OCtoCincy

Ya- Ray is definitely a no vote on the streetcar- I had about a 4 email conversation with him and it was very clear that he will not be voting for it.

3CDC is going to begin working on the properties at 13th and republic in the next year- also, they own the 3 properties in the center of the block spanning from Vine to Republic, and also three properties again republic before 14th. Once those are developed that stretch will have much more pressure to get cleaned up. It should also be noted, that there has yet to be an accidental shooting of an innocent bystander in OTR this year. Every shot has been targeted and after about 90% of all shooting in OTR has been of black males and of those in which the shooter has been identified, all but about two listed that the victim knew their attacker (via a scan of Enquirer and other local news articles). I wish the Enquirer did something like the LA Times with regards to murders, http://projects.latimes.com/homicide/blog/page/1/ - The enquirer never puts down the race of the shooting victim or murder victim. The Times has for years. Last year of the 70 murders in Cincinnati 58 were black and almost all of those were men. These statistics are vital to figuring out how we deal with our violent crime issues-

Please find out how much the government collects through gas taxes and spends on highways per year. They are NOT equal. Gas taxes no longer cover interstate expenditures.

^ In fact, not a single group who opposes it, would have changed their mind if it was done the way Eighth and State explained it. They oppose it on idealogical grounds- that streetcars do not lead to growth and development and that no one wants to live near one.

That's horrible! Someone take a picture- haha

I really can't stand this silly argument. I hear it all the time, and it reminds us that people don't put thought into anything they say. I want all our streets privatized! Why don't I pay a toll when I pull out of my drive way every day? That is the only way that roads would be profitable. Think of the MASSIVE repair costs on roads. Pot holes etc. Is there ANY mass transit system that annually has all of its rail lines repaired from giant holes that can damage the vehicles that drive upon them? No! Amtrak covers 80% of its operating costs at the fairbox. How much money do our roads cover? 0%. Yes, half of the component to drive cars is privatized (cars) but even cars get massive government subsidies (bailouts, tax incentives, gas subsidies, etc.) It's pure poppycock! Yup., there. I said it! haha

You would never want "real" HSR to share with freight anyway-- You would want 150+MPH HSR on dedicated tracks... Amtrak outside of most of the NEC is always on Freight tracks, hence the delays, speed limits, etc. And he's completely wrong- HSR is profitable. Slow passenger rail is not.

Anyone know how all of the announced City Council candidates stand on the streetcar?

^ Ew.

^ I saw that they've taken down the "Now Available" signs! Not sure what's moving in though.

^ It's getting insane--- they publish so many damn articles on this.

He has said he wants to reopen but at covington landing.

^ has anyone emailed Jack to congratulate him and ask for his support on the Cincinnati Streetcar?

^ Ridiculous. Grrr.

Almost everything is below what was originally being asked- Even 3CDC Gateway Quarter units have dropped from low 300's to mid to upper 200's. There are no exact comparables- but Parker is on the edge of downtown, with a large interstate ramp right next to it, etc. I actually think this is a BETTER location than Parker Flats- QCS is looking to add two restaurants- you are right next to the banks, etc. 3rd and Broadway is within 1.5 blocks from the banks, the riverfront, GABP, the Arena, Serpentine wall, etc. It's less than half a block from Lytle Park. It's the same distance as Parker Flats to fountain square and the center of downtown- etc. If you put the parking on the southern end of the building for 3-4ish stories and then have the condos set slightly back (say the northern 2/3 of the property - perhaps put a pool/outdoor area above the garage on the southern end) and have a 14-15 story high-rise of condos no on would complain that there are two lanes of I-71 relatively close to their building.

Ya- While Mercer Commons seems to be delayed- 3CDC may be moving several other projects forward. ie: 13th street between Race & Republic, the three boarded up buildings at 14th and Pleasant and the Weilerts building are all in pre-development, with some movement going on at the corner of 14th and pleasant recently (separate from City Home).

This is why it's slowed up. They want this changed but still want to receive the LIHTC.

^ Specifically for MBS's strength in providing low income housing in new developments. They have a track record of success for new multi-million dollar low income developments and 3CDC wants a strong partner as they propose this new model.

Actually- I'm fairly sure Saengerfest hall was where Music Hall is- Pretty sure it was torn down and built over immediately. Saengerfest hall had a tin roof and it's reported that it rained so hard one day you could barely hear the singers. John Springer then began his campaign to replace the exposition hall style Saengerfest Hall with a proper music hall. The auditorium in Music Hall is named in Springer's honor.

for now, I completely agree with this plan-- The full line to the Zoo will be amazing and incredibly impactful. The line up to Corryville stopping at the Kroger will be good, but it's potential won't be fully realized until the line is completed through short vine and to the zoo. I'd rather have the downtown loop in 2013 than the loop and the uptown connector in some far off, unknown year.

^ Any idea when the "final development plan" might go before council?

^ Considering Music Hall is on the logo and music hall was specifically built for saengerfests (not the symphony or anyone else) i'm not sure why this article put a question mark in their title.

Ya- this project is slowed up for a few reasons. A primary one being that 3CDC wants to try something thats never been done before with regards to mixed-income housing. Rather than choose 30 apartments and designate them as low income, 3CDC wants to build everything equally and then simply make sure that at all times there are 30 low income units filled. Of the total apartments, it could be any 30- those locations could change, etc. Someone new moves in and they get to choose from anything that's open- not just the "low-income" designated units. They are expecting major delays by this process alone.

^ Boom.

Don't really understand the hints that this is a bad location. Parker flats is a great comparable. Right next to a major I-71 interchange. Slightly removed from where most of the development on downtown is- on an "edge" of potential development. Same distance to Fountain Square, etc. There are many many many high rises up against major interstates that still do well.