This video is from the ASG senate meeting, November 3rd, 2009. They discussed and unanimously supported a possible Amtrak Station in Oxford.
Associated Student Government (ASG) senate unanimously passed a resolution supporting the construction of an Amtrak stop in Oxford Tuesday evening.
Senior Mia DeNardi, an urban and regional planning and geography double major, said she has been working on the project for a year and a half. She began the project in her Intro to Planning class in fall 2008 and is currently working on it through the Wilks Scholar Program.
"I have always liked the idea of being able to ride on trains, and after studying abroad in Italy, I realized how great they were for connectivity," DeNardi said.
Along with other students including MiMi DeGrow and Nathaniel Kaelin, DeNardi said she has been working with the city of Oxford, Amtrak and Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC).
DeNardi said Oxford Mayor Prue Dana and Alan Kyger, economic development director, are in support of an Amtrak station in Oxford.
"The Cardinal Line already goes through Oxford," DeNardi said.
But, DeNardi said new high-speed lines are going to be built in the next several years, and unless Oxford pushes for a stop, the city will likely be bypassed.
She said the state of Ohio has a 3C plan to connect Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus by rail. Students and citizens of Oxford could use the rail lines to connect to various cities through Cincinnati.
DeNardi said the areas Miami students originate from line up with rail stops, so the Amtrak stop in Oxford could help students with transportation to and from their homes in areas like Chicago, Cleveland and Columbus.
"Right now, Amtrak is saying that it's not feasible because there is already a stop in Connersville, Ind.," DeNardi said.
The Connersville station is 45 minutes away from Oxford.
DeNardi has not lost hope because she said the Connersville stop only has about 600 riders each year.
"I think we could easily rival that," DeNardi said.
Senate members voiced support for a station in Oxford.
"I think this is a great idea," said Max Goodman, off-campus senator. "I'm one of the few people that stayed here for fall break because it would cost $400 to go home."
In addition to providing a service to its riders, Commuter Senator Ryan Spence suggested the proposed stop could benefit the university and community.
"I think this would help with a whole lot of problems the university is having, including parking," Spence said.
Off-campus senator Nathan Zwayer said he felt the Amtrak stop would fit with Oxford and Miami's environmental efforts as well.
Junior Una Hrnjak, secretary for diversity affairs, said she's heard many concerns about transportation from international students and the possibility of this kind of transportation would be beneficial for them to easily see other parts of the United States.
Tappan Hall Senator Matthew Herbst raised concerns that Oxford has avoided highway construction in the past because the city does not want to become a hub. DeNardi said that wouldn't be an issue and that the stop would likely be a small place to get on and off the train rather than a large station where passengers can purchase tickets.
DeNardi said sites for the stop are still being considered, but the old Wal-Mart location would be ideal.
"Right now students just need to show support," DeNardi said. "My project is in a stage where my work is not going into building a station right now, but rather to show the university, Oxford and Amtrak why we should have a station here."
