Posted July 18, 20231 yr Funding for Cincinnati Central Parkway overhaul advances in Congress https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/07/18/central-parkway-advances-us-congress.html (note to moderators - I'm not sure if this Central Parkway project deserves its own thread... I am never sure whether to put it in West End or OTR threads, since Central Parkway touches both neighborhoods.)
August 29, 20231 yr Author Change is coming to Central Parkway. Here's what we know now Patricia Gallagher Newberry Cincinnati Enquirer Published: 10:25 p.m. ET Aug. 28, 2023 Updated: 9:51 a.m. ET Aug. 29, 2023 A long-envisioned “reimagining” of Central Parkway moves forward Tuesday, as Cincinnati officials unveil preliminary design options. The city's Department of Transportation & Engineering will present the designs at 5:30 p.m. at TQL Stadium at an event open to the public. MORE
August 29, 20231 yr The slip turns at Ludlow Ave. have been filled in. It's now a simple 3-way intersection.
August 29, 20231 yr 44 minutes ago, Lazarus said: The slip turns at Ludlow Ave. have been filled in. It's now a simple 3-way intersection. It's gonna be so much better.
August 29, 20231 yr 14 minutes ago, Dev said: It's gonna be so much better. The slip turns were left over from the era before I-75, when Central Parkway was a major thoroughfare instead of a marooned vestige.
August 29, 20231 yr 31 minutes ago, Lazarus said: The slip turns were left over from the era before I-75, when Central Parkway was a major thoroughfare instead of a marooned vestige. Yeah we all know. Same with Ludlow
August 30, 20231 yr 8 minutes ago, Dev said: Presentation and the 4 design alternatives are live on the website already. Alternative 1 and 3 for me. I’m more of a symmetrical kinda guy.
August 30, 20231 yr Isn't 4 basically what we have now, but with trees and cleaner bike lanes? I'm good with 1 or 2. I have little interest in 3. And they might as well pocket the cash, and not build this, if they're going with option 4. Also, what's the rush on getting the 2026 MLS All Star game? Why not put a bid in for 2027 instead? This all seems like FC using the exact same tactic it did with the stadium build and creating panic and using it as leverage to get what they want. That Jeff Stine quote is not what I want to hear. Edited August 30, 20231 yr by 10albersa
August 30, 20231 yr 7 hours ago, 10albersa said: Isn't 4 basically what we have now, but with trees and cleaner bike lanes? I'm good with 1 or 2. I have little interest in 3. And they might as well pocket the cash, and not build this, if they're going with option 4. Also, what's the rush on getting the 2026 MLS All Star game? Why not put a bid in for 2027 instead? This all seems like FC using the exact same tactic it did with the stadium build and creating panic and using it as leverage to get what they want. That Jeff Stine quote is not what I want to hear. I get your point, it’s very classic for sports franchises to rush projects thru for all kinds of “deadlines” BUT this one has some actual interesting connections to it in that the team-city really wants 2026 in particular so the they can couple the AllStar Game with WorldCup 2026 festivities and make it a sort of “Summer of Soccer” extravaganza. Cincinnati will be hosting World Cup teams and such as well. The renovated convention center will be ready too and could be tied in to events from what I heard. The Convention Center Hotel should be just about ready if I had to guess. So yes they could target 2027 and beyond but 2026 has a lot more juice to it than other years. Edited August 30, 20231 yr by 646empire
August 30, 20231 yr 7 hours ago, 10albersa said: Isn't 4 basically what we have now, but with trees and cleaner bike lanes? I'm good with 1 or 2. I have little interest in 3. And they might as well pocket the cash, and not build this, if they're going with option 4. Also, what's the rush on getting the 2026 MLS All Star game? Why not put a bid in for 2027 instead? This all seems like FC using the exact same tactic it did with the stadium build and creating panic and using it as leverage to get what they want. That Jeff Stine quote is not what I want to hear. I mean if it get stuff built sooner that otherwise would take another 5-10 years to build then I’m all for it. I would say that FC will prolly have the most power as to say which option is best since they are the main dogs on this stretch of Central Parkway.
August 30, 20231 yr 9 hours ago, Dev said: Presentation and the 4 design alternatives are live on the website already. Think I'm partial to Concept 2 just because it provides more room for patios and such which could help spur development on the west side of the street. Would also allow for more foot traffic during FCC events. Concept 1 is fine, I don't like Concept 3 because I don't think a big center median would see much use. Better to have that space on the sidewalks. For anyone who attended the meeting: what's the plan for turn lanes? The worst parts of Central Parkway atm are at Liberty and Ezzard Charles where the roadway increases to 6-7 lanes with a tiny median.
August 30, 20231 yr 27 minutes ago, dnymck said: Think I'm partial to Concept 2 just because it provides more room for patios and such which could help spur development on the west side of the street. Would also allow for more foot traffic during FCC events. Concept 1 is fine, I don't like Concept 3 because I don't think a big center median would see much use. Better to have that space on the sidewalks. For anyone who attended the meeting: what's the plan for turn lanes? The worst parts of Central Parkway atm are at Liberty and Ezzard Charles where the roadway increases to 6-7 lanes with a tiny median. I think it has to be 2. There is just so much more redevelopment/infill potential on the west side of the street and helps reduce conflicts during events at FCC and the potential arena. I wasn't at the meeting but the presentation shows feedback from the first survey that respondents were very concerned about Liberty, Ezzard Charles and Plum. 9 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said: Of all these options, number 4 is the worst. So that’s what they’ll pick. I think option 4 exists so they can show naysayers who want to concern troll about traffic that no one actually cares. NIMBYs will still run their mouth but now that it's included it won't carry any weight. Hopefully. 1 hour ago, Ucgrad2015 said: I mean if it get stuff built sooner that otherwise would take another 5-10 years to build then I’m all for it. I would say that FC will prolly have the most power as to say which option is best since they are the main dogs on this stretch of Central Parkway. It sucks that our options are that they rush it or it doesn't actually happen but this is Cincinnati.
August 30, 20231 yr Did they mention if any of the options maintain the existing trees in the median? It would be nice not to have to start from scratch with tree growth 30 ft median is about what’s there where the median is widest currently, I think that’s a good size to create a green boulevard with tree canopy of a double row of trees. I also wonder about having too much empty sidewalk space in Options 1 and 2 which may have the feel of an empty parking lot most of the time. I also prefer symmetry so I prefer Option 3 Edited August 30, 20231 yr by thebillshark www.cincinnatiideas.com
August 30, 20231 yr Christopher Wyatt took a picture of one of the maps that were used during the breakout portion of the meeting.
August 30, 20231 yr Cincinnati proposes to shrink Central Parkway By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Aug 30, 2023 The city of Cincinnati is proposing to shrink Central Parkway down to one or two traffic lanes in each direction as it aims to redesign the part of the artery that connects downtown to Over-the-Rhine and the West End to be more pedestrian friendly and spur development. The city unveiled four options for Central Parkway between Plum and Liberty streets on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at a workshop to get citizen input. More than 100 attended, with the city planning another fall workshop and an Oct. 1 deadline for public comment on the plans. It will refine and select a preferred option to try to fund. The city already has received 500 survey responses. Three of the four options shrink Central Parkway to one traffic lane in each direction, while a fourth shrinks it to two lanes in each direction. MORE
August 30, 20231 yr Team 1 or 2. 3 is wasting space in the median that won't ever be used and 4 is too much road.
August 30, 20231 yr 34 minutes ago, Cincy513 said: 3 is wasting space in the median that won't ever be used and 4 is too much road. I'm starting to think this as well. Piatt Park is almost 60 feet wide. It's hard to imagine doing something similar with just 30 feet
August 30, 20231 yr That large crossing in front of the stadium being almost exactly the size of the steps, but not in line with the steps would drive me nuts
August 30, 20231 yr 27 minutes ago, ryanlammi said: That large crossing in front of the stadium being almost exactly the size of the steps, but not in line with the steps would drive me nuts Kind of like the crossings between Smale and the stairs across Mehring way that don't line up, there is precedent in the city already.
August 30, 20231 yr It's crazy that this historically wide street can be narrowed but not Liberty St., which was originally very narrow. Watch for FC's Funland to physically encroach on the narrowed parkway. They were already given Central Ave., Wade, etc.
August 30, 20231 yr 1 hour ago, dotunderscore said: add turtle lamps back please no island homes for them...
October 26, 20231 yr Cincinnati unveils its plan to reimagine Central Parkway By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Oct 26, 2023 The city of Cincinnati on Thursday revealed its preferred alternative for the planned Central Parkway overhaul. The goal is to redesign part of the artery that connects downtown to Over-the-Rhine and the West End. MORE
October 27, 20231 yr 1 hour ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: Cincinnati unveils its plan to reimagine Central Parkway By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Oct 26, 2023 The city of Cincinnati on Thursday revealed its preferred alternative for the planned Central Parkway overhaul. The goal is to redesign part of the artery that connects downtown to Over-the-Rhine and the West End. MORE I like the design overall. Wish they could do something to the back of music hall to make it integrate better with the street.
October 27, 20231 yr I'd love to see this taken all the way to the casino too. I'm guessing that TQL stadium drawing a ton of pedestrians to this section got the ball rolling on this traffic calming project. I'm not complaining though.
October 27, 20231 yr Author 24 minutes ago, cincydave8 said: Cool, now lets do it from the curve at Plum to the casino. I definitely want to see the east-west portion of Central Parkway cleaned up with a road diet... and I love that the north-south portion is going down to just one lane of traffic each way. But I don't think the east-west portion should get the exact same design. For a combination of reasons (mostly due to how traffic flows to/from I-71), the east-west portion gets much more congested than the north-south segment. The east-west segment currently has three lanes of traffic in each direction plus turn lanes (double turn lane at Walnut). I think reducing it to two lanes in each direction would dramatically improve this portion of the street, without creating massive traffic issues.
October 27, 20231 yr The Central Parkway/Reading Road intersection at Broadway is one of the worst intersections downtown for pedestrians. Peds don't get a walk signal unless they press the beg button. And once you do, you still have to wait 2 or 3 minutes before traffic gets the red light and you can cross, so many peds end up jaywalking. And when you finally get the walk signal, cars still make a right on red into your path. So I fully agree, Plum to Broadway needs to be redone ASAP.
October 27, 20231 yr It was stated that the hope for the project is that it can be used as a template for the Plum to Broadway section but there hasn't been any details shared of win or if that would happen.
October 27, 20231 yr Liberty St at the northern terminus does seem to be a natural end to improvements. But extending some improvements 800' farther north to Logan St would enhance access to the new garage at Findlay Market (region's 4th? largest attraction). Even a narrow median in the more limited right of way would seem useful. Also, reducing to 1 lane in the proposed plan would appear to hamstring the $300m FC mixed use development access along with any other new development initiatives (new arena?, redeveloped WCET site, etc) counter to the rationale for improving the roadway in the first place.
October 27, 20231 yr Author 43 minutes ago, lumpy said: Also, reducing to 1 lane in the proposed plan would appear to hamstring the $300m FC mixed use development access along with any other new development initiatives (new arena?, redeveloped WCET site, etc) counter to the rationale for improving the roadway in the first place. I think it's pretty safe to bet that the FCC ownership group is on board with this design, and they only view it as helpful to their long-term development plans.
October 27, 20231 yr Author 47 minutes ago, lumpy said: Liberty St at the northern terminus does seem to be a natural end to improvements. But extending some improvements 800' farther north to Logan St would enhance access to the new garage at Findlay Market (region's 4th? largest attraction). Even a narrow median in the more limited right of way would seem useful. I did hear somebody from the design team say that they hope that this design can be a template for extending northward. I agree that continuing the design up to Findlay Market would do a lot to connect the new garage to the stadium, and make it feel like a continuous neighborhood.
October 28, 20231 yr ^Central Parkway is only about half as wide north of Liberty. The State of Ohio owned the land to either side of the canal from Liberty down to what is now the casino for about 100 years. The point of state ownership + tons of space was to prevent any local goon squad from controlling all of the wharf space, or worse, two or more major warring parties.
October 30, 20231 yr On 10/27/2023 at 11:38 AM, Dev said: It was stated that the hope for the project is that it can be used as a template for the Plum to Broadway section but there hasn't been any details shared of win or if that would happen. My hope for this project is that it becomes the template for the parkways in the city. Over the next 10 years, it'd be incredible to convert Victory Parkway a complete street as well. Depending on how it is implemented, there could be a lot of lessons learned that could improve other non-grid roads throughout the city like Western Northern Boulevard, MLK, Madison, etc.
October 30, 20231 yr On 10/26/2023 at 8:29 PM, Ucgrad2015 said: I like the design overall. Wish they could do something to the back of music hall to make it integrate better with the street. Was there anything more to that side of the street historically? Or did it always "front" Washington Park?
October 31, 20231 yr 18 hours ago, seicer said: Was there anything more to that side of the street historically? Or did it always "front" Washington Park? Well it was a canal for the first 50ish years of it's life, so I'm going to say yes it always faced towards Elm.
March 5, 20241 yr Cincinnati gives new estimate on how much Central Parkway overhaul will cost By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Mar 5, 2024 The planned reimagining of Central Parkway is estimated to cost $15.5 million, down from an earlier $20 million ballpark figure when stakeholders along the urban core thoroughfare began contemplating it. On Wednesday, March 6, Cincinnati City Council is expected to move $1.6 million from the western downtown/Over-the-Rhine tax-increment financing district to pay for the final design plans for the street. That process could last as long as a year, according to the city. The city still needs to put together funding for the plan. U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman has asked for $3.5 million from the federal budget for the project. MORE
March 5, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: Cincinnati gives new estimate on how much Central Parkway overhaul will cost By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Mar 5, 2024 The planned reimagining of Central Parkway is estimated to cost $15.5 million, down from an earlier $20 million ballpark figure when stakeholders along the urban core thoroughfare began contemplating it. On Wednesday, March 6, Cincinnati City Council is expected to move $1.6 million from the western downtown/Over-the-Rhine tax-increment financing district to pay for the final design plans for the street. That process could last as long as a year, according to the city. The city still needs to put together funding for the plan. U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman has asked for $3.5 million from the federal budget for the project. MORE Chris mentions that this phase is just from Ezzard Charles to Liberty, has the scope changed or was that a mistake?
March 5, 20241 yr 2 hours ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: The planned reimagining of Central Parkway We already have Imagination Alley. Now we're going to have Reimagined Parkway. The Hopple St. subway tunnel has both been a)sealed off and b)suffering structural issues. It was not rehabbed back in 2010 when the main tunnel was shored up.
March 5, 20241 yr What does an abandoned tunnel have to do with making a major road downtown more pedestrian friendly?
March 5, 20241 yr 3 hours ago, dnymck said: Chris mentions that this phase is just from Ezzard Charles to Liberty, has the scope changed or was that a mistake? Not a mistake, just Ezzard to Liberty. There was no discussion yesterday about why it's just in front of FCC.
March 5, 20241 yr That makes sense why the price went down, I was wondering what was cut out of it but cutting out nearly half the length to get it 1/4 cheaper doesn't make much sense to me even with construction prices being inflated.
March 5, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Dev said: There was no discussion yesterday about why it's just in front of FCC. It just confirms what we all already knew, that this projects is primarily for the benefit of the stadium/team ownership.
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