Michael L. Redmond

I like to think I am a positive person, looking for the good in everything and everyone. That being said, what does this do for us? And I am not saying it is bad, perhaps I just need someone to educate me. Any money? Is there an investment group that follows this list? or will it simply put more restrictions on development in OTR? I do not know. Solution "Designation of Over-the-Rhine as one of America's most threatened historic places will aid the local Community Council and other organizations, such as the Cincinnati Preservation Association, in their efforts to save and safeguard the area. Only through a diverse, collaborative approach that includes urban planners, corporate and philanthropic organizations, and – most important – community groups and neighborhood residents and stakeholders, will it be possible to stop the deterioration of the buildings and improve the quality of life for area residents." Ok, now what? "It is our hope that this designation will serve as a unifier, providing the impetus needed to bring various government, philanthropic and community groups together with the shared goal of improving living conditions for neighborhood residents and preserving a vital part of the city's—and America's—history." I recieved a message this morning from the OTR Foundation that said "This is it!!!" well... huh. Its great if we get some attention because of this but please dear god, no more regs and restrictions on develpment.

Were the people that Fischer had working for them paid minimum wage? Any taxes paid? Withholdings for FICA and or workers comp? What happens when one gets hurt on the job? Does Fischer pick up the tab? Just questions, I do not know the answer for sure but I do not think that they are playing under the same rules everyone else is forced to play under. If the builders I work with are forced to play by a certain rule set and there for have a fixed cost for labor, why should Fischer break the law (right or wrong) and undercut us. Because correct me if I am wrong, Fischer was not trying to make a political statement on immigration, they were trying to cut labor cost. I would think that if this were anyone else other than Mexican laborors that people would be in an uproar over the mistreatment of these workers. Perhaps now would be a good time for the illegal aliens to fight for equal pay, equal benefits, equal protections under the law, they should stand tall and speak loud, perhaps even unionize. In my opinion (and I am not an expert) it seems that the US should simply adopt the exact same immigration laws as Mexico. Anyone here ever try and enter Mexico from a southern border?

sorry, was that a bit lengthy? Waaay to much caffeine today. Correction I was wrong about the developer meeting, it is on Friday the 19th at 5:30 at the Chamber.

Dglen and Kendall, Let me begin by saying that I believe you and I are in agreement that at some point down the road we could and should be picky about what sort of development goes into OTR, but now is not the time. But these three quotes I have some disagreement with... First, I am not sure how you are defining "mess" that OTR is currently is in. It had nothing to do with free market capitalism, it had to do with government intervention which encouraged subsidised housing (which in and of itself is not all bad) with stipulations such as lowered ceiling heights and gave incentives to chop housing into as many units as possible without regard to the historical contents of the building. It spawned an investor class that was driven not by quality of design or even maintenance of historical structures, but by the promise of $850 per month per unit by an entity that would not fail to pay its rent, the federal government-Not free market capitalism. Second, you would think people are beating down the doors to buy in OTR. Build anything and they will come? Not exactly. The biggest risk takers are OTR developers, even with quality product it is a risky proposition. Put restrictions on top of that and what do you get? Doug Spitz on Boal, historic? did it help the area? yes! Pauline Van Der Haar on Dorsey, historic? did it help the area? yes! Gateway, historic? did it help the area? I would be willing to bet on it. John Walter on Conroy, historic? did it help the area? yes. Are all of these eye sores that we try and ignore? No, it is what helps us sell homes in close proximity that will be rehabbed and saved. Dorsey Muse helped me sell 120 Dorsey across the street that is currently under rehab, $500,000 homes in close proximity gave the Nunn's the confidence to delve into their first rehab. The new const. on Conroy is what helped push the redevelopment of lower Klotter and helped establish a price point that made it reasonable to sink some money into rehabs all up and down that street. Third, I just sat in on a meeting last week with two developers that are planning a joint venture on Peete. We discussed surface lots for parking on 5 lots that were torn down by the city because of neglect over the past 10 years. As a matter of a fact one of the developers is saving 67 Peete (notice the tarp on top and if you look closely you can see a crack that is wide enough to fit a small child through) no one cries about the buildings that are being torn down now because of neglect. No one came on these boards and complained about Crawfords building on Peete that was torn down last week that was is such terrible shape it posed a danger to the surrounding buildings. No one is complaining about the 55 buildings lost on Mulberry alone since 1980, not because of new construction (they only demolished a garage for them) but because of neglect and disrepair. Everyone cried about new construction on the city lots at the top of Hughes, the Foundation said that they would fight any modern design tooth and nail, and guess what, they won, no new const. and anyone care to take a look at the teardowns on Hughes within the past year because of this? Neglect has killed OTR and fear will continue its demise. Unfettered demolition and renovation? Take a look at my house where during the 80's no building codes were enforced and they placed a bathroom on an exterior deck, anyone complain? Take a look at the two houses that were next to mine on the East side that were demolished not to build new, but because he didn't want the cost to maintain them, anyone complain? New const and new design is not the enemy of OTR and if you want to point toward bleak possibilities, you simply have to look in the past. The status quo is no longer an option. Surely the creative class is not adverse to a little creativity.

It will be held at the OTR Chamber (which is above the Herman Miller Store). This meeting is hopefully the first of many to come so that developers will be able to share their plans with one another and to help new investors and even small, first timers to sit down and learn from others how to get started. Will it be advertised as an open meeting? No Are you invited? yes One of the goals that we have for this first meeting is for each to share the progress of his/her developments. We need to establish an environment not of competition, but of mutual support towards what has been a very elusive goal, the redevelopment of OTR and Mt. Auburn. Fortunately Brian Tiffany has many of the contacts through his time at CDF as well as my and Pauline's contacts to make this a very inclusive first meeting. Another goal is to discuss how we can better work together in both advertising the area (this is where the Chamber comes in) and if we can map out areas and do more logical, cohesive development in the future. Lets face it, Hohlbein needs to know what Gorman is doing, Gorman needs to know what Van Der Haar is doing, and we all need to know what 3CDC is doing. Realtors need to know the same, if I can stand on Mulberry and push one project while giving insight into other upcoming projects, it paints a grand picture of overwhelming redevelopment of an area. And finally, you never know what may come out of introducing two or more people with a common intrest. Perhaps joint ventures on larger scale projects, perhaps a new investor is given the confidence by sitting in on a meeting like this to go ahead and fund a project, who knows. The bottom line is that this meeting needs to happen and on May 12, 5:30 at the OTR Chamber Office, it will.

Well hopefully this will be a step in the right direction. Friday, May 12th at 5:30, Pauline Van Der Haar, the OTR Chamber and myself will be hosting a meeting of Mt. Auburn and OTR developers in order share thoughts, resources, develpment progress and plans with one another to help achieve a common goal, the continued develpment of our community.

uncleRando, I agree with what you are saying about Newport. That being said, I thank Tony for sticking in for as long as he did, 10 years, anyone care to recap what his business and our community has been through in the past 10 years. Do I wish they would stay? sure, but I wish Tony the best.

this is the most important thing in any community, OTR or Mason. I agree that freedom of design without some restraint is a dangerous road. However if you are a developer and you are considering Mulberry Street for new const dev. and you are faced with having to deal with Historic vs say Dorsey or somewhere that doesn't have the same restrictions but are in the same general area with the same general ammenities ie. views, or proximity to venues, which do you choose? My point is that we should make it as inviting a place as possible to developers, investors, and future home owners. We already offer incentives to the purchasers, but developers and builders are faced with a long line of red tape when they try and do something in the inner city. Let us let the market decide, instead of a historical board. Developers do not want to build something that the market does not want and if the market wants a building that is historically correct, then thats what will be built.

I always find this debate interesting that we argue over what sort of new construction should and should not be allowed in OTR when the only new const. I can even think of currently in the borders of OTR is Gateway and Conroy (John Walter's). We should welcome new development and that includes new designs. The new only accentuates the old, it makes it stand out due to the contrast it provides, otherwise your 1865 building is just another building in a row of other 1865 buildings. Be mindful of the past but not at the expense of the future, we need new development and placing restrictions on develpers is not the way to get it because otherwise it is just easier to build somewhere else.

I second that.

Just in the past week in the media The new face of OTR B2B Equities partners work to rehab dozens of buildings Cincinnati Business Courier - April 21, 2006 by Lucy May Senior Staff Reporter Scaffolding and construction fences have replaced the street-corner drug dealing that once was visible from 12th and Vine streets. Peaceful Atmosphere In Over-The-Rhine LAST UPDATE: 4/22/2006 11:29:58 PM It's been almost two weeks since Cincinnati Police began a new push to make Over-The-Rhine a safer place. Officers stepped up patrols on foot, on bicycles and on horseback. Cleanup volunteers tackle neighborhoods, river banks BY FEOSHIA HENDERSON | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER OVER-THE-RHINE - Lynne Wu and Rob Gilson could have been replacing a burst sewer pipe at their Mulberry Street home Saturday morning. Instead, they spent a few hours cleaning up their neighborhood. Wu was one of an estimated 250 people scouring Over-the-Rhine as part of national Keep America Beautiful campaign. Volunteers had filled more than 800 bags of trash by early afternoon. New Approach To Fighting Crime In Over The Rhine Reported by: Shannon Kettler Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller Photographed by: 9News First posted: 4/20/2006 6:04:53 PM You've heard about the crime sweeps in Over The Rhine, but now there is a more preventive effort to fight crime. Over-the-Rhine 'cleanup' Police sweep nets 527 arrests in 10 days BY EILEEN KELLEY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER OVER-THE-RHINE - Geneva Lewis sits outside her corner hair salon at 15th and Elm streets, perched in a wheelchair, and shoos away the "dope boys." And I saved the best for last Denhart trading rent subsidy for condo rehab Cincinnati Business Courier - April 21, 2006by Dan Monk Low-income landlord Tom Denhart is selling off hundreds of rent-subsidized properties in Avondale to finance a new career as an Over-the-Rhine condo developer.

sorry otrfan, I am about a month late on a response. The arch is in the process of being planted and will serve as a community garden. The rocks that are laying at its base will be arranged for a fire pit and we have pavers that will go all the way around that for people to sit. We are considering a water feature and already have a large pond that may go half way inside the large arch and pumps that will take water up to the second arch so to have a small waterfall effect.

I agree, we need to keep the pressure on, this is why I used the term perfect storm, everything is coming together at just the right time. Increased policing now, CRT's in OTR in April, Citizens on Patrol in May, Sherrifs soon after. The pressure is high now and will get even higher. All of this coupled with increased VBML's, more projects coming on line in OTR and did anyone hear that Denhart is going Market Rate? I just heard that on 700 WLW this morning.

I could not be any happier with our police dept. Last night we had the first class for Citizens on Patrol and I would say that we are probably 1 month out on the first actual patrol. Then followed up by the sherriffs. There is a perfect storm that is forming around OTR, it will change.

I just saw the proof last night, it looks great.

The fun never stops with Nate...... Reported by: 9News Web produced by: Neil Relyea Photographed by: 9News First posted: 4/16/2006 11:15:50 AM Controversial community activist Nate Livingston is challenging a new Cincinnati law places people in possession of small amounts of marijuana under arrest. Livingston filed a lawsuit Friday calling the year-old law unconstitutional. People found with 100 grams or less could be arrested. If convicted they could face up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Sorry, I decided to refrain from any comments about Mary Burke's buildings on E. Clifton and Peete. The people in St. Anthony Village are great and very involved I just wish all of her tennants were as good.

So what is the saying going to be on the bumper sticker? My vote Live, Work, Stay! in OTR

I will buy one or throw some money in to help print them. Great Idea.

http://www.wkrc.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=8702C891-74E9-474B-BCDE-4D3DB4C6266A Major Drug Bust LAST UPDATE: 4/14/2006 6:04:46 PM A crime crackdown in and around Over The Rhine leads to a big marijuana bust. Police found 20 pounds of pot in a home in the 500 block of Gennessee Street. That's in the City West Development. Officers also seized 450 dollars cash. Twenty five-year-old Rahim Zanders now faces charges of drug possession and trafficking. The second charge carries more weight because the home is near Taft High School. OR http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060415/NEWS01/604150390/1077 Inmates moved to Butler Co. Hamilton Co. paying neighbor to ease jail crowding BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Forty-six Hamilton County prisoners were moved to the Butler County jail Friday - the first group under a new agreement between the two governments aimed at easing overcrowding at the jail in Cincinnati. Another 46 will be shipped to Butler County today. "We have 100 criminals who would have been out on the streets robbing people or committing crimes who now will be locked up," Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich said Friday. "I can't say enough about how quickly (officials) acted." Hamilton County will pay $65 per day per inmate housed at the Butler County jail, which has excess beds.

Officers Get 'Thank-Yous' For OTR Patrols POSTED: 6:18 pm EDT April 13, 2006 UPDATED: 7:01 pm EDT April 13, 2006 Email This Story | Print This Story CINCINNATI -- With hundreds of pat-downs in Over-the-Rhine this week, many business leaders and residents said it's about time. Cincinnati officers have saturated the area, trying to root out drug dealers and violent thugs. "I've seen shootings and killings," shop owner Larry Ashford said. "Furthermore, I think the adults would walk the streets more if the kids would leave." Another businessman told News 5 that sheriff's deputies really need to learn the turf before their patrols start in the next two or three months. "If they could spend some time in the community talking to the business owners ... they'd get familiar with who's who," Otis Stevens said. Beat officers in the neighborhood said there's no learning curve for them. So far, they've made 176 arrests, 45 of which are drug-related -- and the police are getting "a lot of thank-yous," Officer John Heine said.

Well the responses started in the right direction but we deteriorate back to police corruption discussions very quickly. Freeing the drug buyers while prosecuting the police is not the solution. This gets us nowhere. It is that petty drug buyer and seller that has destroyed, not just OTR, but countless communities. If you think that the police are contributing to this problem, I will help you put those officers in jail, just give me a name. But if you really want to make a difference, walk the streets with me, your presence on Republic at 11:00 at night by my side while wearing a Citizens on Patrol jacket and holding a police radio could make the difference. If you don't trust that the police are doing their jobs to clean up your community then you must take it upon yourself to do it, but with rhetoric like that against them, don't expect for the police to respond quickly to your emergency call. But if you decide not to join me on patrol, for god's sake don't try and cause a divide between the one's who are willing to do this and CPD. The CRT moved to the Mulberry/McMicken Sector approx 2 days ago. I had two showings yesterday at 72 E. Clifton and I watched, no lie, a virtual convoy of undercover police roll in. Granted it did nothing for my sale, but it was one of the most impressive sites I have seen to date from the police. This morning Lang and E. Clifton was clear, no one at Rothenberg, Frintz St also was clear, and this on a nice sunny morning in OTR. I made a call in about a drug dealer on the North West corner of Lang and E. Clifton, they sent in a criss cross of undercover agents to get this guy, multiple undercover agents hitting several buyers at one location. I watched KY cars fly out of McMicken being chased by CPD. I saw lookouts on the run because Vice knew their locations also. I look at the big, ongoing picture for OTR. These sweeps are putting a major dent in the crime activity but this will not last long, so the sectors as well as Mt. Auburn (and other surrounding communities, but I am not part of that organization) are pulling together to do a joint Citizens on Patrol to keep pressure on these areas (a bit of zone defense vs the polices man to man) and this will be combined with a communication system that will alert each sector captain of problems ie. car or home breakins, or moving hotspots so that the captains can disseminate that information out to the residents. Will this level of enforcement go on forever by the police? No, but the residents can provide gap enforcement to keep them on their heels. We have picked up several more volunteers for Citizens on Patrol since the article came out about John and Mike Morgan. This is just the first wave of it, hopefully it will continue to grow and evolve into a major piece of the enforcement puzzle. But for those who do not wish to stand behind your police, stand behind your neighbors because they will be out there on Vine, Republic, 13th and Clay, E. Clifton and McMicken just to name a few. The ongoing rhetoric that is going back and forth between just a couple of residence and one police officer needs to stop, because those neighbors are going to be relying on the police dept. assistance and cooperation if and when we run into any trouble. They are more than an ally to the volunteers, they are our lifeline.

My fear is that we lose site of who the real enemy is, the criminal. As I read the story the headline was "OTR organizer insulted" and it isn't until you read the very last line that states "A police sweep through Over-the-Rhine continued Wednesday. More than 115 people have been arrested since Monday, Capt. Kenneth Jones said". had this argument not happened between two people then the latter would have been the headline. CPD is not the enemy here, the criminal is. Just two weeks ago I sat in a meeting that was not called by the community, but by Streicher himself. All of those sweeps you are reading about are part of a CRT is based on information provided by the community in that meeting. I and every member of OTR meet every month with Captain Jones and what is now a team of officers assigned to regions within OTR. I and many others throughout our community have our own surveillance person who is payed by the chamber that CPD gives officers to. Citizens on Patrol in and of itself is a collaboration between the community and CPD. One of the ongoing arguments is that the only reason that the CPD is doing what they are doing with the CRTs is in response to the Sherriffs, well I don't think so. Our meeting with Streicher occured before the Sherriffs recieved their nod for financing by the county. And secondly, this is just off the city site concerning CRTs for last year "Community Response Teams Make 188 Arrests. The Cincinnati Police Department conducted its ninth Community Response Team operation of the year " There was no talk when these CRTs were going on about motive and now we think that the sweeps that are occuring this week is simply in response to the sherriffs. This just isn't the case. I keep hearing "well why had they not done this before?" Well they have, read the link http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/police/pages/-11458-/ If we decide to postpone Citizens on Patrol so that we wait for the sherriffs and let them form one, what happens if they don't come? What are we left with? I will not gamble with the safety of our community. I hope that we all just keep in mind that everyone is working very hard and in many cases risking their own personal safety for the betterment of the community. There is strength in numbers and the more people that we can get to participate in this patrol the better. The efforts to try and stop this patrol will fail because it only takes 3 people to do a patrol, and if three people is all we have to walk the streets of OTR then that is what will happen. We will move forward, Citizens on Patrol will happen.

Sorry, this is copied from the other post about this story Well not exactly. John is a client of mine and a friend of mine. I regret what happened between he and Janke. Janke was out of line in my opinion for attacking John when John really didn't make any derogatory comment about the police dept in that article. I have been named as one of the 3 heads of this citizens on Patrol along with Cheryl Curtis and a player to be named later. The safety of our community is the first and formost concern of ours. It is regretable that this incident happend however the attempted dismantling of COP is not the answer, nor is a delay even an option. John helped recruit several volunteers from the Brewery Dist., (not 34 but a significant number of people were contacted by John((34 is the total signed up))) 6 came from my sector of Mulberry Mckmicken and the rest from the other sectors. We filled an entire class, we exceeded the 25 necessary to form our own seperate class. COP will go forward, we will protect our neighborhood, we will do our part. I hope John can see past the missteps of one person and look toward the greater good of our community.

Ballhatguy, Believe me I understand, however you and I (and anyone one else) should take a tour down Peete. Most of the street is either owned or under contract by Shabob LLC. The buildings at the corner of Peete and Frintz and Frintz and E. Clifton (both sides) are currently under our control. All the vacant lots that you saw next to the carriage house also (including the two teardowns) are owned by Shabob and the 5 new const homes will sit there. The first of the new condos on E. Clifton will be completed in Mid May. All featuring bamboo floors, rooftop decks, glass block/porcelain showers-Not what you would expect in OTR. But as I said, anyone who is interested in seeing what is really going on with the area, let me know, I will give a tour.