Author: Randy A. Simes

Randy is an award-winning urban planner who founded UrbanCincy in May 2007. He grew up on Cincinnati’s west side in Covedale, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s nationally acclaimed School of Planning in June 2009. In addition to maintaining ownership and serving as the managing editor for UrbanCincy, Randy has worked professionally as a planning consultant throughout the United States, Korea and the Middle East. After brief stints in Atlanta and Chicago, he currently lives in the Daechi neighborhood of Seoul’s Gangnam district.

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This ain’t your parent’s Over-the-Rhine

On Tuesday, September 1 I took a stroll through Over-the-Rhine. It started with a private tour of the soon-to-be Neon’s Unplugged off of Main Street. From there I hit up Coffee Emporium with one of Cincinnati’s best photographers and the authority on Cincinnati transit – Jake Mecklenborg.

While at Coffee Emporium we were joined by the likes of Mayor Mallory and much of the Taking the Stage cast. We would have grabbed some photographs, but we both seemed to think that would be creepy and decided to enjoy some coffee and conversation instead.

From there Jake and I walked the neighborhood capturing much of the new energy and activity taking place. In the collection of photos below you will see Gateway Quarter businesses, new Vine Street streetscaping, Trinity Flats infill project, City Home townhouses, and a bunch of other scenes from around the rapidly changing neighborhood. To view all of the photos with additional narration visit my photo thread on UrbanOhio here.

After that I hit up a cocktail hour of sorts at Soapbox’s new digs in the Gateway Building on Vine Street where we met with a lot of really great people with great ideas for Cincinnati. Following those good times I ended the day in OTR at Lavomatic for some drinks with a couple of UrbanCincy’s finest writers – David Ben and Jenny Kessler. Great day.

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Metro receives $700k grant for Uptown Crossings transit hub

Representative Steve Driehaus (D-OH) has announced another large chunk of money for transportation projects in the Cincinnati region. Funding in the amount of $677,160 has been awarded to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) for a new transit hub in Uptown Cincinnati.

SORTA operates the largest transit service in the region, Metro, and will be using the nearly $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for their planned Uptown Crossing Project that will construct a new transit hub with restrooms and facilities for bus drivers, shelters, and a pavilion located near the Cincinnati Zoo.

Representative Driehaus believes strongly in the transit investment saying that, “as we work to improve our transportation infrastructure, we need to modernize transit facilities and expand access for riders. This funding will help SORTA move forward on this critically important project.”

Image provided by Metro

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Popopolis bringing great local music to Fountain Square this weekend

If you weren’t able to get your fix of live music at Midpoint Music Festival last weekend, or if you’re itching for more, then this weekend on Fountain Square is for you. On Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 Fountain Square will play host to the first Popopolis music event.

The new Fountain Square event will start off with a reunion of bands who played in the Southgate House Popopolis days from 1998 to 2002. The event will be hosted by WOXY’s program director Matt Sledge and will have plenty of food and drink available to keep everyone happy.

Each night will feature seven different bands on two different stages so that the music keeps on going without delay for setup and breakdown procedures. The music will start at 7pm with the last band taking the Main Stage at 10pm and playing until around 11pm. The official after party each night will be just around the corner at the recently opened Righteous Room in the Backstage Entertainment District.

If you’re into the local music scene, and must choose between Friday or Saturday night, then Saturday night is definitely for you with a full card of local bands including big names like The Seedy Seeds, Wussy, and Bad Veins (view the full list of bands for each night below).

The event is free and open to the public. There is plenty of easily accessible parking available in the Fountain Square Parking Garage located directly underneath Fountain Square, and Metro bus service is available from virtually every route to the Government Square bus station located across the street from Fountain Square’s southeastern corner. To find out which route is most convenient for you, and to play your trip now, use Metro’s Trip Planner.

FRIDAY
Main Stage | Acoustic Stage
7:00pm, Saving Ray | 7:40pm, Bri Love
8:00pm, Clabbergirl | 8:40pm, Messerly & Ewing
9:00pm, Rockets to Mars | 9:40pm, Mike Landis
10:00pm, Throneberry

SATURDAY
Main Stage | Acoustic Stage
7:00pm, State Song | 7:40pm, The Seedy Seeds
8:00pm, Wussy | 8:40pm, Jason Snell (The Chocolate Horses)
9:00pm, Pomegranates | 9:40pm, Dan Mecher (Turnbull AC’s)
10:00pm, Bad Veins

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Urban Evolution: The Cincinnati Streetcar

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Award-winning reporter Laure Quinlivan dives into Cincinnati’s transit debate

Award-winning investigative reporter and Cincinnati City Council candidate, Laure Quinlivan put together this incredible report on transit systems. Quinlivan visits Portland to speak with residents, businesses and community leaders about their modern streetcars, light rail, and walkable urban neighborhoods to see what a city similar in size to Cincinnati has achieved by embracing transportation options.

Quinlivan then goes to Germany to see how the leader in modern transport systems is working today. Streetcars, bicycles, pedestrian-only spaces, and streetcars are what most German cities are embracing to make their cities more livable. To my knowledge there has been no other report that dives into this issue as in-depth as Quinlivan’s report. Please take the time to view the video in its entirety and please share it with a friend or family member who may be looking to learn more.

Laure Quinlivan’s Streetcar Report from Laure Quinlivan on Vimeo.