Cincinnati is actively seeking proposals for the future use of a historic yet never-completed subway tunnel. According to WCPO, council member Mark Jeffreys expressed his desire for a regional subway system while acknowledging practical funding concerns. "I would, with cost not being a factor, would love a regional subway system," Jeffreys told WCPO. "Obviously, we also have to be practical; how would we fund a regional rail plan? So, it comes down to what (is) practical, versus the realistic."
Stalled since the 1920s, the two-mile stretch of the subway system has lain dormant beneath the city, its silence only punctuated by the cost to taxpayers for its maintenance. The city, which has issued a Request for Information (RFI), calls for businesses to present ideas that could breathe new life into the tunnel. Despite an expansive underground canvas awaiting a transformation, the tunnel houses essential infrastructure such as water lines and communication cables waiting to be moved, as learned Friday by WCPO.
Cincinnati.com reported that city officials are open to a vast array of proposals. Councilman Seth Walsh told The Enquirer, "This is exactly the type of innovative thinking we need to do as a city. The opportunity to transform our long-forgotten subway tunnels into a point of economic vitality is incredibly exciting. I can’t wait to see the responses we get." The city has set the deadline for submissions on Oct. 17 and is excluding hard copy submissions and emailed submissions, stating that only online proposals will be accepted.
Unique ideas have been suggested, such as converting the tunnel into a canal similar to Indianapolis, a data center, or cultural attractions like bars and art galleries. Additionally, Jeffreys, who toured it a few months ago, describes the tunnel as "super cool," comparing it to a New York subway tunnel and emphasizing its intact condition. "The time is right now to start thinking about what will happen with this space," Jeffreys said to The Enquirer.
While the city issued the RFI to generate interest, officials acknowledged significant hurdles, such as ventilation and additional necessary infrastructure improvements. "We don’t have anything specific in mind in terms of plans for the tunnel, which is exactly the problem," said an unnamed official in a statement obtained by FOX19. "We want to cast a wide net and see if there is any opportunity to develop this unique, underutilized, asset." As the process unfolds, the city will evaluate the feasibility of each suggested concept with an eye toward practicality and potential economic benefits.
