Patricia Timm isn't intimidated by a task so daunting it's never been accomplished on such a scale anywhere in the country.

Kayakers paddle on the Ohio River downtown Thursday. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Taking advantage of green space and the Ohio River by uniting 51 river cities in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana from Madison, Ind., to Maysville, Ky., is the mission of the Ohio River Corridor Initiative that Ms. Timm, 60, of Prospect Hill, directs.

        The initiative, which does not yet have a price tag, includes a plan for a 120-mile hiking and biking trail on both sides of the river. It would run from Madison — home of the Madison Regatta hydroplane race — to Maysville, where a brand-new bridge spans the waters once crossed by slaves on the Underground Railroad.

        Without the Ohio River Corridor Initiative, Ms. Timm said, the region is in danger of losing tourists and workers to places such as Washington and St. Louis. Planners in those cities have tapped into available green space and waterways to enhance the cities' appeal.

        “The future is going to require metropolitan regions to be successful at this and to compete all over the globe,” said Ms. Timm, executive director of the Metropolitan Growth Alliance, a Cincinnati-based group of civic and business leaders that is spearheading the project.

IF YOU GO

River Cities Symposium    When/where: 11:30-7 p.m. today, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St.    Cost: $40, $25 for the luncheon alone or $15 for the workshops alone. Information: (513) 241-2880 or www.mgacincinnati.org

        The nonprofit group is serious about learning globally. At its public River Cities Symposium at 11:30 a.m. today at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, the lord mayor of Brisbane, Australia, will address anyone interested in the initiative about his city's efforts to clean up the Brisbane River and turn it into a tourist attraction.

        “The reality is that the waterways of the world are very precious and very fragile, and unless we treat them in that manner they will turn sour,” Lord Mayor Jim Soorley said.

        Unlike Brisbane, which had to deal with 27 governmental agencies to restore its river, the growth alliance will have to work with nearly 60 local, state and federal agencies to implement its initiative.

        “We haven't found another Tristate river corridor project” in the country, Ms. Timm said.

        The growth alliance hopes to combine public and private input to create a plan that would restore the region's natural resources while developing recreational and commercial opportunities for people who live, work and play in the Tristate.

        Destinations would be planned along the trail for picnicking, artistic exhibits, access to the river for canoes and kayaks, and other recreational purposes.

        The growth alliance is also working on a marketing plan for historical and cultural sites along the corridor, such as homes that were stops for slaves in the Underground Railroad.

        Ms. Timm said the growth alliance plans to create audiotape tours that coincide with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's opening in 2004 and the Ohio bicentennial celebration in 2003.

        All these ideas are meant to coincide with development already taking place in river cities such as Cincinnati, Newport and Covington, Ms. Timm said.

        Tim Sharp, president of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, said two port projects will be a big part of the corridor initiative: The Banks — a $250 million plan to build housing, shops, office space, restaurants and a park between the two new sports stadiums; and redeveloping brownfields — vacant or underused properties that are contaminated.

        “Each piece is another step to implementing the initiative,” Mr. Sharp said.

        Newport is leading the pack with the Newport Aquarium; Newport on the Levee; plans for a water-taxi connection to be launched in 2003; and a pedestrian connection, the L&N Bridge, said Wally Pagan, executive director of Southbank Partners of Newport.

Mike Fremont of Glendale paddles a racing canoe on the river near downtown Thursday. | ZOOM |

        He said his group has several projects going in Newport, Covington and Bellevue, but they aren't connected.

        “It gives a spotty approach to the use of the river,” he said.

        Mr. Pagan said the initiative is so large that the best way to approach it is to handle small portions at a time.

        “Certainly that whole corridor can't be done at the same time,” he said.

        This idea looks great on paper, but will be next to impossible to bring to life, said Sterling Uhler, member of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.

        “You can whip up a vision for that corridor that would be so wonderful it would bring tears to your eyes,” Mr. Uhler said. But, he said, getting government officials and private citizens from three states to collaborate is a daunting task.

        “The proponents are going to have to show those folks that having that resource is going to stimulate economic well-being for them,” he said.

        Mr. Uhler also says Ms. Timm's plan to implement the initiative in four to 10 years is a “little optimistic.”

        Fortunately, though, he said many of the small river communities realize they could use a shot in the arm through a project like this.

        “It's a mountain, but it's a climbable mountain,” he said.

        Dover, Ky., Mayor Jack Eder said his city of 305 people has no industry and only one store, but does have a covered bridge and some older homes that could help give the corridor project a historic feel.

        “It would be great if we could do it,” he said.
       

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