Ronnie

I'm not sure the push to build QCS2 has anything to do with the Banks or any other project. Just happens to coincide with everything else. After all, they have been saying possibly a 2008 construction start for around 3 years now. It's almost 2008 ;-)

This is not an issue limited to just Cincinnati. A good bulk of midsize urban areas with large suburban areas are afflicted by this very problem. Too many suburbanites want to move farther and farther away from the urban core and then piss and moan about inner city decay, not realizing they are a key contributing factor by not supporting the core. Another factor is flat out lack of regional cooperation. Everyone wants a piece of the cake, but not help bake the damn thing.

Also, does anyone have a pic of the model at the old Guilford School?

^---I really disagree with this pyramd idea. Carew and PNC are about the only part of Cincinnati that stick out above the rest. Outside of Carew and PNC, the rest of the downtown is fairly flat. Drive a big loop around the CBD and you'll see what I'm talking about. The pyramid scheme may have been there many years ago, but the addition of Scripps, PNC Center, Chemed, Atrium and Chiquita pretty much destroyed that pyramid long ago. Besides, don't you think it's time for Carew to step aside and let the new kid run the block? As for the height...the original design would have already put QCS at around 685. If they go with more floors (I'm guessing 3-5 more), that will put QCS well over 700.

Wow! I don't believe what I'm reading! Magnum, Raptor, Mantis, Wicked Twister, Millenium Force or Top Thrill Dragster are not innovative coasters? Cedar Point has been, is and always will be known as the roller coaster meca of the amusement park world. Yea, it doesn't have the fancy-shmancy feel of Disney or Universal, but when it comes to coasters, no one beats Cedar Point. Plus, Raptor and Mantis are both B&M coasters. The others are mostly by Intamin AG, which are comparable to B&M. Additionally, CP is getting Maverick this year (http://www.rcdb.com/id3570.htm). You would never see a true coaster enthusiast say these things! Blasphomy! :-o

So did I. But I'm not sure the sale will actually happen.

Sure...why not. This is my work computer. I'll show home later on. :-P

Posted in the 1/12/07 Dayton Daily News... New hotel to open in Dayton in February Dayton Daily News Friday, January 12, 2007 DAYTON — The city's first new hotel in more than 20 years is set to open in early February. The Courtyard by Marriott at the University of Dayton, a four-story, 101-room riverfront hotel co-owned by UD, already is taking reservations. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/12/ddn011207newhotel.html

Oh, I agree that this building is unique, but for people to place it up there with Empire, Sears or whatever else as a top tourist destination is pushing it a little bit. Maybe if it was a 500+ footer with an observation deck, but not at it's current design height. I wonder if this may start an architectural revolution up sorts with future projects for the CBD. It will be interesting to see what other unique buildings designs pop up. :)

^---u know, it's like impossible to look at this building straight. Everytime I look at a picture from each angle, I find myself tweaking my head and thinking to myself "that can't be right". I mean seriously, look at that close-up pic 2 post above and tell me that the facade they are laying doesn't look crooked as compared to the columns behind it. I'll bet it's a nightmare for the construction crew! :? :? :? :?

^---Of course Lexington is growing within it's city limits considering it's merger with Fayette County. But with 285 sq. miles and a population of only 268,000, what kind of pride could one have for the city's growth?

I'm not sure I understand this, but shouldn't the region's top priority be the downtown I-75 upgrade over Austin Pike? Why ODOT and the area's leaders continue to think I-75 through Dayton and Cincinnati is not a top priority is beyond me. It's the busiest stretch of interstate in Ohio with some serious problems and should have been addressed many many years ago. Yet, the region would rather have another interchange that's just going to contribute to more sprawl instead of fixing the regions "main' headache problem.

from the 1/04/07 Dayton Daily News... Chamber puts muscle behind I-75 improvements Business leaders will focus efforts on development around Austin Pike interchange project. By Kristin McAllister Staff Writer Thursday, January 04, 2007 DAYTON — The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce today outlined its goals to continue the momentum of business growth in the region. The chamber's legislative and regulatory agenda identifies 10 regional public policy needs — from transportation to education — that promote pro-business policy decisions at local, state and federal levels. "The Austin Pike interchange is our No. 1 project," said Chris Kershner, chamber vice president of public policy and economic development. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/03/ddn010407chamberagenda.html

from the 1/4/2007 Dayton Daily News... Dayton No. 4 for job loss 2,500 positions disappear from area, but at the same time unemployment rate dips slightly. By Kristin McAllister, Staff Writer Thursday, January 04, 2007 DAYTON — Dayton tied for fourth in the nation for the largest over-the-year decreases in employment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Topping the list is Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich., with a loss of 26,400 jobs between November 2005 and November 2006. Dayton, which had a job loss of 2,500 during the same period, shares the No. 4 spot with Fort Smith, Ark. While the number of jobs decreased in Dayton, so did the unemployment rate, from 5.8 percent in November 2005 to 5.6 percent during the same month in 2006. The national unemployment rate in November was 4.3 percent, down from 4.8 percent a year earlier. Top job loss areas: 1: Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich. — 26,400 2: St. Louis, Mo. — 3,300 3: Flint, Mich. — 3,100 4: Dayton, Ohio/Fort Smith, Ark. — 2,500 Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/03/ddn010407employment.html

Those hoodpins are tight! :roll:

^---LMAO! Chris, you crack me up! All those pics and that's the only question you have! :D

Does anyone know what the big plan for phase 1b, the 35/75 interchange is going to be? I can't seem to find any preliminary sketches or renderings concerning this. Is it set for a full redesign with new flyovers or are they just running extra lanes through? I was just wondering as they have cleared an enormous lot of land on the northeastern corner of the interchange and with the scheduled demolition of the former Reynolds & Reynolds building, it seems as though they are making some room for something.

^---We're all thrilled about QCS if and when it gets built. But it's not the only thing Cincy has going for it. While we are waiting, lets keep in mind a highrise going up at at Fifth & Race and 2 midrise's going up at One River Plaza. Not too mention multiple highrise projects going up across the river. We've got a lot going on and even without phase II, the CBD and riverfront is going to look drastically different in the next few years.

I go to McGuffy's twice a week in Riverside. They are enforcing the smoking ban. The patrons have stayed at about the same level it was before the smoking ban. Plus, there are several bars nearby that are allowing smoking. At first, there were a lot of complaints, but now I don't here any complaining and smokers are doing what they are supposed to be doing. So yes, Ohio and the people will adjust.

Billy, what happened at the last meeting you went to? Did people voice their opinion against this? Are they going to do one of the proposals or look at other options? When is this supposed to be finalized? I haven't been down to MVRPC in awhile.

from the 12/24/06 Dayton Daily News: Officials promise 'controlled growth' along Austin Pike Springboro, Miamisburg, Miami Twp. working together on development around the proposed interchange. By Lawrence Budd, Lou Grieco Staff Writers Sunday, December 24, 2006 MIAMI TWP., Montgomery County — Robert L. Mott looks forward to the day when he can get onto Interstate 75 via the Austin Pike interchange. However the Miami Twp. resident expressed hope officials overseeing construction of the $33 million interchange, a road network serving the interchange and hundreds of acres of development in three communities, curb potential problems when the interchange opens in fall 2010. About 23,000 cars are expected to use it the first day. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/23/ddn122406austininside.html

from the 12/24/06 Dayton Daily News: Development boom expected on Austin Pike By Lawrence Budd and Lou Grieco Staff Writers Sunday, December 24, 2006 MIAMI TWP., Montgomery County — A small sign advertising 54 acres of mixed-use development only hints at the boom projected on more than 1,100 acres surrounding the proposed Austin Pike interchange. The sign, posted by R.G. Properties, concerns a fraction of the land in Springboro, Miamisburg and Miami Twp. that is part of the development expected to create as many as 28,000 jobs. Springboro Mayor John Agenbroad envisions a convention center hotel on more than 140 acres to be developed in the city. ... http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/24/ddn122406austin.html

I'm not sure how long this has been up, but I don't remember seeing it a couple weeks ago. But ODOT has posted a series of generic rendierings in PDF format for this project. Looks like their will be extensive use of sound barriers. I hope this doesn't block the views of downtown too bad. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/dist7/Jobs_Progress/projects/phase1A.htm

can someone fix my font size? I'm on my PDA and it won't let me modify. Nevermind...got it! :D

and some more from DDN: Businesses' lots cross line on right of way, state says Widening project needs more space, so back off, proprietors told. Some contend state is off base. By James Cummings, Staff Writer Monday, December 25, 2006 HARRISON TWP. — Mike Crook bought the North Main Street building a few years ago for his printing business. Now Crook fears actions by the Ohio Department of Transportation to enforce right of ways from 1938 — none of which have appeared on county plat maps since 1940 — will render his investment worthless. ODOT sent Crook a letter in August instructing him to remove 243 square yards of asphalt from the parking lot in front of the building, plus 45 feet of concrete block retaining wall and two shrubs. The state says that portion of his property is part of the state's right of way for North Main, Ohio 48. "That would basically put me out of business," Crook said. "They're doing the same thing to the barbershop next door. Businesses all up and down the street won't be able to meet zoning requirements for parking." ODOT has sent letters similar to theone Crook received to 35 property owners along North Main Street from just south of Swallow Drive to just north of Macy Street, a stretch of about one-half mile. Crook and some of the other property owners are particularly upset because they say the right of way the state is trying to enforce does not appear in property records they depended on when they bought and developed their parcels. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/