Local leaders to discuss downtown Cincinnati's ongoing renaissance at round table event

Those who are familiar with Cincinnati's urban core know that something special has been taking place over the past five years. 

Hundreds of new residents and dozens of new businesses are now occupying previously vacant historic structures in Over-the-Rhine, the region's tallest skyscraper is nearing completion on Third Street in Downtown, a new neighborhood and massive park are rising along the central riverfront, an urban casino is nearing commencement at the long underutilized Broadway Commons site, a renovated Fountain Square has injected new life into downtown, Washington Park and its environs are experiencing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of investment, and crime has decreased year-after-year in both Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

"It's amazing how many people are coming to Findlay Market who have recently moved here," exclaimed Barb Cooper, marketing director of Daisy Mae's Market which opened at Findlay Market last November.  "What's been really special is the number of international customers that are coming here because of the markets they are used to shopping at in Europe or elsewhere overseas."

To discuss this dramatic transformation, and what is in store for the future, the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center & Program along with the Urban Land Institute will host Cincinnati Urban Renaissance: 2013 and Beyond this Friday, October 1st.

City Manger Milton Dohoney will serve as the keynote speaker, and the event will include two panel discussions.  The first of which will cover Urban Renaissance Projects and include Stephen Leeper from 3CDC, Jeanne Schroer from the Catalytic Development Funding Corporation of Northern Kentucky, Fred Craig from Parsons Brinckerhoff, and Willie F. Carden, Jr. from the Cincinnati Park Board.

The second panel will discuss the Impact of Renaissance Projects and will include Lydia Jacobs-Horton from Procter & Gamble, Ellen van der Horst from the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Neil/Arn Bortz from Towne Properties, and Dan Lincoln from the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Cincinnati Urban Renaissance: 2013 and Beyond will take place from 7:30am to 11am at the Westin Hotel Ballroom (map) on Friday, October 1.  Reservations can be made online or by contacting Kate Bridgman at (513) 556-7082 or [email protected].  The event is free for members of the UC Roundtable and ULI, and costs $100 for non-members.  Event organizers also note that those interested in attending who are part of the real estate community in Ohio and Kentucky can count the event towards three hours of continuing education.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Milton Dohoney pictured
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