Saturday, January 01, 2000
City's new face emerging
Riverfront resolutions taking shape
BY PERRY BROTHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After decades of debate, plans made and designs dashed, this year may be the most crucial for the $1 billion rebirth of Cincinnati's postcard image — the riverfront.
A year from today, planners hope the Bengals will have racked up as many points in the new Paul Brown Stadium as miles driven by commuters on the new Fort Washington Way.
Other riverfront hopes for 2000 include construction kick-offs for the new Reds stadium and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
“The riverfront is where this city began 200 years ago and that is where it will be reborn in 2000,” said Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken. “During this year the whole project will be defined, so this is a critical year. At the end of this year, we'll know pretty much what it's all going to look like.”
Six signature projects — some planned and some in progress — anchor the riverfront renaissance. The key projects, along with expected completion dates, estimated price tags and current status:
• Paul Brown Stadium, August, $404 million. Under construction.
• Fort Washington Way, August, $280 million, which includes everything from sewer lines to the Riverfront Transit Center. Under construction.
• Reds ballpark, 2003, $302 million. Construction is expected to begin this year.
• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 2003, $90 million. Construction is expected to begin in 2000.
• The Banks, 2006, $98 million. Planning and financing talks should heat up this year for this proposed project — which would include housing, shops and offices — by the Cincinnati Riverfront Advisors Commission.
• Central Riverfront Park, 2006, $71 million. Construction should be under way by 2004.
City and county officials say much of the work on these projects won't be visible in 2000. The leaders of this transformation plan to spend countless hours in meetings, securing zoning permits, solidifying designs and planning agreements and — for the Banks, the Freedom Center and the park — financing to get it all done.
“It's most important that we have a strong framework for the overall development,” said David J. Krings, Hamilton County administrator. This year “will be the foundation for the planned growth for the remainder of the decade.”
Clifford A. Bailey and the 16 members of the Riverfront Advisors Commission plan to spend much of this year gathering crucial support and financial backing for the Banks proposal.
Under the commission's master plan, the proposed mixed-use development between the Suspension Bridge and the new Bengals stadium could be completed in 2003. Development between the Suspension Bridge and the new Reds ballpark could be completed in 2006.
“I'm optimistic about the entire project,” Mr. Bailey said. “I expect it to be a reality. We truly believe it is a vision that the community has embraced and wants to see come to fruition, and we're going to do everything that is in our power to move forward to realize the vision of the Banks.”
Similar behind-the-scenes work will continue for the city's proposed Central Riverfront Park. The 51-acre public park would offer grassy lawns along the river's edge, a fountain and a cycling path near the Suspension Bridge.
Marian Lindberg, president of Cincinnati's Park Board, said she hopes the zoning rights, financing and space allotments for the park are secured by the end of 2000.
“There's a lot of footwork left,” she said. “The name of the game is meetings.”
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