AddisonJM

I didn't do that one, but mine started it. I did one and then a couple more people did versions correcting what they thought I got wrong. Here's the original.

The height changes come from two places... design and architectural standards and financial realities. The fact that it's "Cin-cin-nati" has little to do with it. It costs more to build a taller building - what a concept. In this economic climate and with financing being as difficult as it is, we should be thrilled that any building at all is getting built. We're the largest city in the country with no new tallest skyscraper built since WWII, and we're griping about 40 feet. Maybe if we just stack 40 puppies on top of the building...

Wow. And such is the reason that I rarely post around here. Thanks a lot, Cincinnatus. That's right on par with most of the crap I read from the know-it-alls around here. I'll not make that mistake again.

Maybe I missed it, but has anyone given reasoning why this isn't a case for implosion? Is it too close to phase I? Is it a cost issue?

If you have to ask then you must have been doing it wrong the entire time. :)

Would I have liked something else better? Probably, but I'm not upset. I'm more interested in the value of the product than the look of the buildings. I agree with moonloop. Anything that wasn't a cc of the original renderings from more than 10 years ago when the current developers were not involved was bound to get folks upset. What is a little more frustrating to me is that each set of drawings we see are different. The last batch showed a little more modern architecture, while this shows red brick with a hint of art deco. Nevertheless, I'm excited.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS0108/306240061/1055/NEWS First look at Banks Cincinnati got its first look today at what the first phase of The Banks riverfront development might look like as planners showed off two buildings for parking, apartments and a grocery store. Developers presented their designs to the city's Urban Design Review Board, a group of architects and planners which will make recommendations about the project's appearance to the city manager. The design board can weigh in as each phase is proposed.

The renderings were more like what the trees would look like in 15 years, and I won't mind it. I was kind of disppointed with the age of the trees planted - I was expecting them to be more mature.

"Ellington, a 7-year-old consulting firm that oversaw inclusion efforts for the construction of the Freedom Center, will be charged with recruiting businesses to fulfill a goal of having 30 percent of the construction of The Banks done by minority- and women-owned businesses. And this means that the company I mentioned yesterday did not get its contract.

I know things are moving along... I know a lady whose non-profit org works to get jobs for minorities. They are currently in a bidding process to gain a contract as a consultant for the banks developers. Not "in the news" stuff, but framework, at least.

We're talking about the third one in the slide show...the image showing the tower placed in the skyline as seen from Devou Park. Ahh... I knew that first one wasn't. That was my confusion.

Are we sure that's one of Ronnie's renderings?

Way to go, Nicker66. You da man. I've been passing your gospel that this thing was a go, and nobody believed me. Not in my office, not even my wife! Someone's actually going to owe me $5 because of your info. I'll split it with you!

I don't know about enormous. The highest occupied floor in the city was still supposed to be in Carew, wasn't it?

My band played a gig Saturday night on Fountain Square for the downtown hoparound... that was the first time I've been down there at night since the redo. The atmosphere of playing down there with the lights on the fountain, and the changing colors over on 5/3, with the screen up there... it was cool. What's with the parking garage, though? I parked on the very top level, just 50 feet from the gate. To get out, they make you drive all the way down and all the way back up!?! Not real sure that's entirely necessary.