OCtoCincy

Fast forward to 3:56 in the CRP flyover video: YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

I thought I read where they were going to keep the existing lawnspace at the Freedom Center alone, correct? I sure hope so because this provides a pretty good level, rectangular greenspace for activities. I really hope the CRP has something like this but I haven't seen it in the plans. Some greenspace is needed for people to kick the soccer ball around, throw the football, play ultimate frisbee, etc. As of right now the plan for that rectangle of green space behind the freedom center is to put two restaurants on either end and leave the middle part open as grass. http://img144.imageshack.us/i/090303banks01.jpg/ I went for a walk down there yesterday after the Reds rally and honestly- I can't see all of it being done up with buildings. I really think the one parcel directly in front of the Freedom center would be best served with a lawn type area, and the decks on either side built up. Again- you can only build 4-5 stories and they would need ventilation from the tunnel below. Also- you can't really put too much parking on the 600 foot block... so living there probably means parking across the street and underground- I don't think it'll become housing.

I went for a nice walk of the Gateway Quarter this morning and wow- the Parvis lofts look like they will be amazing. They also still look like they're in the final stretch and there had to have been pushing 30 construction workers going full speed over there so I'm sure they'll have it done in a month. This picture was taken from Republic street (on a crappy phone camera) looking towards the backside of the Parvis Lofts. The google maps link below shows where I was standing. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1417+Republic+Street,+Cincinnati,+OH&sll=39.111109,-84.516092&sspn=0.000623,0.000857&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1417+Republic+St,+Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio+45202&ll=39.110903,-84.516186&spn=0.001247,0.001714&t=h&z=19

agreed.

Agreed- I think both the Streetcar vote and the Caps vote is to increase our standing for future grants, etc. The mayor has said he wants to push the caps much more now that the Streetcar is going to be built. I'm pretty sure I read that the caps could support 4-5 story buildings at max. so if they can do 4, one that is park like, and 3 that are smaller buildings could be reasonable. I highly doubt they would put condos or anything above the so this is probably going to be retail/commercial. Should be interesting-

That's what it looks like in the 2007 document (pages 5-6): http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/projects/streetcar/docs/appendices_map.pdf It also would make sense to have the drop off outside of Music Hall at the new "music hall plaza" that is part of Washington Park (circa page 19) http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/WP%20-%20Council%20Finance%20-%20June%2028%202010.pdf

^ ^ Any bets on how buried that story ends up in the Enquirer?

Oh I know- I go to council meetings from time to time. Technically its 3 dems 1 dem/charterite, 1 charterite, 1 independent and 3 repubs, but ya. Either way- To say 'met with the democrats and others' could have very easily specified what others. ie., Berding, Bortz, Winburn, etc. Instead it has a decidedly partisan slant to it. Although I could be reading way too far into it... haha

Oh I know- I go to council meetings from time to time. Technically its 3 dems 1 dem/charterite, 1 charterite, 1 independent and 3 repubs, but ya. Either way- To say 'met with the democrats and others' could have very easily specified what others. ie., Berding, Bortz, Winburn, etc. Instead it has a decidedly partisan slant to it.

The mayor has said that after the streetcar, FWW caps are his next infrastructure priority. BlackBengal was right, the Enquirer completely missed that and preferred to focus on the nitty gritty details of the relationships and discussions between council-members. They sure love to hate the mayor (and the city overall). I also enjoyed the, 'he met with democrats and other groups of council members'. They could have said republicans, the independent or the chartierite, (there are only a few of them!) but that's less politically charged...

I think in a way its the exact same concept- Some people see movies- they have decided that the value of $X is worth the 1.5-2.5 hours of entertainment + discussions later with friends. Other people decide that the potential losses of $X are simply the cost for the entertainment/rush/excitement of gambling for 4-5 hours and the discussions with friends following that. and with regards to natininja- ya- that totally happens in many casinos. But also in many dive bars, etc. HOPEFULLY this casino attracts a mix of fun successful people looking for entertainment and of course, just regular people who go frequently that you described earlier (you can't expect to have an urban casino in within blocks of poor neighborhoods and not have local regulars at the casino). It would be failure if the high end attraction didn't connect and it simply became a slummy area. :(

Agreed- I don't think it should/can be filled in and I'm absolutely certain that once its done, it will have lighting that will make the "tiara" look great at night- However, what's inside there currently will in no way be hidden by the signage, Just from looking at the website the signage only covers a small portion. (sorry for the super crappy image- I did it in Preview in 4 seconds using annotation ovals) Basically, either some of that stuff is temporary (hopefully) or its gonna be seen forever.

I'm just happy that it won't look like Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise Casino & Hotel... :-D

I live a block away- and while the design isn't the most awe-inspring public space, it's heavily used and was also part of this weekends chalk-art mini festival that spanned telford and across to the plaza. I agree that there should have been trees in the back part of the plaza as well, but I think it serves the neighborhood decently. Other than a few benches at Ludlow & Telford it's the largest public place to gather on Ludlow between Clifton (excluding Burnet Woods) and Whitfield.