After more than two years, enhancements to the upper Ohio Avenue Steps and Fig Alley Steps have been completed! The Step Up to Art team – compromised of University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning faculty/researchers and Spring in Our Steps as community partner – worked since its inception in December 2020 to elevate public stairways through public art and signage.

Supported by a University of Cincinnati Office of Research grant, along with gap funding from the City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering, four vivid signs at both stairways now stand in place. Also supported by the grant is “Ghost Garden”, an extensive mural on the Ohio Avenue Steps by artist team Dai Williams and Lizzy DuQuette.

In order to get signage for an unnamed public stairway from Vine Street to Van Lear Alley, Spring in Our Steps navigated the regulatory process and engaged the CUF neighborhood to name the corridor for the first time in over 130 years. The Fig Alley Steps name was adopted by City Council in April 2023!

And it’s time to celebrate each of those triumphs.
Join us Saturday, September 23, noon to 3pm in Van Lear Alley, which connects the Ohio and Fig stairways. We’ll have food and drink for purchase, lawn bowling in the alley, and Urban Artifact Fig & Grape American Fruit Tart available offsite. This event also serves as the ribbon cutting for art and signage on the stairs. So, come early and enjoy an alley party on the Clifton Heights hillside!

Event details:
Location: 2116 Van Lear Alley
Take the bus or walk!
The site is served by Metro Routes 46/78 on Vine. Then ascend the Fig Alley Steps.
Or take Metro Route 17, then get off at the crosswalk at Ohio Avenue and West Clifton Avenue.
Parking on Ohio Avenue, north of West Clifton Avenue.

12:00pm to 3:00pm: Event duration
12:30pm: Ribbon cutting of the “Ghost Garden” mural and stairway signage
Pulled pork and polenta options with Hen of the Woods chips available for purchase
Beer must be consumed offsite, not within public right-of-way, at 2116 Van Lear Alley.

See you Saturday!