1400 Sycamore

Read a little about Bonobos. An interesting story. Odd. But, I think they have located poorly for their "guide shop" store model.

There are not "tons of cheap garages" around the courthouse. Parking for the HCJFS and Court and Justice employees is a big problem. That's why the lots are always full. You just don't know anyone who works there. Elect some communists. They know how to manage this stuff from the top down which is what you really want, right? Some Commissar to dictate what kind of parking people should have? Or are you just lamenting how stupid people are?

Its not rocket science. No one wants a class A high rise at 12th and Sycamore. So, how else are you going to invest about $1.00 per square foot and gross $10-12 per square foot per year from surface parking. If there is no high rise, and the volume of parkers are dependably there for workdays and events, it is never more profitable to build something. I am sure that the Hild lot is more profitable than the Hild Garage across from it.

Without looking, I think Guy was trustee for Alvin Lipson or his lawfirm's 401k plan. One or the other. They own the garage across also. Arnie Levine owns one, and Chavez owns one. What difference does it make? They are all needed for the Courthouse, HCJFS and Justice Center employees and are more profitable than any other use.

I see that from their used bike inventory. I got my garage building at 1408 Sycamore to avoid a motorcycle shop across from my office. It would have been perfect but I didn't want the crotch rocket club hanging around all day. They were actually negotiating for it. Back in 2005. Some day, someone will get a shot at it but not just now.

Down there the bikes I see most are scooters or those crotch rockets with the big fat tire in the rear. And, typically piloted by morons who can't begin to control the bike under real power. But, then, everyone in OTR is either operating a hooptie at walking speed or driving like morons.

Its been years since anything was happening in the 200 block of E. Liberty. That block may have some empty storefronts, but it is utterly gentrified. The Short Market was the last domino to fall and it has been closed for a while. Its on the way to nothing and no one goes that way. Although, a motorcycle shop is not my preferred neighbor, it has to be somewhere.

The Carew Tower and Arcade was the most successful mixed use retail development in Cincinnati for 50 years. There was barely a CBD worker who did not patronize one or more of its shops. Whether it died because of the horrible neglect of the CBD, the skywalks debacle or just the glitzy malls that took its business is just speculation. But, it demonstrated that main street lined with little shops was over for the time being.

^^^ Unsupported misconception. I'm curious....how do people respond to you when you share such views with them? Most people I know would just ignore your chlidish shibboleths and smirk. I give you the courtesy of honesty. People do fine without growth or change. So do cities. I learned this driving through downtown Covington KY every evening for four years. A little enclave of German speaking folks waved and said hello to me now and then and I got to learn from them that sweeping their little sidewalks, letting Snarfy get the paper, and watching the evening traffic under I75 gave them happiness and contentment. Something you do not have nor ever will have at the rate you are going. Seek help.

^^^ Unsupported misconception.

You can thank Delta Airlines and the CVG airport authority for Cincinnti's convention problems. 20 years of Cincinnati being the most or in every survey one of the most expensive cities in the entire US to fly in or out of took its toll. And, if you need a co-defendant to blame, its a toss up between the GLBT and the black activist. If you were some Portland you would have thought Cincinnati had weekly lynchings from the whining before and after the riots.

It turns out that Cunningham was right on target. FC Cincinnati had to re-do the entire deal and kowtow to the West End discontented to get the deal back on track. It was DOA. Of course, the end result was still crumbs for the school board and the neighbors, but, apparently, they are too stupid to know that. Now it remains to be seen if this whole thing was just a Berding charade, or if he is a pawn for MLS.

Probably no one else here will take up any part of this debate. And, I only do so to point out the tedious conventional thinking above. First, let me say that no one actually hates tourists or opposes parking for visitors. That is just silly. The worst that can be said is that folks who live in an urban area but have a car, need to park. Seems like a reasonable position. And, I'd like to think that the City Adm. prioritizes residents' needs. As to growth, I have nothing against it, but what I read here is a "grow or die" type of philosophy that has hold of some folks. And, that is where we need to open our eyes and see that growth for growth's sake is just stupid. It is what has led much of Europe into a spiral that will probably end up killing the major cities there. If we want to grow, is the plan to bring in lots of third world people who have no desire to be here other than economic refugeeism? Or are we in a bidding war with neighboring cities to lure their residents away with amenities like sports franchises and concert venues? Is that the plan? I draw your attention to Bordeaux France, perhaps the nicest place to live on the European continent or maybe the entire world, for the last century or so, excepting a couple of world wars. Check its population "growth" or, rather lack of growth. Study it a bit to see how sports franchises and axe throwing bars have made it a better place to live and raise a family.

I always wonder: who supports these really, really stupid business plans. Friends and family, colleagues, advisors?It seems like someone with some common sense would say "Hey, wait a minute. That's a fad for places that already have two bars with rodeo mechanical horses and three with bowling machines and 2 with basketball hoops and others with bar Olympics, and trivia night and dart tournaments." Now I know. I think they need investors.

Hmmm. Golf . . . Axe throwing. Golf? Axe throwing? Hmmm. I guess you have a point there. /s

What could go wrong? Alcohol, axe throwing? Sorry, its just really stupid. I'm sure a new bar can make money for 6 months doing anything, but this axe throwing is neither a sport or any fun.

You can't make this stuff up^^^^ I can just imagine that there are gonna be 100 people who want to throw axes up at 2010 Elm St./not

Uh, yea, but everyone expects it from Berding. Isn't that the mentality that got us Trump? He's an immoral sleaze bag, but that's just good old Trump for ya! I think you are cornfused.

Uh, yea, but everyone expects it from Berding.

Press Conference Pool Party and Season Kickoff DATE: Monday, May 21 TIME: 3:30 PM

The pool is open, and heated I am told. Bikini clad patrons are arriving daily, and, of course, mothers with little children.

No mystery West End Renaissance Village was merely a title holding entity for the Community Revitalization Agency. Sort of like North South Inc.

I doubt that Cunningham engineered the threatened impeachment of the community council leader who signed off on the deal. Seems like the Enquirer got on board with this theory yesterday while others were claiming it was not a problem. And, I think what is being said is that MLS is not going to jump into a fight with the local po folk no matter how willing the City and FCC are to put a foot on their necks. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. Cunningham has his sources, you do too. Right?

I'm not a fan of misaligned analogies to make a point. Sean Hannity has nothing to do with Hamilton County power and politics. The Cunninghams have everything to do with it. As I said, he is not my cup of tea, but some lawyer at KMK is not going to have a thousandth the information that Cunningham has. Politicians and community leaders grovel before him to be on his show which has more influence than all of the neighborhood groups that have ever weighed in on this FC issue.

Actually, he is more connected than anyone you know or could talk to. I don't like him either, but he is ultimately connected.