3CDC. FSMG. DCI. RTN. The names of Cincinnati's business, development and tourism organizations can sound surprisingly similar to a random assortment of Scrabble letters. As such, though many have heard tale of exciting new things happening downtown and in the city, there is often a vague concept of who, exactly, is doing what.
Bill Donabedian, Managing Director of Fountain Square, and Kelly Leon, Vice President of Communications & Community Relations for 3CDC (or what is also known as
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation), gave me a crash course in how to navigate the acronyms. It's a bit like learning the periodic table in chemistry class, but more useful. While I still can't turn lead into gold, I can now read a newspaper article mentioning 3CDC's new development projects and understand what is being said.
Every good guide begins with a map. In this case, Donabedian designed his own – a chart that somewhat resembles a dart board. In the center is Fountain Square Management, which is the core of the city, and on the far edge are the Cincinnati Visitors' Bureau and the Regional Tourist Network, which work to attract tourists to the city. However, even with this helpful visual aid, there is still some decoding to do.
My guides begin by describing their own pieces in the puzzle. Donabedian says his job responsibilities are, "To oversee the square and the garage – basically the maintenance of those facilities, the programming on the square and fundraising to do the programming on the square. Those are my three big roles. I'm a facility manager in one respect, I'm a programmer in another respect, and I'm a fundraiser in another."
Leon, though she works for 3CDC, says her job is to handle communications for Fountain Square Management. "When they have an event coming up, I'll work with the sponsor to do a news release or help promote it as much as I can."
"Sometimes you're making signs for Over-the-Rhine," Donabedian adds.
Leon laughs. "Sometimes we're selling beer."
It is already easy to see how the lines between organizations become blurred. While Leon is in charge of communications for 3CDC, this includes public relations work for Fountain Square Management - and apparently even occasional hands-on fundraising in the form of beverage sales.
A glance at the handy diagram dispels confusion. Fountain Square Management (a subsidiary of 3CDC), lies within 3CDC's larger circle. In general, outer circles have some range of responsibility affecting inner circles (though they are not necessarily directly connected the way Fountain Square and 3CDC are). For instance, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber works to benefit businesses within the entire Greater Cincinnati area, while DCI's focus remains within the scope of downtown.
Following is a quick breakdown of the main organizations in question, along with a brief description of what they do and a fun fact.
FSMG – Fountain Square Management: Fountain Square is the literal and symbolic heart of the city. 3CDC established this 501c3 organization in 2006 to manage events, programming, maintenance and security for Fountain Square and the Fountain Square North Garage. Its purpose is to develop Fountain Square as a popular downtown destination and one of the city's main attractions.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to ensure that Fountain Square represents the very best our city has to offer, instilling a renewed sense of pride. Consistent with the "All Together Surprising" brand adopted by Cincinnati's civic organizations, we will make Fountain Square a place where people from all walks of life feel welcome, a catalyst for economic development, and a sign of Cincinnati's rebirth.Fun fact: Anyone in the public can book an event on the square (as long as the date is open) and also submit content for the LED video board (aka the Jumbotron).
DCI – Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated: This non-profit organization works to maintain a safe and clean downtown as well as promote downtown as an excellent place to work, live and visit. DCI is behind the
Downtown Ambassador program (you may have seen some of the ambassadors cleaning Fountain Square in bright uniforms) and is also responsible for the
Go to Town Guide and the Downtown Tour of Living.
Mission Statement: DCI is a non-profit business organization with a mission to build a dynamic metropolitan center valued as the heart of the region. DCI provides leadership and advocacy for important issues that ensure long-term downtown vitality, and plays an important role in working with strong partners to improve the city. DCI delivers its mission by providing services in three areas: maintaining and enhancing a safe, clean and welcoming environment downtown; maintaining and enhancing the image, awareness and usage of downtown as a vibrant hub of activity through strategic marketing and communications; and to advocate for and support business and residential growth downtown through stakeholder services programs, the production of the acclaimed Downtown Tour of Living, and by serving as the primary source of downtown data collection and distribution to stakeholders by providing quarterly and annual State of Downtown reports. Fun Fact: If you see advertisements stating "Life Happens Here," the message was brought to you by DCI.
OTRCC – Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce: As might be guessed from the name, this organization is a business chamber for OTR businesses, supporting all areas of the neighborhood, including commerce, community and lifestyle. It also provides a forum for diverse interests: businesses, developers, property owners, residents, arts organizations and social service providers.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to represent our members by promoting economic vitality and fostering a socially and culturally diverse Over-the-Rhine community. Fun fact: The Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce is the largest neighborhood Chamber of Commerce in Cincinnati, at approximately 500 members.
3CDC – The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation: This private, nonprofit corporation was formed in 2003 with a purpose of strengthening downtown's core assets. Their main focus is on development.
Mission Statement: The mission of 3CDC is to develop Cincinnati's Center City as a regional center of high value employment and real estate sustained by a diverse mix of housing, culture and entertainment.Fun Facts: One of the fastest-growing developments downtown is the
Gateway Quarter, a new shopping, residential and entertainment district that stretches from 13th Street to Central Parkway, with its epicenter at 12th and Vine.
DRC – Downtown Residents Council: This nonprofit organization works to promote downtown, improve quality of live for residents and provide a forum for residents to share their experiences and concerns to city representatives. They host monthly meetings, social activities and engage in projects intended to inspire people to live downtown. They collaborate with the Police Department on issues of safety and with DCI on promotion and development of downtown.
Mission Statement: The Downtown Residents' Council was founded in 1985 to promote the central business district as an exciting place to live, work and play as well as to give residents an opportunity to exchange experiences and express concerns to city representatives. Members come from all walks of life, sharing a love for living downtown and a common interest in improving overall quality of life within our city. The DRC has a vision of a vibrant, 24-hour city.Fun Fact: Downtown now boasts more than 4,200 residents.
UTC – Uptown Consortium: This nonprofit organization began in 2004 with an intention of revitalizing and restoring Uptown, the area bordering the northern area of downtown, including: Avondale, Clifton, Clifton Heights, Corryville, Fairview, Mt. Auburn and University Heights.
Mission Statement: The Consortium is a non-profit community development corporation dedicated to the human, social, economic and physical improvement of Uptown Cincinnati. Uptown is located just north of downtown and the Consortium's areas of focus generally include the neighborhoods of Avondale, Clifton, Clifton Heights, Corryville, Fairview, Mt. Auburn and University Heights. The Consortium will undertake a variety of investment and program activities in Uptown to help provide housing, health care and job opportunities. Fun Fact: Uptown's population is just over 51,000 or about 15% of the Cincinnati population.
CUSARC – Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber: Like any business chamber, the CUSARC's purpose is simple – to help grow Cincinnati's economy, thereby creating more opportunities for everyone.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to capture our place as one of the world's favorite American business centers. Fun Fact: The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is the nation's fifth largest Chamber, representing the interests of nearly 6,000 member businesses.
CVB – Convention & Visitor's Bureau: Tied closely with the Duke Energy Convention Center, the CVB exists to promote the Greater Cincinnati area as a destination for business and leisure (especially regarding conventions). The CVB works closely with the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network and Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, but is a separate business from them.
Mission Statement: The Cincinnati USA CVB is an aggressive sales, marketing and service organization. Our primary responsibility is to positively impact the region's area economy through convention, trade show, and visitor expenditures, and provide quality service to our clients.Fun Fact: According to CVB's website, between Skyline Chili, Goldstar Chili and other Cincinnati chili restaurants (more than 140 in all!), Cincinnatians eat more than 2 million pounds of chili each year topped by 850,000 pounds of shredded cheddar cheese.
RTN – Regional Tourism Network: is a public/private partnership funded by a percentage of hotel bed tax from the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitor's Bureau with additional corporate support from Procter & Gamble. The RTN is charged with marketing the region as a tourist destination through a robust outer market advertising and promotional program. Its web site, www.CincinnatiUSA.com, is the most viewed travel web portal in the region.
Fun Fact: Cincinnati residents can also take advantage of the RTN – their website always contains current information on entertainment, dining and nightlife options in town.
Photography by Scott Beseler
Bill Donabedian, Managing Director of Fountain Square, and Kelly Leon, Vice President of Communications & Community Relations for 3CDC
Bill's chart
Kelly Leon on Fountain Square
Bill Donabedian
Kelly Leon
Erkenbecker and Burnet
View of Lytle Place and Sawyer Point
Taxi outside of the Westin, CBD
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Liz Wu is a freelance musician and journalist whose passions include the arts, culture and service to others. She is the author of Rosa Farm (Random House, 1996), has a CincyChic art and culture blog, contributes to CityBeat, Taste Magazine and other publications and is also co-founder/manager of Zeit Productions, a promotions company specially geared toward small businesses and artists/performers.