Weedrose

This will be good and dense but I hope some designs are uploaded so that I can see what he's envisioning.

Good points I didn't realize it before but pop culture does influence my thoughts of an area and of what to expect. Pop culture helps create a sureality and Cincinnati doesn't have a pop culture identity, good stuff. ^^The way retailers are currently being treated a sense of identity will be hard to create.

Catch a damn bus or park on a side street or better yet walk.

Grasscat could you create a form letter that everyone on this site could be signatories to. I'm not a good writer, nor have I done this before. The public at this point has received no information and I am wondering why the city, county, and private interests are unable to come to a conclusion.

^To the above comments I've realized for a long time that OTR if its to be improved is going to look different then it does right now. Many buildings in the area are just shells and much of the population living in OTR will have to move. The future of OTR is most likely as an economically middle class neighborhood with flashes of wealth and minor flashes of not. But I'd rather have a decently vibrant neighborhood then a couple of street stretches followed by crap.

How many of these people actually take action and involve themselves? I think half of these people are crazy.

Page 5 of Trash Cincinnati City Council should rethink the Fountain project. Rather than spend $42,000,000 to "improve" a landmark, it could do alot to improve the safety of Cincinnati. As for the Banks project, was any other company given a chance to make a proposal for being the "preferred developer"? As for the comment in Tuesday's paper that "the developers we were working with insisted on secrecy" sure sounds like "backdoor" politics. If I recall correctly and I'm not sure of this, but wasn't Corperex involved in a scandal over "backdoor" bid inproprieties in Northern Kentucky. I sure hope that the Commissioners aren't on their way to a scandal! --Richard Marks, Mt. Carmel, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 11:12:00 AM I believe the county commissioners did the correct thing, regardless if it was done in "secret" or not. The city has been dragging its feet for far too long, arguing over on3e thing or another, to no avail. If the county had let the city in on the discussions, I am certain they would still be arguing. Luken et.al., don't have a clue on what to do to get anything done. Start turing those shovels over! --Cliff Scholes, Forest Park, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 11:02:00 AM The infighting between City Council and the County Commissioners is just another sign of how flat the wheels of progress are within Cincinnati. City Council recently surprised the citizens with a $42 Million dollar plan to rework Fountain Square which is the equivalent to moving the furniture around in a room that's way too small. I'm not aware that the Council made a huge effort to let the people of Cincinnati know they were working on this less than creative plan. It's evident to most people that the objective to revitaize the downtown area with the Fountain Square project is huge waste of money. Many of the citizens aired their disgust.... but Council plans to move forward. Now the Commisioners are working on moving the Banks project forward. This project does have the potential to really revitalize the downtown area if done right. So now City Council gets indignant and thinks they were left out of the loop. The fact is the entire City Council is very much out of the loop on underst --Chuck Roudebush, Finneytown, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 8:27:00 AM What progress? You mean the progress made by the County? Cincinnati is run by a "Weak Mayor" and a Council of Clowns.You can take Fountain Square and turn it upside down and it will not revialize downtown Cincinnati.This city will never be revitalized till the criminal elements and gangs are eliminated. --Anthony J .Augustine, Monfort Heights, Monday, June 13, 2005 - 10:33:00 PM

Page 4 of Trash Cincinnati I think spend spending all that money on Fountain Square is a complete waste of money. This money could be used to speed up the development of the Banks project or another thing this city needs is some sort of a metro rail system that runs from downtown to the northern communities and to Northern Ky. Some one from Cincy should go down to Houston, Texas to see the Metro system they have there, it is above ground and runs from downtown thru the different districts of the city, It is well used and only costs a dollar to use. Why can't our city council do things in a more positive way, things the city really need. And another thing, I think the people should have a voice in this decision, this is something that should be put on the ballet to be voted on, not just a decision of the Council. We need someone who can be a voice for the people. --D.M.E., Walnut Hills, Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 8:33:00 AM The fountain square project is a terrific waste of money. Nothing is going to bring people down town as long as there is the high price of parking. I have my choice of malls to find anything I want with parking free. --Lester Rowekamp, Mt. Healthy, Oh., Friday, July 01, 2005 - 10:46:00 AM Glad to see that there was a chance to say goodbye to the Square. Last week we took our granddaughters on a photo-tour of the Square. We will now have a record of how it (was) is.I was there for the dedication of the present Square on October 16,1971 and keep the memories.Like the memory on the 1990 World Series late-nite party or the Chicken Dance at last year's Octoberfest.Oh, One more thing, What happens to the "stage"?Where will the politicals stand to "dedicate" their new playground.I'll just keep my pictures. --Jim Luebbers, Friday, July 01, 2005 - 8:34:00 AM Downtown needs high end grocery stores. Places for breakfast during weekends. --Jim Pan, Prospecat Hill, Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 7:37:00 PM This is just an example of City Council following their egos, instead of what is right for the city. City Council has proven time in and time out that they are not capable to get the job done on any development project. Their egos are bigger then their abilities. Bill Butler has accomplished more then any council member aboard and would do an excellent job developing the banks. If Vandercar had never got involved with the development in Oakley it would still be a very ugly piece of real estate today. Leave fountain square alone, give the power and money to the police instead of whipping them for everything they do wrong, and turn everything into a 24 hour city with an ample police force and we will be the best city in the business!!! Most importantly team up with private developers instead of city council and the 3cdc coming up with every idea.(Bill Butler would have had the banks finished by now!)I applaud the County for stepping up to the plate and forcing council to step out of the --William Jackson Skyy Properties LLC, Real Estate Developer in Cincinnati and Northern Ky, Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 9:54:00 PM Our downtown leads A LOT OF VIBRANCY.....the new plans for Fountain Square are not going to provide it at all. They have gone against the Cincinnati publics wishes and done just what they wanted. Maybe we just need to rally for a new form of City government. I AM EXTREMELY DISSAPPOINTED. I live downtown...no grocery..no affordable place to eat after 7pm....high crime....no movies to attend....and NOW ...the fountain will be hidden...the square will be gone...the skywalk that offered security and protection from the elements will be gone. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING....oh...they aren't are they. We need a city government that is for the people that live and work in downtown Cincinnati. Guess I'll just keep crossing the river every weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --Nancy, Downtown, Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 9:44:00 AM Concentrate on downtown core. 1. Fntn Sq is too small - think bigger! Open core up and connect it to the river. Clear the 2 blocks between Walnut & Vine, from 3rd to 5th St (save only US Bank Bldg) and make an open, Central Park type environment. Cap Ft Wa Way. This will create a critical mass connecting the river attractions with the core - also jump start private investment, bldgs, restaurants & attractions. Max residential in The Banks to feed downtown activity. 2. Build a large amount of parking under the 2 new blocks of open space to bring foot traffic into downtown from the stadiums and river. --Chris Grabarz, New Hope, PA, Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 2:50:00 PM Good luck with the Banks project, but I would estimate it will take a long time to get this effort completed. It amazes me how little coordination seems to be able to happen between Hamilton Co. and the City of Cincinnati. I feel very fortunate that Indianapolis merged its city and county governments 35 years ago. We all feel like we are part of the same community and understand the need to cooperate. The long history of a strong mayor has helped immensely as well. Central Indiana is now expanding the regional approach by working with the seven counties adjacent to Marion Co. (Indpls) to jointly fund a new retractable roof domed football / multi-purpose stadium and nearly doubling the size of the convention center to around 700,000 square feet of exhibit space. The convention center - regularly bringing 25,000 - 35,000 visitors downtown at a time - has been the real key to downtown Indy's revitalization. (The three mega auto races and NCAA and other big sports events (and Lilly En --Tom Beck, Indianapolis - near downtown, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 12:41:00 AM I do not live in Cincinnati, but I maintain my interest in, and love of the city. I am amazed at the years of constant political bickering and postering between city and county officials. No major project has ever been completed without endless arguments, delays. It is if the city/county are slowly moving into the future, despite endless "kicking and screaming" by those supposedly in charge of progress. No wonder other cities seem to be progressing faster! The Banks (8 years and counting), Queen City Square, PhaseII(10 years and counting) and Fountain Square are worthy projects to be completed! --Jack Geis, Tipp City, Ohio, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 2:31:00 PM I agree with Mr Roudebush and Mr Augustine. We moved to Cincinnati from Cleveland in 1980 and I remember calling my friends to tell them that there are actually people downtown during non business hours...WHAT HAPPENED? The story on todays Enquirer supports the concept of tearing down the barriers caused by the constant infighting between the City and the County and going to a unigovernment. Our elected leaders need to put aside themselves and think about what is good for the total region. Even though I live in Clermont County I still like to go downtown and support Cincinnati and what merchants remain. This is today harder to do! --Edward Mazza, Amelia, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 1:44:00 PM

Page 3 of Trash Cincinnati Well I think this is an exciting time to be a Cincinnatian. I am so excited I am putting my $$ where my mouth is and buying a condo downtown. The Fountain Square district revitalization factored into my decision. I said district cause it is so much more than $42M to move the fountain. When it’s done I will gleefully say “I told you so” to all the naysayers… actually maybe I won’t since they will still be hiding at home. But the REST of us will be enjoying the Square and surrounding restaurants. As for expensive parking, if you can’t afford to pay $1 to park, why bother leaving home since you can’t afford to eat out anyway. --LC, Anderson Township, Monday, July 04, 2005 - 11:45:00 PM When are we going to see a gambling boat? Hopefully, it will be on the Cincy side of the river. I've heard a lot of ideas like gambling boats or enclosing Ft. Washington Way for the extra space. I think common sense and a little creativity can go a long way into making Downtown Cincinnati the place to be. I am glad to see the project moving forward. --Matt, Burlington, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 9:29:00 PM Why don't we do the people of Cincinnati a huge favor, and just hand the land over to the developers of Newport on the Levee? By the time our "Leaders" come to a decision, there won't be anything left in Downtown Cincinnati. --Greg Kissel, Anderson Twp, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 12:49:00 PM I would like for somebody to explain to me how moving the fountain from here to there and destroying a well-traveled thoroughfare (the Skywalk) is going to increase commerce downtown, commerce being the crucial ingredient to revitalization. I work downtown and would love to shop there after work but I don't feel safe doing so. And it's not just the crime factor - the cleanliness is atrocious. We could obtain immediate benefit at a lot less cost with an occasional powerwash of the sidewalks and Skywalk. Make me feel safe and provide reasonable parking and I will be glad to contribute to downtown commerce by shopping there. --Carol C. Williams, Hyde Park, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 12:40:00 PM I too are extremely disapointed with the developement of Cincinnati or lack of? no parking, no entertainment, not much of anything?@#? Cincinnati Council needs to look accross the river and wake up! the city has two great sports stadiums and nothing around them??? what a shame with such a great sports town. --Joe Cresap, Anderson, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 12:07:00 PM Thankfully, it's an election year. As residents of the Greater Cincinnati Area, there is no better time than now to address these issues with friends, co-workers, and family. Moreover, we must take every opportunity we get to turn the diplomatic megaphone around and shout some concerns back to our future regional leadership. A campaign promise today is one step closer to the accountability we'll seek tomorrow. Most importantly, we must humbly remind ourselves that our own attitudes also can shape the landscape of change. Let us strive for optimism and wisdom in our own private actions and conversations - for tomorrow's leaders may be today's audience, and in that we are, all of us, sculptors of progress. --Ryan Derrow, Cincinnati, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 11:54:00 AM Sadly, when you look at community and economic development in Cincinnati and the County - one observes a broken, fractuous system that struggles to find leadership but fears community-based, grassroots residents holding a greater voice in redevelopment. It's not money, it's not simply capacity - it's the system as a whole from the implementors at the base to the funders at the top. The construction of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) reflect more the internal power struggles (and misgivings) of parties that are forced to work together rather than overt partnerships that have defined roles and responsibilities lodged in shared values and outcomes. This holds true in neighborhoods as well as the banks. But, Rome is burning - the flight of population out of the City and the County is in itself a vote against THIS system. Not much time is left. Get it together. --Solidarity Chapman, Pleasant Ridge, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 9:26:00 AM It is abundantly clear since the announcement of the county's plan to jumpstart the Banks, that the people at 3CDC and in City Council are NOT INTERESTED in getting the project completed. How many years has it been now? But do they care? No. They wanted to setup sweetheart deals for their pals where they wouldn't have to put up a dime. The county finds someone willing to invest THEIR OWN MONEY in the project, and these guys go ape. What total jerks. If they really cared they would be thrilled. But I guess they'd rather see a dirt pit down there. Thanks! --Scott Macmann, Oakley, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 9:25:00 AM Fountain square is a huge waste of money. The fountain DOES NOT need to be relocated and tucked back into the square. The monies if spent on the police force would promote a safer downtown. Clean up the roving gangs and the climate which allows for shootings at 6th and Vine. Playing a shell game with the fountain is utter nonsense. --Tom Liguzinski, Western Hills, Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 7:33:00 AM Many of the responses so far have been very negative; but I do believe that a city -county merger into a metro form of government would be extremely beneficial. --Jack Geis, Tipp City. Ohio, Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 5:16:00 PM

Page 2 of Trash Cincinnati Ever hear, "you snooze, you lose"? That's what the city has done again by waiting until construction and interest rates are on the rise. Sadly, I am not surprised. --sm, Miami Township, Hamilton County, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 2:53:00 PM Cincinnati has a lot going for her. Great people (except for the thugs - but that's another subject ),and terrific new facilities downtown. Does this combination make for an attractive tourist destination? Hardly. How do we build on this? Look at some other cities around the country. Take a trip to Memphis and check out the trolley system. Go to Seattle and study the waterfront and Pike St. market. Cross over to Victoria,BC and marvel at their inner harbor.While you are there, check out the cleanliness of the city. You will find quite a difference from, say, East Price Hill. Cincinnati has a lot of assets. We could use a little charm for our visitors. Develop an old fashioned trolley system to move people between our attractions. Bring back our inclines to Price Hill and Mt. Adams to spur development and attract tourists and residents. In short,transform the city into a year round destination; clean,safe,accommodating,and engaging. --Charles Balzer, Cincinnati west side, now Loveland, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 2:34:00 PM Great, development at a standstill. Just another reason for me to move to Mason/Lebanon, or better yet maybe I'll move across the river where people actually know how to execute and get the job done. Maybe once Covington/Newport becomes larger than Cincinnati and the Bengals and Reds move over the river, the city will step up to the plate and do something. But by then, it will be too late. --TR, Oakley, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 2:11:00 PM Did you notice where the local TV news showed fan reaction to the Sunday Cincinnati Bengals away win over Pittsburg? Try Willies in Covington and Newport on the Landing. No Cincinnati sports bars are in business on the Ohio River! --dick maier, monfort heights, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 2:01:00 PM Here we go again - The Banks project is once again on hold. It's absolutely pathetic and pitiful that nothing is being done down there, while Northern Kentucky seems to be leaps and bounds ahead of Ohio with respect to developing it's riverfront. It would be so much easier to simply admit that it's NEVER going to be built, and stop building up the hopes of the people. Go ahead and break out the trucks and start laying the asphalt, because that is all the "Banks" project will ever amount to - a parking lot! I know it, everyone else knows it, so just get it over with and let the city/county work on something else. Or more to the point, TALK about working on something else. --Robert Adams, Fairfield, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 1:57:00 PM What a complete shame? If the banks is stalling, expect every other projet in the city to do the same. I'm speechless.... --Richard Northcutt, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 1:52:00 PM The city of Cincinnati is in deep trouble. Crime is up, jobs are down, and development is at a standstill. Will someone please step up to the plate and DO something?? --Brenda Carr, Newport, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 1:44:00 PM Same ole', same ole'. What did you expect to happen? The city and county will just have to look across the river to see how things get accomplished. --Charles Egerton, Newport KY, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 1:36:00 PM Cincinnati is a joke. I will continue to go to Newport and spend my money. --Brent Matthews, Oakley, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 1:32:00 PM I think it is time these agencies, politicians, and corporate execs. cast their "egos" to the side and stop worrying about who is going to profit the most from the development of Cincinnati. Chances are everyone involved is going to make a fortune. We are not talking about some small project, this is a billion dollar development deal. We all know there are many difficulties in the development of land, especially land controlled by two different governmental bodies...so what...get it done and then the people in the tri-state area can actually have something to be proud of when it comes to our fair city. I am tired of saying Cincinnati will be fun in three years...I have been saying that since 2001. My generation will continue to move out in flocks if this continues. --Aaron, Mariemont, Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 10:31:00 AM

Page 1 of trash Cincinnati Cincinnati leaders, politicians, lawyers and money players waste so much time, and in the end get nothing done for the betterment of the city. The only time something actually happens is when taxpayers get stuck with the bill. There continues to be extremely limited vision in Cincinnati to make things happen. As a minimum, the space between the stadiums could have been a park with walks, trees, flowers, fountains, etc for the general public to enjoy. --Terry Lund, downtown, 02-03, Montgomery, B/A 81-01,, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 6:13:00 PM Where to begin? First of all I must say that the planners and developers of this city are subpar at best. Fountain Square did not need renovating. Yes it may have out of date, but there are many parts of our city that need revitalizing before that. The money allocated towards that could of rebuilt main street or cleaned up a portion of over-the-rhine. Now with the "Banks" brushed aside, Cincinnatians will have to get their entertainment fix by crossing the river or driving to the casinos in Indiana. What will it take for Cincinnati to wake up and act now? Ohio is among the top states finacially, and yet we send our business elswhere. I have an idea. If we cannot agree on a way to build an entertainment district, how bout we spend our money on a mass transit system. We do have tunnels built under the city, how bout we use them. This way consumers have multiple low-risk choices and can take the train to Mt. Adams to Main Street to Hyde Park to Clifton, all without entering a car. Do SOME --Paul Langdon, Northside, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 6:02:00 PM I am frankly glad that the project fell through. The area needs to be developed, but is another park the answer? How many people go to sawyer point? How frequently do they go? Newport and Covington are not basing development on parks, what would be the advantage on this side of the river. Cinncinnati and Hamilton county need to see beyond they squables if they want to raise awareness and draw pwople downtown. --Jason Perkins, Norwood, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 5:33:00 PM Yet another demonstrates of why Newport, the former Tijuana of the midwest, easily kicks Cincinnati's can up and down the river. Is Mike Brown NOW running Cincinnati/Hamilton County? --Mark Sparks, Pierce Twp, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 5:15:00 PM This is a chance for our new mayor, new council and new county administrator to rise to the occasion and provide the leadership our community needs. Too much is at stake to let this opportunity slip away once again. Work together and get us moving forward. --Kelly Leon, Walnut Hills, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 4:01:00 PM As a resident of downtown and a resident of Cincinnati for 6 years, I can honestly say that this is pathetic. Please, put something there. Anything. It's just dirt. Other cities with half our size and a tenth of our corporate base are creating opportunities while Cincinnati does nothing. Thank God we are doing something about Fountain Square. It may not please everyone, but at least it's an update. Just pathetic. --Jason, Downtown, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 3:59:00 PM Go ahead, move away. Spend 3 hours a day in traffic. Be slaves to your kids because they can't ride their bikes to school or to their friend's house. Be slaves to your car. Talking to your neighbors is over-rated anyway. Do not think that just because you move away from the city, you will not be affected by what happens there. If there was no Cincinnati, there would be no Mason, West Chester, Newport, Independence, etc., at least they would not exist like they are today. Covington would not be such an attractive place to live and do business if it weren't for downtown Cincinnati. There will be plenty more opportunities for Cincinnati. --Andy, Burlington, KY, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 3:37:00 PM Is anyone really surprised by the Banks project once again collapsing? As long as you have a County and City government that can't get together on simple things, why would you ever think that a developer would invest in a project like the Banks? --Thom Hickerson, Burlington, KY, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 3:15:00 PM How many years have gone by and we still have no private development as a result of the tax payers billion dollar stadium investments? The benefactors of the stadiums are responsible - the owners of the Bengals and the Reds. These parties have already got what they wanted and they impeded what could have been a renessaince to this city - the opportunity at Broadway Commons and they have left the tax payers with a mess on the riverfront. Instead of dramatic change for the better we are years and years behind. It is a colossal disgrace. --John Whedon, Clifton, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 3:12:00 PM I travel to regional cities like Indy and Columbus and it's a shame to see how far ahead of us they are. Our city council wants to argue about everything and not get anything accomplished. Cincinnati will continue to lag behind the region unless we get rid of city council and trust a strong mayor. Just look across the river at all that development! --todd killinger, hyde park, Monday, December 05, 2005 - 2:57:00 PM

Furthermore, the language that is being used by the local news outlets to describe the circumstances of the deal are entirely too fatalistic. This is not the end of the world and certainly it is not the end of the deal.

The best scenario would have the parties coming to terms over the next couple of days to get this worked out. The most likely scenario is that this goes back to the drawing boards and isn't done until sometime in 06.

They better get this back on track pretty soon or we're going to need a hail mary to get this through.

Breaking News Banks Project is in stalemate, somehow, someone fucked up.

Xavier gets down to business President Michael Graham works to engage alumni, corporate leaders to create facility for business school Lucy May Senior Staff Reporter Xavier University is planning a new facility for its Williams College of Business, and top university officials have worked quietly for the past 15 months to raise the tens of millions of dollars it will take to build it. The idea is to create a college and facility that are as appealing to local executives as they are to students and faculty, said Xavier President Michael Graham. No link available for article

Could Cincinnati be the hub for young business elite. Yes, the region working together with our extensive list of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies could become an area high on young entrepreneurial talent. OPINION From the December 2, 2005 print edition Our Opinion Region can share colleges' vision Xavier University, without blowing its horn too loud, has been raising money for a new college of business on its Walnut Hills campus, as Senior Reporter Lucy May writes in this week's issue. The new building would replace the college's cramped quarters in Hailstones Hall. That's newsworthy by itself, but as May reports, Xavier is thinking outside the building, so to speak. It wants to redefine how it educates its business students, and its new quarters will include three units: the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center for Business Ethics and the Center for Investment Research. No link available for article

I hope that the Montgomery Inn Banquet Center moves here or moves to the Banks.

I think by Wednesday we may be looking at a plan more sizable than the original Banks plan. I hope so.

Maximillian are you apart of the Tarbell crusade.

The Near East Side is cementing itself as a hot area with this one.

Not wrong. Not tearning down buildings-Historic conservation, old Cincinnati kept for generations to see. All buildings could be rehabbed and returned to their former glory as loft structures or through mixed use. Tearing down all buildings-Lose historic architecture; lose the character of what makes Cincinnati special. Interferes with clear new urbanist principles. Massive displacement. Good policy-Tear down those buildings beyond repair and replace them with like buildings. Buildings that can be rehabbed, rehab them. Create sense of space and unified neighborhood districts. I am not advocating destroying the entire lot but it is easily recognized that there are varying levels of quality in OTR and many buildings have suffered decades of neglect. The other night I went on a walk from Corryville through Mt. Auburn, the CBD, OTR, Clifton/Fairview Heights. While on Elm, I noticed that the block wasn't as hot as it should be over the past few years tear downs have been significant which is a shame but there is a reason for that. Many buildings although tied to the past are beyond the point at which the average urban pioneer would even attempt to give a try. There are some potentials but there are alot of nots in the neighborhood.

The tradeoff here is that this may be what the neighborhood needs to ensure a future.

Saks would bleed money in Kenwood. Saks is a tourist spot for money. Money has connections downtown, work and business the type of people that spend money are already coming downtown even if they live in and around Kenwood.

You can command a higher premium on that type of development on the Kentucky side of the river right now. Development space in Cincinnati is also more expensive and more difficult to find. Also, Covington concentrates its development in a tight radius around that river because that's pretty much the size of their city. They have the luxury of smallness in this case.