Porkopolis Square

"From all the way up here, there's no end."

Towers of steel and concrete, architectural traditions that symbolized Americana and became milestones of culture and history. Porkopolis Square began rising where a parking garage once stood. Destined to become the city's tallest skyscraper, it would soon surpass the iconic Carew Tower in height. Anxiously, the citizens and passersby watched from various vantage points as the tower began rising.


The city was getting a new addition to it's skyline, we thought we'd take a peek at what the view was like, gazing out across what would someday be someone's 9-5 job and office.


On a cold, windy night we set out for an adventure in the urban environment.


















On a cold, windy night I never felt more alive.

---------------------------------------

To quote my friend, Dr. Venkman: "Porkopolis Square is a fictional skyscraper being constructed somewhere in Ohio. Climbing a real skyscraper would probably be a fun, but extremely dumb thing to do. Besides, here at Local Architecture (and Queen City Discovery) our correspondents usually just sneak into old, abandoned buildings. Sneaking into 600 foot unfinished skyscrapers isn't our business. They would probably have unclimbable fences and security guards anyways."

To check out his photos from Porkopolis Square, go here.

Previous Update :: April 15, 2010 - "Ruins, Revitalization and Rust on the Riverfront."

Like what you see or read here? Follow the adventures of Gordon Bombay on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!

Ruins, Revitalization and Rust on the Riverfront.

A collection of photographs from an afternoon on the Cincinnati Riverfront with references to 1988 and 1993.



- Artwork near Longworth Hall.

- An abandoned gas station beneath west side overpasses.

- Brent Spence Bridge overpass.

- Before it was a Valvoline it was a Super America that was re-branded as a Speedway.

- Commuter/light rail potential.

- Murals placed on forgotten railroad viaduct supports.

Despite the overly industrial and gritty appearance of the highway overpasses and the noise that the passing automobiles create, there's a somewhat serene and beautiful urban environment below them. The area served as the setting for a scene in the 1993 rollerblading film; "Airborne."

- Still from "Airborne." Note the Super America sign.

- The Super America eventually was re-branded as a Speedway and today the shack seen above and the lone sign are the only reminders of the Super America that appeared in Airborne.

Had they kept the vert ramp and other skating structures seen in the movie, maybe Cincinnati could've had a skate park similar to the FDR Skate Park in Philadelphia, constructed under I-95.

- Forgotten pay parking structures beneath an overpass in a parking lot near Paul Brown Stadium.
As I was walking beneath the overpasses along one of the central riverfront parking lots, I came across these abandoned booths. Once used to collect fees for parking, the process is all pretty much automated now. As I crept up to the booth seen below and looked in, I was startled by the man sleeping inside. I turned around and let him be, apologizing for waking him.


Stumbling upon the homeless man in the parking booth reminded me of a photograph I had taken in 2008. While shooting a "ride-along" story with the Cincinnati Police Department in February of that year, one of the officers took me behind the flood wall beneath one of the Ft. Washington Way approaches. What he showed me was what folks would've called a "Hooverville" during the Great Depression. The overpasses of the western riverfront often provide shelter.

- February 2008 photograph from my essay of a ride along with CPD officers. See the rest of the essay photos and my current portfolio here.

- Closed to automobile traffic, the Roebling Bridge is being painted.
- Roebling Bridge pedestrian way.

- Central Riverfront.
- Paul Brown Stadium.
- Great American Ballpark.
- Riverfront path.

Seen above, a path along the riverfront dotted with streetlights is fenced off. Climbing down and trudging through the weeds you can find remnants of old railroad tracks and the launching box the Cincinnati Reds use for home run and victory fireworks. I'm not sure what the path used to be for though or why the lights are there. Are they there from when Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field was still there or where they installed in anticipation of "The Banks?" Does anyone know?

How the path looked in 1988:

- 1988 photograph from the first Tall Stacks festival by Chase Clements.

- The area seen at the "present day" (4/13/10).

Previous Update :: April 7, 2010 - "Opening Day 2010"

Like what you see or read here? Follow the adventures of Gordon Bombay on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!

Opening Day 2010

Last year's opening day the visiting New York Mets shalacked Aaron Harang and the Reds in the 38 degree rain. This year the weather was much better, but Harang got shalacked again and the pitchers who followed him didn't really help anything. Despite being alive and living in the Cincinnati area since one year before the last Reds World Series victory and attending a few opening day games, I've never been to the Findlay Market Parade. This year I changed that.




- Cincinnati Police Department Honor Guard.

- "Big Red Machine" catcher Johnny Bench.

- If you look closely you can see Gordon Bombay taking the picture above this one. Photo c/o of Reds/MLB.com video.

- Parade Deputy Marshall George Grande.
- The guy who, in my humble opinion, should've pitched opening day; Bronson Arroyo.
- Is Gapper the stupidest mascot ever or does the Philly Phanatic give him a run for his money? Stick with Mr. Red.

- National Guard band.
- Reds legend George Foster commands a humvee in the parade.
- 700 WLW's Jim Scott. You'd think Tracy Jones would've been invited to be in the parade since he is, you know, one of the greatest Reds players of all time.

- "Justice for Pete."

- Ken Griffey Sr.


- Just for clarification, the woman on the left is dressed as a grape, representing the fresh fruit options being sold at historic Findlay Market.


- These guys were great.

- The food at Hooters isn't very good.

- The parade traversing through beautiful, historic Over-The-Rhine.

- Soon to be joined in the 2012 parade by a modern streetcar reading "Great American Ballpark."


- Cute girl holding a baby alligator/crocodile.

- "Roll out the barrel!"


The parade was great. Lots of awesome people, great music and a tradition unlike any other city's. Couldn't afford tickets to the game so I threw a ball around and grilled out with friends as Masset gave up that grand slam. The Reds on field performance wasn't too stellar, I would've played Gomes and Stubbs instead of Nix and Dickerson. However, I'm just a photographer/random guy and not a baseball manager. I'm heading to tonight's game hoping the rain holds off and the Reds put on a good show followed by fireworks. If you haven't been down to a Reds game with fireworks, its quite spectacular.

Previous Update :: March 29, 2010 - "Live to Skate, Skate to Live."

Like what you see or read here? Follow the adventures of Gordon Bombay on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!