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Yeah, I heard that on the radio and thought, 80K?  1500/week?  I'm sure they'll have the ability to throughput that many, and I'm guessing the summer will look awfully good, but really, 80K/year?  I guess we'll see...

 

It would be interesting to see a level deeper on the assumptions.  Like, 40% of the 80K people will be out-of-towners - fine, I'll go with that - who will spend one night here, buy food, ya de da.  Does 100% of what they spend get racked up to the bridge?  Because I'd have to guess that the majority of that 40% was going to come here for King's Island or a Reds game or the Rembrandt exhibit or a Harley Club Ride or whatever else, and this may have sealed the deal kind of thing, but wasn't the purpose of the trip...

 

Well, I wish them all the best, and I'm sure I'll represent at least two of those 80K myself, my wife another two, and hopefully by this time next year another 79,996 will have joined us!

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Actually, you've gotta figure if they're looking at 1500 people/week, that's gonna be closer to 500 M-F, 500 Saturday and 500 Sunday...maybe not that extreme, but maybe 150 each day M-F, 400 Saturday, 350 Sunday?  Something like that...

 

But, their hours of operation are from 4:15am to 11pm.  So figure 5:30 for the first start, 9:30pm for the last start.  Two briefing rooms (and it could even be one room with AV gear for a movie, and a second where they get their gear on), and they can start a new group every half hour.  So 33 runs/day, 12 per run, that's about 400 people.

 

And that's assuming they can only start groups every half hour.  Start them every 20 minutes and you fit 588/day; every 15 minutes and you fit 780/day across.

 

I'm sure they've figured out their raw volume - I have no doubt they can throughput enough people.  I just doubt they'll keep up sufficient volume over the long haul to meet that number.

 

However, this is just an economic impact study, not a business model.  Since they're paying rent for the bridge, their overhead has got to be awfully low - so even if they come nowhere near 80K, this should still generate cash for bridge maintenance, and buzz for the city...

 

So who will be the first Urban Ohio member to climb the bridge?  Who ever you are, you better smuggle a camera up there for all of us.

^smuggle.....I thought that cameras would be allowed....are they not?  Either way, I think I have a connection with a tour guide and should it be prohibited I can probably work an angle.  Cant wait to go up there and check out the view.....especially the overnight/sunset times (the sun setting over the city would look terrific from there).

Yeah, no cameras.  I'm sure it's for safety - gotta keep your hands free.  They'll give you a picture of your group on top of the bridge, though - yeah, ooo, great, thanks.

^ is the picture included with the cost of the bridge climb?

it seems quite silly to not be allowed to bring a camera for safety reasons.  You are on a platform...I wouldnt think that it would be that dangerous.  Either way....someone for sure has to sneak a camera up there and grab some shots of the city!  I will definately do my part to try it out.

Here's what it says in their FAQ:

 

Question: Can I take my own pictures?

 

Answer: For everyone’s safety, especially those down below, we do not permit climbers to take their own cameras on the bridge climb. We do take great photos for you though and each person gets a complimentary group photo. We are happy to take additional photos for you, just ask your guide.

 

Again, "smuggle".  If I pay $60 bucks, I want my own photos.  As someone into photography that would be the whole reason for me to go up there.  It would be nice if they have a special "photographers" climb.  I would even be willing to pay another $10 surcharge to bring my camera and only be allowed to take photos in designated areas.  My camera would be around my neck so my hands would be free.

It would be nice if they have a special "photographers" climb.

 

Call them and suggest it.  It sounds like a good idea.  I imagine some type of safety cable tied to the camara strap point attached to the climber would be enough to satisfy the insurance company about any dropped cameras landing on someones head.

I was driving over the Big Mac bridge today and saw at least three small groups of people on the bridge. I wonder what they were thinking about their "experience" ? Has anyone heard? 

John Matarese had this little blurb about the prices of the bridge climb.  The only thing that is keeping me from doing it is the price.

 

http://www.wcpo.com/wcpo/localshows/dontwasteyourmoney/1c7608e2.html

 

 

PURPLE PEOPLE PRICES

 

Reported and Web Produced by: John Matarese

Updated: 06/19/06 17:54:36

 

The day has finally arrived! The Purple People Bridge climb has opened to the public.

 

 

It would be nice if they have a special "photographers" climb.

 

Call them and suggest it.  It sounds like a good idea.  I imagine some type of safety cable tied to the camera strap point attached to the climber would be enough to satisfy the insurance company about any dropped cameras landing on someones head.

 

Over this summer I sailed for a while on a tall ship.  Whenever we climbed the mast (147 ft), everything that we took up, mainly knives and sometimes cameras was required to be secured by a lanyard to usually a belt loop or something.  I would say much of the thrill is taking pictures while up on the bridge and I do not think it would be that big of a deal to use some lanyards to secure cameras.  Probably insurance reasons.

From the 6/26/06 Enquirer:

 

 

PHOTO: Thom Jackson alleges that former business associate Dennis Speigel stole his idea to build the Purple People Bridge Climb. He's seeking $50 million in damages.  The Enquirer/Craig Ruttle

 

PHOTO: Spiegel on top of the disputed attraction.  ENQUIRER FILE PHOTO

 

Battle over bridge climb

Company, investors sued by lawyer who says it was his idea

BY JAMES MCNAIR | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

As the first adventure-seekers scamper over the Purple People Bridge, people who helped bankroll the attraction are trying to dismount from an escalating development of another sort: a legal fight over the project's ownership.

 

The fight erupted in January when lawyer Thomas Jackson of Wyoming filed suit accusing Walnut Hills amusement park consultant Dennis Speigel of purloining the bridge climb idea.

 

Read here for rest of article:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060626/BIZ01/606260320/1076/rss01

 

  • 5 weeks later...

Bridge climb prices slashed

BY JON NEWBERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

The Purple People Bridge Climb has cut its prices by as much as half, six weeks after it opened to the public.

 

The price has been reduced from $59.95 to $29.95 for kids and college students at all times and to $39.95 for adults Monday through Friday.

 

Article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060726/BIZ01/607260391/1002

$30....i might be able to fork that over...has anyone been to it yet...i would rather not be the test subject...i might try it out in the next few weeks...we'll see

  • 2 weeks later...

I predict it will be closed this time next year.

I am going tonight.  I will let you all know how it goes...

Well I went, and it was very neat.  The video they show is absolutely horrible, but then it gets better.  The suits are ugly, but they are short sleeved and cool.  I went on the 8:25 climb and just missed the sunset so instead we got a night climb, which was very nice.  The view of the city was awesome and seeing boats, people, and barges pass below us was also cool.  The Reds won while we where up on the bridge, so we got a nice fireworks show.  Walking over the glass floor was a highlight.  The four 120ft high spans lead up to the "summit," the 150ft span.  The big problem with going at night is that you cannot really appreciate how high you really are, but besides that, going at night was enjoyable.  The climb goes slowly with the tour guide telling stories and information about Cincinnati and Northern KY.  I learned a lot and enjoyed the climb.

 

My group was full which was good in some ways, but bad in others.  I would recommend being in the front so you wait for the others on top of the bridge as opposed to on the bottom, waiting to climb.  I believe additional pictures start at 6 or 7 dollars.

  • 3 months later...

When they allow me to bring my camera, I will be more than happy to pay for a hike up the bridge. I told them this in person over the summer and they blew me off.  My offer still stands...

I've seen this thing advertised all over the place of course, but I don't know anyone that has done it. I skimmed through this thread but it sounds like they put you in a suit and harness to walk up a bunch of steps? Is there actually any climbing involved? If I could literally climb up the bridge against a facade or metal collumns I would pay that much but if its just walking up a bunch of steps it should barely cost anything.

I've seen this thing advertised all over the place of course, but I don't know anyone that has done it. I skimmed through this thread but it sounds like they put you in a suit and harness to walk up a bunch of steps? Is there actually any climbing involved? If I could literally climb up the bridge against a facade or metal collumns I would pay that much but if its just walking up a bunch of steps it should barely cost anything.

 

In nice weather, they seen to do a pretty good business.  Sometimes three groups on the bridge at once.  No real climbing.  Just steps.

  • 4 weeks later...

Judge reviews bridge lawsuit

Creator sold project to consultant; says he was cheated out of revenue

BY JAMES MCNAIR | [email protected]

December 15, 2006

 

CINCINNATI - A Hamilton County judge will decide after Feb. 16 whether to throw out a lawsuit accusing Walnut Hills amusement park consultant Dennis Speigel of engaging in chicanery to buy the rights to the Purple People Bridge Climb project.

 

Article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061215/BIZ01/612150346/1076/BIZ

  • 4 weeks later...

Great news!  Now this is down in the price range where I will likely participate.

Thats amazing news! I mean, they really were exagerating with the price... yeah, it costs more in Sydney... but that is THE Sidney... this is Cincinnati... while I love Cincinnati... its not someplace where tourists flock to. This price decrease will definately boost their popularity! Sounds like a good idea for a date or something! I'm already looking into it for this summer when I can go with all my friends!

  • 1 month later...
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  • 1 month later...

Hopefully they take down the walkways and staircases, they mess with the bridge's appearance and are already rusting. 

its too bad...it was something unique for Cincy.  The problem was that the bridge just isn't "exciting" enough for people to go to the trouble of doing the climb...I don't know that any of the bridges in Cincy would qualify.

its too bad...it was something unique for Cincy.  The problem was that the bridge just isn't "exciting" enough for people to go to the trouble of doing the climb...I don't know that any of the bridges in Cincy would qualify.

 

Also, this is one of those attractions that most people would do just once.  I wonder what happened if someone had purchased a seasons pass.

I climb bridges for free!

Ohio River bridge attraction ends after low turnout

The Associated Press

 

CINCINNATI --

The Purple People Bridge Climb never quite got off the ground.

 

The attraction over the Ohio River has shut down, after disappointing customer response.

 

No link available for rest of article.

Also of note, Kentucky Life featured the Purple People Bridge and its climbing program in Prrogram 1316 -- last weekend's new episode. You can view it here by copying this URL and opening it in Windows Media Player. Alternatively, you can use Real Media (replace extension with .rm), or view it in your browser here.

 

--

 

Officially, it’s the Newport Southbank Bridge. But as soon as the first swaths of its bright purple paint went on, people starting calling it the Purple People Bridge—and that’s the name that has stuck.

 

Connecting Third Street in Newport with Pete Rose Way in Cincinnati, the purple bridge is the longest span in the country connecting two different states, at just over half a mile. And it’s the only one of the nine Northern Kentucky Ohio River bridges that’s for pedestrians only. You can stroll across on the roadbed, at an average of 140 feet above the river—or you can go “over the top” with the Purple People Bridge Climb, which lets those with a more adventurous bent (and no fear of heights) scale the structure of the bridge itself.

 

The bridge started life in 1872 as the Newport & Cincinnati Bridge, the region’s first railroad connection across the river. L&N bought and renamed it in 1904, and it served the railroad until 1987. But its narrowness meant that it never carried much vehicle traffic, and when Interstate 471 was built in the 1960s, a new bridge was built for it just a few hundred feet away. The L&N Bridge was used only lightly during the 1990s. By the time it was closed to vehicle traffic in 2002, it was rusted and possibly headed for demolition.

 

But some promotion-minded planners came up with a better idea. Why not give people who might want to visit restaurants and attractions on either side of the river a way to cross on foot? The L&N bridge was convenient to a wealth of new development along both riverfronts, plus the sports stadiums on the Cincinnati side. So the city of Newport and some local businesspeople formed the Southbank partnership to explore the idea of restoring the bridge and reopening it to pedestrians only. The state of Kentucky contributed money for the restoration work, and the Purple People Bridge opened in April 2003. As for the purple: It was the top choice of focus groups of local residents who were shown computer-generated images of what the bridge would look like painted in various colors.

 

In 2006, another group of entrepreneurs literally added a new dimension to the bridge with the Purple People Bridge Climb. At “base camp” at Newport on the Levee, climbers receive a briefing on safety and don special jumpsuits and harnesses. Then they’re off—up and over the four smaller spans and onto the fifth and largest, which boasts a 35-foot, glass-floored walkway extended directly out over the river. On our trip, we tag along with some first-timers being led by climbing guide Joseph Schumacher.

It's too bad this closed but there is no way I am going to put on the purple people climbing outfit. It's silly but that's the whole reason I never climbed.  :lol:

^ Let me bring my camera and I will wear the dumb outift.  I never went for the ban on personal cameras.

^I too was ticked about the personal camera ban...whats the point then?  I thought it would have been a fantastic photo-op, but the big bad operators wanted to keep it all regulated I guess.  I could care less about pics of me on the climb w/friends...I just want another angle of the city!

I am inclined to agree with that.

I predict it will be closed this time next year.

 

Do I win a prize?

 

This is what I had problems with --

 

1. The very steep price to climb some steps. Nothing too difficult, yet you had to go through this lengthy training program.

2. No personal cameras, so that they can sell you their overpriced postcards or photographs.

3. Fucking stupid outfits. There, I said it. Nothing screams "I'm a dork" than what they gave you.

>But as soon as the first swaths of its bright purple paint went on, people starting calling it the Purple People Bridge—and that’s the name that has stuck.

 

Lie.  They got some marketing company to come up with the name and everyone knows it.

^You sure that wasn't the Big Mac bridge?!

^ ^

 

Citations? Because based on the many news articles and other citations that exist for the article, I can't find anything that even broadly suggests your theory.

Well if you read the very, very first article about the bridge being painted purple, which was around 2003 there was a line in the article from a spokesman saying "They're already calling it the purple....".  No they weren't.  The paint wasn't dry and the general public had no idea the bridge even existed or what the plans were for it.  And for all the money they spent developing the bridge climb, and for all the NK promotions and effectiveness in keeping controversy below the Enquirer's radar, you don't think they paid some branding company out in LA $80,000 to come up with a name for this?  There never was some survey in which they polled a bunch of kids on what their favorite color was or if there was it was rigged from the start.   

Wow. More conspiracy theories.

 

Why pick purple?

By Patrick Crowley

The Cincinnati Enquirer

 

So why purple? Southbank Partners, the nonprofit group that is the primary developer of the Newport Southbank Bridge, convened focus groups during the planning for converting the span to a pedestrian walkway over the Ohio River.

 

More than a dozen groups were shown computer-generated images of how the bridge would look painted a variety of colors, including dark purple, green, rust, orange and white.

 

No link available for rest of article.

Here are more citations for you --

 

The Purple People Bridge Climb

The nickname, The Purple People Bridge, comes from the bridge's pastel purple color, chosen by popular vote.

 

--

 

Purple People Bridge

The Purple People Bridge's color was decided by 12 focus groups.

 

"In the beginning the purple color of the bridge was controversial," Miller said.

 

--

 

Purple People Bridge links Newport, downtown

A dozen focus groups were shown computer-generated images of the bridge in a variety of colors. In every group, purple was a top choice.

 

--

 

Purple bridge should spread calm, regal vibe

(This is an analysis of the color purple.)

 

and etc.

>But as soon as the first swaths of its bright purple paint went on, people starting calling it the Purple People Bridgeand thats the name that has stuck.

 

Lie.  They got some marketing company to come up with the name and everyone knows it.

 

No more than expressing opinion as fact.

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