Cincinnati, where I spent the day, was a big surprise. It’s been years since I’ve been there, and the city has made a number of smart moves in the meantime. Most impressive were three initiatives:

(1) The remaking of Fountain Square. What used to be separated from its surroundings is now connected in very urban ways. Not only has the plaza been lowered and the walls around it removed, Fountain Square is also now lined with active restaurant and retail space. The square is covered with movable tables and chairs similar to those in Bryant Park. Activity is coordinated by an imaginative 20-something who keeps surprising Cinnatians with his event ideas. A jumbotron across the street above Macy’s is used to project activity from the square as well as movies and local sports events. Designed by Cooper Robertson and Olin Partnership, the almost-finished square is already a winner.

(2) The remaking of Over-the-Rhine, the neighborhood just north of downtown. Kroger’s corporate headquarters are at the edge of downtown just south of the parkway from Over-the-Rhine. A new parking garage was built to the north, fronting on the parkway, to serve company employees. Then it was lined with smart, contemporary condo units that front into the neighborhood. Four developers, aided by the patient capital provided by Cincinnati’s corporate giants through their creation of 3CDC, are renovating historic buildings in the neighborhood as condos and retail/restaurants. They share a compelling sales center out of which all projects are shown and sold. Led by a recent move by the Cincinnati Art Academy, the rejuvenation of the neighborhood is quite remarkable. Kroger is helping to fund a new K-12 public School for the Performing Arts nearby, and the spectacular Symphony Hall is just down the street. The early retail is fabulous (I quickly found a way to spend $100 in five minutes.), and the restaurants soon to open are promising. The neighborhood is still challenged by the (not very impressive) provision of homeless services in the area. (A lesson could be learned from Miami on this one.) But the whole vibe is really special, and I expect this neighborhood to start drawing the attention of travel writers soon.

(3) Bold Fusion. This afternoon 400 young professionals turned out to provide the first round of thinking about the Cincinnati Chamber’s new economic development plan, Agenda 360. I am impressed with any Chamber that shows the wisdom to convene young professionals as the first line of offense on its plans for the future. Smart move. It will be interesting to see if Agenda 360 can lift itself out of the normal pablum of these kinds of reports. Best of all, the young professionals of Cincinnati have formed a PAC to make their political voice heard.

I also visited the Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Cincinnati’s riverfront. It is an impressive contemporary building that sits between the two riverfront stadia. On the one hand, it appears far too massive for its market (through not the site), but it was a moving experience nonetheless.

One project not yet underway is The Banks, the mixed use project envisioned to run along the riverfront south of the Freedom Center and between the stadia. The site is currently vacant or filled with surface parking to serve the stadia. Ohio Governor Ted Stickland was in Cincinnati today to look at The Banks and other projects on the wish list for Cincinnati. The Banks would be an important addition to an already promsing downtown.

Gerard, September 18, 2007

"The neighborhood is still challenged by the (not very impressive) provision of homeless services in the area. (A lesson could be learned from Miami on this one.)" The homeless services in Over-The-Rhine have been criticized for many years. Why exactly do you say they are not very impressive? Could you refer me to an explanation of what they are doing right in Miami?

Link: http://hellogerard.blogspot.com

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