Tag: downtown

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Development News Politics Transportation

Where would they all park?

Metro, the non-profit that operates Cincinnati’s bus system, is facing a budget deficit of $16 million in 2010. To preempt this crisis, officials in December elected to reduce service on virtually every route, and eliminate some routes entirely (new schedules). Many Cincinnatians values Metro’s presence because it is a critical service for residents and visitors alike, but some remain hard to convince.

Metro’s important role in Cincinnati goes beyond the obvious. For example, there simply is not enough parking downtown to eliminate bus service. If Cincinnati were to eliminate Metro entirely, the city would need 127 acres of additional parking.

According to Carter Dawson, the group that is managing The Banks development on the riverfront, 85,000 people work in downtown Cincinnati, and according to Metro, 20 percent of them commute using the bus. Therefore, 17,000 people ride to bus downtown to work each day. The amount of space needed for each parking space is estimated at 325 square feet after factoring in space needed for access lanes. As a result, Cincinnati would need to add more than 5.5 million square feet of additional parking space, or about 127 acres.

The land area bounded by 3rd Street, Race Street, Central Parkway, and Sycamore Street is about 130 acres (map created here).

Cincinnati simply cannot afford to throw away 127 acres of prime real estate. Not only does downtown hold some of the region’s most lucrative businesses that would have to go elsewhere, but the tax revenue lost by this displacement would be catastrophic as well. In addition, roadways would need to be expanded to accommodate the increased traffic, stealing even more valuable downtown space. Residents would also be displaced, taking with them the income tax revenue on which the city relies. Cincinnati cannot afford to eliminate Metro. Instead, policymakers ought to be seeking ways to bolster this community asset.

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News

Cincinnati looking to woo Lions Clubs International leadership

Cincinnati is one of five finalist cities across the world competing to land the Lions Clubs International 2015 convention that will bring with it an estimated 25,000 to 36,000 hotel room nights and an economic impact between $7.4 and $10.5 million.

Cincinnati is currently competing against Boston, Tampa, Honolulu and Manchester, England for the five day event in July 2015. The winner will be announced this April by Lions Clubs International.

“Reaching finalist status to host Lions Clubs International is a tremendous accomplishment in itself. They have narrowed their search to five great cities, and we are right up there with other top-shelf destinations,” said Dan Lincoln, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lions Clubs International’s leadership is in Cincinnati now and will be touring the venues and hotels that would play host to the convention. During their three-day stay, Lions Clubs International leadership will meet with a variety of business and civic leaders in the Cincinnati region, and evaluate potential parade routes for the 2015 event. As part of the visit, Cincinnati leaders will present Lions officials with more than 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses that have been collected from throughout the region.

“This is particularly exciting given the recent selection of Cincinnati USA to host the World Choir Games in 2012,” said Lincoln. “We are succeeding in showing the nation and the world that Cincinnati USA is a welcoming, exciting and memorable destination prepared to host major convention groups.”

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News

Dinner options expanding in downtown Cincinnati

Over the course of the past month or so, Cincinnati’s urban core has seen a nice expansion in the seemingly always desired dinner options, especially as it relates to dining during the week. This is definitely a most welcome development as many places tend to cater to the business lunch crowd, only to then shut their doors on the people that live in the city.

More evening options as it relates to dining should be in direct correlation with the amount of people that are living downtown and in the larger urban core (including Nky). The development is not surprising, but is most welcome by residents.

A few of the openings and additional hours include the following:

  • Its Just Crepes has opened a second location at 151 West 4th Street.
  • Mr. Sushi recently opened in the 580 building along 6th Street in the Backstage District.
  • Mayberry, the well documented creation of Chef Josh Campbell, recently expanded their hours to include dinner options with hours lasting until 7pm now.
  • Another well documented establishment, Senate, will be opening on February 19 in the Gateway Quarter which will add yet another weekday dining option to downtown.

As the repopulation of our city center continues, there will be more and more options for residents to choose from as it relates to dining and other consumer based spending. These recent developments are definitely another step in the right direction as we work through a difficult economy and the winter weather months in Cincinnati.

The dinner table is set at Mayberry in downtown Cincinnati – photo by 5chw4r7z

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News

A Glimpse Into Our Future & 21c Hotel

When the person at the front desk closes with “… and make sure you check out our men’s bathroom. It’s just down the hall to the right of the big red penguin” you know you are in a unique place. And so began a recent visit, my first, to the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville. When the opportunity presented itself to stay a night 100 miles southwest, there was no more obvious choice as to where to stay for an evening. After all, as much as it was a glimpse into a unique place, this was a glimpse into the future.

When the 21c Museum Hotel announced late last year that they had purchased the old Metropole Hotel building from 3CDC in the Backstage District it marked the first new hotel in downtown Cincinnati in over twenty years. Located across from the Aronoff Center for the Arts and just next door to the Contemporary Arts Center, the historic building offers the ability to do many unique things which is right up the alley for 21c.

Penguins, penguins, and more penguins at the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville.

“3CDC approached us with the location, and it was pretty much a dream”, said CEO Michael Bonadies. And after experiencing the 21c firsthand, there is no question about that assessment. With 90 rooms in Louisville (the Cincinnati location is slated for 160), the 21c is likely to be classified as a boutique hotel given its size. It is however, so much more.

“Our goal is to be a part of the community and really be one of the cultural centers of Louisville,” Bonadies said and their approach is right in line with that vision. With 90 percent of their food and beverage revenues at Proof on Main coming from local residents, their strategy is clearly a resounding success. Additionally, they host shows and events quite frequently to keep the locals coming back time and time again.

The first ground floor and the level below are filled with art and exhibits that are rotated semi-annually including quite a few rooms that are big enough to hold an entire collection from an artist. On a tour we were told that this is a focus for 21c so that the patrons can get a full picture of what the artist was going after. One example was the Faces of Fooshegu which was a dynamic collection of twenty portraits of the people of Tamale, Ghana. This exhibit, among quite a few others at 21c was done by local Louisville artists.

Artwork fills the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, and will certainly do so in Cincinnati as well.

“21c reflects Louisville” said Mr. Bonadies, “and the Cincinnati location will reflect Cincinnati.” The Louisville location was opened in 2005 and the goal is to have the Cincinnati 21c open in 2012. There are a few other things coming in 2012 for Cincinnati’s urban core, and this is yet another piece to our wonderful puzzle.

One may ask where the vision for something like 21c comes from, which also is planning an Austin location. According to Michael, owners Laura Lee Brown and her husband Steve Wilson have a passion for the farmland of America and want to make the urban centers a place where people work, play and live.

“They are doing their part to prevent urban sprawl and in turn protect the farmland they care about,” said Bonadies who also stated that aside from their passion for farmland, they have a passion for art as most of what is shown at 21c is a personal reflection of their tastes.

Just down the hall and to the right, you’ll find the big red penguin and the famous men’s restroom at the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville.

“There is art around every corner. Enjoy your stay,” Bonadies said, and he could not have been more right. 21c Museum Hotel is visually stunning, thought provoking, fun, and quite impressive, and that is all before you get in the elevator to go to head upstairs to your room. The rooms themselves are stylish and modern with an artistic touch that is all their own. As for the men’s restroom in the lobby, you will just have to go down to Louisville to see it for yourself. It’s just down the hall and to the right of the big red penguin.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Vendor applications now being accepted for 2010 ‘Market on the Square’

Entering its third season, ‘Market on the Square’ is now accepting applications from vendors interested in participating in the popular seasonal market on Fountain Square.

‘Market on the Square’ runs every Tuesday, over the course of the summer months (21 weeks) from 11am to 2pm, and attracts thousands of visitors and shoppers each season. Last year’s vendors sold fresh produce, baked goods, prepared lunch foods, fresh flowers, handmade items and more.

Interested vendors are encouraged to apply now after reviewing the Vendor Application for selection criteria and important instructions on how to apply. The Fountain Square Management Group notes that all vendors must apply by April 2, and that no more than 24 vendors will be selected two weeks later.