PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW: 2020 THE BANKS THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted life at The Banks in 2020. n By mid-March, state and local public health officials mandated safety measures which forced bars, restaurants, and retailers to temporarily close indoor service, move toward carry-out service at curbside or delivery. For bars and restaurants to continue to do business meant deploying enhanced sanitation measures, mandating masks, and limiting numbers of guests indoors—with a six-foot distance between them. A city-wide curfew, intended to limit the spread of the virus, required earlier ‘last calls’. Restaurants at The Banks converted patio and curbside spaces into temporary outdoor dining. n Workers who could work from home, did; foot traffic downtown all but disappeared, and with it the lunch crowds, after-work crowds, and special event socializing. n Smale Riverfront Park became a refuge and cure for ‘cabin fever’ which was not confined to first quarter of the year. Visitors took to the Ohio River Trail to walk, run, and cycle; eventually the Smale Park swings and play areas re-opened for recreation (masks and personal distancing required). n Cincinnati Reds Museum responded to state mandates for health, safety, curfew, and closure by offering outdoor-only tours. The Freedom Center offered virtual programming as a resource to members, students, and families prior to a gradual re-opening in the fourth quarter of 2020. n The Cincinnati Reds season was cut to 60 games; games played at Great American Ball Park were without fans in the stands. n By the time fall came around, the NFL canceled its pre-season, and the Bengals played first to an empty stadium, and then a few thousand fans at Paul Brown Stadium in two December home games. n With special promotions, street-side service, virtual access, and heightened customer engagement activities, commercial tenants at The Banks proved their resilience and their dedication to the health and safety of their staff and patrons.
ON THE COVER: The Banks’ riverfront amenities provided visitors a safe respite during the pandemic year of 2020.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 2 The ICON Music Center structure moved closer to completion as another riverfront landmark.
With the construction industry deemed “essential” by the state of Ohio during the pandemic, contractors working on Phase IIIB made steady progress on all fronts. n Work on constructing the Race Street turnaround and Central Riverfront Garage infrastructure continued without delay. The Garage expansion will offer 267 parking spaces and two new entrances and exits along Mehring Way when the project is completed. n Extension of Smale Riverfront Park proceeded in parallel with Central Riverfront Garage construction, the Race Street extension, and construction of the ICON Music Center. n Phase IIIB continued to reach or exceed its goals in safety, economic inclusion, schedule, and budget performance.
Variable Message Signage and Dynamic Message Signs were installed and activated throughout the central riverfront and along main thoroughfares leading to The Banks. n A total of four Dynamic Message Signs were installed and activated on US 50 Eastbound, US 50 Westbound, Second Street and Third Street at The Banks. n A total of 35 Variable Message Signs were installed and activated at 18 parking locations, including five Cincinnati Riverfront Garage entrances and 11 surface lot locations. The signs show the number of available spaces (in real time) as well as the parking rate.
Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) legislation was introduced for the riverfront area that includes The Banks. In addition, the City proposed legislation would make permanent several interim outdoor dining areas (‘streateries’) created to ease the impact of the pandemic on indoor dining venues.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 3 FAST FACTS
Here’s a quick view of Public Parties Phase IIIB ‘fast facts’ with a focus on materials used in construction of Central Riverfront Garage and Race Street extension and Smale Riverfront Park expansion. SIGNAL SIGNAL 729 PILES LOTS 23 & 27: 604 PILES CONSTRUCTION LOT 28: 125 PILES 10,600 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE LOT 23: 9,100 YD3 / LOT 27: 1,500 YD3
REBAR 770 TONS LOT 23: 719 TONS / LOT 27: 60 TONS
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 4 HIGHLIGHTS
PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP
Ohio River crested at 54 feet, flooding parts of Smale Riverfront Park.
Lot 27 was completed, providing the base for music venue construction. JAN/FEB
Residents choose Smale Riverfront Park and Ohio River Trail for daily outdoor activity during the pandemic.
Construction deemed an essential activity, incorporating enhanced health and safety protocols. MAR/APR
Construction teams pour concrete at dawn. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
A total of 305 Hamilton County residents responded to a brief survey available online June 29–July 3, 2020. Dynamic Message Signs installed on US 50 E & W, Purpose of the study was to measure awareness and perceptions of The Banks infrastructure (parking) and greenspace among Hamilton County residents.
Second, and Third Streets. Central Riverfront Garage Users 60% PARKING 50% Users of the Central Riverfront
MAY/JUN 40% Garage are satisfied with parking 54% 93% very/somewhat satisfied; 30% 7% not satisfied. 39% 20% 7% 10% NOT SATISFIED SOMEWHAT SATISFIED VERY SATISFIED
0 %0 SMALE PARK 60 0 %0 VERY SATISFIED 37 Visitors indicate they are highly SOMEWHAT SATISFIED satisfied with Smale Park 97% very/somewhat satisfied; 3% not satisfied.
0 Consumer awareness and attitude study completed. 3 %0 NOT SATISFIED
The Banks is a good investment Interior work on Central Riverfront garage extension 80% 70% INVESTMENT 60% A total of 75% of respondents continues. 50% agree that The Banks has been a good investment of public dollars; 40% 75% 22% are unsure, and 2% disagree. 30% JUL/AUG 20% 22% 2%
10% DISAGREE UNSURE AGREE 8
THE BANKS PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT 2020 JULY/AUGUST
Race Street granite stairs take shape in Phase IIIB.
Smale Park tree wells are constructed. SEP/OCT
Variable Message Signage is fully operational at CRG and surface lot.
New Mehring Way entrances to Central Riverfront Garage near completion. NOV/DEC
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 5 HIGHLIGHTS
DEVELOPMENT
Shoring and decking was placed for the music venue.
Snow Banks at The Banks created some family fun. JAN/FEB
SkyStar Wheel was dismantled to make way for a new larger installation in the future.
Steel was delivered for ICON music center construction, complying with enhanced health and safety protocols. MAR/APR
ICON Music Center construction proceeds on schedule.
Outdoor dining and carry-out encouraged for optimum health and safety. MAY/JUN
Beginning with Reds Opening Day in July, patrons slowly returned to The Banks venues.
ICON crossbeam set in place to top off music center construction. JUL/AUG
Retail dining and entertainment expands outdoor seating.
ICON Music Center emerges as a recognizable profile on the riverfront. SEP/OCT
ICON Music Center worksite remained active throughout the year.
City legislation was proposed to make interim outdoor dining seating permanent. NOV/DEC
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 6 PROJECT PILLARS ECONOMIC INCLUSION, SAFETY, BUDGET, AND SCHEDULE
ECONOMIC INCLUSION SAFETY Public Parties construction safety SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (SBE) PARTICIPATION 2008–20 hours for all phases from January 1, 50 2008 through December 31, 2020.
40 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY HRS 2008–20 30 15 20 GOAL ACTUAL PERCENTAGE 30% 31.3% 12 10 GOAL ACTUAL 10% 12.9% 9 OVERALL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 6 917,475.5 1,069,318.5
100,000 HOURS 100,000 HOURS HOURS 3 CONTRACTOR FEES 2008–20 21 PUBLIC PARTIES DEVELOPER
18
15
12 BUDGET $18,416,970 The Public Parties project work 9 remained within budget.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS 6 $6,029,309 3 PHASE IIIB BUDGET 35 PAID TO SBE CONTRACTORS PAID TO DBE CONTRACTORS 30
25
20 $34.2 MILLION $26.1 15 MILLION (76.4%) Percentage of workforce living 10 MILLIONS OF DOLLARS within the 26-county Consolidated 5 Metropolitan Statistical Area* * There are no local residency participation TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDED 0 88 .7 %0 goals for the project.
SCHEDULE All Public Parties Combined Minority and Women Disadvantaged Business work was Workforce Participation Enterprise (DBE) completed on 0 schedule in 2020. 100 %0 Female: 0.27% Goal/participation varied by Minority: 15.88% project, between 4% and 9%.
Additional Budget information: http://thebankspublicpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/budget-novdec2020.pdf Additional Economic Inclusion information: http://thebankspublicpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/economic-inclusion-novdec2020.pdf
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 7 COMMUNICATIONS
An aerial view of Phase IIIB, including extension of Smale Riverfront Park (top left), Race Street extension and turnaround (center, left), and the ICON Music Center structure (center, right).
213,000 mobile-alt IMPRESSIONS 1,344 MEDIA MENTIONS 1,626 comment-alt FOLLOWERS 7,282 thumbs-up ENGAGEMENTS
WEBSITE 242 @IBackTheBanks globe n TOTAL VISITOR SESSIONS: 3,925 TWEETS n AVERAGE MONTHLY SESSIONS: 327 twitter n TOTAL PAGE VIEWS: 5,876 n MONTHLY PARKING PAGE VIEWS: 145 n AVERAGE DURATION: 1:17 minutes Additional Media Information Further details are available here: http://thebankspublicpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/media-summary-novdec2020.pdf
*Impressions equals the number of times users saw the tweet on Twitter. ‡Engagements is the total number of times users have interacted with a tweet, including retweets, replies, follows, and likes.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 8 PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP
Granite steps are part of the Race Street extension between the ICON Music Center and the expanded Smale Park.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 9 Crews clean the expanded Central Riverfront Garage in preparation for striping.
Tree installation begins in the expanded Smale Park. Headhouse under construction for Central Riverfront Garage exit nearest ICON Music Center.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 10 DEVELOPER
Exterior work continues on ICON Music Center.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 11 A December view of progress on the exterior of the ICON.
Portions of Freedom Way transformed into interim Decorative pavers form a sidewalk near the ICON outdoor dining space to accommodate patrons. Music Center.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 12 PARKS
Cincinnati Parks prepares the area for the Marian Spencer statue installation in Smale Park.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 13 Future Smale Park greenspace will serve as the front door to the ICON Music Center.
Smale Park provided a fresh-air break in the stay-at-home, Ohio River Trail allowed walkers and joggers a way to exercise work-from-home, learn-from-home routine. (in a personally distanced way).
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 14 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
A total of 305 Hamilton County residents responded to a brief survey available online June 29–July 3, 2020. Purpose of the study was to measure awareness and perceptions of The Banks infrastructure (parking) and greenspace among Hamilton County residents.
CENTRAL RIVERFRONT GARAGE USERS PARKING 60% Users of the Central Riverfront 50% Garage are satisfied with parking 93% very/somewhat satisfied; 40% 7% not satisfied. 30% 54%
20% 39%
10% 7% VERY SATISFIED SOMEWHAT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED
0 60 %0 VERY SATISFIED 0 SMALE PARK 37 %0 SOMEWHAT SATISFIED Visitors indicate they are highly satisfied with Smale Park 97% very/somewhat satisfied; 3% not satisfied. 0 3 %0 NOT SATISFIED
THE BANKS IS A GOOD INVESTMENT 80%
INVESTMENT 70% A total of 75% of respondents 60% agree that The Banks has been a good investment of public dollars; 50%
22% are unsure, and 2% disagree. 40% 75%
30%
20% 22% 10% 2% AGREE UNSURE DISAGREE
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 15 WHAT’S NEXT
CENTRAL RIVERFRONT GARAGE EXPANSION TO BE COMPLETED.
ANDREW J BRADY ICON MUSIC CENTER TO BE COMPLETED.
MARIAN SPENCER STATUE TO BE INSTALLED.
CURRENT EXPANSION OF SMALE RIVERFRONT PARK TO BE COMPLETED.
2020 THE BANKS PROJECT YEAR IN REVIEW 16 For more information: Phil Beck, AIA, LEED AP Project Executive The Banks Project (513) 946-4434
www.thebankspublicpartnership.com
Published 1/20/21