LesterLyles

There have been some very good restaurants opening in Cincy in recent months/years but the city still has a ways to go. I think as downtown builds some more critical mass, it will continue to attract new business. I thought it'd be cool if we listed some things that we think are currently lacking in the basin just to create some ideas and discussion. Here's my early list: - Whole Foods type grocery - Good sit down sushi place (not upscale, but not take out either) - Barnes and Noble type bookstore - a Staples - Bowling Alley ( a destination type place ala Bowlmore lanes in NYC) - Sweets/chocolate specialty store

thats not too late is it?

Do you guys think that given the price of gas/oil coupled with the increasing focus on public infrastructure particulalry from Obama would allow Cincy to be able to get more $$$$$ from the federal gov't for the streetcar?

Agree Rando; I think guys like Cunningham have an absolute negative impact on the city's psyche. I mean everyone on this board obviously has a unique interest in urban issues and progress, especially Cincinnati's, but for the average resident, they get a great deal of their information from guys like Cunningham. Therefore his outrageous opinions are very counter-productive to what the city is trying accomplish. Cincy is about to start an advertising campaign promoting downtown. I guarantee you Cunningham will mock it. Why he will do this, I have no idea. I just don't understand how a guy as smart as Cunningham doesn't see the necessity to strengthening our urban core.

surface lots don't exist in Europe. barely at least. They build lots underground or often times have arking in courtyards that are surrounded by buildings. Aethetics are obviously much more important to Europeans then Americans. We are only now just starting to get it but too often appearance stood in the way of progress. Evrytime I walk by 7th and Vine, I think how great it would be if a Whole Foods built something in one of those lots.

I was wondring the same thing. Isn' t it in all our best interests to have a stronger downtown and urban core? won't a stronger city attract companies and families to move here? Won't it casue more people to visit, which will help local businesses? I don't get it.

I'm driving down 4th stret thinking to myself, this is the best street in Cincinnati. Sure some of the archetcture has something to do with it but I also realized there are barely any surface lots on that street. Those lots are just such an eyesore and there are simply wau too many in Cincy. No corner should have more than 1 (its a crime that 7th and vine has 2) and to be honest I'd like to see most of them destroyed. Is there a way the govenment can build a 4 or 5 story garage to ultimately eliminate 5 surface lots? At the very least, can they give incentives to current surface lot owners to purse the garage option? May not be a huge issue that our city faces but it is by far the biggest eyesore we have.

This is great news. I moved to Cincy 4 months ago and can really feel the energy in downtown. I also feel safe essentially everywhere I go in CBD. I listened to Bill C today talking to a reporter who had done a piece on downtown safety. I do't think they were referring to the same city I have been working in...I really don't The perceptions some people have is just mind boggling. I certainly realize the riots were an ugly chapter in this city's history but I am surprised just off-target perceptions still exist. Bill C. talked about how bad downtown was for a few minutes and at the end he amitted he hasn't been downtown in months. Go figure.

on pace for 51 murders this year. Would still be way down.

still a crime that metropole is section 8. That building seems to have a ton of potential. given that many out of towners come into downtown for the Airnoff, many of the shady carachters that live there probably don't help downtown perceptions.

I have been meaning to ask you guys about metropole/ Is it really section 8? How in the world do you put section 8 housing in that building in that location?

Yes, please elaborate on the sushi option. On a side note, given the absolute success of Fountain Square (it has been mobbed this spring), I am surpsrised we don't hear anthing about the empty remaining spaces. Is Chipoltle still an option or perhaps another food option. Any word? Whatever goes there will be an absolute goldmine.

what is a good restaurant to go to downtown on a Saturday early evening (6ish) with a todler and an infant?

Whats up with the corner of 12th and Race? Seems like a very unsafe pocket of OTR? Am I wrong on this> Any way t clean it up a bit more? Maybe closing that bar somehow?

The 2nd floor will be become the Private Wealth area for high rollers.

Rando, the padded column looking thing in the front will be a water/fountain structure. It is going to look very cool. What is going to go next to it?

Guys, this thing is at a compete halt, at least from the nakend eye. It seems that there hasn't been progress made in months unless you consider a few glass panes a day progress. July 1 is a pipe dream.

Guys, I wrote a letter to Cranley w/ my support on this project. Anyone elese I should write to? This is a key moment right now in this whole project. Let me know what has to be done.

I have to admit, as an anti-sky-walk guy, they are nice to have on a day like today.

d, it would make perfect sense!

I was just at an auction at the Event Center on Pendleton (beautiful old church that shows off all the old bells). Anyway, the parking area at Broadway Commons is absolutely perfect for a new/modern arena. I mean there could not be abetter area. I realize some will say that Cincy already has one but that monstrosity on the river is so outdated and such an eyesore. Not sure if Cincy could ever attract a pro hockey or NBA team (I would think we could given the size of the metro area) but a new arena with a new pro team would be such a boon for CBD and OTR not to mention the Pnedleton area. Plus if the arena is state of the art, it could host concerts and ther national sporting events. An added benefit is we could blow up US Bank arena and use the riverfront as well. This should be a MAJOR consideraton for the powers that be.

Went to Nicola's lat night. really great place. Afterwards, though, I was giving my wife a tour of OTR and the Vine st area. When we drove to Main Street,t hough, Cue was absolutely empty. I'm talking totally empty. This was 9:30. How is it doing?

I'm confused. If it went downtown to uptown, wouldn't the line go through OTR?

somebody mentioned this to me...talked about its vibrancy and teh fact that it had most fortune 500 cos per capita....anyone?

Hey David, just a piece of advice for the chef/owner at Via Vite. The Inzimino is way overcooked. This is a big complaint by many on-line reviewers and i felt the same way. Otehrwise, I think the restaurant is excellent.