President Recaps 2022

This “Holiday Letter” highlights some of the DRC activities and accomplishments from the past twelve months.

2022 was our first full year for conducting our Board and Membership meetings at the First Financial Innovation Center at 4th and Vine Streets. The popular gatherings featured more requests for speakers and topics than we could accommodate. At our November meeting, we thanked Captain Douglas Wiesman of the Cincinnati Police Department for his of service to the Central Business District and wished him well in his retirement. We look forward to the continuing police reports as a vital part of our monthly meetings in 2023.

The DRC Board met informally in summer and winter retreats, generating numerous ideas such as the DRC membership survey. Conducted in late November, the digital DRC survey provided valuable suggestions for improvements ranging from changing the appearance of our meeting agenda, attracting a greater diversity of downtown residents, and streamlining our informative and popular digital newsletter. Additional topics will be evaluated for further discussion and actions in 2023.

Members were introduced to some new downtown establishments through the very popular DRC socials. The Social committee’s year-long work of planning and hosting the many monthly get-togethers culminated with a very festive Holiday Party at Prime Cincinnati.

The re-opening of the Purple People Bridge allowed us to resume our tradition of purchasing and planting flowers in the pots at the bridge’s Cincinnati entrance. Although we did plant the flowers, the Park Department changed its procedure by purchasing the flowers and assuming the maintenance of them — relieving us of the plants’ cost and the opportunity for getting our hands dirty throughout the growing season. The DRC did continue to financially sponsor the planting and maintenance of five large flower pots in downtown locations.

The benefits of the city’s 2022-2023 Community Budget Request (CBR) Program continued along the “Path to the Taft” through the city’s installation of two security lights. The perennial flowers that we planted in 2021 reappeared in spring in greater number. Scores of additional flowers were purchased, planted and maintained in 2022 to enlarge the floral area while attracting many kinds of pollinating insects. Two signs were placed among the flowers: one from the Cincinnati Zoo that recognized the Path’s benefits to pollinating insects; the other, crediting the DRC for maintaining the area. These landscaping and lighting improvements added to the aesthetics and safety of this increasingly busy pedestrian route.

We applied for two projects to enhance our downtown living via the city’s 2024-2025 CBR Program. They included the improvement of a pedestrian crosswalk at Pike and E. Third Streets and the establishment of a dog park in the southwest area of downtown. Results of the applications will be announced by mid-2023.

Your timely notifications to us and to agencies regarding the locations of homeless camps resulted in assisting several individuals and the cleaning-up of unsightly and unsanitary sites.

We thoughtfully and generously contributed to deserving local charities and activities through our annual Invest In Neighborhood (IIN) program and the one-time federal Neighborhood Activation Fund (NAF). The allocated dollars were spent on community projects and were accounted carefully and fully by us.

The DRC’s annual decorating Piatt Park for the holidays continued, but with a new partner. The Covenant-First Presbyterian Church on Elm Street generously provided a summer storage space for our supplies and helped decorate the park. Thanks to their members for their support in continuing this holiday tradition. Thanks also to the city Park Department for providing the electricity to illuminate our decorations.

On behalf of all of us, several members assembled and delivered treat baskets to our first responders and Ambassadors in appreciation of their service to downtown.

The weekly email newsletter and other timely messages continued and to an increasing number of members and community contacts. Subjects ranged from entertainment announcements to volunteer opportunities, to downtown development issues, and to crime incidents and vehicular traffic alerts.

The DRC was well represented virtually and in-person at monthly meetings with police, other city departments, local agencies and Cincinnati neighborhood councils to discuss issues, concerns and possible solutions. Some members testified at a public hearing to oppose the transfer of a liquor/carry-out license into our downtown neighborhood. The requested transfer was denied.

There was a noticeable increase in member activity on the DRC’s Wild Apricot computer platform this year. Members corresponded with others, updated membership records, responded to DRC socials and participated in our new Membership directory.  Our website continued to post informative meeting minutes and timely announcements, including updates to our Facebook page.

Our Board thoughtfully considered, discussed, and acted on much business brought before them. They handled the many timely administrative duties efficiently while participating in committees among themselves and with those of the general membership to ensure another productive year.  As usual, there will be vacancies on the Board next April, so please consider serving this organization as a working Board member or as a committee participant in 2023. More information about these opportunities will follow in January.

As I have mentioned in earlier letters, thanks for your support and participation in continuing the DRC mission of making downtown Cincinnati “…a delightful and convenient in-town residential area for all citizens.”

Happy Holidays (and stay safe)!

Alan Bunker, DRC President

Paving the Way

Moving around downtown safely is an issue that a lot of residents are concerned with. If you think a sidewalk is in poor condition and a possible trip hazard, the best way to report the problem is to use the City’s Citizen Service Request options. That includes calling 513.591.6000, visiting www.5916000.com, or using the Fix It Cincy! app on a smart phone.

DRC Supports Saturday Hoops

The DRC supports Saturday Hoops, a Youth Mentoring program at Ziegler Park offered each Saturday throughout the summer.  Free, faith-based fun through basketball, art, healthy snacks, and mentorship is available to all kids with no registration required and no cost to participate.  Check out our logo on the Saturday Hoops banner!

Our Downtown on the Move

Downtown Cincinnati is now home to over 6,000 residents (over 15,000 in the greater market area, which includes OTR, Pendleton and the West End), with more arriving every month as new condos and apartment homes are completed. The Downtown Residents Council works to develop a community atmosphere, conducts projects to improve the quality of life, and voices concerns of residents at City Hall.

We work closely with the Police Department on safety issues and 3CDC on development and promotion efforts.

Help Us Stop Graffiti! Call it in!

If you see graffiti on a building, sidewalk, rack, etc. please help us get rid of it ASAP. The longer graffiti stays up, the greater the invitation for more. Please contact 3CDC Safe and Clean Manager David Vissman when you see graffiti. David will dispatch a team to photograph it, report it to the police and remove it. David’s number is 8598-866-5224.

Ambassador Hotline. To contact a 3CDC Safe and Clean Ambassador, call their hotline at: 513-623-3429. In an emergency, always call 911.