OCtoCincy

The "loop" is Vine, Calhoun, Clifton & McMillan.

Does this count? http://www.facebook.com/usquareloop

Smitherman won't hurt in the general election-- The mayoral primary is a top two... If Dale Mallory (rumored to run for mayor) and Smitherman run they will split the black vote, meaning the top two could end up being Cranley & Qualls, Cranley & a republican, or Qualls and a republican in the General Election in November. If more than two conservatives run, they will split the conservative base and neither might make the top two- Back to the Streetcar, Leslie Ghiz was endorsed by CincYPAC because she showed support for the streetcar-- then she flopped and announced her opposition- something tells me they won't be endorsing her again.

I think something was lost in translation. I was in no way defending the union aspect of IGA or the UFCW in general. I was as politely as possible mentioning that as a strong union shop, healthcare costs, etc. could possibly be higher than those of Kroger. I don't think management was hoarding money-- they clearly had none. I'm sure for a large variety of reasons they couldn't afford to function- some being market conditions, overall lack of strong leadership, union costs, etc.

^ amen.

I've seen smaller markets than the IGA survive. Plus, a $2 frozen dinner at Kroger was $4 at IGA. They were also proud UFCW workers. That's expensive. And management hadn't given that place an overhaul in years. I went there once a week and there were always lots of people.

Neville! You should join Cincinnatians for Progress. I know they have capacity and a need.

One problem with Smitherman running is he'll draw the black vote away from the democrat, helping the republican.

Thanks guys-- I guess I missed that week in class... haha

Kevster, have you been to the museum? Just curious.

^ This shot reminded me something-- I'm amazed that the pedestrian sidewalk on both sides has no tree lining. Especially the side that is against the cement parking lot. I'm sure there's more to it that will make it look better, but the original images of New Mehring way were tree lined, now not so much.

You stated a year and 4 months- that may have been a typo-- but you're comparing a "museum" that is purely science fiction (people go for the silly idea that humans and dinosaurs lived at the same time!) with a historical museum that documents slavery and injustice across the world in all cultures.

You're saying- since cincinnati isn't well cultured, we should just get rid of museums that relate to our history.

The Creation Museum is not a museum... It's a science fiction amusement place. All you did was say people in this region don't like to learn but do like to go to fictional museums that don't have any basis in reality or history. It's like saying-- Disneyland does well- Why don't we make our historical museums like disneyland. - and i love that because you went once 5 years ago- right when it opened and didn't like what you saw, it's a horrible place.

I figured that would be moved- although at the root, my key argument was whether the Freedom Center would benefit from more growth at the Banks. It got way on a tangent, but I do think the growth potential is related and it will be interesting to see how it turns out once the riverfront is built out fully. Moving right along! :)

Sorry!! I was on my phone and that was a typo... supposed to say "a little over 100,000 visitors last year. It's a great museum-" What I love about Cincinnati is the amazing racial cynicism people have to that museum. It's like white people are offended by it (I'm white, moved here a few years ago from the pacific coast). If you've been-- you know it's about a lot more than just one race- there's a whole section on women, I've seen exhibits that cover south america, etc. The domestic Terrorism exhibit right now isn't just about one race... The touring exhibits that they have are really amazing. And they cut the staff in half last year-- They paid off all their construction debt this year (obviously with help from the city). They are open Tues-Saturday, 11AM-5PM. Not particularly excessive hours... less than the museum center, perhaps they could cut Tuesday if it's not very active. Remember-- Nearly every project talked about on this blog has city funding help-- Queen City Square? $225 million in city bonds were sold to pay for it (the city, through the Greater Cincinnati Port, owns the building). The banks just got an amazing city backed loan to bring profitable companies in after already getting millions from the city. The fact that the Freedom Center has gotten some money as well (Gateway quarter has city money all over it!) isn't particularly surprising- I'm not saying it should continue to be funded... but considering we throw money at for profit corporations all the time, we shouldn't be that shocked to spend money on a cultural treasure such as the freedom center- If the Banks get developed (so it's not just an island between two empty stadiums for most of the year) and it's still not growing then that's clearly a problem- I'm just a little more hopeful-

a little over 400,000 visitors last year. It's a great museum-

^ The signs right at the forefront are 6th, the first intersection you can see is 7th.

Where can I find more images like that! I've only been in the region for a few years and would love to see some great shots of Cincy over the years. Look at the sidewalks! They look packed. That's approximately 7th and vine right?

I shopped at that store weekly- It was always packed, and its prices were higher than the Kroger at Mitchell. I figured that since I was walking and supporting my neighborhood in the end the cost effectiveness was about even. The floors were cracked and beat up, worse than even the crappiest Krogers, the ceiling tiles looked pretty wretched, and the IGA name isn't particularly well known anymore. If Kroger buys it, that might be the perfect location for their "Kroger Marketplace" concept since a full store wouldn't make sense in that location. I would LOVE a Trader Joes to move in, but I doubt it. The best chance for a Trader Joes is probably going to be at the U Square development. It would be tragic to totally lose a grocery store on Ludlow. I'm also pretty certain that the checkers and packers at that location were pretty well paid union folks. UFCW did a rally/meet & greet there for Jennifer Brunner when she was running for the Dem Senate nomination.

I still don't understand why we can't be moving manholes, gas and electricity lines right now. That can be done with the OKI or Ohio TRAC money and is borderline unrelated to the streetcar installation. There are over 100 manholes that need to be moved because they are along the streetcar line (vine street has almost 50 alone)

They are petty-- I'm wondering if they are going to sue the Police about Police Women of Cincinnati-- There was a lot of talking and filming of the ladies on duty while they were in their uniforms that they wouldn't have done if they were on film. Clearly money was "wasted".

So I drove the streetcar route again today-- It really is so amazing how much vacant property there is up race and elm between henry and Liberty. While 3CDC owns almost everything between elm and race from Washington Park to Liberty, is all of that property past liberty random owners? Abandoned? Anyone have any info on who owns most of the empty property around Findlay Market?

The olympics caused the federal government to fund 80% of the firststreetcar line. Once it was done, the residents approved a sales tax increase to fund additional expansions because they loved it.

Today the city planted trees in front of the Parvis Apartments (the whole west side of Vine from 14th to 15th). I'd guess probably 8 trees were planted, and the light pole fixtures were going up too. Going from 3 giant orange street lamps to 5 of the Vine street double white lamps. I'm a huge fan of pedestrian friendly streetlamps, vs. the giant, car focused, orange overhead lamps.