One thing Bengals and Colts fans agree on...

It's not quite the rivalry that the Bengals have with the Steelers or Browns, but you think it would be since Cincinnati is only about two hours away from Indianapolis. There might be a debate on who has the better team, better QB, offense, defense, coach, etc.

But there seems to be a consensus on who has the better downtown. Last week, the Cincinnati Enquirer asked readers what city has a better downtown: they loudly responded that it's the hometown of the Colts that's on top.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/BIZ01/612180318/1076

Hundreds of specialty retailers, restaurants and clubs. Dozens of theaters, museums, parks and sports venues. More than 5,000 hotel rooms. A huge convention center that's being expanded - again. Nearly 10,000 single-family homes, condos and apartments. A supermarket.

That's not just a wish list for downtown Cincinnati; it's what downtown Indianapolis already has.

Ten years after its $319 million Circle Centre shopping mall opened, downtown Indianapolis has a multitude of downtown workers, shoppers, residents and out-of-town visitors who bring these places to life and keep them in business.

There's no doubt Cincinnati has some great qualities, even advantages, in its downtown and core: a great history, remarkable architecture, visual and performing arts, riverfront setting, great hills, major league baseball, and so on. Oh, and Kings Island is in Cincy's metro area.

Indianapolis, however, is much more vibrant after 5PM - and more than just an botique arts district full of young professionals. When it comes to football towns, not all the fans are hanging out in the parking lots tailgating in Indianapolis; they're shopping and dining at the restaurants at Circle Centre. Many of the hotels, stores, restaurants, and businesses are accessible via the skywalk to the Convention Center and RCA Dome - everything just seems more together. The Lucas Oil Stadium, to open in 2008, seems a little disconnected from downtown, but because of its retractable roof, can be used year-round and for events well beyond football.

However, in Cincinnati, the stadium just seems disconnected from downtown - it's surronded by a big parking lot, and whaterver is downrown seems hidden between shuttered office buildings. I know that potential is there, with the Banks, and new restaurants going in around Fountain Square, but it's going to be some time- even with residents moving into downtown. And we still have the Bengals and Hamilton County arguing over who is responsible for what at Paul Brown Stadium...

And don't forget about UniGov - Indianapolis and Marion County have worked together for about 40 years, while Cincinnati and Hamilton County are experts at the game of finger-pointing.