Michael L. Redmond

soon you will be able to bask in the warm glow of NEON on Main and all will be good again, but we had better keep Vine the way it is... bright.

That was also said to be the problem when the lights were first installed on Main. The city dialed them down and now we are stuck with too dim of lights and nothing we can do to light up Main. I believe the lights are great.

As I was writing that it made sense to me but reading back I guess I left that open for too much interpretation. My point was that I have heard many rumors told to me about Terry in the past by those who are adamant about their facts yet prove to be wrong. He is a hard guy to pin down as to what his next move will be. I could certainly be wrong. I got my information from a long time friend and neon supplier of Terry. NEONS, NEONS Bar, Tavern, NEONS on 12th, NEONS Unplugged and all permutations thereof are solely owned by NEONS Unplugged LLC. No rampant speculation necessary. Back to the Quarter.... The sales team has already surpassed their sales for last year both in numbers and dollar volume.

I have heard just the opposite but we will see. I also heard from very credible sources that he was reopening NEONS and the person swore up and down to me that Terry was back and well.... so who knows.

So when do you go in? When development is happening one street away?, two streets away?, or does it have to be next door and in mass? His risk sensitivity should be directly proportionate to the price and as one goes up the other will go down. He can wait or he could go to 14th and Vine (I would love that) and the price that he will pay will reflect that safer choice. So once again, what is the tipping point for him? I know what it was for me when I bought on Mulberry 7 plus years ago surrounded by a crime ridden section 8 apt to my south and two shells flanking my property and I got in at a price that could not be touched today with those issues now mitigated. My point, and I guess it is a "duh", is that if you wait until there is that critical mass, you may be priced out. I understand it isn't rocket surgery but there is something to be said for taking a risk...it is the OTR way. Perhaps, perhaps not. Anyone know what product type we are even talking about? Rental it sounds like but we are making an assumption this is even market rate. Assuming it is, what was the length of time it took Jim Moll to rent out Vernon's Corner or even Wade Dent at Main and Peete? If we followed basic absorption numbers, then should either of those projects should have even been done? Look at market rate vacancy percentages and that will give you a better gauge of the market vs absorption as you do not know how many are on the market vs being rented to begin with. Give Jim a call 623-2001 .

Terry is not selling TTC, he is expanding it. I do not believe he has any involvement whatsoever in Senate. It will be leased out for retail.

It is creeping from every direction, North from the hillside of Mt. Auburn and has seen its way all the way down to E. Clifton at the corner of Frintz and E. Clifton where a condo that sold for 210,000 (and that is without a view). We are also seeing movement at the 5 points (Schwartz Point) and East, not just at Prospect Hill, but Vernon's Corner as well. If you really look at E. Clifton, the only trouble spot is centered around the Lang intersection. The rest is relatively empty as you continue west. The real opportunity in these areas exist now, when everyone is saying there is no opportunity. The same was true with the rest of the 3CDC properties whereas developers are begging to get in now but would not have touched it only a few short years ago. Real Estate 101...go where people say you are crazy to go, and then convince others to do the same. That is true on Mulberry and the same is proving to be true on Main and I would say time will prove you correct on McMicken.

McMicken and E. Clifton are very tough right now (primarily around the corner of Lang). There are some great opportunities that will be coming up on Peete and E. Clifton, west of Frintz St. I disagree with the blanket statement that McMicken is 10 years out as I heard people say the same about Mulberry and even Main, north of Liberty and they were wrong.

Good luck with that. I took them up on the merits of the individual orders in one case and am going through with a waiver of VBML on 12th Street, but I think what will happen is you will end up in front of a judge making your case and costing you some money.

Absolutely not. It is a law of good intentions but poor execution. That being said, it is what it is for right now. Hopefully we can change it in the future but in the meantime, those of us with legitimate disagreements about our own properties should confront the building dept head on. Come prepared, document everything, and bring neighbors. The building dept is too small and too busy combating those who are in the wrong to have to deal with those of us who are in the right as well.

I believe where you are seeing some not pay for their VBML's is when they get a waiver of VBML. These are good for 2 years. The other thing I would recommend is going head to head with the Inspectors if you feel they are in the wrong. Call Ed Cunningham directly and demand a sit down and make them present their case in front of their boss while you present yours. You will be amazed on how unprepared they are to do this and even more amazed on how quickly they cower down especially when you bring in 5 or 6 neighbors to defend your case. I did this with my own house on an issue that could only be described as harassment and actually got the inspector relocated. Try it, its fun.

Reopening of NEON'S!

That once was owned by Marvin Warner. I believe the group looking to do the Passage were originally looking at 580. Sounds like an interesting concept of hidden doors etc. Not a bad location and perhaps there is the room for a high end club CBD. I hope they can make it happen and we will certainly support them in any way we can. This upcoming year should see some very cool bar/lounges popping up in OTR both on Main and Vine. I have been hearing some really great concepts in the works. And of course there is NEON'S...I mean, what else do you want...really?

Milwaukee

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The corner space above will be the new sales center for the Q

I never heard of them, but I was part of a group of owners that supported it. That is absolutely correct. People venue hop with a casino just as they do with any other entertainment venue and this is just one more venue to hop to and from. Plus, think of the workers. They will eat somewhere, drink somewhere, sleep somewhere and now Cincy has the opportunity to fill the needs of a few thousand more people. Certainly a few thousand more than the parking lot provided at Broadway Commons.

The Main Street Thread and Cincinnati Nightlife both are going to be kicking into high gear. NEON'S is already preparing.

The cincinnati Enquire just called it.

If the totals are registering, what is the problem?

It has been optioned. That means that a no on the Casino is a YES on parking lot.

I believe that is a two way street. The casino should work well with the surrounding neighborhood and businesses, but at the same time I believe that the businesses need to adapt and do the things that will cater to the casino patrons and employees as well. It isn't enough to simply open the doors--we have to create offerings that will make people want to make the surrounding community part of there stop while here for the casino (and other venues as well). Bottom line, the casino will do more for OTR and Pendleton than a parking lot ever did. If they had realistic alternatives, then that would be one thing, but simply saying we would like boutiques or a Kroger isn't enough when there has never even been a proposal. The casino is ready to go and I fear that if some of those who are against it get there way, we will be staring at a parking lot for years to come.

http://www.wlwt.com/video/21468523/

That is the casino hotel, not any hotel. This was put in place so it would not compete with the surrounding hotels and would drive the occupancy of the current hotels and hopefully create demand for new ones as well. This was a sticking point because why compete with current hotels when the vacancy rate is still high. The casino will kill two birds with one stone on this issue vs creating additional vacancies in what are already struggling hotels. My hope longterm is that we have increased demand, not only from the casino, but also increased convention traffic. Having a casino in a city vs not, could be the deciding factor in attracting some larger convention business but that will take a few years as the bookings are made so far in advance. This may strengthen the attraction for better hotels (like a W) having the casino with a no hotel stipulation.

I believe I am within the rules on this as it is a press release and not sourced from the news sites. However if I am wrong, go ahead and delete it. Cincinnati USA CVB Endorses Issue 3 Casinos considered to be key incubator for hospitality industry growth CINCINNATI – October 22, 2009 - The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau voted to endorse Issue 3. Issue 3 proposes building casinos in Cincinnati, Toledo, Cleveland and Columbus. In making its endorsement, the CVB Executive Committee cited the following benefits to the hospitality industry: * Creating 34,000 new jobs statewide, 5,000 in Cincinnati * Generating an estimated $47.1 million annually in tax revenue for Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati * Driving 6 million visitors each year to the Cincinnati casino * Bring a minimum of $1 billion in new private investment to Cincinnati and the other three casino host cities. “We have a great opportunity to add another high-profile attraction to an already impressive collection of sports venues, museums, concert halls, restaurants and hotels,” said Dan Lincoln, President and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The impact on the State of Ohio and specifically on the Cincinnati USA region will be dramatic and the presence of a first-class casino will only strengthen our offering as one of the nation’s prime destinations.” Casino operators, Rock Ventures, LLC, also have committed: * That no hotel development will occur within 10 miles of the casino for a minimum of five years or until downtown hotel occupancy rates rise to a sustainable 75 percent; * To provide a dedicated shuttle service between the casino and surrounding hotels, the Duke Energy Convention Center and the Sharonville Convention Center for a minimum of three years; * To aggressively market and cross-promote other area attractions, restaurants and retailers; and * To work closely with the Cincinnati USA CVB to attract key high-impact/high-profile conventions to Cincinnati USA. “Our CVB works hard to bring meetings, conventions and business and leisure travelers to the region," said Nicholas J. Vehr, Chairman of the Board for the Cincinnati USA CVB. "A new casino will make Cincinnati USA a more attractive destination.” ### About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is an aggressive sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $3.4 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing 81,000 people in a variety of fields and, historically, bringing five million visitors to the region annually. To learn more about Cincinnati USA, visit www.CincyUSA.comor call 800.543.2613. About Issue 3: * Issue 3, the Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan, is the right proposal at the right time. It provides far more benefit to the state, county and local governments, schools, and the people of Ohio than any previous casino gaming ballot proposal. * The proposal authorizes four first-class casinos, located at specific sites in Ohio’s four largest cities –Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. * Ohioans spend $1 billion annually at casinos in neighboring states (Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Michigan). Kentucky is currently considering authorizing slot machines at the state’s race tracks. Private Investment: * The proposal requires a minimum of $250 million in private economic investment in first-class casinos in each of Ohio’s four largest cities – a total of $1 billion in required economic investment. The investment in Cincinnati will exceed $300 million. * There will be no subsidies provided to develop the casinos. Casinos will be developed and operated with private investment. Jobs: * The proposal will create an estimated 34,000 jobs for the state. In Cincinnati, this will include 2,134 construction jobs and 2,754 jobs ongoing. These are well paid jobs averaging over $34,000. Tax Revenue: * The state will receive upfront license fee payments totaling $200 million, specifically designated for job training and workforce development projects. * Gross casino revenues will be taxed at a rate of 33 percent. Based on estimated annual gross casino revenues of $1.97 billion, approximately $651 million in casino tax revenue will be generated each year, with counties and Ohio schools receiving the bulk of those revenues. * Hamilton County and Cincinnati will receive $47.1 million annually (see chart below). * In addition to the 33 percent tax rate on gross casino revenues, the casinos will also generate property taxes, sales taxes, commercial activity taxes and income taxes to state and local government. DISTRIBUTION OF CASINO TAX REVENUES * 33 percent tax levied on gross casino revenues (estimated tax revenue of $651 million per year) * Casino tax revenue distributed as follows: o 51 percent (an estimated $332 million a year) among the 88 counties, based on population. + In counties whose largest city has a population greater than 80,000, half of the county’s distribution goes to that city (NOTE: This provision benefits Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown). o 34 percent (an estimated $221 million a year) for distribution to all public school districts, to support primary and secondary education (distribution to school districts through each county based on student population). o 5 percent (an estimated $32 million each year) apportioned among the casino host cities. o 3 percent (an estimated $19 million each year) each for: + The Ohio State Racing Commission to help revitalize the horse racing industry in Ohio + Funding the operations of the Ohio Casino Control Commission o 2 percent (an estimated $13 million each year) each for: + Treatment of problem gambling and substance abuse, including related research + Training for law enforcement agencies DISTRIBUTION OF CASINO TAX REVENUES IN SOUTHWEST OHIO Community Revenue for County Government Revenue for School Districts Revenue for Host City Revenue for Largest City (Pop > 80,000) Hamilton County $12.2 million $14.1 million - - City of Cincinnati - - $8.7 million $12.2 million Butler County $10.4 million $7.5 million - - Clermont County $5.6 million $3.5 million - - Warren County $5.9 million $4.3 million - - Brown County $1.3 million $1.0 million - - * Note: All estimates based upon $651 million in annual casino tax revenues. Paid for by Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee, Bill Curlis, Treasurer, 865 Macon Alley, Columbus OH 43206