Tag: downtown

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News

What does the political shakeup mean for Cincinnati?

No matter which party you subscribe to, and no matter what you think of yesterday’s results one thing is sure. Things most certainly have changed, especially so for the Cincinnati area.

President-elect Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden have stated their support for rail transit before, with Biden going as far to say “we’ll be the most pro-rail administration ever.” Combine this with the ousting of long-time Congressman Steve Chabot (R) and you have something interesting.

Chabot has long been an opponent to most earmark spending and has not been suportive of transit initiatives in the past. He will now be replaced by westsider Steve Driehaus (D) who has stated that he will “be a strong advocate for this region and a strong advocate for Cincinnati.”

This is leaving many to speculate about increased funding for such prominent local projects like The Banks, Brent Spence Bridge (BSB) replacement, Cincinnati Streetcar initiative, Ohio Hub and others. Many of these seem like reasonable expectations. In the past Chabot had voted against money for The Banks and lobbied against initiatives like the Cincinnati Streetcar.

On top of all of this, you have the Obama/Biden infrastructure proposal that is designed to help rebuild our nation’s infrastructure by investing in people to rebuild bridges, roads, the energy grid, and other things like rail transit. This could mean hundreds of millions of dollars for the Cincinnati region, leaving projects like the Cincinnati Streetcar, BSB, Ohio Hub, and others sitting pretty that have plans in place and are primed to show immediate results from the infusion of federal money.

So whether you like or don’t like the results of yesterday’s election one thing seems for sure. Things are going to change dramatically for Cincinnati’s political landscape and what it influences. Will it be for the better? The jury is still out, but I guess that also depends on how you think of things like The Banks, Cincinnati Streetcar, Ohio Hub and the Brent Spence Bridge.

America’s New First Family – Getty Images
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Arts & Entertainment Development News

Looking the Queen Up & Down

I was so lucky to be extended the offer to go up on the Atrium II tower’s top level terraces. There were some terrific views that I had not seen before. I was able to get some great aerial shots of construction progress at The Banks and Queen City Square.

The day was somewhat gray, but the photos turned out pretty well considering the conditions. I especially found the views of the Licking River to be most enjoyable, as it is not often that you can get an overview of all its twists and turns through the hills and valleys of Northern Kentucky. Feel free to view the slideshow below, go to the Photobucket gallery, or read through the annotated photo thread I’ve posted on UrbanOhio.


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News

Two-Wheeled Goodness

For the past month, the City conducted an online poll, gathering input from drivers of scooters and motorcycles regarding where they would like to park in the downtown. Given the rise in gasoline prices and environmental concerns, and the fact that many scooters can achieve over 100 miles-per-gallon, the uptick in demand should be followed up with additional services and facilities for this mode of transport.

The benefits are immediate: scooters and other lightweight two-wheeled vehicles take up far less room than an automobile. They cause far less wear and tear to roads as they are vastly lighter — in fact, many can be picked up with two bare hands. They require less fuel, and four-cycle motors pollute far less than automobiles.

As a result of public input, the city unveiled its first dedicated, public scooter and motorcycle parking in the city on October 23 at the corner of 8th and Vine (GoogleMap) streets in downtown. Noted as the first of its kind in Cincinnati, it will certainly not be the last; four other such locations will soon grace our downtown streets with the hope that the low-cost initiative is expanded elsewhere.

Unfortunately, many of these parking spaces look temporary. Painted stripes on the ground and signage on poles may allocate room for parking, but it does little when you pass by it and note a sport-utility vehicle or commercial van occupying the entire strip. Installing low-cost curbs or barriers along the street can solve this issue, and will not only increase safety, but institute a psychological barrier that these parking areas are permanent, and are dedicated solely to the two-wheeled variant.

Now only if the city was more proactive in applying the same enthusiasm to bicycles, we would have a much more intermodal city.

If you would like to see this program extended to your neighborhood, or somewhere near your business/residence, then please email the City at twowheeler@cincinnati-oh.gov.

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News

Fountain Square Broomball League Returns

The popular Fountain Square Broomball League (FSBL) is returning this year. This will be the third season for the league and it will include a total of 32 teams with up to 12 players per team. The 32 teams will be broken down equally into an Advanced and Beginners leagues.

The 32 teams will be selected by lottery and announced before Thanksgiving. The broomball teams are coed and are required to have three women on the ice out of the six total players.

One of the coolest things about the league is that the you’re playing on Fountain Square. Your games are broadcast on the video board, which doubles as the scoreboard for the game, and their is the usual crowd hanging around the Square.

The season is six weeks long starting on January 5th, with games being played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The championship games, for both levels, will be held on Wednesday, February 18th. Sign-ups for the 2009 FSBL begin Monday, October 27th and will go until Friday, November 14th at 5pm.

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News

‘Bite Me’ Ball at the CAC

If you’re looking for something fun and interesting to do this Halloween night then check out the CAC’s ‘Bite Me’ Ball. The after(life) costume party at the CAC will immediately follow the Cincinnati Ballet’s performance of DRACULA at the Aronoff Center across the street.

It is a costume event so come in your most outrageous, horrifying, or funny outfit. There will be costume judging at the door and prizes will be given out later in the evening courtesy of The Container Store.

The event will start at 9pm and last until around 1am. There will be food and drinks, at the event, from places like A La Carte Catering, BlackFinn, Jeff Ruby’s, Oceanaire, Palomino, RebBull, and Peroni. The cost is $20 for CAC and ballet ticket holders, and $25 for general admittance. You should most certainly get your tickets ahead of time and can do so by ordering them through the CAC’s website.