State of the County Report: Culture and Recreation COMMUNITY COMPASS REPORT NO. 16-3

Hamilton County, Ohio

November 2004 Abstract Context Title: COMMUNITY COMPASS COMPONENTS State of the County Report: Culture and Recreation 1 Vision Community COMPASS (What do we want?) Report No. 16-3 2 Initiatives (What strategi es Subject: should we consider?) Current conditions and trends The Planning Partnership Community COMPASS 3 Indicators regarding culture and recre- (What should we measure?) is a collaborative initiative (Hamilton County’s Com- ation in Hamilton County of the Hamilton County Re- prehensive Master Plan and 4 Trends gional Planning Commission. Strategies) is a long-range (Where have we been?) Date: The Partnership – open to all plan that seeks to address mu- November 2004 5 Projections political jurisdictions in the tual goals related to physical, (Where are we headed?) county and to affi liate mem- economic, and social issues Synopsis: 6 Research bers in the public, private and among the 49 communities (What's t he story civic sectors – is an advisory within Hamilton County. This report presents exist- behind the trend?) board that works to harness Through a collective shared ing conditions and trends the collective energy and vi- vision for the future based in Hamilton County related 7 Partners (Who can help?) sion of its members to effec- on the wishes and dreams of to the variety and quality tively plan for the future of our thousands of citizens, Hamil- of recreational, cultural and 8 Strategic Pl ans county. Rather than engaging ton County now has direction entertainment facilities and (What can we do t hat works?) in the Planning Commission’s to chart its course into the 21 opportunities available to 9 Action Pl ans short-range functions such as century. Hamilton County residents (How do we make i t happen?) zoning reviews, the Plan- and visitors. The report iden- ning Partnership takes a In developing a broad vi- 10 Performance Measur es tifi es three important fi ndings (Are actions making a long-range, comprehensive sion with broad support, as well as the importance of difference?) approach to planning, work- Community COMPASS trends associated with each ing to build a community that will help ensure that trends fi nding, and provides key indi- This Report works for families, for busi- are anticipated, challenges cators for measuring progress nesses and for the region. The are addressed, priorities are toward the Vision for Hamil- OTHER STATE OF THE Partnership firmly believes focused, and our collective ton County's Future. COUNTY REPORTS that collaboration is the key future is planned and achieved • Civic Engagement and to a positive, competitive and strategically over the next 20 Source of Copies: Social Capital successful future for Hamilton to 30 years. Through an in- Hamilton County County. depth analysis of all aspects • Community Services Regional Planning of the County, the multi-year Commission • Culture and Recreation process will result in a com- Visit planningpartnership.org • Economy and prehensive plan. 138 East Court Street and communitycompass.org Labor Market for more information. Room 807 The State of the County re- Cincinnati, OH 45202 • Education port series outlines conditions, 513-946-4500 • Environment trends, opportunities, and key www.hamilton-co.org/hcrpc • Environmental and measures related to improving Social Justice and sustaining quality of life Download this report at in twelve major systems in our communitycompass.org • Governance community. The individual re- • Health and ports lay the groundwork for Human Services an overall State of the County • Housing analysis or report card, and • Land Use and provide support for refi ning Development Framework action strategies. • Mobility STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT: CULTURE AND RECREATION Table of Contents

Acknowledgements...... iii

Executive Summary...... v

Introduction...... 1

Finding 1: Arts, culture, and entertainment are a prime economic generator for the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County...... 2

Finding 2: Arts, culture, and entertainment are stimulating urban revitalization for the central city area of Cincinnati that benefi ts the whole region...... 11

Finding 3: Recreational opportunities and facilities are on the rise for all age groups in Hamilton County...... 17

Appendix A: Endnotes ...... 21

Appendix B: Community COMPASS Publications...... 23

COMMUNITY COMPASS i ii HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT: CULTURE AND RECREATION Acknowledgements

2004 Project Staff Reviewers Board of County Commissioners Principal Research: • Pat Timm, • Dean E. Niemeyer, AICP, President/CEO Ohio • John S. Dowlin, Senior Planner River Way, Inc. President • Steve Schuckman, Graphics & Layout: • Phil Heimlich Superintendent, • Paul Smiley, Cincinnati Park Board • Todd Portune Senior Planner • Tamara Harkavy, • Jay Springer, Executive Director, Planning Communication/ Artworks 2004 Graphics Specialist Regional Planning • Sally Bauer, Commission • Karen Ambrosius, Hamilton County Administrative Park District Coordinator • Robert F. Alsfelder, Jr., • James R. Garges, Chairman • Kevin Sewell, Director of Recreation, UC Planning Student • Hal Franke Cincinnati Recreation Editing: Commission • Darrell Leibson • Caroline Statkus, AICP, • Melvin D. Martin Planning Services Administrator • M. Larry Sprague • Ron Miller, FAICP, • James R. Tarbell, Executive Director Vice-Chairman • Jerry J. Thomas

2004 Planning Partnership Offi cers

• Steve Galster, Chair • Gwen McFarlin, Chair-Elect • Elizabeth A. Blume, AICP, Vice-Chair

COMMUNITY COMPASS iii iv HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT: CULTURE AND RECREATION Executive Summary

FINDING 1 Arts, culture, and entertainment are a prime economic generator for the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

• Regional cultural planning and economic analysis have led ▪ Development of the Center City Plan, with emphasis to greater understanding of arts, culture, and entertainment on revitalization of Fountain Square, Over-the-Rhine, as prime economic generators. and development of The Banks.

• New life abounds for area museums with renovations, new FINDING 3 buildings and taxpayer support. Annual festivals continue Recreational opportunities and facilities to fl ourish, creating signifi cant economic impacts. are on the rise for all age groups in • Public art projects such as the Big Pig Gig, Flower Power, Hamilton County. and Bats Incredible have generated economic benefi ts while providing an appreciation of the arts for all downtown • The Hamilton County park system evolved from a parks, residents and visitors. parkways, and boulevards plan contained in the Initial Re- port of the Regional Planning Commission in 1931. Today, • The Hamilton County Public Library celebrated its 150th the Park District has 19 parks comprising 15,441 acres. anniversary in 2003 and is recognized as one of the best library systems nationally. • The City of Cincinnati was recently recognized as one of only four city park systems nationally judged to be FINDING 2 "excellent" by The Trust for Public Land. Arts, culture, and entertainment are • In May 2003, the 22 acre Theodore M. Berry International stimulating urban revitalization for Friendship Park opened on the riverfront with sculptures, the central city area of Cincinnati that international gardens, walking paths, and a hike/bike path. benefi ts the whole region. The latter is a piece in the planned 150 mile trail stretching from Madison, Indiana to Maysville, Kentucky. • It is anticipated that arts, culture, and entertainment, while focused in downtown Cincinnati, will benefi t the region as • Extreme sports have also arrived with the Mobile Skate Park the central core becomes a highly desirable destination and Series at Sawyer Point and the opening of new skate parks place to live. in the City of Wyoming and Anderson Township.

• Since the mid-1990s, numerous capital investment projects • New indoor private recreation facilities for soccer, basketball, for arts, culture, and entertainment venues have developed or and volleyball are opening. are underway (including the Reds and Bengals stadiums, the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Arts, and the Conven- tion Center expansion). This "Renaissance on the River" will include $2.9 billion in investments and is projected to generate $5.4 billion in overall economic impact along with 60,000 jobs over a ten-year period.

• The City of Cincinnati has implemented needed changes to leverage these major investments with the following:

▪ Creation of a One-Stop Development Center to expedite the development process. ▪ Creation of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC).

COMMUNITY COMPASS v vi HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT: Culture and Recreation The Vision Statement for Culture and Recreation, a component of The Vision for Hamilton County’s Future, is based on recommendations from 12 Commu- nity Forums in the Fall of 2001 and the THE VISION FOR HAMILTON COUNTY’S FUTURE: Countywide Town Meeting held January More and improved, accessible recreational and cultural and entertainment 12, 2002. activities and facilities (including parks and greenspace) that open The Vision for Hamilton County’s Future opportunities for people of varying ethnicities and ages throughout the was reviewed and approved by: • Community COMPASS Steering county (urban, suburban, rural) to improve the quality of life. Team, July 30, 2002 • Hamilton County Planning Partner- ship, Dec. 3, 2002 • Hamilton County Regional Planning INTRODUCTION Commission, Feb. 6, 2003 • Hamilton County Board of County Many cities across the country have looked to their arts and cultural community to play Commissioners, Nov. 26, 2003 an important role in the revitalization and redevelopment of their central city areas. Some cities, such as Pittsburgh and Tucson, have successfully established specifi c arts/culture districts in their downtowns. With initial public investments, which then leverage private investments, these districts can reap increased audiences and venues for the arts, increased sales tax revenues, and renovations in existing businesses.1

The Cincinnati metropolitan region has a wealth of more than 350 professional cultural organizations and art agencies. Many of these arts, culture, and entertainment venues are located in the City of Cincinnati – most in or in close proximity to downtown. In recent years a great deal of capital has been invested in new structures including two new stadiums, the Aronoff Center for the Arts, the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art (CAC), and now, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

This report reviews how elected offi cials, business leaders, and arts advocates have come to realize that these “home grown” arts venues create an impressive economic impact for the whole metropolitan region. The report also shows how recent major investments in the arts and entertainment are stimulating urban revitalization for downtown Cincinnati. It further describes the steps taken to build on this revitalization process with the develop- ment of The Central City Plan and the creation of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) to implement this plan.

Finally, the report presents how recreational opportunities and facilities are increasing for all age groups throughout the County. These opportunities and facilities include new parks, new comprehensive fi tness and health facilities, outdoor competitive fi tness events, and new park infrastructure, such as skate parks. Long range planning is also in the works for developing bike/hike paths along riverways.

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 1 Finding 1 ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE A PRIME ECONOMIC GENERATOR FOR THE CITY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

Cincinnati and Hamil- organizations have “dug Arts, Northern Kentucky ton County residents are their roots even deeper” Arts Council, and ProArts dedicated patrons of the and have invested in reno- were instrumental in initi- arts. This is epitomized vated facilities and new ating this regional cultural by the fact that the Cincin- facilities (i.e., renovated planning process. nati Fine Arts Fund is the Taft Museum and the new oldest united arts fund in Lois & Richard Rosenthal The RCPC produced the the United States. It was Center for Contemporary following products: begun in 1949, and in Art). Also, new cultural 2004 is the nation’s No.1 facilities such as the Na- •. Report of Community arts funds, with a total of tional Underground Rail- Findings (July 1998), $10,404,560 raised, plac- road Freedom Center have from surveys and focus ing it at the top among 60 chosen downtown as their groups. U.S. united arts campaigns. home. • Exploring the Possibil- County residents are also ities: Cultural Tourism genuine sports fans having During the mid 1990s, and the Greater Cin- voted in 1996 to impose a some governmental lead- cinnati Region (July sales tax increase to fund ers and arts advocates be- 1998), a “diagnostic” the new professional sports gan discussions around the report. stadiums for the Reds and possibility of sustaining and expanding the many • The Regional Cultural Bengals. Total attendance Plan: Developing the at Reds games at the new economic and communal benefits of the arts and Tri-State as a Cultural Great American Ballpark Center: Frameworks during its fi rst year, 2003, cultural community in the Greater Cincinnati area. for the Future (March was 2,355,259 or 27 per- 1999). cent higher than the previ- This led to the formation of ous year at Cinergy Park. the Regional Cultural Plan- • Regional Distribu- Bengals attendance at Paul ning Committee (RCPC) in tion of the Economic Brown Stadium also in- 1997 and to the develop- Impacts of Cincin- creased in 2003 with their ment of a cultural plan for nati Arts and Cul- renewed winning ways. the eight county region, tural Organizations centered on Cincinnati, but (November 1999), a Unlike some other area including Butler, Clermont, report prepared by the “industries,” traditional remainder of Hamilton, and Economics Research Cincinnati cultural, arts and Warren Counties in Ohio Group of the Univer- entertainment organizations along with Boone, Kenton sity of Cincinnati. - Art Museum, Symphony, and Campbell Counties in Ballet, Opera, Playhouse in Kentucky, and Dearborn the Park, Reds and Bengals County in Indiana. Arts - have remained in Cincin- advocacy groups, includ- nati and not moved to the ing the Cincinnati Arts suburbs in recent decades. Allocation Committee, the In fact, many of these Cincinnati Institute for Fine

2 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP The RCPC reported fi nd- and entertainment are a facilities in downtown and ings for the regional econ- prime economic generator Over-the-Rhine (OTR). omy of the eight county for the City of Cincinnati, The 2004 funding was tar- region that the “cultural Hamilton County, and the geted primarily for capital sector:” metropolitan region. improvements or capital • generated $674 mil- funds for long-standing lion in annual eco- Further promotion of the arts organizations such as nomic impact arts occurred in 2003 the: Cincinnati Ballet, Art • supported over 5,200 when the Cincinnati City Academy of Cincinnati’s jobs throughout a Council’s Arts & Culture rehabilitation of its soon- wide range of Tri-State Task Team, unveiled Art- to-be Over-the-Rhine site, industries ist Vitality and Creative Cincinnati Museum Center, Economy in Cincinnati: Cincinnati Opera, Emery • stood as the area’s pre- Beginning in Over-the- Theater, and the Taft Mu- mier tourist attraction, Rhine: Arts & Culture Task seum. The City will also drawing 1.25 million Team Plan. This Plan made invest another $1 million out-of-town visitors in the recommendation, sub- to help artists purchase 1997 sequently approved by City and rehabilitate buildings • played an important Council, for $2.2 million of in OTR for live/work loft role in the lives of over the City’s 2003-2004 Bien- space and also for technical 90 percent of area resi- nial Budget to be dedicated assistance for artists and art dents, according to the to the support of arts and related businesses. annual Greater Cincin- culture, with much of the nati Survey.2 funding going to improved FUTURE OVER-THE- The Regional Cultural RHINE HOME OF THE Plan identifi ed opportuni- ART ACADEMY OF ties for the metro region CINCINNATI with a focus on six priority Source: Art Academy of Cincinnati areas: stimulating cultural development, broadening community participation, fulfi lling potential in arts education, advancing professional development, maximizing the impact of cultural facilities, and strengthening cultural tourism and promotion. Unfortunately, the Plan did not receive the anticipated public funding for imple- mentation. However, the Regional Culture Alliance Fund was created for grants in arts advocacy and mar- keting. The legacy of the RCPC is that it greatly ex- panded the general under- standing that arts, culture

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 3 Cincinnati, like many other style amenities and offer a Tomorrow developed The older cities, is experienc- vibrant and varied cultural Creative City Plan: A Plan ing the inability to retain life including active mu- of Action, in 2003. Rec- and attract young talented sic, theater, and visual art ommendations in the Plan people according to Rich- scenes along with exciting cover a variety of ideas ard Florida, author of The nightlife venues.3 such as the Fringe Festival Rise of the Creative Class. and artist-decorated street Florida asserts that cities Recognizing the challenge furniture and sidewalk mu- that succeed in retaining of creating a more tolerant rals. Cincinnati Tomorrow their “creative class” ac- and vibrant urban core, a is actively taking a leader- tively cultivate tolerance, grassroots group of young ship role in implementation openness, and diversity. urban professionals call- of the Plan through private/ These cities invest in life- ing themselves Cincinnati public partnerships.

A local event gaining in TAFT MUSEUM OF ART stature and supported by Source: Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce the Creative City Plan is the Midpoint Music Fes- tival. In September 2004, the 3rd Midpoint Music Festival drew 40,000 peo- ple to enjoy over 250 acts of various genre played at the many clubs in the Main Street area. The Festival also offered workshops for the musicians playing in the MIDPOINT MUSIC festival. Another example FESTIVAL LOGO of the burgeoning popular Source: Midpoint Music Festival music scene in Cincinnati, is Esquire Magazine’s re- cent designation of Cincin- nati as No. 7 on its Top 10 list of “cities that rock” in LOIS & RICHARD the April 2004 issue of the ROSENTHAL CENTER magazine. Other popular FOR CONTEMPORARY events that complement ART Cincinnati’s growing Source: Photo Courtesy of Mary Ann national prominence for Sullivan popular music are the an- nual Jammin’ on Main Fes- tival, Cincy Blues Fest and the Tall Stacks Music, Arts and Heritage Festival 2003, with its numerous national and local musical acts.

New life has been breathed into Cincinnati area muse- ums with investment in renovation of existing

4 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP facilities and development ing storytellers, singers, movements and important of internationally-recog- and interactive exhibits. artists representative of nized new facilities. The Cincinnati’s two centuries Lois & Richard Rosenthal The Taft Museum of Art of art history. Since May Center for Contemporary has undergone a $22.8 2002, general admission to Art (CAC) was opened in million renovation for a the Cincinnati Art Museum May 2003. Designed by new exhibition gallery for has been free thanks to the 2004 Pritzker Winner Zaha touring exhibitions, lecture generous $2.5 million en- Hadid, the new $34.1 mil- hall, resource center, park- dowment from Lois and lion CAC has been called ing garage, tea room, and Richard Rosenthal. by the New York Times museum shop. The Taft architecture critic “…the collection includes works Hamilton County residents most important American by Rembrandt, Whistler, showed their support for building to be completed and Sargent, as well as the Cincinnati Museum since the end of the cold Chinese porcelains and Center when they approved war”.4 By intention, the French Renaissance Li- a 0.2-mill property tax levy CAC has no permanent moges enamels. for the Museum Center in collection, but instead, March 2004. The levy will The Cincinnati Art Mu- generate approximately “offers its audiences en- seum opened its new Cin- tirely new experiences with $3.5 million a year for the cinnati Wing in May 2003. Museum Center, to be used each programming cycle,” The $10 million renovation which will include “new for operating expenses, provided 18,000 square feet maintenance, and repairs of developments in painting, in 15 galleries to display sculpture, photography, the historic art deco struc- 400 pieces of Cincinnati ture. Originally opened architecture, performance art. The art ranges from art and new media.” The in 1933 as the main train that produced in the early station for Cincinnati area, Center also includes the 19th century to contempo- Sara A. & Patricia M. the terminal has housed rary art. Its collection in- the Cincinnati Museum Vance Education Center: cludes paintings by Frank The UnMuseum®, which Center since 1990. The Duveneck, sculpture by Museum Center includes will offer participatory art Hiram Powers, 19th cen- installations for children. the Cincinnati Museum of tury art-carved furniture, Natural History, the Cin- The National Underground and art pottery (including cinnati Historical Society Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati’s famed Rook- Museum and Library, the opened its new facilities wood pottery). The Cincin- Cinergy Children’s Mu- in the summer of 2004. nati Wing will present art seum, and the Robert D. The $65 million building NATIONAL was designed by African- UNDERGROUND American architect Walter RAILROAD FREEDOM Blackburn and features an CENTER education and research cen- Source: Photo courtesy of Joe Simon ter, a hall for interracial and interethnic dialogue, fi ve history galleries, and a performance theater. The Freedom Center presents stories of real persons who were active in the “under- ground railroad,” employ-

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 5 Lindner Family Omnimax so that it will be able to run theatre with 19,000 sub- Theater. independently thereafter. scriptions and routinely has annual attendance to In 2002, 1.4 million people Live theater continues to its productions of about visited the Museum Center, thrive in Cincinnati and 200,000.6 The Playhouse with 300,000 of those visi- the metropolitan region. has recently initiated a tors coming from outside The Playhouse in the Park new series offering, called of the region. A recent upholds its high qual- Stage Left, that is targeted University of Cincinnati ity and renown as one of to young professionals and study found that the Mu- the nation’s best regional includes a “social aspect seum Center had a total theaters. This is clearly and/or behind-the-scenes economic impact in the evidenced by the Play- experience.” Cincinnati region for the house in the Park winning period 2001-2002 of $75.6 the 2004 Tony Award for The Ensemble Theater million.5 The Museum Best Regional Theater. The of Cincinnati (ETC) was Center is expected to de- Playhouse has annually founded in 1986 and has velop a suffi cient private produced world premieres been in its home theater on endowment and to increase of new plays. It has one of Vine Street in Over-the- attendance during the ten the largest subscriber bases Rhine since 1988. The years the levy is in affect, in the country for a regional ETC specializes in bring- ing avant-garde theatre to the metropolitan region. CINCINNATI MUSEUM ETC provides benefi ts to its CENTER Over-the-Rhine neighbor- Source: Greater Cincinnati Chamber of hood through educational Commerce programs including the Prelude Program where actors work with children in writing, rehearsing, costuming, directing and presenting a play.

Other downtown theatre venues include the ten year old Cincinnati Shake- speare Festival and The Know Theatre Tribe, now

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK LOGO

Source: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

ENSEMBLE THEATER OF CINCINNATI LOGO

Source: Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati

6 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP in its 6th year. The Cincin- Panegyri Festival, Sum- Paavo Järvi has created re- nati Shakespeare Festival merfair, and Riverfest/ newed excitement for Cin- sponsored the first Cin- WEBN-Toyota Fireworks. cinnati Symphony Orches- cinnati Fringe Festival in Many of the festivals have tra and its audiences. The May 2004. Inspired by the become long-lasting tradi- Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, tions for the region such as all members of the Cincin- the local Fringe Festival Summerfair in its 36th year nati Symphony Orchestra, presented “17 days of artis- and Oktoberfest-Zinzin- continue to delight audi- tic celebration,” including nati in its 28th. Another ences with concerts at Mu- theater, dance, music and festival gaining national sic Hall, Riverbend Music poetry. The Taft Theater renown is the Cincinnati Center, and their summer and the Aronoff Center for Flower Show which has Concerts in the Parks Se- the Arts both periodically been named the “king of ries. The Cincinnati Ballet present touring Broadway all fl ower shows” by Bet- is in its 42nd year and now productions as well as, ter Homes and Gardens presents its classical ballet dance, music and comedy magazine in their March and contemporary dance concerts. The Showboat 2002 issue. at the Aronoff Center in Majestic is the last of the downtown Cincinnati. The floating theaters built in Cincinnati maintains a tra- Ballet recently completed America and has been dition of being a stronghold a $2 million Performance presenting musical theater of great classical music and Studio at its Cincinnati since the late 1960s. The dance. New conductor Ballet Center on Central Majestic is now a pro- fessional summer stock WEBN FIREWORKS theater employing local Source: Photo Courtesy of Joe Simon thespians.

Cincinnati and the remain- der of Hamilton County enjoy a wealth of annual festivals. A 2000 U.C. economic impact study, commissioned by the Partnership for Greater Cincinnati, estimated that 11 of the major summer festivals in Hamilton County have an economic MIDWEST BLACK impact of $183 million and FAMILY REUNION create 3,359 jobs.7 The Source: Midwest Black Family Reunion summer festivals studied include Taste of Cincinna- ti, Pepsi Jammin’ on Main, CINCINNATI FLOWER All-American Birthday SHOW

Party, Coors Light Jazz Source: Cincinnati Horticulture Society Festival/Ujima, Gold Star ChiliFest, Midwest Black Family Reunion, Okto- PANEGYRI FESTIVAL berfest 2000 (Covington), Source: Panegyri Festival Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati,

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 7 Parkway. The May Festi- of the Big Pig Gig offered capita (12.3 items), fi rst in val is the oldest continuing the following fi ndings: total holdings (10.3 million choral festival in the west- • nearly 1,000,000 items), second in circula- ern hemisphere originating people from within tion per card holder (36.8 in 1873. Music Hall was and outside Cincinnati items), third in lowest cost originally built specifi cally made a special trip to per circulation ($3.29) and to house the May Festival. see the pigs; seventh in circulation (14.8 The Cincinnati Opera has million).9 The Library is presented numerous com- • spending by the Big primarily funded through pany premieres at Music Pig Gig and its visi- state income taxes and has Hall including Heggie’s tors generated more been forced to deal with Dead Man Walking. In than $124 million in major budget cuts since 2002, the Opera started business sales; 2000. In 2003, it also renovation on Music • $39 million in ad- initiated the development Hall’s north hall space to ditional salaries and of a separate non-profi t Li- create the Corbett Opera wages were generated brary Foundation, which Center. The $3.3 million for Greater Cincinnati will enable donors to con- project for the Opera Cen- households, enough tribute to the Library and ter will enable the opera to to create 2,435 new work to ease future budget combine offi ces, rehearsal jobs.8 concerns. space, and support staff A true contributor to the together. Another long-time contrib- cultural life Cincinnati and utor to the area’s cultural Public art projects by the Hamilton County is the life is the Cincinnati Zoo non-profi t, ArtWorks, have Public Library of Cincin- and Botanical Gardens, created very popular out- nati and Hamilton County, which continues to have th door sculpture events with celebrating its 150 anni- strong community support. the Big Pig Gig in 2000, versary in 2003. Regarded This is evidenced by 65 Flower Power in 2002 by many as one of the best percent of voters approv- (along with the Cincinnati library systems nation- ing a new fi ve year levy in Horticultural Society), and ally, it ranks in the top ten November 2003. The Zoo Bats Incredible in 2003. circulating libraries in the was recently named one of An economic impact study United States. In 2003, it ten best zoos in the nation ranked fi rst in holdings per out of 150 reviewed by CINCINNATI MUSIC Child Magazine. HALL

Source: Photo Courtesy of Earl Apel Local institutions of higher learning are long-stand- ing leading lights of the region’s cultural life. The University of Cincinnati has maintained a continu- ing program for rebuild- ing its campus utilizing world-renown architects to design major campus build- ings. It has also recently worked collaboratively with nearby Community Development Corporations to redevelop and improve

8 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP neighborhoods surround- attraction of new busi- • Annual attendance ing the University. U.C.’s nesses and employees to at museums (e.g., and Xavier University’s the metropolitan region. Cincinnati Art Mu- (X.U.) sports programs, seum, Taft Museum of including basketball, have Key Indicators Art, National Un- grained national recogni- derground Railroad • Annual attendance tion. U.C.’s College Con- Freedom Center, at festivals (e.g., servatory of Music (CCM) CAC. etc.) Mid Point Music and College of Design, Art, Festival in 2002 had • Annual attendance at Architecture, and Planning 10,000; in 2003 had Cincinnati Reds and (DAAP) are also nationally 25,000 and in 2004 Cincinnati Bengal recognized and contribute had 40,000; Taste of games greatly to the performing Cincinnati, Cincinnati and creative arts of the • Annual fi ne arts funds Flower Show, Okto- region. donations berfest-Zinzinnati, • Library annual circu- Summerfair, etc.) Why Is This lation fi gures Important? The quality of arts, culture, and entertainment found in Cincinnati and Hamilton BIG PIG GIG County are primary factors Source: ArtWorks for assuring a high quality of life for area residents. They are the crucial at- tractors of tourists, with their vital spending, com- ing into the metropolitan region. The arts instill pride and give a sense of place and community for area residents. They offer learning and leisure time opportunities and also pro- vide for an overall healthy, well-balanced community. FOUNTAIN AT THE Arts, culture, and entertain- ENTRANCE TO THE ment are, indeed, a prime PUBLIC LIBRARY economic generator for OF CINCINNATI AND Cincinnati and Hamilton HAMILTON COUNTY County. They are “home Source: Greater Cincinnati grown” and should, if Chamber of Commerce properly nourished, have less of a tendency to re- act negatively to national trends like other industries. They are also important amenities that help in the

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 9 Finding 2 ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE STIMULATING URBAN REVITALIZATION FOR THE CENTRAL CITY AREA OF CINCINNATI THAT BENEFITS THE WHOLE REGION.

In the mid-1990s, a signifi - National Underground in Covington and Newport, cant and historically high Freedom Center, and The as the “Renaissance on the level of capital investment Banks plan for mixed River.” The Chamber com- was instilled into cultural uses along the riverfront. missioned an economic and recreational facilities The Greater Cincinnati impact study of the same in the downtown core of Chamber of Commerce name by the University Cincinnati: Aronoff Cen- has depicted the numer- of Cincinnati Economics ter for the Arts, Paul Brown ous development projects Center for Education and Stadium, Great American in downtown Cincinnati Research in 2002. The Ball Park, Rosenthal Cen- and along the riverfront, U.C. Study projected that ter for Contemporary Art, including across the river the $2.9 billion being invested in projects in Figure 1 Cincinnati and Northern "RENAISSANCE Projects in Cincinnati Economic Impact Kentucky will eventually ON THE RIVER" 7KH%DQNV %LOOLRQ generate $5.4 billion in MAJOR INVESTMENT 3DXO%URZQ6WDGLXP 0LOOLRQ PROJECTS )RUW:DVKLQJWRQ:D\ 0LOOLRQ overall economic impact &RQYHQWLRQ&HQWHU([SDQVLRQ 0LOOLRQ and create 60,000 jobs over *UHDW$PHULFDQ%DOO3DUN 0LOOLRQ Source: Cincinnati USA: Renaissance 10 on the River, Partnership for Greater $URQRII&HQWHUIRUWKH$UWV 0LOOLRQ a ten-year period. Cincinnati/Greater Cincinnati Chamber &HQWUDO5LYHUIURQW3DUN 0LOOLRQ of Commerce/UC Economics Center for 1DWLRQDO8QGHUJURXQG5DLOURDG)UHHGRP&HQWHU 0LOOLRQ Education and Research The 18 major investment 5RQVHQWKDO&HQWHUIRU&RQWHPSRUD\$UW 0LOOLRQ 7DIW0XVHXPH[SDQVLRQ 0LOOLRQ projects cited in the “Re- 86%DQN IRUPHUO\5LYHUIURQW&ROLVXHP UHQRYDWLRQ 0LOOLRQ naissance on the River” 7KHRGRUH0%HUU\,QWHUQDWLRQDO)ULHQGVKLS3DUN 0LOOLRQ Projects in Northern Kentucky Study and their prospec- tive economic impacts are 5LYHUIURQW:HVW 0LOOLRQ 1HZSRUWRQWKH/HYHH 0LOOLRQ presented in Figure 1. 3RUW%HOOHYXH 0LOOLRQ 1HZSRUW$TXDULXP 0LOOLRQ The “Renaissance on the +RIIEUDXKDXV 0LOOLRQ 1HZSRUW5LYHUEDQN3DUN 0LOOLRQ River” Economic Impact Study identifi ed four major PLAN VIEW OF THE categories for 18 projects PROPOSED BANKS that were studied: trans- DEVELOPMENT AND portation; recreation and CENTRAL RIVERFRONT parks; cultural, arts and PARK tourism; and commercial

Source: Central Riverfront Urban Design and mixed-use. The study Master Plan, Hamilton County & the City of Cincinnati proposes that these major investments in “recreation, arts, culture and tourism projects” will stimulate further private investment in conventional develop- ment:

10 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP "The unique aspects of The renovation will result need to sustain them- the projects in Cincinnati in a 750,000 square foot selves. included in this report are building that will be able to the focus on the riverfront, accommodate “75 percent Whereas many area subur- including both the Ohio of the existing convention, ban residents see much of and Kentucky riverbanks, conference and meeting the central city as a deterio- the large number of rec- market.”12 It has been pro- rating ghetto characterized reation, arts, culture, and jected that the renovated by decaying, vacant, old tourism projects. The abil- convention center would buildings and inhabited by ity of these types of facili- increase revenues from di- drug dealers and panhan- ties to draw both residents rect and indirect spending dlers, others see the largest th and tourists to the river- by $122 million annually, assortment of 19 Italianate front will spur other types and also create nearly 2,000 architecture which could be of investment, such as ad- new part-time and full-time rehabilitated and repopu- ditional office, hotel and jobs.13 lated, thereby allowing the retail space. "11 area once again to be seen It is of great advantage for as the “Paris of America”. The Banks mixed-use de- the metropolitan region, This vision has been partly velopment, which is to be that all these major projects realized by the rebirth of located between the two are now completed or have Main Street in the Over- new stadiums, will com- completion dates. Howev- the-Rhine. It continues prise primarily market-rate er, it may all be in jeopardy with rehabilitation of many housing, retail, and offi ce if the continuing perception buildings in the Pendleton uses. Though the planning of downtown Cincinnati by Area for loft/live/work was completed in 1999, many suburban residents is units targeted to artists and there have been delays in that of an unsafe and hostile development of condomin- the implementation of The place. This in part stems iums in American Building Banks due to the economic from the riots of the spring and the relocation of the Art recession and declining of 2001 and the continu- Academy to its building on sales tax revenue for pub- ing high level of crime in 12th Street. lic funding. However, the the central city. However, funding for underground everyone loses if all this This whole state-of-affairs parking garages has start- investment in arts, culture, was summed up cogently ed to come together with and entertainment facilities by William H. Hudnut III, an $11 million grant from cannot draw the residential author, former Mayor of Ohio’s Transportation and tourist audiences they Indianapolis, and senior Review Advisory Council CINCINNATI CINERGY and a $3.5 million federal CONVENTION CENTER grant, tentatively approved EXPANSION in early 2004. The under- Source: Cincinnati USA ground garages have to be built prior to developing The Banks, which will be constructed on top of the underground garages.

After ten years of plan- ning, the renovation of the Cincinnati Convention Center is scheduled for completion in mid-2006.

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 11 resident fellow of the recommendations “to spark declined 50 percent since Urban Land Institute, in economic growth”, the 18 2001 and that the City has a recent interview. Asked member task force of busi- not developed any new about what he understood ness and community lead- Class A offi ce space in 10 the “core business district” ers also considered “full- years. to mean and does he see scale regulatory reforms it as “the nucleus of the as well as the potential According to a July 1, 2003 nucleus” Hudnut stated: creation of an independent City of Cincinnati News development authority that Release, the four priority "You can call the area the can issue bonds and utilize areas in the Plan are: central business district, eminent domain powers.” or CBD, geographically • Enforcing aggressive - and in some respects it In March 2003, the Task public safety policies is. It supplies the heart- Force made recommenda- • Restoring Fountain beat for the entire region. tions to Cincinnati City Square as the center of But I see the core district’s Council that included the downtown role changing: The CBD creation of a One-Stop is slowly becoming the Development Center to • Developing diverse, “CSD”, or central social expedite the development mixed-use neighbor- district. It seems to me process and the creation hoods, including that more and more busi- of the Cincinnati Devel- implementation of ness is fl owing out toward opment Corporation “a the Over-the-Rhine the periphery and the re- non-profit, privately-led Plan adopted by the vitalization of the core is corporation responsible City (focusing fi rst on coming mostly from arts, for enhancing downtown Washington Park) and culture and entertainment, Cincinnati’s position as integrating the Riv- with restaurants and all the a regional center of high erfront Master Plan other amenities of urban value employment, hous- adopted by the City living. In some instances, ing, as well as arts, culture and Hamilton County this includes ballparks, and entertainment.” (which includes The stadiums, and convention Banks development), centers."14 Another very significant into the overall Center public/private initiative of City program Hudnut went on to say that 2002 was development of a region needs a vital core the strategic, urban-design • Creating the organi- – that you can’t be a suburb oriented The Center City zation and financial of nothing. As the core re- Plan: Setting Priorities. resources to drive vitalizes and redefines Commissioned by the City successful Center City itself, that vitality will be of Cincinnati, Cincinnati development. radiated out to the entire Business Committee (CBC) The boundary for the Cen- region. and Downtown Cincinnati, ter City, as defi ned in this Inc. The Plan identifi ed im- The City of Cincinnati has plan, includes downtown, mediate challenges for the the riverfront, Over-the- initiated the appropriate ac- City including continuing tions to continue revitaliza- Rhine, the West End, Mt. racial tension, a failing Adams, sections of Walnut tion efforts with the work downtown retail market, of the City of Cincinnati Hills and the East End, and soft office market. and sections of Vine Street Economic Development Unsettling facts presented Task Force, begun in the leading to U.C. The Plan in the Plan were that the advises that the contiguous spring of 2002. Charged number of shoppers to by City Council to make downtown retail stores has

12 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP neighborhoods to the Cen- 3CDC in the revitalization well underway along with tral Business District must and redevelopment for the other housing rehabilitation also be revitalized or efforts City Center. efforts. completed in the Central City will be futile. 3CDC will be able to The more western area build on the many “small of “The Central City” in- In July 2003, the City of successes” of the urban cludes the West End, which Cincinnati announced the pioneers who have been is undergoing a compre- creation of the Cincinnati renovating buildings for hensive renewal with the Center City Development residential, commercial, development of the HOPE Corporation (3CDC). and office uses in Over- VI project. The Cincin- This non-profit group is the-Rhine and Center City nati Metropolitan Housing overseeing the Center City in recent years. The revital- Authority is transforming Plan projects and programs ization of Main Street with a long-standing, inner-city to strengthen and leverage its art galleries, bars, coffee neighborhood character- downtown’s core assets, houses, and specialized re- ized by public housing initially focusing on Foun- tail was accomplished with projects and a debilitating tain Square, Over-the- private funding. Rehabili- urban crime culture into Rhine, and The Banks. The tation of the upper stories the HOPE VI City West public and private capital of the historic buildings neighborhood. Designed funding commitments in- on Main Street for mar- with new homes in his- clude $100 million over ket- rate residential use is torical styles, a large new fi ve years from the City and $50 million targeted for a GAZEBO IN new private sector equity WASHINGTON PARK fund to be raised over the Source: Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce next fi ve years.

In February 2004, the Port of Greater Cincinnati De- velopment Authority and 3CDC signed a Memo- randum of Understand- ing to have 3CDC be the development manager for The Banks riverfront de- velopment. In March 2004, Cincinnati City Council OVER-THE-RHINE voted approval to invest STRATEGIES

$2.5 million of City funds Source: Slide from The Center City Plan to help finance the 950 Presentation space garage and 25 unit condominium development at Vine Street and Central Parkway. 3CDC was in- strumental in assembling the total funding package for this development and this “gateway project” has been lauded by city lead- ers as the fi rst victory for

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 13 urban park, community it is investing $1 million in market-rate housing in and recreational facilities, operating costs and funding the Central City could be and new retail spaces, it extensive studies in the four indicative of the beginning is anticipated to become a priority focus areas. of a reversal of the long- vibrant mixed-use, mixed- term trend of residents income neighborhood. Why Is This moving from the city to Important? the suburbs. In the mid 19th The northern area of the century Over-the-Rhine “Central City” includes The successful revitaliza- had 43,000 residents, and sections of Vine Street that tion of the Central City today has only about 5,000. lead up to the University neighborhoods should With continued rehabilita- of Cincinnati. Revitaliza- mirror the intent of the tion and revitalization in tion of this Uptown area HOPE VI project to be the Over-the-Rhine, the (Clifton, Corryville, and a vibrant mixed-income residential population University Heights) will community. In the end, a could expand and spur be overseen by another thriving, diverse, and popu- other retail and commercial new non-profi t entity, the lous urban core, instead of development. Uptown Consortium. This a decaying and dangerous group is a partnership of the environment, will benefi t The Gallis Report (1999) University of Cincinnati, the whole metropolitan re- said it best: Cincinnati Children’s Hos- gion by making the central pital Medical Center, Cin- city a safe and highly desir- "Throughout metropolitan cinnati Zoo and Botanical able destination and place America, the central city Gardens, Health Alliance to live. This would assure carries the identity of the of Greater Cincinnati, and longevity for the wide va- region. The health and Tri-Health Incorporated. riety of educational, resi- vitality of the central core The Consortium has hired dential, business, public, of the central city is the ba- the same consultant group artistic, cultural, historical, rometer by which regions that developed The Central architectural, and entertain- are measured. The central City Plan to focus on four ment resources, not to be district of the Greater priorities: safety, housing, found anyplace else in the Cincinnati metro region retail, and transportation. metropolitan region. now encompasses both In this fi rst year of the Up- sides of the river including town Consortium (2004), The continued successful downtown Cincinnati, Cov- development and sale of ington and Newport. The vital center core has the CENTER CITY PLAN widest range of business, WITH FOUNTAIN economic, entertainment, SQUARE AT ITS HEART cultural, historic, sports, Source: Slide from The Center City Plan convention and tourism re- Presentation sources found anywhere in the super region (including Columbus, Lexington, Lou- isville, and Indianapolis).

Investments in people, neighborhoods, a new metro transit system, amenities and institutions can turn the area into one of the region’s most

14 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP desirable locations. Only community members read • Crime Statistics for by working together can the same book and meet to central city (source: the two sides of the river discuss it. City Manager’s form a central magnet for Quality of Life Index- regional residents, national While civic leaders have reported quarterly) and international tourists, concentrated on initia- tives for racial healing, • Total convention economic, cultural, recre- attendance (218,665 ational, sports and envi- gay-rights strategists have mounted a grass roots- in 2002; source: ronmental development. A Greater Cincinnati diamond in the rough, the “door-to-door” campaign to repeal Article XII of Convention and central core can become Visitors Bureau) the shining jewel of the the City Charter, which metro region, symbolizing prevents gays and lesbians • Economic impact the region’s commitment to from seeking protection generated by the future. A vibrant urban from discrimination. The convention center will test the region’s successful repeal of Article attendance (source: capacity to transcend divi- XII by the voters on No- Greater Cincinnati sions of race and socio- vember 2, 2004 shows that Convention and economic class in order to the City is moving towards Visitors Bureau) enhance opportunities for greater tolerance, openness all through strengthening and diversity. the urban core."15 Key Indicators This concluding excerpt • Number of hotel room from the Gallis Report was nights generated from written prior to the April convention/trade 2001 riots in Cincinnati but shows (179,524 it still captures the essence in 2002 ; source: of the long-smoldering Greater Cincinnati tensions of the divisions of Convention and race and socio-economic Visitors Bureau) class that erupted in the spring of 2001 and re- • Development of new sulted in the black boycott market-rate housing of downtown businesses. units in central city The region has not yet (51 in 1999, 118 in transcended these long- 2000, 353 in 2001, held divisions, but honest 451 in 2002, and efforts have been made to 235 in 2003; source: begin the healing, includ- Downtown Cincinnati ing the Cincinnati Enquir- Inc.) er’s Neighbor-to-Neigh- • Number of Businesses bor Dialogue Initiative, in OTR (907 in 2003; Cincinnati.com Matters of source: Neighborhood Race Project: Bridging the Indicator Project for Divide in Greater Cincin- Redevelopment) nati, and “On the Same Page Cincinnati,” where

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 15 Finding 3 RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES ARE ON THE RISE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS IN HAMILTON COUNTY.

Parks and recreational fa- the Ohio River and neigh- “front porch,” where in cilities have a long history boring hillsides. Most of 2003 over 1,473,000 visi- in Cincinnati and Ham- the 1907 Plan was imple- tors attended 39 events, ilton County. Starting in mented by 1925 with the including over 800,000 for Cincinnati and later in the creation of 70 parks, play- the Tall Stacks Festival.17 remainder of the County, grounds, and squares.16 parks have developed The City of Cincinnati’s and evolved based on the One of the newest City of park and recreation system needs and desires of the Cincinnati parks is the 22 was recently honored by population. The fi rst park acre Theodore M. Berry The Trust for Public Land in Cincinnati was Piatt Park International Friendship as one of four parks systems dating from 1817. Interest- Park that was dedicated judged to be “excellent” in ingly, in 2004 Piatt Park in 2003. Overlooking the their 55 city study: The became the region’s fi rst Ohio River just east of Excellent City Park Sys- “smart park” with provision downtown Cincinnati, the tem: What Makes It Great of a wireless “hot zone” for park is a tribute to Cincin- and How to Get There 18 internet access. nati’s fi rst African-Ameri- (2003). Cincinnati ranked can mayor and includes above the national average Cincinnati was prescient interlacing walkways, fl ags and also ranked highest by creating a comprehen- from around the world, an in comparison with other sive park plan by 1907: A earthen mound sculpture Midwest cities for percent Park System for the City in the form of two hands of the city devoted to parks of Cincinnati. This Plan (a tribute to the mound and acres of parkland per recommended buying land builders), and the Gardens 1,000 residents (see Figure before it was developed of the Continents. The 2 and Figure 3). and utilizing hillsides to Friendship Park is linked to provide excellent views of Sawyer Point, the region’s Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum was con- Figure 2 sidered a premier “rural ACRES AND PERCENT park” for urban escapees in Land Area Park Area Percent OF PARKLAND, Cities: (Acres) (Acres) Parkland the 1800s and still receives MIDWEST CITIES, 2000 &LQFLQQDWL    thousands of visitors a year. &ROXPEXV    Source: The Excellent City Park System: 6W/RXLV    It was created in 1845 by What Makes It Great and How to Get There 3LWWVEXUJK    (2003), Peter Harnik, The Trust for Public the Cincinnati Horticultural Land &OHYHODQG    ,QGLDQDSROLV    Society. One of the largest /RXLVYLOOH    non-profit cemeteries in the United States, it has Figure 3 733 acres of which ap- ACRES OF PARKLAND Cities: Population Park Area Percent Parkland proximately 430 acres are PER THOUSAND (Acres) (per 1,000 population) developed. RESIDENTS, MIDWEST &LQFLQQDWL    &ROXPEXV    CITIES 2000 /RXLVYLOOH    The County Park system ,QGLDQDSROLV    The Excellent City Park System: Source: 6W/RXLV    outside of the City of What Makes It Great and How to Get There (2003), Peter Harnik, The Trust for Public 3LWWVEXUJK    Cincinnati evolved from Land &OHYHODQG   

16 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP the Large Parks, Park- signed a PARKnership construction 350 acre Otto ways, & Boulevards Plan agreement for 15 years Armleder Memorial Park & as presented in the Initial whereby the County is Recreation Complex along Report of the Regional contributing almost $2.7 the Little Miami River. In Planning Commission, million for improvements, this partnership HCPD in 193119. The 730 acre maintenance, operations, is investing $4 million to Sharon Woods Park was and ranger patrol to the construct, maintain, and the fi rst park developed by City-owned Fernbank Park manage, while CRC will the newly formed Hamil- along the Ohio River. oversee the recreation ar- ton County Park District eas. The completed park (HCPD) in 1932; Winton Another “PARKnership” will include soccer fi elds, Woods followed in 1939. agreement, this time dog run areas, hiking/ Today there are 19 County between the Cincinnati biking paths, canoe access, parks comprising 15,441 Recreation Commission fi shing areas, and natural acres (see Figure 4). (CRC), the CPB and areas. The CRC also oper- HCPD, is for the now under Although Hamilton County Figure 4 GROWTH OF reached its population  peak in the 1970s, new PARKLAND IN THE recreational opportunities  HAMILTON COUNTY PARK DISTRICT are being provided for its  residents as well as those Source: Hamilton County Park District 

of the region. Collabora- Acres tion among park boards and  districts is on the rise with “PARKnerships” designed  to improve operations and  functioning of some parks.         The Cincinnati Park Board     (CPB) and HCPD in 2003                Figure 5

75 HAMILTON COUNTY 71 PARKLAND 74

3XEOLF3DUNV

275 Source: Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, CAGIS

275

471

75

71

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 17 ates six public golf courses, on developing the exten- funding has been allocated the Showboat Majestic, and sion of the trail from the for an additional 1.5 mile the Sawyer Point Facilities Little Miami Golf Center section. Planning for a trail on the riverfront. to Clear Creek Park, off along the West Fork of the SR32 in Newtown. A 2.5 Mill Creek, originating in First opened in 1979, the mile section of the Little Colerain Township, is in Little Miami State Park is Miami Trail that will go process. There is already now a 90 mile trail corridor through Terrace Park, and one mile of existing trail along the National Scenic will connect Avoca Park through Woodlawn, and Little Miami River that with Milford, is in the the City of Wyoming plans runs from Milford up to works. The State already to extend the trail south. Buck Creek State Park in owns the needed right-of- There is also potential for Clark County. The trail was way in Terrace Park. extending the trail to con- developed from abandoned nect with the trail system in railroad right-of-way and Planning efforts are un- Winton Woods. is on average 66 feet wide, derway by the Ohio River with paved and unpaved Trail Planning Commit- The County has also seen hike, bike, and horse trails tee for the development the development of private, varying from 10 to 12 feet of a 16 mile shared-use membership-based fi tness wide. A 1999 Ohio-Ken- bike/hike path along the and recreation clubs. Some tucky-Indiana Regional Ohio River from Lunken are specialized for specifi c Council of Governments Airport in Cincinnati to sports, like indoor soccer, study estimated there New Richmond. This trail and others offer compre- were 150,000 to 170,000 is encompassed in the 150- hensive fi tness and sports trail visits annually along mile Ohio River Way Rec- programming. There is a the 27 mile section from reation and Heritage Trail movement toward health- Loveland to Corwin in and Greenway. The trail based activities with sev- Warren County.20 An 1.8 is envisioned by the Ohio eral wellness and fitness mile extension of this trail, River Way, Inc. to extend centers arising, such as starting from Avoca Park from Maysville, Kentucky TriHealth Fitness & Health to the Little Miami Golf to Madison, Ohio. As part Pavilion and Mercy Health Center in Newtown should of the 1999 Mill Creek Wa- Partners’ HealthPlex Fit- be completed by the end of tershed Greenway Master ness Centers 2005 by the HCPD. The Plan, two miles of the Mill Anderson Park District and Creek Trail have been built Traditionally the primary the HCPD are collaborating in the City of Reading and domain of YMCAs or community recreational MOBILE SKATE PARK centers, all-inclusive rec- SERIES reational facilities that offer

Source: Greater Cincinnati Chamber of across-the-board amenities Commerce including swimming, court sports, weights and fi tness rooms, sports leagues, etc. are now being offered by private, membership-based clubs or facilities. Outdoor competitive fi tness events are gaining momentum in Hamilton County and are attracting participants from around the region.

18 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP The Heart Mini-Marathon Why Is This Key Indicators is now in its 27th year and Important? is the area’s largest partici- • Acres and percent of patory sporting event. The Metropolitan regions are parkland in the City Tour de Loveland Bicycle competing globally for (and other County Race has become an annual businesses and industries. jurisdictions) event in the City of Love- “Quality of life” factors, (Figure 2) land. Running/walking and such as recreational op- • Acres of parkland per bicycle events are increas- portunities and facilities, 1,000 residents of City ing throughout the County. are now having an un- (and other County The Southwest Ohio Senior precedented significance jurisdictions) Olympics have been hosted in attracting prospective (Figure 3) by the CRC since 1992. industries and workers to a • Miles of bike/hike prospective region. The trail developed on the Skate parks are becoming City of Cincinnati and Ohio River more popular in Hamilton Hamilton County have a County, with the St. Ber- long and proud history of • Miles of bike/hike nard Skate Park being the offering the best and most trail developed on fi rst one built. Two more up-to-date public parks other rivers/creeks have recently opened - one and other recreational • New skate park in the City of Wyoming opportunities for its resi- facilities developed and the other in Ander- dents. Essentially, the (Figure 3) son Township. “Extreme outstanding existing and Sports” have also arrived expanding public parks in Cincinnati and Hamil- and other facilities and ton County. The Mobile opportunities enjoyed by Skate Park Series has pre- Hamilton County residents sented its event at Sawyer add greatly to the overall Point on the riverfront for health, vitality, and desir- the last three years. This ability of the region. is both a professional and amateur event of BMX bi- cyclists, in-line skaters, and skateboarders that tours a number of cities during the summer months.

The proposed Central Riv- erfront Park is intended as the “new front door” for downtown Cincinnati. The park will be centered on an historic icon, the Roebling Bridge, and will incor- porate 35 acres along the riverfront between the two new stadiums. It is slated to include two six acre open areas for organized concerts and festivals/events.

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 19 20 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT: CULTURE AND RECREATION Appendix A Endnotes

1. Americans for the Arts Home Page. Examples of Success 14. Reis Insights: Commentary & Analysis: The Necessity and in Tucson and Pittsburg. Community Development, Issues, Cost of Urban Revitalization: On the Verge, or at the Edge? Accessed 8 June 2004. www.americansforthearts.org Sam Truitt, an interview with William Hudnut August 5, 2003. Accessed 10 June 2004. www.reis.com/insights. 2. Regional Cultural Planning Committee/Bay Consulting Group. Developing the Tri-State as a Cultural Center: 15. Greater Cincinnati Metro Region Resource Book: Preparing Frameworks for the Future---The Regional Cultural Plan. for the New Millennium. Michael Gallis & Associates, for March 10, 1999. the Metropolitan Growth Alliance. 1999, The Future. 3. Florida, Richard. The Rise of the Creative Class and How 16. City of Cincinnati Home Page, Parks Department, History. its Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Accessed 4 June 2004. www.cincinnati-oh-gov/cityparks/ Life. Basic Books. June 2002. pages/-4564-/. 4. Muschamp, Herbert. "Zaha Hadid’s Urban Mothership". 17. e-mail from Bunny Arszman, Communications Manager/ New York Times, Sunday, June 8, 2003. Videographer, Cincinnati Recreation Commission. 5. Osborne, Kevin. "Committee Recommends Putting Museum 18. Cincinnati Park Board, Cincinnati Park Foundation. Park Center Levy on Ballot". The Cincinnati Post. November 14, Ways: Newsletter of the Cincinnati Parks. Fall/Winter 2003- 2003. 2004. Volume 8, Issue 6. 6. Gelfand, Janelle. "Playhouse Wins Prestigious Tony: ‘It’s 19. Myron Day Downs and Ladislas Segoe. “Initial Report of the Big Stuff’: Best Regional Theatre Award". The Cincinnati Regional Planning Commission – Hamilton County, Ohio,” Enquirer. Tuesday May 11, 2004. 1931. 7. University of Cincinnati Center for Economic Education for 20. Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments. the Partnership for Greater Cincinnati. Economic Impacts Little Miami Scenic Trail Users Study (1999). of Summer Festivals on Greater Cincinnati (2000). 8. The Greater Cincinnati Center for Economic Education, Economics Research Group. University of Cincinnati. The Economic Impacts of the Big Pig Gig: Summer 2000. January 2001. 9. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Your Library 2003, Honoring the Past, Succeeding in the Present, Planning the Future. 2004. 10. University of Cincinnati Economics Center for Education and Research, prepared for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. “Renaissance on the River”, The Impact of Major Riverfront Developments and Other Major Attractions in the City Center of Cincinnati USA, September 2002. 11. Ibid. 12. CincyUSA Home Page. Cincinnati Convention Center Expansion and Renovation FACT SHEET, Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau, July 2003. Accessed 9 June 2004. www.cincyusa.com/planners/expansion. 13. Ibid, FACT SHEET

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 21 22 HAMILTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION / PLANNING PARTNERSHIP STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT: CULTURE AND RECREATION Appendix B Community COMPASS Publications

The following Community COMPASS reports are components of 11. Planning Partnership Recommendations on The Vision for Hamilton County’s Comprehensive Master Plan and Strategies. Hamilton County’s Future (Jan. 2003) The reports are available at the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and can be downloaded at www.comm 12. The Vision for Hamilton County’s Future (Brochure) unitycompass.org. (Feb. 2003) 13. Initiatives and Strategies 1. Project Design -- Scope and Process (Oct. 2001) 13-1. Steering Team Recommendations on Community 2. The Community Values Survey (Jan. 2001) COMPASS Initiatives and Strategies (2002) 3. Special Research Reports 13-2. Steering Team Prioritization of Initiatives – Method- ology and Recommendations (Aug. 2002) 3-1. Inventory of Research (2002) 13-3. Planning Partnership Recommendations on Com- 3-2. Confl icting Views on Suburbanization (Sept. 1999) munity COMPASS Initiatives and Strategies (revi- 3-3. Spreading Out: The March to the Suburbs (Oct. 1999; sions, fi ndings and reservations) (Dec. 2002) revised 2003) 13-4. Community COMPASS Initiatives and Strategies 3-4. Summary Report -- Spreading Out: The March to the -- Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission Suburbs (Oct. 1999; revised 2003) Recommendations (Jul. 2003) 3-5. The Use of Public Deliberation Techniques for 14. External Infl uences: The Impact of National Trends on Building Consensus on Community Plans: Hamilton Hamilton County’s Future (Mar. 2003) County Perspectives on Governance (A Guide for Public Deliberation) (Dec. 2002) 15. Population 3-6. Hamilton County’s Comparative and Competitive 15-1 Summary Report (Nov. 2004) Advantages: Business and Industry Clusters (Oct. 15-2 Atlas / comprehensive report (2005) 2003) 16. State of the County Reports (Key trends, Issues, and 3-7. Census 2000 Community Profi les: Political Jurisdic- Community Indicators) (Nov. 2004) tions of Hamilton County 16-1 Civic Engagement and Social Capital 3-8. Community Revitalization Initiative Strategic Plan 16-2 Community Services (Aug. 2003) 16-3 Culture and Recreation 4. The Report of the Community Forums --Ideas, Treasures, 16-4 Economy and Labor Market and Challenges (Nov. 2001) 16-5 Education 5. The Report of the Goal Writing Workshop (2001) 16-6 Environment 6. The Countywide Town Meeting Participant Guide (Jan. 16-7 Environmental and Social Justice 2002) 16-8 Governance 7. Hamilton County Data Book (Feb. 2002) 16-9 Health and Human Services 8. A Vision for Hamilton County’s Future --The Report of 16-10 Housing the Countywide Town Meeting (Jan. 2002) 16-11 Land Use and Development Framework 9. The CAT’s Tale: The Report of the Community COM- 16-12 Mobility PASS Action Teams (June 2002) 16-13 Executive Summary 10. Steering Team Recommendations on The Vision for Ham- 17. 2030 Plan Implementation and Framework (Nov. 2004) ilton County’s Future (Jan. 2002)

COMMUNITY COMPASS - STATE OF THE COUNTY REPORT 23 Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission 138 E. Court Street, Rm 807 Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 946-4500 www.communitycompass.org