jdm00

huh?!?! :wtf: Huh. Missed this the first time. Presumably jmeck was talking about The Dean of Cincinnati? Does he post here?

I also wonder how "practical" this method of determining whether a metro can support a team really is. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh sort of show that. According to the stats, Pitt has more of the necessary personal income available. But the Penguins have been in dire straits for what, a decade? And the Pirates, despite a great new ballpark, are back in the bottom 5 of MLB. Contrast that with the Reds who, despite their problems, consistently have (1) a higher payroll than the Pirates and (2) more success at the turnstiles. Maybe all the Pirates problems come from money going to the Pens that could go to the Pirates, but I doubt it. I guess I just doubt how useful this is as a method for determining whether a market can support a team (or two, or three).

Are you at liberty to elaborate?

I just want to point out that Adam Dunn was a one-time Dayton Dragon. Granderson and Monroe are good players, and Dunn frustrates the crap out of me, but he's better than both of them.

This sounds really good. Let's keep it moving forward. This article seemed pretty positive. How has the local media been treating it? In the Columbus thread, sounds like Channel 4 is doing a fairly slanted report this evening.

Glad it's getting started. I think there's plenty of room for this, along with One River Plaza. Hopefully the Banks will be something unique -- and I think the Banks will have a certain unique locational advantage that nowhere else can have. I'm most curious about what form the Ovation project will take.

Wow, what a total mess. You certainly can't commend the way the county did this -- keeping it all under wraps, then BOOM! here's where it will be. On the other hand, it seems to me that the county's in a bad spot now. What happens if they give in and don't go through with it? Why wouldn't the people near the next site do the exact same things, if this sort of campaign is successful? And apparently Covington isn't really feasible, so you can't fall back on putting a new one where the old one already is. I think it said a lot in one of the earlier articles -- talking about secession -- where the folks seemed to realize that, as their own county, they would have to build a jail -- so it's better to be taken in by someone who already has one, and use that one. It's gotta go somewhere. Makes me pleased with the way Hamilton County seems to be proceeding on the new jail, with apparent support from the community.

John, Just out of curiosity, what has been the reaction (if any) from the folks at UC or other points uptown (e.g., Xavier)? Just wondering if there are people out there agitating for a larger initial streetcar line willing to get behind it.

After the initial news rush, this has quieted down. Anybody heard anything/seen any renderings?

Crowded last night too. Good signs.

I don't think the Levee is crappy, but it definitely is not as great as a lot of folks in Greater Cincinnati seem to think it is. I went to both the Levee and Fountain Square yesterday afternoon/evening, and they both have plenty to offer. Many locals, however, focus on only the positives at Newport and only the negatives of Downtown. The problems with the IMAX at the levee are a good example. I also think it's funny that plenty of folks I know complain about "the cost of parking downtown" for an evening, but they don't bat an eye at paying $3 to park at the Levee.

Back on the question of how full QCS 1 is -- I noticed when I left work this evening that the top three floors are all dark. Jives with what others have been saying -- but three floors can be taken up pretty quickly with the right tenant.

We also went to Mc-Schmick's (is that a common way of referring to it in other cities?) last night. The food was tremendous -- from start to finish, everything was wonderful. We got there around 8:30, and the place was still packed. The decor is nice, and gives off a sort of arts-and-crafts/Frank Lloyd Wright vibe. I was quite surprised with the size of the place; it was bigger than I expected. Our service was pretty good, and our waiter made a couple of good recommendations. Best (and freshes) calimari I think I've ever had. We then went over to the square for a little while (probably at around 10:30). There was still a good number of folks skating, hanging out at the square, etc. In fact, the whole time we were downtown, it seemed like there was a lot of activity and foot traffic. I took it as a great sign for the effects the revitalized square will have. I could see the square being abuzz with activity every weekend, just based on the sheer number of folks who will be going to Mc-Schmicks, Morton's, Via Vino (sp?), the Brazilian place, etc. My aunt (who lives in Hamilton) had such a good time that she and my uncle are planning to come back down, shop at Macy's, Brooks Brothers, etc., and grab another meal there before Christmas. One last thing: If you have a chance to get the shrimp bisque, go for it. You won't be disappointed. Jake

If I remember right, a Crate and Barrel is rumored for the development next door (where Safeco Insurance used to be). Could be wrong, though. Anyone know what's going up across the street on Kenwood Road, where Frank's and Sterling Cut Glass used to be?

I think it's a little too pricey sometimes, but I'll say this: Everytime I eat at Nicola's, I seem to find myself saying "that may be the best meal I've ever had" as I head on home.

Well, from the description, I'm actually sort of relieved. My fear was that the board would be overwhelming. I'll have to get down and see what it looks like, though.

jmeck, I agree with your assessment. You can still tell that there used to be streets there, and the criss-crossing paths on the mall are clearly designed and not naturally worn. In its defense, though, I think the closing of Ledgewood/bricking of the mall was necessary, and easily the biggest improvement the university made building-wise. Before the change that street ran literally through the middle of campus, and was as unsightly (and probably unsafe) as it could be. I don't have any illusions that X's campus is like Miami or OU, but it was something that needed to be done; while it's obvious that they did it, I'm still glad that they did, because the previous set-up was so unwieldy. Incidentally, they do seem to have made a concerted effort to sort of reconfigure the campus away from Victory Parkway and toward the academic mall. The West Row buildings (which are the oldest on campus, from the early 20th century) -- Hinkle, Schmidt, Alumni, etc. -- have all been refurbished and renovated in the last 10 years, and as part of that they have basically re-made the facades and portions facing the mall so that they are now the "front" of the buildings. Really, I think it's worked out well -- it still looks like the buildings face Victory Pkwy., but when you're on campus and see Hinkle or Schmidt, or walk into it, it's clear that the building is now oriented toward the Mall. As to some of the other complaints -- that the buildings are mediocre, etc. -- well, I don't think that campus has been inspired as it's grown, but I do like that they have clearly drawn a line in the sand for uniformity. It appears that they want the buildings to be the same brown-brick, done in a vaguely gothic style. The dorms have been less satisfying, and Cintas is a whole different beast, but I think the new student center is a vast improvement over what was there previously. I also give them kudos for their attempts to improve some of the uglier, 60's/70s era buildings on campus (particularly Schott, which is a monstrosity). At this point, they desperately need to get rid of Alter hall (where many A & S classes are held).

Marion - Haven't had a chance to get down there and see it. What's underwhelming about it? Jake

jmecklenborg, what is it about the pedestrian mall that you dislike? To me, the closing of Ledgewood and whatever that other street was to get rid of the road through the middle of campus was one of the better moves X made, especially in terms of making the campus feel much more 'collegiate.'

Hopefully, XU will get this done, and get it done right. That spot has a lot of potential. When I was a student there ('96-'00), I remember hearing rumors that this area was going to be developed with an eye towards the school, but I don't think it had gotten to the stage of XU doing the development.

I walk by Phase I each day. The lobby area is...interesting, and awfully green.

That general 4th/5th Street area east of Sycamore has some nice building (the Queen City Club, the University Club, etc.), but some other places over there don't look to be in the best of shape. Seems like it would have some built in advantages for residential development, especially given its proximity to Lyle Park, W-S, P & G, etc.

I'm a bit surprised that W-S isn't interested in moving offices to Phase II. From what I've heard, they have a lot of employees spread out over a number of buildings in that area. Consolidate in QCS, and look at all that space they would have to do some more residential a la Park Place.

Thanks, Grasscat. Under that pic, they would definitely be closing Ledgewood/Woodburn north of Dana. That really shifts the whole focus of campus to more directly around the chapel -- it looks a lot more connected. Xavier has done a heckuva job redoing their campus, at least on the east side of Victory Parkway (the Evanston side). It would be nice to see them do something good with Zumbiel/BASF, which could have an impact on Evanston proper.

I've been looking online for a copy of XU's master plan, which I know was at least partially included in an issue of Xavier Magazine last year. I can't recall what plans were in place for the Zumbiel site -- I had heard rumblings of a library or some such, but that is probably just alumni talking. From what I remember, it sounds like the school plans to close down Woodburn/Ledgewood north of Dana (much like they closed Ledgewood between Victory and Herald back in the 90s). No idea if they will be doing anything with Herald/Cleneay, which currently runs right by Cintas Center. If I find that, I'll post a link.