mcadrenaline

imho, it's silly and unproductive to have an attitude of elitism towards individuals were not part of the initial renaissance of OTR. The fact that suburbanites/newbies are even coming into OTR, let alone spending lots of money here each weekend, shows how this neighborhood is turning into a live/work/play destination for all -- a crucial part of its long term success. Like it or not, the dollar that will continue to open new restaurants/bars, and buy condos here are more than likely from the suburbs. They are a part of the solution, not part of any problem. Without them, there won't be a whole lot more growth.

^^ Thanks. Sounds like it's not for the faint of heart! What is at Keeneland? What does one do there? (sorry for the ignorance) Any thoughts on Louisville for a more urban weekend? I hear there's a solid arts and bar scene there? Want to check out the 21C Hotel since Cincinnati is about to get one as well. What about TN? That's not too much further and I think would open up a whole lot more hiking options... In terms of the Bourbon Trail, which places should I go and which to stay away from? I hate touristy crap but would love to drink some bourbon out of some guys barn in rural KY? Can we make that happen? If there's a huge gift shop and valet parking, I'm out.

I went to Neon's on Friday night and it was basically at capacity, patio included.

^^All solid options. The YMCA is a bit more full-service than one might expect and offers towel service, sauna and steam rooms, etc. Also, if you don't mind a quick drive, Urban Active has locations just across the river in KY and in Hyde Park as well. You might also consider UC's gym which is about as state of the art and modern as you can get, includes parking and is about a 5 minute drive from OTR.

^^ haha thanks for the tips. I am a mid-twenties male that's in pretty good shape btw. Would definitely be taking friends along.

I'm looking for suggestions for weekend trips from my home, Cincinnati. I tend to get antsy staying in one place for long periods of time and love to have a change of scenery every few weeks to refresh and degage. I feel like I have exhausted Chicago and Columbus and go to both of those cities on a fairly regular basis for good nightlife and shopping. I'm looking for any/all suggestions that are within a 4 hour (or less) drive from Cincinnati that would be acceptable for a 2 night stay. I live in the city in Cincinnati (OTR) and while I love exploring urban areas, I'd like to start spending more time in natural/outdoor areas where I can hike. Some places I have considered going but have not yet made it to are Louisville and Red River Gorge Where else should I be considering and why?

eeeek, that doesn't look so good. yikes.

^ no, would love to see. Can you dig them up?

^^ I don't think you can simply "kick out" a tenant. Anchor and the remaining tenants (Rainbow/Chiropractor/Rent-A-Center) would each need to have mutually acceptable way to break the lease, which would likely mean compensation for these tenants, correct? Still unclear why they would begin demolition of the plaza when there's still several fully-functioning businesses there. There is no way to build a new Kroger on the portion currently available for demolition...it's just not big enough. Scare tactic for the remaining tenants? Plenty of much newer, more-visible retail and office space for any of these business that wish to remain in the area.

Development faces leasing issues Redevelopment of the Corryville Kroger may be stalled due to problems with leasing http://www.newsrecord.org/index.php/article/2012/02/development_faces_leasing_issues “We’re working with the tenants to make arrangements for them to eventually leave the center,” said Michael Ricke, executive vice president of Anchor Properties. “The project won’t start until they have all left.” A chiropractic center, furniture store and clothing store remain under lease, and some believe one of the leases will last until 2015.

Demolition has begin on the University Plaza (Kroghetto & Walgreens Plaza) HOWEVER it appears thats both Walgreens and Kroger are still open and operating...just the Blockbuster, Pizza Hut, etc. are gone. Any idea when the Walgreens and Kroger will start to be demo'd? It's the same structure so I have no idea why they started one part but it's business as usual at the others....

^I think I left at just about 10. I was sitting with a Taiwanese guy at one of the tables closest to the bar... A few quick thoughts: -It's smaller than I thought with proper seating for only maybe 20 people. The bar only runs down about half in space. -Kind of loud for what one might expect from a wine bar...some interior soundproofing would do them well. -It's dark...VERY dark inside. So dark it's difficult to read the menus. The couple at the table next to me were using their iPhones to be able to read the menu. I'm all for ambiance, but this was kind of unacceptable. -Staff is still working out the opening kinks...they seemed a little scripted and stiff. Good service though. -Prices are about right, or what I'd expect. This probably won't be a regular hangout for me, but a good place to go for one or two drinks.

Heading to 1215 shortly. Will report back...excited to check it out.

Cincinnati has a chinatown bus?!!? Are there truly more bus options here than just Megabus and Greyhound?

#23.... imagine how much cleaner that scene would look if those utilities were buried. Instead I'm reminded of a slum in New Delhi or something: http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/21864/photos/PHOTO_8103256_21864_3955394_ap.jpg

I'm all for the Banks succeeding and retaining a unique mix of merchants, but knowing the reality of of how many restaurants fail in the first year or two, this makes me uneasy. Same with TKILTBAG...I feel like once the novelty and $8 beers wear off for all the suburbanites that inhabit the place on the weekends, that too could be in rough shape...

If I recall correctly, the theatre was in two seperate locations. One to the left of the food court entrance (w/ a Ponderosa adjacent!) and the other further into the mall just off of the food court (behind a Cinnabon). Weird how I remember that in such detail....

100% Agree. Through and through. I was just thinking about this today. Some new development in OTR looks like a suburbany, builders warehouse mess. It needs to be understood that A) it's silly to try to replicate traditional OTR architecture this day in age and, B) modern architecture can highlight and complement what's already down here. Anyone think modern prefab could be a good solution for infill? http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/fablisthome.htm http://re4a.com/

I can see some ridership challenges with CVG, even now that there are more people living in the city. Big airport doesn't mean lots of Cincinnati-originating passengers though...common misconception. CVG was only massive back in the day because of all the connecting pax Delta sent through. Also, CVG traffic is primarily business travelers who tend to favor taxis or private cars over public transit, even if it is perfectly convenient.

German doner kebabs....OMG. The most incredible thing after leaving a club in Berlin at 7AM as the sun comes up.....oh memories.....

Speaking of the beer selection, I find it kind of inappropriate that they carry more tallboys and 40s than any other type of alcohol -- brands I've never even heard of, mind you-- and then allow people to consume them in the parking lot out front. Seems like if they stopped carrying these products it might serve to reduce the resulting issues in the parking lot with all the loitering, etc. Diddn't 3CDC have an initiaive awhile back to get the corner stores & bodegas around OTR to stop carrying these "single serve" grab-n-go booze products?

The 2 p.m. announcement was supposed to be today but I see nothing in the news yet. I'm hoping they name the specific building...

I don't know what you guys consider "speciality items" but I don't consider basics like Crest toothpaste, tonic water, hummus, and name-brand yogurt, 4 items I recently have been unable to purchase at the OTR Kroger anything "gourmet" or "upscale" It's a true story though that the service is good -- far, FAR better than the Corryville/UC Kroghetto mess.

Let's just hope once 3CDC makes it up to Kroger, they wave their magic wand in that direction as well. That neighborhood is SO fortunate to have a grocery store at all, but the parking lot is pretty scray and turns people off from patronizing this location...lots of loitering, soliciting and loud music, etc. Furthermore, this store does NOT meet the needs of the "new" OTR population. I'm not asking them to knock the place down, but the product mix is all wrong. There's plenty of opportunity for Kroger to begin selling higher margin items here if they take care of the image problem this store has.

^^ I would agree with that. I am pleased and encouraged by what has happened, enought to call OTR home, but it seems like the last 2-3 years has just been a handful of new restaurants/bars opening. With that being said, it's been enough to bring a whole new demographic of people into OTR to try these new spots and see the progress. I feel like OTR is turning into a Mt. Adams of sort where people come to drink and dine, but then immeditely leave afterward and there's relatively few people actually living there. I am very frustrated by lack of services available in this area. I've voiced that several times in this thread, so I won't beat a dead horse, but the bottom line is that OTR does not feel like a self-sustaining neighborhood to me. I constantly have to leave to do basic things. I know that retail follows the residental population, but when do we start seeing that? What's the tipping point? I am also frustrated because the GQ as we know it is such a small part of the bigger picture. The reality is that Vine north of like 15th is still a mess. Then north of Liberty still has QUITE a bit of work to be done. Everytime I bring friends down to OTR I hear something about how abrubtly the neighborhood changes, and they're right.