Sunday, February 28, 1999
Aquarium quandary: Parking
Newport at work on signs, alternatives
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — Visitors to the Oceanic Adventures Newport Aquarium may find it tough to find a parking space anywhere nearby when it opens in early May because construction on adjoining projects won't be completed.
The aquarium, nestled against the flood wall along Third Street just below the Taylor-Southgate Bridge, is the first gem in what will be Newport's riverfront entertainment crown, Newport on the Levee. Yet to come at the 10-acre site are a 3-D IMAX theater, a 21-screen multiplex cinema, restaurants and shops.
The IMAX theater isn't scheduled to open for another year, with the multiplex cinema and other attractions to follow by late summer of 2000. In the meantime, the area immediately next to the aquarium along Third Street, all the way to the L&N Bridge at Saratoga Street, will be a construction zone.
“This isn't a clear-cut situation where the aquarium is completed and opens and all the parking is right there,” said Newport City Manager Phil Ciafardini. “This project is coming in phases, and we have to make the necessary adjustments for traffic flow and parking.”
Ultimately, Newport on the Levee will provide 2,000 parking spaces for visitors to the aquarium and other attractions, but the underground parking garage will not be available when the aquarium opens this spring.
“There will be about 300 spaces available immediately in a temporary parking lot, and another 350-400 in the old Riverside Ford property,” Mr. Ciafardini said. The latter is at Fourth and Columbia streets, three blocks from the aquarium.
Southbank Partners, a group of area business leaders working with the city to promote growth along the riverfront, is working on signs that will direct aquarium patrons to the most convenient access streets and parking areas.
Attempts to reach Southbank Partners executive director Wally Pagan for comment were unsuccessful. Mr. Ciafardini said he thinks all the new signs will be in place well before the aquarium opens.
Much of the traffic will be directed to the exit off Interstate 471 at the south end of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge to Ky. 8 and into Newport.
“We are mapping out different routes to and from the site based on the different phases of construction,” Mr. Ciafardini said. “Southbank is also working on the bus transportation situation, including possible bus parking sites on the Cincinnati side of the bridge.”
The Southbank Shuttle service, consisting of several small shuttle buses that operate among Newport, Covington and downtown Cincinnati, will also carry passengers to the aquarium.
There are some basic access routes to the aquarium, whether by private car or by bus, including:
• From I-71 south, cross the I-471 bridge and take the first Newport exit, which feeds vehicles to Dave Cowens Drive and then up to Third and Fourth streets.
• The Memorial Parkway-10th Street exit off I-471, which takes visitors west on 10th Street to Monmouth Street, then north on Monmouth toward the river.
• From downtown Cincinnati, south across the Taylor Southgate Bridge and south on York Steet to Fourth Street. (Third Street is one way west from Monmouth to York, so there is no left turn off the bridge to Monmouth and the aquarium).
• From Interstate 75 north or south, take the Fifth Street exit into Covington, follow Fifth Street to Garrard Street, turn left on Garrard one block and then right across the Fourth Street Bridge into Newport.
BockFest is a reminder of what we are
Repeat offender charged in deaths
Tug of war over Justin
Judge gets angry letters for ruling
Portune will back strong-mayor plan
Widow, trustees battle over $100 million estate
Aquarium quandary: Parking
Asian demand said to be causing gas-price rises
Comisars lure legendary Maisonette chef
Thank cod it's Friday
Worries pop up, strong-mayor plans get whacked down
Secrets you'll never see on 'NYPD Blue'
Schroder makes case on 'NYPD'
New high school test: Prenatal exam
30 years of keeping the beat
Boss Clown gets to have last laugh
Sideshows drive Greatest Show on Earth
'I'd never be a patient'
N.Ky. rivals constantly crossing paths
Fifth-graders travel 'Underground Railroad'
Housing agency proceeds with plan
Kehoe trial starts Monday in Arkansas
Large donations fuel wins
Man accused of drug, food stamp scam
Mason stakes downtown role
Ohio gets Frost-y response
Sheriff starts from scratch
TRISTATE DIGEST
