Bridging Broadway, the soon-to-be non-profit that hopes to insure that Cincinnati's new casino fully integrates into the surrounding community, has announced that the first phase of its full district study will commence on September 1.

Funded by the City of Cincinnati, the six-month study will examine the economics, social issues, transportation, and urban design issues within an approximately half-mile radius around the 20-acre .

A series of community dialogues planned during the study will collect the goals and concerns of residents, businesses, and property owners throughout the immediate area. The study will result in a series of recommendations to the City in the areas of project design, policy, and programming.

Bridging Broadway staff and volunteers and the University of Cincinnati's Community Design Center will oversee the study. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will serve as a partner, and a special task force assembled by the City will act as a steering committee.

Soon, public relations partner Strata-G Communications plans to launch a campaign to build community awareness and excitement, and Electronic Art is preparing a new Bridging Broadway website.

Bridging Broadway also is recruiting professionals who can assist in the fields of urban planning, architecture, construction, consumer research, technology, community outreach, and grant writing.

If you would like to assist in the study, e-mail Bridging Broadway President Stephen Samuels at .

The $400 million, 500,000-square-foot Cincinnati casino, a joint partnership between developer Rock Ventures and operator Harrah's Entertainment, may break ground late this year and be completed in 2012.

The development is expected to generate nearly $520 million in annual gambling activity, generate 2,800 jobs, and bring more than six million annual visitors Downtown.

Previous "Bridging Broadway" and "casino" stories on BC:
Harrah's selected as minority partner, operator of Cincinnati casino (8/16/10)
Bridging Broadway steps in to address casino issues (8/2/10)
Strickland signs casino rules, with reservations (6/14/10)
Casino on the agenda for upcoming 'Power Breakfast' (4/22/10)