Soapbox

Since completing its renovation in 2006, Fountain Square has since sparked millions of private investment downtown and brought tens of thousands of people to the heart of Cincinnati every year.  That success has not gone unnoticed outside of the larger Cincinnati region.

This fall the Square's developer and manager, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), and HR&A Advisors were awarded the pretigious International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Partnership Award. The award, in the public-private partnership category, recognizes "outstanding and innovative public/private development projects that have enhanced the economic revitalization of distressed communities, states, or regions."

The award highlighted the creation of the non-profit 3CDC organization which has been charged with leading downtown Cincinnati's revitalization efforts.  3CDC's efforts were made into reality through a business plan developed by HR&A Advisors which also helped design the corporation's initial organizational structure.
 
The business strategy developed by HR&A looked at a number of issues facing Cincinnati's center city and identified that a poor design of Fountain Square, combined with the absence of event programming, left a major void in Downtown.

Following a complete redesign of Fountain Square, Cincinnati's central gathering space rid itself of unsightly skywalks and underperforming retail frontages, and incorporated a variety of new design elements that invited activity to the square.

The award comes from the unique public/private partnership agreement between the City of Cincinnati and 3CDC for the ongoing programming and maintenance of the space including its 635-space underground parking garage.  Since completion, Fountain Square has returned to its rightful position as Cincinnati's most popular gathering space and has also sparked millions of private investment surrouding the square and influence dramatically higher retail sales at nearby businesses.

Today the non-profit Fountain Square Management Group, a 3CDC subsidiary, oversees the square maintenance and programming as part of the award-winning public/private partnership.

When Mynt Martini has their grand opening on New Year's Eve, Cincinnatians will be treated to a spectacular new $1.4 million club in the heart of downtown.  Located directly on Fountain Square, Mynt Martini boasts the "best location in Cincinnati" according to owner Chico Garcia.

Garcia says that this is the group's first club outside of Mynt Ultralounge in Columbus, and that they did not seek out their prime Cincinnati location - instead it found them.

"CB Richard Ellis representatives were in Columbus at Mynt Ultralounge and said that they would love to have Mynt in Cincinnati," said Garcia.  "They showed us the location and we absolutely loved it."

Mynt Martini will feature 3,800 square feet of interior space and another 1,200 square feet outside on the patio that is protected from the elements and includes sweeping views of the Westin Cincinnati, Tyler Davidson Fountain, and Fountain Square's giant videoboard atop Macy's. The club can hold up to 400 patrons.

Mynt will have high-quality entertainment options including live music, bartending shows, and comedians entertaining guests on their full-size stage located behind one of three interior bars.

"We feature Las Vegas-style martinis, high-quality service, and will be known for creating the party and not waiting for it to happen," said Garcia.  "This will be very evident on New Year's Eve because we're going to make sure everything is high-quality and that everyone is taken care of...we're not trying to pack as many people in as possible."

Following the New Year's Eve grand opening, Mynt Martini will be open from 4pm to 2:30am and will be serving light fare until 11pm, including oysters, feta stuffed tomatoes, yogurt and berries, and a special Mynt Fruit Salsa with pineapple, mango, jalapeno, mynt, cilantro and lime.  Mynt will be open for lunch in early February.

"Everything on the menu is very healthy," said Garcia who also mentioned that Mynt will be serving "very aggressive" salads and soups which seem to be lacking in the market.  Food prices will range from $8 to $12 and will also be available during happy hour specials.

The most unique item on the menu though might be the Myntini which includes 2oz of VOX Vodka, .5oz of Finest Call Mojito Mix, 1oz Finest Call Sour, and three secret ingredients.  Mynt's Las Vegas-style martinis will cost between $9 and $12.

All week long Mynt Martini will have a five-hour happy hour special from 4pm to 9pm that includes $5 martinis and $5 menu items.  There will also be special offers for followers of Mynt Martini's Twitter and Facebook accounts, including three to four special events throughout the year for those people following on Twitter and Facebook.

"Everyone that has seen the concept so far has absolutely loved it," said Garcia.  "On top of it all we're at one of the most beautiful locations in the city; we're not near Fountain Square...we're literally right on it."

New Year's Eve:
Mynt Martini will be having their grand opening on New Year's Eve.  Guests will be let in on a first-come, first-served basis.  A $40 ticket will guarantee your admission; elbow room; champagne toast at midnight; appetizers throughout the night including veggie spring rolls, sausage stuffed mushrooms, and mini mesquite grilled chicken quesidillas; party favors; music by DJ Ryan Cox; and live interaction with the Times Square Ball Drop.  Buy your tickets online now, or call Mynt Martini's VIP Host Nicole D at (513) 828-9335.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

The State of Ohio has awarded $1.5 million worth of funding for solar electric projects in Cincinnati.  The announcement came as Ohio Governor Ted Strickland awarded more than $13 million worth of grant money to 25 projects throughout the state of Ohio as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) State Energy Program.

The renewable energy awards - the first to be awarded from Ohio's $96 million State Energy Program - will enable Ohio to stimulate the creation and retention of jobs, save energy, increase energy generation from renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions according to State officials.

The ARRA funds are targeted towards public and private entities that are able to use the money to install wind electric, solar electric and solar thermal technologies at businesses, schools, parks and other public locations throughout Ohio.  The winning projects in Cincinnati will install solar energy projects throughout the city at public buildings, parks, and other facilities.

The Duke Energy Convention Center, owned by the City of Cincinnati, received $252,937 to install a 93kw photovoltaic array rooftop system at the 750,000 square-foot convention center located Downtown.  Cincinnati Parks received $451,418 to install a total of 170kw solar photovoltaic systems at 13 park sites throughout the city.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health will use $652,932 to install a 232.65kw solar photovoltaic rooftop system at its Summit Facility in Bond Hill.  And Greater Cincinnati Water Works will take $775,655 and install a 280kw photovoltaic solar array rooftop system.

All of the projects awarded grant money must meet federal goals of the ARRA's State Energy Program to accelerate renewable energy development in Ohio by creating or preserving jobs and reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

It has not taken long for Chef Joshua Campbell's Mayberry restaurant in downtown Cincinnati to catch the attention of food lovers.  Even though the restaurant has only been open a few short weeks, Mayberry's owners are already planning new weekend and evening hours to meet the demands of the dedicated supporters that have flocked there.

"Before we even opened our doors, people were asking us when we'd be adding weekend hours. We wanted to make sure we got the swing of things before we added those hours, but now we're ready," said Chef Josh Campbell, owner of Mayberry and World Food Bar in historic Findlay Market.

The new Friday and Saturday dinner hours will feature a separate menu which will change weekly, like the lunch menu, depending upon what is in season.  

"We don’t want to nail ourselves down to a set menu because it’s important for me to prepare and serve the best dishes possible. I want to be able to go to markets and buy the best ingredients to serve to our guests," Campbell said.

In addition to the new dinner hours which run from 5:30pm to 9pm, Mayberry also added a new Sunday brunch from 10am to 2pm. Campbell did note that the new dinner hours are flexible.  

"We will definitely be open through 9pm, but if the crowds are there, we will stay open until everyone has been fed," he said.  

The restaurant is currently in the process of obtaining a liquor license, but until that time guests are able to bring their own alcoholic beverages for the new weekend dinner hours.  The new weekly dinner menus will be featured on World Food Bar's Facebook Page and on their Twitter account.

For their first weekend of dinner hours, Chef Campbell prepared a crispy pork belly with Frank's RedHot butter and cheddar grits and short ribs with creamed corn and smoked bacon, along with a variety of other items.  There will also be select lunch menu items that will be rotated onto the weekly dinner menus.

"Without Twitter, I would have not been able to see their menu online, see photos of their entrees, or ulitmately been lured in for lunch," said Downtown resident and worker Thadd Fiala.  "Once I was in there, I was hooked...the star of the show is their BLT.  I dream sweet dreams about the sandwich, and when you pair it with Mayberry's Tater-Tot casserole, it's a match made in lunchtime heaven."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

The Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District (DCID) elected six new board members at its annual meeting.  The new board members represent a diverse collection of Downtown interests and will help guide and implement the 2010-2013 Services Plan.

The DCID is a Special Improvement District (SID) that was created by Cincinnati City Council in 1996 and given approval by Downtown property owners within the boundaries of Eggleston Avenue on the east, Central Parkway on the north, Central Avenue on the west (including the Centennial buildings), and the river on the south (excluding the two stadiums).

According to Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI), the SID generates funds through a special assessment on property owners within the defined area.  These funds are then contracted with DCI to provide safe and clean services including the Ambassador program, marketing and communications services, and stakeholder services including business assistance, residential advocacy, and information gathering/dissemination.

The specific improvements are guided by property owners and the nine-member board that is made up of six stakeholders, two representatives from the City of Cincinnati, and one representative from Hamilton County.  In the past much of the focus has been on clean and safe operations that include the highly visible Downtown Cincinnati Ambassadors.  The six new board members, and their representative duties include the following:

• Class A Office Building Representative: Lydia Jacobs-Horton, Director, Global Facilities and Real Estate, Global Business Services,  Procter & Gamble
• Class B/C Office Building Representative: Jack H. Goodwin, Partner, Miller-Valentine Group
• Diversified Representative: Andy Barlow, General Manager, Central Parking System
• Diversified Representative: Roger Thesing, President, Thesing Real Estate Services
• Retail Representative: Rich Cappel, Co-Owner, Cappel’s Inc.
• Building Owners & Managers Association Representative: Steven Richter, Manager Atrium Two Building and Director, Asset Services, CB Richard Ellis

"This is an outstanding leadership team for DCID," said David Ginsburg, President and CEO of Downtown Cincinnati Inc.  "We’re looking forward to working with the new board to implement the 2010-2013 Services Plan that was so enthusiastically endorsed by our stakeholders. It is an exciting time for downtown, and I'm confident that the DCID public/private partnership will continue to thrive under the leadership of this new team."

The 2010-2013 Services Plan recently received approval from property owners within the defined areas of the district.  The vote passed with more than 70 percent approval - signaling to some that a strong interest and support exists for a higher level of services within Downtown Cincinnati.

"During a turning point in downtown history and during uncertain economic times, the downtown property owners demonstrated their continued support of the DCID by their approval of the 2010-2013 Downtown Services Plan," commented Rick Kimbler, Managing Partner of NorthPointe Group and outgoing DCID Board Chair.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy