Cincinnati's massive and verdant park system hosts 100 parks and close to 5,000 acres of greenspace - ranking it in the top three city park systems in the country. Columnist Casey Coston makes the case that parks are one of our city's crown jewels, and investing in them now will help us see green for years to come.
Blue Manatee, a local and independently owned bookstore in Cincinnati, created The Blue Manatee Boxes, which inspire children and parents to be more creative. The idea is to encourage people to return to the basics and transform what's old to new again. Read the full story here.
Cincinnati is one of 80 American cities currently considering, planning or building a streetcar line. While it might seem that the challenges we're facing in making this a reality are unique, most are common among cities pursuing this revitalized form of public transit and the economic development boon that follows.
Leaders in Cincinnati and two neighboring cities in Kentucky are working together on a comprehensive approach, "cradle to career," on education. What began as scattershot approaches turned into a highly coordinated approach to the full education continuum. Read the full story here.
The New York Times praises Over-the-Rhine for its new reputation. Over the past ten years since the riots erupted, efforts by non-profit and corporate entities have encouraged revitalized efforts, bringing a large amount of new, independent businesses to the area.Read the full story here.
Cincinnati-based cycling advocacy organization Queen City Bike kicked off Bike Month in May with the launch of a new award. The Bike Friendly Destinations program honored 41 destinations at a May 2 ceremony, granting certifications ranging from Gold to Honorable Mention.Two Gold recipients, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky and the Mercantile Library in Downtown Cincinnati, said the changes they made that earned the designation were relatively simple and inexpensive. And while their motivations - and response from patrons and employees - differ, representatives from both said they're seeing benefits from being bike-friendly. TANK spokesperson Gina Douthat said that the transit organization didn't just rely on its highly visible bus-mounted bike racks for the award; a number of employee-facing changes have also made bike commuting an alternative for TANK staff. "Being an organization that's into alternative modes of transportation, we continually encourage employees to look at alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles," she said. TANK offers both indoor and outdoor bike storage at its offices, and Douthat said on-site showers and the ability for some employees to flex schedules make it easier for employees to ride to and from the office. "It gives them the ability to fit workouts into their lives a lot better," she said. Cedric Rose, part of the Mercantile Library's collection staff, said that he's seen an upswing in patrons riding in. "Among our patrons, we have some younger people who, that's just the way they get around," he said. "Overall, I definitely think there's been an upswing." Queen City Bike staff helped the library acquire a bike rack for its Walnut Street entrance, and the library has opened its 11th-floor lobby to let patrons park their bikes indoors. Cincinnati Department of Transportation city planner Melissa McVay, who has worked on a number of bike advocacy issues, said the awards could play a major role in reaching out to potential riders unfamiliar with the city's bike culture. "One of the things we struggle with is the people we're able to communicate with are already cycling," she said. Many of the winning businesses conducted Bike Month campaigns and publicity drives among their patrons, she added. "That's going to reach so many more people than we could ever reach on our own." And as non-riding patrons and employees of the award-winning businesses are exposed to the city's growing bike culture, Queen City Bike Program Coordinator Jess Linz said she hopes to see a more significant shift in the way Cincinnatians think about transit. "These groups are now representing a bike-friendly transportation mindset," she said. "There's this value in the private realm for this kind of cultural change." Writer: Matt Cunningham Photography by Matt Cunningham
Since international home furnishings giant IKEA says it aims to be "The Life Improvement Store" by incorporating green environmental qualities in its buildings and products, the retailer's recent announcement that it will be adding solar panels to its West Chester Twp. location should come as little surprise.Construction on the rooftop array is scheduled to begin by the end of this spring and is expected to be complete by this fall. IKEA reported that the 4,452-panel array should reduce the store's greenhouse gas emissions by 1,012 tons of carbon dioxide and will lower the cost of its electric bill."IKEA's main goal is to focus on sustainability, but with this project, it is probably our most visible way to show our visitors and customers that we are actually doing something to make a better life for people by reducing our carbon footprint," said IKEA spokesperson Kitalena Mason. "We are happy to take the lead with this project and hope to inspire other businesses and residents to find their own sustainable project."Because IKEA already commits to sustainable efforts such as recycling waste material, incorporating environmental measures with the construction, using energy efficient lighting systems, and having water efficient restrooms, IKEA feels it is their responsibility to be a leader in the community for sustainable efforts. Although surrounding businesses and residents in the area may not have the funds and capacity to install solar panels, Mason explained that the company wants to encourage other businesses in West chester and Mason to pursue their own sustainable projects, whether it pertains to recycling, lighting materials, or solar power. The store staff also plans to update customers, visitors and community partners as the solar array project progresses. In addition, Mason said the retailer hopes to work with local schools to give students exposure to the technology going in on the big blue building's roof."Between the Zoo and IKEA, [Cincinnati] will definitely start to be viewed as a green city," Mason added. "Typically, people view Portland or Seattle as a green city, but Cincinnati has wanted to get into that mix with having smaller businesses installing smaller solar and wind projects. If you have enough of those sprinkled throughout the city, Cincinnati's image may turn into a green city."Writer: Lisa Ensminger
Diners at Xavier University's Gallagher Student Center now have new dining options, in some very familiar places. Local restaurateur Andy Hajar officially took over management of the university's Ryan's Pub and Fusions Café, incorporating the Middle Eastern fare of Andy's Mediterranean Grille into these popular campus restaurants."We are very excited to have Andy become part of the Xavier family," said Tom Barlow, XU's director of auxiliary services. He pointed out that Andy's, which was started 10 years ago by Hajar after he immigrated to Walnut Hills from Zahle, Lebanon, fits well with the university's commitments to both local business and creating a diverse campus culture."As a commitment to Xavier's mission to support our local community, we seek only local, family-run businesses," Barlow said.Greg George, business manager for Andy's Mediterranean, said the warm regards are mutual."Andy thought this was a fabulous opportunity to team up with an institution like Xavier," he said. "It offers him a great environment to improve on the brand, and lays the platform for expanding the brand."George noted that, although the healthy, natural ingredients in the Andy's menu may be a shift for some diners, the look and feel of XU landmark Ryan's Pub will remain mostly unchanged. The pub was built and named in honor of Steve Ryan, friend of building patron Charlie Gallagher, and the new manager intends to respect that history."Ryan's won't look any different beyond the branding," George said.Both Ryan's Pub and Fusions opened under Andy's management June 2. And George said that excitement at the restaurants remains high."This is a dream come true for Andy," he said.Writer: Matt CunninghamPhoto provided by Xavier University
Cincinnati-based clinical research organization Medpace is having a year of notable changes, thanks to the continuation of a long-laid plan, and a recently announced partial acquisition.In 2010, Medpace began the relocation of its operations to a new facility on Red Bank and Madison roads in Madisonville. The move, supported in part by a 15-year, 75 percent LEED tax abatement on the first of three planned buildings, a 132,000 square-foot office building.The company has planned from the beginning to construct two additional buildings to house research labs. Construction manager Al Neyer, Inc. recently closed the bidding process for subcontractors for the new buildings, and on May 25 Cincinnati City Council approved a pair of 15-year tax exemptions for the new buildings, which are planned to be built to LEED certified standards. "Originally, when we built the headquarters, we had two labs in Norwood," said company spokesperson Mary Kuramoto. "The plan has always been to move them to the new location."But Medpace's latest news has little to do with its brick-and-mortar developments: the company announced May 23 that affiliates of the global private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC, are in talks with the company to acquire an 80-percent ownership share. The acquisitions will allow Medpace to expand its global reach and enhance its ability to conduct phase I-IV clinical studies, said Medpace CEO August Troendle in a press release announcing the move.A spokesperson for CCMP Capital Advisors' New York City office declined to comment on the deal, but noted - as did Medpace via press release - that more news on the deal may be released in June.Writer: Matt CunninghamPhotography by Matt Cunningham
Read five books to your baby and earn a free book. Have your teen read for 12 hours and she'll get ear buds, a book and a chance to win a family four-pack of passes to a Reds game or Coney Island. It's all part of the 38th year of the Summer Reading program at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Proponents of reading, from Oprah to elementary school teachers, understand that reading improves memory and exercises the brain and imagination. The library's program adds levels of achievement, prizes and activities to fuel the spirit of competition among regional readers.The rules are simple and easy to manage online. Spend hours reading and log your time online (adults can sign up here). Read a little and you'll earn a voucher for a free book at the giant Friends of the Public Library Book Sale. Read a lot and you, and children you read with, can win one of 164 sets of four passes to Reds' games or Coney Island's pool and park. Read the most of anyone at your branch in your category, and you'll win one of 123 Nook color e-readers. Do Good:• Visit the biggest book sale of all. The annual downtown sale at the Cincinnati Public Library runs through June 10. Friday is bag day – buy a bag and get everything you can fit inside it for free.• Find a great gift. Shop at the Friends' gift shop on the mezzanine level of downtown's library.• Be a friend. Join the Friends organization IRL, and on Facebook.By Elissa YanceyPhoto courtesy Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
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