1400 Sycamore

Maybe I'm over interpreting, but Cunningham said yesterday that the new round of West End objections has got MLS stopped as to this site. He didn't actually say "dead in the water" but that was the sentiment.

Subway was closed day before yesterday, everyone else there is day to day, so the four units to the west can get underway.

Geez. No internal stairs?

Thanks. I expect it will be a while before anything is done there at 1408 Sycamore. I like the building just the way it is. But, every couple of months someone leaves a card or calls me and asks. And, I use both Frank Russell and Mike Uhlenhake for other things and both are very OTR savvy. But, I appreciate the wise advice.

Even though the building is “non contributing”, my understanding is that if they want to make modifications to the external facade, the new design would have to go through the Historic Conservation Board process, just like any other alteration or new construction project in OTR. The HCB has oversight of any major alteration or new construction in OTR. Also, I don’t understand why you mention the building at 13th and Broadway (331 E Thirteenth). That is a historic contributing building from the 20s, so quite a different architectural structure. Well, I learn something every day. I own a non contributing building on Sycamore but have not gotten around to doing anything there yet. I guess I had better check to see if it is really non contributing because it is a hell of a lot more interesting building than 331 E. 13th St. EDIT: Whew! just checked. Still on the list.

I would doubt it is a tear down. The lot is only 8000 square feet and as a non contributor they can do a lot more than an HCB property. Its like 13th and Broadway.

The number one problem with Cincinnati law enforcement is the refusal of the stakeholders to accept that Cincinnati is a racially bifurcated city. Half the City consists of minorities living in conditions that promote or at least permit the disorderly lifestyle, like littering, noise, public misbehavior, etc. The non-minority half of the City population is further bifurcated into an ever decreasing number of poor white families, artifacts of a time when unskilled work was available in the City. A small percentage. Accordingly, any attempt to increase the arrest of disorderlies in the City is immediately met with claims of racial bias. In fact, there is de facto racial bias to the City arrests. Go to Room A on any Monday and one will be hard pressed to find more than a sprinkling of white persons waiting for arraignment. The overwhelming majority will be persons of color. 70, 80, 90%. If one wanted to have racially balanced enforcement on stopping noisy motorcycles in the City, first a person of color, then not, arrests would end.

Jeezus, glad I didn't end up there by accident!

I didn't make it to East Cleveland. Next time. June. But, a lot of cool old buildings ready for development if they aren't too dirty. We have some in Cincinnati that just are too much to clean up. the old Lunkenheimer complex is said to be too dirty to make into anything useful. It didn't occur to me, is the "Carnegie" in Carnegie Ave. one and the same? I was stunned to see a steel beam in one of most trendy distillery/pubs in Cincinnati stamped "Carnegie Steel 1898" next to my table.

I drove out Carnegie Ave from town almost to East Cleveland Monday. Jeez, there are so many vacant commercial buildings. It looked just like Spring Grove Ave. in Cincinnati did years ago. There is a lot to work with out there. Very cool old industrial buildings. Probably some brownfields though. Only went as far as the Clinic.

We have one of the worst examples squatting on our most treasured footprint: Fountain Square. The Fifth Third Center is a mess. I am told it is loaded with asbestos, completed in 1969. Horribly inefficient, ugly as they come and basically immovable.

This week's report: I encounter a lot of homeless people. They all are from here. Now and then, someone comes to Cincinnati for the VA then stays. That's about it. They stay on the streets because they are drunk or addicted and can't be placed for housing because of it. Or, they are insane and wander about like zombies. Most of the homeless do not panhandle. The panhandlers are mostly not homeless and do not live in OTR. They come down to panhandle, get free food and clothes and steal stuff. This week there are about 10 homeless people camping at Salem United Church and Golden Gate. 100 yards from my front door. I see them all the time. No one has asked me or anyone I've seen for anything. Money, water, food, nothing.

There was all of this same narrative about PBS, how all of these fans from Pittsburgh and Piqua and whatnot were coming to town to stay in hotels, shop at Saks, visit the attractions and drop a load of money. A load of crap is what it was. Bought and paid for by the same clan that is selling the soccer stadium. A few times each year, 20,000 fans will come in, clog the roads, deposit their empties for others to collect, and leave with an FCC logo shirt or hat. And, whatever Berding builds in the West End will be paid for dearly by our taxpayers in one way or another.

Although my parking is solved thanks to a 400 car underground garage across the street, I do appreciate the need for more rational parking requirements throughout OTR and for garages to be built. But, accommodating 10,000 cars a couple dozen days a year just does not deserve a garage. It deserves surface parking out in the wide open spaces.

Parking structures and sports stadiums are horrible neighbors even in the best locations. And, when I say best, I mean out in BF Egypt where a couple of Xway interchanges meet. But in a neighborhood with people they are a menace. Ugly, stationary obstacles to foot and vehicle traffic, off limits to neighborhood residents, bringing thousands of strangers into the neighborhood a few times a year that care exactly nothing for the neighborhood. They toss their trash, drop their cash off (in this case to Mr. Lindner) and split three hours later. One has to suspend all of ones' aesthetic sensibilities to think this is a good thing.

The site of the old Pure Oil Station, circa 1960, if I recall correctly.

OK, for those who have an interest in the facts, if anyone, Project based Section 8 properties may only opt out of the program with Hud after giving a one year notice. All of the tenants must be relocated. they are entitled to a special voucher from HUD, in this area administered by CMHA. But, it is a grave imposition to move tenants who have been in one subsidized housing location sometimes for decades. In the case of my property, a specialized private relocation company was hired who coordinated the CMHA vouchers, movers, new location applications and deposits, etc. In the best of circumstances, it is not an easy process and there is much opposition. HUD doesn't want opt outs, local affordable housing organizations do not want a reduction in subsidized units, CMHA doesn't want opt outs, the tenants do not want to move. My experience here is that OTR residents, at least in Pendleton with which I am familiar, love it here and do not want to move. But, rents have escalated from $.50-.75 per foot to as much as $2.00 per foot in the last 10 years. Hence, renovation and relocation.

Matthew, you run your mouth like it was stuck in the gibberish position. You know nothing about me, my income, my relationship to OTR or anything else that would qualify you to spew the nonsense you spew. Many posts above, I told you what 8 relocated OTR residents wanted in a move. That, by itself, is more information than you have mustered in your entire time wasting participation in this thread. Whatever it is you do, go back to it.

Matthew, there is a certain level of knowledge one needs to contribute meaningfully to a complex topic like this. You lack that knowledge. Both as to actual street experience as to what the OTR residents want, need and get, and the technical aspects of HUD, CMHA, and the social service network. And, you manage to insult me from your own ignorance. So, don't look to me to educate you.

I know.

Matthew. When you make comments like this, I don't know if I should ignore you or try to educate you. First, none of my tenants were receiving walk up "handouts." That is for the homeless. Second, I would relocate them without a legal obligation to do so. Its a great imposition to them personally. Third, the tenants have the right to relocation. Its the law.

Yes. No one is in Pendleton, I could not get Model to get them in to their Section 8 units, but 6 were successfully relocated in OTR. Bobby Maly had no space and a Section 8 waiting list for Pendleton Section 8. (Very desirable location). EDIT: One second thought, one of the six is just across Central Ave. which might be called West End.

I just relocated 8 OTR residents. 9/2017 First, no one wanted to leave OTR. Second, every one had a choice. Third, those who left OTR did not, in my opinion trade up. 6 to OTR, 1 to Avondale, 1 to Mitchell Ave. Everyone got a voucher and movers. And, I personally gave them some walking around money to make the move lesss painful. Stuff HUD does not pay for like Cable deposit, etc.

Comment deleted. Butler County comparison is just silly.

I didn't say anything about economic growth. You said it was overrated. Don't be disingenuous. I said growth. It was in response to your claim about Columbus and Austin. Both of which have been in the news repeatedly for population growth.