I wish they would've kept the overhead lights, those were pretty cool.  Now those poles don't have any real use, and the jumble of yellow lines on the pavement don't relate to anything.

Newport should pay to extend the Cincinnati Streetcar from The Banks, to the Purple People Bridge and into downtown Newport. That is what would really improve this historic bridge.

It would be awesome to see this kind of streetcar extension, UncleRando--talk about an innovative ideas; this is one!

Anyone know about the feasibility of this idea? Weight restrictions, etc.?

 

Cuz if it's feasibly, it sounds awesome...

 

One of the piers in the L&N bridge has moved about 1 foot. This makes bridge inspectors nervous. On the other hand, the east side of the bridge was built for railroad locomotives. The west side, which is the pedestrian walkway now, was built for automobiles and probably won't take the load of a modern streetcar; it used to have a wooden deck.

 

The L&N bridge is an unusual one. It carried steam trains, streetcars, automobiles, and pedestrians at one time or another.

 

I've often toyed with the idea of combining Saratogo Street, the L&N bridge, and the former CL&N through Walnut Hills as a light rail line. A connection would have to be made from the L&N to Broadway Commons under all the interstate bridges, which actually works out well since the grade is already separated, provided that a path can be found between the bridge piers. Of course, the casino put a damper on that idea.

 

For that matter, a short, single-track streetcar line using one small streetcars with just two stops between Newport on the Levee and P&G headquarters might even pay for itself based on the weekday lunch crowd. The distance is only 4000 feet.

 

I think the best and easiest way to improve the bridge is to improve pedestrian connections on the Ohio side. It is possible to walk from the Purple People bridge to Lytle Park by the Taft Museum, and the distance is only about 800 feet, which is less than the Ohio River crossing itself, but the walk isn't very inviting. A well designed pedestrian corridor with no motorway crossings that is simple to use would invite pedestrian traffic between Cincinnati and Newport.

 

 

Southbank Partners put in a request for funds for the feasibility study on this a few weeks ago. I'll know for sure in a few weeks if they got money for this project.

For the hotel on the bridge project?! Dear god.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121018/NEWS0103/310180106/Purple-People-Bridge-hotel-project-gets-boost

 

Purple People Bridge hotel project gets boost

 

A plan to develop a $100 million entertainment complex on The Purple People Bridge between Cincinnati and Newport will get a boost from a $650,000 grant.

 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet grant will fund an engineering study that will determine if the historic pedestrian bridge could support the entertainment project. Preliminary engineering work indicates that the bridge can support construction of the proposed development due to its eight massive limestone pillars that support bridge.

Moderator Note

 

Cincinnatian, we do not copy and paste entire articles onto UrbanOhio, because that makes the publishers' attorneys lick their chops, which makes the UrbanOhio admins and moderators very angry. Post a link to the article, and a short excerpt (generally no more than three paragraphs) as a quote instead.

As for the bridge project itself, color me skeptical. I guess it comes down to the design of what's being proposed. If it's nicely-designed and well-executed, it could be a big draw. If it turns out to be a sibling of Newport on the Levee that gets plunked down onto the bridge, then it would be a terrible idea.

 

It's not as if Newport and Cincinnati have run out of other sites that could be developed, and I'd prefer to see the bridge preserved for future light rail or streetcar use.

[it's not as if Newport and Cincinnati have run out of other sites that could be developed, and I'd prefer to see the bridge preserved for future light rail or streetcar use.

 

I agree, I wouldn't want to see a missed opportunity for light rail or streetcar for the bridge. 

You'd think they'd be more concerned with a hotel or development at the levee.

 

I can't believe someone is giving them money for this study. Where's COAST?

This idea just smells dumb.  There, I said it.  Spidey senses.

You'd think they'd be more concerned with a hotel or development at the levee.

 

I can't believe someone is giving them money for this study. Where's COAST?

 

Exactly.  Meanwhile, there's a HUGE parcel at the levee (next to the defunct IMAX) that is completely unused.  Demo the theater and it's even bigger.  I really hope they leave the bridge alone and build a hotel at NOTL where it belongs.

It could be cool, but I highly doubt it. Done right, it probably wouldn't be a money maker. All the investment would have to go into making the bridge-building physically sustainable, leaving nothing for the design.

This dog ain't gonna hunt.

well that's $650,000 wasted

I know this hasn't been discussed in a few years, but I have seen the plans for what will be a truly one of a kind development on the Purple People Bridge.  This is not speculation, I've seen the renderings. :-) 

 

They have already signed a Hard Rock Cafe as well as a Hard Rock Hotel!  You read that correctly in regards to the Hard Rock Hotel (in Cincy)! In addition, they have a letter of intent for a Nike Training Club to locate on the bridge.  The development will also have several boutiques, shops and restaurants.  They're expecting to break "bridge" next year, and have it complete within 3 years. I would expect more details to be announced in the coming months.  The bridge has passed inspection on every level, they'll only be doing a few million worth of improvements on the structural part of the bridge.  That's as much as I know, but from the looks of the renderings, expect a dramatic change to the Purple People Bridge in the next few years.  I also think you'll be really pleased with the "edginess" of the overall design.

 

Stay tuned!

If what you are saying is true, then it is smart that they have kept quiet. After all the talk over the years, everyone is going to be skeptical until the construction is significantly underway. That includes myself.

Well...this is something I thought I'd never hear about again. I always took this as a kind of "wouldn't that be cool" type of proposal but nothing serious.

 

I'm still firmly in the "I'll believe it's going to happen when construction starts" mentality, but it sounds like it's actually a lot more realistic than I (or most for that matter) ever realized.

I agree with both of you...  I heard about it, and have read about it on here and recall a few articles from a few years ago. Then, I saw the renderings yesterday along with a very quick glance at some of the development agreements and inspection documents.  Things are progressing on the project daily - to my surprise as well.

That sounds horrible. I'm putting money on 'never happens'.

:?

I would venture to guess that the reason you haven't heard much about it is that they are limiting the time for the COAST/Smitherman types from f*cking it up with ballot initiatives

Okay, so the Nike thing is on the bridge, and the HRC/HRH is...where? Also on the bridge? I would expect something like that at the Banks (which needs the hotel hole filled desperately!).

 

I hope cyclists are still able to use the bridge, assuming anything like these plans ever happens.

Not that this is related... but the past two mornings I have noticed surveyors between Eggleston to Mehring Way with their focus being at the base of the PPB.

Yes, for the better or worse, both the hotel and Hard Rock Cafe will be located directly on the bridge, actually built up several stories.  The cafe will be facing west near the Ohio side.  I wasn't able to locate where the facility would be.  Not sure about bicyclists using the bridge, but would assume that would be factored in.  I would be willing to say the actuality of this happening is about 80%.  Love it or hate it.  I agree with you though, I would prefer that they be located on the Banks, or at least something of this type of concept.

I'm gonna put my money on 10% chance.

Skepticism abounds for me. 

I think they should move the world peace bell to the bridge and put it atop the HRC.

No real news... but a new article: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/01/11/purple-people-bridge-hotel-shops-limbo/21525401/

 

Building a hotel there seems kind of crazy to me... but I'd love to see a restaurant/cafe open up there. Architecturally, it presents some neat opportunities (challenges!) to make use of the existing iron (steel?) structure. Would have the best sunset views in town.

No real news... but a new article: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/01/11/purple-people-bridge-hotel-shops-limbo/21525401/

 

Building a hotel there seems kind of crazy to me... but I'd love to see a restaurant/cafe open up there. Architecturally, it presents some neat opportunities (challenges!) to make use of the existing iron (steel?) structure. Would have the best sunset views in town.

 

As I said a few years ago, 'the plans for this hotel actually call for a Wonka-vator'

 

 

I'm not sure if this has been distributed yet, but here is a better look at the concept renderings.  As I mentioned in my earlier posts, they are finalizing financing and have an agreement  for a Hard Rock Hotel and a Nike Training Camp facility.  I am not in love (at all) with the design and am somewhat curious if this will ever move forward, but according to everything I've seen and heard, they are much further along than they lead to believe in the article. 

My apologies for the multiple uploads for that picture.  Not sure what was happening there.  :-)

 

What is a "Nike Training Camp facility"??

I updated it to remove the two extras, no problem!

Honestly, I'm not 100% sure in regards to what a Nike Training Camp is, other than what I was able to find on Google.  It looks like a facility or club that is located in LA, Santa Monica, etc where people can get together (with a fee) and train with professionals.  Maybe somewhat of a Crossfit type of program specifcally for athletes?  Regardless, I was told it'd be a regional facility - meaning you're not going to see one in Dayton, Louisville, etc.  That was just what I was told... 

 

Seems really weird to put an athletic facility there... how would you have enough space for any kind of sports??

Or any kind of parking.

 

That seems like the biggest issue with a Hard Rock Cafe. I imagine most people going to the Hard Rock would want to park right next to the establishment. Though maybe that isn't the case.

 

I'm all for this if it happens. It would be pretty unique and I wish them the best.

I've heard about this but never seen that rendering. That view is way cooler than I was anticipating, lets build that ASAP! In terms of access and parking there are huge lots or garages on either end of this bridge already, and the same way a suburbanite is willing to park at the entrance of a mall and walk for a "destination" like the Apple store, people would be willing to walk the unique and interesting few hundred yards to get to the tenants on this project.

Does anyone wonder if the reason the second phase of Newport on the Levee has such a MASSIVE garage is that it'll need to handle parking for this development?

That looks sweet!

 

What about flooding, though?  Has there ever been a flood that reached that high?  Also, what about debris from a flood, etc.  Would the Big Mac catch everything before it got there?

 

The flood insurance for that would be immense.

 

Also, any other thing similar to this in the US?  I wonder, would the walkway remain open below, as well?  Lastly, this would be a Kentucky development effort, correct?

I don't think parking is a huge constraint since the parking garage(s) will be right at the base of the bridge. It'll be as accessible as the other restaurants at Newport On The Levee. But I wonder how they will manage the fact that most businesses need a loading dock for receiving deliveries and waste disposal. It would take a lot of creativity to pull that off.

 

Lots of long conveyer belts.

What about flooding, though?  Has there ever been a flood that reached that high?  Also, what about debris from a flood, etc.  Would the Big Mac catch everything before it got there?

 

Not on record.  The floodwall in Newport was built 1 foot higher than the 1937 water level.

 

Also, any other thing similar to this in the US? 

 

I think an old article said that there isn't.  The current article indicates some similar European projects.

 

 

I wonder, would the walkway remain open below, as well? 

 

The renderings make it look like it would remain open.

 

Lastly, this would be a Kentucky development effort, correct?

 

The bridge is privately owned/maintained by Southbank Partners.  Technically, that's KY, but it's not like the state is the driver in this.

Heating that in the winter will be a hefty bill. 

Heating that in the winter will be a hefty bill. 

 

I was just thinking that.  Plus, water pipes would have to be engineered to have heating elements on the side to keep them from freezing.

I wish some state/city entity (park board, for instance) would just purchase the bridge and keep it open to pedestrians and cyclists, and use it as a focal point for the park system. With improved connections, the Cincinnati side could see more use, and Newport is planning extensive improvements for their end (along with Covington). It can be a great asset, like the Big Four Bridge in Louisville's Waterfront Park, instead of a money drain to the current owners.

 

And if they are still puzzled why their attractions keep failing - well, no one wanted to pay a lot of cash to wear gaudy suits clipped in while walking atop a (not so high) bridge - and not even be able to take a photograph for keepsakes. I'm sure insurance regulations had everything to do with it, but still.

This could be like a navy pier for Cincinnati, except better because it would be modern and intersting and far more connected (and continue to act as a connection) to its surroundings. I don't see what's not to like, if you want a unique and potentially vibrant experience, cross the purple people bridge. If you want a clear easy shot with no people or obstructions, cross the Taylor Southgate.

I really like this, especially if the ped/bike right of way can be preserved. In a way it's like capping FWW, dispensing of blank space that divides the city. (Not to insult the river, but it is a major divider for those on foot or bike.) The design is reasonably attractive. It's unique to the area as far as I know.