Cygnus

We should start hearing news soon on continiung the development at Adams Landing. Rumor is we'll see a second 4-story building due east of Captain's Watch. It'll have aproximately 100 apartments with entrances off both Adams Crossing and Parsons Street (curently a gravel road connecting to Riverside Drive). I'd expect a third building is planned at a later date east of Parsons St...

Towne brings subs into Captain’s Watch condo dispute, seeks mediation Responding to a lawsuit over alleged construction defects at its Captain’s Watch condominium project, an affiliate of Towne Properties filed a third-party complaint against Turner Construction Co., Cole + Russell Architects Inc. and other subcontractors who worked on or supplied materials for the project. It claims that, if the alleged damages are true, then Towne/Adams A-1 LLC is entitled to be indemnified by Turner, Cole + Russell and the other subcontractors. At the same time, Towne filed a motion for court-ordered mediation of the dispute, which it says was the subject of lengthy settlement negotiations before the initial lawsuit was filed. Cont

Captain's Watch condo owners sue over leaks Owners at the Captain’s Watch condominiums east of downtown Cincinnati are suing Towne Properties’ development company, alleging that construction defects have been causing water intrusion problems. The issue mainly affects wooden balconies, according to a complaint filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Nov. 16. Towne has failed to remedy the problems, and as a result “in certain areas of the development, algae grows unimpeded, water stains abound, and the wood balconies continue to rot,” according to the complaint. Cont

Just over a year later... Bullseye Bar & Fire Grill opening Downtown The owners of the El Coyote restaurants are opening a new concept in place of the Downtown location, 41 E. Sixth St. Bullseye Bar & Fire Grill, a more casual restaurant and night spot, has its soft opening today (Tuesday). "Sometimes your strengths are your weaknesses," Mario Nocero, director of operations, said of the philosophy behind the re-branding. Cont

Yep. And as far as I know that's still the plan.

Liberty Center's upcoming hotel announced 130-room hotel to open in 2015 As prep work continues on the Liberty Center mixed-use development, the name of the hotel that'll be part of the property is now known. The newest AC Hotels by Marriott location will open at the development in 2015. "Each AC Hotel unites a sleek, sophisticated, cosmopolitan look with the latest in technology and the best in amenities that travelers expect from a Marriott brand," Steiner + Associates said in a news release Tuesday. Cont

As part of The Banks Project Bid Package 12-1, the north side of 2nd Street is under construction. Between Walnut & Main they are replacing sidewalks as well as installing pole foundations for a future streetcar stop. It appears they have widened the sidewalk by 2-3 feet. Does anyone know if they are eliminating a lane?

Absolutely disgusting... City pays COAST $675,000 to go away The city has paid COAST attorneys $675,000 to settle a half-dozen pending lawsuits, The Enquirer has learned through a public records request. The settlements were made in January, with the city admitting no wrongdoing, according to agreements between those involved in each case. The parties agreed to keep the deals confidential, but the city had to release them as public records. The money came from the city's "judgment fund" for potential litigation costs, Acting City Solicitor Terry Nestor said Friday. "The city is disappointed that it had to pay this amount, and mostly in attorneys' fees, but very pleased that these cases are resolved and can be taken off the city's book of long-term liabilities," Nestor said. The cases carried a combined risk of costing the city up to $1.5 million, he said. Cont

If you are out and about downtown/OTR this weekend, consider supporting a local business currently impacted by streetcar construction. Sweet Petit at 1426 Race St.currently has no street parking along its block due to trackwork. However, you can park at the Washington Park Garage and they Sweet Petit will validate your ticket for free parking.

A lot of changes this week what with cutting Kyle Cook & James Harrison and losing Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, & Brandon Ghee to free agency. It also appears they won't match Cleveland's offer to Andrew Hawkins. Now, unfortunately, theres this: Marvin Lewis signs 1-year extension The Cincinnati Bengals signed coach Marvin Lewis to a one-year contract extension Friday. His previous contract, renewed after the 2010 season, was set to expire after 2014. Marvin Lewis has been with Cincinnati since 2003, the longest tenure of any coach other than Bill Belichick, who was hired by New England in 2000. "Marvin has earned this commitment for the job he is doing," Bengals president and owner Mike Brown said. "We are one of only five teams to qualify for the playoffs the last three years, and our prospects are bright looking ahead. Cont

City of Cincinnati via Twitter: Vehicles for the Cincinnati Streetcar are really starting to take shape: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/streetcar/news/update-on-vehicle-manufacturing/

Major demolition work starts on AT580 Signs of significant renovation at the former 580 Building will finally be visible this week as major interior demolition begins on the project that will create 180 apartments in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. Tony Birkla, partner with Anderson Birkla Investment Partners LLC, said interior demolition of AT580, located at 580 Walnut St., is a pretty big job. Demolition will take place on floors seven through 14 and the entire annex building. Details of the building’s conversion from office space with some retail to a mixed-use development with upscale apartments, class A office space and retail were revealed in June 2013. Cont

Bunbury Music Fest adds 4 bands, including headliner The alt-rock Bunbury Music Festival, set for July 11-13 at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove, has announced its remaining headliner, Empire of the Sun, and three additional acts: Cage the Elephant, Dead Sara and The Black Cadillacs. Bunbury also revealed the schedule for the weekend. Cont

Without a teleprompter, this video would have been an hour long...

EXCLUSIVE: Cranley calls for court to settle pension fix Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley told The Enquirer on Tuesday that he is asking City Council to put the future of the city's beleaguered pension system into the hands of a federal court. The goal is to mediate a binding settlement that would ensure the long-term future of the plan – and shore up Cincinnati's finances. The pension situation is the city's "biggest threat outside of a terror threat," Cranley said, adding that it will probably entail pain for city coffers as well as current workers and retirees. If council doesn't approve the proposed mediation, Cranley said, the city is facing further reductions in the city's credit rating - driving up costs to borrow and hurting Cincinnati's national reputation. The top U.S. bond rating agencies – Moody's and Standard & Poor's – are visiting the city later this month, and new ratings are expected by next month. Moody's already reduced Cincinnati's credit rating last summer, primarily over concerns with the pension plan. Cont

At 100 days, Cranley still 'in-your-face' Mayor's style draws stark contrast to his predecessor and, although city government has taken plenty of action early, unfunded pension liabilities and debt issues loom. No one can accuse Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley of slacking. As of Monday, it's been exactly 100 days since he was sworn in – just 3 1/3 months in which City Council killed and then resurrected the streetcar; really killed the parking lease; agreed to hire more cops; and took steps to increase contracts to minority-owned businesses. He got rid of the last city manager before the clock even started ticking on his four-year tenure. Cranley's direct, open style has been a 180-degree shift from predecessor Mark Mallory's behind-the-scenes approach. Just like that, council meetings have gone from tightly controlled performances to verbal free-for-alls. Cont

Construction kicks off for Taft's Ale House in OTR Over-the-Rhine's rich brewing history marks another milestone Friday as construction begins on Taft's Ale House – transforming an abandoned, historic church building and recalling a famous family's past. The new three-level brewpub will be housed in the old St. Paul's German Evangelical Protestant Church at 1429 Race St. and include a brewery, three bars and full-service restaurant seating 300. An official groundbreaking is at 11 a.m. today. It's expected to open this fall. Cont

At 15th and Race they have started trucking out the sand used in the 2012 AVP Cincinnati Open. I'd expect excavation to begin soon.

Streetcar pause costs still unknown; Cincinnati figuring out phase 1b costs The officials running Cincinnati’s streetcar project still don’t know how much the December pause in the project ordered by the City Council will cost in terms of time and money. Project executive John Deatrick said the key contractors – Messer Construction, Prus Construction and Delta Railroad – have submitted proposals, but the city is still reviewing them, asking for more documentation and negotiating. The severe cold and high volume of snow may also impact the schedule, Deatrick told a meeting of council’s transportation committee. “The auditors are going to be all over us from the FTA,” Deatrick said, referring to the Federal Transit Administration, which oversees the federal dollars used for the project. Cont

I spoke to him during Cincy Beer Week and he honestly seemed excited. Will be sent to New Orleans to train for the next several months. However, I do find it hard to believe he'll be happy in Anderson Township.

They are moving fast:

At least 4 of these arriving today:

Last Saturday night was my 3rd trip to Mahogany's. Dining room was nearly full at about 5:30 and by the time we left at 7:00, there was a short wait. Food was great as usual. Unfortunately, everything else was a train wreck. No beer on draft as I was told their CO2 tank was empty. In all three of my visits, there were always issues with getting a draft beer. I settled on a bottle of Miller Lite. Server eventually returned and advised they were out but they had Budweiser and Coors Light. The wife's cocktail took at least 15m as there was only one bartender. However, there were two floor managers roaming the cramped dining room, as well as I believe Liz Rodgers, for four servers. I mentioned the dining room was cramped. Patrons sit way too close together, so much so it's impossible not to hear everything said by the people around you. At the same time, there is a raised stage area with a drum set and misc. electronic equipment taking up prime dinning space. I'm fine with having late evening musical acts, but during dinning hours, this area should be selling your product. Another area in the dining room that has been previously used as the buffet area was littered with employee jackets, bags, and other personal items as well as random dishes. Not something the customer should have to sit and look at. When we finally ordered our food, both of the entrees were supposed to come with two sides. Our server however said their menu is wrong and one of the entrees we ordered actually only came with one side. As the menus were well worn, I take it this was a recent change. No matter, it's something that should be addressed when you are handed your menu, not as you are ordering. Mahogany's is simply poorly managed...

WCPO’s Sloppy Streetcar Reporting Misses Real Concerns Since I joined CityBeat two years ago, I’ve read and watched a lot of bad attempts at investigative journalism. But on Feb. 24, WCPO genuinely surprised me with the worst piece of reporting, journalism or whatever one wants to call what I saw: a so-called “investigation” into deaths related to streetcars. There is just so much wrong with the report. The statistics themselves show the story completely lacks news relevance. The reporters failed to contact any streetcar supporters, who are some of the most accessible sources in local journalism. And the story failed to identify one of its main sources as a member of the virulently anti-streetcar Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST). Putting aside most of these errors in the reporting process, I want to focus on two statistics provided in the story. According to WCPO’s sources, more than 300 people have died in light rail accidents nationwide since 1995, but — and this is crucial — 96 percent of rail-related deaths were not caused by the people riding in the streetcar or train. Cont

Something is up with the recently welded rail between Liberty & 15th. Its been cut and removed along with the rebar base. Anyone know what's up?