Alabama ExPat

The MLS shows 23 under contract. That probably means thet people have 10% down on their unit.

I'd like to see the source for this one. They were built at almost the exact same time, with the only similarity being the Art Deco architectural style. Carew was certainly not a prototype and if one were to compare it to anything in New York, it would be Rockefeller Center. As far as a reference goes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carew_Tower The building was designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon Associates, the designers of the Empire State Building. The Carew Tower, built before the Empire State Building was conceived, served as the basis for the design of the larger Empire State Building, as evidenced by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates' ability to produce the building drawings for the Empire State Building in just two weeks.

Here we go again! Gloves off! :-o

So I wonder what's up with the positive press on downtown lately (recommend watching the video)? Video: http://wcpo.com/cgi-bin/vembed.pl?vurl=http://real.scripps.com:8480/ramgen/cincinowrs/2006/11/27_iteam.rm&title=9News_Story_Video&banner=wcpocom Transcript: November 27: Main Street Changes Reported and Web Produced by: Laure Quinlivan Photographed by: Phil Drechsler Updated: 11/27/06 17:35:13 Clyde Gray, WCPO anchor, on set: Until recently, main street in over the rhine was celebrated as cincinnati's entertainment district. but now most of those nightclubs have closed. Carol Williams, WCPO anchor, on set: The closings have convinced some people that main street is dead. But that's not what I-Team reporter Laure Quinlivan found.

I actually think the moratorium is a good idea. With the probable increase in holiday shoppers/visitors downtown, I think it would be better to keep the square clean (ie no construction junk lying about (like the first half of November), and the streets unblocked. I suspect the businesses around the square would appreciate the break during the holiday shopping season.

Modified to include additional information- Alabama Expat I just found the following text on http://www.myfountainsquare.com/fountain The Fountain has been given a prominent, central position overlooking the Square, adjacent to ample space for seating and areas for major events. Water features have been restored to match the original design intent. New built-in lighting has been added. I bit more digging and I found the following at http://www.mckaylodge.com/tylerdavidson/restoration/problems/water_features.html None of the water effects in the lower basin are original. The lower basin used to be a smooth pool that provided a pattern of small wakes around the water streams flowing from the lily jets in the upper basins. The child holding a necklace was described as looking at her reflection in the pool below.

I'm talking about the vertical stream which shoots up from the front and rear basins bowls on the second about 7 feet. My recollection is that sometimes they were on, and sometimes not (but maybe I wasn't paying attention). I went and looked at some pictures on CinyImages realized what you're talking about. Are you saying the jet ring isnt even in the fountain?

I noticed two patterns. One with the vertical jets on, one without.

My sister and I were on the ice rink yesterday. It was a lot of fun. It was my second time on ice skates, the first being about 30 years ago. I have a couple of interesting looking bruises this morning. New rink draws skaters to Square BY FEOSHIA HENDERSON | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER A steady stream of skaters poured into Fountain Square Saturday afternoon to check out the larger, revamped ice rink. "I heard about it and really wanted to try it out," said 15-year-old Josh Brown of Winton Terrace. It was his first time on ice skates but he managed to keep his balance, unlike many who spilled on the ice. "It's been fun so far," he said. Brown was one of more than 100 people skating or watching skaters at the rink. It opened Friday as part of the city's annual Light up the Square celebration and is part of the $42.7 million redevelopment of Fountain Square. The improvements are part of a plan by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. to boost downtown business. The rink last year was moved temporarily to Sawyer Point because of construction at the square. As temperatures climbed into the 60s on Saturday, people shed their coats and hats before taking to the ice. At least one skater wore shorts. MaryAnn Lohmueller, of Montgomery, has been coming to the rink with her family for 17 years. "It was great. We loved it," she said. "We usually just come down once a year, but I think we'll come back." She explored the downtown streets with her daughters on the new Holly Jolly Trolleys. They also went shopping. It costs $2 to skate and $2 to rent skates. Antina Howard of Mason said those prices brought her and her two young daughters downtown. Howard's daughter, Jariah Sweete, 7, and Shalynn Dual, 12, were first-time ice skaters. "You have to get out there and try," Sweete said, then skated away. http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/NEWS01/611260373/-1/CINCI

I know what you mean. Sometimes it has more of a small town feeling when interacting with people than a large city. In a way, from a downtown residents point of view, it almost is a small town. I've run into neighbors at Findlay Market, on the street, and in various resteraunts around town. I've met and chatted with other downtown residents around town, only to bump into them somewhere else later. I was in Kaldi's yesterday for lunch. It was obvious that most people coming in and out knew each other to some degree. It's not long before shopkeepers and restauranters staff start to recognize you as you return. It's a nice feeling that you don't usually get in the suburbs.

Warning: Ranting follows: First of all, I want to start by saying that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and had every right to express it. However, I have to say I don't really get what they the author is trying to say. As a part time resident of downtown Cincinnati, the majority of my time here is during the week ends. When I'm in town, I tend to spend a non-trivial amount of my time in the central business district (almost always on foot) during daylight, evening, and late night hours. I usually walk within a block of both of the downtown working locations cited by the author at least twice a day, either during the day or night. I suspect that in my last 12 months as a part time resident, I've spent more time in Cincinnati after 5:00 pm than the author has since here return in 2001. I've been fortunate enough to be a frequent visitor to many large cities around the world (including New York), and usually stay in downtown locations within each city. So what's my point? I can honestly say that I feel no less safe (or more for that matter) walking around downtown Cincinnati than in any other typical downtown city location. We all know that downtown isn't what it used to be. Before I could drive, I would come downtown from Northern Kentucky on TANK back when the end of the line was in the downstairs of the Dixie Terminal. Pogues, McAlpins, and Shilitos were in full swing. West 4th street was packed with art galleries, and there were several movie theaters scattered around downtown. However, very few American cities are what they used to be. This shouldn't be news to anyone that's been paying attention. What is news is which direction a city is heading. Is it in a spiral of decline, or on a firm path to recovery and revitalization? I for one strongly believe Cincinnati is on the later. So much so, my wife and I have invested in our downtown residence here. Last weekend, I was entertaining a relative who had not been in downtown Cincinnati in over 30 years. We walked across town to Jean Ro's on Vine and had drinks in the bar (where I almost always run into someone I know, and I hardly know anyone). It was packed just like every other night. We walked up to 6th and Walnut for a late dinner at Tratoria Roma. There were still people showing up for a table as we were leaving. We walked down to Federal Reserve for a night cap. People were puring in and out of that place the entire time we were there. My guest repeatedly commented on Cincinnati's vibrant downtown. Last night my wife and I were at "Light up the Square" with my sister and brother in law. There were so many people there, you could hardly walk around on the square without having to squeeze between people. The police had to block off 5th street around 6:15 due to the number of people. Is every weekend night like that in downtown Cincinnati? No, but they're definitely not as uncommon as they were just a couple of years ago.

Comfortable in NY, but not downtown Cincinnati We visited all the holiday villages at Pogue's, Shillito's, Mabley & Carew, and McAlpin's. We went to Polly Flinders and the train display at CG&E. Before we went home, we stopped at Graeter's for ice cream. I moved to Long Island in 1990, and returned "home" in November 2001. I couldn't wait to bring my husband downtown after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, all that was left then was the train display and Graeter's (of course, Graeter's is gone now). The department stores I used to visit as a child are all gone, and there is only one holiday display at Tower Place. During our visit, the streets were deserted, we were very uneasy and cut our visit short. I've worked in Cincinnati for five years now, first at Fifth and Sycamore and now at Third and Walnut. In that time, I've learned that there is no point in coming downtown on the weekend, unless I absolutely have to. I've learned to never stop to talk to a stranger - always keep moving. I've learned that if I'm going to give something to a homeless person, be sure to do so with a fast, clear exit. With my friends, I've often tried to put into words the difference between being in New York City (where I am perfectly comfortable walking alone at 2 a.m.) and being in Cincinnati (where I am uneasy at 7 p.m.). I think I've finally found the words: Cincinnati was the Queen City. There was so much to do at any given time. In my absence, Cincinnati traded places with Newport. When I moved away, Newport was the town to avoid, and Cincinnati was the place to be. In New York, you see police walking the streets and interacting with people. I don't recall ever seeing an officer during my work week. I recall seeing one on horseback when I went to the Aronoff three years ago. Yes, the streets are crowded in New York. Yes, there are homeless people. There are also many shelters (an idea for all these empty buildings in Cincinnati, perhaps?) and the police presence keeps harassment to a minimum. One recent morning downtown, I saw two boys horseplaying. One of them pushed the other into an older gentleman. He moved away from them, and they continued their horseplay. Perhaps a police presence would curb some of this activity? I'm not talking about police harassment, I'm talking about police becoming a part of the community again: Making their presence known and helping everyone in need. Perhaps a police presence would make downtown a bit more enjoyable. New York has the police presence, and that presence makes people comfortable. Comfortable people stay longer and spend money, and the economy thrives. It will be difficult to enjoy the new restaurants and big screen TV on top of Macy's if we don't feel safe enough to stick around after 5 p.m. and to come visit on weekends. Dawn Morel-Pupino lives on Loda Drive in Withamsville http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061124/EDIT/611240339/1061/Local

We received menu from this place in our mailbox: Poppies blooms into DeliSeven20 Cincinnati Business Courier - November 16, 2006 The former Poppies Deli, which closed in March after more than two years of operating on Elm Street, has reopened as Deli Seven20 on Pete Rose Way Click here for article: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/11/13/daily41.html?surround=lfn

Oh I almost forgot. Yesterday's "Light Up the Square" had a pretty good turn out. We were there before and after dinner, and missed the actual lighting and fireworks, but by 6:15, you could hardly move around on the square. At 8:00, there was a very long line to get onto the ice rink.

So to answer my own question... Apparently this area is now the "Macy's Event Center". My wife saw a sign that Macy's and Churchill's are serving afternoon tea there on the first three Saturdays in December. I also noticed that there were people up there during the "Light Up the Square" event yesterday. For those interested, there's info on the Teas here: http://www.britishgiftsandthings.com/calendar

Cincinnati, Life Breathes Anew in Riot-Scarred Area By CHRISTOPHER MAAG The New York Times Published: November 25, 2006 CINCINNATI — A few years ago, Jim Moll, a real estate agent, turned to his friend Bill Baum, a developer, and asked whether anyone would ever sell condominiums on Vine Street, the epicenter of race riots here in 2001. “Not in our lifetimes,” Mr. Moll recalls Mr. Baum replying. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/us/25cincy.html?em&ex=1164603600&en=dfab95c25ea61a91&ei=5087%0A

Will Nordstrom come through for Cincy this time? BY MIKE BOYER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER In the aftermath of Nordstrom Inc.'s announcement Monday that it plans a 140,000-square-foot store in Kenwood Towne Centre by late 2009, former Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken has to wonder what might have been. Read the full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061122/BIZ01/611220368

Hmm. When I click on my name, it says 323. But if I sort the member list by join date, I show up at 304. Maybe some user names have been deleted over time. Alabama "the urban dork" ExPat

Just for fun, I plotted the new members by month from inception through October 2006.

Maybe they're trying to avoid the inevitable headline in the Cincinnati Enquirer: "Another Downtown Restaurant Site Closing!"

Maybe you should put her screen name in the title.

In nice weather, they seen to do a pretty good business. Sometimes three groups on the bridge at once. No real climbing. Just steps.

Out of sequence from a posting timeline point of view, but a relevent none the less... Cuts will hurt more than many may think BY JUSTIN STENGER | GUEST COLUMNIST I applaud the city manager's effort to boost economic development in the city of Cincinnati. Clearly, this is necessary to help attract new jobs and businesses. However, the proposed budget ignores Cincinnati's greatest traditions and best attributes. Click on link for article. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/EDIT02/611190341/1021/EDIT

But wait! There's more! Press Release Source: Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. Morton's Steaks Out Prime New Cincinnati Location; Fine-Dining Steakhouse to Open in Carew Tower Next to Revitalized Fountain Square Monday November 20, 2:31 pm ET CHICAGO, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Morton's The Steakhouse will be opening a new location in Cincinnati next year, it was announced today by Morton's Restaurant Group (NYSE: MRT - News), which owns and operates the 71 Morton's steakhouses throughout the United States and in Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong. The company said it has signed a lease to open a new Morton's steakhouse in the landmark Carew Tower, Cincinnati's tallest building, in the heart of the downtown area -- which is experiencing major across-the-board revitalization and development. Click here for article: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061120/nym182.html?.v=68

Downtown condos selling well BY JON NEWBERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Miller Valentine Group has signed contracts for 15 units of its One River Plaza condominium project on downtown Cincinnati’s eastern riverfront and now hopes to break ground in March or April. Click on link for article. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061115/BIZ01/311150036