TraderJake

Well, the major media outlets are saying that one or more of the timbers cracked on the ride, which bodes really bad for the ride. All structures, including wooden roller coasters, are designed with a certain factor of safety in mind. To exceed this factor of safety would mean that something major must have occurred. This ride will be down for a long time, possibly forever, as they try to figure out what caused the timbers to fracture, and what they need to do to ensure that this failure or other failures do not happen again.

I really hope this fails, I see this, if built, as really, really putting a dent in any Delhi Pike revitalization, and after driving on Delhi Pike yesterday I would feel really bad if that road goes farther downhill than it already has fallen.

This must have been really bad. I worked at PKI for four years and nothing of this magnitude ever occurred, and most accidents that do occur, however large, are kept under tight control. I hope that everyone is going to be ok after what may or may not have happened on the ride. NOTE: Original article replaced with updated article PKI riders sent to hospital BY EILEEN KELLEY AND DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS MASON[ – An apparent malfunction at Kings Island’s Son of Beast sent droves of thrill seekers to area hospitals late Sunday afternoon.... This was the major structural malfunction of SOB that cause the loop to be removed. Just an article reporting on it.

When I say redevelopment, I mean make it "nice." The BMV and Hancock Fabrics are not necessarily nice tenants, and given the existing tenants I seriously doubt anyone that is considered "nice" would ever move in.

The burgeoning developments on the West Side could easily support Legacy Place. I'll go out on a limb an say I am hopeful that this location will be as nice as Bridgewater Falls, which is not very nice at all. Let's face it, it does not take much to become the nicest location on the West Side, and if you define your boundaries as a west sider would, it still would be if Stone Creek turns out nicer. I am not necessarily knocking on the existing Glenway outlets, but they just aren't that nice to make "the nicest destination on the West Side" seem very nice. Now, I wish that Manchester Plaza is redeveloped before Legacy Place is built. That would be nice, however, I just don't see that happening. I also don't know if I like a crap load of houses going on to the property as the current zoning would allow, and that could be plan B is Mr. Mara successfully gets his referendum passed. I honestly don't know which option is better. Perhaps as more time passes we shall know, but one thing is certain, greenspace in Green Township won't stay green forever unless it is owned by the the government. PS: Contrary to popular belief, lots of rich people live on the West Side.

Good bye Paramount Parks, hello Cedar Fair! Hopefully Cedar Fair will bring some needed changes to the new acquistioned parks. CEDAR FAIR, L.P. COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THE PARAMOUNT PARKS SANDUSKY, OHIO, June 30, 2006 -- Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS), in a cash transaction valued at approximately $1.24 billion. Cedar Fair will assume the complete operations and management of the parks immediately. “The completion of this acquisition is great news,” said Dick Kinzel, Cedar Fair’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The five Paramount properties are well-run, top-tier parks in good locations with the potential to do even better. The acquisition brings us access to new markets with attractive demographics, such as northern California, the Carolinas, Virginia / District of Columbia and Toronto. We now have a well-balanced portfolio of operations with four parks producing annual attendance over three million visitors each (Cedar Point, Kings Island, Knott’s Berry Farm and Canada’s Wonderland) and, on a proforma basis, no single park contributes more than 22% of revenues based on 2005 results. Our combined operations now include 12 amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels, and will entertain approximately 25 million guests annually.” The five Paramount Parks consist of Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto, Canada; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia; Carowinds near Charlotte, North Carolina; and Great America located in Santa Clara, California. Kinzel added, “Cedar Fair’s employees as well as many employees from the Paramount Parks have a long history and strong reputation within the industry. They have demonstrated their ability to drive solid returns on investments and are ready and anxious to begin integrating these five great family-oriented parks with our current properties.” Kinzel concluded by noting that the Partnership will issue an additional press release in the near future to provide updated 2006 earnings guidance, which will reflect the revenues and cash flow of the Paramount Parks from the date of the acquisition, and information on the Partnership’s long term financing. Cedar Fair’s other amusement parks are Cedar Point, located on Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo; Knott’s Berry Farm near Los Angeles in Buena Park, California; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom near Allentown, Pennsylvania; Valleyfair near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Worlds of Fun, located in Kansas City, Missouri; Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom near Cleveland, Ohio; and Michigan’s Adventure near Muskegon, Michigan. The Partnership’s water parks are located near San Diego and in Palm Springs, California, and adjacent to Cedar Point, Knott’s Berry Farm and Worlds of Fun. Cedar Fair also owns and operates the Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Fair’s flagship park, Cedar Point, has been voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for eight consecutive years in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper. Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Partnership believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors, including general economic conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, adverse weather conditions, unanticipated construction delays and other factors could affect attendance at our parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the Partnership’s expectations. In addition, risks and uncertainties concerning the acquisition include, but are not limited to the ability of the Partnership to combine the operations and take advantage of growth, savings and synergy opportunities. http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=77

I foresee the San Mar Gale ultimatium: From the Hamilton County Rural Zoning Resolution: Residential Zone "B" Minimum Lot Size: 10,500 sq feet = 0.241 acre Legacy place just happens to be Zoned Residental B Proposed Legacy Place Site: 63 acres. Possible Homes for Legacy Place: 261 homes Total Site Acreage: 76 + 63 acres = 139 acres Possible homes For Total Site: 576 homes Legacy Place vote delayed BY CLIFF RADEL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER For want of a second, Green Township’s proposed Legacy Place shopping center is on hold for a week. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060607/NEWS01/306070029

Well, I was hoping this was news regarding Ohio, but nope, Carolina instead. I'll go out on a limb and say that without auxiliary funding for these two interstates neither of these two interstates/extensions will see the light of day outside of West Virginia, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Given that many of Ohio's highways are overburdened or becoming overburdened I would much rather see us worry about the existing infrastructure and keep it running smoothly. If Ohio is forced by the southern states to build this without substantial federal funding then I sure hope that they make them toll roads. Between 73 and 74 in Ohio, I would say that the 74 extension has the better chance of seeing the light of day since there is less distance to cover and 32 could more easily be upgraded that US 23. There is also the little fact that KY has shown interest in routing 74 along what currently is the AA highway. The truth is that I don't forsee either highway coming to be anytime soon in Ohio, and I would expect neither ODOT or politicians forsee that either. Perhaps as SC, NC, and WV finish their parts of the highway there will be mounting pressure on Ohio and Michigan to finish their sections, but until that moment, there just is not enough interest in the state to do it.

Well, to have a superb park system with amazing bike trails, frisbee golf courses, and playgrounds, I'd happily spend $5 a year to keep a good thing going. Add in the fact that for the last two years Hamilton County Residents can get the 5 dollars back via a $5 Gift Certificate, and I think it could be much worse. Plus, nonresidents of the county have to pay the same fee too, and going to the Butler County Metroparks also costs $5 a year.

What a great article. Hamilton County's parks are a true gem, and the amenities provided make the systems top notch. I personally spent plenty of time at the parks in the system, and given all the other people I see at the parks while there I surely am not alone. Whether it be frisbee golf at Winton Woods, bike running on the Shaker Trace, enjoying the flowers at Krohn Conservatory, or admiring the view at Mt. Echo, there is so much to do that is unrivaled in the suburban counties.

If you are looking to visit a park like Mt Echo (in Price Hill), you take 71 to downtown and then take US 50 (Sixth Street Expressway) to Elberon Ave. Mt Echo will be on the right. An alternate route to Eighth Street is taking the Warsaw Avenue exit from US 50, which will bring you all through Price Hill. Eventually Warsaw will hit Glenway, and you will be able to see such Price Hill Institutions as Elder, Seton, and Price Hill Chili. Go even farther on Glenway to Boudniot Rd and you can find the site of the first LaRosa's Pizza.

Well, I knew this was coming, and I can say that in time this will probably be better for the parks. Sure, they could charge an arm and a leg to get in, but then there are those few competitors that could seize the moment, The Beach and Holiday World. First, the Beach could capitalize on the fact that a large portion of PKI passholders use their pass as a swim club membership, and I would venture to say that it is quite the nice club membership. If the prices become exorbitant, then it would become the perfect opportunity to capitalize on the prices and reestablish their dwindling passholder numbers. Secondly, it is only a short drive to other parks such as Holiday World, Indiana Beach, and Kentucky Kingdom, and some of those parks are really good. Personally, I love Holiday World, their amazing woodies, their free Beverages (yes Free), amazing waterpark (voted number 2 in the nation), and low price. I would imagine that should gouging begin more people would start to have my viewpoint too. The same could be applied to the Cleveland Market, if gouging begins, then why not go to Kennywood? Sure it is in Pittsburgh, but that does not change the fact that the park is amazing. While it is possible for gouging to occur, I highly doubt that we are going to see it. Cedar Fair is a buisness that capitalizes on return visits, and when people feel screwed, they are not going to return, and those lack of returns will seriously hurt the company's bottom line. This fact is especially true when a company has to pay off a 1.25 billion dollar purchase. Add in that there are still nearby Non-CF properties that are high quality, and I find it highly unlikely that that we should worry about gouging. After all, Cedar Fair's stock symbol is FUN, and there is no FUN in gouging. I see a huge marketing opportunity available for Cedar Fair, in that they could easily market all three parks as a package. Why go to Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, and Kennywood when you could go to Michigan's Adventure, Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, and Kings Island for less? Kind of sounds nice, don't you think? I really, really hope that they implement a system wide season pass. Doesn't anyone else think that that would be a nice deal. Fun fact, should this transaction go through (and it will), Cedar Fair will own the top three Seasonal Parks by attendance. Those are in order, Canada's Wonderland, Kings Island, and Cedar Point. EDIT: Read through the conference call powerpoint presentation by Cedar Fair, interesting that they are looking to only break even in 07 and 08, and that they specifically call out that they now have access to the Nickelodeon Brand. It would not be surprising at all if Nick properties are brought into all parks, as let's face it, but kids love Nickelodeon, and it is a gold mine waiting to be fully exploited.

Cedar Fair Conisidering to buy Paramounts Kings Island from The Toledo Blade From the Annual Stockholder's Meeting: "After the meeting, Mr. Kinzel (CEO of Cedar Fair) revealed Cedar Fair is considering buying Kings Island, an amusement park near Cincinnati that was put up for sale by its owner, CBS Corp. That park is one of five in CBS' Paramount Parks division."... Well, this is big, huge news, as tiny as it is. If Cedar Fair is truly interested in PKI, and truly going to buy the park, then I feel it could be good or bad news for the park. It's good in the fact that Cedar Fair is an awesome chain with a proven track record, but it could be bad in that Cedar Fair will have a monopoly in Ohio over the major amusement parks. Owning the competitor is an easy way to take the competitor out of competition. Not necessarily a bad thing, though, as PKI in recent years has gone a different route than Cedar Point with their rides. Cedar Point would continue to cater to the big kids, while PKI could continue to be a world class family park. Personally, I really hope Cedar Fair buys the park. I'd really like to get a season pass I could use at both parks, that could be a huge selling point of season passes, and I also think that Cedar Fair would run the park in a wonderful manner. I know for a fact that PKI has been sold (I used to be a manager at the park), but so far everyone has been mum on the subject until now. Hopefully the new owner will be revealed soon, and should it be Cedar Fair, hopefully we will see PKI revert to being homely Kings Island.

I am fairly certain that the highway is not being widened to three lanes, rather, the shoulders are being widened. If I remember correctly this related to the regional Drug Task force, but I could be wrong on that. I could also go out on the limb and say that it is related to the New Haven widening project, but I'll stick with the regional drug task force answer.

<Rant> Please Mr. Kilburn, you act as though Hamilton County is the crappiest little crap hole on this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. I wouldn't change being a Hamilton County for the world. We're both extremely urban and extremely rural, and at the pace we are going it will likely stay that way for some time to come. With the unrestrained growth going on in Warren County it won't be too long until you too see in some parts of your county what you currently see of Hamilton County. I'd never exchange my 11 minute downtown commute for a 30-40 minute commute if I lived in your apparently "saintly" county. I'd never exchange the large lot I live for a tiny, miniscle 0.2 acre lot that developers can build on in your "Rural" county. A 0.2 acre lot seems a lot like suburbia to me, and not a rural thing. I'd never give up our excellent library and park systems for... I don't know. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have easy access to Miami Whitewater Forest or Winton Woods, they are most excellent parks that allow me to hike, bike, run, and play frisbee golf. You, Mr. Kilburn, act as though your county is the best darn county in the area, but let's face it, it's really not. In 50 years your successors will be pulling their hair out over what you and your fellow commissioners have allowed to happened, and I can assure you that perhaps then it will be the council members of the combined Cincinnati-Hamilton County (I can dream, right) are pointing their fingers at your soon to be monstrosity and laughing. </Rant> In all seriousness, in time I have this strange feeling that in ten years you are going to hear about how they are being oppressed by traffic and taxes. It's funny how the things they seeked to escape by heading to suburbia will come back full circle and bite them in the ass. And when this happens, you can be sure that people will whine and complain about how the government should bend over backwards to make things better, and when they can't make things better with out raising taxes even higher you may see people start to look elsewhere to live. Where? Brown County? Dearborn County? Gallatin County? Hamilton County? Western Butler County? Who knows, but 20 years down the road we may find out.

I am slightly stupified as to why Portune voted no on the project. So the neighbors think it won't help. Of course they are going to say that - they do not want a four lane road extension near their houses, but to say that this relocation project will do nothing to alleviate gridlock is a slap in the face to the people involved in the countless preparing the studies, recommending the alternatives, and actually preparing the detailed design for this relocation. I too live one mile from this project area and almost on a daily basis enter the intersection of Harrison and Rybolt. It's crazy, and it needs to be fixed. I've seen (drafted) the plans for the project, and it makes me very happy to know that this project will increase flow on Rybolt and Harrison. Mr. Portune and those naysayers of this project need to realize that this relocation is just one phase of the reconfiguration of the Rybolt Rd Interchange, and when it is finished drivers on Rybolt, Harrison, and I-74 will benefit. Gone will be cars queuing on to the mainline. Gone should be residents the Ruwe's Oak development complaining about not being able to get out. (Note: Ruwe's Oak Dr. was placed in a horrible location). Personally I can't wait for this interchange to transform into something that can accomodate the growth that has and will occur in the future in the area. Now that this project is going to get off the ground, residents of the township should complain about the queuing that occurs at Sheed for me, for I'd really like a light put there.

^^I feel that this development is only the beginning of the transformation of Harrison Avenue into the next congested, commercially oriented road in Hamilton County. For big box retailers Harrison Avenue has the highway access that Glenway does not, and has the "open" land necessary to be able not have to do massive teardowns. People should be wary of this future, the infrastructure to support the development of the corridor is not there, and planned improvements for the corridor do not address growth caused by potential commercial developments. It seems that over the last few years Green Township has been really Gung Ho about developing itself out. There are so many subdivisions going in all over the place (Major example Ruwe's Oak), and one can see Commercial Available signs all along Harrison from Cheviot to Colerain Township. I just hope that they remember that there is a cost associated with all this development, and as it stands right now there just is not a sufficient roadway infrastructure for what is occurring in Green Township. I fear that the growing pains we see in Warren and Butler County may soon be coming to Western Hamilton County, and this project, along with many others, are going to get that ball rolling.

It's interesting, those plots and those areas you mention in South Fairmount are the exact area my Geology Professor examined for a bunch of DAAPers who were going to build a house on one of the properties. When he examined it he found that there were major signs of previous rotational slumps (land slides), and concluded that building in the area would destabilize the hill once again.

Most of the "ghost" streets in Cincinnati are a victim of the Geology of the area. Slides are extremely common on hills where over-development has occurred, or where roads have been placed in precarious places. For example, driving down Clifton Avenue towards OTR one will see a large hillside that is completely undeveloped. This is due to a huge rotational slide that happened in the 60s. People in this city must be extremely wary of developing on hillsides, and must take the necessary precautions to ensure that their property will not slide down the hill. Other roads that are "ghost" roads not in the city still exist. The abandoned portion of Delhi Road still exists, and in some places has a pavement thickness of 2 meters due to landslide corrections. Other roads, such as Devil's Backbone Road, have no hint of the road on the hillside in which they were abandoned.

^Me too, out here in the township Rumpke would never accept yard waste without clearance, but in the City my landlord cut down a tree and put it to the street, and they took it all. Seeing some of the things that the city employees have taken leads me to believe that either they do not care about what they take, or its the responsbility of the private landfill they take their trash to (Rumpke) to figure out what to do with everything that cannot go into the landfill. I feel that this will turn into an ugly, ugly battle between Colerain Township and Rumpke. On one hand Colerain Township is worried about losing more land to a landfill and losing the tax revenue that would be gained if the land in question was developed otherwise. On another hand Rumpke is a buisness in Colerain Township that employs plenty of people and already pays its worth in taxes. On still another hand one can note the extremely conservative policy on land development that the trustees have taken which does its darndest to anger developers and keep Western Colerain Township forests and farmlands for as long as possible. It all just seems like the perfect setting for a wonderful battle between a corporation and government. Perhaps if the Regional Planning Committee and Rumpke push the trustee's buttons too much then perhaps we may see something drastic, like taking away the say of the HCRPC through incorporation. Sure, residents of the township have shot down incorporation on many occasions, and have good reason to (1/3 of the township remains undeveloped), but perhaps if the trustees start taking about the ever expanding garbage heap in their back yard it may cause people to think differently about incorporation.

^You are probably going to be right, but I can hold my breath for something decent. If not, well I can still keep my Patronages elsewhere. I've seen the corridor studies, and I can safely say that it has the potential to be worse. At least they are moving Rybolt Road, that will make the interchange work better.

It'll be pretty interesting to see what goes into this development. They have done everything they can to get a green light on this project, and I hope the concessions they made does not equate into a rather haphazardly done development. I do not know what to expect in terms of retail mix, but with the current tenants along Glenway I would imagine either some will move to the development of there will be some retailers that people would not think could survive on the West Side. All in all though, this project will continue to change the Harrison Avenue corridor into a traffic filled, developed corridor, and Green Township will certainly reap the benefits of property taxes on this development. I just hope they consider something to upgrade the roads to support this and future developments.

I completely agree. The Western Hills Wal-Mart is extremely frightening (although they all are), and I think from a business standpoint it makes sense for Wal-Mart to consider relocating (think traffic in 5 years). I feel that this Plan will actually make it through all the hoops and come into reality. The township will get the buffer it wants in addition to the tax base it desires. I just hope that the Glenway avenue corridor does not suffer any more than it already has. It may look like a Ghost Town in several years.

Correct. Your turn. History of the Lost Bridge http://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/Engineer/Lost_Bridge/lost_bridge_1.htm

HINT: You could get very lost trying to find this bridge.