Martin

That should make sure it tells the correct time first. If I remember right it always seemed to be like 10-15 min. off.

waterwall was turned on today. Looks pretty sweet.

At least the rink will be gone by Friday so the whole thing will be opened up. Hopefully they'll put the furniture out at that time. I think they should. The waterwall over by 5/3rd looks great by the way: cool Longfellow peom about Cincinnati on there. I also see they're filling up the planters with dirt.

nope

maybe people with power do hang out here...

maybe they do

I think the term is "rolling opening" Has anyone noticed that the restaurant steel is well underway? The foundations are complete and they actually have alot of steel in place, plus much of the elevator shaft for the restaurant. The "waterwall" granite is also completed. The bright white steel on 5/3rd's new building sure makes their tower look even dirtier than it did before.

The only problem with the new visitor's center is the location. You can go see it in the new 525 building. It's back behind, and underneath the escalators. On the other hand, if they sign it well enough and draw people, then this would be additional support for the 525 project and even JoA Banks. Foot traffic is always a good thing.

The "old" rink usually got empty maybe, but that's because it was small and not very good. Plus, the skates were horrible and killed your feet after about 2 minutes. I think this year will be different, especially with the hype, the broomball league, the bigger rink, brand new (velcro) skates, and the video board. Also keep in mind that they've never had an activities director before on the square. Now there's a Fountain Square Management group who's sole purpose is to manage and populate the square. I'm optomistic that this year will be different. I think the hour wait over the weekend is a very good sign.

I think it'd be great to run an "after midnight special" or something. High school and college kids I think would go for this. Maybe do a movie night and run the rink until 1:00 or 2:00 AM. I think their idea of broomball is a great one. The Square's Christmas tree does seem a bit small to me. I like the white lights though. I think they're elegant. I wish there were lights in all the trees, but the ones near 5/3rd were just recently planted so maybe there's still time. I also enjoy the music on the square although I did think it was a little loud this afternoon.

A couple points to consider: Sunday evening at 6:00 is probably not busy in any mid-sized city acrossed the country, heck probably not even Chicago. Come downtown on Friday or Saturday at 6:00 and the place is rockin. Why would a business stay open like Shanghi on a Sunday evening downtown? It doesn't make business sense. Everything is driven by economics. If it made sense for them to stay open then they'd do it. If Cincinnati had a stronger residential base (which it is improving significantly) then maybe there would be the business and traffic to support later hours. The tunnel under 5/3rd is closed for re-construction. It has nothing to do with a Sunday evening and will be closed for months. This is progress and a positive thing, not a negative one. Kenny G was on the board because that's the song that was playing. Sorry about your luck when you walk by the square and it's always Kenny G. Last time I was down there it was Mariah Carey - much nicer image in my opinion. The rink hours are until 6:00 on Sunday. Part of me wishes this were later as it is a pretty big draw right now. I also think it would be cool to do a midnight skate on weekends like what Perfect North does with thier skiers. At least keep the rink open until mid-night. Just my opinion.

A quick note about Ingredients, it's mainly a lunch place. Like it our not, right now they are not really dinner providers. The good news is, places like Friday's are coming. It takes time. There has to be demand, then a response, then more demand and so on. Once the 5/3rd building is done and they Square's all the way complete with it's own restaurant there will be more than enough to do after hours.

Currently they are running a music channel on the LED board as they finish the testing and closeout. If you'll notice there are Bose speakers surrounding the square. When you see an artist on the board it's because that song is playing (it is not advertising). Not ideal, but better than nothing until they get everything working properly. At times there's other content on there, but during the testing it's music. For example they were playing "Elf" this evening, and at other times they project the skaters on the rink up on the board. They also show all Bengals games. I've seen this a couple times. Give it time, and don't be too quick to not be impressed.

They have to be making a killing on the new ice rink. Every weekend that thing has been packed with lines to rent skates. The great weather has helped, but this is surely a great sign for the future of the square. I'm glad for the success. I'm also glad that most of the trees are finally planted. I guess the irrigation system in each of the bases is very complicated. They'll be starting on the south side of 5th street very soon. You can see that they've already finished the granite in front of the McCormick's new restaurant. This granite will extend down the entire block. There will also be a line of trees that mirror the row of trees already on the square. I think this will create a nice boullevard feel. I can't wait to see it all done.

The Ice Rink is packed again today. It's 3:30 on Sunday and there's a line to rent skates. I'm glad the tower crane is finally up. It's a bit eerie walking under that thing though. Has anyone parked in the garage yet? I haven't heard too many comments on the garage itself. They've moved to pay-on-foot machines which in the long run should be more efficient. Last time I was in there a couple people were a bit confused on how to use the new system.

Word is, they're shutting the street down again this weekend to try again for the tower crane for the 5/3rd project. Let's hope it's a success this time. The good news is they'll get to start before next year.

The tower crane wasn't erected because the parts didn't fit together correctly and the crane contractor felt it was an unsafe condition so they packed up and left Sunday afternoon. The streets were closed all weekend and the crane was close to being lifted in place, but at the last min. it didn't quite fit. They were pounding it for awhile with hammers trying to get it to work, but ended up quitting and going home. I haven't heard any update on any new solution. The problem now is that the City has a moratorium on street closures during the holdiday season. You're not supposed to be able to close the streets until after the new year's. Hopefully they can make an exception.

In case folks missed this: Broomball on the ice rink! http://www.myfountainsquare.com/broomball

If anyone's interested, you may want to take advantage of this activity planned for the skating rink this year: Broomball! So much fun it's rediculous. http://www.myfountainsquare.com/broomball

It couldn't have been a better weekend for the square and our city's revitalization efforts. McCormick's is open, the garage is open, the ice rink is up and awesome. There isn't even a comparison to the old rink, and those glass tents are really nice compared to that old shed. Plus they sell all kinds of concessions down there. The weather was amazing which drew an enormous crowd. On Saturday afternoon there was a line from the skate rental tent all the way back to the elevator pavillion. I'm thrilled for the excitement and success from this weekend. It seems like there is a great deal of good "buzz" now about the square. People are getting excited. By the way, did anyone hear about the Broomball league they're starting on the rink? It's a very popular game up at Miami that you play on ice. It's similar to hockey/soccer. Anyways, the registration deadline is December 15th I believe. I think this is a great idea.

Morton's relocating downtown BY JON NEWBERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Morton’s The Steakhouse has signed a lease for space at the corner of Fifth and Vine streets on the second floor of the Carew Tower arcade, the Chicago-based chain said today. It expects to open a restaurant diagonally opposite Fountain Square “as early as fall 2007,” it said in a statement. The restaurant will join McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, with whom it shares investors and board members, and Boi Na Braza, a Brazilian steakhouse, at the newly popular intersection in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. McCormick & Schmick’s opened last week in the Westin Hotel across Fifth Street from Fountain Square. Boi Na Braza, which features gauchos who serve roasted meats from skewers at customers’ tables, is scheduled to open in 2007 on the ground floor of the Carew Tower. Morton’s spokesman Roger Drake said the new Morton’s will have access from Vine Street. The company had no information to announce about the future of its existing restaurant in the lower level of Tower Place Mall, he said. The Tower Place location at Fourth and Race streets opened in 1991. It’s on the same downtown block as the Carew Tower. The company does not operate two restaurants that close together anywhere else, Drake said. In addition to a main dining room, which will seat about 125 people, and private dining rooms, the new Morton’s will feature a 30-seat bar. E-mail [email protected]

Update: The tower crane was NOT installed for the 5/3rd project over the weekend. Work crews shut down the street over the weekend to install the crane, but pulled off-site last evening due to complications and fear that it would be unsafe. An unfortunate setback for that project.

You're almost right in your assumption that "not one part" is complete. If you take a close look many areas have bits and pieces that are incomplete. However, as a whole things look good and I'm told most things will be wrapped up by Thanksgiving next week, including the garage. Things look really messy right now because of the additional supplies needed to put up the rink, and all the plywood needed to plant the trees. Give it a week when the trees are in, the garage is open, and everything is cleaned again and I bet it'll look extremely impressive.

Yes they are talking about the 5/3rd low building. They've actually built the base of the tower crane near the entrance to Rock Bottom. It's good to see more progress. Don't forget McCormick's seafood restaurant opens this weekend. Ice Rink opens a week from Friday. Trees were planted today and will continue for a couple days. Things are looking good down there.

Christmas (holiday) tree is up. The trees on the west side will be planted tomorrow along with some of the 5th street trees. The remaining will be planted on Monday. The trees along the north are far from being planted due to on-going construction up there.