About

Since 2007, UrbanCincy has served as the source for news on Cincinnati’s dynamic urban core. The website has won three Best of Cincinnati awards, and has had its content featured in publications throughout the United States.

UrbanCincy’s team offers a unique collection of professional perspectives that make the website a destination for diverse ideas and engaging conversation. In addition to original news content, our bi-weekly podcast, photographs, videos and events make UrbanCincy.com the region’s premier urban lifestyle website.

Randy A. Simes, Owner & Managing Editor
Randy is an award-winning urban planner who founded UrbanCincy in May 2007. He grew up on Cincinnati’s west side in Covedale, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s nationally acclaimed School of Planning in June 2009. In addition to maintaining ownership and serving as the managing editor for UrbanCincy, Randy has worked professionally as a planning consultant throughout the United States, Korea and the Middle East. After brief stints in Atlanta and Chicago, he currently lives in Seoul. Contact him at randy.simes@urbancincy.com or follow him on Twitter @RandySimes.

 

Travis Estell, Technologist
Travis joined UrbanCincy in 2009 as a contributor, and quickly took over technical responsibilities for the site. After growing up on Cincinnati’s east side in Goshen, Travis earned an Electronic Media degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2009. Since then, Travis has been working throughout the United States as a web development consultant. After living in both Clifton Heights and Northside, Travis currently calls Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood home. Contact him at travis@travisestell.com or follow him on Twitter @taestell.

 

John Yung, Local Area Manager
John joined UrbanCincy in 2011 and has immediately established himself as a key member of the urban analytics team. A native of Chicago, transplanted to Lebanon, Ohio in his teenage years, he currently resides in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. John earned a Masters of Community Planning degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2013, and has been working professionally as an urban planner in the Cincinnati region for years. Contact him at john.yung@urbancincy.com or follow him on Twitter @johnyungphat.

 

Jake Mecklenborg, Staff Writer/Photographer
Jake Mecklenborg joined UrbanCincy in 2009, contributing original articles, photographs, and videos.  He grew up on Cincinnati’s west side and graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1996.  Jake went on to study at the University of Tennessee and Ohio University. His book, Cincinnati’s Incomplete Subway: The Complete History, was published by The History Press in 2010. Jake currently lives in Cincinnati’s Clifton Heights neighborhood. Contact him at jakemecklenborg@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @JakeMecklenborg.