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Uptown Consortium, MLK/Reading Road Corridor Study
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Cincinnati, OH | Study
Planning design study of the MLK corridor and surrounding area.
Uptown Cincinnati is a diverse and vibrant urban area made up of six neighborhoods, five major medical and research institutions, the Zoo, and numerous small businesses. With a new highway interchange bringing increased traffic and visibility to the area, the Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI) and the City of Cincinnati enlisted our help to plan for the impacts of the new interchange.
Overhead view of MLK where development occurs on both sides of the street
MLK section where development occurs on both sides of the street
To address the many possible scenarios for the area, the design team took a holistic approach that encompassed: transportation management, planning and urban design, and responsible economic development.
GBBN guided a broad base of stakeholders through interviews, workshops, and public hearings. This work, which included subconsultants Sasaki, RCL Co., and Xavier University’s Community Building Institute, helped UCI envision a future that promotes “complete streets” (growth that’s friendly to pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles); supports a diverse, mixed-use program; establishes an appropriate scale for buildings and green spaces; and captures momentum already being generated within Uptown’s neighborhoods.
Stakeholder charrettes held to explore the master plan.
With over 55,000 employees, Uptown is Cincinnati’s second largest employment hub and is the region’s learning and healthcare center. GBBN created a shared vision for this new gateway that, as adopted by the City Planning Commission, has become the benchmark for quality private development along the corridor.
Final design and planning document presented to the Planning Commission