Progress Report: Q1 2022
The Banks
The Banks Project:
Q1 2022 Progress
January, February, and March were months of highs and lows—be it fluctuation in temperatures, rise and fall of river levels, or Bengals football fortunes. Yet construction continued without a break on Lot 28 (Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame) and Lot 19 (Filson’s Queen City Kitchen & Bar).
- Business at The Banks roared back in January, with the Cincinnati Bengals division games to secure both AFC North and the AFC Championship in January, and a trip to Super Bowl LVI in February.
- Frost Factory’s new space continued under construction.
- On Lot 19, construction continued on Filson’s Queen City Kitchen & Bar.
- Lot 28 was abuzz with construction activity, building the interactive, permanent home for the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
- Central Riverfront Garage’s additional Mehring Way entrances (C and D) were convenient for Brady Music Center patrons.
- VMS and Digital Messages delighted drivers and pedestrians alike with timely information about mobility.
- The Roebling Bridge remained closed for repairs, with subtle signs pointing to a spring opening.
- The Cincinnati Reds announced their Opening Day would be April 12, as they play host to the Cleveland Guardians.
- The Ohio River crested at 51 feet, flooding parts of Smale Riverfront Park.
CAPTIONS: Left: High river and cold weather did not deter visitors to Smale Riverfront Park. Center: Cincinnati Riverfront Garage Mehring Way Entrance C offers nearby parking access to Freedom Way West, Paul Brown Stadium, and Brady Music Center. Right: Brady Music Center paid tribute to AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals with orange lighting in January.
Project Pillars
Economic Inclusion
Phase I, II, IIIA, IIIB and IIIC Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation 1/1/08 through 3/31/22.
Phase I, II, IIIA and IIIB Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Goal/participation varied by project, between 4% and 9%.
Money paid to SBE and DBE contractors through varying dates.
Percentage of workforce living within the 26-county Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area*
* Phase I, II, IIIA, IIIB, and VMS Phase II from 1/1/08 through 12/31/21. There are no local residency participation goals for the project.
Combined Minority and Women Workforce Participation 1/1/08 through 12/31/21 for Phase I, II, IIIA, IIIB, and VMS Phase II
Female: 0.31%
Minority: 16.75%
Combined Minority and Women Workforce Participation 1/1/22 through 2/28/22 for Phase IIIC
Female: 0.0%
Minority: 4.14%
Budget
The Public Parties project work remained within budget.
Safety
Public Parties construction safety hours for all phases from 1/1/08 through 3/31/22.
Schedule
All Public Parties work was completed on schedule in 2022.
Additional Information
January
Cincinnati Bengals win AFC Championship game at Paul Brown Stadium in January.
Even the VMS signs jump on the “Who Dey!” bandwagon!
Temporary Wall Construction in Lot 28 sets the stage for Phase IIIC construction.
Lot 28 fenced off at start of construction.
Bengals fans line the DORA along Freedom Way during AFC Championship game.
Parks Runners chase the shadows along the Ohio River Walk.
February
Visitors queue up for Black History Month programs at the Freedom Center.
Snow did not stop runners from enjoying Smale Riverfront Park.
Signage marks Lot 28 as the future home of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
The Bengals are Super Bowl bound!
March
New design for the Streetcar celebrates Cincinnati!
Hyacinths are some of the signs of spring in Smale Riverfront Park.
Lot 28 construction included concrete wall pour in March.
Irish dancers entertained the crowds at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Freedom Way.
Frost Factory continued its build-out of space on West Freedom Way.
Family visits the Black Brigade monument in Smale Riverfront Park.
Filson’s construction on Freedom Way (Lot 19) continues on schedule.
Communications
www
• TOTAL VISITOR SESSIONS: 2,922
• AVERAGE MONTHLY SESSIONS: 974
• TOTAL PAGE VIEWS: 4,029
• MONTHLY PARKING PAGE VIEWS: 636
• AVERAGE DURATION: 1:08 minutes
Additional Media Information
Further details are available here.
* 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.
What’s Next
Aerial photo of Lot 28 (Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame) shows progress in January of 2022.
Aerial photo of Lot 28 (Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame) shows progress in February of 2022.
Aerial photo of Lot 28 (Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame) shows progress in March of 2022.
