CINCINNATI—Feb. 15, 2012—Hamilton County Commissioners today awarded the Public Safety Technologies contract for The Banks Public Infrastructure to ESI, Inc. of West Chester, Ohio.ESI, Inc. submitted a bid of $306,280 for the construction and installation of new public safety systems to help manage traffic flow into, through and out of the Central Riverfront Development; and to monitor the Central Riverfront garage and parking facilities. ESI, Inc. has committed to meeting or exceeding the 25% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation goal for the contract.  M-Pact Corporation, a Cincinnati-based SBE, will serve as a materials supplier for the contract. “We are proud to be selected for the Public Safety Technologies work at The Banks,” said Doug Hurley, Vice President of ESI, Inc.  “The neighborhood is alive and growing; the addition of this communications technology enhances The Banks as a 24/7 live-work-play destination,” Hurley added. ESI, Inc. is scheduled to begin work immediately.  Target completion date is early May of this year. Commissioners also approved the Local Public Agency (LPA) Agreement from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to apply grant funds (realized through bid savings and stimulus grants) to the construction of the riverfront public safety technologies and improved pedestrian access. In addition, URS Corp. was awarded a contract to design the replacement of the Pete Rose Way Pedestrian Bridge to the US Bank Arena and Great American Ball Park Plaza.  Construction of the Pedestrian Bridge will be bid in the fall of this year. About The Banks:  The Banks Public Partnership is a working partnership between the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.  The Partnership ensures timely, safe, efficient and inclusive management of the public infrastructure portion of The Banks project and delivers the best value for the public investment of $128 million in parking facilities, street grid, streetscape and public parks.  The Banks is Cincinnati’s newest riverfront destination, a vibrant neighborhood in which to live, work and play. Learn more about The Banks at http://www.thebankspublicpartnership.com For more information, contact: Marie Gemelli-Carroll (513) 703-8495 mgc@starboardstrategy.comCarrie Phillippi (513) 386-9947 cphillippi@saybrookmarketing.com