Downtown Residents Benefit From Active Council
The benefits of being a downtown resident continue to grow. To see it for yourself, join the Downtown Residents Council on Tuesday, March 8th at Artonomy, located at 415 Plum Street, just north of the intersection of Fourth and Plum Streets. The meeting/social will begin at 6 PM. Refreshments will be provided by several area establishments.
Many of you may ask: what is the Downtown Residents Council, who is in it, what do they do, or how do you join? All good questions!
First things first: The Downtown Residents Council was established in 1985 as a resource for residents of the Central Business District to exchange experiences and express concerns. The members come from all walks of life, sharing a love for living in downtown Cincinnati and a common interest in improving the overall quality of life within our city. As individuals and as a group, the DRC has a vision of a vibrant, 24-hour city, with all its necessary amenities. Whether you live, work or play here, all who are interested in the success of Downtown Cincinnati are welcome in the DRC.
The DRC's strength is in our members, and our membership is growing. A perfect example occurred on February 7, when the Downtown Residents Council and the Contemporary Arts Center co-hosted a special event for downtown residents. Held in the expansive open lobby of the CAC, scores of Downtowners attended the event and were the first to participate in discounted memberships offered by the CAC. Downtowners were offered a 40 percent discount on any annual membership. Many took advantage of this membership benefit that continued through February 16. Additional neighborhood businesses have announced plans to offer their own discounts to DRC members, and more are being sought. A Summer 2005 roll-out of this unique DRC member benefit package is in the works.
There is something for everyone. The DRC 2005 Calendar is an active one. Downtown residents are invited to partake in both member meetings and socials on a monthly basis. Service opportunities include Citizens on Patrol, park/neighborhood clean-ups, mentoring and youth arts programs, and urban beautification events. Our partnerships with local arts associations and area out-reach groups allow for participation in many volunteer initiatives. Newly formed book and movie clubs will meet regularly. Four active committees (Clean and Safe, Special Events, Communications and Membership) are encouraging on-going and/or single event volunteers.
Your own personal urban moment is just waiting to happen, and the DRC is here to encourage those urban moments in each of us. DRC membership dues are just $15 for individuals or $20 per household, and $50 for businesses.