TroyEros

I'm not saying that they aren't. But I also realize that I shouldn't act as if everything is sunshine and roses either. Many of these residents are some of the most impoverished in all of Cincinnati, if not Ohio. Just last weekend me and friend of mine got spat on by one of these residents for being in there "hood", and was told that we don't belong here and we should go back from where we came from (where both upper middle class white guys). Again, not saying that every resident of OTR is like this. I hate generalization. But at the same I know that many of these residents are poverty stricken beyond belief (not saying all, but a good chunk of these residents), and that having neighbors just 1 block away on Republic Street being some of the poorest in the nation, while 1 block on the other side of the street there are brand new luxury condos on Vine with people driving Mercedes and Lamborghini's, whilst dining at The Mercer with there 10,000 dollar Rolex's, while some of these residents are barely scraping by money wise, is sure to stir some type of hate and jealousy. I try to put myself in there shoes. And honestly, I would hate the people that visit OTR. People that drive from the burbs and treat OTR as there touring ground. As if it's THERE neighborhood all of a sudden. My neighborhood becoming some rich mans playground to wine and dine. I would be mad. I would be pissed. I would feel like how the Native Americans when the "white man" came and took our land, and told us to move away from these parts. Again, this is just an analogy, but my point is this. OTR used to be one of the most crime ridden, poverty stricken neighborhoods in all of America. For decades this went on, and for decades many of these residents learned how to survive through all of this. All of the crime, all of the gang violence, all of the chaos that goes on the streets. They learned how to get by with nothing and learned how to navigate there neighborhood. Many of these residents still live here today. Many of these residents are still poverty stricken. And when you have people live in OTR and people visit OTR who have it all, who have everything they wanted (the nice car, the nice house, the nice whatever) in life but never got to have, and come and act as if they own these streets (which I see alot of people do) would drive me INSANE. I tell myself everytime I go down to OTR. This is there land, this is there home, this is there streets. These residence went through things that none of us will ever experience and probably never will (In reference to the endless brutal crime violence that went on during the 90's and 2000's). Be smart, be attentive, but most importantly, be respectful. ...and your solution is to cross the streets when you see them? I can't imagine why on earth you get spat on. I walk these streets every day, usually dressed up for the office wearing my tie, from McMicken Ave where I live to downtown. I have never once had a negative encounter with anybody hanging out on the streets. I've stopped and chatted with most of them randomly at times and the vast majority are excited about the changes and new people appreciating their neighborhood. I also run a tour shop in Over-the-Rhine. We walk thousands of people north on Vine St every week. (Yes, there are that many tourists in Cincinnati.) The group that hangs out in front of Kroger always makes it their duty to welcome everybody passing to Over-the-Rhine. They're a lovely bunch. Willie (the one with tight dreads) will bring a water cooler out on hot days and sell water for $1. Dialing it back a bit though, you brought this up by saying that you avoid the Kroger because you fear it. I implore you not to. That store is a wonderful asset to the neighborhood. Go in and check it out next time. We're incredibly lucky to have it. No, my solution is to politely ackowledge them by giving a head nod and saying hey, or whats up, or just looking down on the ground and keep to myself. I was just trying to make a point that 1 rotten egg ruins the bunch. I'm sure the majority of these residents are kind and welcome the change. But you'll always encounter that "pocket" that despise what's occurring and can be volatile towards said change. That's what I experienced. That pocket. Honestly my biggest fear is being mugged. I have money in my wallet, I wear an expensive watch. I have nice things on me. It would make sense to mug me if I was on an isolated street. Hell, I would mug me if I needed the money. Again, that's my whole point. Many "Cincinnatians" are surburbian folk. Liberty township, Mason, Deerfield, we don't walk. We drive everywhere we go. We don't interact with people ever on the street. The most we probably walk and interact is at Krogers to do our grocery shopping. This is honestly a new process and world for me. I've never lived in a big city, I've never lived in an urban life style. OTR is like a mini Brooklyn. I just need to learn how to become comfortable with my surroundings and just stop thinking so much.

So I found this. http://newrepublicarchitecture.com/projects/grammer-place-phase-1/ So perhaps this is why Grammers Place news has been quiet so far? There working on rehabbing all of the buildings on that row first, before starting new development? Also interesting to note the architecture company is the same company 3cdc has hired to build the towne homes on Elm.

I'm not saying that they aren't. But I also realize that I shouldn't act as if everything is sunshine and roses either. Many of these residents are some of the most impoverished in all of Cincinnati, if not Ohio. Just last weekend me and friend of mine got spat on by one of these residents for being in there "hood", and was told that we don't belong here and we should go back from where we came from (where both upper middle class white guys). Again, not saying that every resident of OTR is like this. I hate generalization. But at the same I know that many of these residents are poverty stricken beyond belief (not saying all, but a good chunk of these residents), and that having neighbors just 1 block away on Republic Street being some of the poorest in the nation, while 1 block on the other side of the street there are brand new luxury condos on Vine with people driving Mercedes and Lamborghini's, whilst dining at The Mercer with there 10,000 dollar Rolex's, while some of these residents are barely scraping by money wise, is sure to stir some type of hate and jealousy. I try to put myself in there shoes. And honestly, I would hate the people that visit OTR. People that drive from the burbs and treat OTR as there touring ground. As if it's THERE neighborhood all of a sudden. My neighborhood becoming some rich mans playground to wine and dine. I would be mad. I would be pissed. I would feel like how the Native Americans when the "white man" came and took our land, and told us to move away from these parts. Again, this is just an analogy, but my point is this. OTR used to be one of the most crime ridden, poverty stricken neighborhoods in all of America. For decades this went on, and for decades many of these residents learned how to survive through all of this. All of the crime, all of the gang violence, all of the chaos that goes on the streets. They learned how to get by with nothing and learned how to navigate there neighborhood. Many of these residents still live here today. Many of these residents are still poverty stricken. And when you have people live in OTR and people visit OTR who have it all, who have everything they wanted (the nice car, the nice house, the nice whatever) in life but never got to have, and come and act as if they own these streets (which I see alot of people do) would drive me INSANE. I tell myself everytime I go down to OTR. This is there land, this is there home, this is there streets. These residence went through things that none of us will ever experience and probably never will (In reference to the endless brutal crime violence that went on during the 90's and 2000's). Be smart, be attentive, but most importantly, be respectful.

I don't know. Its just when I see the residents there...shirtless tatooes all over there face and body with there pants grinding the ground you just get uncomfortable. I'm not a resident of otr. I live in a white suburb. Its just your taught to stay away from people who like thugs and otr has a lot of residents who look like that. Its just something you need to get used to I guess.

Why in the hell do we need more parking space. Wouldn't this be better suited more for an infill project?

I make it my rule to never walk pass the Vine Street Kroger. It's way to sketchy for me there. All of the gentrification stays far way from that Kroger and anything past that on Vine. That will change soon. If you want to see the white washing it all starts near the Mercer, and stuff by Race and Pleasant and of course Washington Park.

That would make no sense though. The owner group clearly recognizes the issues with the arena and due to it's outdated-ness, are losing conventions, and various artists to perform here in Cincinnati. They clearly recognize that instead of making money, the arena is suffocating them. So are you saying if they can't land UC Bearcats to play at the arena they are literally going to throw there hands up in the air, and go, "Well that's that. We'll continue to be outdated and lose various other more opportunities." Just seems kind of backwards. I understand they name a major tenant to kind of anchor this project, but I also think expecting the UC Bearcats to play off campus is just expecting a bit too much. If having a major new tenant is truly that important they should start shopping around there plan and design for the new arena and try to lure an expansion from any major sport team to come and expand into the cincinnati market.

I have a question for you guys that involves Pendleton...What exactly do you guys suggest for Sycamore Street and how to improve it? Right now as it stands, on the left you have a horrible parking garage (parkhaus garage I believe it's called), the old Club Clau location with a building that looks so incredibly out of place with the rest of OTR and Pendleton, and a tacky diner in the way of Joes diner. To the right, you have the elephant grave yard of lots. To me, Sycamore street is clearly one of the worst streets in the historic district, and was clearly just obliterated to pieces of any historic fabric it had. There's only a few buildings altogether that are historical on that whole entire street. My question though is how do you improve Sycamore street? Because the way I see it, OTR and Pendelton are sort of one big cohesive historic district. But if you try walking down to main to pendelton you forget there was even a historic district in the first place. How do you better bridge the 2 neighborhoods together, and would you demolish those buildings that are currently on sycamore like that garage and that old club location?

So does the historic board have to give a green light in order for a project to happen. For instance the towne properties towne homes that are being built on elm. The historic board said the homes need to be 3 stories instead of just 2.

Question.was always curious but how did the historic commission board approve the buildings that 3cdc built on vine? Isn't the general rule is that new buildings need to follow otr general fabric and design? Also will 3cdc ever include retail on 2nd floors like they have on main or will it only be secludes to the ground floor? Seems like a missed opportunity for more density that way.

Why would you say that is though? I know of that many of the restaurants are big draws for the lunch and dinner crowds on vine and such. There's not that many restaurant places on Main, but rather pizzerias and bars, and some small cafes and specialty shops. Granted, I feel that once Ziegler park is renovated, that maybe that will ignite restaurants to take up shop on main. But it is kind of strange why Main is still like that, even though it's probably one of the most redeveloped streets in OTR Last week I was eating lunch at Pho Lang Thang and overheard these two guys talking at the next table over. One mentioned he was at Lachey's (12th & Walnut) and saw some bar on Walnut north of Lachey's, "in the middle of nowhere" as he put it. I was trying to figure out what bar it was -- I thought they were talking about the old Biff's or Grammer's or somewhere north of Liberty. Then he started talking about this bar having video games. I realized they were talking about 16 Bit, which is located at Walnut & Mercer, less than 2 blocks north of Lachey's. My point is that a lot of people who visit OTR do not venture far from their main destination. And they think that something 2 blocks away from an established area is "in the middle of nowhere". Right now we have a bunch of somewhat isolated areas with a lot of activity -- Broadway Commons, the new Alumni Lofts apts., the 12th & Main businesses, the 14th & Main businesses. It's going to take a few years to fill in the gaps between them and make it feel like one big thriving neighborhood. Urban Sites adding office space above Japps and The Drinkery is going to be huge. Ziegler Park is going to be huge. Well to be fair, before 16 bit, Walnut street was home primarily to the projects row, empty lots, and Grammers Bar that is falling to pieces. 16 bit definitely adds life to that stretch, and soon Che (an Argentinian restaurant) will add even more activity to this stretch. But the real kicker will be when Grammers Place is up and ready, that should really put Walnut on the same level as Vine in terms of activity. That said, I'm really hoping Grammers Place is still happening. I know the Wades are going through a divorce and the ex-wife is apparently taking lead on the project, but it's been kind of hush-hush on that front since the announcement of the project last year.

Why would you say that is though? I know of that many of the restaurants are big draws for the lunch and dinner crowds on vine and such. There's not that many restaurant places on Main, but rather pizzerias and bars, and some small cafes and specialty shops. Granted, I feel that once Ziegler park is renovated, that maybe that will ignite restaurants to take up shop on main. But it is kind of strange why Main is still like that, even though it's probably one of the most redeveloped streets in OTR

Just walked down on Main Street earlier today. I don't want to say it was "sketchy" walking down there, considering it was noon and all, but I felt sort of out of place. There was a big congregation of homeless people (I'm assuming) and what seemed like crack addicts waiting by some door by Old Saint Mary Church. I'm not sure if there if some halfway house there, or some homeless shelter? I was even asked if I wanted to by some weed just randomly by this really intimidating black man with tattoos all over his body and face. I try to frequent OTR as much as possible nowadays, but I was kinda shocked/disappointed by many of the pedestrians on the street. I'm trying to use my words carefully, but many were either homeless, or crackheads, or very low income residents. And very few where white collard professionals. Of course this on a weekday, but I guess there just aren't many businesses/office workers in Main yet.

Random question of the day...But those projects that house many lower income residents that are say on Republic street. Is it safe to assume that many of these residents will be kicked out in the near future by the owner of the building(s), and be redeveloped and resold as half million dollar condos instead due to the increase in property value and demand for housing in OTR? And if so, where will these people go?

A Go Fund Me has been set up for Tuckers resturaunt who was burned down late last night: http://www.gofundme.com/5w2jfk2t98r

When is the actual streetcar testing due to begin for the OTR loop?

Those buildings meant for 14th street...are those still due for construction? Right now it's just this huge empty lot, and I was wondering what the status on that side of Mercer is?

Any inside word on when this project is due to start construction?

Anyone have the inside word when the 15th and race project is going to begin? 3cdc already won the rezoning issue they had just a few months ago, but they've been mum on when construction is due to begin

Also...walked down from Washington Park to Nation Kitchen and Bar in Pendelton yesterday. I swear, they need to do something about those massive elephant graveyard lots. It really kills the vibe when you walking through vine, and walnut, and main, and all of a sudden BOOM, it feels like your back in Mason with these giant surface lots growing weeds throughout..and do a little more walking and your in pendelton and it's like a mini otr down there with some really nice building stock. But my point is, I realllllllllllllllly hope those surface lots have bigger and better plans for the future, because right now it's such a huge eye sore and such a big dis-connector between OTR and Pendelton. Truly the epitome of the word, "no mans land"

Is there still going to be a small parking lot by the Peaslee center? I really hope not...I can tell by the concept art that the pool and water works will eat most of the parking space by the peaslee center, but it always irritates me where there is a surface in an urban enviroment. Especially when there will be a massive parking garage a block away for those who need to park there cars. Really hoping that whats left of that surface lot will somehow be incorporated as part of the park..even if it's just green space with a few benches and trees.

So with today's proposed concept that was presented, how different is it from the one in the original concept art posted above^?

Question, what exactly is being constructed in Imagination Alley on Vine street? It's been walled off for a while now, and I'm having trouble as to what kind of renovations are taking place in the alley?

Urbana Cafe is opening a permanent location right next to Nation Kitchen and Bar in OTR.

Also sorry for the double post, but if you look at where they are doing the james brown mural (1437 main street) you'll notice a somewhat nice sized parking lot space. I can't help but selfishly wish that would be home to future development...It's not large, but am I crazy for thinking it could house an apartment/condo complex? At the very least making that corner into a small public garden/green space would add alot more than a parking lot. But at the same time, if there is potential for anything buildings to sprout there, that essentially means the murals would be blocked from public eye? Same goes for the lot with the mural of the Cincinnati Strongman to, no? It's painted on a building that's across a vacant lot. Thus, alot of these murals are kind of there for nothing if future development is built on these lots...