OTR

This discussion is basically an extension of Jake's blog post from September 2011: http://cincinnatimonocle.blogspot.com/2011/09/over-rhine-hipstersbe-first-to-see.html Perhaps we should start a Jake Mecklenborg thread since we're kinda going off topic...(ps- buy his book: http://www.amazon.com/Cincinnatis-Incomplete-Subway-Complete-History/dp/1596298952) Yeah, what we're actually seeing is Cincinnati starting to act like a big city and reclaiming OTR from total destruction. The "hipsters" and the YPs that support OTR are only one part of its rebirth. Perhaps social media can make it seem like a "core group" is laying claim to it (maybe some are?) but OTR's fantastic strides in the past few years are not due to 100 25-30 year olds. There might be "regulars" but OTR is constantly filled with outsiders who grew up thinking OTR was a mix of the 38th parallel and Paul Kersey's NYC and leave thinking its awesome. This is kind of an amusing conversation (just like Jake's cincinnatimonocle blog) but I'd rather have it in private than on UO. But I will say this, I think Jake is acting like a perfect #4 on the list of "20 characters you'll find on a neighborhood email list": http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/02/20-characters-youll-meet-every-neighborhood-email-list/1314/ :-D Also, the newer establishments (in the Gateway Quarter and otherwise) might be fairly monolithic, but those aren't the only establishments in the entire neighborhood, from what I can tell (I don't live in Cincinnati right now, I'm not speaking from experience). 2LiveCarew, there is so much work still left to be done in OTR and the Gateway Quarter. 3CDC and its partner own a great deal of the property south of Liberty but haven't renovated it all yet. So for an outsider it's important to remember that OTR has made huge strides but there's still quite a lot left to do. I worry that locals see OTR's successes and think to themselves "that's enough" when their vision needs to be so much bigger. And you're right, the newer eateries (on Vine St. especially) have received a lot of attention because they are some of the best places to eat and drink in the city (and...they're in Over-the-Rhine which is a double shocker: http://overtherhine.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/over-the-rhine-is-cincinnatis-restaurant-hot-spot/)...but there are plenty of other places and hopefully more to come.

Excellent observation! If you think about it, the economic development strategy of those restaurants is to attract and impress people who would otherwise disregard OTR, and it's working. The more instagrams of nice food and buildings, the better. Genius.

http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/lightrail

At least it's fresh paint. But what a missed opportunity to add some color/visual interest to a drab wall (no offense, I love Columbus but it needs some color IMO). Other than that, this seems like a nice project.

I wouldn't describe OTR as monocultural at all. If anything, OTR is more diverse. There are more shops on Main and the scattered residential growth is unique to today's rebirth. Findlay Market is in a stronger position too. The (in progress) decentralization of social services/shelters is another major difference. I don't see much similarity between now and the mid-90s. In terms of "popularity" as in the quantity of people frequenting OTR, maybe. I think today is much more evenly spread out and balanced.

Are they planning to paint that wall?

Ohio needs your votes! http://www.foodandwine.com/peoples-best-new-chef/great-lakes VOTE HERE for Daniel Wright of SENATE Restaurant and Abigail Street as he competes in Food & Wine's People's Best New Chefs. Of the ten from our Great Lakes region, 7 are from Chicago, 1 is from Indianapolis, and 2 are from Cincinnati. The other Cincinnatian is Jose Salazar of The Palace at the Cincinnatian Hotel. It's as simple as ONE CLICK: http://www.foodandwine.com/peoples-best-new-chef/great-lakes

I find this interesting, as I was only in grade school at this time. In Michael Uhlenake's 20-year history of OTR he laments the characterless bar scene on Main St. in the 1990's, but he notes that he approves of the restaurants and bars that currently populate Vine. Anyone with experience between the two scene's have a similar feeling towards them? I almost responded jmecklenborg's post this morning to clarify that the two scenes are different in many ways. Both "popular" but today's OTR is vastly improved by in terms of its quality and breadth of offerings and its diversity of uses. More people of varying backgrounds live in OTR as opposed to the 1990s when OTR's traffic was almost exclusively barhoppers. In my opinion, the two are worlds apart and the current situation is far more sustainable. This is, of course, largely 3CDC's doing.

Absolutely right. Who knows what sort of cool signage OTR is missing out on because of this restriction? Perhaps the decision makers in the approval process simply prefer a rule to fall back on instead of seeming arbitrary?

Any more details about The Anchor?

Which is moving to Queensgate...

Now couple that with a streetcar ride to Findlay Market by Fountain Square, the renovated Washington Park, Music Hall and historic buildings in OTR....and boom

here's a gym at 7th and Vine: http://www.snapfitness.com/cincinnati/club and some help finding an apartment: http://overtherhine.wordpress.com/available-properties/ welcome to cincinnati

Hocking Hills, Mammoth Cave, and Kentucky's Bourbon Trail come to mind. This too: http://www.nkytourism.com/attractions/outdoor_adventures.aspx

I'm not sure why you keep mentioning the BBB--which is a pay-for-membership organization, as I understand it. That's like saying they aren't a member of the Chamber of Commerce. They aren't a member of the Chamber of Commerce either?!?!?! jk :wink:

FWW needs caps even if it's only with parks to start with and I think there's already a caps thread.

I can't wait to see a streetcar on the streets around the park.

Some photos from the parade and Bockfest Hall: http://overtherhine.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/the-2012-bockfest-parade-in-photos/

Typical Bockfest weather. This is southern Indiana: http://lockerz.com/s/188929033

Does anyone know what happened to the totem pole that used to stand at 14th and Elm?

I posted a video of and the lyrics to the Bockfest song in this post. It's a fun little jingle: http://overtherhine.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/20th-annual-bockfest/

That is perfect. It sounds like it could get interesting.

There are threads for specific years of Bockfest - maybe it'd be easier to put them all into one thread? Anyway, the parade starts today in front of Arnold's around 6pm. http://overtherhine.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/20th-annual-bockfest/ All the info you need is here: http://bockfest.com And if you're on flickr, check out the Bockfest group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/bockfestcincinnati

Maybe we can make it semi-official by involving the OTR Foundation - could be a great fundraiser (?)

and the asian cook off series is sunday at findlay market: https://www.facebook.com/events/332523623450434/ offtopic...