LesterLyles

Keep the faith. Condos is that spot are the answer and will get done.

Oh man, if something like this was executed, I'd go crazy. Excellent idea! I don't care to see another Jean Robert or Jeff Ruby's either. If they keep opening up restaurants, we're going to have another LaRosas on our hands. Totally agree. Something like this that is both uniquely Cincinnati and welcoming to all (not too expensive) would be absolutely perfect.

My reaction to this project is the same when i heard that Gaslight/Ludlow was getting a facelift. Sure in a perfetc world, these areas can use some love but they should not be a priority for the city right now. Shouldnt we iuse this money for OTR or the streetcar. I just don't see the need AT ALL. That corner of the city where Lytle park is just fine.

The solution is to set a up a citywide social services system where EVERY neighborhood has social services locations and every neighbhorhood has section 8 housing, on a very limited scale. Folks worry about section 8 killing home values; I dont think that would be the case if we talk about it being very spread out accros the city.

well thats good.

agree w/ edale!! You gotta be kidding me if you are against "gentrification" in OTR.

actually, this afternoon I saw that that store "Fresh" was shut down. I never liked that place much but it is a shame this this situation will leave behind so many empty spaces.

is it me or does anyone else think Ludlow didn't really need it. Put the money in areas of Clifton that do need it.

High concentration? You haven't seen a high concentration of Section 8 until you get into the Westend near Liberty and Linn. I don't think their is anything wrong with the Metropole being section 8 as long as there is a responsible landlord (responsible being the key here). Why can't section eight housing exist in downtown so that people of all walks could live in the core? Where would you propose moving the people in the Metropole? My concern is that statements like this promote the idea that section eight only belongs with other section 8. This kind of thinking goes back to the age when Laurel homes existed along Ezzard Charles. The whole Westend became a community of "projects". This is not good for the people in section eight who are genuinely trying to live a good life (which is the majority of people in low income housing believe it or not). It is also not good for the community at large to be segregated by socio-economic status. Now if you had offered to move the people of the Metropole into new low-income housing in Indian Hills, I would see it as a positive. I have a feeling the people in Indian Hills would have a fit if this were the case..... actually I was thinking just the opposite and I think we actually agree. I believe that section 8 belongs in EVERY city neibhorhood and should be dispersed as much as possible and not concentrated in a complex even as big as Metropole. I think the idea of concentrated poverty is one of our biggest problems (like you cited with Laurel homes). I wouldn't have a problem if one of the apts above Pheonix had section 8 and a 3 story building on 8th street, and a 4 story on 4th street and a small building or two in Hyde Park etc. IMO a bigger building lke Metropole is simply way too high of a concentration and lets face reality...to have that much section 8 like that in arguably the biggest tourist/suburbanite destinaton in downtown is just plain stupid. I dont mean to generalize but its reality.

This is certainly a positive development but ideally, I would loe to see Metropole coverted into a hotel. Talk about a perfect location. The Sycamore locale seems a bit isolated but it would be exciting to see that part of town develop as well. I know I sound like a broken record but with everything goig on around Arnoff know, Metropole is screaming to be converted into a higher end hotel.

What the area needs is for the Metropole Apts to be converted into a hotel. that would vcomplte the area as a true entertainment area. There is no way such a high concentration of section 8 housing should be situated in that location.

I realize One River Plaza will beuilt to the west of the Purple People Bridge landing. Are there any plans for the actual landing i.e. right accross Riverside Dr? It is such an eyesore yet seems to have some potential. I am wondering if you guys know anything.

I think the Disney style "wow factor" plan is probably the right direction for the banks. While the original plans were great, to re-create an older style neighborhood probably isn't the best course of action given the revitalization of OTR that is going on. It is important that the Banks become something unique to Cincinnati and especially differentiated from CBD and OTR and therefore a kind of Disney/Wow theme fits that bill. Cincy has plenty of older, charming neighborhoods. ESPN zone is perfect for the Banks. Mageritavilles not so much; hopefully that changes and something that would be a specific attraction will come in. As for a Krogers, again, hopefully it will be something unique. Obviously a store geared more towards urban shoppers would be ideal but hopefully there are other unique features to it, as well.

For me, the ideal spot for an additional downtown hotel is the Metropole Apts building and maybe Mariott will consider this as an alternative. For one, it would eliminate the section 8 element on that block, which in my opinion is one of the worst possible locations for section 8. I also think that the block could really benefit from a hotel due to the fact that the area is truly becoming a primary entertainment district. It just seems the area is screaming for a hotel. The building also has a certain "classic" feel which I think an higher-end hotel could build upon i.e. create a classic lobby, greenery on the outside. I think it would be an absolutely perfect location.

I thought a movie theatre was going to be an idea, either at 5th and race or above the maceys. I'm not sure i see too much of aneed for the proposaed theatres given the venues that already exist around the city.

the thougt that boomers are flocking back to the urban core is true but delayed to to the housing crisis. I am willing to bet a large percentage of boomers thinking about downsizing and selling their suburban homes are waiting for the housing market to recover. T/f I wouldn't say the model they are using is necessarily flawed; its more a victim of the market, moreso than some other developments.

I think one thing throwing everyone off a bit is the brown. It is a color that, in my opnion, will not age very well and isn't really welcoming at all. That being said, I can understand why it is being used (the current color scheme of the Freedom Center). If it was up to me, i would focus thebuildings more on the off white color of the Fredom Center and not the browns. It would still belnd in nicely and be much more welcoming IMI.

I find it utterly comical that folks that are anti-Cincy on just about everything (in this case the Banks) refer to Northern Kentucky as if it is the second coming of Paris France. I'm not really referring to people on this forum but more theneral poulous in general. I actually do like the Ascent and Covington has a few nice blocks...other than that, Kentucky just ain't doing it for me.

so you can lease at $5 a square foot for the first year. That is the monthly rate? So a 1,200 square foot busiess would cost me $6,000 a month or a year? I am assuming year but that seems awfully low.

Its an area that seems to be thriving w/ the new restaurants and bar, not too mention the Arnoff. The one black eye, though, IMO is Metropole. Why in theworld would you have section 8 housing in the middle of an area that caters to suburbanites? If Cincy wants to send a message to region to come downtwon and catch dinner and a show, its better to have section 8 elsewhere. And I don't mean it has to be out of downtown but wevn two blocks away would be better.

How does Blue Ash differ from Madeira. I like the idea of a nice business district and sense of community and Madeira seems to have that moreso than many other areas in the metro. I alsodon't feel its strile suburbaan sprawl type area. My first choice wasMt Lookout/ hyde Park but you don't get nearly as much for your money.

Anyone know any negatives regarding Madeira?

I actually agree w/ alabama. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to go into the store (it closes at 5:30...another negative) but in peeking in, it looks like nothing more than a larger than average butcher shop and certainly not a grocery that we are all hoping for.

good point on thhe hours. As impressed as I am that Avril's opened a grocery, what good is it if it closes at 5:30 during the week? Has to be open until AT LEAST 7:00.

yeah I saw there was a Staples there but I don't really consider that downtown. As for Benihana, I meant a more authentic sushi place.