This link is to a story about light rail in Cincinnati. The
issues are somewhat similar to those here in Detroit.
Many Rust Belt cities share the same problems - a
few areas neat downtown and medical centers that are
now prospering and attracting residents including those
who renovate architecturally interesting neighborhood
once in decline. But in these cities there are very many
more neighborhoods with low income populations and
bleak future. And that have unrealistically high obligations
for pensions and medical coverage for retired municipal
workers.

I hope that Cincinnati and Detroit get their light rail
systems. Cleveland not only retained its light rail link
to its eastern suburbs but, back in the 1950s, used federal
funds to build a heavy rail system that effectively links
the airport with downtown and the east side medical
center.l