UC Celebrates Completion of Its Very Own MainStreet

A colorful black-and-red foot parade, concert, carnival, Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks and new architectural tours bring a spirit of celebration through the University of Cincinnati’s bustling new MainStreet corridor on May 19-20. Afternoon events for Saturday, May 20, are especially planned for family and the community.

MainStreet, UC’s student-life centered core of the university’s Master Plan, is now a beating, thriving passageway through the heart of campus with the completion of the last element of MainStreet this year, the state-of-the art Campus Recreation Center that’s making national news for its signature design and function.

Mitchel D. Livingston, UC Vice President for Student Affairs and Services, says MainStreet was primarily conceived by UC students for UC students. “Students decided what it looked like, students decided on funding (MainStreet is partially funded by student fees) and students decided on the time frame for getting it done, and we honored all three,” Livingston says.

“It is fair to say that this is one of the most unique capital projects in higher education: unique in the sense of student support, unique in the sense of student involvement and unique in terms of transforming a commuter university into one that is more residential in its character,” says Livingston.

Steve Sayers, Associate Vice President of Administrative & Business Services and Director of Campus Services, recalls the central role students, faculty and staff played in the initial planning for MainStreet. Between 1998 and 2002, Sayers says several clear messages arose from more than 5,000 survey responses and 30 focus group discussions.  As a direct result, plans for MainStreet incorporated a brighter student union, more convenience and services, an expanded recreation center and more variety in food selections.

“With the completion of MainStreet,” says Sayers, “a new era on campus is beginning. We’re focused on delivering the top-quality programs and services the new facilities were designed to make possible and we’ll be looking to the students, faculty and staff for their continued input and participation. MainStreet won’t reach its full potential without their involvement. They are why it was built.”  

The MainStreet momentum highlights the goals of the UC|21 Strategic Plan to establish a sense of place and to place students at the center of the university – offering exciting programming, food and fun in a pedestrian-friendly corridor for members of the campus community and the community-at-large.

 “Every campus in America does renovations and construction projects and the like, but few if any have had such a profound impact as MainStreet,” says Livingston.

Related News:

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MainStreet: Making a Good Impression

Schedule of Events

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Meet Me on MainStreet Celebration Launches New Architectural Tours

MainStreet Celebration Features Free Outdoor Concert

UC's Meet Me on MainStreet Celebration Features Cookout, Carnival and Rozzi Fireworks