TroyEros

I'm still waiting for my starbucks, chipotle and H&M

Yeah I sort of doubt that myself. It lends itself way to much to be simply an office space. Especially with that outdoor beer garden patio they have in the back. It honestly screams Jeff Ruby OTR prime rib & steak house to me.

Is there any public meetings with 3CDC where we can point out that THIS is the type of infill they need to focus on? Seriously, it's awesome. Modern Italianate. Simple, but blends in with the existing fabric so well. I really just want a way to let the head 3cdc officials know that we don't need ultra modernistic bullcrap, with lame and soon to be outdated 21st century designs. Save that for other projects downtown. All we want is simplicity. Give us modern Italianate that has a simple design, yet still eloquent, and supports the existing design principles of the surrounding structures. Again, I'm really starting to think that with 15th and Vine, and now this that 3cdc is finally starting to understand how to create, "proper" infill in OTR.

So apperantly a new Gilpins location is in the works for Main ST in OTR

Good news! Tuckers is reopening at it's Vine St location this July 25th 2016. It will be opening on it's anniversary date. Until then they will have more fundraising opportunities, this time at the St. Francis Seraph school on Liberty St. on Feb 28th from 11am-4pm. (15 dollar suggested donation), which will get you a full plate of Tuckers. https://www.facebook.com/events/224497064562189/

I don't know the most up-to-date statistics, but at least as of a couple years ago, Wal-Mart sold more groceries than anyone else in the U.S. Fairly certain that remains the case. Kroger may be the largest "traditional" grocer, but there are definitely bigger fish out there. I think WalMart did about $140 billion in US groceries last year, while Kroger did $100 billion. Kroger's future though is in collecting information more than selling groceries. When you walk into a modern Kroger, an AI is tracking you everywhere, analyzing your traffic pattern, calling cashiers to the registers when it predicts check-out traffic is about to spike, then analyzes your entire purchase since you swiped that Kroger Plus Card. This may somewhat explain why Kroger has not aggressively pursued urban format. Their almost self-aware intelligence gathering system has probably indicated that the right opportunity is still in the future. Yup kroger is all about data, and pushing consumer pattern data into innovative new shopping products. I know they are working on prototypes for smart carts that will calculate your total, and guide you to various lanes based off your kroger shopping list. Apperantly connected via through the kroger app somehow. There's other stuff as well, but yeah kroger is really honed in on consumer data. Once you step into the store they are anaylizing everything possible about you and your shopping patterns. I work there, and the details you learn is sort of borderline creepy, but in my opinion that's what is krogers secret sauce.

Should we take this as a sign that 3CDC is finally starting to understand what good, quality infill looks like for OTR? Because this is exactly the type of infill I want to see from now on. Less Mercer Commons, and more 15th and Vine from now on!

The new historic board packet is out: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/feb-8-2016-packet/ Things of note: -More rehabs are continuing up in North OTR on Race St. One of the interesting projects of note want to construct a rooftop garage (from what I understand?) on top of the tenemant buildings. -New rendering of 15th and Vine. Looks absolutely beautiful imo, and does a fantastic job blending in. 3cdc seems to be really stepping up there infill game, and I love the brown color scheme, and the cornices. Will definitely strengthen that corner of Vine and be a, "proper" addition to OTR.

Is it safe to assume that the quicker 3cdc renovates Ziegler Park, and builds the underground parking garage, the quicker we will see someone build something on top of those giant Sycamore lots? It's such an eye sore :/

I was in OTR today, and saw the work being done on the Kramer building (I believe thats what it's called??), right across from the kroger store. Anyway, the new paint job, with the blue is incredibly gorgeous. Holy crap does it look elegant.

The owner of The Rook did a AMA on Reddit. A question was asked about future plans for the 3rd and 4th floor, and he basically hinted there would potentially be something more in store for those 2 stories later down the road. Apparently he was told it was a risk using the 2nd floor because of the uncertainty level of activity, but decided to go with it regardless, and that if that's successful than the 3rd and 4th floor (including the rooftop) will be used for something else. Whether that be an extension of the current business, or an entirely new venture is unknown. But there are, "plans", tentative at least.

Not sure if that's an accurate analysis. I don't see how the renaissance was in full swing when what essentially was done was add some large infill projects along Vine and a renovated Washington Park. I still think perception of OTR between 2010-2014 was still mainly a, "edgy/hipster" destination that was considered still a dangerous area at the time, rather than a place for families to go out every weekend for some dinner/drinks. I still don't even think the renaissance is in full swing yet. Hell look at Main Street, it's considered the most established and well off street in OTR, yet it's FILLED with vacant store fronts, and could be home to way more residents. I think ultimately what will define OTR is time. Right now, 30-40 year old parents from the suburbs have no desire nor intention of wanting to move to OTR. Hell, many of them still think OTR is extremely dangerous. Millennials will what define the trajectory. The same millennials who are moving down to OTR, will they stay there? Will they raise families there? Will we see immigrants such as the large indian population move to OTR as well? What about the large Russian community we have in Mason/Loveland? Many questions remain but we have hardly hit this, "renaissance" in my opinion. All we have done is brought some large-ish infill projects, a few parking garages, a renovated Washington park, and added some restaurants/bars. Main St, Walnut St, Clay St, Vine ST, Race St, Elm St, these streets ALL need massive amount of work (aside from main st). So, yeah, I don't really believe were anywhere near the start of the, "true" renaissance in my opinion.

Who owns the loan building? I hope the owner decides to sell the building and have it be rehabed. I have no clue how it used to look like but I imagine there used to be some nice cornices.

Yeah but unfortunately that might not be the case if you choose to visit again in the next 5-10 years. St. Louis is on a tear with there demolitions, more so than Cincinnati, and it's very sad indeed. That said, again, I still think that we are slowly beginning to support preservation. I think that's in part due to OTR, and how popular it has become with Cincinnatians, I feel like there's been a renewed spark of interest in preserving these great historic buildings. Hopefully we can continue to keep the preservation alive. But again, we did lose alot. But I still think our historic stock is still so strong. For a city our size, that's really tiny in comparison to most major cities we have lot of great historic districts. Walnut Hills OTR Mt. Adams. Lower Price Hill Clifton Gas Light District Avondale Northside Old West Side Mt. Auburn Historic District I mean, yeah, it's incredibly sad we had to lose alot in the process.That said, everytime I bring family and friends who have never been to Cincinnati they are always so impressed with our architecture, and constantly compare it back to Baltimore and other coastal cities in there likeness. They are always left impressed, and I think ultimately we have to really create an appreciation for what we currently have and thank god we have the amount of historic stock that we do, and appreciate and protect the gems that still remain rather than lament on the past.

A new bar is heading to 1115 Vine St. The owners will rehab the building and the bar will take up 2 floors.

agreed 100% Is that not the story of most major US cities though? Apart from maybe Boston/NYC/SanFran/ and maybe a few other major cities the loss of grand old architecture is nothing new. Yes, we lost alot, but it doesn't take far to look at nearby cities like Columbus/Cleveland/Indy, and realize how worse we could be, because those cities have truly lost ALOT.

*Sigh* that's depressing. Like it or not, things like those ^ are what makes Cincinnati a more tourist friendly city. We need more attractions in this city in general if we want to gain tourism besides the current nearby states (like TN, KY, IN, Cleveland, etc) that already do visit us. OTR is great, and I think it's the biggest weapon Cincinnat has for tourism, but it needs more than just architecture porn. We need more museums, we need more music events, sporting events (why not attract some city racing event like they do on the streets of Baltimore, or Toronto?), and just in general create a more vibrant attractive city that's fun. OTR can't hold the fort on it's own.

It's been a hot minute since I've been to OTR. How's the 15th and Race project shaping along for those who have been down there recently?

I'm assuming snatching up any properties North of Liberty is all for the purpose of flipping them, and selling them for a much higher profit in the next 5-10 yrs. If I had money to purchase anything north of liberty, and had the time and expense to flip it I would do it in a heart beat. You can purchase a small republic street brick house for 20-30k on realtor, and It's only 1 story, so I can't imagine the renovation costs being to astronomically high. I can guarantee you that those homes will go upwards of 300-400K, at the lowest end of the spectrum, in the near future. It's almost a guaranteed profit. But I have neither time, nor money lol.

Wow! I'm legit impressed by the presented designed. It seems to really blend in with the street imo.

If that's true, how do we bring that to the historic board attention? And I feel there should be some legal damage for that person if it's true that they are guilty of intentionally trying to damage a historic building in order to demolish it.

I'm not sure why were being so critical of this concept art. It's simply that, a concept. It's just a general gist of what can be built there. I imagine there's going to be quite a few design iterations to match the guide lines set by the Historic Board for what's appropriate for OTR.

I'm well aware. That's why the key word in there was, "One day". There's not that many neighborhoods that are as beautiful as OTR in the Midwest. I predict the property value will only continue to increase over the years.

Super unrelated but actor Emilio Esevez wants to move to Over the Rhine. http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/local-a-e/emilio-estevez-wants-to-call-over-the-rhine-home It's not really surprising. OTR will be priced out for many of the average wage folk one day. That's okay though, it's special enough to be priced in the range for special people. I'd rather have this happen, rather than the alternative of another period of disinvestment.