Haynesm007

I think all of the projects are part of one grand scheme to develop a corridor b/t Downtown and Uptown. If you look at the map and move north from the Ohio river, you have (1) The Banks (2) Fountain Square (3) The Central/Vine Area (4) Washington Park (5) Findlay Market Area (6) Calhoun Street Area (7) Short Vine Area (8) The Zoo Area. All of these projects/developments are headed by groups that are not necessarily working together directly but there certainly is a pattern and overarching scheme of development.

I noticed CIG made some changes to their South Shore website. Nothing significant but I take it as a good sign.

I wonder if any of 3CDC's plans include rehabbing the Emery?

Sorry to bust your bubble, but your statement is entirely false. Plasma screens do not burn-in because they get too hot! I am not even sure where you could get that idea. The reason why CRT displays and older plasmas is because they use phosphor. When an image is shown too long, at very high contrast, the phosphor has a memory of that image. Sony isn't making plasma anymore because LCD flat panels are getting larger, and Sony is now pushing LCoS in their SXRD projection sets. Just because Sony isn't making them, doesn't mean plasmas are out. Also, Sony isn't the best electronics brand, however they are the most expensive and not worth it most of the time. As long as the plasmas are adjusted correctly and change the image every couple of minutes, the screens will be fine. I apologize for the incorrect statement but I stand by my suggestion that this constitutes a mistake. Any screen that has the potential to have "burn-in" images should not be used to display repetitive programming.

BIG MISTAKE! I can't believe the city dropped the ball on this one (or can I?). Plasma screens are notorious for burning images into their screens because they get so hot. Think the 1980's Pac-Man screens that forever had the high score screen etched into their pictures. Sony doesn't even make plasma screens anymore because of the problems and I don't think Best Buy will warrant them. So, when you're choosing a tv screen to run a repetitive message all day, what screen out of the many available is the last you should choose? That's right, plasma. The city probably got some huge discount on the tvs and failed to do their homework. I'm going to write McKillip. I like the idea of the programming.

I've always wondered if they would come up with a use for that place and I'm glad to hear its condos. I think Mt. Auburn has alot of potential. Development has slowly crept up the hillside. I wonder how they're gonna gonna get indoor parking and 18 condos in that place? Parking alone will take up half that space. I would assume some addition would have to be built. Anyone got a clue on what's going on up the street where that park used to be? I remember Max saying the city was replacing the park but that's all I've heard and I haven't seen any proposals.

Well, they incorporated in Delaware (but who doesn't?) in September of this year and that's about all I can tell. Their agent is just some corporate services agent so that doesn't help much.

^Yeah, everyone on 75 sees it but not until you're immediately upon it. You can't get a proper, unobstructed view at a distance from any point on 75.

Two thoughts: 1) Where's the part where they find these people jobs? You can clean a man up and teach him to fish but there has to be a pond somewhere nearby. 2) 1+1=3??? These guys can't even do simple math. Geez.

"The new addition to Cincinnati's skyline - designed to be seen from a distance as one approaches the city from the west - is actually five feet taller than the Hollywood sign." Who "approaches from the west" that sees that sign? What westsiders are venturing into downtown at night? It's like the city sat down and wondered from which direction will the least people see this sign. Why did they not place it so that you can see it coming down the cut-in-the-hill or coming from the north? Unless you're directly next to it, you really don't get an unobstructed view unless you're living in Price Hill. I love the sign and love the idea but I think the placement was ill contrived.

Did anyone else see Smitherman's objections to these TIF districts? They made absolutely no sense and were wholly unsupported. First, he said they were bad public policy. (He never said why.) Then, he said they only made developers richer. (Can someone name a government project that doesn't? Someone always benefits.) What took the cake was when he claimed he supported project TIFs but not area TIFs as evidenced by his vote for the Banks TIF. But Cranley quickly smacked him down and reminded him that the Banks is an area TIF and not a project TIF. Anyway, I wanted to point that out as evidence against Smitherman's brillance just in case anyone was thinking of voting for him on Tuesday.

^ I don't disagree that the Drop Inn Center will do everything in its power to stay put. As you put it, they're "fighting the power." But the powers that be usually get their way one way or another and there's no way they're gonna spend that much in the neighborhood with the Drop Inn Center sitting there. Maybe you know something I don't but if you're basing your opinion on the Drop Inn Center's sheer will to stay in the neighborhood then I'm not convinced. People with lots of money have many ways to get what they want (ie. zoning, eminent domain, lawyers, etc.) Don't forget how bad Inn the Wood and Acropolis Chili wanted to stay in Clifton. I would also be more apt to agree with you if 3CDC had not already purchased close to 100 properties in the area and have a clear intention to place the SCPA at Central and Elm. Those people don't just spend money unless they're gonna make something happen.

Max, where did you hear this rumor?

Jimmy Skinner, I wouldn't be surprised to see the city use its eminent domain powers to move the Drop Inn Center. Yeah they own the land but the city has the prerogative. And with 3CDC snatching up properties in the area, I wouldn't be surprised if the city now has the will.

^The law prevents sex offenders from "residing" within 1000 ft. of a school. I'm not sure if the Drop Inn Center would constitute a residence for the purposes of the law. West End Kid, sorry to hear about your situation. We need more people like you willing to help make a difference.

^I wasn't suggesting they failed to act. I was just suggesting they develop a plan of action to fight this thing. And I wasn't aware of all the plans for the northern section of West End. You never hear much out of that area.

First, is this in anyway related to moving the Drop Inn Center? The posts read like this is two separate groups. Second, though I don't think this sounds like the greatest idea, my question is where do you move the Drop Inn Center or put this new "homeless mall?" You're gonna run into problems locating this into any neighborhood and I doubt either of these groups will relocate to Queensgate. Third, I hate to say it but if this is related to moving the Drop Inn Center, West End loses. 3CDC has tangible plans in place (Last time I checked they own close to 100 properties/lots in the area, have been rasing funds for the new SCPA, are going to build their garage/retail complex building next to Music Hall, have built the Gateway garage and condos, and will soon start on another condo development in the area) and they have the backing of City Hall. To my knowledge, that area of West End has no real momentum going in its favor (I'm not bashing the West End. It's just in the northern part development has been rather stagnant). My recommendation to West Enders is to a) come up with a workable development plan for the area, just being against this development will not help anything, you need something to gain the backing of city hall, something they would prefer over this development; and b) scout out areas and work with stakeholders to find another suitable spot for this development, you need to offer a better or similar alternative. That approach may not necessarily work but its better than butting heads with this group. And don't forget to pester council members about this one. I'm not trying to slight the West End here. I just think the powers-that-be have their own plans. Personally, I would like to see the West End revived, particuarly Dayton Street. But, until you can bring more attention to that area, I don't know if you can stop something like this from happening.

The auditor's page has the wrong picture for 810 Sycamore. That picture is of 810 Main. 810 Sycamore is a significantly larger office building. I noticed that they recently began painting it.

^I think this is a great idea guys. I would copy the city on any letters sent. That way they have an idea of what's going on and know that you've brought your complaint in a reasonable manner. I look forward to your letter Grasscat.

I don't really see the need for retail there. There's plenty of empty storefronts across the street. Why would you want to double that number?

Is it standard in the retail industry to be ranked as a top mall yet have a 25% vacancy? I stand by my belief that the Levee is not being run by competent managers. How else can you have the attendance numbers that place has and have an almost empty second floor?

1) Who the hell cares what other cities are doing with there parking garages? Just because no one else has done it doesn't mean it can't be done. I hate when people give excuses rather than solutions. 2) This parking is needed badly in my opinion. If the local government can provide a cheap parking option on the riverfront, it should have the effect of driving down the value of surface lots in the CBD. This could promote a higher and better use for those lots. 3) They think that making people park in the CBD will cause them to stay around? Please, don't make me laugh. Regardless of where most people park downtown they are gone lickity-split. Besides does anyone quoted in this article remember what they're building on top of the garages? Won't people be drawn to those retail and restaurant spots? 4) Build it and stop whining about every little problem. So what if we'll have the largest parking garage in the country or world? I see that as another feather in our cap not something to be ashamed of.

According to the Auditor's website, OTR Holdings, which is 3cdc's holding company, now has 66 properties in the area. They essentially own Republic Street.

^ I wouldn't say "struggling." I think "not living up to its potential" puts it better.

This is totally based on my gut feeling but I believe Newport On the Levee is the most ineptly run business on that side of the river. Just last year it was voted by Zagats as one of the top family destination in the country but it sits at maybe 50-60% occupancy? How can you be that successful and have that much empty space sitting around? I also think the retail mix is horrendus. Aside, from Barnes and Nobles, there's nothing to draw anyone over the age of 18. I go to see movies and then leave. Finally, when I was by yesterday I noticed Bamboo Club was closed. That leaves two of their three southside corners totally vacant (no Imax and no Bamboo Club)