Ram23

Well worn arguments. It used to be that journalists did research before printing stories. As late as last week the Washington Post omsbudsman published what could only be viewed as a correction to a claim made by George Will. But these days newspapers seem less informed than many bloggers. Apparently he didn't consider the fact that, based upon most of the public statements reported in the media, many Republicans are: 1. Uninformed as to the studies demonstrating the economic benefits of HSR. 2. Driven by ideology rather than rationality. 3. Bent on making any attempts by Democrats to stimulate the economy failures so as to have a shot at making some inroads in the midterm and 2012 elections. If T. Boone Pickens is right, and oil prices will climb to between $200 and $300/barrel in the future, we're all going to regret that we didn't put a priority on alternative modes of transportation, earlier. Republicans are playing the fear angle. "This is socialism." "The government is picking your pockets." Instead of coming up with ideas they are content to be the party of opposition. I think that they are likely to fail and I think that this will lead to bulletproof majorities in 2010 or 2012, but we'll have wasted too much time by then. If those in charge try to bypass proper legislative process to get this done, I won't be able to support it. I would love to see rail, but let's be reasonable here. There are plenty of legitimate concerns that frankly can't be answered until the rail is either built or isn't built. No matter what, some aspects will be a gamble. Democrats are trying to use the current economic situation to spend and take these chances, Republicans are trying to play it safe and make sure the money is gambled the best way possible. Debate usually lends to compromise which is generally the best solution. If you really want "bulletproof majorities" in a legislative body, I fear for you.

It seems to me like the 11 story parking will match the Phase 1 building, since it has the same amount of levels. The garage there blends in pretty well, you can't even really tell it's there. I actually didn't realize the bottom 11 stories were parking until you posted that site plan above. The curtain wall covers it up and hides it completely, which is a very nice strategy in my opinion.

I think what's most disappointing is that they used SketchUp or something for their rendering.

^ That building been vacant for 10 years? I could have sworn it was just renovated not too long ago. It is in great shape, and probably a great position for any advertising they might want to do.

Idiots aside, having no jail cells and no bracelets is a problem. As SimCity puts it we basically have a "revolving door" at our jail. I wish this problem would get solved one way or another. it's tough selling things like light rail and the streetcar when we don't have enough jails to keep criminals off the street. I've tried explaining to people that the money for these projects comes from completely different places, but they don't care or think it shouldn't matter where it comes from. It's especially hard when you tell people they need a tax increase to built the jail, because they can then loop it around and link it to the streetcar or something else they're not a fan of.

Yeah, he's said quite a few times he wants to bring some brewing back to OTR. In New York City there's a very similar operation, the Brooklyn Brewery. They brew and bottle most of their beer for distribution at a large plant outside of the city, but they have a smaller place in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that brews the beer for kegs for bars, as well as some of the special beers. On weekends they have a little tour, and then sell the beer to the visitors in plastic cups for fairly cheap. It is one of the most crowded, popular places I have ever seen. The neighborhood is strikingly similar to OTR, too. Something tells me something like this could work for Moerlein.

I would still say Canon or Nikon is the way to go. Note: This is a completely biased opinion.

I think the only hope now is to find a way - any way - to get out of contracts with UAW. The UAW is dying, like many other unions, one way or another. They can bring the company and a huge chunk of the country down with them if they so choose. The fact is there are enough people that would do the jobs for a lot less money and benefits. This would probably be enough to get GM at least breaking even.

An interesting concept but I think Losantiville rolls off the tongue as awkwardly today as it did back when St. Clair changed it. If we were designating a certified historic French quarter I wouldn't mind it. I thought about just "Losanti" but even that just doesn't quite sound right. What about one of those trendy real estate names like they use on the east coast (like SoHo)? Is there a creative one we could come up with? Or we could always play off OTR and call it "The Rhine", "Rhineland", or my favorite "Under-the-Rhine" ;) I've always been curious about how "SoLib" would work for the area of OTR that is getting cleaned up first It is pretty much full of Libs, anyways. Although SoLib might be more applicable for Northside...

You sound like a used car salesman ;-) Therefore your profile is a lie.. you are not in Cincinnati, Ohio. :) I move every 3 months for co-op jobs, it's tough to keep my profile up with it :-)

^ I took a look at the link. I still think what happened at Madison was a bit different in the way it approached re-configuring the traffic flow. I think at Times Square it will give the apperance of better traffic flow, but travel times will probably end up a bit longer. As for making it a pedestrian mall, I have no doubt it will be used, I just think it will ruin the feel of the space. I guess it's been changing for awhile though, so the hope that it keeps the same feel might be in vain. To answer the previous question, as a naysayer ;-) I live in NYC currently so I visit it every once in awhile. I actually walk underneath it every day on the way to work.

Yeah, that's what I heard as well (probably back in this thread somewhere). They apparently do really well there, they have quick connections to everything.. river, every highway, rail. It's a prime location so I understand why they wouldn't want to move. Keeping the last bit of industry on the riverfront is a bit nostalgic to me, anyways. I like it.

Why does replacing cars with people make a place less "cavernous," "crowded," "extremely busy," and/or "urban?" It will make it look and feel less like Times Square, and just dull down the apperance of the space. The whole project has everything to do with making money, which is fine by me I guess. I just don't buy the whole congestion-based argument. Tourists will get there elbow room, and that's about it.

It seemed a lot more drastic than Madison Square Park to me, just going by the images posted above. You can still drive the streets adjacent to the park, whereas this proposal closes Broadway completely and converts it to a food court. Madison Square Park was green space to begin with too, Times Square is a cavernous, crowded, extremely busy urban space. If Broadway becomes a plaza/pedestrian mall/food court.. Times Square will never be the same.

With or without street traffic, the place will be packed with pedestrians, mostly tourists or anyone else going there for novelty reasons. I was there when they closed down Park Ave. a few times over the summer (I work on Park). It was really great. It was nice because they just closed the street, and let people enjoy the space. They didn't shut it down, fill it with pavers, tables, umbrellas, and planters - forever changing the character of a historic space. That's what this scheme with Times Square seems to look like to me. My biggest peeve here is that the entire character of the space is changed massively, and I guess I just don't think it's changed for the better. It's Disneyland-esque.

I see no problem in waiting for Amtrak to study this a bit more before throwing a ton of money at it. I would hate seeing it get half-assed and fail. We're trying to rush it so much because of silly stimulus money. It's a service I'd love to see, and would use myself.. but if it's going to need to be heavily propped-up by the state government to compete with driving/flying then I don't know if the time is right to build it. My heart is with wanting it to succeed, and I have a feeling my opinions are the case with most Republicans in the state. Boehner is representing his people to the federal government, and basically believes that this is an example of a project that shouldn't be federally funded, and I agree to a part. It either needs to be a substantial federal investment in a national rail system, or state investment in projects like this. I'd personally like to see the former of those.

This is the worst idea ever. 1.) Part of the mystique of Times Square is the congestion. 2.) This is just going to make the adjoining streets even more conjested. 3.) The traffic is composed of 95% taxis; it's not like it is full of commuters who choose to drive. 4.) Are they going to apply this logic elsewhere? The subway is crowded, close it! The GW Bridge is congested all the time, no more cars allowed!

^ I can't seem to find the data, but I seem to remember seeing 4.5 homicides per 100,000 population in 2000. Compare that to the 19-20 range since.

^ Tell your landlord. There are very cheap, very small security camera systems at places like radio shack. A big printed picture of the guy doing it with a "HAVE YOU SEEN THIS PERSON? WANTED FOR FELONY" printed on it and posted on the door might scare him/her away, at the very least.

http://zfein.blogspot.com/ I've compiled some of the information I had on Glencoe Place (which I consider may be a demolition threat if the developer can't get things rolling soon) on my blog above. I have a few historic plans, maps, and photos as well as some excerpts from a report I once did on the history.

I know that's a popular opinion and all, but this case was precisely the opposite. It was exactly what the concealed carry law was put in place to do. There's a book titled "More Guns, Less Crime" that is an interesting read. I wasn't asking for more time because of the gang involvement (LA style), but because race was the motive. If they're old enough to know to target white people because white people are less likely to shoot back, they're old enough to be sent away for awhile. I believe the cutoff for trying children as adults is 14, and I think anyone involved here that age or above should be tried as an adult. The rest, if found guilty, should grow up in Juvenile Detention, which will be able to provide a much better atmosphere than any of their parents ever would.

Boehner points out that Obama's speech doesn't quite fall in line with his actions.

I assume they will all be charged with hate-crimes, right??? That way they get a few extra years tacked onto their sentances, and it will also hopefully show the motive is cause for trying them as adults. "2927.12 Ethnic intimidation. (A) No person shall violate section 2903.21, 2903.22, 2909.06, or 2909.07, or division (A)(3), (4), or (5) of section 2917.21 of the Revised Code by reason of the race, color, religion, or national origin of another person or group of persons. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of ethnic intimidation. Ethnic intimidation is an offense of the next higher degree than the offense the commission of which is a necessary element of ethnic intimidation." Also, thank goodness for this: I really need to take the class and get my license soon.

As far as the electric vs. diesel/bio-diesel there are two points I'd like to make. The first being expected length of usage, as John touched on above. Electric motor that recieves it's power from an outside source is going to last much longer than a diesel powered motor because it is much more simple and easier to maintain. There are subway cars in New York that have been in use for over 20 years, for example. There aren't any buses that have been around for as long. Another small factor that I'm not sure was considered earlier when the dean presented some information concerning pollution comparisons is idling. A diesel engine idles every time the vehicle stops, while an electric motor would not.

They had insurance. The insurance paid out enough (I believe) to pay for the repair of the steeples. I'm not sure if they have to use the money for that specific purpose, but to do anything else would be a sin (figuratively and literally?). There are plenty of ideas floating around concerning potential uses, but the steeple stubs don't do the rest of the building justice.