It's been 20 years since the Aronoff Center opened its doors. Since then it's generated more than $365 million in economic impact, according to a UC Economics Centerstudy released Wednesday.
Though controversial at the time, supporters today say the fight to build the performing arts venue has proven to be a good move.
Van Ackerman is Director of Marketing and Public Relations with the Cincinnati Arts Association.
"The Aronoff Center really started the whole Renaissance of the downtown area that has now led to the Fountain Square evolution, and the Banks, and Over-the-Rhine," says Ackerman. "It really are started to happen back then when the Aronoff Center was built to create this sort of Downtown entertainment center and core."
The study finds, on average, about sixty percent of Aronoff visitors eat and/or drink Downtown before or after shows.
"(If) you ask any restaurant Downtown what they're like when a performance is in the hall and they'll say that they're always full. They are the prelude to the show that happens at the Aronoff Center and they're just thrilled when all our our shows are in," says Ackerman.
Ackerman was a guest on WVXU's Cincinnati Edition earlier this month. Listen to the full interview here.
Facts And Figures From The Study
