The Gilbert Ave. Gateway
I originally made these photographs with the intention of including them as part of a larger post, but five months on: I’m not really interested in that story anymore..
Still, I like these shots and there’s this whole thing about a decorative searchlight.
Cincinnati’s “Gilbert Ave. Gateway” on May 8, 2025.
The construction of I-471 through Cincinnati in the mid-1960s created a barrier between two neighborhoods. In an effort to maintain some connection between Downtown and Mt. Adams, a pedestrian bridge was built above the interstate to link their respective Court and Van-Meter Streets. This simple concrete connection was even briefly featured in the blockbuster, class warfare docudrama known as Airborne—which starred Seth Green and Jack Black in a tour de force rollerblade performance.
The Court-Van Meter Pedestrian Bridge as seen in 1993’s Acadmey Award-winning “Airborne.”
Shortly after its brush with fame on the silver screen, this sidewalk soaring above the highway would be complemented with an additional pedestrian bridge over the neighboring Gilbert Ave.
The Court-Van Meter Pedestrian Bridge reimagined with the addition of the “Gilbert Ave. Gateway” as seen in a rendering from the City of Cincinnati.
Part of a late-1990’s civic initiative that continues to this day, the “Gilbert Ave. Gateway” quickly became a local landmark. One that, even as it aged, could pass as off to the casual observer as something straight out of the city’s Art-Deco heyday.
The Gilbert Ave. Gateway as seen in 2012 and in my first book.
I loved that bridge, and always appreciated that the city had invested in it as a well-thought-out attempt to spruce up a bland area that featured little more than surface parking lots. And while its replacement isn’t nearly as cool looking, it’ll be far more functional.
Rendering of the new Court-Van Meter Pedestrian Bridge via ODOT.
Sure, it looks like the ramps of a 1970s-era minor league ballpark combined with one of those innocuous suburban overpasses that proclaim the names of townships no one cares about, but for the first time: this connection will be accessible to those with mobility needs. It’s an improvement not only for anyone who’d possibly use it, but hopefully something that will help spur further connection between two disjointed neighborhoods.
One distinct feature of the Gilbert Ave. bridge was a decorative searchlight built into the western supports.
The light was still present within the structure as it neared demolition.
Installed by the local Carlisle & Finch Company—who “has been designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art searchlights for military, private and commercial sea-craft, and land security operations for more than 130 years”—I don’t recall ever seeing it active.
Searchlight controls beneath the bridge.
In fact, I only knew about it from stumbling upon the controls over the years while jogging by. Since I always saw it during the day, I never thought to try and flip the switch.
Searchlight controls detail.
The bridge was also built about a decade before I started hanging out downtown with any regularity, so perhaps the decorative searchlight did work for a bit. If you remember it (or perhaps have a photograph), please let me know in the comments below.
All of these photographs were made on the evening of May 8, 2025 as demolition work got underway. As of this posting, construction of the replacement bridge is underway..
The former Greyhound bus station sign nearby.
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