moonloop

I don't get the hostility. Any Port money will be spent to redevelop brownfields within the city.

This has been mention recently so I thought I'd dig around. The city of Cincinnati received $50 million back in 2003(or so), their proceeds from Anthem going public(?). It was viewed as quite a windfall and there were lots of discussion on what to do with it. Did Cranley take the lead? I want to guess most of it was spent on neighborhood projects, but is was divided up in a way that each project was relatively small and hence ineffective. Below is all I can find on UO after a quick search. ============================= Quote from: UncleRando on September 26, 2006, 10:24:20 AM City loan to fix up Glenway Avenue Council member John Cranley, a Price Hill resident who is running against Steve Chabot for Congress, championed the idea. The city would loan the money out of its Anthem Insurance account - a $50 million windfall the city received in 2003 by selling stocks of the insurance company when it transitioned to a for-profit company. "Most of that Anthem cash is gone, but there's still about $3 million left in the bank. Council wants to loan that money to neighborhoods and allow them to pay it back with Tax Increment Financing - a strategy by which taxing districts can borrow money based on future tax revenue that would result from improvements. Price Hill's TIF district along Glenway is 300 acres. E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/NEWS01/609260376/10 =========================== The bit about the Anthem windfall is what I find the most interesting. So it looks like the city has spent $47 million. Where did it all go? I sent an email to writer asking if he could do an accounting of these monies. I have a feeling it won't be pretty. If it went to places like the West End Counsel, it pretty much got pissed away. I hope I'm wrong. Read more: http://urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,333.1050.html#ixzz2Z94zGdnE

Sign. Sealed. Delivered. Not until 2016 though. Not complaining. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT SIGNED This morning, the City signed a contract for construction of the Cincinnati Streetcar system with Messer/Prus/Delta JV. With this contract now signed, the City has issued Notice to Proceed to the Messer team. This means: materials will be ordered preparation for construction of the trackway, Maintenance & Operations Facility (MOF) at Race & Henry streets, power system (including overhead power lines & substations) and station stops can begin immediately The City will provide $492,933 in additional funding and revisions to the completion milestone dates because of the delay between the anticipated Notice to Proceed date of April 8, 2013 and today. The new value of the contract will be $71.4 million. ADDITIONAL FUNDING The additional funding will be provided from existing project contingency. These costs breakout generally as follows: Increased material expense - $240,000 Increased labor and equipment - $215,648 Increased cold weather protection - $30,000 Increased bonding costs - $7,285 TOTAL - $492,933 After this funding has been added, approximately $9.4 million will remain in project contingency. NEW CONTRACT MILESTONES Test track & MOF substantial completion - MARCH 1, 2015 Sustantial completion of OTR Loop - JUNE 29, 2015 Substantial completion of all work - MARCH 15, 2016 Passenger Service - SEPT. 15, 2016

Here it is . . . CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT IMMINENT With City Council’s approval of $17.4 million, as well as the award of an additional $5 million in federal dollars in funding to the streetcar project, the streetcar project is sufficiently funded to proceed with the award of a construction contract to Messer/Prus/Delta Railroad JV (MPD), the low bidder. The Administration is in the final stages of those discussions and we expect that to be executed in the immediate future. The project team has been meeting regularly with MPD to discuss additional cost and schedule changes related to the delay between the anticipated Notice to Proceed (NTP) date of April 8, 2013 and the new award date. MPD has requested additional funding in the amount of $492,933 related to increased costs for materials and labor resulting from this delay. This is covered in the current project budget. As discussed before Council, the Administration was not able to negotiate the final contract provisions and associated costs until the money was available. No reductions to contract scope are included in this contract. We’re very glad that the MPD team has remained committed over the last few months and it underscores our confidence that they are the right choice for our project. The project team has reviewed MPD’s request and has concluded that the costs are reasonable and represent estimated costs associated with the delay in contract award, as well as the risk that Messer and City are willing to take due to this delay.

I don't think it will last. I sort of, kinda remember the Indiana casinos charging for parking when they first opened. Now it's just for valet. I guess they do need to prevent residents from turning it into their own personal lot.

Marketing to the Occult crowd. Nice. ;-)

WCPO is still reporting it will be 15 to 20 stories. http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/money/business_news/new-100m-dunnhumbyusa-headquarters-expected-to-spur-other-downtown-development

Not the biggest priority, but any word on the Rockwood water fountains? I take it they will be part of the extra wide hallways but I'm curious if some end up in an apartment's kitchen or bedroom.

What's the plan for Greg's Antiques building? Very interesting space. I went to their closeout sales.

I like Drew Stubbs. He wins games with his defense. Drop him to 7 or 8 in the lineup and he may surprise with the bat. At 28(like a certain QB) he may have peaked and I've read he's stubborn when offered batting advice. Could be a classic change of scenery guy.

Woot!

Nice arguments. Thought I'd get burned at the stake. As I get ready to enjoy the Bengals playoff win tomorrow, Cleveland is one of 6(or is 7) teams in need of a HC. Of course it's more than just a HC, it's assistants, trainers, secretaries, etc. How do you think potential candidates rank the Browns compared to the other openings. Think they get their first choice? Sounds like the owner is willing to pay a premium(unlike my Bengals who charge a premium). College coaches are still too risky. Reid? That guy got personal issues. Not impress with Weeden and QB will always be the backbone of SB team. Bengals know talent. They just are't willing to pay them; starting LB for SF - Ahmad Brooks - Bengals Project. Justin Smith- too expensive(didn't really care for him). Vikings WR Simpson - dedicated years to his development. Let him walk. Houston CB - Joseph too expensive. Instead signed aging CBs. Though playing well lately. Handful of Offensive linemen. It's a long list.

I know I'm bias since I a Bengals fan, but the Browns are a hot mess. Going into 2013 with a 29 yr old QB. Carson Palmer was washed up at 31. No depth. (A constant problem for the Bengals due to cheap ownership). Endless turnover at the top. I'm think it will take 5-10 years for the Browns to be competitive.

This may of been discussed but won't the streetcar eliminate some bus routes. I too question Metro overseeing the streetcar now.

Baltimore wins the AFC North if they win one of their two games. Cleveland can feel like a professional team for once if they beat the Steelers. Then Bengals are in if they beat the real Browns er, Ravens.

Check "Reply #90" for rendering, that I'm sure are out of date. Sounds like any changes would just be luxury boxes and premium seating.

I didn't want to jinx them after City Blights accurate insight. ;-)

I would expect more CityLink causalities. Triple and quadruple services aren't needed.

Core converted a baseball stadium in apartments. This should be easy.

he-he, I saw that. I'm trying to find info on the Supreme Court Judges before I send in my absentee ballot.

Playoff time! Whole new ballgame. I'm ready. Sports Nation has spoken . . .

Nice find. Here's the full size image. It could grow on me.

Bengals have been doing new retro program covers. They did some for the preseason but I only found one.

C incinnati V ery G ood. I always like PHX and LAX. The X's make them sound sexy. ;-)