Court Street between Vine and Main streets will not become a pedestrian mall. It won't be blocked to traffic between Vine and Walnut either any time soon. A study from 3CDC and Cincinnati is not recommending any major changes to Downtown's streetscape.
In February, Mayor John Cranley announced the formation of an urban pedestrian task force to investigate and make recommendations for improved walkability in the Central Business District. Closing Court Street was one possibility floated at the press conference in the lobby of Kroger's headquarters.
Cate Douglas, 3CDC's stakeholder services specialist, says they surveyed Downtown residents and stakeholders, and held meetings with small groups to find out what people wanted. "People want more space to be able to dine outside and more flexible space," she says.
"We're incorporating concerns from neighboring businesses and property owners about parking," she adds. "That seems to be a big concern, about any kind of loss of parking spaces, as well as making it more pedestrian friendly and welcoming, as more of a public space."
Douglas says designers will be reviewing traffic count numbers to see what options are possible for Court Street, and a report could be going to Cincinnati council within 60 to 90 days.
She says the study group will soon start looking at changing some one-way streets into two-way. Central Avenue, Eighth and Ninth streets were all mentioned at the February announcement.
