cincySAL

I love the idea of caps. I walk across 2nd and 3rd street twice a day and it feels like you are walking over a gigantic highway. However, I'm not keen on the idea of more parks (I like parks, but there is a huge park right next door) or sculptures/fountains/etc..I think those are a waste. If you are going to cap it, put something useful there.

They need to add light or something because right now the tiara is invisible at night. It just looks like the building was chopped off.

I wholeheartedly disagree but to each his own. I'm not sure I could think of a worse name.

Unfortunately these names will never be renamed. Just like putting the Freedom Center on the Banks, these things were done to appease a certain group of people.

That's what the drawings reminded me of, which I can't say that I'm thrilled about.

Do they not design apt's to have spaces for washer and dryers or is it that renters just typically don't purchase those items? I can say as a non-Banks resident that I wouldn't be happy about a laundry mat because it serves only a very specific amount of people that go to the Banks. But if the apt's aren't designed to house a washer and dryer I'd definitely see the need of a laundry mat. Though I still think that with those places being such prime real estate that it should go to something more attractive to more people than a laundry mat.

The east-west sidewalks north of 2nd street are horrendous. They eventually need to do something with that.

Will the lighting make it look better in the middle of the day?

Why can't they just make loitering illegal on the streetcar. Doesn't seem like it'd be that hard to enforce. And if they aren't allowed on the streetcar they will just be right by the doors waiting for people.

Isn't the whole point of the streetcar to generate economic development, not generate revenue from ridership? My understanding was the revenue from ridership was just to help offset operational costs. I'm sure there have been studies on the ridership estimates at different price points but you would think free fares would substantially increase ridership therefore increase economic development. I know DanB was just being his usual self with his last comment but I do think that was one of the reasons for having fares, so the homeless don't just use it as their house, however, I would think you could design laws to curb that.

Well something is going up. There are at least a couple levels of steal beams. One side has all the wood framing which my understanding is the apartments, and the other side of the street has a couple levels of steal beams as well as the structure for an elevator shaft.

I'm also a proponent of the free fares after using them in Portland. Perhaps at least to start out with so some skeptics might ride it and realize the benefits. I think even a small fare will prevent lots of people from using it. Though I do understand some reasoning behind not having free fares. I also think it'd be nice to have some type of benefit from living/working in the city. If you live/work in the city you get a subsidized monthly pass. Something of that nature.

Thanks. I knew they had plans for a hotel but didn't realize it was already going up. That is going to be one heck of a location for people coming in to watch a Reds game.

So then what are they building on the south side of freedom way directly across from the stadium (I believe just north of the future Lager House). I think they are already built up 2 or 3 floors of whatever it's going to be.

Are apartments going to be on both sides of Freedom way or just on the north side?

How much was Portland's when it began? How much is it now? When I was out there it was free within city limits. I think this was the best part of it. You could just hop on anytime, anywhere and not have to worry about getting ticket, etc. I understand why Cincinnati's can't be free but IMO it will hurt the ridership. I'd love to take the streetcar up to Findlay Market during lunch but if I have to pay $2 or more to do it I'm not so sure I will. Your $2.00 fare would also be good for the return trip. Portland's fares are only free in the downtown, basically between Portland State to the first half of the Pearl District. They have eliminated free fares on downtown buses figuring that now with intersecting N/S and E/W light rail lines, those pretty much cover the downtown circulation function. So lets just assume that I'd take the streetcar 3 times a week from my work to wherever, that's approximately $25/month. That is still pretty penny. Again, I understand the reasons for it but I still think it will affect ridership. Hopefully not too much though. It's been a while since I've been in Portland but I remember jumping on the streetcar in the middle of downtown (forget what that little square is called) and taking it to the Rose Gardens to watch a basketball game, all for free. Granted that is just outside of downtown but it was great just being able to jump on and off whenever. You would have taken their light rail to get across the river Pardon my ignorance, but would I have hopped on the streetcar and then it essentially "becomes" light rail or is it two different systems altogether? The line that I was on went all through downtown and one stop was the Rose Gardens but I really don't know how light rail and streetcar differ.

I caught it right away. Typical politician. It's like calling the streetcar a trolley.

How much was Portland's when it began? How much is it now? When I was out there it was free within city limits. I think this was the best part of it. You could just hop on anytime, anywhere and not have to worry about getting ticket, etc. I understand why Cincinnati's can't be free but IMO it will hurt the ridership. I'd love to take the streetcar up to Findlay Market during lunch but if I have to pay $2 or more to do it I'm not so sure I will. Your $2.00 fare would also be good for the return trip. Portland's fares are only free in the downtown, basically between Portland State to the first half of the Pearl District. They have eliminated free fares on downtown buses figuring that now with intersecting N/S and E/W light rail lines, those pretty much cover the downtown circulation function. So lets just assume that I'd take the streetcar 3 times a week from my work to wherever, that's approximately $25/month. That is still pretty penny. Again, I understand the reasons for it but I still think it will affect ridership. Hopefully not too much though. It's been a while since I've been in Portland but I remember jumping on the streetcar in the middle of downtown (forget what that little square is called) and taking it to the Rose Gardens to watch a basketball game, all for free. Granted that is just outside of downtown but it was great just being able to jump on and off whenever.

How much was Portland's when it began? How much is it now? When I was out there it was free within city limits. I think this was the best part of it. You could just hop on anytime, anywhere and not have to worry about getting ticket, etc. I understand why Cincinnati's can't be free but IMO it will hurt the ridership. I'd love to take the streetcar up to Findlay Market during lunch but if I have to pay $2 or more to do it I'm not so sure I will.

I'd personally prefer a Kroger Fresh Fare because they are local (and I really like the stores) but I think the banks and downtown are still a ways away from getting a full service grocery store.

Sorry, I'm pretty late to the convo, but please no Starbucks and please no City BBQ. I'd be fine with a Dewey's (though the pizza is good they skimp on the toppings) b/c they have a pretty good beer list and a flagship LaRosas would be fine (though i don't care for the pizza too much it's a fun place to go). Also, most of this talk is about dinner places, but I'd love it if there was a good place to get breakfast and lunch and sit outside. A place like Corner Bakery in Chicago. Go in, get a nice breakfast and enjoy a cup of non-Starbucks coffee outside.

How is this going to affect the streetcar. Bortz was probably the biggest supporter of the streetcar and now can't even discuss it. I do find it ironic that the opponents are claiming Bortz shouldn't be allowed to vote because he would directly benefit from the streetcar but then essentially go on to say that the streetcar wouldn't benefit the surrounding properties.

I figured it would be $75 or so but deep down I was hoping somehow it'd be cheaper. My $50 lot won't be around soon so I'll have to bump it up to a $75 lot. Don't feel like paying an extra $25 a month. I wonder how they'll arrange it for Reds games now, or at least when the entire structure is done. Right now they close certain lots and make you park elsewhere, but soon there will just be one large lot. Maybe they'll let you park there but make you pay extra. Personally it drives me nuts that customers paying monthly have to pay again for Reds games.

I think they'll have enough fountains at the Banks. I'd prefer something people can use. Whether it's retail or just open green space so someone can toss a ball, throw a frisbee or sit out and enjoy the weather.

Darn, I was hoping (dreaming) they'd somehow have lower monthly rates.