kendall

As to the 2010 population, if there is a drop in population I suspect it will be coming from the west side. Notice how we almost never hear about development going on over there? It's not because we aren't listening.

So Covington is going to build a Libeskind-designed residential tower at the foot of the Roebling Bridge, and Cincinnati's laying sod? Just kidding, I'm looking forward to seeing the plans for the park. Anything's gotta be better than the asphalt and garbage-strewn bank we have down there now.

^They must REALLY like the location.

^Sound like you're already an intrepid urban explorer. There's no sense moving downtown if you're afraid of a little walk.

The project has a pulse! Yesterday's Post: ---------------- Banks design work to begin By Kevin Osborne Post staff reporter A critical step in constructing the long-planned Banks riverfront district will happen this summer when design work begins for underground parking garages needed to start the project. Officials from the regional Port Authority overseeing the Banks development said this morning that they are ready to hire a project manager for the garage portion. Although some planning and behind-the-scenes jockeying for funds has occurred, the garage work will be the first tangible sign of progress at the barren riverfront area in more than four years. The garages will take nine to 12 months to design and two years to build, Port Authority board members said. ------------- Today's Enquirer: ------------- Port to seek director for Banks project Board prepared to spend $200,000 to fund salary and pay search firm By Cliff Peale Enquirer staff writer Moving ahead on its plan to restart the slow-developing Banks riverfront development project, the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority is preparing to spend up to $200,000 to hire and pay a director for the project. The port's board reviewed a job description Thursday morning and probably will hire an outside company to conduct the search. Combined with a first-year salary, the search could cost up to $200,000 during the next year.

mark, Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having. Once the units in the building are finished, sold, and occupied your condo association will be perfectly free to find another entity to maintain the building if MED isn't up to snuff. Also, since you will be owners, if they don't finish the common areas according to plan you and your other owners might consider speaking with an attorney.

The closest is definitely Gameday on Pete Rose Way which is a new sports bar, with live music on weekends even if there's no game (there was a jug band there last weekend). You get to pete rose way via the tunnel that connects pike st to the One Lytle Place apartments. The crowd can be pretty thin when there isn't a game or concert. On Sixth between Sycamore and Main there's a great noodle joint called Shanghai Mama's, a personal favorite of mine. They also have a full bar to accompany your meal. For a classier scene, you're just a few blocks from Bella, Havana Martini Club, Nicholson's etc. which are located around 6th and Walnut. Also, you are probably about a 15 min stroll from Newport on the Levee by way of the Pike St. tunnel and the Purple People Bridge, through the riverfront park. Depending on footwear, it's feasible during nice weather.

The first couple renderings look like dorms.

It seems like CTM is opposing this just for the sake of doing so. This proposed project is nothing like a Wendy's. It is a sidewalk-fronting, mixed-use building just like almost every other in the Clifton business district. I think it will add some healthy structural diversity to the neighborhood, which is otherwised comprised of 1900-1920, and 1960-70 structures.

Can old funeral home be saved? Residents struggle to preserve a Clifton icon By Allen Howard Enquirer staff writer CLIFTON - Residents are gathering signatures - and money - to help turn a century-old funeral home into what they hope will be a new Clifton Town Hall and home for a new historical society. Residents will gather at 7 tonight at the Clifton United Methodist Church to discuss how they can save the former Anderson Baiter & Sahnd Funeral Home at 3412 Clifton Ave. "We have fought many private developers and won," organizer Marilyn Hyland said, noting that Clifton fought plans in 1984 to turn the Esquire Theater into a Wendy's. ... http://news.cincinnati.com/

^ Yep, there hasn't been any physical action on the site yet.

That rendering is old school. Great project!

I have trouble with people thinking they are entitled to sit on a piece of property they own for as long as they want, come hell or high water. The need for this project had been demonstrated, it was time for the residents of this neighborhood to move on. There are people who sacrifice their lives at war for the good of their community. This principle is related, with a much less severe impact on the individual.

I agree. All of the homeowners received prices well above market rate for their homes. There are no sad, American-dream-threatening stories here, just greed.

^PigBoy, Generally, the areas around Main St have seen the more redevelopment. On Main itself, on 13th between Clay and Main, on Clay, Orchard St., 14th east of Main, Broadway, Spring St, Sycamore, Mulberry. Sporadic redevelopment is happening all over OTR, though. A building here, a building there. Come to the OTR Tour of Homes on June 5th and see for yourself!

^unusualfire, The last thing OTR needs is a broad-based, city-coordinated redevelopment. If redevelopment is to occur, it has to happen organically, through the creativity of residents and dedicated developers. Nobody who lives in OTR today expects a sanitized environment. Which is why there are so many cool, interesting people down here.

This is great news for OTR. Some of those buildings are in very high-crime sections of the neighborhood and (if sold/rented at market rate) would be the only true market rate housing literally within 2 blocks. True urban pioneers! My too-good-to-be-true list: 2 Hust Alley 1720 Pleasant St. 1918 Vine St. and all the double-digit E. Clifton St. addresses.

^Amen.

The red grates are mostly up on the sides of the parking structure. (see the rendering posted by Ronnie above). I'm having my doubts about how good it will look. Maybe when they get the glass around the stairwell it will look better.

Wow, a very distinctive building. I'm curious to see what (if anything) actually gets built.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!

More great press. It sounds like this project really has momentum. The Enquirer also had vignettes on Libeskind's other projects: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050419/LIFE/504190324 In Covington, Ascent will reach for the sky City Commission votes today on condo project By Sara Pearce Enquirer staff writer From the moment settlers constructed their first building on the downtown riverfront, our eyes have been drawn to it. In the centuries since, the Ohio River's banks have seen it all. Warehouses. Town houses. Parking lots. Stadiums. Saloons. Parks. Mansions. Offices. Each incarnation has been a bellwether of our hopes, dreams and aspirations as a city. From thriving port and commerce center to major-league town and cultural hub. And as the riverfront and skyline on both sides of the river have evolved, major additions have been hotly debated, which is one of the many things that immediately separates The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge from what has gone before it. The building with the lofty name, designed for Corporex, is a sleek, $40 million, 21-story condominium tower that everyone seems to like. The proposal has been approved by the Kenton County Planning Commission, Covington Architectural Review Panel and Covington Urban Design Review Board. Tonight, it faces one final group: Covington City Commission, which is scheduled to vote on it. More at http://www.enquirer.com

Looks like the demolition has begun in earnest: ------------ Razing begins; dispute not over In Norwood, three buildings still stand alone in defiance By Steve Kemme Enquirer staff writer NORWOOD - With one downward swipe, the claw-like steel bucket on the end of the bulldozer's hydraulic arm smashed the large porch of the two-story brick house. Like the mighty hand of King Kong, it swung sideways and crumpled an exterior wall. In all, it took the bulldozer only 20 minutes to reduce the house on Atlantic Avenue to a dusty heap of bricks and boards.

I don't know much about Art Academies, but this facility looks first-rate and it can only raise the institution's stature. Not to mention the tremendous impact it will have on the neighborhood.

I wonder what the new delivery date is for the condos... If it's in the article, I missed it.