Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project Update

Brent Spence Bridge Corridor December 5, 2022 eNewsletter

DBE MATCHMAKER EVENT TAKING PLACE

DEC. 7

Small, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Encouraged to Learn about Potential Work Opportunities

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project will offer unprecedented opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses in our region. To support the inclusion of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) consultants and contractors on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will host two events Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Anderson Pavilion, 8 Mehring Way, in Cincinnati.

From 9 a.m. to noon, representatives from ODOT and KYTC will provide an overview of the project for DBE firms. The presentation will include details about prequalification requirements for the project and support services available to DBE consultants and contractors.

From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., ODOT and KYTC will conduct a “matchmaker” event in which DBE firms can meet one-on-one with prime contractors and firms who work directly with the government and manage subcontractors and consultants.

“This is a great opportunity for the industry,” said ODOT’s Tom Arnold of the afternoon event. “Each DBE gets 15 minutes to present their capabilities and work experience to a number of prime contractors. Our goal is to help our prime design and construction firms understand how many great small businesses they can work with to meet our project inclusion goals.”

Arnold, a member of the project’s Diversity and Inclusion Outreach Committee, added ODOT and KYTC plan to issue a request for proposals for the project’s prime contractor early next year. Construction is scheduled to begin late next year or early 2024.

“We strongly recommend DBE firms preregister for both events because we want to help make as many connections as possible,” Arnold said. He also recommended DBE firms follow ODOT’s Outreach webpage for additional updates and events.

Schedule of DBE Events

Wednesday, Dec. 7 | Anderson Pavilion

8:30 to 9 a.m.: Registration

9 a.m. to Noon: Project Overview

1:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Matchmaker Event with Prime Contractors

ODOT AND KYTC CONTINUE ROBUST PUBLIC OUTREACH THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS

Public Invited to Attend to Ask Questions and Share Feedback

The joint project team from ODOT and KYTC continues to gather valuable feedback from communities surrounding the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project area through a public meeting and listening tour. Suggestions gathered during these sessions will enhance the overall project, including opportunities to reconnect neighborhoods, improve bike and pedestrian safety, and reduce the project's footprint.

Through the end of 2022 and into 2023, the project team will continue meeting one-on-one with directly affected communities to answer questions and gather ideas.

As the project gets under way, ODOT and KYTC will continue to explore ways to improve pedestrian access, improve safety, and support better access to business districts while reclaiming public land for local use.

During the eight meetings conducted to date, residents and local officials have identified opportunities that are now part of the plan, including enhanced streetscape amenities, aesthetic treatments, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. All will improve connectivity to transit, jobs, health care, cultural, recreational and commercial destinations.

In addition to the neighborhood meetings, the public will be provided the opportunity to review project materials and provide formal comments at public hearings currently scheduled for July/August 2023.

KENTUCKY’S UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING SCHEDULE

OHIO'S UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING SCHEDULE

REVISED PROJECT DESIGN RETURNS 10 ACRES TO CINCINNATI CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

In its continuing collaboration with Cincinnati’s elected officials and community leaders, the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project team redesigned plans for the area immediately west of the Duke Energy Convention Center, freeing up 10 acres for future development.

Last summer the city and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber submitted comments and requested changes to the Ohio side of the corridor to enlarge the central business district, which were approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).

This creates “some really exciting opportunities for large-scale investments,” said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval at a news conference last month. “We want to be a city that’s growing, and these 10 acres right in the middle of our downtown’’ will be like pouring “gasoline on that effort.”

Changes include refinements to the entrance and exit ramps on Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth streets to better integrate them into the city’s street network. The revised plan also removes one exit ramp from Interstate 75 South.

Though the city has no definite plans for the reclaimed area, Pureval said he envisions creating a place where people “can either work or enjoy retail and restaurants.” He added the 10 acres has an estimated value of $20 million and could generate more than $500,000 a year in taxes.

Brendon Cull, president of the chamber, said adding 10 acres in downtown Cincinnati represents a significant economic opportunity for the city and region. “Our goal all along has been to make sure that the Brent Spence Bridge gets done and gets done in a way that maximizes opportunity for our region,” he said. “This successful effort will create more economic opportunity for the people who live here and work here, and that’s what matters.”

Image from Spectrum News 1