Raise the Rutherford!

Part V: Location Option C – Hayes Circle

While there are a few parks and locations downtown or close by that could be considered as possible locations for the Rutherford B. Hayes Statue, I am going to focus on three new parks identified in the Cincinnati Parks Master Plan. The third and final location is in Broadway Commons.

Hayes CircleAccording to the Cincinnati Parks Master Plan, Broadway Commons is identified as an area for additional park land. I personally do not see a large scale park here that would detract from either Eden Park or the Central Riverfront Park. Instead, I have used the existing Central Parkway and the grand circles and boulevards of cities like Washington DC as precedents for new parks and open space. A central circle would serve as the location of the Hayes statue but Central Parkway would also be extended to improve vehicular circulation and lend visual clarity to the neighborhood. While the Hayes statue could be located within the existing framework of Central Parkway, this proposal attempts to create a focus for the Broadway Commons development.

This scheme also addresses, to some degree, Broadway Commons as a location for a multi-modal transportation hub. Two light rail lines would merge here in some fashion – one from the existing subway tunnels and one following I-71 – ultimately continuing to the Riverfront Transit Center. I do not know the exact path these trains would take nor if they would be below grade or at grade. But this plan attempts to create parkland on the eastern edge to possibly accommodate future light rail in some fashion. This park also attempts to serve as a link to Eden Park as well but would probably focus on more playground activities for the residents. If this was not needed for light rail, I would move the park to the block bounded by Central Parkway and 10th, Pendleton, and H. B. Stowe Streets.

Sunday: Part VI - Closing