CINCINNATI - Crews this month are beginning to make improvements to the outdoor area surrounding the Connector's Maintenance and Operations Facility in Over-the-Rhine.

The streetcar recently was awarded $487,000 in federal grants to fund the improvements, which include expansion of the employee parking lot with 18 new spaces and the addition of a landscaped, outdoor break area.

All five streetcars in the system's fleet are housed at the MOF at 1927 Race Street just south of Henry Street.   

Construction is expected to be completed by early summer.

The contractor is West Chester-based Sunesis Construction Co.

The Connector began passenger service in September 2016. It is an electric-powered streetcar system that operates along a 3.6-mile loop connecting the OTR and Banks neighborhoods via the Central Business District in downtown Cincinnati. It operates 365 days a year and is free to ride.