It's been a good two years since I've really done much of anything in the Cincinnati area, and just as long since seeing some once-familiar faces. I long wanted to revisit the area for take some aerial photos, and asked @jjakucyk and @ColDayMan if they were available for dinner and sundries on August 5. It blossomed into an impromptu meeting with Jake, Phil,  @JYP, and @CincyImages in Over-the-Rhine that involved dinner at Pho Lang Thang and drinks at La Ofrenda and Oddfellows Liquor Bar. It was amazing to see how much was changing across the city, and how far Over-the-Rhine and downtown have come since I last lived in the city in Over-the-Rhine and Northside. After the shenanigans were over, I camped overnight and shot a few more scenes the following day. Can't wait to revisit more of Cincinnati now that I am no longer a day's drive away!

 

The following photos are not in order.

 

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I hopped over into northern Kentucky for a few photos but this made me late meeting with the crowd because the Roebling Bridge was closed. I wanted to take the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge over but it was bumper-to-bumper, and so I had the great idea of taking the Brent Spence Bridge - until I realized the ramps into Ohio were shuttered. I had to do a u-turn at MLK and hop on the freeway - only to sit in gridlock. At least the repainted Brent Spence Bridge will look 100% better!

 

 

 

They are testing for new paint colors on the Purple People Bridge.

 

 

I somehow captured the eastern Interstate 275 crossing over the Ohio River with light traffic.

 

 

The "Big Mac" bridge is looking less vibrant with each passing year and will need repainting soon because of rust.

 

 

 

Parking next to an abandoned building I wanted to explore, I captured a passing Norfolk Southern train carrying coils from Cleveland-Cliffs' Middletown operations to a destination in the south.

 

 

Downtown Cincinnati looking better than ever:

 

 

 

 

 

It will be great to see this eyesore replaced with a new facility (hopefully 3CDC will lead this project). I do wonder if it wouldn't have been cheaper to gut the building and remodel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this sad shell of a building really needs to be renovated. I think I've told my piece on it, but the longer it lingers, the less viable for reuse there is. I've generally not been a fan of the mammoth windowless base and hopefully there is a way to compromise between the preservationists that have generally opposed any redevelopment of the property and developers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm ending this thread with my favorite building in downtown which I hope has a brighter future.

 

 

Thanks for sharing! I was going to attend too but sadly already had plans. Yes, I regret those plans. 

2 hours ago, richNcincy said:

Thanks for sharing! I was going to attend too but sadly already had plans. Yes, I regret those plans. 

 

Did not know you flew too! We will have to get together!

Great shots!

Nice set!