By Ken Alltucker
Enquirer staff writer

Dozens of downtown residents, business owners and workers on Monday took aim at a private development group's plan to move the Tyler Davidson fountain and add tree groves as part of a multimillion-dollar Fountain Square overhaul.

Some said the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.'s proposal was too ambitious. Yet others who attended Monday's public meeting at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati said the plan lacked the pizazz that would truly transform the heart of downtown.

In addition to moving the fountain and planting trees, the private development group known as 3CDC proposes eliminating the square's skywalk, removing the performance stage and fixing the city-owned garage below the square.

The private development group has trumpeted the plan as a way to make downtown a more exciting place to live, work and shop. But the group's chief executive, Stephen Leeper, said his group will carefully listen to public suggestions gathered at Monday's meeting and four other sessions, and make needed changes.

A more detailed plan - including a retail strategy, cost estimates and potential funding sources - should be unveiled in September, Leeper said.

John Barrett, Western & Southern Financial Group's chief executive, was among those critical of the initial ideas. Barrett, also a 3CDC board member, said Monday that the plan lacks excitement.

"Leave the current fountain where it is," said Barrett, who suggested adding several smaller, satellite fountains that could be sponsored and named after downtown corporations.

Barrett also said the initial plan had too many trees - an opinion echoed by many attending the meeting.

Opinions about the skywalk system were mixed. Some agreed that eliminating the link across the square could enliven the square and help downtown shops, but others said tourists, office workers and downtown hoteliers depend on the skywalk too much to eliminate it.

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E-mail kalltucker@enquirer.com