The UrbanCincy Podcast

A talk show from the team behind UrbanCincy. Subscribe in iTunes or via RSS.

Episode #19: Metropolis & Mobility

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On April 19, UrbanCincy and the Niehoff Urban Studio held an event titled Metropolis & Mobility: Bus Rapid Transit and Bikeways. On the 19th episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we bring you a panel discussion from the event, featuring Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority CEO Terry Garcia-Crews, Cincinnati Bike Center manager Jared Arter, and Parsons Brinckerhoff transportation planner Tim Reynolds. The discussion was moderated by Randy Simes of UrbanCincy.

This event also showcased student work in the areas of bus rapid transit, bikeways, and multi-modal corridors. The best student project, as voted by attendees of the event, will be showcased on UrbanCincy in the coming weeks.

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Episode #18: Immigrant-Friendly City

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On the 18th episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we’re joined by Alfonso Cornejo, President of the Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber, and Kristin Hoffman, and Immigration/Administration Lawyer with Hammond Law Group. We discuss city council’s recent motion to declare Cincinnati an “immigrant-friendly” city.

Mr. Cornejo explains how the Midwest is “stuck in the past” when it comes to immigration matters, and how city council’s motion helps improve the the city’s image. Ms. Hoffman describes some of the challenges immigrants face while trying to become citizens of the United States, and how new “path to citizenship” reforms could improve our nation’s economy. We also discuss the need to attract highly-skilled immigrants and retain international students after they graduate from the region’s top universities.

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Episode #17: Kevin Wright of Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation

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Kevin Wright

On the 17th episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we’re joined by Kevin Wright, Executive Director of the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation.

We discuss the neighborhood’s history and how various changes have impacted Walnut Hills over the years. Kevin explains how the new direction taken by the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation has resulted already in positive changes, such as the Buy 25 program, the two-way conversion of Taft and McMillan Streets, and several buildings that are being preserved and restored by WHRF.

Kevin explains how Walnut Hills will benefit from younger generations that want a single-family home close to the urban core. Finally, we discuss how the casino, a new I-71 interchange, and other projects around Uptown would affect Walnut Hills.

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Episode #16: Michael Moore from Cincinnati’s Dept. of Transportation

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Waldvogel ViaductOn the 16th episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we’re joined by Michael Moore, Director of Cincinnati’s Department of Transportation and Engineering.

The department is responsible for the city’s existing transportation infrastructure — everything from filling potholes to operating Luken Airport — as well as overseeing new projects across the city. On the podcast, we discuss how the department is trying to provide Cincinnatians with more choices by introducing bike lanes, adding sidewalks, building the streetcar, and other efforts. Michael also provides information on several road and bridge projects, such as the Waldvogel and Western Hills viaducts, the Brent Spence Bridge, and the Kennedy Connector.

We also discuss how pre-existing “standards” and a one-size-fits-all approach may not be a fit for Cincinnati when it comes to complete streets and bike lanes. Finally, we discuss how traffic engineers balance moving automobile traffic efficiently with building walkable, livable streets.

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Episode #15: Downtown Cincinnati Inc.

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382006602864On the fifteenth episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we’re joined by David Ginsburg, President and CEO of Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated (DCI).

We discuss how DCI came to be, how it’s funded, and how it remains accountable to its stakeholders. We cover DCI’s main goals, of keeping Downtown safe and clean; promoting Downtown as a destination for businesses, residents, and visitors; and promoting accurate coverage of Downtown in the media. We also discuss how some of DCI’s services have expanded beyond the Central Business District, and how other neighborhoods might look to provide these types of services.

We speculate on how developments such as the dunnhumby Centre, Tower Place Mall, and Horseshoe Casino could impact the Downtown area.

Finally, we take a look at how media outlets have portrayed Downtown Cincinnati, and how public perception of the city continues to improve with DCI’s efforts.

Photo: Ice skating on Fountain Square.

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Episode #14: Price Hill Will

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380093280924On the fourteenth episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we’re joined by Ken Smith and Matt Strauss of Price Hill Will.

We discuss Price Hill Will’s approach of using the neighborhood’s existing assets as the foundation for improvement. The organization’s efforts range from community action teams–which focus on the arts, the environment, and other community issues–to economic development and housing redevelopment initiatives.

We also discuss how the built environment of Cincinnati’s west side has changed over the years, and why former Price Hill residents often remain involved in the neighborhood.

Photo: View from Price Hill’s Mt. Echo Park, by Travis Estell for UrbanCincy.

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Episode #13: 2012 in Review

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On the thirteenth episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, the UrbanCincy team discusses Cincinnati’s major accomplishments in 2012 and looks forward to what’s coming in 2013.

Travis Estell, Randy Simes, Jake Mecklenborg, and John Yung are joined by Chris Cousins of UrbanOhio to talk about a number of downtown developments, including the Smale Riverfront Park, Washington Park, new businesses at The Banks and in Over-the-Rhine, the Fort Washington Way caps, and the Brent Spence Bridge. We also discuss USquare in Clifton Heights, Short Vine in Corryville, and developments in Walnut Hills. We discuss why projects like Oakley Station and Rookwood Exchange are missed opportunities.

Finally, we reflect on how UrbanCincy has changed in 2012, with new events like URBANexchange, and look back on our first year of The UrbanCincy Podcast.

Smale Riverfront Park photo by Thadd Fiala.

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