Food, fun and fellowship are coming soon to lunchtime in Uptown. The public is invited to Food Truck Thursdays at the Digital Futures Complex in the world-class Cincinnati Innovation District.
Uptown Consortium, in partnership with the University of Cincinnati’s Digital Futures and Terrex Development and Construction, is bringing local food truck vendors and music to the outdoor space at the Digital Futures Complex. Food Truck Thursdays officially kicks off on August 24 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The goal is to provide a variety of food options for Uptown employees, residents, and visitors right in the middle of the district. In all, 20 food truck vendors have signed up to participate, with two trucks offering their unique cuisines every week. Food Truck Thursdays is a pilot program that will run for ten weeks. It is a self-pay event.
“Having weekly food truck options is a nice addition for the employees inside Digital Futures, the 1819 Innovation Hub, nearby hospital employees, and the surrounding Uptown district,” says Beth Robinson, President and CEO of Uptown Consortium, Inc.
“As more people work in and visit the area, increasing amenities is critical to creating a sense of place in the district. We’re hoping that over ten weeks, those participating in Food Truck Thursdays will have the opportunity to experience the area,” she said.
“The greenspace and plaza at the Digital Futures Complex offer natural gathering spaces, including a walking path, exercise area, sunny and shaded seating,” says Thomas Xanders, Development Project Manager at Terrex Development & Construction. “The second office building is attracting tenants that desire amenities. While food trucks are temporary, the pilot initiative will allow us to see the demand and interest for programming at the site.”
Digital Futures opened in the fall of 2022 and provides a space for top researchers across UC to collaborate with industry, government, and community partners on developing solutions to problems that impact the local community, region and the world. Digital Futures is UC’s first interdisciplinary research facility in its over 200+ year history. Not tethered to any one college, the 180,000 sq. ft. silvery, white building is a place designed for UC’s top talent to collaborate with the private sector, government, and the nonprofit organization community to solve problems that matter.
“UC Digital Futures is home to 20+ interdisciplinary teams who are working at the intersection of imagination and advanced technology” says Jennifer Krivickas, Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Cincinnati. Since 2018, she has been one of the UC leaders responsible for developing and implementing the overall strategy for UC’s Digital Futures facility. “The foundation of UC’s Digital Futures philosophy and culture is inclusion, partnership, moon-shot thinking, and high–risk/high–reward, applied research.”
Food Truck Fun
Besides food trucks and music, the group plans fun activities with local partners in the Uptown area, such as the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The goal is for Food Truck Thursdays to encourage people to go outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, relax with friends, family, classmates or work colleagues and make new connections.
The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) is programming music on the lawn during the event each week. DJ Byron (B.B.) Hutch is ready to delight the lunch crowd by playing their favorite tunes.
“CCAC is thrilled to help enliven this public space through creative placemaking for all those who live, work and build community in Uptown,” says Leslie Mooney, Executive Director of the CCAC.
Make Plans to Join us Every Thursday
In all, 20 food trucks will participate during the 10-week pilot program, a self-pay event. It starts on Tuesday, August 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It runs through October 26 at the Digital Futures Complex located at 3080 Exploration Ave. near the interchange of Martin Luther King Drive and Interstate 71. The public can walk or park in the garage for $2 during event hours.
Click here for more information on a dedicated food truck webpage and share with your colleagues, friends and family today!