subocincy

I loved your photography, UrbanSurfin, namely because I've been unable to explore such "bygone-era" river towns myself. But after viewing this particular set of pictures, I really don't know how to react to such forlorn places. For example, in not one of these photos is there one human being in sight. Just a typical day in Mingo--or was the entire town overrun by zombies? (hard to tell)

^ So, at this point (no matter what the actual "stats" are), you'll no doubt agree that the article writer's original statement (about "Columbus roaring back and creating more new jobs than any other city in Ohio in the last two years") is in error and undermines her entire article? After all, your own figures (especially paragraph two) demonstrate exactly that.

^ Most certainly, metropolitan Columbus has made great strides in economic development, but to state that it "has roared back, with the metro area creating more new jobs than any other city in Ohio over the past two years" is untrue and undermines the entire credibility of the Time article. (In 2011, metro Cincinnati created more jobs than Columbus and Cleveland combined.)

As several posters have just pointed out, my referring to ALI as "outdated" was incorrect--nor is ALI's present mission "outdated." However, practically speaking, this organization occupies a valuable piece of property that begs to become a part of a larger whole. Yes, a posh piece of a larger gentile and classy sector of the CBD which will attract the best of the best. (Need I explain why this is so important to business in Cincinnati?)

Indeed, W&S's John Barrett is the quintessential caricature of the arrogant and heartless business tycoon--so much so that he could easily be a cartoon character in "The New Yorker." Nevertheless, his self-serving mission "to nab" ALI doesn't change the fact that ALI, itself, is a venerable but outdated institution that's currently holding vital CBD development in check, all because of a mission statement that no longer rings true. ALI simply isn't what it was a century before--therefore it has to go.

Crucify me if you will, but even though W&S top-tier management doesn't give a s**t about the women involved, its overall business objective for both itself and Cincinnati is a sound one. Please be reminded that the original purpose of ALI was to shelter single, working women...was it not? (and NOT former prostitutes, recovering alcoholics, nor the mentally afflicted) I can't help but think that, if the founders of ALI could be witness to how the vision for their building has been changed, they, too, would side with W&S in moving the present clientele elsewhere--it's just good business.

S-W-E-E-E-E-T... (You nailed this one, Sherman!)

^ Many people (myself included) were undoubtedly elated to discover this article on the front page of today's Enquirer. After all these months of walking past the old store, staring through the plate glass, and witnessing 0% progress, most of us simply gave up hope. Now we can dream again.

I, for one, woke up this morning anticipating the worst and, for a moment, scanned the Enquirer on-line headlines. They told me all I needed to know. (At least we have the Reds to count on, if nothing else.) :oops:

^ Agree with both jjakucyk (#902) and wholtone (#903). Every few days, aboard a Metro bus, I venture past this "work in progress" and stare, aghast, not only at the bunker-like casino, itself, but the nightmarishly-wide Reading Road that is emerging in front of the entire mess--gawd, is this what everyone envisioned at the start? :wtf:

You've outdone yourself, Jake--these Cincy aerial photos, combined with the many from LA, were simply outstanding! (I'm still studying both sets as I search for details overlooked my first, second, and third times around...)

Let's face it-- it's "showtime, folks," and bigger and better digs are becoming absolutely necessary to attract the new, nano-second attention-span throngs who will drop big bucks to be entertained. But, then again, that's not all bad. Many of these new mega-churches not only entertain the masses, but also conduct mission work that does help a lot of needy people. (And, besides that, they are great places to socialize and enjoy some decent coffee...all in the name of love and a religion transforming itself right out of existence.)

Thanks, Sherman--a good read about a great city. Your combination of written/graphic worked well in providing outsiders (such as myself) with an understanding and appreciation of the Cuyahoga's historical importance and present-day significance to Cleveland.

Truly a monumental museum addition with great risk involved--yet, as posters have already mentioned, such a relaxing place. (just looking at it from afar makes me wish I could linger within for a number of reasons) Now that this addition has been opened to the public, the director's large-scale ulterior exhibition plans will undoubtedly be revealed. The expansive and serene skylight, alone, adds much to this imaginative wing.

Please don't be too hard on us--after all, we really are a contentious group of malcontents--so little time and so much to argue about. :roll:

That's exactly the problem. Kroger pours a lot of their resources into making the Hyde Park store a more regional draw, sucking away the choice customers from downtown, East Walnut Hills, Mt. Adams, etc. who might otherwise patronize a better store closer to their own neighborhood. By letting Walnut Hills and OTR flounder they boost the performance of Hyde Park, and basically guarantee that those other stores won't succeed much at all. It's kind of like when UC wants to demolish one of their buildings. They defer maintenance to the point that after a few years they can say it's too dilapidated to fix and nobody wants to use it. Wait just a minute and realize that Kroger is a business, not a welfare agency. Both the WH and OTR Kroger stores are floundering because they are both stand-alone food stores situated in two ghettos. The purchasing power in each of these neighborhoods is nil while the risk of remaining there for Kroger is high. It isn't Kroger's job to play Santa Claus to an entire class of people who cannot afford to buy.

Are you aware of how successful Kroger's Norwood store at Surrey Square actually is? (for example, not too long ago it outsold the Hyde Park store for an entire quarter) The reason why is that this huge store services a "food desert' within the central city that extends all the way from Avondale/Evanston up through Pleasant Ridge--and maybe even into Walnut Hills. BTW, because I live only two blocks from the store, I can personally attest to its broad appeal and absolute necessity to neighborhoods to its north and south. Look at it any way you want; for Kroger this particular store is a gold mine.

Decent photo, but not appropriate for UrbanOhio for obvious reasons.

^^ LOL. (I guess we'll all just have to wait and see, won't we?) :roll:

Usually, I look askance at old thread revivals, but not this time. First, I was delighted to see this one because I had never seen it before and second, I was impressed with the many changes that have ensued in the last five years. Thanks, OTR, for popping up this set of endearing Cincinnati photos once again!

As a public figure, Seelbach managed to score his very own "Jerry Springer Meltdown" event. Good luck to him as his political career now slides downhill.

(NOTE) No fair for me to include either London, Paris, or NYC on the lists below--they would dominate both. VISIT: 1. Copenhagen 2. Istanbul 3. Stockholm 4. Barcelona 5. Prague, Budapest LIVE: 1. Philadelphia 2. Cincinnati 3. Boston 4. Dublin 5. Edinburgh

^^ HAHAHA! (basement storage in the "Lost Ark Saloon"?)

^^ Double that--amen, OTR! ^^

^ Thanks, natininja-- your comments/pictures/blog have proven very helpful.