By Jackie Demaline
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Art center opening (No.7) - The opening of the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art was the big downtown success story in May and June, giving credence to consultant John Alschuler's Center City plan that arts and culture can be the tonic that cures downtown's heart. Offer people The Big Boom, and whether it's fireworks on the riverfront or a museum opening, they want to see the show.

On May 31, the Grand Opening Preview Party drew nearly 12,000 guests.

Economic impact? Neighboring restaurants reported increased sales from 25-40 percent.

On the national (and international) front, the reports couldn't have been more ecstatic, with The New York Times leading the pack: "The Rosenthal Center is the most important American building since the end of the Cold War."

Thanks to the newly opened Cincinnati Wing and a new free admission policy (made possible by a gift from the above-mentioned Rosenthals (No. 14), Cincinnati Art Museum has seen a major bounce in attendance since May 17. The museum had welcomed 38,229 by the end of June (compared with 27,038 in 2002).