That brings up a good point.  The piece of land just west of the labrynth but east of the park hopefully will get started ASAP.  Also the area just east of the Main Street fountain.  It seems to have to wait for phase 2 before those pieces are started.

Went down there tonight.  It is very impressive.  Really an amazing place, and something you don't see many places.  A terrific addition. 

^ what was the crowd like? Interesting to hear as there was a reds game

I got there after the game had started--it was around 7:30.  There was a steady stream of folks walking through toward the game, but probably not more than a couple dozen people checking out the park.  Not bad for a Monday night.

 

It's interesting to see the looks on the faces of people who just happen to be going by it on the way to a Reds game.  Especially if you aren't aware of it, you can see how it would be very surprising. 

 

I was really most surprised/impressed by the Walnut Street steps/fountains.  They are very cool, and very loud. 

^ ya-  I'm hoping as the southern part of the park is further developed it becomes more impressive.

 

The quality of the walnut street steps and walnut fountains is truly incredible.  When you go south, things are nice... but not impressive.  It's a crappy cement walkway surrounded by beautiful limestone finishes, the cement sidewalk vs. asphalt bike trail is very confusing, etc. 

 

I need to keep reminding myself its just not finished.

 

Also-- I really don't understand the strange space at the bottom of the walnut street steps and to the right.  No plants, just a large flat pavered area where you can look at the fountains.  I'm sure once the western part of the fountain is open this area will feel more purposeful.

So is Cincinnati Parks going to post anymore video updates anytime soon?

I believe Prather said there would be a summer update after phase 1 opened, at the end of the last update.

I also think things will be a bit better once all the plants mature and settle into the space...everything just feels too new.

 

So, what exactly does phase 2 entail? Looks like they already poured the steps by the main st. fountain to go down to the river. What else?

The Main Street stuff is ahead of schedule, but here's the plan:

 

Didn't they also say that the boat dock would be built this summer? I think I remember hearing that in one of the update videos. I wonder if there is a more up to date version of the phasing map. It would seem they shifted quite a few things around since it was created.

 

I am most excited about when the serpentinesque steps are built down to the river. As it is now it still feels like the riverfront isn't being embraced quite yet, but obviously once that happens it will feel quite similar to the Serpentine Wall which is one of my favorite aspects of any of the parks I've been to in the city.

 

I'm hoping I can get down there before heading out on co-op to explore the finished product. I was there a couple weeks ago and it was looking good from the Lager House. Once all those trees mature it's going to be stunning.

I'm most excited about the (blue), phase 4. That will really expand the breadth of the park and provide access to the... erm, 'riverfront' part of this riverfront park! (It also looks like this is the phase with the boat dock)

so did I hear correctly that phase 2 starts this June?

I've been told by reputable sources that they can't go west of the Roebling bridge until Mike Brown allows the County (who owns all that parking still) to transfer it to the city. And that no one knows when that will be. For now, the plan seems to be to do the part east of the main street fountain & the area that is currently a construction staging site.

 

Aaargh Mike #$^*ing Brown!!!

I've been told by reputable sources that they can't go west of the Roebling bridge until Mike Brown allows the County (who owns all that parking still) to transfer it to the city. And that no one knows when that will be. For now, the plan seems to be to do the part east of the main street fountain & the area that is currently a construction staging site.

 

I vote that we start eminent domain proceedings for everything Mike Brown owns.  It's in the public's best interest.

Ya-  basically, Mike Brown has to consent to less parking.  EVEN THOUGH we have MORE parking now than we did 3 years ago.  Haven't the banks added just about 1700 spaces on top of the existing (roughly) 2000 that were already there.  Yet, apparently he has to "allow" the county to transfer the land to the city. 

 

I'm guessing there's some bullshit clause in his lease. 

so, it sounds like the area west of Roebling might be a dead spot indefinitely (am I understanding this correctly?)

Are there plans to move the big festivals, like Taste and Oktoberfest, to the new park someday? Asian Food Festival was freaking awesome at this location, even though it was set up on the empty street-bridge west of all the action.

 

I do wonder, though, where they will set up such things. I can't imagine Freedom Way will accommodate being packed full of vendor tents when it is fully leased with food and service tenants. But maybe.

 

Aside from that street, there is surprisingly little open staging area in the park, due to the slopes of the riverbank, the tiered areas, and the heavily programmed small open areas. If the first phase is any indication of the rest of it. Case in point: We were chilling at the south end of the Main Street Fountains and were surprised at how steep that drop is south toward the riverbank. I had always imagined it a more gentle slope that you could lay out on in the summer. It's more like the drop down a basketball arena bleacher section.

PS: The only other option I can think of is that they close Mehring at Paul Brown and detour it up to Second.

Off the top of my head, I would vote for all large festivals to be moved to the Central Riverfront.  Make Mehring Way the vendor midway.  Wide and lengthy enough and conveniently south of the parks.

 

Now that I think, it could cause problems on game day...or it could be incredible.

From Cincinnati Parks: Efforts to construct the boat dock at the foot of Main Street have already begun in Smale Riverfront Park with soil testing on the river. Project Manager Dave Prather explains in this short video clip...

 

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2195610465165

Are there plans to move the big festivals, like Taste and Oktoberfest, to the new park someday? Asian Food Festival was freaking awesome at this location, even though it was set up on the empty street-bridge west of all the action.

 

I beg to differ. The Asian Food Festival was shade-less, table-less, and respite-less. I ate my food, drank my beer and went to the park because there was no place to just "linger" on the street. I thought it was a poorly designed festival, however delicious the food was.

My ankle's finally recovering after a nasty sprain, so at lunch today I walked from work (on Court) down to the park.  The Walnut Street fountain steps area with all of the water elements is just really, really well done.  There's all sorts of little details you can appreciate when it's not crowded, like the little mushroom lights in some of the planting beds and the glass floor/ceiling.

 

Unfortunately, crossing Mehring Way right now is really awkward - I think cars aren't used to pedestrians yet, and they come whipping around the curve from under the Roebling.  I'm trying to imagine using this crosswalk with small kids and it's a bit scary.

 

Moreover, the portion of the park south of Mehring dosn't really align with what's north of Mehring - once you cross the road you still have to walk to Mehring & Nuxhall to actually get into the southern portion of the park. This will be remedied once they finish Phase II, then the crosswalk would lead to the Women's Committee Garden and the play area.

 

Overall I'm really excited about the level of design I'm seeing in the park, and when the stuff south of Mehring actually grows in and is surrounded by more park, it's going to be pretty special!

This sign went in sometime before Memorial Day

My ankle's finally recovering after a nasty sprain, so at lunch today I walked from work (on Court) down to the park.  The Walnut Street fountain steps area with all of the water elements is just really, really well done.  There's all sorts of little details you can appreciate when it's not crowded, like the little mushroom lights in some of the planting beds and the glass floor/ceiling.

 

Unfortunately, crossing Mehring Way right now is really awkward - I think cars aren't used to pedestrians yet, and they come whipping around the curve from under the Roebling.  I'm trying to imagine using this crosswalk with small kids and it's a bit scary.

 

Moreover, the portion of the park south of Mehring dosn't really align with what's north of Mehring - once you cross the road you still have to walk to Mehring & Nuxhall to actually get into the southern portion of the park. This will be remedied once they finish Phase II, then the crosswalk would lead to the Women's Committee Garden and the play area.

 

Overall I'm really excited about the level of design I'm seeing in the park, and when the stuff south of Mehring actually grows in and is surrounded by more park, it's going to be pretty special!

That crosswalk needs to highlighted a LOT more than it currently is.  Flashing signs in the median, etc. highlighting the whole "STOP" for pedestrians issue. Gravel haulers, cement trucks and cars fly through there, as we all anticipated before this started.

I've always been impressed with the crosswalks around the Seattle area. This area really needs something like this:

 

Seattle Crosswalk: Tap foot, Lights blink, Cross street

 

I was down there recently with some suburbanites and they didn't get that the unfinished area near the bridge will be more of the park, or that the unfinished area near the lager house will be more apartments or a hotel at some point.  I mean, you point at things, annunciate clearly, and they just don't get it. 

 

So why are strip malls money makers?  Because so many people out there literally do not understand 3-D space and need something that dumbed down. 

 

 

Well, it'd also be easier to understand if renderings of what's coming were posted in the Banks and the park.  Heck, I spent a little bit of time at work trying to find out what gets built next (or when) for the Banks and came up blank.  (The website for Smale on the other hand is really informative and awesome.)

Picturing exactly what will be there and understanding that there will be more of what is there generally (park space and buildings) are two different things.

I've always been impressed with the crosswalks around the Seattle area. This area really needs something like this:

 

Seattle Crosswalk: Tap foot, Lights blink, Cross street

 

 

I thought of those sidewalks too - Cincinnati should use them across every busy street:

 

Seattle Crosswalk: Tap foot, Lights blink, Cross stree on Vimeo

I went to Moerlein for dinner tonight as a break from schoolwork. It was PACKED as usual which was good to see. The better thing, however, was that probably 75 percent of the people there and out and about in the park were families. There were SOOO many children out, riding their bikes, walking their dogs, etc. I overheard several people talking while eating and walking around about how great it looked. I can't say this enough, but I feel the best part of the whole Banks and riverfront development is how many suburbanites are visiting downtown. And based on my visit to Findlay Market yesterday, they seem to be taking their kids further into downtown and OTR than ever before. It's fantastic to see. I can't wait for future phases of the park and the Banks.

jmicha, great post.  the buzz regarding the Banks and park are undeniable and to see so many families and kids down there is simply awesome.  I moved here 4 years ago and one of the more puzling characteristics was this anti- city vibe from the suburbs. I think the Square  started to break down those walls and the Banks/park are totally knocking them down.  Great to see.

 

One question I have; what is the hold-up for the next phase. I certainlty understand the hold-up with regards to the Bnaks but I am not sure why they aren't continuing park construction.  While I realize the park isn't yet funded for all 5 phases, surely they have the funding for the 2nd phase. Any info on when construction will start up again?

If my information is correct/up to date, I believe the end of the summer will see continued construction of the park. I do not remember exactly what this entails with the exception of a boat dock which will be great to see.

 

I think that the way they are going about it is fine. Building progressive phases as more phases of The Banks come online will keep continued excitement along the waterfront for quite some time. Come 2020 or so when the entirety of The Banks and the Riverfront Park are finished (and hopefully the caps over FWW are happening) the city is going to be an amazing place. Patience is something I'm going to have to learn haha. I can't wait to watch the progress being made throughout the city.

Are there plans to move the big festivals, like Taste and Oktoberfest, to the new park someday? Asian Food Festival was freaking awesome at this location, even though it was set up on the empty street-bridge west of all the action.

 

I beg to differ. The Asian Food Festival was shade-less, table-less, and respite-less. I ate my food, drank my beer and went to the park because there was no place to just "linger" on the street. I thought it was a poorly designed festival, however delicious the food was.

 

I don't know if you really noticed, but that part of town isn't quite...finished yet.

I think it was absent the more permanent aspects of that part of the Banks, and more on how it was organized. It was a good festival - but there was a serious lack of shade, something that was known before the festival formalized on that site. On a hot, sunny day, there were a few issues that needed medical assistance, and an ambulance was staged nearby with medical technicians just in case. There was also a lack of tables and seating - the few tables that did exist were just scattered, and none of them had more than 2 chairs at each. Most of the chairs were really quite scattered.

 

Water was also hard to come by, surprisingly. Some booths had drinks, others did not, and the beer required tickets - 2 tickets for 1 drink, and 1 ticket was $3. Why couldn't they just charge $6 for 1 ticket? Or just accept cash and credit via Square? A friend works for Mt. Carmel as a brewer and found the whole process to be convoluted and confusing.

 

The food was okay - not too impressed with some, while others were delicious. But I ended up leaving after an hour because of the heat and lack of shade and went over to the park and the Banks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/realestate/commercial/cincinnati-comes-back-to-its-ohio-river-shoreline.html

 

The construction of the Banks and the 45-acre shoreline park comes after more than a decade of significant infrastructure investment along Cincinnati’s riverfront, much of it financed by a half-cent sales tax approved by the city and Hamilton County voters in 1997. Revenue from the tax supported a $322 million highway modernization that narrowed the Fort Washington Way expressway between the river and the central business district. Engineers shortened the overpasses over the sunken freeway, making it much easier for pedestrians to reach the river from downtown.

Lol another thread with the times article. Should we discuss how much bigger Louisville is again?

10 stunning riverfront towns

 

Cincy makes the list!

 

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/10-stunning-riverfront-towns.html?page=5

I always chuckle at travel photos of Cincinnati from that "certain angle" across the river that make the city seem no bigger than Evansville or Lexington. I always wonder what people who assume it's this little river city would think after driving through  its 25 miles of population hidden behind that silly camera angle that only captures 3 buildings and a hunk of stadium.

Yeah but it's better than most of the other photos in that article, blech!  Some of them look like Google street view screen captures.  The money shot of Cincinnati is really the view from Devou Park, but I'll admit that it doesn't show off the river so well.

I like how this is in Cincinnati:

 

 

And this is such a great view:

 

 

Lovely view of the IRS building and RiverCenter in Kentucky:

 

^What is that first photograph?

^What is that first photograph?

 

It's Palm Springs, but if you click on "Cincinnati" in that Yahoo Travel post above it is labeled as Cincy for some reason, along with a slew of other strange and random photos.

Western & Southern donates $200K to Smale Park

Business Courier

Date: Thursday, June 14, 2012, 10:20am EDT

 

Western & Southern Financial Fund donated $200,000 to the Cincinnati Park Board to support the continued construction of Smale Riverfront Park in downtown Cincinnati.

 

The park, built with a blend of city, state, federal and private funding, held its grand opening in May.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2012/06/14/western-southern-donates-200k-to.html

^ they aren't so bad after all!

Take a Tour of Your New Smale Riverfront Park

 

Not sure if anyone saw the new early summer update. They discuss future projects timeline at the end.

I've really loved the video updates.  We're lucky to have the park system that we do!

Also, why do people continually show photos of Cincinnati with the Carew Tower almost directly behind the Central Trust (??) building? What a poor view.

^ Possibly because the shots are taken near the Roebling Bridge and they want it as a focal point?