Fountain Square is the most well known and beloved, public gathering space in Cincinnati. Over the years, it has been the site of world series championship celebrations, presidential speeches, political rallies and a wide variety of other public events important to the life and history of the city.

HISTORY / BACKGROUND

For almost a century, the Tyler Davidson Fountain stood in the middle of Fifth Street, with traffic running on either side. In 1961, concern about traffic flow prompted a proposal to add a landscaped, boulevard-type mall around the Fountain. Three years later, the 1964 "Plan for Downtown Cincinnati" called for the development of a "Square." In 1969, Fountain Square, including an underground parking garage, was completed. The Genius of Water was moved from her longtime perch, about 30 feet east and turned 180 degrees to face west. After some additional restoration to the Fountain, the new Fountain Square, complete with skywalks and elevated platforms popular in the 1970s and designed to shield visitors from what was perceived as the "harsh urban core", was dedicated on Oct. 16, 1971. The goal of the design was to create an oasis

Twenty years later, the Tyler Davidson Fountain itself began to show signs of age. A comprehensive assessment determined that the Fountain's structure was deteriorating and near collapse. The community came together and raised funds to restore the Fountain, which by this time had come to truly symbolize Cincinnati. By 2000, the Fountain had been restored and yet another rededication, similar to the one in 1871, was held.

NEED FOR RENOVATION

The roof of the nearly 40-year-old underground parking garage, was deteriorating and in jeopardy of becoming unusable and shutting down. The City was actively setting aside funds in an attempt to address the structural decay of the garage. The plaza was outdated and the layout and design, originally viewed as a passive, urban oasis, was now seen as unwelcoming and harsh. The Fountain had turned into a drive-by attraction instead of a destination where visitors could gather, linger and enjoy the city.

Budget constraints made it impossible for the City to provide the focused funding and resources needed for a major overhaul of the Square. That overhaul needed to include daily maintenance and upkeep, significant improvements to the garage and a transformation of the plaza from a passive space to an actively programmed space that could support and attract events, activities and people.

By 2003, City and civic leaders determined that renovation of Fountain Square, followed by an aggressive and proactive plan to create events and activities to attract visitors, needed to happen quickly. They agreed that the health of Cincinnati's Central Business District depended on a strong and vibrant downtown that began with a revitalized Fountain Square. Renovation of the Square was believed to be a dramatic and critical first step that had to be taken to jumpstart economic development in Cincinnati's central business district. The successful redevelopment of the city's most important and prominent civic space, the thinking went, would spark additional private investment on and around the Square, ultimately enticing people to live downtown, stay downtown after work and come back downtown on the weekends.

RENOVATION FINANCING STRUCTURE

As the development entity formed by the City and the corporate community to spearhead economic development downtown, the city, which owns Fountain Square, hired 3CDC to oversee and manage the plaza and garage renovation. In addition, the City leased the garage to 3CDC for an up-front fee of $7.5 million, which was included in the total project cost, giving 3CDC the ability to renovate, manage and generate revenue from the garage. Revenue from parking fees is restricted and can only be used for garage operations, garage maintenance and repayment of loans used to renovate the garage and plaza. The lease with the city is in effect for 40 years starting in October 2005 or until the loans are paid back, whichever comes first.

PROCESS

Plaza: The Fountain Square Plaza renovation called for increasing the size of the public gathering space by removing a concrete stage and relocating the "Genius of Water". It also included demolition and removal of a skywalk bridge, re-grading the plaza closer to street level, the addition of sidewalk ingress and egress on 5th and Vine streets, installation of new granite pavers and curbs, adding more groves, greenery and trees, restrooms, space for concessions, speakers and vastly improved handicap accessibility.

Garage: Renovation of the garage consisted of extensive structural repairs to the roof and deck assemblies, drive lanes, waterproofing, new lighting and ventilation systems, new glass-enclosed elevator pavilion and a new pay-on-foot, self parking system.

New Additions: New features were added to the plaza including a water wall for children, a permanent stage, a 24 x 42 foot LED Board atop the Macy's building overlooking the Square and a production control room in the garage, a larger ice rink and permanent chiller also located in the garage and a new Italian restaurant, Via Vite, operated by local restauranteur Nicola Pietoso.

DEDICATION

A primary goal of the renovation was to restore Fountain Square as the civic center of the Cincinnati community. To meet this goal, focused attention had to be given to creating events and programming that motivated people to visit the Square.

MANAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING

FSMG generates about $750,000 per year through corporate sponsorships and other in-kind partnerships. These funds allow FSMG to program free, high quality entertainment and events that bring tens of thousands of people to Downtown Cincinnati and Fountain Square all year long.

The PNC Summer Music Series and U.S. Bank Ice Rink are examples of FSMG's partnerships with generous corporate sponsors. All FSMG programming is privately funded. Event sponsorship exists at a range of levels, from $1,000 up to tens of thousands of dollars and includes a wide and varied list of civic partners.

In addition, because it is a city-owned, public space, Fountain Square may be used for events sponsored by the public. The number of non-FSMG events is on the rise, with hundreds of groups, organizations and individuals discovering the benefits of holding their event on Fountain Square. To permit an event on Fountain Square visit www.myfountainsquare.com.

FSMG's mission is to make Fountain Square "the" destination point for Cincinnati, the place to gather for a concert, a movie, an outdoor market, a celebration, a kick-off, a wedding, etc. FSMG is achieving this goal by proactively creating consistent, quality programming and helping the public secure the necessary permits to make the space their own.

OUTCOMES

In addition to drawing people to the Square for events and activities, the renovation is achieving the goal of acting as a catalyst for additional economic development on Fountain Square and in the Fountain Square District. Food and drink vendors are now a regular component on the Square, generating revenue that is used to maintain and upgrade this public space. To date, the renovation has also resulted in approximately $125 million in new, privately owned restaurants and retail establishments on the blocks surrounding Fountain Square, none of which would have happened without the energy generated by Fountain Square.

The City of Cincinnati continues to contribute $395,000 per year to the Square to fund ambassadors, landscaping, maintenance and capital repairs and improvements to the plaza. The investment is below what the City spent to maintain and operate the Square before the renovation, but the results are clearly much bigger thanks to this successful public-private partnership. The collaboration between a variety of partners including the City, the corporate community and 3CDC has put Fountain Square and the Fountain Square District well on its way to becoming a destination location for the region and a true arts and entertainment hub for Cincinnati's center city.