OCtoCincy

So homicides are up 63% this year so far, but only up a little but compared to 2011. Should also be noted virtually every victim (except 2 that I was able to figure out and leaving out a few juveniles) had a moderate to lengthy rap sheet. Additionally, this year is turning out to be extremely tilted African American. Even more than usual. While there were about 4 of the roughy 40 homicides I couldn't determine race on, the rest have been all African American except 1 (Owner of Hartwell Pizza place).

Techincally this thread is related to several things. W&S has announced long term plans to replace the 3rd and Broadway garage "possibly with condos". Also, they are trying to take over the Anna Louise Inn for a new hotel(not a tear down). Then finally, they have said they want a new office headquarters but haven't really specified where but they do own most of the land surrounding Lytle Park and between 3rd and 5th around Broadway. It might help if it was renamed "W&S Development Projects (Lytle Park Historic District)"

And now one in Dayton.

Cranley is really making a big deal about the reaffirmed second highest ratings in which one company gave a negative outlook due to the general fund deficit.

Unless the City gets huge federal grants, caps will happen years after the streetcar is finished. there's simply no money.

I have been told the first floor retail will be around 18-20 feet. Then you will have 3-4 stories of parking, then 4 stories of office. Disappointing, but I've been assured it's going to look amazing.

I wish! alas, no 22. Since 5/3 actually owns the air rights for the any Fountain Square West tower, they'd surely play a major role. 5/3's air rights end in ~2014. They will most certainly want to see this move forward or the City will take it back and bid it out (City owns building, 5/3 has lease on air rights). Banks (lending institutions) don't care about The Banks anymore than they care about OTR. The Banks are owned and developed by an out of state company, not some insider player with deep connections. I've heard that The Banks are having trouble getting financing locally, hence why Current is up for sale. It will be great to see this done. Surely the City will tax abate the sh*t out of the property and chip in some capital, likely around $1,000,000. If this gets done, Banks phase 2 gets done and Mercer Commons/gateway V gets done all within 2 years I would bet we could have a grocery store opening by 2014. Possible Location: Pogue's garage ground floor (after major renovation that removes the ramps and moves the elevator to inside the garage). I've been told 1500-2000 more residents is what "grocery chains" (no idea who that means) want before opening up shop in DT cincy. I'm assuming the jumbo tron will be replaced by a larger, better one built into the building (3CDC wants it bigger and better)

Article says exterior of Macy's will get facelift.

CORE's new construction projects look pretty bad, but their renovations and their residential new construction are alright/pretty good. Perhaps being surrounded by OTR's landscape will improve their designs.

I've been told all federal funds other than TIGER3 have indeed been obligated. TIGER 3 should be obligated in the next few weeks.

^ Pretty sure that if an appointment is in the first two years of a term there has to be an election for that open seat (for a two year term) at the next election. If it's after the two year mark of a four year term, they stay (which is essentially how it is now). I would have been VERY supportive of staggered four year terms, but I am still generally supportive of the current plan. I don't plan to champion it really, but I did vote last week. I would also be very opposed to wards or adding more council members. Downtown would get way less investment if we went to all wards. Also, if we did go to wards, it should be as few large wards as possible. If we had 10 or 12 wards council would be a disaster. Nitpicking every single transportation or economic development project because it doesnt help "my district". Perhaps if we did 6 wards and 3 at large seats I could see it being reasonable. With wards though, there's virtually no chance a streetcar would still be on the table right now.

All of the properties they have recently purchased were previously owned by Faith Fellowship Ministries Inc. whose address was 1614 Walnut. This sounds like it was a package deal as opposed to strategically buying individual properties. Still, it's a pretty good mix, some of which have LOTS of potential, others that have decent potential. Here's to hoping a plan gets put together soon.

The area in front of American Can Lofts, at Blue Rock and Hamilton is being shopped to developers by the City. I believe there was an RFP process and everything to see how people would develop the site. Would be INCREDIBLE for northside to get ground floor retail, 3-4 stories of apartments (all along hamilton and blue rock) and perhaps some townhomes (along Knowlton and Langland). No idea what the timeline is on this.

Has a restaurant opened up here yet?

Both McMillan and Taft have now been converted. Firehouse Row is being shopped to apartment developers, including to those from outside of Greater Cincinnati.

City Council expected to take up funding of Phase 2 of Mercer this week. If it passes (which is expected) Phase 2 will start before the end of the year, would be expected to open no more than 3-4 months after Phase 1. 67 apartments, 30 of which are income restricted, 30 are market rate. Some of the income restrictions are high enough that a young person who works full time at something like a small coffee shop could apply as well.

This trend has actually been taking off for several years now. Since 2009 the City of Cincinnati has seen a huge boom in new home permits. I think in 2011 the City ended the year as the third highest, and in 2009 had the largest year over year growth of any municipality. This does two things: One, it brings construction jobs, often can bring new families to the area, etc. and two, it leads to a more modernized housing stock. Now, I don't support removing 1800's or turn of the century construction for cheap new housing, BUT WWII era housing stock is crappy, unpopular, cheap and abundant. We are never going to get people to go in and renovate hundreds of 1940's homes into a better housing stock with all the amenities the exurb stock provides. In these cases building new homes increases the options to homebuyers in the City. When someone comes from out of town, wants to live in the City, but wants a single family home of a certain size and condition, we will now have more to offer.

^ I hope you're right. From where I'm sitting I feel like, while he's completely ineffective and has done almost nothing since joining council, he will probably move up in the next election simply because he's been so praised by the media (mainly conservative) as a watchdog even though he has no plans on how to fix any issues in the city.

two years ago, yes. I feel that casino money would only going to be used as a match if Federal funds are received as CincyGuy was alluding to. Something tells me this is still a long time off.

10:30AM. Get there early to get a speakers card.

^ saw some pictures from a friend who went Saturday, high end finishes- looks nice!

I heard Smitherman went on a tirade because the City's duke contract (for sale of street lights from like 3 or 4 years ago) specified the money was going to go to the Streetcar and so it couldn't be used for anything else. Can anyone confirm?

^ serious. My guess, mid-September.

Something tells me everything is being a little exaggerated. COAST is now trying to say he wasn't even attacked! My guess: He was pretty buzzed at Bakersfield, possibly made 'lewd comments' about an employee, possibly not, but I'm also pretty sure he's friends with several servers, bartenders and friends with the owners, so it would be a little crazy if he was really doing that when he's kind of a regular and knows a lot of the staff. CincyGuy just said he was told by an employee that his tab was paid, not helping the conspiracy story.

What the hell is this post? Damn Jake- If I hadn't seen what you look like I'd think you you were a 75 year old cranky westsider. Downtown! And walking distance (8 blocks) from the riverfront.