seangray

Any idea if the 13th St conversion includes any streetscape work such as new lights and utilities undergrounding?

I noticed a couple of new camera along Vine, at 13th and 14th street. Nice to see if you ask me. I assume they are police cameras. They are mounted on large arms on the tops of the buildings.

^^ Yeah it seems they built everything for the suburbs and now that the time has come for some updates to urban interstates suddenly the money is gone. If the beltways were jammed I'm sure they would be trying to come up with the money. If truly nothing can be done for another 15-20 years then there are a lot of cheaper improvements that need to be considered. Already mentioned are some auxiliary lanes and extended exit lanes (for example, I-75S to I-74W, the slowdown for the sharp curve on the ramp causes a backup on I-75). Some other ideas: Ramp metering should be added (having lived in Cali and Minn, both places where this is used, it really works) to keep traffic flowing at an efficient pace. I also think traffic management systems could be used to divert thru traffic to 275. It only takes about 40 min to go around on 275, the same route on 75 in traffic takes much longer than that. Just have an overhead sign "I-75 Heavy Traffic, Thru traffic use I-275." How hard could it be to put in bus only shoulders to encourage some transit ridership? Or peak hour shoulder lanes with overhead open/closed lane arrows? This can be done more safely if there is active monitoring. See There are a lot of little things that can be done which would all add up. $10mil would go a long way. Certainly a lot more bang for the buck than the $3 billion the rebuild is going to cost. I say they go ahead and cancel Mitchell and use the money for other improvements along the route.

Some major delays here recommended by ODOT staff -- declining ODOT funds due to less gas tax revenue. It will be interesting to see if fiscally "prudent" Republicans who decry public transportation doesn't pay for itself will start to throw general fund money at road projects... I'm not sure this wasteful project will ever happen. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC%20List/Recommended-DRAFT-TRAC-List-1-17-11.pdf The days of transportation mega-projects may be over. I think there are a lot of minor things that could be done which would improve this stretch considerably much cheaper.

An Apple Store would be sweet. Cincinnati definitely needs another one Kenwood is a mob scene.

These are short term bond anticipation notes-- the city is essentially borrowing from itself if I understand correctly. There will be a final bond issue that will carry a market rate for municipal debt given the city's bond rating. The city is not getting a .1% interest rate on this project.

^^^ You can actually see it in the picture you took. It is the white thing on the ground.

As of last night, the cornice was laying in the parking lot at the site. It had straps on it suggesting it was carefully taken down with a crane.

I like the use of plywood to protect the parking lot pavement that will be torn up in a few weeks. It's exciting to see the official start of work on this project.

Demolition permits have been issued. I think 1314 Vine is coming down this upcoming week.

I'm thinking the front lawn is actually the back lawn. Most people are going to enter through the garage and the circle drive off of court. I won't be surprised if the back door next to the back yard is open as an entrance in a limited fashion. All I can say is that it is better than a surface parking lot and the city could sure use the revenue. But this could have been so much more. I really just don't see people venturing out to the surrounding area. Time will tell and I hope I am wrong.

I don't think it matters if there ever was a First Street or not, or what the historical names of roads in the area are called. Front St. and First St. would be my ideal. Easy to navigate because it makes sense. It makes sense because it fits into an existing street grid. If I am a visitor to downtown, I am clueless as to the whereabouts of "Freedom Way" and "Joe Nuxhall Way" and "Pete Rose Way" Where is the Holy Grail? First and Main. Easy. Corner of Freedom Way and Joe Nuxhall Way? Huh? Is it located in a suburban housing development? Where is the Lager House? (River)Front and Main. Easy. It makes no sense that the street grid road names change past 2nd St. Imagine if we just restarted renaming a block or two here and there in the CBD, it would be nuts but is essentially what we have done by the river. The street named after people should be "Honorary ______ St" a la Chicago.

Since this project is rebuilding the street grid, I say First Street. Enough with the "Ways" that run for a block or two.

It's becoming more clear as construction progresses how this project is going to engage the street along Reading Road. With a blank, windowless wall. I don't think any renderings ever really showed the North side, at least that I can recall.

Glad you like it! The work of my neighbor and I in Trideca. The weather has not been helpful in keeping it all lit up all the time. BTW- OC, do you check your PMs or do you just prefer to anonymously criticize?

Damn. I feel like this area is doing quite wellmin the food and beverage offerings, but is suffering in services...would really like to see a salon, trendy barber shop, etc. Speaking of Bakersfied, when is their opening scheduled? Any news on other restaurants (I think I heard a rumor about a Thai place)? There is Jim Broft Salon Central on Central Parkway/Walnut which is a nice high end salon. There is also Incredible Creations but I don't really know much about it.

John Schneider did specifically address the issue of quality as it relates to the metal paneling. I do hope they take his words to heart and use high quality materials and good craftsmanship so that this looks good beyond just a few years.

I will also say I was disappointed with the OTRF and OTRCC for trying to act like they were caught off guard by this whole thing and not included in the design process. I first saw concepts of the Vine St building back in May of 2010 in Soapbox and concept drawings have been on 3CDCs website for at least a couple years. If I were in one of these stakeholder groups, I would think it be wise to keep up with what 3CDC is doing. They even claimed to have never even heard of the OTR workgroup. I left feeling that I, as an individual resident of the neighborhood, know more about what is going on in the neighborhood then they do. I don't have any special connections or know anyone who works at 3CDC. In my opinion, the opposition was mostly concerned with the removal of the two buildings (which I can certainly empathize with) so they used whatever tactic they could from complaining about design elements or accusing 3CDC of not being transparent enough.

I just came back from the planning commission, so here's an update. Phase 1 was approved unanimously with the condition that a "waterline" be added to the Mercer townhomes and that the Vine St building will be slightly modified to add some verticality to the building with some slight readjustments such as bringing some of the vertical elements down to the street and modifications to the roof line. It will be presented at the Dec 2 meeting. I may have gotten this a little off as there was a lot of discussion. The garage and removal of 1314 Vine were specifically approved. Phase 2 was approved unanimously. Construction will begin in 1Q12.

So, who is going to the planning commission meeting on Friday? I will see you all there.

3CDC posted the 10/24 presentation to the historic conservation and it includes more detailed renderings than I have seen in the past. http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/Mercer%20-%20Historic%20Conservation%20Board_10-24-11%20-%20web%20version%20(NXPowerLite).pdf The meeting packet for the 11/18 planning commission meeting outlines in some detail why the board did not approve the Vine St building or the Mercer townhomes. http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/downloads/bldginsp_eps44647.pdf It seems to come down to a few things: Too much glass, being "horizontally oriented", not using materials characteristic of the historic district, and lacking a distinct bottom middle and top. The standards are ambiguous if you ask me and pretty much give the historic board free reign to stop whatever doesn't suit their personal tastes, which I would assume must be the faux-historic train wrecks like the newish townhomes on the east side of Walnut. Personally, I really like the Vine St. building. The roof line echoes the varied roof lines of tall/narrow OTR buildings and they use some coloration to break it up. The glass will be a good contrast and I also think do a good job of putting eyes on the street to improve the overall safety of the area. I'm not really sure how you "vertically orient" a 4 story building that takes up over 1/2 of the block other than to break up the facade to make it look like multiple faux-historic buildings, which I think would be awful. Attached is an example. Does anybody know what is really going on here? Is the historic board offering solutions or just griping? I'm really concerned they are going to destroy the economic feasibility of this project and we'll be left with a dramatically scaled down project or a much lower quality project with lots of cheap looking brick. Can the planning commission decide they disagree with the historic conservation board so we can get going with this already?

Cincinnati has great momentum, no doubt, but flatten Minneapolis? It's not even an apple's comparison. For starters, the downtown population is about 35,000 compared to Cincinnati's ~8000. It would take quite a lot of momentum to catch that. Riverfront- New Mill Ruins Park integrated with city wide Grand Rounds system, stone arch pedestrian bridge, and Pritzker Prize winning Guthrie (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/arts/design/31prit.html) Major proposed residential- 2 30+ story apartment towers and a large Whole Foods-anchored project ( http://tinyurl.com/6j222ox , http://tinyurl.com/62xsamj , http://tinyurl.com/635s2du). This is among many other smaller projects. Hotels- New W, Hilton, and Aloft Retail- Existing multi-level Target, Lund's grocery under construction Entertainment- 2nd year Target Field drew the 4th highest season attendance in the MLB in 2011 and is integrated into a thriving 1st ave entertainment district. Hennepin Ave theater district helps Minneapolis have 2nd highest per capita # of theater seats outside of NYC, add to this a newly renovated Shubert used for a dance center. Office- Target recetly made a large land acquisition across from its HQ and speculation is they are building a new another tower (its third) Transit- LRT to Mall of America and airport already operational New $1bln line to St. Paul under construction (with support of a then-GOP governor) New commuter rail operational High occupancy toll and other transit advantage lanes feeding downtown and new dedicated bus lanes on downtown streets Proposed $70mln transit center for linking rail lines Proposed $900m LRT to SW suburbs breaking ground in 2014. Biking- Comprehensive bike share program 100 miles of dedicated ROW bike lanes, many feeding downtown. I am not even going into what is happening in the Uptown and University areas. I am amazed at how much my hometown changes every time I go back for a visit. Cincinnati has great momentum and is forging ahead with some great work, but really, I think these projects are allowing it to keep pace. The Banks apartments are suburban quality buildings with anytown-USA tenants done with heavy public subsidy. It needed to be done and is enhancement to be sure but is really pretty average. OTR, however, is really unique among major cities and represents Cincinnati's best opportunity to stand out.

Yes they are slowly phasing out gateway quarter. They now have 3 districts, main st, washington park, and gateway quarter all under the Over the Rhine banner. I'm not sure how I feel about this, in my opinion, it's premature. When a person rediscovers the area and has a great experience in "Over the Rhine" and then goes home and hears about a murder they might associate that to the good part. In other news (I know some of this is repeat): The wraps came off Abigail Street last week, I took a peek inside when the door was open and it looks gorgeous. I also was told that they are not going to put up a sign. They are waiting on a piece of equipment still and will then be open. Taste of Belgium is open for good and will be a great addition to the neighborhood. I had the chicken and waffles and it was delicious. They are a bit short on drink options (water or coffee drinks) but I imagine this will change. I am looking forward to dinner options being added. A sign is up on 4U, it is now closed and moving to Hyde Park under a new name I can't remember. Construction is underway at Sloane, Bakersfield, and the Wine Bar/Coffee place. The 1200 block is offically out of commercial space! The former Roh's space is being remodeled, not sure if a tenant is moving in or if it is just being readied to lease. THe buildings on the NW corner of 13th and Republic are being gutted in preparation for condos and a Park Haus. Bring on Mercer! It will be a key "bridge" to bring activity beyond the 1200 block. Does anyone have an update on the 13th street streetscape?

Since this is Uptown Rentals we are talking about expect all the upper parts of the building in the rendering shown in white to be cheap vinyl siding. It will not turn out like the rendering. $20mil seems low for a project of this size.

More good information from the planning commission agenda: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/downloads/bldginsp_eps43623.pdf Of the 2 buildings being demolished, apparently one is structurally deficient (I assume the building on Walnut given its bulging wall) and non-contributing (Vine building?). Does anyone know what happened at the meeting today?