brian korte

New HCB packet is out: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/feb-22-2016-packet/ Non-3CDC projects include: 222 W. 12th, Queen City Radio Building - Asking for parking variance among other things. 1131 Broadway - Catty corner to Nation Bar and Grill. Single story structure to become another restaurant/bar with outdoor seating that abuts Bunker Alley. 217 W. 12th - Shakespeare Company building... with renderings.

3CDC acquired 1604 Elm St, the little corner tire shop at Liberty/Elm. This is great news for that corner.

Chris also mentioned an "influential Democrat" did not want Rob Richardson to become the board chair. I have no doubt that person is John Cranley because Rob has openly speculated about running for Mayor against John. Rob was a principal in Believe in Cincinnati during the fight in 2013 and Rob is very pro getting the streetcar uptown. I doubt his being board chair will have much affect on that discussion but interesting nonetheless that Cranley apparently didn't want this outcome and the board unanimously voted him chair.

Anybody know the inside politics of CMHA on this? Not sure about the politics of it but the article makes it sound like this development is a CMHA investment looking for a return that they can use on affordable housing:

Jwulsin is right. The property tax rate is unchanged. How much you pay in property taxes depends on how much your property is worth! The only folks who will see an increase in the amount of property taxes they pay are those folks who have benefited from City government's investments (or their personal investments) to increase the value of their property. David Mann wanted to increase taxes, raising the millage to the maximum 6.1. A fantastic idea in my book.

The Cranley-Seelbach feud will never end. Here is a video clip of John attacking Chris' ability to read English.

The 24/7 check cashing place at the Southwest corner of Gilbert/McMillan has moved out. Great news for that intersection and the upcoming rehabilitation of the Paramount building.

From Howard Wilkinson's end of year chat with the Mayor (http://wvxu.org/post/cranley-mid-point-his-term-has-ambitious-plans-2016):

Urban Sites acquired the commercial space at 1324 Main St. The commercial space at 1336 Main St that used to be the Porter's Pinball is also currently vacant. Urban Sites now owns a large number of the commercial spaces on Main St that are either under construction or currently occupied.

3CDC acquired 1719 Vine St. They also own 1724 Vine across the street. Slowly but surely...

Two Bits barcade at The Banks closes before it opens http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/local-a-e/two-bits-barcade-at-the-banks-closes-before-it-opens

Not even close to true: http://www.cincinnati.com/staff/9067/polly-campbell/

Pretty sure this is 221-235 W. 12th, across 12th from the Queen City Radio building. Grandin Properties bought this building and plans to renovate it. The building is huge, about 88,000 square feet (hence the high price tag). No idea if not getting the tax credit will slow the project.

Why would anyone seek Cranley's input or advice on anything streetcar related? The man wants it to fail, even at the city's expense as we already know, so his opinion is not valid. It should be assumed that any suggestion he makes in regards to the streetcar would help lead to its ultimate demise.

Yes it was, by the Mallory administration. Then Cranley was elected, diverted those funds elsewhere, and then claimed the streetcar had no operating funds and that Mallory/Dohoney were derelict in financially supporting the streetcar.

Right you are. Fixed. Thanks.

According to a memo from City Manager Harry Black that is sure to stir the Enquirer and surbananites that was released Friday: "In closing, it is important to keep in mind that although we are nearing the conclusion of the construction of the current streetcar project, funding to support streetcar operations is structurally insufficient. This remains the case in spite of the efforts of the Mayor and Council to piece together various funding sources in an attempt to support streetcar operations. As a result of concerns that I have, I have asked our financial advisor to examine where we currently stand with regard to streetcar operations funding from a risk assessment perspective. The current and anticipated funding sources are not predictable, nor quantifiable in a manner that would adequately mitigate financial risk to the City’s general fund. I expect to provide you with the results of the assessment within the next two weeks." http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/fyi/public/fyi_docs/Blob/3516.pdf?rpp=-10&m=1&w=doc_no%3D%272990%27

Absolutely. I would rather keep the property tax percentage at its current rate and have the city be able to use that additional income for things like parks. Instead, we keep reducing our general property tax revenue and are now talking about adding a separate property tax on top of it. It's totally illogical. When asked what he learned about the levy defeat John Cranley said that the voters told council to "live within its means" and that he would never raise taxes without asking the voters. He has telegraphed that he will veto any move to get rid of the property tax rollback (terrible policy, of course) and will likely use it as a cudgel to attack folks who dislike the policy (i.e. Yvette). So when Yvette or David Mann or Chris Seelbach propose eliminating the rollback the Mayor's new line is "Voters just told us they don't want to raise their property taxes but you want to do it unilaterally?"

Not to mention that all of those folks will certainly not be living in Norwood and any that live in Cincinnati will still have to pay the city's earnings tax.

Probably utility work to prep for the renovation of the Baldwin Building in to apartments? No. There was a water main break: http://www.wlwt.com/news/water-main-break-closes-part-of-eden-park-drive/34570456

Paramount Redevelopment Group LLC recently closed on 719-737 E. McMillan in Walnut Hills near Fireside Pizza. The parcels include two vacant buildings and a bunch of vacant land in between. The LLC was incorporated on 9/14/15 by Edward Horgan, Marc Gilioli, and Samir Kulkarni. Edward Horgan is responsible for renovating the Verona on Park Ave: http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-18975-not_so_thoroughly_modern.html Samir Kulkarni started and runs a construction company: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2013/07/26/tortoise-reminds-fast-paced-samir.html

A resolution will be going to Council to support Core's application for State Historic Tax credits to rehab this building. It describes the project as $29M for 230 units.

The new Homewood Suites in floors 4-8 of the recently converted old Enquirer building is catering to the extended stay crowd (http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2015/04/10/modern-hotels-open-old-enquirer-building/25572681/).

BROADWAY SQUARE III LLC just closed on a number of properties: 515 Twelfth 412 Thirteenth 433 Thirteenth 516 Thirteenth 518 Thirteenth 412 Thirteenth Great news for that area of Pendleton and its continued rehabilitation. The Model Group intends to spend $6,375,814 to create 30 rental units and create 1,200 sqft of commercial space. They hope to have this completed by September 2016.

Not sure where to put this but Urban Conservator Larry Harris is no longer with the City of Cincinnati. Angela Strunc will be the Interim Urban Conservator. She has been a Supervising Architect with the Department of Transportation and Engineering since 2006.