Beneath Over-the-Rhine lies one of Cincinnati’s most intriguing relics: a subway system that never came to life. Recently, the city called for proposals to transform this unused space, and UC’s own Dr. Jordan Tate answered with a bold, imaginative concept that could breathe new life into Cincinnati’s underground artifact.
Dr. Tate is no stranger to ambition: He is a full professor at the DAAP School of Art, leader of the Digital Futures NFT Lab, co-leader of the CryptoEconomics Lab, co-founder of the start-up Carbon Copy Assets,
and a UC Society & Culture Fellow. Despite his very full plate, he assembled a powerhouse team of creative leaders from around Cincinnati to tackle the city’s challenge which resulted in a shared vision that merges people’s love of the arts & culture
with community impact.
He and the team (including leadership of GBBN Architects, the local design firm responsible for UC’s Digital Futures building, the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), Blink,
ArtWorks, the Haile Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce) co-designed, and proposed their vision to the city—turning the old subway tunnels and stations into a vibrant, interconnected system of cool, multifunctional
spaces, each with a distinct purpose to bring new energy and vibrance to the tunnels and the city. Check out some of the components of the vision below, cross your fingers, and hope that this UC-led team is selected as the winner.
- A Creative Collaboratory: A cool space for a totally different kind of creative collaboration, exhibition, and education for makers and audiences of all ages.
- A Foodie Market: An underground culinary haven where local chefs, food artisans, and food-lovers collide and vibe around awesome eats and artful drinks.
- A Unique Theater: A funky venue where the community is on stage, the theater concept is envisioned to add just the right amount of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the already awesome Cincinnati theater scene.