ragerunner

If you can smoke in a stand-alone bar in Florida, then the smoking ban is not very strict. I guess its what your opinion and my opinion of strict is? The point is the states I listed have statewide smoking bans. Many of the states don't allow smoking in stand-alone bars neither.

Stand-alone bars and smoking rooms in hotels are exempt in the Florida code. I do believe that there is some language that defines what a Stand-alone bar is. I believe it has to do with the ratio of food sales to overall sales for the establishment. With that said, Florida does have a statewide smoking ban that is very strict.

I just wish he would finish the monorail before we all have flying cars.

You act like Ohio and Utah are the only states with smoking bans. Here is a list of States that have smoking bans, Florida, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington State, with many cities and counties across the country as well. Florida & Georgia?? Did they just pass legislation at this tuesdays election? This is the site were I got my info. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5775.240#quickreply Florida has had a statewide smoking ban since 2003 and Georgia since 2005. Now each state does have some difference in where the ban is in force. I go to Atlanta twice a month every month...they smoke in some restaurants and at every bar. I just got back from Miami, Orlando and Tampa - same thing - smokers in restaurants, bars galore. granted most of FLs restaurants have outdoor seating so they have a "designated" place to smoke and dine. I do know that the Georgia's law has some flexability in it. But, I just moved here from Florida (were I live for 5 years) and I can tell you, that you are not permitted to smoke in any public indoor space in the state, period. Yes, many establishments do allow smoking through outdoor dining areas, and you will see many of the restaurants in Ohio do the same. Just the weather will be a 'little' different for about 5 months.

Ahhh.....why do people live there?? When I was there right before and during the olympics, if you were at an establishment, you could order (buy) ONE drink. If you wanted/wished to order a second drink, it had to be in conjunction with a food purchase. :wtf: I'm not a big drinker, but I was like damn! Utah is/was very ANTI ---> :drunk: Yes, I have been to Utah several times and even live there for a couple of years. My point was on smoking not drinking. But you are right, Utah has the most stringent state drink policy in the country. This become a whole other topic.

You act like Ohio and Utah are the only states with smoking bans. Here is a list of States that have smoking bans, Florida, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington State, with many cities and counties across the country as well. Florida & Georgia?? Did they just pass legislation at this tuesdays election? This is the site were I got my info. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5775.240#quickreply Florida has had a statewide smoking ban since 2003 and Georgia since 2005. Now each state does have some difference in where the ban is in force.

You act like Ohio and Utah are the only states with smoking bans. Here is a list of States that have smoking bans, Florida, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington State, with many cities and counties across the country as well.

There are several projects in the works for downtown hamilton. Inkaelin mentioned a few. Over the next 2-3 years things will be changes a lot. Also look for some of those cladded buildings to see new light in the near future. "Hamilton, OH - Urban Living on the Suburban Northside."

I need to check this park area out. Looks cool.

Really nice pics. I really enjoy the park and the residential towers in that area. Keep the pics coming.

Nice pics, I still say its looks more like 'urban decay' than urban grit. But, most of those buildings have the potential to look really great, with a little restoration. But, I do respect you view.

Great Pics, I really like how UC has been willing to mix old architecture with new modern architecture. Very refreshing to see a university willing to step out of 'standard university architecture' and do something bold.

You are correct, They just call it the 'streetscape'.

Nice Pics, enjoyed the tour.

While Von Maur is fine, I think Cincy could use a higher end retail (along with Saks), like Norstroms or Bloomingdales (although I don't see Bloomingdales coming to Cincy). I would agree, if Kenwood could land Norstroms and Crate and Barrel that would easily make it the 'toniest shopping area' in the Tri-state. UncleRando, Can you give me a breakdown of what happened with the Norstorm project that didn't go through?

Kenwood Parisian to close Cincinnati Business Courier - October 27, 2006 The Parisian department store at Kenwood Towne Centre, which was recently acquired by Belk Stores and then put on the market again, is scheduled to close in February. Read the full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/10/23/daily57.html

Grit is generally unclean, untouched, often well-worn (whether it be due to weather, pollution, social ills, or "ghetto" aesthetics) fabric of an urbanized area. Grit is different in appearance based on location (meaning, grit in Rabat is different from grit in Warsaw, yet they both have grit). In this case, Las Vegas and Phoenix have "grit" but is different from the Indianapolis or Gary "grit." Still, both have substantial gritty areas. Grit doesn't seem to be a good way for a community to develop, so that it can grow economically, socially or environmentally. But, I do respect your opinion. It just seems that places that meet such criteria (in general) are struggling to suvive in todays world. Example: 'Gritty' downtowns, they may have grit, but after five that all they got and empty streets. Not real good for the future of that community.

CoolDayMan, I would be interested in hearing what your definition of 'grit' is.

Gang graffiti on stucco walls on wide open boulevards and a swirling dust cloud isn't my definition of grit. Dirt yes, grit no. CoolDayMan, My comments was actually meant to be a joke to UncleRando.

It might be depressing, but its a shame someone that makes decisions apparently didn't read it. Why must this region always react to issues 10 years after others communities throughout the US already made the change.

UncleRando, I feel a job coming on when you graduate in Phoenix or maybe Las Vegas. No trees, wide boulevards, and non-descript buildings and lots of stucco. Pre WWII buildings are mine shafts and ghost towns. Then you will say, if only these places had the urban grit of Indy.

The schools need to make sure they truly understand the impact of the school building in a neighborhood. If the schools and city are not careful the loss of these neighborhood schools will create new blight throughout the city. This will ultimately bring down surrounding property values hurting both the city's budget as well as the schools long term budget. I firmly believe that the professionals involved with the schools don't understand this concept and can only see the short term money from the sale of the property. Hamilton is on the rebound and doesn't need short sighted planning by the schools to create future blighted neighborhoods. Maybe they should do a little bit of research and learn that the new data shows that smaller schools, well integrated into the neighborhood, have the best return on investment and learning.

Indianapolis needs to take the next step in the development of downtown by increasing the quality of architecture for new skyscapers. They have some really well done buildings but most of them are 5 stories or less.

Bless those developers, I am sure they are just looking out for the common good. What a bunch of morons. Here is a community that is trying to take step to create a more substainable built environment (which would ultimately make money for the development community as well) that can maintain it value over a longer period of time, and the local building community can only think in the short term. I truly believe this is one of the main reasons the Cincinnati-Dayton area continues to struggle economically is because of the short sightedness of its building community. If the average citizen could only understand what is really going one they would be outraged.

inkaelin, To see the new tower check out photo number 14 on Providence, RI Part 1. I have to tell you, this town really felt good. It felt real, and it seemed to have a plan.