PhattyNati

i have a picture.... but am unable to upload.

^ I was just going to ask the same thing. I noticed yesterday that theve started hanging some of the balcony railings. They should hopefully add a nice level of detail to the buildings. Also, i really hope the hotel doesnt end up looking like that.

From a guest column by Steve MacConnell President and CEO of Cincinnati Union Bethel. "Representatives from Western & Southern have suggested that this home is better suited for wealthier people by converting the Inn into a high-rise condominium building. We disagree." http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110122/EDIT02/101230321 If their plan is to TEAR DOWN this building, as he suggests, then that is an outrage. Or was he misquoted, meaning to say "high-end condominium building"

I agree that the individual retailers with bring a lot to the table when it comes to creating individuality. And yes, a clean palette is appealing to a potential tenant so they can make it their own. But this is not kenwood mall and in no way should the architecture be treated as such. To the point made earlier there is nothing wrong with a block sized building (which is basically what the developers tried to do on the ground level) but be consistent and let the architecture be what it wants to be. Their attempt to break up the facade, implying multiple buildings, is at odds with their attempt to create continuity at the street when its not necessary. The forced two completely different ideas one one another that suddenly transition at this magical line at 16 feet.. It just looks bad. Anyway...welcome laurasrn, youll have to tell us what YOU think when you move in!

^ Well said. My only other gripe (ive complained about this before when the renderings were released) is that while the buildings facades ARE executed in such a way to create an illusion of multiple, smaller structures, the street level architecture completely ignores this. Granted this building is not yet finished, the 3rd image posted above illustrates my point clearly. The ordering, massing, and proportion established above all of the sudden disappears. Its as if two completely isolated sets of eyes designed whats above and whats below. Whats missing right now which i believe will add a nice level of detail are the balconies and railings. I think these buildings will really come to life when those elements start to show up. That, and when people are waiting in line by the hundreds to hop on the mechanical bull.

While im generally satisfied with what has been competed to date, im pretty disappointed in the lack of imagination in the architecture. They basically developed four different facades and just repeated them throughout the development. Would it REALLY have been so difficult to come up with entirely unique designs for each building? It would have been great had the developers selected multiple architects, at least for the two separate appartment buildings. Oh well. I understand that individual tenants will create a more dynamic streetscape, but im not sure its enough. Maybe i will feel entirely different when the brewhouse, office tower, and hotel are completed. Hopefully their addition will create enough dynamic to satisfy my need for variety... but we'll see. What is incredible to me is the improved urban spacial environment around the ball park. It feels like its a part of downtown... finally.

All i could tell was they were taking down the old Emergency Medical Center. It seemed surgical in the sense that they were only working on that building, so i dont know if they others are in line or what exactly.

Demolition today on 5th street. I remember seeing this grouping of buildings being mentioned at some point, but i dont remember for what. Sad. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=39.100421,-84.518193&spn=0,0.001179&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=39.100421,-84.518193&panoid=YlUKOyC1qYsFuvq3FyJ8bA&cbp=12,160.44,,0,-18.34

The hole is for recently poured building core footings for future phases.

Its hard to look at that image without feeling sick to my stomach. To go back in time... if only for a day.

Whats funny about that is they have already planted the new trees. Unfortunately, they are so small you probably didnt see them.

^ I saw that too. Seems like it might simply be an attempt to water tight a portion of the building that is probably leaking into one of the occupied retail spaces.

Has anybody noticed that the 20th Century Theater's (Oakley) exterior neon has been completely restored? I never thought i would see the day...

I wont identify my source, other than to say its from the horses mouth (multiple entities involved. The quantities are numerous and their locations multiple. Suffice it to say that the quantity and quality of planted trees and landscape areas will not disappoint. A quick glance and the schematic site plan on 3cdc's website should give a pretty good indication as to where new trees will be planted, but not their species.

The park will not be fenced off at night. It is planned, however, to replace the iron fencing that used to sit on top of the limestone retaining walls. Certain areas, like the playground and the dog park will be entirely closed off by fencing, but not the entire park.

A list of trees from not too long ago included: Sugar Maple, Ginko, London Plantree, Shingle Oak, Red Oak, Bald Cypress, American Yellowood, Kentucky Coffee, Thornless Honey Locust, Littleleaf Linden, Japanese Zelkova, Eastern Redbud, Flowing Dogwood, Winter King Hawthorn, Saucer Magnolia, Japanese Pagodatree, and Japanese Tree Lilac

I did enjoy the "Doesn't sounds like ill get a chance to" remark... what a joke. I dont know how long the entire interview was, but if Kasich was as cordial throughout as he was in that segment, i would imagine Atherton was about ready to toss him thru a wall.

Its a shame that any of the trees had to come down, but i think its important to recognize that their loss will result in a far greater gain. Make no mistake, tree preservation was the single most influencing factor in locating just about everything within the plan. Symmetry was sacrificed multiple times for trees, but It was deemed far too important to miss out on the opportunity to make a more formal gesture connecting the historic band stand to the new event lawn and stage. Knowing that, it is difficult to justify eliminating such an important design feature to avoid a tree that might fall down tomorrow. You could debate the importance of this connection or the way in which its executed, but the decision was made to do it this way. Its also important to consider that to protect each tree, there must be minimal disruption anywhere within its dripline so there is far less wiggle room than is perceived just standing in the park. If you look at an aerial, you can see how little room there actually is to work with given the current tree layout. Generally, new paving is confined to areas that are currently paved with blacktop, or areas outside of driplines to keep new disruption minimal

^ I know im not going to have a heart attack, you must be talking about everybody but me! If this isnt the place... or time to discuss potential shortfalls in whats supposed to be our city's front yard, i dont know where is.

I wasnt sure if it was next to the road, or if there was a sidewalk. I didnt have a chance to look at the video again. But ill make the same argument being so close to the sidewalk. Seems a little redundant to have two different pathways so close to one another anyway. I understand the need to have a dedicated route for bikes, but couldnt it have simply been a wider concrete sidewalk, separating the two uses by a row of trees, or an inlaid granite line, or something. I also dont see any provisions for street trees.... maybe thats an idication that none of the paving south of mehring is permanent. This image makes a little more sense... http://www.mycincinnatiriverfrontpark.com/images/tour5-large.jpg ... but thats not what i see, at least not in the video. Well see i guess. Just seems goofy.

Upgraded to what though? Asphalt really is the best material for a bike path. It just seems a little haphazard, and not well integrated, that's all. They placed it 1' away from the road, leaving a gap where they will try forever to get grass to grow, and will fail. I suppose i don't really have a issue with it being asphalt (though i cant imagine its a material that will be used anywhere else in the park), its execution just seems lackadaisical in what presume will be a well detailed park. I would hope for nicely integrated curbing or something to better define its edge, and placed far enough away from the road that you could actually get something to grow there. To me these are no brainers, and should be pretty obvious to someone trying to create a world class park. That's why my presumption is its not the final solution.

Im hoping that the bike trail will be upgraded at some point, and that the black top is temporary until the other phases come to life.

Interesting. I thought originally the hotel would face sycamore street, but maybe i just assumed that since the red cross currently faces that direction. Not sure if i like this alternate configuration or not. It will give the hotel nice visibility from 71 as well as fill in some of the gaps on that edge of town. Either way its a positive upgrade from the garage thats there now... as long as they can improve the aesthetic of the proposed garage.

^ Agreed! I walk past this building nearly every day and ALWAYS thought it had fantastic residential potential. Either way, im thrilled they will be bringing this gem back to life.

The little gem on the far left is proof positive that no building should be overlooked. Amazing transformation.