
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Ursula Miller, ursula.miller@cincinnati-oh.gov, or 513.352.3417
CINCINNATI – Fourth Street will be closed from Race to Elm streets for two weeks starting at 6:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3, through 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, so crews for O’Rourke Wrecking Co. may continue to safely demolish a 10-story parking garage.
This phase of the demolition requires crews to use a wrecking ball and high-reach excavator along the east-west length of the rectangular-shaped garage, which extends a full city block on the north side of Fourth Street between Race and Elm streets.
“Closing the street will provide the safest environment and allow the contractor to finish this stage of work quickly,” said Michael Moore, director, Department of Transportation & Engineering.
|The crew will be removing as much of the south section of the structure as possible during this period.
O’Rourke will be working two shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily to minimize the time the street needs to be closed. No activities that would create loud noise will be allowed overnight between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Motorists traveling on Fourth Street will be detoured south on Race, west on Third, north on Elm and west again on Fourth.
Motorists are encouraged to consider an alternate route during this period, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours when traffic is expected to be heavy.
Pedestrian access to all businesses, apartments and office buildings will be allowed at all times via the south sidewalk on Fourth Street.
Local access to businesses for vehicles loading and unloading will be allowed from both ends of the closure via Elm and Race Streets. Police officers will be on site to assist vehicles that need to load and unload. In addition, Benham Alley will remain open for deliveries to businesses on the south side of Fourth Street.
Detour signs will be posted to help direct motorists and pedestrians.
Demolition will take approximately six months to complete because of the size and location of the garage. The site, which is connected by skywalks to Mabley Place and Saks Department Store, is being cleared to make room for construction of a mixed-use residential and commercial tower.
The curb lane and sidewalks around the site on Elm, Fourth and Race streets will remain closed until demolition is complete in February 2017.