prolix

plus all the utilities/roads/infrastructure has been removed from that area.. how can you move back into that?

I'd think it would be worth more b/c the owners can demand whatever they want (b/c the city/courts can't force them out, as long as the ruling stands). Assuming the developer does not walk away from it, in which case you're right, it could be worth nothing. Honestly, if it were me I'd get with the developer and sell it. They got the ruling they wanted, and if you insist on living there you're just pouring salt on the wound (why would you wanna live there now anyway?). The developer would be in a bad situation, and this entire thing will hurt Norwood. I'd of course ask for enough cash to cover court costs, and then something ridiculously over market value for the property, b/c the point is that this kinda crap shouldn't happen in the first place. It has happened though, and there's no changing it. All you can do is hope the ruling helps to stop it from happening again, and move on.

quite a win for the rights of property owners. about time something like this happened. its unfortunate for the city of norwood, but maybe this will teach them not to eat their own. people shouldn't be forced from their homes in the name of another mall, unless the entire community of homes affected agree and willingly vacate. the government has no right to force it. i wonder what happens next. they won their case. made one hell of a point. do you turn around and sell for a huge profit? or continue to leave your property there and thumb your nose at the development? they are pretty much untouchable now

I think with a 3rd party doing construction you will most likely be better off (knock on wood). I think the overall issues mark and others (myself included) have issue with is the lack of followthrough on construction, timelines, and promises made. A lot of them are related to construction and MED not finishing the job. With a 3rd party firm (assuming MED isn't the GC), I can't seem them leaving Parker Flats 95% done, especially with Huff and others being involved in this. Hopefully the increase in populatin will spur some retail/etc inside the vacant space under Kinsey.

ah, my bad. this part threw me off, should have read more closely

It appears both Middle Earth Development and Properties are members of the Cincy BBB Middle Earth Properties (who manages the rental, ie: Kinsey) http://search.cincinnati.bbb.org/default3.asp?strTheForm=2&ID=1&strBCode=02920000&ComID=0292000011006428&ComName=Middle+Earth+Properties Middle Earth DevelopersMark's favorite group) http://search.cincinnati.bbb.org/default3.asp?strTheForm=2&ID=1&strBCode=02920000&ComID=0292000003005850&ComName=Middle+Earth+Developers+Inc%2E It is indeed kinda sad how much Kinsey has deteriorated. I moved in right after it opened and it was pretty cool back then (both the blding and the tennants). Now both have gone downhill. Jim Moll already contacted me about showing it I wonder if anyone from MED reads this stuff, although it seems like the owners are the primary problem. Hard problem to fix.

I think in terms of the rental property the owners just don't care. They got the glory of the new 'rehab' and then that was about it. I can't fault the employees that are supposed to manage this stuff, since they aren't given what is necessary to do their jobs. Our building manager does the best she can, but in the end the turn-around has to happen with the owners and from everyones dealings with those guys, that's not likely. It is indeed unfortunate, b/c it really wouldn't take that much more effort to fix the issues we've all had.

My parents know someone who works at AK and is locked out, and from what they have said its their 'union' that is dragging this out. They refuse to sit down and talk about an overall contract. They come to the table with 1 item of dispute, and drag it out, then leave. Stupid crap like shoe allowances and other BS. If that half-assed union would just sit and work out a FULL contract instead of showing up wanting to talk about 1 line item at a time (which AK will not do, that's not how contract negotiations work), then maybe their people could get their jobs back. These people have had it good for a long time, but the world is changing and if they want a job then AK has to stay competative. Everyone else is dealing with this, why these people think they should be immune to it is beyond me. Look at the money they loose everyday, if they had found middle ground they would have been a lot further ahead (financially and otherwise) than they are today. There are plenty of people who would want those jobs around here

as i left this am a handful of workers were on site, maybe they will finish digging up the lot today. i wonder what the new eta is for completion? i know originally the newspaper was saying this fall. they probably have 2-3 months worth of garage structure to build first

they haven't been on site at parker for the past week, wonder what the hold up is?

not to hijack mark's thread, but i'm with him on the experiences thus far with middle earth. while mark's problems are much more severe, renting from middle earth has just as many problems. kinsey flats was a pretty prime spot when it opened, and they took care of it for a short while, until the cleaning of the common spaces more or less stopped and the building began to (literally) fall apart. punch list items never finished, etc. i've been faced with water POURING into my apartment from a yet undetermined location upstairs twice (a waterfall of water coming off the exposed beams). gutters fell off the building about a year ago, and this was only fixed maybe a month ago. over that year of no gutters a section of my exterior wall became a sponge and created a nice piece of abstract art on my wall. also related to that gutter issue, bricks began to fall out of the exterior of the building. they are now in the process of attempting to fix my wall, but they never show up when they are scheduled and then enter to do work without telling me. friday i was greeted by an apartment COVERED in drywall dust b/c they failed to notify me of entry so i could take precautions against the mess. i've now put furniture in front of hte patch so they can't come trash my place anymore. the overall construction of kinsey is pretty lacking, as you can hear more or less everything that goes on in the apartments around you. the common spaces are a total mess, and now b/c of another leak in the roof, it rains in sections of the garage. the laundry area is probably the most un-sanitary thing i've ever seen, and they never did finish the rec room or the storage areas of the basement. i think our building manager does what she cans, but i don't think the powers that be give her what is needed to maintain the building (or that the owners even give a rats ass), as it continues to deteriorate. all the good tennants left, so now we've got a bunch of people who have no interest in keeping htis place nice, and leave burning cigarette butts everywhere. i'll be out of here in about 30 days, i've grown tired of it all mark, sorry to hear the situation at your place never improved, those pic's are indeed criminal. perhaps the association could get the work done, then sue to recover costs? is going after the realtor an option? you'd think if enough of the owners got on the realtor they would in turn go after MED? maybe someone like the real estate company would have more leverage to get them to finish the job. file BBB complaints against anyone involved, etc.

has there been any mention of what is going to be inside of the retail complex?

if they want the bmw crowd they better add garages! there's no way i'd be leaving my bimmer outside :) cool project though, need some more stuff in that price range on the ohio side.

I wish something would start filling in the retail along 4th, the entire stretch of Kinsey's retail is empty (except for a single remax office). The spaces are pretty cool too. I did notice this weekend that a realtor (West Shell i think) had taken over marketing for these spaces and put up some signs and covered the interior windows with craft paper so they didn't look like abandoned spaces. We'll see, I wish the entire 4th/5th historic area would get some more stuff going

i've not found any decent renderings of this, but apparently part of the building will extend around the corner and take over the lot behind kinsey flats (runs up mcfarland a bit). they've had to relocate the rear parking for kinsey residents, but the few of us who have inside spaces under kinsey won't be blocked in. i'm not sure what part of the structure extends around our building, but i am guessing its parking. it won't be very high though, i'm thinking 1 or 2 stories at most. robyn @ MED said it wouldn't block any of the rear windows of kinsey. since i will be living in the path of construction i'll try and take some shots as it goes on. should be interesting to watch.

yeah, when i think 'downtown' i always think walmart :roll:

why is this all about the lack of blacks on the board? that in itself is a bit racist isn't it? what about hispanics and asians? so far all the talk is about the lack of blacks on the board. racism is a two way street, and this town is full of them.

i came home around 6:30 and 4th was closed in front of the building. i live down 4th and was going to walk over to check it out but got tied up with some other crap

They do :) http://www.yourascent.com/

some work has recently started on this building next to the rivercenter and ascent project. its been vacant for the past couple years but in the past week they've been removing parts of the roof and workers have been working on the inside of it. sorry i don't have more info. the building is at the very end of the covington side of the roebling, on your left as you come off the bridge. took a pic with my treo, not the best quality

Prices do seem a bit high, but my feeling is they are trying to weed out the students and get more professional types to move in. I live downtown off 4th st right now, so obviously the area is a bit different. I know futher east down MLK can get sketchy, and there are the never ending warnings about krogers and clifton so I've been unsure what to make of Corryville and where it fits in the big picture of that area. It did seem fine during the day, and like there's a ton going on. New condo's, apartments, etc. There's a big new building across from Highlands (my personal fav hang-out). My main concern is the safety of my girlfriend as she comes and goes and if she has to park on the street late at night.

i went to look at apartments at stetson today and its a pretty impressive project. its far from being done, but the phase 1 of the apartments is done, which includes the clubhouse. its VERY nice and the clubhouse is awsome. private theatre, wifi everywhere, just insane amenities. the apartments are also quite nice, stuffed with features. i'm considering a move, but honestly i'm a bit concerned about the safety of the area. i'm not super familiar with it, but i've heard enough bad crap about clifton to make me hesitant and people i know who work around there kind of questioned me when i mentioned i was going to tour the place.

thats weird, usually middle earth sends around a notice when that lot is unavailable. i think there are some kinsey tenants that park there, as well as some tenants at the various apartments across the street. last time they were working there they had signs up days in advance and sent around notices. we'll see i guess

Being that I live at Kinsey Flats, not having everyone tailgating in our parking lot will be a much enjoyed bonus of this project. I'd rather live in construction than with the tailgaters who trash our parking lots. Hopefully this new projects brings some life to this end of 4th street. The retail spots under Kinsey have sat vacant for far too long.

Its great to see this project moving on to completion, its been such a long wait. I studied under Susan @ Miami, this thing has been in the works for a long time. I met Novak once on one of his frequent visits to Miami