Quarterly Review | January–March 2025
Letter from The Banks Project Executive, Phil Beck
What’s more “Cincinnati” than baseball’s Opening Day at The Banks? At noon on March 27, the 106th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade stepped off, making its way through downtown Cincinnati and ushering in the 2025 baseball season to thousands lining Freedom Way and the entrance to Great American Ball Park. January and February were event-filled as well. Check out our photo album in this edition!
The Public Parties finalized activation of the parking guidance system in the Central Riverfront Garage. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame attracted 27,162 visitors by the end of the first quarter. Cincinnati Parks prepared Smale Riverfront Park for Spring by tending to acres of gardens and lawn, swings, and areas for picnics and events. Last but not least, Cincinnati Magazine’s Best of the City named the designated outdoor refreshment area at The Banks the “Best DORA.”
As Spring blossoms into Summer, we invite you to visit Cincinnati’s acclaimed riverfront development which entered its design phase just 25 years ago. We hope to see you soon as we celebrate the past, the present, and the future of The Banks.
Phil Beck, AIA, LEED AP
The Banks Public Partnership Project Executive
Entertain
Opening Day Festivities
The Banks welcomes fans as a new baseball season begins.
The Banks in Cincinnati hosted festivities for the 2025 Reds Opening Day, highlighted by the Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party. Fans enjoyed the live music, vendors, and the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). Many bars and restaurants at The Banks joined in the fun, offering special events and promotions, creating an energetic atmosphere that celebrates the start of the Reds’ season.
Educate
Cincinnati Riverfront Garage
Discover the new wayfinding enhancements.
New to Cincinnati Riverfront Garage (CRG) and The Banks, the Parking Guidance System utilizes lighting to assist drivers identify and select open spaces. The lighting is designed to help drivers reduce the time it takes to find an open space in which to park their vehicles in the five-block, two level intermodal transit facility’s garage. In addition, signage along interstates show the best routes to The Banks and signs at each CRG vehicle entrance display the total number of available spaces in real time.
Upon entry to the CRG, drivers will encounter red, green, blue, purple and yellow light sensors installed overhead in the drive-lane on all levels of the garage.
Red indicates the space is occupied.
Green indicates the space is available.*
Blue indicates the space is reserved accessible.*
(State-issued, handicapped parking permit required)
Purple indicates reserved parking.
Yellow indicates EV charging station.
* Green or blue can indicate between one and four spaces.
Engage
St. Patrick’s Day
The Banks hosted the holiday parade and festivities.
The 57th Annual Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place at The Banks, drawing thousands of attendees to celebrate Irish heritage. The parade commenced at noon from the intersection of Mehring Way and Central Avenue, meandered throughout The Banks, and concluded on Freedom Way at Elm Street. This family-friendly event featured vibrant floats, spirited Irish dancers, and performances by bagpipe bands. Cincinnati Bengals legend Anthony Muñoz served as the grand marshal, adding to the festivities. Following the parade, The Banks hosted the LepreCON St. Patrick’s Day Block Party, offering live music, giveaways, and continued celebrations into the evening.
This series of brief video vignettes, Before The Banks, tells the amazing stories of what came before the transformational development along the Cincinnati Riverfront.
Current Events
Spring flowers in Smale Riverfront Park.
A snowy day at The Banks.
Visitors experience the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
Hilltop site development activity: Evaluation of bids submitted for Hilltop Bid Package 1 (Demolition) is underway; contract award expected in April. Hilltop Bid Package 2 (Site Work) was posted March 28; bids due April 16.
Fire & Ice celebration at Moerlein Lager House.
Enjoying the Rosenberg Swings along the award-winning Ohio River Trail.
Walking near the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Aerating Smale Riverfront Park.
Bicycling through The Banks.
Fun in the Impact Zone.
Maintenance work on the geothermal wells beneath Smale Riverfront Park.
The annual Polar Plunge benefits the Special Olympics.
What’s Next
Here is just a sampling of the activities along the riverfront:
Q1 2025 Economic Inclusion Appendices
For more information: Phil Beck, AIA, LEED AP Project Executive The Banks Project (513) 946-4434