ragerunner

"Shares of AK Steel rose 15 percent this morning this morning amid new speculation the Middletown steelmaker could be the target of an acquisition by Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steel maker. AK shares were trading at more than $37 each this morning after closing Monday at $32.06. The trading surge was sparked by an unattributed report on the Financial Times Web site Alphaville that Arcelor Mittal was planning to offer $40 a share, or about $4.5 billion for AK Steel. Spokesmen for AK Steel and Arcelor Mittal declined comment." http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/BIZ01/305080027/1076

While I would love to see only urban infill and redevelopment this is MUCH better than what we have been getting in suburbia over the last 30 years. As long as we continue to build suburbia, I hope we building more of this (that includes the Greene over typical strip centers) and less of the other crap. I know I have said this before, but why can developers all over the US (heck that includes places like Lubbock, TX) build these types of projects and yet Cincy's suburbia has NONE. We are still building as if it was the 70s and 80s. Until Cincy developers and communities start embrace more Smart Growth concepts, its going to be a hard sell convincing them to embrace greater density and mass transit.

I will say it does appear there is some weak connectivity between the main retail area (Freedom Way running east and west) and the streets running north and south into downtown. Hopefully some kind of link will be made with the potential caps in the future or this project may turnout to be its own little island. They need to ensure that the pedestrian feels well connected to the Fountain Square area (i.e. minimal breaks in ground level buildings).

It would be quiet a 'land' if they get an ESPN Zone since there are only 8 of them in the US. I say Hard Rock Cafe is the first to sign a contract.

LincolnKennedy said, I hope to God this was a tongue-in-cheek comment. If not, Just click on sibcycline.com or coldwellbanker.com and you will soon be able to peruse high end apartments to your heart's content. No it was not a joke, the downtown market can only consume so many condo units per year as well as office space. To make this project move forward as quickly as possible they will need to use about every potential option to fill the space. Apartments, Condos, Retail, Office, Hotel, etc... This is a good move on their part. It will be interesting to see how this project effects other downtown projects. Will it create more demand for office and residential space or just shift it around. In other words, will downtown's 19% office vacancy rate go down with the addition of 300,000 sq. ft. of new space or does it send the vacancy rate even higher. The same will go with residential, will it help increase residential consumption or will consumption stay about the same for downtown per year? As far as the architecture goes, I think it looks pretty good. Its urban, fits into the street grid, and is mixed use. Downtown needs this project to move forward as soons as possible. If it does well it should ultimately be a huge boom for downtown in the years to come, and in my book that is what Cincy needs to move forward, a stronger urban downtown.

It would be nice to see high end apartments as part of the plan. I think downtown Cincy has a need for that type of product.

So phase 1 will include 225 condo units, ? amount of retail (probably around 100,000 Sq. ft), and office (this should be interesting since the downtown office vacancy rate is running around 19%). To be ready for lease by the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010. Its a start. I am a little concerned with the timeline and that phase one is only for 2 blocks. While you hope demand will build over time and increase the timeline for each phase, it appears that this could be a 10 year buildout or more. Did they discuss how many phases they see the whole project being? Did they say if phase one will include one of the hotels?

They have to be that wide (132 feet) so that SLC can handle the traffic when it becomes the Mecca for all of the True Christians after the Second Coming. Actually the roadways were designed so that wagons could turn around on a street. That is why they are so wide. Your other comment show a lack of understanding and respect for different religions and beliefs.

Wow, I like the color. I wish more buildings in the midwest had more color. Might bright up those long winter months.

"NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Reformulated gasoline futures rallied Wednesday to an eight-month high, as a greater-than-expected draw on gasoline stocks helped support the belief that demand will remain strong through the summer driving season. Crude oil prices flattened, as conflicting supply data and lingering concerns about the price trend sapped earlier strength. Motor gasoline stocks fell 5.5 million barrels to 199.7 million barrels for the week ending April 6, the U.S. Energy Department said. That was much higher than the expected drop of 1.5 million barrels, according to Fimat. Following the news, May reformulated gasoline rose 3 cents, or 1.4%, at $2.1530 a gallon on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It reached a high of $2.1700 a gallon moments after the supply data was released, the highest price seen for the May contract since August 2006. Data from the American Petroleum Institute confirmed that gasoline supplies fell more than expected. The API said motor gasoline supplies fell 3.2 million barrels in the latest week." http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/gasoline-rallies-supply-data-crude/story.aspx?guid=%7B3A3DC105%2DA59E%2D4F5A%2DB6BB%2DD9B1C2837126%7D Someone better get on top of this or this summer is going to be rough and this doesn't factor in the forcasted above average hurricane season.

they have marta... really, the south has no contingency plan for peak oil or even high gas prices. Most of the country has no contingency plan for peak oil. Do you think Cincy, Columbus or Indy has created an environment of mass transit? At least Atlanta has MARTA and is starting to really build a lot of TOD and Mixed Use projects along its routes. That puts them well ahead of Cincy, Columbus or Indy in dealing with peak oil.

"Senate Approves Bill to Explore Mass Transit Options The Indiana Senate has approved a bill that would create a study committee on mass transit and transportation alternatives. The bill also requires the Indiana Department of Transportation to commission six regional mass transit studies. The measure now goes back to the House for consideration since it was altered in the Senate." "INDIANAPOLIS – In recognition of the need for more emphasis on mass transit and transportation alternatives in Indiana, State Senator Tim Lanane (D-Muncie) is sponsoring House Bill (HB) 1659, which passed the Senate today 48-0. HB 1659 creates a study committee on mass transit and transportation alternatives. Lanane, who has been very involved in mass transit related legislation this session, said that he thinks the bill is another step in the right direction. “We know that mass transit is part of the future of transportation,” said Lanane. “We cannot and should not pave every last inch of Indiana farm land in the name of convenience and progress.” In addition to forming a study committee, HB 1659 also requires the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to commission six regional mass transit studies, which must be completed no later than July 1, 2008. One of the six studies will address the role that mass transportation plays in promoting economic growth, improving the environment, and sustaining the quality of life in Central Indiana, including Madison and Delaware counties."

I think it great that crime in OTR is decreasing and should help the revitalization of the area. Unfortunately what happens in most communities is the crime just increases in another location. In Cincy's case and most other major cities in the US right now, crime is still on the rise. Is Cincy more dangerous than its peer cities (Columbus, Indy, Charlotte), NO, is crime a problem in all these cities, YES. Many times it’s where the crimes are taking place that determines how dangerous a city is perceived. One of the best ways to fight the perceived crime problem is to first insure that the downtown is safe and that it has people on its streets after 5:00.

Glad to see this project moving forward.

Yes. When Dayton can get a real suburban mixed use retail project and a new urbanist community built before Cincy we are in trouble. No. It just means that Dayton got a "real suburban mixed use retail project" before Cincinnati. But guess what? So has Toledo (Levis Commons). So has Columbus (Easton). So has Cleveland (Crocker Park). So it shouldn't be shocking. How true and how sad. I am still amazed at how outdated are development community in Cincy really is.

I wouldn't want to clean all the black fumes from the cars and trucks that would show up on the plexiglass every day, but the concept would be interesting.

I could not agree more. Why can't a developer in Cincy actually do a real lifestyle center that is mixed use? Weather you like this type of development or not (Greene), its a lot better than what has been built in the suburbs (Deerfield Town Center, etc...). If we are going to continue to build suburban crap than why can't we at least build quality suburban crap. The same goes for new urbanist/mixed use developments, Cincy developers just seem to be determined to hold onto the 80 and 90s development patterns to the end. When Dayton can get a real suburban mixed use retail project and a new urbanist community built before Cincy we are in trouble. Dealing with some of the local developers make you feel like you stepped back in time about 20 years and don't get me started on our outdated zoning codes in the region. Side note: The 'town center' part of Bridgewater is almost leased out. They have announced a new list of stores coming to that part of the retail development, so it won't be vacant for long.

I wonder what Simon will do with the mall. 1. Sell it. 2. Close it. 3. Keep it the same. 4. Upgrade it with better tenants. I hope its number 4. I still think this mall has potential, but history has not been good to it.

If you want to see how well roundabouts can work for a city and increase traffic flow while allowing for traffic calming at the same time visit Carmel, IN. They now have 50 roundabouts in the city and are still building more. Accidents have drop, traffic flow has become better and they add to the aesthetics of the community. (Not bad for a road project) http://www.ci.carmel.in.us/services/engineering.html Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see videos and info on roundabouts.

Nice renderings. I really hope Carmel gets it mass transit in the near future and that they continue to have leadership that moves the city in the direction it is going.

Add to that list that West Chester has a very poor park system and a school system that is starting to see financial issues. I wonder what will happen to them when WC nears build out and they stop receive large new income sources? I know, the suburbanites and companies will move to the next township to 'flee' the crime and 'high taxes'. WC has done very little to make it a substainable community in the long run.

Mall Owner Accepts Simon, Farallon Merger Deal "The Mills Corp. says it will accept a $1.64 billion, or $25.25 per share offer in cash from a joint venture formed by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG) and Farallon Capital Management. The Mills Corp. has terminated its deal with Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management Inc." http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=21898&ts=true Looks like the Cincy Mills will have a new owner in about 45 days. Let hope they can bring a better mixed of retail and entertainment to the mall.

"The Banks Working Group unanimously approved a 90-day extension to negotiate a riverfront development agreement with Atlanta-based AIG/Carter. Working group Chairman Bob Castellini stressed he's optimistic that the group will reach a deal with the developer, adding that AIG/Carter wants to have the residential/retail project under way by fall if a deal can be reached. Full story text is available at http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/12/daily35.html?f=et57&hbx=e_du Lets hope they can get the financing for the garages soon.

Sir, you've pretty much summed it up for me. But this time if it fails, I will not be the least bit surprised. =/ Programer we always take you seriously.

The buildings need a little more diversity in architecture and color, but much better than traditional suburban crap. Hopefully we will see more of this type of development in the region.