July 19, 200618 yr Would somebody with an English lit degree please expound upon the symbolism of which direction the fountain faces? My bet is that the fountain had to move to the north end of the square due to whatever other design ideas they had...once there, that decided which way she'd face. Face her north or east and she'd look like she was bad and had to go stand in the corner...face her west and she's ignoring the square... That's my guess...as for what it means symbolically, I'd go with her facing the river, in all its glory...connected to history, looking to the future, always in progress, but always rooted in the past...sometimes a little dangerous, sometimes a little stagnant, but always pretty if you're looking down on it all from Mt. Adams... I think 3CDC stated that they are moving the fountain to a location that is exposed by sunlight for the most part of the day. The previous location supposedly was covered by the local towers shadows throughout the day.
July 19, 200618 yr ^I think this is referring to the Brazilian restaurant going in to Mason. Has the DT Cincy version gotten any ink in the papers? Mason is getting theirs first, I take it. DT vs Mason could be interesting to see how this pans out. I'm also curious about the price points. People will probably feel obligated to commit gluttony to make it worthwhile. I plan on going to the DT one and staying far away from Mason's.
July 19, 200618 yr I believe the only coverage that the DT one received was from the Business Courier, not the Enquirer or Post. :|
July 20, 200618 yr I disagree that people will never come back to the square if it's not held during Oktoberfest. Would it have been optimum to have had it during Oktoberfest? Yes. But c'mon how many people will be coming here for Tall Stacks and Bengals games. There are plenty of opportunities to market the square in the fall. You could have a big event for every home Bengals game. And, it's not like people don't work downtown. Downtown workers will be able to see it and be exposed to it on a daily basis. So, I think it's crazy to forecast the death of the Square because it's not opening for Oktoberfest. Personally, I would much rather have the square done right instead of some half-assed finishing so that it can be opened in September. I know it will be there for future events, but our cities are well behind where they should be and need to get their asses in gear. This will just slow things down, which doesn't help our fledgling downtowns. Getting things done in a timely manner isn't rushing it.
July 20, 200618 yr ^I think this is referring to the Brazilian restaurant going in to Mason. The restaurant would be going in Deerfield Township. Mason doesn't start until north of Socialville-Fosters Road intersects with Mason-Montgomery.
July 20, 200618 yr I disagree that people will never come back to the square if it's not held during Oktoberfest. Would it have been optimum to have had it during Oktoberfest? Yes. But c'mon how many people will be coming here for Tall Stacks and Bengals games. There are plenty of opportunities to market the square in the fall. You could have a big event for every home Bengals game. And, it's not like people don't work downtown. Downtown workers will be able to see it and be exposed to it on a daily basis. So, I think it's crazy to forecast the death of the Square because it's not opening for Oktoberfest. Personally, I would much rather have the square done right instead of some half-assed finishing so that it can be opened in September. I know it will be there for future events, but our cities are well behind where they should be and need to get their asses in gear. This will just slow things down, which doesn't help our fledgling downtowns. Getting things done in a timely manner isn't rushing it. I don't think getting the square done in 10 months would be considered timely; it would be considered surprising. The projections were overly optimistic from the beginning. I really do not think there was anything that could be done to get this project done earlier and I don't think the city has done anything to slow it down, especially given the fact that the city is not in charge of this project. Delays and extensions are a normal part of any project and I think 3CDC is wise not to push it's workforce to be done earlier. The workers already work on the square seven days a week. Extra pressure would just hurt the finished project and then we'd have an outcry on this forum with people asking why the granite was laid crooked or why this or that wasn't done. The square will be open on Sept. 9, albeit not it its entirety. People will be able to stand on it and see most of the product during Oktoberfest. I think the fact that programming is in works for the next few months is just icing on the cake and will give MORE reasons for people to come see the square throughout the fall and winter months. If people see an unfinished square in September and decide not to come back because they believe it demonstrates the city's inability to see a project through, then they're just ignorant and there's nothing you can do about people who fail to inform themselves.
July 28, 200618 yr Here is a new article announcing some items for the Square!!! Seems like some cool choices!!! Fountain Square Planners Reveal New Design, Restaurant Lineup CINCINNATI -- Planners told News 5 that the new Fountain Square will not only be softer and more inviting, but it'll also offer a full menu of dining options. As the $42 million renovation moves toward an Oct. 14 grand opening, Nicola's plans for big-city ambience and rooftop dining in a 220-seat, glass-enclosed Italian bistro at the primo location above the new garage along Vine Street.
July 28, 200618 yr I am certainly looking forward to seeing this! Hopefully there still will be some outside dining and drinking like Rock Bottom brewrey had.
July 28, 200618 yr This sounds great! A coffee shop on the square is a great idea, but I wish they would go with a local one instead of Starbucks or Caribou. There are already three Starbucks location downtown, and one of them is a block south of Fountain Square.
July 28, 200618 yr Good lineup. Ice cream, coffee, bourbon, steak, fish, pasta, beer - my God - what more could anyone ask for. If the people in Mason don't want to come down, screw 'em. Sounds like they will be missing out. We need more press like this.
July 28, 200618 yr This sounds great! A coffee shop on the square is a great idea, but I wish they would go with a local one instead of Starbucks or Caribou. There are already three Starbucks location downtown, and one of them is a block south of Fountain Square. Yeah that would be a nice touch - something like a Coffee emporium from Hyde Park or Awakenings or even a Sitwells.
July 28, 200618 yr I don't mind not having the surliness of Sitwells...but then, maybe my experience was out of the ordinary. But a Kona Bean would rock!
July 28, 200618 yr HOLY CRAP! That is everything I was asking for except a Joseph Beth's... See dreams do come true.
July 28, 200618 yr Will someone with an english lit degree please expound on the symbolism of having a coffee shop at Fountain Square? :wink:
July 28, 200618 yr Sweet! If they are naming names, that usually means leases are signed and these will definitely happen! I hope the Jo-Beth rumors are true as well.
July 28, 200618 yr Wow, they hit us with this, didn't they? See Haynesman, I called this one. ;) You got me. I was convinced they would announce these things one at a time as they came along. I wouldn't be surprised to see a major article in the Business Courier this week. Also, I still don't think they've announced new tenants for the taller 5/3 tower. I would expect another exciting annoucement for that spot at 5th and Walnut. It's the best spot in my opinion.
July 28, 200618 yr Also, I still don't think they've announced new tenants for the taller 5/3 tower. Speaking of that tower....is Local 12 going to continue to use their space along the square for morning broadcasts, or am I just outdated on this particular issue? I would love to see a local news broadcast from the square..it adds yet another interesting/big city element to the equation.
July 28, 200618 yr Haynesm007 - The article said that Graeter's will occupy the corner of 5th and Walnut with a Coffee shop next door.
July 28, 200618 yr Wow! This is awesome. Now, if only they would have no open container laws on the square so I could put down a few beers while curling!
July 28, 200618 yr Fountain Square is going to be packed. It is going to be THE place. I hope it destroys the suburbs and leaves them as empty shells of nothing. A movie theater is a must.
July 28, 200618 yr Wow.... I'm suprised, in like, a positive way. That almost never happens :). Very true. ;)
July 29, 200618 yr Great news! I am glad they are finally starting to announce tenants. It will be interesting to see what goes in the new streetscape of the 580 building. Joseph-Beth would be ideal somewhere in this mix. As for a movie theater, it would be nice to get a first run stadium development, but I would not mind something like the Movies that was on Race. Show some classics, independent, foreign etc. - they used to get some pretty cool premiers. Of course they seem to be targeting a larger market but I think there is always room for something like this. Once all these places on the list open, I think they will create a lot of synergy with Palomino, Ruby's, Redfish, Nicholson's, Bella etc.
July 29, 200618 yr Will the Visitor's Center reopen? That was one of the first places we visited when we came downtown, it was very helpful!
July 29, 200618 yr Bourbon maker eyeing Fountain Square Cincinnati Business Courier - 2:51 PM EDT Friday Maker's Mark, the Louisville bourbon distillery, is looking at opening a restaurant and lounge concept at Fountain Square, according to a downtown development source. It would be the second Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge in the country, following the opening of its flagship location in its hometown of Louisville in 2004. That lounge, part of the Fourth Street Live complex, seats nearly 250 people in a sophisticated, though casual, setting. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/07/24/daily67.html
July 29, 200618 yr I noticed there is a Sully's at 4th Street Live in Louisville. Has anyone been there? It looks like it's part of the McFadden's collection of restaurants. I wonder if Sully's on Fountain Square would have any effect on McFadden's future or if the two concepts are entirely different.
July 30, 200618 yr Here's a link to the Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge in Louisville: http://www.makerslounge.com/homepage.php From the web site, there are also links to McFaddens and Sully's. They don't list the McFaddens in Cincinnati, but the Cincinnati web site uses a common logo to the one's linked from the Maker's Lounge page.
July 30, 200618 yr Monte - From what I've heard from the Cincy Preservation Association, the Visitor's Center is not coming back.
July 31, 200618 yr ^ Only based on what has already been reported, I am assuming that is where the coffee shop and Greaters are going. But again that is only an educated guess, reading between the lines a bit.
July 31, 200618 yr ^ Only based on what has already been reported, I am assuming that is where the coffee shop and Greaters are going. But again that is only an educated guess, reading between the lines a bit. I'm making the same assumption. ^ I think that is a shame. Do you know what is planned for that spot? I agree...they need a visitors center for downtown. Near or around Fountain Square is the perfect location.
August 1, 200618 yr While the Maker's Mark Lounge would be kind of cool, I hope the powers that be will make the effort to insure that enough local establishments exist alongside the chains. Those familiar chains can help attract people there, but we don't want them to crowd out the local charm. I remember years ago being halfway through a club sandwich at Rock Bottom Brewery and only then realizing that I was eating the same indifferent meal I had when I was in Bethesda, Maryland.
August 1, 200618 yr Square video board to be installed STAFF REPORTS Two lanes of Vine Street will be blocked for three days next week, while a new 24-foot by 42-foot video screen that's part of the Fountain Square renovation is installed. "We'll use this state-of-the-art video board to enhance activities on the Square, broadcast live sporting events and promote our city and our region with engaging, locally produced programming," Bill Donabedian, managing director of the square for the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., said in a statement today. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060801/NEWS01/308010034
August 1, 200618 yr Square video board to be installed "We'll use this state-of-the-art video board to enhance activities on the Square, broadcast live sporting events and promote our city and our region with engaging, locally produced programming," Bill Donabedian, managing director of the square for the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., said in a statement today. Great so if you cant get tickets to a Bengals game, or a reds playoff game just go hang out on fountain sq to watch them.
August 4, 200618 yr I know that this news is a little dated, but I thought I would post it since the Enquirer finally got around to it. Brazilian eatery set for Arcade THE ENQUIRER A Brazilian steakhouse will be one of the new restaurants going into the Carew Tower Arcade downtown. Boi Na Braza Holdings, a suburban Dallas-based company, said Thursday it will open its third "churrascaria" restaurant at the tower during the first quarter of 2007. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060804/BIZ01/608040347
August 4, 200618 yr Want to Protest? Ask 3CDC CityBeat Cincinnati officials Wednesday gave control of the permitting and scheduling of events at the city-owned Fountain Square plaza to a private development corporation, prompting some people to fear that political protests there might no longer be allowed. In a 7-2 vote, city council relinquished the job to the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), which previously was given the rights to operate and manage the square. Currently, the plaza is closed for a major renovation and will reopen Oct. 14. http://citybeat.wordpress.com/2006/08/03/want-to-protest-ask-3cdc/
August 6, 200618 yr After seeing Quincy Market in Boston today, I have high hopes for Fountain Square. It was an amazing site to see so many people enjoying life in the public space.
August 8, 200618 yr I heard that they were putting up the Big-Screen on top of Macy's this week....i'll try to walk by at lunch today and see if there is any progress
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