JYP

I think that in terms of economic development opportunity, W Clifton (Serve only west campus, and a very solid commercial neighborhood district but less potential for expansion) would be better for short-term benefit whereas running it up Vine works better for the long-term transit vision (Potential of expansion to Clifton/ Calhoun/ McMillain couplet, Short Vine/Jefferson,Zoo and possible Walnut Hills routing). Of course this does not factor into grade and wear and tear on vehicles. The difference in timing on both routes is about three minutes, which is not a big deal. What is a factor though is the "development potential" and of course, the logistics in actually making it work. Routing the streetcar up W. Clifton would make sense if it wasn't a bigger logistical challenge than running it up Vine. And Vine would make sense if there was greater development potential along the current route. Decisions, decisions...

The Sunday Enquirer's Preview of the streetcar story: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/99999999/CINCI/100204016/Sunday-s-Enquirer-First-in-Print Big choices, big impact for streetcar route City officials have a big choice to make on the city's streetcar: which route should it take to Uptown. The Enquirer tells you what's at stake.

“It’s an especially egregious violation of fair housing laws,” Brennan said. I guess its unfair to give tenants up to a year to relocate? Unfair to assist in that relocation process? Unfair to help pay for the moving costs? Wow. Seems like he's reading from a different Landlord Tenant Act than the one I am familiar with.

I think it comes down to playing on what Columbus has as assets. They are getting recognition for a lot of green development, developing a real quality entertainment district, revitalizing and connecting Short North to OSU and downtown, OSU, the Brewery District etc. When you are trying to brand or market your city, you have to focus on the core because that's what people are going to identify with as Columbus. It's not practical to use a picture of Easton and say, "Oh this is Columbus" and as much of a success as Easton or Polaris are they can be found elsewhere in America. So Columbus has to be marketed as a place as much as a slogan and I think focusing on the core helps identify what that brand is.

Ok peeps, I am restarting the Columbus re-branding thread after a couple of days for everyone to cool off. I'd like to remind everyone that this forum is for civil discourse and discussion of the issues at hand. Because of the history of this thread, it will be watched very closely and if discussion veers off topic or it turns into a Columbus bashing session. appropriate action will be taken. Thanks! With that I would like to reference an article posted today by the Urbanophile on Columbus's re-branding effort. This is a good place to start the conversation: Rebranding Columbus It’s no secret I’m a fan of Columbus, Ohio, one of those under the radar cities that’s a whole lot better than its external brand image would suggest. That frustrates local civic leaders, who’ve undertaken a major re-branding effort, as discussed in a recent NYT piece, “There May Be ‘No Better Place,’ but There Is a Better Slogan:” Quick, what do you think about when you hear the words “Columbus, Ohio”? Still waiting…. And that’s the problem that civic leaders here hope to solve. This capital city in the middle of a state better known, fairly or not, for cornfields and rusting factories has a low cost of living, easy traffic and a comparatively robust economy….What Columbus does not have, to the despair of its leaders, is an image. As home to major research centers, it has long outgrown its 1960s self-concept as a cow town, and its distinction as the birthplace of the Wendy’s hamburger chain does not quite do the trick these days. The city lacks a shorthand way to sell itself — a signature like the Big Apple or an intriguing tagline like Austin’s “Live Music Capital of the World.” As a result, those working to attract new companies, top professors, conventions and tourists have a hard time explaining how Columbus differs from dozens of other cities that likewise claim to be livable, progressive and fun. As I’ve said many times, branding isn’t marketing. It isn’t about tag lines, messaging, or talking points. Yes, there’s an element of that and getting your message out. But branding starts with what’s on the inside not messages to the outside. It’s about who you are, what your values are, what you stand for, what you aspire to be when you grow up. The marketing part just helps communicate that. Read the rest of the story here: http://www.urbanophile.com/2010/08/15/rebranding-columbus/

The definitions are in DCI's 2009 Annual State of Downtown Report: http://www.downtowncincinnati.com/AboutUs/AboutUsOurPublications.aspx “Central Business District (CBD)” refers to the area inside the boundaries of Eggleston, the Ohio River, Central Avenue, and Central Parkway. Surround areas include Over-the-Rhine, Pendleton, the West End, and Queensgate. Also please note that the chart separates CBD numbers in green from CBD Periphery in blue. The numbers quoted above are combined totals.

From: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100802/NEWS0108/8030336/Council-looks-at-extending-streetcar-into-Clifton- "Michael Moore, Cincinnati’s interim director of transportation and engineering, told council’s Budget and Finance Committee that even as planning for the streetcar’s first phase is continuing, City Hall already is seeking more state and federal money, some of which would be used to create 'a university transit hub' around the University of Cincinnati."

At the last Safety Sector meeting in OTR, the police reported that Part 1 crimes were down about 3% over last year. Not as significant as past drops but still headed in the right direction. Unfortunately there has been a spike in car burglary's city-wide and OTR is no exception.

In terms of classification of Ohio incorporated jurisdictions. There are villages and there are cities. See here: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/703.011 After a municipality exceeds 5,000 residents it is automatically classified as a city. Hence, as long as Marietta has more than 5,000 people, it is officially a city. This is why The City of "The Village of Indian Hill" is not a village but a city. When their population exceeded 5,000 they added "The Village of..." in front of the name so they would not gain the negative connotations associated with being a city.

^Was just about to post the same article. Mass transit doesn't do much for reducing traffic but instead allows for increased density.

In the interest of reducing the number of drunk driving accidents and public safety. Perhaps.

Would running it to 2:30am on weekends pick up more of the bar crowd instead of the proposed 2am? Or is it a wash?

3CDC looking to buy Smitty's By Sharon Coolidge • [email protected] • July 23, 2010 The iconic men's clothing store Smitty's, whose sign illuminated Vine Street for decades, won't be rebuilt after a fire in April destroyed two of its four storefronts - at least not as Smitty's. Cincinnati officials confirmed this week that owner Larry Ashford is working with the city to sell the building to Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). And now for the rest of the story: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100723/NEWS01/7240326/3CDC-looking-to-buy-Smitty-s

All those people driving through that fog of sweet smelling ignorance and fear!

Plans for Tower Place cloudy Armand Lasky saw in Tower Place Mall the opportunity to own a high-profile parking structure in the heart of a rebounding downtown Cincinnati. But Cincinnati officials and residents had higher hopes for the New York man. They hoped he'd pay as much attention to the declining retail center as to filling up parking spaces. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100722/BIZ01/7230368/Plans-for-Tower-Place-cloudy

The building is best viewed from the west, when its completely behind the Carew tower! :evil: But joking aside. The building is built and for better or worse we have to get used to it. Are there design things that should have changed? Yes. But this building shows the limitations of a Design Review Board. I am just happy they got them to drop the skywalk and add retail to the 4th street side. They could have done way more on lower stories to promote proper design scale but it was never addressed. The tiara is a cheap way to claim "tallest tower" in Cincinnati. I think everyone would have wanted more floors if it was possible but the market just isn't there for it. But we have what we got and you can like it or not. Many New Yorkers hated the WTC looked for years because they were tall ugly gray boxes on a super-block but they ultimately became identifiable with NYC culture (before 9-11). Can QCS grow more beautiful with age? I think only time will tell.

No, LIG is serious. This is the third instance I have heard about these kids, described to be about 10-14 years old, robbing someone or something in OTR. One of the instances involved a kid mugging my neighbor with a gun. Apparently there is a kid that has recently been released from jail that is connected to these incidents. He's probably the ring leader.

Just got back from Forecastle Fest in Louisville and spend a bunch of the time thinking how having a festival like that would be such a better experience in this park with the City as the backdrop! I think there is something in the Banks agreement that they have to keep the same amount of parking available at all times. Although I thought this was accomplished when they opened the garage. Also it's going to be a few years before they get to that part of the park anyway. By that time the asphalt will probably be looking a little worn.

Oh no! Now the tower looks anorexic! :evil:

I say we should have none of this wide or narrow rubbish! 'Tis proportional squares and circles for buildings from now on folk! And a ban on tiara's! :-P

Buffet listings that are provided on Explore Cincinnati by JYP do not reflect a list of buffet's JYP has eaten at!

I work with Ashley from time to time and I can tell you the St. Anthony conversion has not started yet. Unfortunately, they need more pre-sales to get financing. The company has two divisions; a commercial division and a residential division. T\hey have been looking to expand their commercial division by taking on different projects. One such project is the commercial building in downtown Norwood (Corner of Sherman and Montgomery) where they built a building a new building in the rear yard and are slated to redo the front facade of the existing building.

There are plenty of things that can go there but that is pure speculation. Looking at this from a map, it seems the location of the concrete plant has little impact on the roads utilization as a hazardous materials route. The bigger question is why was it designated that way in the first place? The route is US 27/52 which runs along the riverfront from 275 to 75 downtown. It is out of the way, along the river and avoids residential development (for the most part).. i.e. it's a convenient out of the way place to route the scary crap that nobody wants to deal with. And it's unfortunate. I think asking the Feds for an alternate route is worth pursuing because you'll never know and right now we have one of the most pro city administrations in a generation. Always worth as shot!

This is far from the gentrification argument. Industry generates a tax revenue directly whereas parks are "quality of life." Good parks enhance desirability of an area and help make it viable. If the industry has no business being on the river then it doesn't have to be there. But to compare relocating revenue generating business to homeless people which are a drain on the social service is fallacious.

Holbrook has been slowly selling off his vast real estate empire. He owns some more property in downtown, Covington and a trailer park in Bellevue and he used to own the marina in Dayton KY before selling it off to Manhattan Harbour. Unfortunately, as a public official I can't say much more about him publicly though. This is a good development and compliments the growing "Soapbox" District and other residential developments on W 4th.