October 11, 20222 yr Lots of fitouts and changes going on in the UPA/Usquare area: There is a "Flip'd" by IHOP and Tropical Smoothie coming to the UPA portion while the footlocker closed. The wing place and salad bowl place in usqaure seem to be nearing completion, finally.
October 24, 20222 yr Author TriHealth launches record $30M fundraising campaign to support $240M project at Good Samaritan By Liz Engel – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Oct 24, 2022 Updated Oct 24, 2022, 1:50pm EDT TriHealth has launched a record-setting, multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign to support a “transformative” $240 million renovation at one of its flagship campuses in Greater Cincinnati. TriHealth and the Good Samaritan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Good Samaritan Hospital, this month publicly launched “Forever Forward,” a $30 million fundraising campaign to support a $240 million renovation currently underway at the Clifton campus. The effort stands as the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in Good Samaritan Hospital’s 170-year history. The project stands as the single largest investment made on the campus during that same span. MORE
November 1, 20222 yr Author Uptown Consortium gets New Market Tax Credits to spur development By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Nov 1, 2022 Updated Nov 1, 2022, 11:10am EDT Uptown Consortium received $45 million in New Markets Tax Credits, which it will use to spur development in Cincinnati neighborhoods near the University of Cincinnati and the region’s major hospitals. Uptown Consortium was one of five Ohio entities to receive the coveted credits, but the only community developer in Cincinnati to get them. The 22-year-old federal program has perhaps been among the most critical financing tools in revitalizing Cincinnati’s urban core. The tax credits plug financing gaps in projects considered too risky for banks to finance through conventional means. MORE
December 7, 20222 yr University of Cincinnati plans $100 million project just off campus The University of Cincinnati is asking for construction managers to submit qualifications to build a $100 million mixed-use project just south of campus and to the east of the U-Square development. The university has faced a student housing crunch as enrollment continues to hit records, with there being no room for additional students who want to live on campus. The development would include below-grade parking, student housing and space for the university. The Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation owns the land, with the university holding an option to partner with the community development organization on development concepts. The corporation had looked at other developers but “for a variety of reasons those projects have not materialized,” said Matt Bourgeois, director of the corporation. “Clearly housing is needed due to the recent and projected growth of UC,” he said. “However, as part of this design exercise, the goal is to also explore and plan for complementary uses as well. By partnering with UC, I think it gives us a great chance to finally see the site be put back to productive use.” More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/12/07/uc-plans-100-million-project.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 7, 20222 yr So...are they planning to tear down everything else on the block? The second parcel, which sits on the eastern portion of the block bordered by Calhoun, Scioto, McMillan and Ohio Avenue, has the eastern portion cleared. It would contain a 10,000-square-foot, street-level space for the university and a 125-bed graduate/apartment-style university housing building. The current vacant lot is roughly 10,000 sq foot, so hopefully they are proposing a midrise tower and not the demolition of Mole's Records, Floyd's, etc. Almost nothing real remains in Clifton Heights, thanks to UC.
December 7, 20222 yr 28 minutes ago, Lazarus said: So...are they planning to tear down everything else on the block? The second parcel, which sits on the eastern portion of the block bordered by Calhoun, Scioto, McMillan and Ohio Avenue, has the eastern portion cleared. It would contain a 10,000-square-foot, street-level space for the university and a 125-bed graduate/apartment-style university housing building. The current vacant lot is roughly 10,000 sq foot, so hopefully they are proposing a midrise tower and not the demolition of Mole's Records, Floyd's, etc. Almost nothing real remains in Clifton Heights, thanks to UC. It says the second parcel which is in the eastern portion so I’m assuming they are saying that the portion they are using is already cleared so it doesn’t confuse people thinking that they will also tear down the surrounding buildings. With 625 bed in the first lot at 20,000 square feet. How many floors are we talking?
December 8, 20222 yr 4 hours ago, Ucgrad2015 said: It says the second parcel which is in the eastern portion so I’m assuming they are saying that the portion they are using is already cleared so it doesn’t confuse people thinking that they will also tear down the surrounding buildings. You have to be correct. The cleared parcels are all owned by the cdc.
December 8, 20222 yr 19 hours ago, Ucgrad2015 said: It says the second parcel which is in the eastern portion so I’m assuming they are saying that the portion they are using is already cleared so it doesn’t confuse people thinking that they will also tear down the surrounding buildings. With 625 bed in the first lot at 20,000 square feet. How many floors are we talking? Napkin math 625 beds w/ 250sqft per bed (which includes area for kitchenette, bathroom, amenity) = 156,250SF. On a 20,000 sf lot, that's at least 8 stories if you are maximizing the floor area ratio. Taller if other factors exist. Shorter if my 250sf coefficient is absurd or too large.
December 8, 20222 yr 3 hours ago, Chas Wiederhold said: Napkin math 625 beds w/ 250sqft per bed (which includes area for kitchenette, bathroom, amenity) = 156,250SF. On a 20,000 sf lot, that's at least 8 stories if you are maximizing the floor area ratio. Taller if other factors exist. Shorter if my 250sf coefficient is absurd or too large. That would be safe assumption with your numbers, student housing is getting larger than smaller anymore.
December 8, 20222 yr There exists an opportunity to build a level public walkway/bikeway that begins at Scioto Lane and continues on a bridge over Vine St. Unfortunately, the CVS dumpsters and drive-thru pharmacy are in the way: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1273463,-84.5108275,53m/data=!3m1!1e3 Anyone remember what used to be there? It was a round Circle K from the 70s - picture Covington's revolving restaurant's mini-me.
December 14, 20222 yr On 12/8/2022 at 5:27 PM, Lazarus said: There exists an opportunity to build a level public walkway/bikeway that begins at Scioto Lane and continues on a bridge over Vine St. Unfortunately, the CVS dumpsters and drive-thru pharmacy are in the way: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1273463,-84.5108275,53m/data=!3m1!1e3 Anyone remember what used to be there? It was a round Circle K from the 70s - picture Covington's revolving restaurant's mini-me. Wow i lived in CUF for 20yrs starting in 1991 and would visit my grandma who liveed on the Riddle rd side of campus since the mid 70's and have no recollection of this building being round at all. I even visited it at times i'm sure. Weird. I wonder if it was to mimic the water tower that used to be there before this?
January 24, 20232 yr $47 million apartment project near UC gets Port aid The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority’s board voted Tuesday to help a major Uptown apartment project, agreeing to purchase the project and lease it back to developer Hallmark Campus Communities, as well as provide financing. The Port will issue up to $41 million in bonds in addition to taking ownership of the property and leasing it back to Hallmark. Such a structure allows Hallmark to build the project without paying sales taxes on building materials it purchases. The bonds will be paid back with revenue from the apartment project. The agreement also requires Hallmark to come up with an economic inclusion plan. Columbus-based Hallmark is a well-known developer with projects in several states, said Todd Castellini, the Port’s senior vice president for finance and industrial development. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/01/24/major-cincinnati-apartment-project-gets-port-aid.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 24, 20232 yr ^What's in it for the Port to make an investment like this? Would the project not happen without the Port's involvement? What is the Port's return on investment? I guess I'm just confused because I had been under the impression that this was a market-rate project that didn't need any financial assistance. Edited January 24, 20232 yr by jwulsin
January 25, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, jwulsin said: ^What's in it for the Port to make an investment like this? Would the project not happen without the Port's involvement? What is the Port's return on investment? I guess I'm just confused because I had been under the impression that this was a market-rate project that didn't need any financial assistance. Yeah I have never seen such a financial agreement, it’s seems very generous in that a developer is getting a government entity to front its entire project cost (40plus million dollars)and it’s then leased backed to them to manage/control? That’s some sweet deal. And everything in that area is pretty expensive so it’s not even low income or something, very interesting…….. it would kinda make sense if it was UC putting up the money but odd that it’s the port.
January 25, 20232 yr Just to clarify. Are we talking about TWO different projects? Seem like UC is looking for a much larger building/tower.
January 25, 20232 yr I think this latest project is completely separate from this one (originally posted 12/7) - it appears there are two projects near each other. It seems the project in the article below will be managed or owned by UC. https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/12/07/uc-plans-100-million-project.html Edited January 25, 20232 yr by Cincy13
January 25, 20232 yr 14 hours ago, jvarney1 said: Just to clarify. Are we talking about TWO different projects? Seem like UC is looking for a much larger building/tower. Correct, the Port's use of bonds is for the proposed "Gateway Lofts" (developer is Hallmark Campus Communities) at the SE corner of McMillan and Moerlein: (link in post above) Separate from that, UC recently put out an RFP for the sites closer to Vine St: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/12/07/uc-plans-100-million-project.html
January 25, 20232 yr The Port has done this plenty of times before. This was probably in the works before it was approved by city council, or contingent upon it, and if they didn't get this deal, the developer would probably have canceled or delayed it. I wonder if The Port is receiving some fees for this arrangement or if this helps them with their bond portfolio in some way.
February 1, 20232 yr This really weird green building behind the Murphy's Pub parking lot is currently being torn down. It's been boarded up for decades. I have no idea the last time it was used.
February 4, 20232 yr On 2/1/2023 at 11:20 AM, ryanlammi said: This really weird green building behind the Murphy's Pub parking lot is currently being torn down. It's been boarded up for decades. I have no idea the last time it was used. I remember hearing about the owner of Murphys wanted to create more outdoor space there with demoing that.
February 12, 20232 yr The famous Thai Express parking lot, where you get towed instantly, quietly changed hands in 2022 for the first time since 1976. A certain Richard Alper of Warsaw, KY owned the lot and the Thai Express building for over 40 years. The lot and the Thai Express building is now actually owned by one of the women who works at Thai Express.
May 8, 20232 yr A ridiculously narrow infill house is nearing completion on the Ravine St. hill. This house is probably 12-13 feet wide.
May 8, 20232 yr A new retaining wall is u/c along the lot line separating houses on Maisel and houses on Warner. This wall is much bigger in person than it appears in this photo:
May 8, 20232 yr 12 hours ago, Lazarus said: A ridiculously narrow infill house is nearing completion on the Ravine St. hill. This house is probably 12-13 feet wide. I think the lot is 25' wide and the zoning is SF-2, which if I'm reading the zoning code correctly (I'm not an expert, so I very well may be mistaken), they'd be permitted by right to build up to the side lot lines (edit: @DEPACincyclarified that total side yard setback is 5', but it can be all on one side, permitting one side built to the lot line). That northern, windowless wall definitely seems like it was designed to be built up to the property line but I can't tell from the photos if it has any side setback or not. Maybe they're just trying to maximize the open/green space on the southern side of the lot for balconies? Regardless, it's an interesting design and sure doesn't seem like an off-the-shelf townhouse design. So hopefully that means the architect had a clear vision for making the most of this site. I'll reserve judgment 'til it's further along since they clearly haven't even finished installing windows/doors. Edited May 8, 20232 yr by jwulsin
May 8, 20232 yr The standard width of a row house in Philadelphia or Baltimore is 12 feet wide. We'd be better off as a city if we had a lot more of those.
May 8, 20232 yr 8 minutes ago, jwulsin said: I think the lot is 25' wide and the zoning is SF-2, which if I'm reading the zoning code correctly (I'm not an expert, so I very well may be mistaken), they'd be permitted by right to build up to the side lot lines. The total side yard setback is 5 feet minimum, but it can all be on one side. So you can build to the lot line on one side and have a 5 feet side yard on the other.
May 8, 20232 yr Somebody or somebodies overpaid in the 45219 in April, since I'm again getting bombarded by calls to buy my house. What's crazy is that although this appreciation seems high, it's nothing at all compared to what has occurred over the past 10 years in many other U.S. markets. When I bought this thing in 2013, it had been on the market for more than a year and vacant for two years.
May 8, 20232 yr Do you have an old phone? People with old phones get hammered really hard with those calls because the new phones block them. They've increased the number of calls the computers make in order to try to find people with old phones.
May 8, 20232 yr 22 minutes ago, GCrites80s said: Do you have an old phone? People with old phones get hammered really hard with those calls because the new phones block them. They've increased the number of calls the computers make in order to try to find people with old phones. AT$T tags incoming calls as potential spam or telemarketers, at least on my X. I really don't get that cold calls can be worth the effort. Too many senior execs must still think it's 1975.
May 8, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, Lazarus said: Somebody or somebodies overpaid in the 45219 in April, since I'm again getting bombarded by calls to buy my house. What's crazy is that although this appreciation seems high, it's nothing at all compared to what has occurred over the past 10 years in many other U.S. markets. When I bought this thing in 2013, it had been on the market for more than a year and vacant for two years. I'm in the same zip Jake but generally only get a few texts to buy my house. But then again, I don't answer if its a weird number.
May 9, 20232 yr 7 hours ago, GCrites80s said: Do you have an old phone? People with old phones get hammered really hard with those calls because the new phones block them. They've increased the number of calls the computers make in order to try to find people with old phones. I've had the same phone number for about 15 years. I'm back to getting 5 calls a day from parties offering to buy the house.
May 9, 20232 yr Weird...I looked at a random spot in the Chickasaw Reservation in Oklahoma and saw that there is a place called Ada: Does anyone know where the Clifton Heights street names Chickasaw and Ada came from?
May 12, 20232 yr Grabbed a few photos of the hotel and student housing project. The first phase of The District.
May 12, 20232 yr That's a presence. Really changes the dynamic from that side of campus. Thanks for sharing.
May 15, 20232 yr On 5/12/2023 at 7:47 PM, jmicha said: That's a presence. Really changes the dynamic from that side of campus. Thanks for sharing. My thought as well. Hadn't walked over there since they broke ground and was surprised to see it. There will be some nice views from both buildings.
May 16, 20232 yr On 5/15/2023 at 11:14 AM, Lazarus said: People have quickly forgotten how big Deaconess Hospital was. Not really. Deaconess was torn down after I moved away from Cincinnati, but it didn't haver this height, nor was it on this side of Straight Street. This is adding background mass that was never there before and really changes the view west from campus from these pics.
May 16, 20232 yr It didnt have any street presence from Calhoun really, but from Straight St it was hard not to call this pretty massive. Glad this area is getting density back. Boy was it depressing looking though towards the end.
May 16, 20232 yr 36 minutes ago, SleepyLeroy said: It didnt have any street presence from Calhoun really, but from Straight St it was hard not to call this pretty massive. Glad this area is getting density back. Boy was it depressing looking though towards the end. It was a decent size building but I wouldn’t at all call it massive, (I went to Hughes High School next door) it didn’t look super big like other hospital buildings in the area.
May 22, 20232 yr This is sad. The layout of that parking lot is very tight. https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/corryville/pedestrian-hit-killed-in-parking-lot-of-corryville-walgreens
June 13, 20232 yr New Bank of America branch replaces the UDF/Gold Star mini-strip mall on MLK: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/06/12/bank-america-uptown-branch-opening.html?cx_testId=178&cx_testVariant=cx_15&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s
June 13, 20232 yr That is a huge missed opportunity to put a single story bank branch on that corner.
June 13, 20232 yr 2 hours ago, wjh said: That is a huge missed opportunity to put a single story bank branch on that corner. Completely agreed. Sad to see this on such a prominent corner. The property changed hands in 2022, but the owner's address is 3955 Montgomery which is UDF. So it seems like UDF is still the landlord (which might explain the car-centric site plan). https://wedge.hcauditor.org/view/re/1060001039000/2022/summary
June 13, 20232 yr 18 minutes ago, jwulsin said: Completely agreed. Sad to see this on such a prominent corner. The property changed hands in 2022, but the owner's address is 3955 Montgomery which is UDF. So it seems like UDF is still the landlord (which might explain the car-centric site plan). https://wedge.hcauditor.org/view/re/1060001039000/2022/summary Out of curiosity I looked up the former UDF on Victory Parkway, which is now the "Top-Up Mart", and it was sold outright to an LLC which might not have any affiliation with UDF. That place has gotten worse since UDF pulled out. The last time I was in there a homeless guy put his arm around me as I walked back to my car. I was worried that he was going to pick-pocket or mug me but I got him to laugh and got back in my car unscathed.
July 5, 20231 yr I noticed a second crane at the District over the weekend. this one is smaller and looks to be for the hotel. No photo. it was a drive by.
July 5, 20231 yr Also, the old Pomadorie's Pizza lot (next to Adriatico's) has been fenced off and equipment has shown up. So it appears that we'll see construction on that apartment project soon.
July 5, 20231 yr There is a large excavator and construction fencing surrounding the parcel of the Superior Credit Union at the corner of Auburn/Taft/McMillan. Appears to be slated for demolition. Anybody know the plans for this site? Looks like Uptown Rents owns the property: https://wedge.hcauditor.org/view/re/1020004020800/2022/summary
July 5, 20231 yr 6 minutes ago, jwulsin said: There is a large excavator and construction fencing surrounding the parcel of the Superior Credit Union at the corner of Auburn/Taft/McMillan. Appears to be slated for demolition. Anybody know the plans for this site? Looks like Uptown Rents owns the property: https://wedge.hcauditor.org/view/re/1020004020800/2022/summary Apartments for students with the Superior Credit Union as a first floor tenant. 6 floors, first 2 mostly garage, 55 units. Uptown is working with DOTE about adding a shared use path along McMillan with bump-outs at Taft and Auburn, somehow. They will need variances for setbacks and FAR.
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