Youngstown/Pittsburgh Connection (New Castle, Washington, Warren: 2009, living, restaurants)

[CortlandGirl79]

I found this on a local blog and i thought it went along with many of the issues we discuss on the Pittsburgh forum

"The relationship between Cleveland, Youngstown and Pittsburgh is obvious to residents of the Steel Valley. I won't speak for Cleveland, but I know from firsthand experience that Youngstown isn't on the mental maps of most Pittsburghers, who seem oblivious of what is going on in Lordstown (to cite one important example). Because Youngstown is located in Ohio, the linkages to Cleveland are more obvious. But I'd argue that the relationship with Pittsburgh is, at the very least, as important."

Greater Youngstown 2.0: Youngstown-Pittsburgh Connections

[Hopes]

I think the blog writer is oblivious to what's on Pittsburgher's mental maps. Maybe Youngstown is more on the radar of North Hill's residents and the blog writer is only dealing with people in the South Hills for his/her 'first hand experience.' It's not very far away from the North Hills afterall. Many people who live in Youngstown commute to Pittsburgh too. I was also already aware of the various joint initiatives between Pittsburgh and Youngstown organizations and governments.

[JoeLeaphorn]

There are already groups in Ohio and Pennsylvania working to restore the passenger rail corridor between Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Cleveland, which would include higher speed rail and more trains/day (making commuting possible). The route would travel up through Beaver and New Castle and likely make stops in these areas as well.

The Cleveland-Pittsburgh corridor was left out of the Federally designated High Speed Rail Corridors (as was Pittsburgh to Washington DC, Pittsburgh to Columbus, OH (most of the right of way already owned by the State of Ohio), and Buffalo to Cleveland.

The reason is that none of our Pennsylvania legislators nor the regional MOPs lobbied to have these included.

Whether or not you believe that passenger rail should be a priority of the government is not the issue. The money being pledged to rebuild these corridors is for passenger rail, only. It won't be diverted to other transportation modalities.

This means that if we don't ask for the money we won't get it.

The cost to open a high speed rail corridor from Pittsburgh to Cleveland is estimated at around $30 million. Comparing this to the $530 million that the North Shore Connector will cost (and the population served by each project), and $30 million is a deal.

Another thing to consider is that the investment in HSR will require manufacturing on a scale such as we have not seen in awhile. States like Ohio are lobbying to have shuttered automobile and other plants converted to rail manufacting plants. Meanwhile our legislators are more concerned about the right to carry semi-automatic weapons in state parks.

It takes only a few seconds to send an e-mail to your representative asking him/her to lobby for the Pittsburgh related corridors to at least be included in any High Speed Rail corridors. It doesn't guarantee that we'll get the money but being left out of the designation guarantees that we can't.

[CortlandGirl79]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I think the blog writer is oblivious to what's on Pittsburgher's mental maps. Maybe Youngstown is more on the radar of North Hill's residents and the blog writer is only dealing with people in the South Hills for his/her 'first hand experience.' It's not very far away from the North Hills afterall. Many people who live in Youngstown commute to Pittsburgh too. I was also already aware of the various joint initiatives between Pittsburgh and Youngstown organizations and governments.

I tend to disagree............sure you and i know about the joint initiatives and that many people from Youngstown commute to the Pittsburgh area. I even know some people from the Burgh who commute up this way, but from my experience it seems like most Pittsburghers don't know those things nor do they give Y-town a second thought.

[JoeLeaphorn]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

I tend to disagree............sure you and i know about the joint initiatives and that many people from Youngstown commute to the Pittsburgh area. I even know some people from the Burgh who commute up this way, but from my experience it seems like most Pittsburghers don't know those things nor do they give Y-town a second thought.

Most Pittsburghers don't give Cleveland a second thought, either, though the city has many fine restaurants and the West Side Market which beats the Strip District hands down in terms of prices and variety:

The West Side Market: Clevelands Oldest and Most Trusted Market

[dugdogmaster]

There has been a few new business and educational partnerships announced between the two states bordering counties over the past year. One of them, I believe, was the first of it's kind in the country.

[john7104]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

I tend to disagree............sure you and i know about the joint initiatives and that many people from Youngstown commute to the Pittsburgh area. I even know some people from the Burgh who commute up this way, but from my experience it seems like most Pittsburghers don't know those things nor do they give Y-town a second thought.

I left Youngstown for one reason . . . so I wouldn't have to give that hole a second thought. If you were smart . . . run.

[CortlandGirl79]

Well, i don't live in Youngstown, i live in Warren....................I am smart and i like living here. Different strokes for different folks.

[john7104]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

Well, i don't live in Youngstown, i live in Warren....................I am smart and i like living here. Different strokes for different folks.

I grew up in Warren and left Boardman 2 years ago. When I say "Youngstown" I'm referring to the entire Valley. Please stop trying to make the area sound as though it's something it's not. It's a hole. And the sooner you understand that the better off you'll be.

[CortlandGirl79]

Geez, somebody sounds bitter and hateful. I didn't say anything about it besides Pittsburghers don't really think about it. If you don't like it that's fine. I happen to like it here.............i've lived here 30 years so i doubt your opinion of the Valley is going to change my mind..........