moonloop

<i>I agree, now what happens? Here's a bit more from the Business Courier.</i> <b>OTR named to "most endangered" list</b> Cincinnati Business Courier - 11:12 AM EDT Wednesday Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood has been called a dangerous place, but not in the same way the National Trust for Historic Preservation sees it. The preservation organization named the area to its "America's 11 most endangered historic places" listing, according to a news release Wednesday. Over-the-Rhine's collection of 19th-century homes and businesses, featuring Italianate, Greek Revival and Queen Anne architecture, is in danger "due to a combination of inadequate planning, low levels of home ownership and a reduced business presence because of rampant crime, reluctance of investors to commit to renewal and renovation, and an increasing pattern of demolition as authorities seek to address public safety issues," the National Trust said in a news release. "It is our hope that this designation will serve as a unifier, providing the impetus needed to bring various government, philanthropic and community groups together with the shared goal of improving living conditions for neighborhood residents and preserving a vital part of the city's -- and America's -- history," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. The designation comes as the city, private and private/public groups are moving to restore sections of the longtime slum area, including Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., which is acquiring properties around Washington Park for redevelopment. The Cincinnati Art Academy recently moved into a renovated building in the neighborhood, and a new School for Creative and Performing Arts will be built next to Music Hall.

<i>I thought OTR has been on this list before. If it increases investment in the area, good </i> <b>Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood Cincinnati, Ohio</b> The Cincinnati neighborhood known as Over-the-Rhine, a 362-acre collection of houses, businesses, churches and community gathering places just north of the central business district was once a virtual "foreign land" within the city. Starting in 1830, German immigrants flowed into the city by the thousands. By the 1880s, Cincinnati had become one of the most "German" cities in the United States. The Over-the-Rhine area bubbled with the energy of a thriving middle-class ethnic neighborhood, with its cohesive architecture forming the backdrop for a close-knit German community that at one point included 45,000 residents. The community's traditions and institutions – from beer gardens to churches, from singing societies to building and loan associations, from breweries to newspapers – are reflected in the distinctive architecture of its buildings. By the early 1900s, the German enclave had begun to break apart, the victim of assimilation, geographic expansion, over-commercialization and other factors. New residents moved into the area, replacing the older German residents. The past several decades have not been kind to Over-the-Rhine, and the area now faces the problems of crime, open-air drug markets and prostitution that plague many inner-city neighborhoods. An estimated 500 of 1,200 buildings in the area are vacant or illegally occupied, and very few businesses remain. Unemployment is above 50% and social service needs far exceed available resources. Only through a respectful, collaborative effort to preserve the structures and halt the blight, abandonment and patterns of destruction in the community will the quality life for all residents be improved. The vintage structures of the Over-the-Rhine district testify to the rich history of America's immigrant past. "The residents of this area have persevered through misdirected urban renewal initiatives, controversy among diverse community groups, the inattention of city officials and the lack of a meaningful strategy for improvement," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "It is our hope that this designation will serve as a unifier, providing the impetus needed to bring various government, philanthropic and community groups together with the shared goal of improving living conditions for neighborhood residents and preserving a vital part of the city's—and America's—history." <b>History</b> The dense, compact urban environment known as Over-the-Rhine is just north of Cincinnati's central business district. Starting around 1830, a large number of German immigrants settled in an area to the north and east of the Miami and Erie Canal where land was readily available and affordable for working-class families. The Canal came to be referred to euphemistically as the "Rhine," and the area on the other side, "Over-the-Rhine." The architecture in the area reflects the diverse styles of the time – simple vernacular, muted Greek Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne. The buildings range from row houses to mixed commercial/residential structures and free-standing commercial, industrial and institutional structures including churches, a music hall, beer gardens and breweries. The district's Findlay Market is the only historic public market building still open in the city. <b>Threat</b> The distinctive mid-to-late-19th-century urban architecture in Over-the-Rhine is in danger due to a combination of inadequate planning, low levels of home ownership and a reduced business presence because of rampant crime, reluctance of investors to commit to renewal and renovation, and an increasing pattern of demolition as authorities seek to address public safety concerns. <b>Solution</b> Designation of Over-the-Rhine as one of America's most threatened historic places will aid the local Community Council and other organizations, such as the Cincinnati Preservation Association, in their efforts to save and safeguard the area. Only through a diverse, collaborative approach that includes urban planners, corporate and philanthropic organizations, and – most important – community groups and neighborhood residents and stakeholders, will it be possible to stop the deterioration of the buildings and improve the quality of life for area residents. http://www.nationaltrust.org/11most/index.html

I'm a maybe, damn family obligations.

<b>Cirque Du Soleil Schedules Run On Riverfront</b> POSTED: 4:55 pm EDT May 9, 2006 UPDATED: 5:33 pm EDT May 9, 2006 CINCINNATI -- Millions of people watch a performance of the Cirque du Soleil every year. The world-renowned show plays in just a handful of cities, including London and Las Vegas. Cincinnati will soon be added to that list. Full story text is available at http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/9185771/detail.html

Yeah, what he said. When Republicans and big business support illegals it's only because they can be exploited. Their cheap labor lines the pockets of businessowners.

<i>Math isn't my strong suit, but doesn't "unanimously approved" simply mean majority rules. So a 3-2 vote would be all that's needed. Wouldn't a 4-1 vote be harder to achieve? Maybe Castellini can keep them in line.</i> <b>Banks deal morphing</b> BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Announced just last week, the agreement between Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati on how to proceed with developing the Banks is changing. But both sides say the changes are needed to ensure the proposed $600 million development doesn’t stall... Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/NEWS01/305090009

A possible 1,000 new jobs doesn't sound bad either.

Slots are where the is money. That is where most casinos make their money. It may only be slots, but that doesn't prevent other entertainment possibilities from happening. There's also talk of hotel. It sounds like their interested in creating a wide-ranging venue. It's called free-will, if people can drink their weight in booze on a Saturday night, a fews slots aren't nearly as evil.

<i>I see all this news has generated a lot of excitement on the forum. :-P</i> <b>City Leaders Push For Casino At Broadway Commons</b> POSTED: 4:08 pm EDT May 8, 2006 UPDATED: 6:17 pm EDT May 8, 2006 CINCINNATI -- With millions of casino dollars going to local governments in Indiana, city officials are trying to get a piece of the game for downtown. It's a roll of the dice because Cincinnati would need valid signatures in every one of Ohio's 88 counties just to get the issue put on the November ballot. A majority of council members stood at Broadway Commons Monday morning in a push to get a casino for an area that now serves primarily as a parking zone. "Oh, it's an unbelievable opportunity. Are you kidding me? I have been crazy all weekend long, just so excited about this," Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz said. A casino could mean $22 million annually for Cincinnati and $18 million for the county. But city leaders need a successful petition campaign as a starting point, because Cincinnati was left out of the mix for a statewide gambling initiative in the fall. Experts said that voters could end up with dueling ballot issues. "We think our issue has a much better chance of winning because we include Cincinnati. The other one basically says to the people of Southwest Ohio, 'We don't want you," casino consultant Jerry Austin said. Full article at http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/9178478/detail.html

<i>A bit more info. I like the scary slant the folks in Indiana are putting on this. A one cop/one stop-light kind of town.</i> <b>City Council Wants Casino Downtown </b> Reported by: Deb Haas, Tom McKee Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller Photographed by: 9News First posted: 5/8/2006 9:21:16 AM Last updated: 5/8/2006 6:10:10 PM When it comes to casinos, don't count us out. That's the message of some Cincinnati leaders. Most council members want Cincinnati to be put back on a state initiative that would allow voter-approved casinos. If a casino opened here, council members say it would likely go in the Broadway Commons area downtown. That area is now a parking lot at Broadway and Reading. Full article at http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/05/08/casino.html <i>Do you want another 20 years of this?</i>

Cincinnati.com has an online poll, and over 75% are in favor of a DT casino. http://www.shopatcincinnati.com/polls/xlaapmview.asp?p=721&msg=voted&z= Maybe Hamilton Country will join in since they may have to return millions to the Federal Government. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060508/NEWS01/605080345 What could fill the gap, I wonder . . .

^Yeah, what he said!

WKRC has two online video stories. One mentions the current owners of the surface lot would be more than happy to develop a casino. If this gets approved, developers will be coming out of the woodwork. They would get moving so quickly on this it would make most people's head spin. If they do what the Indians do in the Southwest, they'll put up an industrial size tent to get the money flowing then come up with a design to be built. http://www.wkrc.com/mediacenter/?videoId=9854

I'm impress that Ghiz(what a babe) is out in front on this being a Republican and all. This still has a long way to go, but I wonder what the Action Groups are thinking. And the Jesus freaks are rather quite about this, but I'm sure they'll rise up soon enough. ;-)

<i>Here's the email I sent out to city counsel. Monday should be interesting. I also sent out emails to our commissioners, but I'm not too optimistic with them. Feel free to send your own email.</i> Hello, I'm writing to encouraged the approval of a resolution to allow a gambling casino in the City of Cincinnati which I read about it in the local paper. We all know that a good many citizens spend their entertainment dollar at riverboat casinos. This upcoming November ballot offers a great opportunity to have those dollars spent in the City of Cincinnati. I think it is worth being very vocal about the benefits of not only entertainment dollars being spend downtown, but also new jobs created, development of a large section of downtown and a substantial increase of tax dollars. It also would be worth indicating to the voting public how the nearly $20 million a year in tax dollars would be utilized. Investment in the Banks project, funds for the new Riverfront park, additional investment in residential development downtown & Over The Rhine and dollars for a new jail are all great possibilities. I understand a large amount of land has been cleared in the Queensgate area which seems suitable for a new jail. If gambling is allowed in the state of Ohio, I see good things happening in Cincinnati's future. Thank you for your time. Most Sincerely, XXX

I'm getting ready to send out emails to each council member. Here's the link if anyone wants to do the same. http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/council/pages/-4126-/

<i>Again, the Post scores a far more detailed article and some interesting quotes. It sounds like Mr. Eichelbaum is trying to protect his own self interests What retail? It's a surface lot! I'm amazed that Counsel just gets it. How can you have a statewide ballot and only Cleveland benefits. The last comment from Eichelbaum is pretty funny. Phil Heimlich is against it because of his creepy religious views as he probably spends his summer weekends at every Church Gambling Beer Chugging Festival in the county.</i> <b>City leaders want casino option</b> By Joe Wessels Post contributor Two Cincinnati leaders will unveil an initiative Monday that they hope will get the city back into the mix for casino gambling in Ohio. A majority of Cincinnati City Council - led by Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell and member Leslie Ghiz - plan to introduce a resolution Monday calling for the state to include the city in an upcoming ballot referendum on legalizing casino style gambling. The measure, to be introduced at Monday's finance committee meeting, demands that ballot language be amended to include Cincinnati for consideration for a casino. The resolution proposes a parking lot at Broadway Commons, which Tarbell unsuccessfully pushed in the late 1990s as the site for the Reds new ballpark, as the locale for a Cincinnati casino. An organization called the Learn and Earn committee wants to put slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racetracks and allow up to two freestanding casinos in Cleveland. Penn National Gaming, Inc. - owner of Toledo's Raceway Park and Lawrenceburg, Ind.'s Argosy riverboat casino - has gotten behind that proposal. The referendum specifically would exclude Cincinnati, and city leaders want to change that. Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060506/NEWS01/605060368

I feel your pain about getting shipped out of DT Cincy. I worked in the Queensgate area about five years ago and enjoyed immensely my walks on the bridges(that included watching PBS getting built), 3th, 4th, getting an up-close view of the flood of '97 and to the library. Then our NKY president had the bright idea of expanding to a larger building. Mayor Qualls and the city were useless. We weren't big enough to justify their assistance so we built a new place in NKY. The president was quickly replaced and my company nearly went under. We're back on solid footing, but the only highlight now is the occasional wild turkey trying to get into the building.

Wow, a logical, reasonable, intelligent plan by City Counsel. Who would of thunk it. Cleveland better be listening. There are serious gamblers in Cincy, give'em what they want.

Yes I am. thanks for your thoughts

How was the stroll through Washington Park?

Yeah, the roof line of Union Terminal is one my favorite Desktop Backgrounds that I have on rotation.

Has anyone seen the new Apple commercials? Damn funny. http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/?better_medium

I love all the quality articles the Cincinnati papers publish regarding this issue. They got it all covered.

I attended the open house today at Union Terminal. I was a bit disappointed. The Queensgate option isn't that impressive. One major thing is there would be no access to the new bridge from US 50. What's the point? It seem like a rehab of the Brent Spence is where they're leaning. Again not a fan of that. There's no point in creating a "Signature Bridge" if it will be blocked by two ugly bridges, BS and Clay Wade. Here are a few images. Most of this info can be found on their website. The Study Area (Red Line) includes the Clay Wade, but they aren't doing anything with it. Disappointing. The breakdown of each option. Red is bad The huge posters were neat to look at. This is a Queensgate option. Hear is what annoys me, I would have to drive by the new bridge to get tothe same exit I take now, then that would take me back to new part of 75. Why? The Western Hill Viaduct is the closes ramp to the new bridge. I thought this bridge was being built only for me. :| There's my access ramp. Not happening.