thebillshark

Well, the city was investigating removing density limits before all the stuff happened. I was hoping the density limits would go quietly away like the parking minimums. https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2020/11/06/panel-vetting-change-to-urban-core-development.html

Interesting- the 7th street building is in the vicinity of the Vine street development (Jean Robert Table building) that was recently discussed

They should try to connect the north side of this to the planned Oakley developments across I-71 with a pedestrian/bike bridge

Perhaps have a “high bridge” from Neeb Rd to Terminal Drive. On the Ohio side build a connector eastwards down the hillside to US-50. That would be the large capacity road with quick access to downtown. On the Kentucky side of course there would be access to I-275.

We need a West Side bridge to CVG airport to add redundancy to the network.

i think this was the case at first, but as the design evolved they took the opportunity to address the north sidewalk which had some genuinely narrow stretches and a streetscape that needed to be improved as well. (Especially after maximizing land on the south side for redevelopment was de-emphasized)

Pretty typical of new stuff stylistically (which is ok). I like the fact they are incorporating the old building along Blue Rock into it. the first picture has a very boring first floor (is it concealing parking?) but I can’t picture what streets that would face. The Vandalia side of the corner building in the third picture is too blank.

Parking and the terrain were also challenges. These didn’t have back alleys for automobiles and the steep terrain adds difficulty to walking any distance, even up to Auburn Avenue. I wonder if they could have torn down half of it to save it- For example replace the center block with a parking garage with a retail space or two (and an elevator). But even then access to some of the old buildings would have been difficult.

^that’s the “Glencoe Hole” (lots of stuff on google.) It was actually rehabbed once on the 60’s but by the 90’s had fallen into disrepair again according to Wikipedia. Torn down in 2013. I think if it had survived a just few more years it may have been saved now that so many developers have experience with historic projects, tax credit financing, etc.

I thought more about it and would like to modify my opinion above. I can see where in this case preserving existing alleys as-is would limit the design of a new building and be difficult to secure and keep activated properly, so I understand if they are developed over. Seems like there is more room for a new garage where the lots are on the east side of Vine than there is on the west side of Vine. If they were able to get the lots and also acquire and demo the Hustler store building, they could build a new garage or development right up against the huge blank wall of 36 E 7th street- the first 14 stories of which is a parking garage with 720 spaces. (I wonder if a connection could be made to this garage even?)

^(personal preference would be for 8th and Main style buildings with smaller footprints that preserved some of the alleyways, if possible. Also would be neat if the Ruthven passenger pigeon mural was left exposed with some kind of activated alley or restaurant patio next to it )

Several questions come to mind: -Will the development be a "Cincinnati Special" garage with apartments above, or one or more parking lite mid-rises like 8th and Main? -There are two announced developments nearby with little progress- the Garfield Suites building (https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/09/05/exclusive-downtown-cincinnati-hotel-converting-to.html) and the lot at Garfield and Race St. (https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/02/15/exclusive-woman-owned-firm-to-develop-downtown.html). Would this new development help these along? Would a new garage help or is one even needed with Garfield Place Garage nearby? -What would the the fate of the alleys be with this project? -How would this affect/be affected by Vine Street two-way conversion? I'd like to see at least 500 residential units be added to the area in red below:

i like the space this building provides for small businesses, but in this specific case I think there is a lot more potential in demolishing the building and building something new. I hope the existing businesses could find new spaces downtown if this comes to pass.

This is a great idea, I bet yearly membership could be increased by having more stations around the metro even if they have little interaction with the rest of the network in the urban core. Such as at City and Hamilton County parks or along Wasson Way and other bike trails. It’s a selling point: not only can I use these bikes downtown but I can use them at all these other places to, even if I’m not in any one location often.

Blue Ash bike share has shut down: https://www.blueash.com/how_do_i_(faq)/rent_a_zagster_bicycle.php I very rarely saw anyone riding these bikes. In my opinion there was a huge missed opportunity with Blue Ash not choosing Red Bike. Having the same system both downtown and in Blue Ash would have been a selling point for memberships I think, and perhaps would have increased system ridership in Blue Ash.

^in that scenario I would maintain two lanes down the middle for bike travel (full 12’ or 14’ wide lane in each direction). It could be the backbone of the bike transportation network. And then augment the sidewalk on either side with the leftover space for street trees & landscaping, outdoor dining, outdoor vendors etc.

Looks like they are removing the parapet on the fountain square side that gives the impression of a faux fourth story so the building may seem a little shorter. But they are also upgrading the screen on that side. would multiple screens and marquees on top of this building wrapping around the corner be gaudy or add excitement here? Would that give the project a little more wow factor? Would it be allowed per code?

The Metro Plus stop in Over the Rhine is on one of the most abandoned blocks in the neighborhood. They should add another stop south of Liberty to the route.

It just boggles my mind where this kind of money is going. You could pay a crew of 100 people $200k a year and that would still only be $20 million

Do European technology institutes read Urbanohio? https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/05/european-trio-creating-solar-highway-system/

-I like that 2a and 2c are two separate buildings instead of one big building -I like how it addresses Kemper intersection- this will be a great urban intersection with interesting buildings addressing it on all 4 corners perhaps this will still happen if the first stages of the project go well and the economy, demand, and neighborhood support are all still there in the future. Then maybe they could add units to buildings and go for 6 stories on portions of buildings

@jwulsin Thank you for that website link. Lots of interesting information.

Right. For example the one coming up through the woods from Lick Run on the west side might be a bit of a stretch. I think it’s more likely we’ll get to add a lot more bike lanes on surface streets (once leadership is on board) before these are all built out. (For example bike lanes up Harrison Ave. from Fairmount to Westwood would not be too difficult to implement.)

Perhaps with the growing adoption of the electric bicycle people will use the trails to commute.

Re: the planned Banks office building. I think the Scripps center looks great and makes the skyline look great. Is there a rendering of how the Banks office building would alter the head-on view of the Scripps building and skyline?