Haynesm007

^Maybe the karate and candy store, or Lucy Blues

There doesn't appear to be any relation between the two lists. Did you come to any conclusions based on this? I would offer that it looks like black/white segregation has no effect how much population the various cities have lost since the last census.

At the ceremony, George Shaffer spoke and announced that 5/3 would begin renovation of the northern structure next month (November). I don't know how firm a date that is but you can't go much further up the food chain at 5/3.

My uneducated guess would be that some police union contract exists whereby officers on foot get higher pay. Otherwise, I can't explain it either.

MOST ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS NEW ITEM OF THE WEEK!!! Check out the link below that discusses a homicide at 800 MAIN STREET. Then, read the caption for the pictures on the right. I swear they have monkeys banging on typewriters that come up with some of this stuff. http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/09/24/mainst_homicide.html

The official skinny from 3CDC: Thanks for your feedback about Fountain Square’s video board. The board is placed at that height so that you can see it over the trees that will be planted on the west side of the main plaza. Thanks for writing. We do appreciate the feedback.

I remember reading about the 210 Trade project in the Charlotte Observer and seeing that the developer was headquartered in Indianapolis. It made me wonder why Cincinnati hadn't made it onto their radar. I checked it out and the developer of 210 Trade, Flaherty and Collins, happens to have a regional office here in Cincinnati. It seems like something would have to fall into place sooner or later.

I think at the corner of McMillan and Rohs.

This is probably as good as it gets for local media. Criminologist Backs Streicher's Stance On Cincinnati's Safety Reported by: Bill Price Web produced by: Laura Hornsby Photographed by: 9News First posted: 9/8/2006 5:30:23 PM Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher is getting new support Friday for calling Cincinnati one of the midwest's safer cities, even if some FBI statistics appear to say otherwise. Dr. Mark Marsokis, a criminologist at Northern Kentucky University, says Cincinnati police and the city may not be properly portrayed, in public perceptions or in crime statistics. Marsokis says he believes Chief Streicher was right this week when the chief said that statistically Louisville and Cincinnati run neck-and-neck when it comes to safe cities. http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/09/08/crime.html

My response to the Enquirer's forum question "Do you feel safe"?: "Here is some data that a competent newspaper would provide its readers when a police cheif claims his city is relatively safer than other cities: FBI 2005 Homicide Statistics Cincinnati- 79 Cleveland- 109 Columbus, OH- 102 Charlotte, NC- 85 Chicago- 447 Detroit- 359 Indianapolis- 108 Lexington, KY- 15 Louisville, KY- 55 Pittsburg- 63 Source:http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/2005preliminary/05table4.htm Because of the space limitation, I just included the homicide stats but there's more stats at that link. Obviously Cincinnati can do better but crime is not what the local media would have people believe. The numbers need to come down but as you can see Chief Streicher's comments are fairly accurate. The city is safer than most other cities."

Bronson Arroyo in the offseason.

It just seems small in relation to the Macy's building and doesn't really fit. The shape is kinda funny as well. Plus, they've mounted it above the recess in the Macy's building. It sits roughly five stories above the ground. Way too high in my opinion. Maybe I'm being picky and maybe I was expecting something more like in the Reds or Bengals stadium but I thought 3CDC could've done better.

Has anyone else seen the unfortunately underwhelming video board that they're installing above Macy's?

Thanks for the insight. I figured it had alot to do with land costs in and around the CBD. I'm still surprised, however, that you don't see more developers tackling the middle-income market with the amount of competion in the high-end market.

I did like the plaza concept represented by the previous renderings. It included a mix of retail and had a central gathering spot. I wonder if this tower will have some mixed uses because the description in Cincinnati Magazine said that the condos start on the third floor and go up. Also, I wonder if it will have the same footprint or if this rendering is hiding a plaza or common area fronting Pete Rose Way. I know there were talks that the project would include a couple restaurants and perhaps a grocery store. In any event, its good to see confidence in the market. Although we could stand to have a couple more projects in the 150-250k range. Cincinnati Kid, as a developer, is it just not feasible to build in the 150-250k range in downtown? I can't understand why you don't see those projects because I think they would sell like hotcakes. They're all over the place in Columbus. Beyond Parker Flats, there is no new construction in that range in the CBD. Parker Flats is pretty much priced out of that range at this point. Edge has some units in that range but very few. Gateway and some of Captain's Watch are in that range but they aren't in the CBD.

It woulda been nice if they could've put IKEA on that site.

There's a new website for this project: www.oneriverplazacincinnati.com. It looks like the project has taken an entirely different direction from the original proposed project. There's just one large building now that will hold 140 condos. According to Cincinnati Magazine, there will be a Design Center open for this years Downtown Tour of Living on Sept. 24.

I called MED today to get the scoop on all the latest problems. They are apparently in the process of sending a letter out to all buyers to update the project's status. I was told that even were MED to lose the suit that the project would continue. Also, I was told that the construction stoppage had to do with an easement issue, not the union issue. After issuing permits for MED to dig, the city came back claiming that easements were needed to dig under the sidewalks. I don't know who's fault that is but it seems like it should have been handled before any permits were given. Finally, for you buyers out there, the buyer's guide should be ready "soon", although no promises were made as to an exact date.

^I read the full article. The union claims that the financing used by MED requires them to pay prevailing wages and Witte's comment is referring to other developments that anticipate using the same financing plan, such as the Montgomery Inn-Riverfront project. There is a hearing for a restraining order on September 5. If the union wins, MED would have to stop construction until the case is settled or some outcome is reached. There wasn't much more to the article. My own fear is that if the union wins and MED must stop construction or has to pay the prevailing wage the project will die. Sadly, I'm not surprised but I really want my condo.

I noticed there is a Sully's at 4th Street Live in Louisville. Has anyone been there? It looks like it's part of the McFadden's collection of restaurants. I wonder if Sully's on Fountain Square would have any effect on McFadden's future or if the two concepts are entirely different.

When you say rentals do you mean Section 8? I would hate to see new section 8 go in less than a block from where 3CDC is investing millions of dollars in market rate housing.

They were taking up all the pylons around the square tonight and had it all lit up. It looked awesome! I wonder when they'll convert the two remaining bus stops? I hope they're lit as well as the main square.

You got me. I was convinced they would announce these things one at a time as they came along. I wouldn't be surprised to see a major article in the Business Courier this week. Also, I still don't think they've announced new tenants for the taller 5/3 tower. I would expect another exciting annoucement for that spot at 5th and Walnut. It's the best spot in my opinion.

How much did Tom Gabelman get paid by the county to do that interview? Your tax dollars at work!

I know it will be there for future events, but our cities are well behind where they should be and need to get their asses in gear. This will just slow things down, which doesn't help our fledgling downtowns. Getting things done in a timely manner isn't rushing it. I don't think getting the square done in 10 months would be considered timely; it would be considered surprising. The projections were overly optimistic from the beginning. I really do not think there was anything that could be done to get this project done earlier and I don't think the city has done anything to slow it down, especially given the fact that the city is not in charge of this project. Delays and extensions are a normal part of any project and I think 3CDC is wise not to push it's workforce to be done earlier. The workers already work on the square seven days a week. Extra pressure would just hurt the finished project and then we'd have an outcry on this forum with people asking why the granite was laid crooked or why this or that wasn't done. The square will be open on Sept. 9, albeit not it its entirety. People will be able to stand on it and see most of the product during Oktoberfest. I think the fact that programming is in works for the next few months is just icing on the cake and will give MORE reasons for people to come see the square throughout the fall and winter months. If people see an unfinished square in September and decide not to come back because they believe it demonstrates the city's inability to see a project through, then they're just ignorant and there's nothing you can do about people who fail to inform themselves.