It won't happen until early next year, but expect to hear plenty of hoopla about a strategic plan for development in downtown Cincinnati.

Before it's all done, business and civic leaders will spend close to half a million dollars on several studies to guide the process.

HR&A Inc. president John Alschuler already has been to town several times to start the "business and investment strategy" that corporate leaders are desperate to hear. And Cooper Robertson Partners soon will start the physical plan that will identify districts downtown.

Both have helped write similar plans around the country, including one in Columbus last year.

There's also another study out there, from arts consultant ArtsMarket, to measure the region's arts and cultural assets.

The goal: a comprehensive strategy for developing downtown, something not in evidence for more than a decade.

"It's a huge undertaking," said Laura Long, executive director of the Cincinnati Business Committee, the group of local CEOs that is helping to fund the studies. "It's how we're going to get our downtown focused for the future."

Joining the CBC in sponsoring the studies are Downtown Cincinnati Inc., the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and the city of Cincinnati.

Rock and roll

It could be either a cutting-edge strategy that will draw creative talent to the Tristate or a desperate attempt by middle-aged business execs to look hip. You decide.

The Partnership for Greater Cincinnati, the region's five-year, $20 million economic development campaign, helped to sponsor a CD celebrating the heritage of the old King Records.

It's added a new section to its Internet site - www.Cincinnatiusa.org - devoted to previously un-chamber-like themes, including popular music, the gay and lesbian community, and the arts.

And they're off

It won't take long after the end of the United Way pledge campaign ends Oct. 31 for the next communitywide campaign to start.

The Fine Arts Fund will start quietly approaching major donors as soon as the next day, a preamble to the 2003 campaign's public kickoff in mid-February.

The campaign cabinet had its first meeting last week at the Queen City Club downtown.

There's plenty of firepower behind the campaign, with Procter & Gamble Co. CEO A.G. Lafley the chairman. It includes Cyrus Freidheim, CEO of Chiquita Brands International Inc., Provident Bank CEO Bob Hoverson and Bank of Kentucky president Robert Zapp.

Last year, the Fine Arts Fund raised $9.3 million.

E-mail cpeale@enquirer.com