ragerunner

I think its great they were willing to dedicate roadway for some great bicycle space. Not just a line down the road. Several major planning and urban publications have called this project one of the best pedestrian/bike developments in North America. I am kind of surprised from a planning stand point that you would not find such a focus on the pedestrian and bicyclist great. I guess those that like to ride next to traffic on their bikes will have plenty of chances as they work on 200 miles of on street bike lanes that they just announced. I agree with Randy on this one. I used the cultural trail almst everyday this summer and I can assure you it was annoying and unsafe that pedestrians seemed hell bent on walking in the bicycle lane! I kept thinking, 'what are you doing, get out of my space dumbass' The planning principle of the trail is good and I am excited about the new additions, but the design, IMO is a bit lacking. Also, an argument can be made that there is too much visual clutter along the trail too, although this isnt necessarly shown in the pictures you posted. Having said that, considering the company I work for is behind this trail and one o fmy bosses is project manager....I am completely supportive of everything cultural trail... :) I think this comment makes the best point of all. "I kept thinking, 'what are you doing, get out of my space dumbass'." As a bicyclist a city actually gave you 'your own space' (but still within the street grid) and gave you some separation from traffic. I am sure the pedestrians will figure it out over time. Its like a roundabout, it takes some time and complaining from some people. But, at least the space is being developed for alternative transportation modes. Most cities and their foundations wouldn't find your needs worth $60 million. They would just give you a stripped line, or nothing at all. I personally hope more US cities are willing to spend more money on the bicyclist.

theyre inside the indoor downtown mall. When I walk down Meridian during lunch, I am always shocked at how desolate it can be. But once you walk in the mall, wow...people everywhere. We were downtown during part of lunch and the sidewalks from the city market to the circle then down meridian were amazingly packed. The outdoor cafes were full as well. yea some days that is true, esp. wednesdays at city market or when some event is going on. But in this past summer, I would say 9 days out of 10 it seemed empty to me. Also, I worked in downtown Cincinnati before this and in dt Cincy, it always seems amazingly packed so that is what I am used to. It wasn't a wed. Maybe it doesn't seem as packed because of the wide pedestrian sidewalk space that downtown Indy has. That space has also made all the outdoor cafes possible.

I think its great they were willing to dedicate roadway for some great bicycle space. Not just a line down the road. Several major planning and urban publications have called this project one of the best pedestrian/bike developments in North America. I am kind of surprised from a planning stand point that you would not find such a focus on the pedestrian and bicyclist great. I guess those that like to ride next to traffic on their bikes will have plenty of chances as they work on 200 miles of on street bike lanes that they just announced.

theyre inside the indoor downtown mall. When I walk down Meridian during lunch, I am always shocked at how desolate it can be. But once you walk in the mall, wow...people everywhere. We were downtown during part of lunch and the sidewalks from the city market to the circle then down meridian were amazingly packed. The outdoor cafes were full as well.

Those pics were from the canal. On the other side of the buildings (the main entrances) they are built right up to the sidewalks and the street front.

I try hard not to take pics with people in them. Some people seem to not like it.

More Library Expansion Pics. Old Church converted into condos North end of the downtown Canal. Research buildings and the people mover. Fountain Square District just southeast of downtown. Very retro with some nice artist live work studios.

Last week I was in downtown Indy and went for a walking tour. Hope you enjoy. Monument Circle New Colts Stadium The Wholesale District Union Station The new cultural trail (bike and pedestrian project) Mass Avenue Arts and Theater District Downtown Grocery Store Urban Park Space New Library Addition

Don't focus on this one article alone. My point is that EVERY single article and ranking that comes out always seems to be bad news for Ohio and its cities. Some of them aren't worth crap, others though are. We probably aren't as bad as everyone makes us out to be, but we probably aren't as good as we make ourselves out to be. I think the Brooking Institute Report gives a great list of actions that need to be done. I also believe efforts like Agenda 360 in Cincy are steps in the right direction. After attending the state conference on the Brooking Report and listing to leaders throughout the state, I think its more about the lack of understanding and education on such things as smart growth, smart growth codes and comprehensive planning, etc. There is a reason why many of the communities on the list are doing well (and its just not sprawl) its because they have dealt with many of the basic planning issues that must be addressed to create the environments that attract certain types of people and companies in large quanities. I am not saying this will solve all the issues, but these items are clearly part of the bases needed to have more success. Europe does it, Portland does it, Vancouver does it, and they have leaders that truly understand it. One of the presenters at the Brooking Report Conference actually talked about how this is not a manufacturing issue alone, because Ohio started to under perform most of the surrounding midwest states back in the 70s before the manufacturing bust and has continue to under perform most of its midwest counterparts since then. Yet many of the other states have had to deal with the same type of manufacturing lose as Ohio has. I can also say that most of the state leaders that were at the conference didn't seem to get the Comprehensive Planning and Smart Growth idea (they think they understand it until they are asked to explain it). One of the main leaders in the state was still talking about taxes as the issue. If this was the real issue then places like Seattle, Portland and Boston who have the worst economies in the world. Ohio can do this, but its going to take real education, understanding of these principles and a willingness to act upon them.

I did a search but found no topic on this item. The support for this effort seems to be growing, hopefully it will lead to real policy changes in the future. Greater Ohio and the Brookings Institute has released the new Restoring Prosperity report and plan for the State of Ohio. Yesterday, the Govern, and over 1,000 state leaders gathered in Columbus to learn more about this report and discuss issues that the state cities are facing. It was a very good meeting with a lot of reality based discussion. We shall see were politics takes this in the future. Below is an article on the meeting and a link to the draft Brookings report. Ohio must rethink growth, study says Proposals hand 7 core cities the lead "Ohio has too many governmental entities that compete with each other and for too long has fostered state policies that wastefully favor the growth of new communities rather than the redevelopment of older ones, according to a report released yesterday. "Ohio cannot advance a 21st-century economy with a system of local government rooted in the 19th," said Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Institution in Washington. In collaboration with Greater Ohio, a Columbus nonprofit organization devoted to smart-growth policies, Brookings released a 41-page report on policy reforms to revitalize Ohio's 32 core communities that serve as regional centers of economic, educational, medical and cultural activity. Read More... Link to the report: http://www.greaterohio.org/restoring_prosperity/rp_08.htm

This is not a small group or a process that has been done in a vacuum. Agenda 360 has reached out to all counties (and dozens of communties) in the Cincy metro that are in Ohio. They have had numerous public input meeting throughout the region, including meetings with civic leaders. Those communities that don't see the value in participating in the regional effort are not required to do so. This is not about becoming a Charlotte, this is about focusing on addressing regional needs and helping the Cincy area develop in a way that will allow it to compete more effectively on an national and international level. Organized planning, economic development and transit planning should only help increase the quality of life for the region. Communities that have successfully achieved these goals seem to be doing much better than those that struggle with these regional concepts.

Transit is one of the items. They are also looking at changing the way we build and how to integrate smart growth principles into the regions municipal codes, among other things. They have some very bold strategies, I guess time will tell if they can get the public and private sectors to actively move on these items.

If this group can effective move on its agenda, it has the potential to do some very good things for this region. They seem to be truly acknowledging the pros and cons of the region and creating steps to succeed in the future.

Has anyone seen a number showing what the job loses will be related to support companies, etc? I am sure something this big will have impacts with other companies in the region.

If we build enough of them people we learn how to use a roundabout just like they know how to use a stoplight. Communities that have constructed dozens of roundabouts have less issue with people understanding how they function. I am sure when they put up the first few stoplights people had some confusion over them as well.

So true. Just like decades of township supported mania and no state requirement for Comprehensive Planning. I wonder if the news will ever finally print an article about the real problem? Township laws are sucking the life out of the urban cities. Just like sprawl and the lack of mass transit are some of the main causes of our oil issues.

Etna updating comprehensive plan; zoning changes possible Saturday, August 9, 2008 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Etna Township is updating its comprehensive plan and considering adding restrictions to its zoning code for development along state Route 310. Etna Township hired MSI of Columbus in January 2007 to complete a study of the 310 corridor and recommend how the corridor should develop. A steering committee was formed and MSI created a draft plan. The public was then asked July 25, 2007, to review the plan and provide feedback. Several people at that meeting questioned the preservation of the old downtown portion of Etna and whether the township could realistically force a bypass of that part of Etna. The draft presented that night suggested limiting development north of U.S. Route 40 to neighborhood commercial near the intersection with 310 and encouraging residential north of that. It suggested retaining and redeveloping land in the old downtown, adding more intense residential around the downtown and keeping freeway commercial and more intense industrial uses around Interstate 70. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/lickingcounty/stories/2008/08/09/0810lsetnaplan_ln.html

They might have gotten good value for this exurban property when oil sold for less than $50 per barrel, maybe even less than $70. But not at $100+. You have to hate it when oil actually starts to impact land values. Those pre oil value calculations to help with their debt might not be looking so good right now.

Actual companies, just a minor side note!!!!! I have notice some new vacant office/industrial buildings in the Liberty area that have not found tenants for a year or more now. They will continue to build until they or the bank runs out of money.

Hopefully what develops around it will help the scale of the facility fit more into the area.

"To the extent that the growth in Warren County creates new jobs and business opportunities, it's very positive for the entire region," Tuss said" To me this is the money quote. How much of this development is creating 'new jobs' and not just taking from another part of the metro. Plus, is filling up on distribution jobs really a sustainable economy? $10 to $12 dollar an hour jobs won't buy a lot of San Mar Gale homes or provide buying power at an 'upscale Liberty Town Center'. It just seems that a lot of this suburban growth is at the expense of other parts of the metro and what new jobs they are attracting don't pay that great.

What is great about this facility is its ability to be in use throughout the year. Basketball, NCAA events, concerts, etc... Its also been designed to double for extra convention center space and will be connect to the soon to be expanded convention center (on the old RCA dome site). If you are going to spend this type of money it might as well be used for more than 11 football games each year, so the community can see a much bigger return on its investment. This also can help spur more activity and development around the facility since it function a lot more than a single use stadium. The design is very much in line with the history of Indiana.

Really enjoyed the pics. Side note: I was in downtown Lima the other day and found it to be one of the most unsettling places I have ever been. It just felt unsafe. I have not felt that uneasy in a long time. For a small/midsize town I was surprised to see gang(s) just standing around downtown in the middle of the day.

"We think the land is worth more," Kinzel said. This phrase has always made me laugh. Property and Real Estate is only worth what someone else is willing to pay you for it. That is it. You may wish that it would be worth more, but that doesn't make it so. I am sure they were hoping for X amount to help them with their massive debt. Its just a shame to see an Ohio company gut and Ohio historic park.

I think Cincy is doing a lot to fight crime and the numbers show it. Lets just hope the city doesn't face any gang turf wars in the near future.