BDRUF

^ I agree the site would be prime for a new arena, but i don't think that we have the need for it. Unless we could lure another franchise, but i don't see that happening. If they were able to make a contract with UC it would make sense, but like rando said it would be much better suited on campus. The only way i see that working is if there was a direct link by streetcar. Maybe that idea is not too far of a stretch.

This is the type of building that should be a bar. Something with this type of history should be more appreciated in the city.

Ascent opening March 26 BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | [email protected] COVINGTON – A grand opening for the Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge has been set for March 26, according to Corporex Cos, which is constructing the more than $44 million riverfront condominium tower in Northern Kentucky. On Wednesday, Debbie Vicchiarelli, chief marketing officer for Corporex, shared the news with a group of local developers during an afternoon luncheon hosted by the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky. An invitation only event, the grand opening is slated to begin at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting, followed by a private open house and tours, according to invitations sent out by Corporex. Eight couples have already moved into the 22-story luxury high rise condo tower, and the remaining owners, Vicchiarelli said, will be able to move in by the end of the month. To date, 57 of the 70 condos available have been sold, she said. Prices start at $395,000, and go as high as $5.5 million for the top unit - a three-story home with 35-foot ceilings known as the Pinnacle. More at http://www.enquirer.com

BlackFinn Cincy grand opening to highlight major changes SOAPBOX, 3/11/2008 When BlackFinn Cincy holds it grand opening on March 14, restaurant patrons can expect to see major changes to the former McFadden's space on Seventh Street downtown. "You wouldn't recognize it walking in," says restaurant manager Kirk Shaffer. "It's much, much more polished than McFadden's." A new bar and brand new decor has been added to the restaurant, and a club lounge, Suite, now occupies the rear of the space. "It's really an entertainment venue like Cincinnati's never seen before," says Shaffer. Shaffer describes BlackFinn Cincy as very inviting, upscale casual dining. "We have a very nice menu with what we call 'high-quality pub food'," he says. "It's mostly American fare, with some Irish influence. There's an attention to detail, and we take great pride in the menu." Shaffer says that downtown is a great location for any restaurant. "There's lots of foot traffic, especially in the summertime with a lot going on," he says. "We also have a lot of 9-to-5 workers, and we schedule a lot of private events. And developing relationships with people downtown is always nice." BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon, which was established in New York City in 1994, has locations in 12 U.S. cities. The downtown location will employ approximately 130. Writer: Kevin LeMaster Source: Kirk Shaffer, BlackFinn Cincy restaurant manager

Park Breathes Life Into Over-the-Rhine BY: STEPHANIE DUNLAP, 3/11/2008 Call it IMBY. By tending to one neglected plot of land, a small Over-the-Rhine community took the “not” out of NIMBY and stood the disengaged “Not In My Backyard” ethic on its head. It started in 1989, when Ken Cunningham and John Spencer moved to Main Street and immediately set to work rehabbing the decrepit park in their new backyard. To hear Cunningham tell it, the park was paved over and festooned with a rusty play set that bore more resemblance to a torture device than a tool of innocent fun for city schoolchildren.

I think that after the banks and then broadway commons this site has the most potential for a new development. While i do agree they need to tread lightly with their design so they do not detract from the terminal, I also feel that those enormous parking lots look like two black eyes on possibly the most beautiful building in the city.

How about making some T-Shirts like that? <------

I really like the one of the train yard

i guess i already know the answer to this question, but is there any chance that McFadden's will reopen in another location? That was a nice bar and it really added to all the things happening on Seventh St. It wold be nice to see it re-open in the vicinity of 7th or near Cadillac Ranch. Also it seems to me that BlackFinn is more of a Restaurant than a bar, but they have the "Suite" as well which is only a bar. Is this accurate? Or will it be essentially the same as McFadden's with a different name?

^ Thats really a shame. Wild Bill's was a nice authentic restaurant

^ Thanks John. Im going to have to email that to my mother who was swayed by O'Toole's comments on the subsidies. The funny thing is my mom is for rail, but doesn't know enough to make an informed decision so O'Toole was able to trick her into believing what he had to say.I guess this is the challenge for City Council to quiet all the doubters.

^ Yeah i have a round-about in my solution and i was debating dubbing that "Taft Circle" with a large statue of Taft

^ Were they carrying a map on a huge clipboard and a large camera? if so that was me. I was doing inventory and analysis for my senior project. I didn't really feel threatened until i got over to the drop in center. Across Washington Park at the Lord's Gym i was a little sketched out but there were three cops sitting in the park so...

^ yeah i had already thought about the Old Post Office, Gibson, and Sinton, but i completely forgot about Pike's Opera House I'm not familiar with the Flimm building off the top of my head, but I'll look into it. How do you guys feel about that. Is that a stale idea or will it create a dynamic environment?

Just thought i'd give those of you who are interested a little bit of an update. I have now completely finished my inventory and analysis and am finishing up my conceptual designs. I'm now at the point where i need to chose a character type for the development. My original thoughts were to go modern as to not cannibalize any of the progress in OTR, but the more i think about it i feel that this will be out of place an not reflect the image of the OTR area or the image of CIncinnati. So i started to look at QCSII for inspiration. It is modern, but has that classic art deco feeling. I then thought of the original renderings for the banks and felt that they created the identity of a neighborhood with a classic feel, but didn't seem fake like that of Neport on the Levee. I also have thought of some of the more classic buildings that Cincy lost over the years such as the Mabely Carew building, and how that could be recreated. What do you guys think? Will this create something authentic or cheesy?

i got a letter from Laketa Cole today in regards to the letters that i sent to council. It says: " I would like to thank you for your letter regarding the proposed streetcar plan. I appreciate your comments on this matter and I support the development of a streetcar system in our city. I have signed onto Council member Qualls motion which she is recommending not only the streetcar to connect Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, but also Uptown. I support the streetcar development while also requesting further research on this project. If Council is going to support this project we must make sure that the streetcars are not only providing transportation within downtown but also connecting our neighborhoods to one another as well as to downtown. " She doesn't really tell you if she wants the downtown line first or not. My understanding was that Qualls wants the Uptown line to be first. Is that correct?

^ I guess i did read about hop and never put two and two together, but raising it $1.75 at a bar like O'Mally in the Alley seems excessive to me. Maybe I'm just young and naive, or maybe money wasnt as tight over the summer! Even if Grammars has the most expensive beer in the Natti its not going to stop me from checking it out. I probably just will never become a regular.

I've been meaning to ask this, but have prices gone up all over the city? I only get home every so often, but i went home a couple of weeks ago and went to O'Mally's and it was like $3.75 for an OTR. Over the summer i remember it only being like $2.50. I also went to Madonnnas and i think it was like $4.00. If these prices continue to jump up like this I'm not going to be able to afford drinking :(

^ You beat me to the punch! This is great news. I'm so excited right now i cant even explain it. Now start laying the tracks for the streetcar. Cincinnati will quickly regain a lot of respect with in the city, region, and the midwest. This project has been the Achilles heal for Cincy since I've been in high school, and now the image of the city can start to its image on a larger scale

^ $4.50 for a draft sounds expensive to me. It would be great if they charged $4.50 for all domestics, and charged like $2.50 for all the locals like Moerlein and Hudy. Just a thought.

^ The Enquirer only reports bad news when it comes to downtown... Just kidding, but it does seem the reporting is bias against downtown. They really like picking on the Banks Project

Does anybody know where i could get a 3-D model of downtown for sketchup? I know it is possible because it is built in google earth i just dont know who would have it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I read an article that Cincy actually has the 7th highest amount of park space per resident

^ I've only been to Moe's up at OSU and it was at like am every time (needless to say intoxicated), but it was awesome. I guess all food is good though when your drunk