Cincinnati OKs $1.9 million for Oakley gateway project

Jeanne Houck | Cincinnati Enquirer

Large signage spelling out “OAKLEY” soon will identify the eastern approach to the neighborhood’s Madison Road business district, which also will be made more pedestrian friendly.

Cincinnati City Council has agreed to appropriate $1.9 million to upgrade two pedestrian bridges that span Madison between Vandercar Way and Brazee Street.

The bridge nearer Vandercar Way will bear the “OAKLEY” signage.

“Both pedestrian bridge decks are going to be replaced, along with new railing, lighting under the bridges, lighting over the bridges and a gateway sign on the eastern most pedestrian bridge seen as you are heading into the business district,” said Oakley Community Council board member Kenny McNutt, co-founder of MadTree Brewing at 3301 Madison Road.

“This will improve the walkability of Oakley, which will help all businesses in Oakley.”

Money for the project will come from a variety of sources, including city of Cincinnati economic development and street improvement funds, plus proceeds from the sale of property.

Cincinnati City Council approved the funding as an emergency ordinance so construction could begin as soon as possible.

Cincinnati has scheduled it to be completed by the end of 2019.

The pedestrian bridges spanning Madison Road in Oakley were built in 1959.

Upgrading the eastern gateway to the neighborhood business district has been an element of city of Cincinnati and Oakley Community Council plans since 1982.

It’s the third and final phase of a larger revitalization plan for Oakley’s business district.

Work in the first two phases, which ended in 2011,included:

Traffic and pedestrian improvements in and around Oakley Square. An intersection was reconfigured and an esplanade with space for live music and other events was expanded.

Streetscape and safety improvements in the Madison Road business district corridor, with new sidewalks installed along its length.

“When Vince Schirmer and I first started raising money for this project back in 2004, we received a $30,000 grant to study how we could upgrade the infrastructure of Oakley’s business district,” Oakley Community Council board member Dave Schaff said.

“I would have never dreamed we would have ended up with nearly $12 million in capital improvements for our neighborhood.”