Music Hall and Over-the-Rhine

Inevitably, I don't have space to use all the comments from readers in articles such as Sunday's story about Music Hall. So I'm putting some of them here. Want to weigh in? Please put your comments below.

Ron Schofield of Clarksville, a senior engineer for GE Aircraft Engines, e-mailed: "I'm a guy, so the safety issue probably doesn't bother me as much as most women. ... I know the safety concern is real with friends, one of whom purchased a ticket to last Friday's concert but then decided not to go. She had even arranged to ride with friends.

I struggle every year with whether I should renew my subscription. The reason is cost, of course, since I have a young family. Last year's prices jumped substantially, and I noticed a smiliar reduction in attendees at the concerts. That's unfortunate since the CSO is a world class organization providing consistently outstanding music. ... I feel bad for those who leave at the intermission. We have a tremendous classical music heritage in the Tristate area that shold be enjoyed by its residents!"

Bill Jobert, who lives in Mason, writes: Frankly, I think (safety) is just one of several reasons why people don't go. Here in the burbs people tend to stay very busy, especially people with kids. ... People will usually take the easiest path when it comes to entertainment and relaxing.

"As often as I read about revitalization efforts in different areas of the city, I would like to see people reinvest in the area around Music Hall. So many of the boarded up buildings could have great character once again as coffee houses, art shops, galleries, and more people would find more reasons to go to that area rather than reasons not to go."

Anonymous male, an engineer, writes: "I sometimes find it sad that you will find a police officer present to direct traffic arriving, and someone at the door of Music Hall. But rarely do I see an officer when I'm leaving after a performance.

"I think there are other factors which have hurt attendance. One is the decline of manufacturing jobs, like at GE. When I worked there, it wasn't hard to find someone else who had been to a concert. Also, I think the advertising campaign is anemic. I only hear ads on WGUC, which is like preaching to the choir. The Concerts in the Park series has fallen off, and I think this generated a lot of interest. After many years, we have a first class Symphony, but I don't think the community really knows this."

Anonymous female, a world traveler, writes: I am squeamish about going to the area around Music Hall. Howver, this does not keep me from attending events there. ... I have had my windshield broken and the car ransacked (downtown) across from the Convention Center in the afternoon. ... I will go to events downtown but I am always a little uneasy and get out asap. This is in contract to Indianapolis which has tons of people downtown at night, and where you usually see very few begging and you do feel safe. It's a shame Cincinnati cannot get its act together. We've got a very successful model 100 miles away. Can't we copy their technique?"

Shirley Ekvall of Wyoming suggests: "I would suggest the police be around the parking garage, too. Maybe more officers should be visible. Could an escort be available if some desire?"

Sergio Baranovsky e-mails: "Crime in OTR is a concern. That said, we do not make concert attendance decisions based on local crime statistics. On the other hand, we always allow ourselves sufficient time to park in the CET/WGUC lot. The $5 fee is well worth our peace of mind.

"Perhaps symphony tickets could include parking as an adiditonal incentive. Some upscale downtown restaurants offer complimentary valet parking to make security conscious patrons feel safer."

Music teacher Kirk MacKenzie says, "I don't avoid events at Music Hall. However, I always keep my eyes pealed walking from my car to Music Hall, as I know of at least one severe mugging of a symphony or ballet patron that I read about in the paper several years ago."