RealAdamP

I'm quite confused as to how something that amounts to finished out small warehouses is a "buffer" to single family housing? Feels like the financial backing for the project pushed for this when they saw how much a car collection facility charged them to store their vehicles. What's next, A heliport and hangers to buffer from the rail yard?

I had a chat with someone familiar with the developer of the project, the garage entrance being on vine generates way more revenue (I remember hearing $10,000,000 a year in revenue from the garage alone but that seems way too high) than if it were on 6th.

Probably be comparable to the building next door, Stenson Square. So that includes a pool, gym, communal spaces such as lounges or conference rooms, etc. There's also a parking garage portion to this project, not sure if it'll be above or below ground though.

Is something going to replace Royce? I'd imagine that corner is one the top storefronts in the city, so there's gotta be demand.

Some context: They expanded the lobby out over the back of marketpoint, so it's a lot nicer than it was prior to renovation. I also think there may be some egress code problem with using the original entrance. I will say they kinda fumbled the site lighting for the original entrance plaza. There are way too short poles that don't really mesh well with the streetscape. They also stick out with the facade.

I remember hearing about the owner of Murphys wanted to create more outdoor space there with demoing that.

Wonder what they uncovered that prompted this. I see they still haven't taken off the canopy cover, so I assume it can't be that.

That's the feeling I get from this whole two way street change as well. From the traffic counts Jefferson showing outliers going 60mph+ (I believe the peak was 80?) on a 35mph/25mph road, I find it hard to believe that the individuals or groups (the dirt bike dudes, atv guys, motorcycle group...) are going to stop what they're doing now that it's a two way road. I don't understand how the city government just ignores this problem when you can hear it across the city any time it's warm out.

Walked by today, they punched a hole in a canopy. Hopefully one of y’all are able to get more information out of what is visible.

Upon closer inspection of the photos I took, I don't think the original awning/canopy is there at all. The current canopy appears too high compared to the photo you posted.

I'll take a walk over at lunch. I'm almost certain it is still under there, there isn't many other ways for there to be recessed lighting in a canopy like that. Edit: The current canopy is still there. But it almost appears that they built a ceiling below that previous overhang. It slopes from underneath the building to the edge without that Z shape.

Something about Newcrest appeals to me. Those rounded edges feel unique to the city, even though they're kind of a dated style. I know the hotel the next block over is a pacman, but it has a different style in mind compared to this.

Wish we were able to see the existing conditions and assessment from Turner. If the steel structure is that compromised it must've been pretty wild when they first surveyed it. I wonder if there's any worry about further damage to the structure being caused from freezing weather, and that's why they're going as fast as they are.

I think if those ramps are removed along central, there could be use of the outdoor area as a multifunction space. If the freeway remains uncapped, maybe relocate the Cincinnati sign onto grade there, facing towards the highway.

I had a strong feeling that these would end up low. I asked ODOT about this on their comment form as to why there are so many ramps downtown, and why they were continuing to keep them. You can get on 75N every other block downtown.

Can't imagine anything being built besides a shiny new medical complex. What would the cap be used for? It'd be a fresh slate for the "vibe" of the area since everything immediately around 71 became blighted.

I'm no traffic engineer, but has there been a prior attempt of adding chicanes to crosswalks? I know adding chicanes to race tracks (which seems to be what drivers believe this stretch of road is), is used to force drivers to slow down.

Lots of fitouts and changes going on in the UPA/Usquare area: There is a "Flip'd" by IHOP and Tropical Smoothie coming to the UPA portion while the footlocker closed. The wing place and salad bowl place in usqaure seem to be nearing completion, finally.

When there was a death on calhoun, they added a controlled crosswalk a few months after. So it definitely brings the problem to attention. I worry that it'll end up being more of a "bandaid" solution, like adding HAWK crosswalk, rather than a more fleshed out on like @Devsuggested.

Or perhaps the firms they keep getting master plans from don't get it, apart from the George Hargreaves master plan that really set the campus in the right direction. The facilities/planning department rarely deviates from their master planning from my understanding as well. It might be time to revisit the master plans for the surrounding neighborhoods too. I'd be surprised if they are as pedestrian focused as we need them to be.

I've seen people get hit on Jefferson several times in crosswalks. I think bumping the crosswalks up similar to how OTR has it would help. Though I worry that unless UCPD or CPD starts taking the reckless driving around campus seriously, this kind of stuff will continue. Circling back onto what @taestell said, UC almost needs to be, or in my opinion, is responsible for, pushing for pedestrian improvements in the uptown area. They have the political capital to spend on pushing these smaller projects that would improve the surrounding area dramatically and really need to start spending it.

After some thought, I think that you could pull off something larger than a plain five over one since the streetcar is adjacent. Something comparable to the blonde or seven at broadway.

Nonsense. I'm sure we'll see some surprises come up when they start renovations. Who knows what secrets lie inside that 7-story brick facade? Realistically, I imagine this now being in the hands of a local developer with sucessful prior projects that this will go smoother than an international firm.

I can't help but think that this was the intention that the owners had when they purchased the building and ended up abandoning it. I also don't think there's anything the city can do since it's applying for a permit and not going to the planning commission. That whole block is going to look tempting to a large developer to swoop in and build a five over one similar to the foundry in Pendleton.

I'm not an expert in this matter but the majority of places I've seen closed are restaurants, which always have a high turnover. Though, from what I know the rent for usquare is extremely high as well for what it is. Seems short sighted nonetheless to just avoid any retail in a project this size. I imagine that once this project is completed there will be demand for retail there with how busy that specific intersection is.