Tag: parks

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Business Development News

Monarch Construction awarded first work bid for CRP by Army Corps

Cincinnati-based Monarch Construction Company has been awarded the first work bid by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park. The $8.5 million contract will cover the construction of the Walnut Street Fountain & Grand Staircase which will begin within the coming weeks.

Monarch was selected by the Corps for meeting their qualifications for quality, cost and time to perform the work that will include a concrete structure with sandstone cladding and granite paving; bathrooms; an elevator; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; landscaping; waterproofing; interactive fountains; and associated equipment, fixtures, and furnishings.

Phase 1 of the 45-acre, $120 million Cincinnati Riverfront Park is currently on schedule for a spring 2011 opening. In addition to the Walnut Street Fountain & Grand Staircase, the first phase of the project will also include an event lawn, donor wall, promenade and the highly anticipated Bike & Mobility Center and Moerlein Lager House. This additional work is currently out for bid and is expected to be awarded in summer 2010.

In total, the Cincinnati Riverfront Park is projected to cost $2.5 million per acre which is on par, or less than, other comparable waterfront parks throughout the country. Park planners put the cost slightly higher than Cincinnati’s International Friendship Park and Yeatman’s Cove, but less than those found in Louisville, Charleston, Indianapolis and Chicago.

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Arts & Entertainment News Transportation

Hundreds of cyclists to take part in 4th Annual Ride Cincinnati event

Nearly 1,000 bicyclists will take to the streets on Sunday, June 13 to raise money for local breast cancer research conducted at the University of Cincinnati’s Barrett Cancer Institute as part of the 4th Annual Ride Cincinnati event. The bicycle ride ranges from 8.2 miles to 62.8 miles depending on the ability and desire of the participants.

Yeatman’s Cove at Sawyer Point, on Cincinnati’s central riverfront, serves as the starting point for all of the courses. From there bicyclists will cross the Ohio River on the Purple People Bridge, ride throughout Northern Kentucky and return to Sawyer Point for the finish and celebration. The first group will depart at 6:30am on the 62.8-mile ride, while the last group is scheduled to leave at 9am on the 8.2-mile ride.

Ride Cincinnati has successfully raised more than $500,000 for breast cancer research in its first three years. This year, event organizers hope to increase the size of the event and the total money raised. So far, more than $204,000 has been raised, with 981 participants. Online registration is currently closed, but late registration is still open at several locations throughout the city and even on the day of the event.  A full list of the late registration locations is available online, and donations are being accepted through Wednesday, June 30.

The post-ride celebration will take place at Sawyer Point (map) from 9:30am to 1pm for registered riders and their families.

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Business Development News

Renderings for Moerlein Lager House released in latest CRP construction update

Cincinnati Riverfront Park Project Manager Dave Prather has released the latest construction update on the massive 45-acre public park project. In the video Prather discusses recent progress including the archaeological dig, event lawn, connectivity with The Banks development, bicycle commuter station and a realigned Mehring Way. The video also updates the status of the much anticipated Moerlein Lager House for which several new renderings are displayed.

The first phase of the Sasaki Associates-designed Cincinnati Riverfront Park will also include the Walnut Street Fountain & Steps, the Black Brigade Monument, the labyrinth, tree groves, the Women’s Garden, Main Street Garden, and the first section of the bike trail that will eventually connect with the Ohio River Trail. Construction of the park is currently on-budget and on-time for a Spring 2011 completion.

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Development News

3CDC to host public hearing on Washington Park plans – 5/20

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) and the Cincinnati Park Board will be presenting their plans for the $46.2 million redevelopment of Washington Park on Thursday, May 20 at 6:30pm.  The presentation will be made at the Art Academy of Cincinnati just blocks away from the historic park in Over-the-Rhine.

Earlier this month 3CDC released new information on the redevelopment project including new renderings, financing plan and a general time frame for completion. Once complete, the renovated Washington Park will include a 500-space underground parking garage beneath a two-acre expansion of the park north to 14th Street. Other changes include the incorporation of a dog park, upgraded performance facilities, a splash ground to replace the existing pool, and other facility additions.

Some neighborhood residents have expressed concerns over the design of the new facilities in terms of how they relate to the existing urban fabric of one of America’s largest, and most significant historic districts.

“While this project has the potential to be a major boon to the community, and while the design of the garage and the redesign of the park are the result of lots of planning and hard work by 3CDC, the Park Board, and some community members, there are reports that certain aspects of the design still leave something to be desired, and that they may include some features that are gaudy and/or badly out of context with OTR,” explained Danny Klingler in an email sent to UrbanCincy. “For those of us that haven’t had a chance to participate in the planning process or see the designs, this is our opportunity to show up, view the plans, and express our opinions on the way Washington Park will look and feel, and the way it will interact with and affect the surrounding neighborhood.”

Since 2006, there have been six Steering Committee meetings and five general public meetings on this project.  Over that time, there has also been a number of organizational meetings including the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Cincinnati Park Board, Over-the-Rhine Community Council and the Historic Conservation Board.

Officials working on the project hope to finalize financing and design plans soon so that construction work can begin this summer, with an expected completion in fall 2011.

The Art Academy is located on Jackson Street (map) near the Know Theatre. Free bicycle parking is available in the immediate vicinity, on- and off-street automobile parking is available for free and for payment, and the Art Academy can be reached by Metro bus service (plan your trip).

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Arts & Entertainment News

Acoustic lunch series returns to Piatt Park

The summer Acoustic Lunch at Piatt Park series returns this Tuesday, May 18. The workweek musical series occurs between 11:45am and 1:45pm every Tuesday in the beautifully set Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati.

The series, sponsored by LPK, will run through Tuesday, September 28 and will include a wide variety of unplugged musical performances from artists like Zumba, the Bromwell Diehl Band, Faux Frenchmen, Jake Speed & The Freddies and Tanner Hill.

“The series brings such energy and vibrancy to the Downtown residential and business community and further highlights Cincinnati’s prolific creative-class community,” noted Jerry Kathman, President and CEO of LPK, in a press release.

The Acoustic Lunch at Piatt Park (map) series is free and open to the public, and offers a beautiful shaded spot in the heart of downtown Cincinnati to spend your lunch. Those interested in checking out the series, that are not able to walk from their office or residence, can find on- and off-street parking, free bicycle parking and Metro bus service (plan your trip) all within the immediate vicinity.