sheady

Bortz is doing a great job of clarifying Cranley's rhetoric Cranley looks antsy Bortz for mayor

Looks like they incorporated Ruby's red Ferrari!

Good News! Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 8:32 AM EDT Strickland plan adds more historic tax credits Business Courier of Cincinnati Cincinnati-area developers who complained about Ohio's Historic Preservation Tax Credit program got a prompt response from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. An economic stimulus package, announced Wednesday by the governor, includes $120 million in new funding for the program, whose suspension in mid-March threatened more than $100 million in local development projects. The tax credit program provides a 25 percent refundable tax credit to developers who purchase and renovate historically significant properties. The program was intended to fund up to 100 projects a year, but the state only set aside $120 million for the credits, all of which was gobbled up by the first 37 projects.

Here We Go! Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 8:25 AM EDT Bootsy Collins, Jeff Ruby set Cincinnati nightclub plans Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Lisa Biank Fasig Staff reporter Restaurateur Jeff Ruby and funk bassist Bootsy Collins unveiled plans Thursday for a downtown Cincinnati restaurant and nightclub, capping more than a year of deliberations. The destination, to be called "Bootsy's, Produced by Jeff Ruby," will include a rock 'n' roll museum, an exterior glass elevator and a dramatic circular bar. Expected to open by fall, it will feature Spanish cuisine, tapas and sushi, with a second-floor dining room to seat 150, a balcony extending over Walnut street and a nightclub. The rock 'n' roll museum will occupy the street level, and all will be encased in a style that harkens to Paris and New Orleans. Bootsy's will be located at the former Uno's restaurant space on Walnut Street, across from the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Ruby, who owns seven restaurants including the Precinct and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, said the renovations would cost more than $2 million. But the investment is not just in one restaurant and nightclub. In time, he wants the site to launch a thriving district. "There has never been a true entertainment district in this city," he said. "You need more than just a few bars to qualify as an entertainment district." Ruby and Collins have been planning this venture for more than a year, and had hoped to open the restaurant by early 2008, but there were structural plans to iron out. They spent many months collaborating with city officials; the Cincinnati Equity Fund, a corporate-financed loan pool that will help bankroll the project; and the owners of the site, a partnership of Madison Marquette, Belvedere Corp., Duke Realty and Towne Properties called the Cincinnati Development Group. Neil Bortz, a principal at Towne Properties, served on behalf of the property owner at the negotiating table. "I was at the table, on the table, under the table, behind the bar," Bortz said. "It's been an odyssey, but it's been fun because Ruby is terrific. And most importantly he gets things done right." Among the design elements that required special attention were the elevator - a glass-enclosed, birdcage design that will travel from the sidewalk to the second floor - and the extended balcony on Walnut, inspired by those of New Orleans. Ruby's regular designer, Dave Stevens in Las Vegas, flew to Paris to research for the interior. When complete it will include private party rooms, a sushi bar and an exhibition kitchen separated by a 30-seat onyx counter where diners can sit and watch the cooks. The chef, picked from the Spanish-influenced Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, Fla., will work with Ruby's longtime Executive Chef Jimmy Gibson. Meals will center largely around tapas, small dishes of traditional Spanish fare, as well as paella. ("They're going to be things that are interesting and not so bizarre that you don't know what you're eating," Ruby said.) The atmosphere will be casual, targeting young professional women in particular. Average checks should run $40 per person for dinner and $15 to $20 for lunch. Collins will be instrumental in pulling the museum together, as well as the entertainment. A performer for 40 years, he played backup to James Brown and joined George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic before launching Bootsy's Rubber Band in 1976. In the years that followed, he released more than 20 albums. "Bootsy's got a vast background in music with relationships with a lot of musicians," Ruby said. "One day he's on the phone with Slash, the next with Kid Rock." Bootsy's will be Ruby's eighth location, and a ninth is under way in St. Louis. He estimates his seven other restaurants generated 2007 sales of $35 million. The parties signed the lease on April Fools Day, by design. It is the same date that Ruby signed for his namesake eatery, Jeff Ruby's, just up the block at Seventh and Walnut streets. "I'm superstitious," he said. All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

UncleRando is correct in which building I was referring to. I attached an OLD picture of that block (from a previous thread)...even though the McAlpin looks different the building I am referring to (on the right of the picture) looks the same.

Does anyone know whats going on across the street from "Bang" and "Boss Cox"? I saw some construction guys in there this morning...looks like they are starting to do work!

I just drove by the old McAlpin building...the part on the corner of 4th and race. They just started doing work in that section! Does anyone know whats going in there?

I saw this article a few months ago and it made me think...any thoughts? http://www.smartbrief.com/news/aaaa/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=49C18D31-E78B-4CE4-AD3E-C9C8A3C63340

Where exactly is the property being proposed for the site?

I walked by the Provident Camera building (next to Rockin Robins) last night and noticed them doing work on the floors above the store (i.e. what looked like window replacement and ladders). I know the building sold not to long ago...but I was wondering if anyone knows anything on a rehab?

I googled Buddakhan and got a phone number (513-421-9700). The guy on the voicemail said the Grand Opening is September 1! Still no word on Bootsy Ruby?

Two questions. Has anyone heard anything about Jeff Ruby's new concept "Bootsy Ruby's"? Also, any word on this new rock cafe "Buddakhan"?

We can appreciate your concerns, nicker66! We all just get a little anxious about this building, but we can wait! Hey, what tenant is moving in to allow this to start!

If they selected a start date for the construction, that can only mean that they found a "BIG" tenant!!! Not only am I excited about the building going up...but I am excited about who is moving their offices downtown! That is quite a bit of office space...it has to be a big one! :clap: :clap: