Michael L. Redmond

Atlas, I know it is tacky to quote one's self but here it is. This is now. Granted more is coming, a lot more, but this is more than hopes and dreams. You can buy a 1.2 million dollar condo in the American Building today (and I would be happy to sell it to you) For 639,000 you can have a lovely home at 539 Milton today, 3CDC is at work, Uptown is at work, Findlay is continuing to progress today. Vernon Raders 5 buildings have been under const for the past 6 months, Jim Hohlbeins first 3 units will be ready by mid May and 4 more are being presold, Greg Badger has units for sale at Dunlap now. I am one of those residents of a strong sector (Mulberry McMicken) I am one of the 38 now signed up members of Citizens on Patrol and we start classes next Thurs, and on top of that, the Sherriffs just got approval to patrol. This is now, this is today. We still have even bigger hopes for projects in the future and I am closely involved with those also and they will happen including the possibility of large scale new residential development on what is now the Hussman building and the adjoining parcels, Expansion into the next phase on the hillside with Hohlbein, KD Lamp on Elm for 101 Condos. Believe in OTR

Am I the only one who is encouraged by the news coming out of OTR? I just had a conversation with a friend of mine that I have known for years who is/was a very prominent business leader in Cincinnati. I swear I can read the same article as others and get a whole different message out of it. My friend tells me how things are just falling apart in OTR and Mt. Auburn, from the murder rate to lack of development, OTR is a lost cause. I spend almost 24 hours a day in OTR and or MT. Auburn. I know the people, I know the police, I know the developments and let me tell everyone that if you live in or around OTR you have a hell of a lot to be proud of. From Dunlap to Prospect Hill, from the half million dollar homes on Dorsey to the million dollar condos in the American Building and the countless projects in between, OTR is changing. With groups from 3CDC to Uptown and the Findlay Group-Developers from Vernon Rader, Jim Hohlbein, and Greg Badger, strong residents like those involved in the sectors, Citizens on Patrol, and the Chamber, OTR is Coming! It is frustrating to me to have people look at you like you are nuts when you talk about a positive future for OTR, it is even more frustrating when you can mention the names of any of the people, groups or developments and they have never even heard of them. I no longer believe that it is our fault for not getting the message out, I truly believe that the negativism that has come out of OTR for so long is simply ingrained in people. I am on the phones from 8:00 am through 11:00pm every day trying to put together deals for people who are interested in investing in OTR and it is very rarely local people. (there are some exceptions) One year, that is how long I think it will take to make a fundamental change in OTR. Five years, that is how long I think it will take to hit the point of critical mass in OTR. Never, that is when I believe that some will admit that OTR will see a new day. I live in OTR, I work in OTR, and I am proud of OTR! regardless if others are ignorant of what is the truth.

How about the carriage house at 102 Peete. Will build to suite, and I can even have a two car garage built there for you. number of bedrooms is up to you, we will vault the cieling the entire length of the home. Single family, have me as a neighbor. If you are interested we can sit down with the developer and work up a price. (not a solicitation, just making a suggestion) This is not currently on the MLS.

I just recieved this email from John Donaldson. All, Many concerned residents of OTR met with at the County administrators building today to support the Todd Portune and the Sheriffs proposal to begin patrolling OTR. All three commissioners acknowledged that crime is out of control by agreeing unanimously to provide funding for the Sheriff. Phil Heimlich the commissioner president made it a point to highlight the fact that the Sheriff has not yet gotten approval to be released from the Collaborative agreement. The Sheriff rebutted by saying "we cannot wait any longer crime is out of control". During the meeting Phil Heimlich danced around the issue a bit by saying he supported the County Finance director to try to provide funding. it was difficult to tell if Mr Heimlich was authorizing the spending so Si in Si's way finally took the floor and asked Phil point blank to stop playing on words and clearly state if he was going to fund this initiative or not. Phil agreed to fund the Sheriffs request. Pat Dewine and of course Mr Portune also agreed. The Sheriff indicated that he needed 1 - 2 months to ramp up to hire additional 20 police. This timing will work out nicely as OTRs first Citizens on patrol will begin about that time. We currently have about 34 folks signed up. This is truly a new page in OTRs history. "WE" can make a difference by working together. Thanks to the Sheriff for stepping up to the plate and thanks to Mr Portune for leading the initiative to funding this.

Here are the links to make it a bit easier http://cincy.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Cincynky&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=qJmmR%2FAQVL%2FfpKwfuk1C1Q%3D%3D This one looks like it may be a decent property http://cincy.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Cincynky&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=qJmmR%2FAQVL9NVSWYryzACA%3D%3D http://cincy.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Cincynky&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=qJmmR%2FAQVL%2F1psNZUaqMww%3D%3D

That archway that you shot is right next to my house (the white one on the right) That lot has taken over 1.5 years to clean and we are still working on it. There was a house that was torn down lower on the lot. The shoes on the power lines are now gone as of this past weekend, it was a symbolic thing to finally take those down. The house that is collapsing in on itself is owned by a man named Crawford. We just put another request in for an emergency teardown. the other houses next to the fallen trees are all owned by Jim Hohlbein and will be coming down very soon. Great pics! I will have to get you inside some of the new homes and rehabs up there to get some pics also.

I understand what you are saying Jimmy. However many of the teardowns are for immanent danger issues. 6 on peete st alone are scheduled to be taken down, not because of a vbml issue but structural ones. No doubt about it, there have been many who have gone out in the night and taken down buildings by hand, both homes on either side of me suffered that fate and believe it or not, it was over littering fines that the owner decided to take them down. I knew the man that took them down, he had 14 buildings on Mulberry and Peete, several were demolished by him, but I can't help but believe that had this been enacted several years ago, Johny would have sold then and perhaps a few of them would still be left standing.

my monthly invitation to anyone who would like to attend (you do not have to live in the sector to attend and we all generally go down to Main St for dinner afterwards so at least come for the food.) The Mulberry & McMicken Safety Sector Meeting is held on the 4th Wednesday of the Month. The next Mulberry & McMicken Safety Sector is this Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Milton’s Tavern 301 Milton Street. Representatives from District One Police, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and the OTR Chamber will be present. Remember this is your opportunity to continue to share concerns, and accomplishments as we all work together to make OTR a safe and clean community. So mark your calendars for this important Neighborhood Meeting and bring a neighbor.

Not yet, but most of the businesses within the corridor are not catering to the new residents, but rather existing ones. As more projects come on line the climate will change. Gateway and the American are not large enough to effectively change the entire street. A large scale residential project located around Vine St. is what is needed. The demographics must change, and 20 Gateway condos, although a start, is not enough. Once Vine begins to change and becomes safer, it will have a snowball effect. People from CBD and the hillsides will begin to come to the street and spend their money. But a large scale, catalyst project needs to get the ball rolling. A large, high profile investment around Vine St. could make all the difference, things may begin to change even before the groundbreaking.

somewhere, without saying to much, lets just say it will take something very big. It will take something that is not just on Vine, but on the surrounding streets as well. It will take several major projects coming together and this could happen faster than you might think. Don't give up on Vine just yet. It is daunting, no doubt about it but take a look at all of the projects presented on the various threads, put them all together, and there is one more to add to the mix that you aren't hearing about yet, but a catalyst project that could really tie a lot of seaming spotted dev together.

I am happy with the one year, if I am wrong, I will be more than happy to admit it after that year is up. However I am happy to see that the counsil is moving in the right direction (in my opinion at least).

:clap: Thank god, this is what OTR has needed for a very long time

I have those 5 listed. They are all located between Frintz and Vine on E. Clifton. We are also trying to get the rest of the properties under contract so that it can be sold off to a single developer. Hohlbein is pushing forward with his Peete properties and 1 E. Clifton property (72 E. Clifton) 1918 vine and 2 Hust Alley are side by side and outside the original project. We are also trying to sell 111 Mulberry and 102 Peete, these two, although quietly for sale, can be sold as shells or as finished product. 111 has views from every floor and is huge, but 102 is the carriage house on Peete and could be a beautiful home and a garage can be added on the East side of the home. This pic below is an older pic, the house to the west (the far side) was owned by a little old man named Wilbur Adams (he died less than a year ago) and the house has been torn down. The trees in the second pic are coming down at 4:00 today. 102 Peete 111 Mulberry

I look at this question from the opposite view point. If the adjacent neighborhood, in Cincinnati's case OTR, is unsafe and on the decline, it does take, and has taken, CBD down with it. Many people coming in from the suburbs look at all of this as "downtown" and do not separate the two. So if one can have a negative effect on the other, then I believe it can also have an equally positive effect as well. Many of the high profile residential and commercial developments in CBD lends to an overall positive image for all of "downtown". I work for a company that is very active in CBD real estate and I myself focus on OTR just outside of the CBD. We applaud every new development that CBD roles out because it lends new life to our urban core, OTR included. It is not a zero sum game because surrounding communities can capitalize on new residential and new businesses through increased foot and drive by traffic as well as new transportation measures such as the proposed rail car going through OTR up to UC and back to CBD. Bottom line, more people in the area means a thriving community for all of us. The catalyst affect is not limited by Central Pkwy.

Well OTR fan, its coming back. Tarbell has dubbed it REPeete. Those steps we thought would take us several years to get to, but the trees are coming down now. The Dept. of Urban Forestry did a walk through of the entire area from Mulberry down to McMicken early last week and we are laying out a phased approach to Peete and E. Clifton that should be well on its way by this fall with new planting. Some very exciting things are in the works from Liberty and up so keep snapping the pics, things will be changing. If you get a chance, walk down Peete to the end and at the corner of Peete and Frintz, some of the changes have begun.

Grasscat, http://cincy.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Cincynky&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=qJmmR%2FAQVL%2FLBqM0A3xc1Q%3D%3D 1797 Sycamore just hit the MLS today. 327,400 is the list price. I spoke with Kathy Fisher the other day at the All Safety Sector Meeting but I forgot to ask her about Boal. She did say that one of her houses on Dorsey is pending.

Monte, I agree. It is unfortunate that this happened, however tremendous progress is being made, not only at UC but throughout downtown and OTR. People seem to have a greater comfort level in maintaining their long opinions of the area vs accepting the fact that things are changing. I feel that a lot of people have moved out of the city and want to be reassured they made the right decision and therefor jump on every negative story that comes out of downtown. It is funny that we not only make news about the crime that happens down here but are accused of exporting the crime also. Monte, we are only going to win this fight with time. Eventually people will have to come to terms with the fact these historically stigmatized communities are coming back.

Other news, as most have probably seen the tire building is coming down as we speak next to Don's Crank Shaft building. Word on the street is Vernon Rader is trying to get Don's. Hopefully within a week or so all of the graffiti on the Rothenberg fence (next to the Basketball courts) will be removed as well as the graffiti running all the way down E. Clifton. Sunshine on Peete St. We are in the process of removing a lot of the overgrowth on Peete St expecially next to the steps going from Peete to Vine. After it is cleared, it will be landscaped similar to the Main St Steps on Mulberry. We will try this year to get Peete Alley blocked so we can prevent further dumping. Joe Gorman will have his lots cleared on Mulberry which will open up one of the most incredible views from street level of the city. This will probably happen over the next couple of weeks. Also the Main St. steps were cleared last year from Mulberry to Seitz, this year, hopefully before the cleanup, we are going to clear back the steps going all the way up the hill by 3 ft on both sides to add a little light to what is now a tunnel of trees. E. Clifton is almost entirely vacant from Frintz to Vine. We are looking for a single developer to take buy this section and rehab the entire block. Footstool properties already is under construction on one of the buildings.

Thank you Grasscat Vernon Rader was the one who pushed this through. He is also the one who ownes the 5 boarded up buildings you are talking about. He spent last year on exterior work and now is moving to the inside. Vernon is moving forward with what will soon be market rate apt. In addition to what can be seen above, the electric lines will be buried.

Horosho, I was posting the letters to the editors as simple follow ups to the both stories (not just the one about pot). I was not trying to get at anything. Well I wouldn't know, I haven't seen the map to any of these on any business cards yet. Well you don't see my sector on that list. So I guess our increased attention to the the "drug" problem is making a difference. That being said, we did call in approx 6 months ago on a person who was at 88 Mulberry, across from the Frintz St steps purchasing crack from a dealer who lived at 93 Mulberry. Street Corner was called and they showed up and arrested the 21 year old, white male from Ind and did find a crack rock in the seat of his car. He was released. The prosecutor said it was not worth the time to prosecute someone with that small of an amount of crack. He was released, and somehow so was the name of myself and my neighbor who called, his attorney came to my home and spoke face to face with my wife. The dealer dissapeared that day, he was on his way to get more for this buyer while he waited. He was in possesion of crack and was let go, this simply adds to the frustration. Now was I looking to ruin the life of a guy with an Indiana University sticker in the window of his Jeep Grand Cherokee? No, but he ruined mine and my neighbors for a while. The law was in place, the enforcement was exercised, but the penalty was non existant. What message does this send? Already done, in my sector we have regular reverse stings at Rothenburg. Don does surveillance on buildings and we send in undercover buyers. Street corner and neighborhood officers are on speed dial of most residents. We turn in reports the last Wed of every month to Captain Jones documenting license plates, individual descriptions, hot spot locations, addresses of known drug houses, we have watch list of released drug buyers and sellers who frequent our sector, we have had in the past three months increased police presence due to death threats against residents by dealers. We have begun an inventory of all pay phones in our sector to have them removed. We are trying now to get cameras in the sector, several houses, including mine, are already equipped. Drugs, whatever kind, and which ever side of the buy/sell equation has forced a pseudo police state in my community, and yes, it is frustrating. We have stopped many cars after calls like this. When the call is placed the question is never asked, nor can we confirm what drug is being purchased. I never walk up to a dealer and ask what products he is pushing. All I know is that there is a "drug" deal on the street. I assume you live in OTR (and even if you don't) you must realize that we are in a situation here that can not afford to split hairs. If a drug, whatever drug it is, is being bought or sold in our community it must be stopped. I would like to see a zero tolerance policy across the board that stands strong against sales or possesion because I have learned my lessons in the past on being in support of dismissing one thing while criminalizing another. For example, if Nate Livingston is lurking around on these boards the first thing he would say to this separation in the law is that it is racist, with the dealers predominantly black, the purchasers predominantly white, you are holding the two races to two different standards. (please do not take that statement as legitimatizing Nate Livingston) I am willing to make you a deal, the next time I see a glaucoma patient swerving down Mulberry to buy pot, I will not call on them. But the fact is, that isn't who is buying. I do not care if you purchase your pot in another community, I do not care if you consume it in your home, but do not come to OTR to buy and then smoke it in the car down the street from where you purchased it. The frustration is high and getting higher, the consequence will not be an ordinance but a confrontation, this is what I would like to avoid. This is not my quote, but a sentiment that is echoed throughout our community. I appreciate the debate on this, and it is interesting to hear both sides and how it may have unintended consequences in the future for some, however I and the OTR community are hip deep into this and live in a community that has been ravaged by the drug trade. I realize that I may have an extreme position, but we are in an extreme situation.

Open-air drug article stirs anger, confusion Letters to the editor I read "UC study details 'open-air' drug sales" (March 1), and first it made me angry and then it confused me. I am mad that we have this much drug traffic in our city. And I'm confused because if we know precisely where the drug sales are taking place, why isn't there a raid by the police at every one of those locations every night of the week? Drug dealers are passing out business cards with maps to their locations and still they can operate? I know that we will never entirely stop the drug dealers or the crime that their drug trade creates but this could sure make a big dent in it. I also noted that most of these locations are near major highway on-ramps. Again, if we know this, why aren't we acting on the information? Why aren't we setting up traffic stops on those locations at night? I remember a few years back when Ohio 125 had one to check drivers and bust DUIs. Couldn't we check for drugs? And what about the stores near the "open-air" sites that sell paraphernalia for the crack users? Why are we allowing them to sell this junk? Why are we making it so easy on the drug dealers and their customers? Have we completely surrendered? I see reports of shootings in those neighborhoods every day of the week. No one I know wants to go downtown for anything anymore at any time of the day or night, and the city leaders wonder why. Kathleen Niemer, Cherry Grove WEST PRICE HILL WILL OUTLAST DEALERS Regarding the article "UC study details 'open-air' drug sales" (March 1): Open-air drug deals are a strain on neighborhoods. West Price Hill's intersection of Dewey and Glenway was referenced. I'm happy to tell people we are working on our problem. The Price Hill Civic Club and residents had identified this problem, and we have already addressed it. In fact, we expect that corner to be the springboard of new and better things for West Price Hill. Through the collaborative efforts of community and the city we have taken control of that block. And from that corner, we hope that more blocks and more corners become contributors to our neighborhood. We as a community will not let the thugs and dealers win; we will outfox them; we will brute-force them; and we will move them on - letting us enjoy our great neighborhood. Peter Witte, West Price Hill Horosho, Quick question, someone from Ky or wherever comes into OTR. They purchase marijuana on my street, in front of my house. I look out the window, place a call, they drive off. Description is given, plates number is taken, they are stopped on Liberty St. attemtping to get on the 471 Bridge. Pot is found on their person but it is simple possesion by this point. Am I missing something here? Does a police officer have to watch the transaction for it to be illegal? "Criminalize the purchase of marijuana, arrest the dealers, move forward with the camera project, support cpop in Pendleton, address the vacant properties there with measures with real teeth (the revised VBML should help for one)." We are working on this also. My positions have been clear not only by my post on Urban Ohio as to where I stand on each of these issues, but through my actions also. (especially with the VBML)

horosho, Welcome to Urban Ohio. What would you recommend? There is a problem here, there are victims, it is hurting our community. I do not care what the solution is, just give me one, because the status quo can not stand. Cameras are a start, not the solution. Not a single camera will go into my sector (for now). And the sale of a drug is already illegal, already enforced, but with a ticket of $100, my argument is one of penalty. On a side note, I am helping a friend move out of Pendleton tomorow because of this problem. Victims? come to Broadway tomorow and I will introduce you to a family of victims. so once again, just give me a solution. Trivializing, or marginalizing the problem gets us no where (not saying you personally are) We need to do something, and unfortunately, I do not have an answer, but I do have reactions, and one of the reactions to the problem is putting feet on the ground and confronting people as they come into our community to buy drugs. Do I want to put citizens in the way of drug related shootings, robberies, assaults or other crimes? NO, but these are the problems our community is faced with and fortunately we have enough people in our community who are willing to put themeselves at risk for everyone elses greater good. I support your right to posses and consume any drug you wish, I realize that any law hindering this god given right may ruin some lives, but you must also realize that this drug trade is ruining entire communities, and countless lives. It sucks in people who do not wish to be a part of this drug culture into fighting dealers, chasing off drug buyers, fearing walking down their own street. It does have a victim-all of us.

29 Mulberry, the bottom unit is being split into 2 single bedroom condos. The new owners are Cathy Frank with Comey and my next door neighbor and GBBN architect Michael Evans. I saw the plans early on but I believe they have made some significant changes in the mean time. There are two other condos in the building already, so this raises the number to 4 total. The two other units are currently occupied. I will have to check into Boal, this may be a continuation of Kathy Fisher's project.

Riverviewer, Sorry about the 6 days I left you hanging there for a bail answer. I will have to get back to you. As a real estate mogul, I am a very busy man :wink2:

I just heard a little rumor that Dale Mallory was just impeached tonight 31-10. Lets all have a moment of silence. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: na na na na, hey hey hey :wave: oh I can't wait to hear little man Nate's views on this decision.