While the Square still isn’t finished, the latest step brought it much closer to its finished appearance.  Last week the crane was removed and the glass panes were illuminated in neon lighting.  It is nice to see what was envisioned when 3CDC announced the redevelopment of Fountain Square two years ago but I have to admit that I have been impatient about the Square’s slow progress.  At this time, the building that will house Nicola’s Via Vite restaurant still isn’t complete and none of the new retail or restaurants have opened on the actual Square.  It is confirmed that Graeter’s and Potbelly’s will be coming soon and Dewey’s Pizza is rumored.  I still would love to see a flagship Joseph Beth’s bookstore on the square especially since they are based out of Cincinnati but I haven’t heard anything since the two year old rumor that they would be coming to the Square. 

 

On a positive note, the people are returning to the square.  The foot traffic has increased and movie night on the Square has been a tremendous success.  My family and I have attended two of the movie nights and I have walked by during two others and each time the crowd has grown larger and larger.  Yesterday while we were downtown, I stopped by the square to take a few photos and was impressed with the crowd.  I am glad to see families bringing their children to the city again.  As a child living in Long Island, I always loved visiting New York City.  I loved looking at the buildings and experiencing the energy of the city and that has stayed with me as I have gotten older.  I am sure many of kids that visit downtown Cincinnati get the same feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is too sweet looking!

I was down there last night, too!  Love the pics!

Great Monte.

I love how all types of different people are out in the heart of downtown, watching the same television, together.

Wow! Looks spectacular and inviting.  Although I'm not a fan of large screen displays, in this case it works out perfectly.  The color changing glass wall is terrific as well. 

How often do those lights change?

Damn, monte these are fabulous!

 

Can you guys imagine this with Vito Vite (or whatever it's called) opened along with the other bars/restaurants!

How often do those lights change?

 

Actually, they change pretty quickly.  That's one thing I would change... I would have them slowly fade from one color to the other, and not as frequently.  But if that's the only beef I have with the new Square, I'll take it!  :lol:

 

Damn, monte these are fabulous!

 

Can you guys imagine this with Vito Vite (or whatever it's called) opened along with the other bars/restaurants!

 

I know it, I can't wait!  (I also can't wait until there are more apartments/condos nearby so I can snatch one up!)  8-)

The <a href="http://www.loftsatfountainsquare.com/architect.html">Lofts at Fountain Square</a>, better snatch one up now while you can.

There is so much energy downtown right now I can't get over it.

Just think, in a couple years we'll be complaining about too many people downtown and how hard it is to enjoy yourself with the crowds.

Can't wait.

Those shots are fantastic.  The place feels much more alive these days!

Pretty exciting - Great Photos!

I actually like it.  Wow.

I went downtown a few days ago; it really has changed over the summer while I was in Columbus (at least around fountain square). Cadillac Ranch is kinda odd but at least they're contributing to the street life. It looks like a high quality restaurant. I also noticed an increase in the amount of solicitors downtown. I wouldn't mind giving money to those "charities" but how am I suppose to know where the money is actually going?

 

I can't wait until it's easier to get into Rock Bottom! It seems like they have a new entrance every month.

 

Overall, I'm really impressed with the improvement. You can't deny downtown is changing for the better.

The energy of the past 2-3 yrs is really starting to come together quite noticeably.    The city no longer closes after 5 or 6 pm anymore.    People tell me I am easily amused, but living here through out the 90's and vaguely remembering half of the 80's,  I can honestly say that I AM LIKING WHAT I AM SEEING LATELY!

Absolutely fantastic - what great shots!  The colors are just stunning...

 

I actually like it.  Wow.

 

That is exactly what I was thinking.

The <a href="http://www.loftsatfountainsquare.com/architect.html">Lofts at Fountain Square</a>, better snatch one up now while you can.

 

Way ahead of you 5chw4r7z... although I am hearing whispers of a new development in the area that is worth holding out for...  :-o

 

Great color.

 

Just thinking out loud here but wouldn't it look sorta neat if that drab wall of 5/3rd was covered with fany advertisements a la Times Square?

 

I do think that something needs to be put on both sides of the video board. I have no idea what but something to fill up the rest of that space.

 

Anyway, it really does look fantastic...as more and more businesses and night life pop up in the FS district and its adjoining blocks things will only get better!

 

I have always thought the same thing!  One of the old renderings of the 5/3 facade had a news ticker spanning the entire frontage.  I think that's a little (read: a lot!) excessive, but a ticker or ads or something dynamic and ecclectic (even ads) would help to make the video board area to look less out-of-place.  :speech:

Great photos Monte.

Shit man. When did Cincinnati turn into Chicago? All those people must be some kind of hologram...

 

Nice photos Monte. The new neon wall backlighting the fountain at night will surely be postcard material.

These are just wonderful...the Saturday night movie idea was pure genius!  I too think it would be nice to slow the color changes down a bit for the light display (give it time...I'm sure they'll tweak with it a little).  As for the ticker...I would say that it would be too much if it were placed facing the square.  It would work though if you put a ticker on the south side of the building facing 5th Street.

 

Way ahead of you 5chw4r7z... although I am hearing whispers of a new development in the area that is worth holding out for...

 

The proposed apartments at the Enquirer Building will have a great location and the ones on the south side of the building will have an excellent view of FS.  That might be a place for me when they finish (don't think I'll be ready for a condo yet).

 

Civvik when you are ready, we will welcome you back with open arms.  Thanks...

I guess I didn't think the Enquirer building would have a view of the Square... won't it be obstructed by the 5/3 bldg?

 

Not the one I'm talking about, however...

I've been inside some offices inside that building and you do see the far edge of the square (along Vine).  You don't have a clear view, but you would be able to see the lights and activity going on from there.  Similar to what you have with Times Square in NYC.

 

*Please note that is as far as my comparison goes between Fountain Square and Times Square*

LOL!  You knew someone would jump on that.

 

But if times square was a better square I would have moved there!

 

*Please note that is as far as my comparison goes between Fountain Square and Times Square*

On a side note...I was wondering if you have been contacted by the Cincinnati USA tourism board yet monte?  If not, then you should contact them with some of your collection of photos...I would think that they would be interested.

Wait, according to Peter Bronson in today's Enquirer, the new square is horrible because you can't even see the fountain anymore. Plus, it costs you $10 to park anywhere...  :roll:  Great pics...

Is he the guy walking around with the placard that says "Fountain Square 3CDC Failure"?

Where can't you see it from? The square is wide open and welcoming now.

Peter get off your butt and walk around.

Does anyone think the flurry of activity around the square might re-start the NEXT hotel and residences?

Thomas, don't forget that Beer Hall of Fame we were supposedly awarded! ;)

Is he the guy walking around with the placard that says "Fountain Square 3CDC Failure"?

Where can't you see it from? The square is wide open and welcoming now.

Peter get off your butt and walk around.

 

I really don't understand that "You can't see it" argument that I have heard on a few occasions, unless of course your sight is legally impaired. They didn't shrink the fountain, they didn't put it in a corner, they moved it back a few feet! So instead of life being pumped back into the core of the city with a number of different activities, restaurants, bars on or near Fountain Square, these folks would rather have the fountain moved back up a few feet, that ugly concrete still in place, and for there to be nothing to do around it. I don't get it...

it is a bronze statute in front of a white background now instead of a black and grey background, how is that less visible?

I think the argument is that it's less visible from 5th Street as you're heading into town (from your car).  I obviously don't give a hoot if it's less visible from your car or not.  It is more pleasant for the pedestrian and that is exactly the goal of these improvements downtown.  To make it a more livable and inviting place for the person...not necessarily the car.

less visible from 5th Street as you're heading into town (from your car).

 

Actually at that point you're headed outta town, but I know where you were going with that.

For some reason I think people in their car 4 blocks from the expressway are pretty low on the priority list on who the target audience is.

They want people out of their cars and walking around, which is exactly how the square works best.

less visible from 5th Street as you're heading into town (from your car). 

 

Actually at that point you're headed outta town, but I know where you were going with that.

For some reason I think people in their car 4 blocks from the expressway are pretty low on the priority list on who the target audience is.

They want people out of their cars and walking around, which is exactly how the square works best.

 

I guess it depends on your direction of travel...if you're coming from the west you are heading into town from I-75...if you're heading east you're leaving town heading towards I-71 or Columbia Parkway.  I'm a westsider so naturally I look at it from a westsider's perspective.

Thats fair, we were sitting around talking one night and everyone is talking about LA, Denver, etc. and they ask me whats the farthest west I've ever been.

I said,

Elm St.

 

^Classic

Thats fair, we were sitting around talking one night and everyone is talking about LA, Denver, etc. and they ask me whats the farthest west I've ever been.

 

I said, "Elm St."

 

That's pretty funny.

 

I think the argument is that it's less visible from 5th Street as you're heading into town (from your car).

 

Since 5th street is eastbound than it would be heading into town.  I actually preferred the look of the old square.  But it is certainly sour grapes to bitch about the changes.  It is a a family friendly destination with lots to do and little crime, exactly what the haters said they wanted.

"Into town" vs. "out of town" just depends on where you live.  If you live west of the Licking in NKY, out on the west side of town, or north up 75, you'll probably see Fountain Square on the way into town, since 5th Street is an exit off the assorted highways.  But if you live on the east side, or east of the Licking, or north up 71, you're more likely to see it on your way home, since 5th Street serves as an entrance ramp for 50, 471 and 71.

 

It doesn’t depend on anything.

Since the sun revolves around Vine St, once you cross it you’re heading out of town.

If you are on a numbered Street and you approach Vine St. and you don’t turn, you may not be leaving just yet, but you have a head start.

:-D

But that's my downtowner perspective.

 

 

Plus, it costs you $10 to park anywhere

 

I was in Baltimore recently and parking near the Inner Harbor was $21 for about the 7 hours we were there which translated into a full-day fare.

^ That's what I hope The Banks can achieve.

Wait, according to Peter Bronson in today's Enquirer, the new square is horrible because you can't even see the fountain anymore. Plus, it costs you $10 to park anywhere...  :roll:   Great pics...

 

You can do much better than $10 near the square, especially in the evening or on a weekend.

Ahhhh! Those new lights are rockin! I would like a little news ticker or something.

Yes, another vote for the ticker!!!  Or at least another dynamic lighting element (ads?)

Let's finally put the "It's no different from the old Square" or the even more ignorant "It looked better before" myths to bed, shall we?

 

Before:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess pictures are worth a thousand words.  So to all those who still liked the old square better, make a rational argument or STFU!!!  :bang:

thats what I've been sayin!!!

holy crap how can anyone complain and want that crappy old square back!!!

To be fair, the comparison between those pictures isn't exactly fair. The angles are much worse for the old square, it was rainy in the old ones, and the quality was much worse.  Of course the new square is an improvement, but I also think the old square was quite beautiful in its own right.

To be fair, the comparison between those pictures isn't exactly fair. The angles are much worse for the old square, it was rainy in the old ones, and the quality was much worse.  Of course the new square is an improvement, but I also think the old square was quite beautiful in its own right.

 

I guess you're right...it was quite beautiful in a concrete bunker kind of way.  I would go on to say that the old square had about the same amount of charm as a wet noodle.

edale, are you kidding me?

theres no comparison at all.

I had forgotten how much like a fortress the old square was, holding the city at bay

the new square welcomes you in where the old one put barriers in your way to view or approach it.

 

I also think the old square was quite beautiful in its own right.

 

in a Soviet block kinda way