bfwissel

I just hope 3CDC is able to clean up the 13th and Walnut area quickly. That intersection is one of the biggest open area drug markets in OTR at the moment. These new tenants and their clients could certainly run into some dangerous situations if they aren't careful.

All these comments show the inherent problem with relying on anecdotal evidence. Any laws that apply to businesses will create a situation that is beneficial to some and negative to others. Whether or not we are better off in aggregate (business-wise as we're certainly better off health-wise) can only be born out by studies with statistics. It's a personal pet peeve of mine when people make blanket statements like "revenue is down for everyone" based on anecdotal evidence.

Do you have any statistics to back that statement up? I'm peripherally in the business. A lot of places have closed, revenue is down for everyone. A lot more places used to stay open until 2:30, now that's just on the weekends. Some of it is the economy, but by no means all. So you have anecdotal evidence and are relying on a "common sense" argument?

Do you have any statistics to back that statement up?

There were only two choices on the ballot (I don't consider Tarbell as a write-in as a realistic option). People like me voted for Feeney because we considered a warm body to be better than Monzel. If Democrats want to have representation at the county level they need to run candidates and stop making lame excuses about nobody wanting to run. If they made an effort and fostered candidates they could get someone decent to run. Having a viable candidate on the ballot would at least put some pressure on the Republican candidates to moderate their positions a bit more even if just slightly. Monzel and Hartmann know they have nothing to fear from the Democratic party and therefore have no reason not to push a Tea Party agenda.

The Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated (DCI) folks are a fickle bunch. They were proponents of the streetcar before the most recent mayoral campaign when they began to pretend they had no interest or position in the project. My feeling is that they won't take a stand on anything unless Cranley is pushing it.

It is quite odd seeing a catenary pole outside our window now, but I'm glad they finally got them in. I was a bit concerned when I saw how close they were to the trees on our street. Does anyone know if they're planning on just doing tree pruning, or if they'll need to cut down the trees. I'd hate to see the old, three story trees cut down.

The final approval of the lease for Baldwin Alley to Tender Mercies (who is installing the gate) will be at a Planning Commission meeting tomorrow at 9am. I'm taking time off work to be there in the way-off chance that there are any objections by anyone. I'm not really sure what good it would do to walk in and talk to Carl. He must be aware of the deterioration of his historic buildings as well as the non-stop drug dealing going on in front of his businesses. I've talked with three high level policemen and they are very much aware of the negative affect his businesses have on that corner. One even went out of his way to apologize for some occasional police union functions that are held at that bar. Out of curiosity, what do you believe would be the benefit of talking one-on-one with Carl? Do you think he would he start reporting drug dealing and work with police to clean up the crime? Do you think he would he make long overdue repairs to his properties even though he has done so little up to this point? Do you think he could be convinced to sell his properties to someone who would make needed repairs to the historic buildings? Again, his properties on this corner are beautiful, historic buildings (albeit now in a serious state of disrepair) that will be within a half block of a streetcar stop. His properties have served as a focal point for crime for decades. In that time he has shown little concern for the community by letting his properties crumble and putting up with crime occurring on his front stoop. What good would it do to sit down and chat with someone like that? Maybe he's making a cut off the activity, not unlike the owners of the Phoenix Café were rumored to have been. I doubt that is the case, but people I've seen dealing do go in there from time to time. The best I can tell he's extremely cheap and cares more about making a buck than being a member of the community.

The final approval of the lease for Baldwin Alley to Tender Mercies (who is installing the gate) will be at a Planning Commission meeting tomorrow at 9am. I'm taking time off work to be there in the way-off chance that there are any objections by anyone. I'm not really sure what good it would do to walk in and talk to Carl. He must be aware of the deterioration of his historic buildings as well as the non-stop drug dealing going on in front of his businesses. I've talked with three high level policemen and they are very much aware of the negative affect his businesses have on that corner. One even went out of his way to apologize for some occasional police union functions that are held at that bar. Out of curiosity, what do you believe would be the benefit of talking one-on-one with Carl? Do you think he would he start reporting drug dealing and work with police to clean up the crime? Do you think he would he make long overdue repairs to his properties even though he has done so little up to this point? Do you think he could be convinced to sell his properties to someone who would make needed repairs to the historic buildings? Again, his properties on this corner are beautiful, historic buildings (albeit now in a serious state of disrepair) that will be within a half block of a streetcar stop. His properties have served as a focal point for crime for decades. In that time he has shown little concern for the community by letting his properties crumble and putting up with crime occurring on his front stoop. What good would it do to sit down and chat with someone like that?

There are already two small bookstores downtown. Ohio Book Store is at 8th/Main and the Booksellers at Fountain Square. Not sure if those have night hours though.

The 1132 Bar at 1132 Race Street has been a focal center for crack/heroin dealing for decades (even now dealers rule that corner). The building (which is falling apart) is less than a half block from a streetcar stop. However, the owner refuses to sell and his property value is in the gutter due to decades of neglect. I have it on good authority that he has turned down at least two offers to buy his property. He has no qualms that the bar and ghetto store that share the building have caused and are causing serious public safety issues in the area. I hope once the streetcar goes online someone will offer him way more than the building is worth before the building crumbles any more or the crime gets any worse.

Is it for sure Feeney will step down and let someone else run? I thought the decision to do that had to be done today and I've seen Feeney still trying to raise funds on Facebook.

I'm pretty sure he meant paradise, but the combination of weird auto-correcting and him being an idiot....

From what I heard the building owner stopped paying for the electric and it was to be shut off this morning.

Oh man, I was getting pretty excited for August 15th when the construction would be mostly completed in OTR. I totally fuzzed out on the fact that the roads were going to be torn up again so soon :-( .

They do have a market on Fountain Square during the summer at noon on Tuesdays. Maybe that made up for the requirement?

This is simply a failure in leadership. John Cranley still hasn't commented beyond re-tweeting something the police chief sent out.

You've got me. I know they're working on their nexus research and utilizing CIRV, but other than that.... I'm not a big fan on how they're engaging (or not engaging) the community. They presented safety tips at the Downtown Residents Council, but did not present any way for the community to help "police" (for lack of a better word) our own community. There is always Citizens on Patrol, but I found that program to be pretty poorly managed and not given much support. We are presented with ways to help keep ourselves safe, but really no ways to help.

The way I see it the two big issues for raising in an urban environment are often schools and crime. Schools for us aren't an issue since we've always planned on sending our kids to private Catholic schools. The crime as jdm00 noted generally isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Often crime is worse in other communities. That being said, crime is an issue in downtown Cincinnati and although it had been getting a lot better it is making a very quick and dramatic shift the other direction lately. The downward spiral does make me a bit concerned for sure, but for now we're sticking it out. On the other hand, the positives of raising kids downtown are numerous. There is plenty to do, great diversity, great community and the general higher quality of life that comes from a walkable/transit-friendly environment. I've known too many people who raised kids in the exurbs that have been so insulated from the world that they are a bit of a mess now.

The buildings that line Piatt Park constitute the largest concentration of residential units in the entire Central Business District. The east part of the park is a bit more sparse, but there is a hotel at that corner, so there are plenty of eyes there. Unfortunately, the park is becoming such a dangerous place that the residents and business folks are not using the park as much as they used to and that's just sad.

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but violent crime is getting much, much worse in the Central Business District (CBD). Gun violence is historically very rare in the CBD. In the decade or so I've lived and/or worked downtown there were never consecutive days of running gun battles and almost never drive-by shootings. The police are also very concerned about the uptick and officers have told me the roving gangs of kids assaulting people after events is the worst they've seen in ages. Longtime downtown residents that I speak to also are getting very concerned about this trend with one person who's lived downtown for ages saying the last few months are the worst they've ever seen. David Ginsburg, the head of Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated, was at the Downtown Residents Council meeting last night (held at a Main Branch Library meeting room that overlooks the now infamous Piatt Park intersection) trying to whitewash the recent incidents as targeted and not a trend. Less than three hours after the meeting adjourned a drive by shooting occurred at that same intersection. Groups like his as well as certain politicians are leaning on the media to downplay or not even report these incidents in an effort to encourage more visitors, residents and businesses to come downtown. While I would agree with their goals I highly disapprove of their methods. Many of you seem to think that this is either just a blip on the radar, or believe I'm being alarmist about these incidents. Clearly the STARS reports do point to a mixed bag when it comes to crime. However, as I noted above, I believe the statistics don't reflect the reality of the degree of violence that has been occurring lately. So I just have to ask, what would be the trigger for you as an individual that would make you believe that there is a growing violence/crime issue? Would it be greater reporting in the mainstream media? Would it be the highlighting of the issue via reporting/messaging in social media or even more conversations with members of the community? Are you only swayed by the cold hard statistics that are reported in the STARS reports? When Mayor Mallory was in office he was on the scene when issues like this occurred. Even if he were out of town he'd be very much engaged with the Police Chief, Council Members and the local media to help find solutions to decrease these acts of violence. So, I'll ask again, where are our leaders? John Cranley is more than happy to try and micromanage every other aspect of city government often inappropriately and beyond his charter defined role. However, I haven't even heard a statement from him or any member of government (other than the Police Chief) on these recent incidents. Wasn't safety a big part of John Cranley's platform when running for office? What has to occur to get those who are supposed to lead to do their jobs?

I'm actually very much surprised to so few people are aware of the crime going on in their own neighborhood. I'm beginning to wonder if a combination of wishful thinking, poor reporting and blissful ignorance is ruling the day. There were three consecutive days of gun battles that apparently no one on this board has even heard of occurring in the heart of the business district. A serial armed robber is on the loose with at least four victims in the last month or so. That and we just had a murder in broad daylight right next to a hotel. Have we as urban dwellers just become so accustomed to crime downtown that nothing bothers us anymore?

Our family lives near the corner as well! You'll be happy to know the fencing off of Baldwin Alley is imminent. I certainly will be glad to not have to call the police twice a day to try and chase out all the drug dealing going on back there. I'm feeling like the Taste of Cincinnati coverage was quite a bit muted given the sheer number of assaults this year. I spoke with one of the local officers and he felt like this year was much worse than the prior years. Out of curiosity did you even hear about the running gun battles going on for three days the following weekend? I'm also quite aware that the deceased in the recent murder was a bit of a punk. The first thing I do when I hear of a murder in the area is check the clerk of courts website for their criminal background (always the same long rap sheet). However, didn't you find the murder in broad daylight at all disturbing? We take the kids for walks all the time in that area in the early evening. I certainly have been getting a bit anxious lately taking the kids out with all the craziness going on, and I haven't felt that way in the eight years I've been down here.

Is the 7th and Race area really that dark? Besides, this murder happened in broad daylight. Also, the Piatt Park area is host to the highest concentrated area of residents in the Central Business District. There are many apartment buildings along the park not to mention the Garfield Suites hotel is actually on that street corner. I'm guessing that's why they had so many witnesses to the shooting. I'm a big streetcar supporter, but let's not count on it to be a primary driver to solve our crime problems (albeit it certainly should help in some small way). Besides, this intersection like much of downtown isn't on the route.

I'm normally all about statistics over anecdotal evidence, but there is something solely lacking in those stats. The raw statistics don't seem to jive with what the police are saying and the severity of the individual crimes I've listed. When have you heard of running gun battles going on downtown much less for three consecutive days!? I'm guessing things like running gun battles do not get listed on that report at all unless there is a victim. Either that or the bullet holes in some apartment buildings (some of them for the first time in their history) are considered property crimes. I'm also guessing many of the Taste of Cincinnati assaults did not end with an official report leaving them off the statistics. There is a reason why Captain Broxterman has made it a point to speak about "Public Safety Tips for Residents" at the Downtown Residents Council meeting tonight. We'll just have to agree to disagree that violent Downtown has actually gotten worse. STARS Report 6/1/2014 - 6/28/2014 http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/police/linkservid/182F3466-BC5A-A75B-38A323CB49E349B4/showMeta/0/