Toledo) no one else has.”
If now is not the time to work together, when?
“…Brian McMahon relates an experience where he was invited by the Port Authority to attend a meeting but was told by Mr. Reinbolt that he was not welcome,…”
It is like deja vu all over again, with the administration and WSPD.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pmMayor Finkbeiner wishes to be named Intermodal czar for the state so he is holding the paperwork hostage. Outlying counties, cities, townships don’t want Toledo to control thier growth which is what the mayor wants in return for water. This is more important than all the trash talk and bike paths in the city.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:02 pmWe will be talking about this a lot in the coming weeks. I know some people will see it as nitpicking and negative. But what’s more negative to let the city watch as everyone else takes advantage of this or to hold the politicians feet to the fire and get it done?
Intermodalism has advanced in Northwest Ohio. The port authority just received a $750,000 grant to construct a southern access road to Toledo Express Airport — which is the side where future cargo operations would be located. Already constructed on the southwest quadrant of TOL are cargo aprons capable of supporting any aircraft in commercial service today. Utilities need to be run out there which will cost about $5 million and US 20A needs some upgrades to make the plan complete. Those plans are well on their way. Big things will be happening at TOL in the next few years.
The Port of Toledo has been more frequently using its dockside rail facilities to transfer cargo directly from freighter to railcar. With Big Lucas and Little Lucas, working in tandem, capable of carrying out some heavy lifts, the intermodal capabilities at the Port of Toledo are pretty strong as well.
Some sticky issues with the two railroads need to be worked out at the Port of Toledo for the system to function as efficiently as it should. Progress is being made, but nothing is easy with the railroads.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:15 pmThat’s true Brian, I noticed that was also reported a few days ago in the Blade on the $750,000.
Fred, I don’t think it’s nitpicking or negative to talk about the possibilities that exist and how we can make sure that with as excellent as we seem to be in creating plans and talking about ideas that we work a little harder on moving forward with some of them.
You realize as well as I do how long we’ve talked about intermodal, there are some great ideas out there.
Brian raises a valid point as reported in 2007. Also as shared by Tom Walton in February of 2008 many of us do realize anybody hoping for “instant gratification,” as Mr. Hartung put it, will be disappointed. Is true.
Yet, while not expecting instant gratification, I do believe questioning are we doing enough and is it fast enough are valid questions.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pmThe Toledo area is blessed with excellent rail service, great lakes shipping, major hi-ways, and an airport made for air cargo. It is critical that this area capitalize on these assets, especially the Intermodal opportunities that are here and now . For thirty years I have worked in this area with all modes of transportation except air. I spend a large amount of time up and down the Maumee River and its docks. This area can’t afford to blow it like what happened in Erie Mi. That was an excellent opportunity. And just like that, the opportunity went elsewhere.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pm“Several Ohio ports have the potential to benefit from this,” Mr. Dailey said. “The governor is always interested in efforts to improve Ohio’s economy, especially if they’re in logistics and distribution.”
“This is all about Toledo’s taking advantage of its position at a crossroads,” agreed Steve Fought, a spokesman for Miss Kaptur. “It’s been talked about for decades. It’s time that we acted on it. Creative minds in economic development have to scramble now and put together a package that meets their [Melford's] needs.”
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/NEWS11/805040338/-1/NEWS
May 5th, 2008 at 9:37 am“I know some people will see it as nitpicking and negative.”
Happen to catch a broadcast, WSPD, when a guests car was open and the radio on.
Comments made that if you ask questions, you are thought to be negative.
Sorta like the whole hate speech against a leader or you are unpatriotic if you question.
When a leader or leadership has all the answers and wants no input or criticizes those that ask or comment, we are not being represented.
Discussion and the asking of questions help to clarify and provoke further thought, not the hurry and pass this or that and do not ask questions.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:29 am#5 Joe is on target. Toledo is located in the perfect spot for every type of shipping and distribution. Deep water harbors, rail, interstate highways in every direction and a populace that is ready to work.
Companies that are looking to set up operations in this great location see how business in Toledo is handled at the city government level and look elsewhere quickly.
Until we clean some house at 1 gov center, we may as well get used to watching Toledo’s shots at a rebound setting up their shops in the cities that were second choice.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:17 am[...] that other parts of Northwestern Ohio such as what is taking place in North Baltimorehttp://glasscityjungle.com/wordpress/?p=3035CN extending intermodal service eastward beyond Quebec City Canadian BusinessMONTREAL – Canadian [...]
May 31st, 2008 at 6:52 pm