It's possible that if the development bridges both sides of Scioto St., that they will be able to build a contiguous parking garage underneath it like The Banks. 

If I had to guess the parking garage will be accessed only from entries within the base of the hotel, will be located just far enough from McMillan to get a row of townhomes built, a la VP3, 101 East Corry, the Verge, etc. and will fill the majority of that block but stop short of Scioto. Makes the most sense from an economics and logistical standpoint.

Agreed, this fits into the category of projects that I have known about for a while and wanted to bring up on the board but couldn't.

I'm glad to see this parcel is finally being developed.  I was just driving by this property over the weekend and commented to my wife that it seemed like this site has been sitting vacant for many years (back to the early 2000s when the old Prime Time Nightclub was torn down).

I'm hoping that this scale development jumps Vine and continues between Taft and Calhoun up to Auburn. That whole block could house a ton of buildings but instead houses a bunch of parking spaces and three small suburban buildings instead.

I don't go to Uptown as often as I used to, so when I drove through recently I was blown away by how much development is occurring there. Insane!

I'm glad to see this parcel is finally being developed.  I was just driving by this property over the weekend and commented to my wife that it seemed like this site has been sitting vacant for many years (back to the early 2000s when the old Prime Time Nightclub was torn down).

 

Me too, though the stuff that was around the primetime night club should have never been torn down.  I'm kind of wondering if PrimeTime was really an ugly 1970s buidling or was it a midcentury recladding of something older?

I thought I saw a picture somewhere on here that was just a big ugly blank brick box. Nothing with any sort of character or notable features.

One more reason to get the streetcar up vine.

Primetime needed to go if for no other reason than that horrible and unusable garage. I swear there had to be dead bodies in there.

Everything about that place was creepy.  I don't ever remember it being an active nightclub...

Everything about that place was creepy.  I don't ever remember it being an active nightclub...

 

I think it closed in the mid-90s.  Before Prime Time I think it was called Burgundy's.  The Mad Frog was also closed for many years, maybe 10 years before it reopened as a Dave Mathews jam band bar around 2000.  It took a sleazy turn around 2010 when the Russians bought it.  There was a horrible meat market club in University Plaza called Vertigo's during that whole time, next to the Pizza Hut and facing Blockbuster.   

 

 

Oh my gosh, Jake! You just brought back some crazy memories for me with Vertigo comment! I saw some DJ's spin there back in the day. That was back when being a successful DJ meant you literally had to spin.

It took a sleazy turn around 2010 when the Russians bought it.

 

They also did the horrible crime of painting it red too,  I know their are red frogs in tropical countries but aren't they poisonous  :-D

Oh my gosh, Jake! You just brought back some crazy memories for me with Vertigo comment! I saw some DJ's spin there back in the day. That was back when being a successful DJ meant you literally had to spin.

 

Do you remember Cody's Café on Calhoun?  It's where one of the hookah places is now and it was in a bigger space than what is now there, with I think a balcony that overlooked what is now the Deja Shoe rear parking lot.  One summer I spent almost every night either there or at Fries. 

 

I had a roommate for that summer who met his wife at that Cody's.  She was a nanny from the Czech Republic.  One day he rallied all of her nanny friends and he, I, and about eight Czech nannies went canoeing on the Little Miami.  For some reason they really wanted to go to the Macaroni Grill in Tri-County afterward. 

 

Oh my gosh, Jake! You just brought back some crazy memories for me with Vertigo comment! I saw some DJ's spin there back in the day. That was back when being a successful DJ meant you literally had to spin.

 

Do you remember Cody's Café on Calhoun?  It's where one of the hookah places is now and it was in a bigger space than what is now there, with I think a balcony that overlooked what is now the Deja Shoe rear parking lot.  One summer I spent almost every night either there or at Fries. 

 

I had a roommate for that summer who met his wife at that Cody's.  She was a nanny from the Czech Republic.  One day he rallied all of her nanny friends and he, I, and about eight Czech nannies went canoeing on the Little Miami.  For some reason they really wanted to go to the Macaroni Grill in Tri-County afterward. 

 

 

That sounds like the plot to a porn movie. LOL. Vertigo was named Cooter's before. Mr. K's, R-Club, and Clifton Bay Yacht Club were some erstwhile crapholes...but they were so much fun!

Oh my gosh, Jake! You just brought back some crazy memories for me with Vertigo comment! I saw some DJ's spin there back in the day. That was back when being a successful DJ meant you literally had to spin.

 

Do you remember Cody's Café on Calhoun?  It's where one of the hookah places is now and it was in a bigger space than what is now there, with I think a balcony that overlooked what is now the Deja Shoe rear parking lot.  One summer I spent almost every night either there or at Fries. 

 

I had a roommate for that summer who met his wife at that Cody's.  She was a nanny from the Czech Republic.  One day he rallied all of her nanny friends and he, I, and about eight Czech nannies went canoeing on the Little Miami.  For some reason they really wanted to go to the Macaroni Grill in Tri-County afterward. 

 

 

I don't remember, but I agree with rabbit hash on this one lol

 

I saw a couple of good DJ's at Red Cheetah too. Man, time flies. I remember the lines at Red Cheetah would span around the block.

This is Columbus OSU news, but it pertains directly to UC:

 

http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2016/04/14/vinyl-jeopardy-the-disappearance-of-the-on-campus-record-store.html

 

There are still at least a dozen independent stores around UC, but what's so amazing is how some of the same people who say they want independent stores cheer on the very developments that wipe them out.  In the past, small independent shops occupied upper floors, basements, and other odd-shaped or small retail spaces that the chains wouldn't.  Some of those are still around, like Daniel's Pub (basement bar) and the various Hookah and smoke shops that rent odd retail spaces.  Mr. Tuxedo is one of the last businesses in a house with a retail add-on.  There used to be a lot more of that kind of stuff, back when national chains had almost no presence on any college's retail and bar strip.

 

Now go to any big university -- OSU, UC, Tennessee (I was just there last week), and you will see the exact same junk -- Panera Bread, Chipotle, American Apparel, etc.  The new apartment complexes are all being put up by the same national companies and are built in generally the same style.   

 

 

Hope they have the financing in place. This would be a definite game changer for 'Uptown', and the height and scale of development is very impressive. If this comes to fruition as planned, it will make the Kroger and Walgreens development look even more ridiculous than it is currently. The development team seems a little rag tag to me- at least it's not a large, well known regional/national developer. That does raise a few eyebrows for me about capacity to get financing, but I sincerely hope they succeed and that that break ground before the end of the year, as they are hoping to.

This is where I had an underground light rail station:

 

https://cincinnatiideas.wordpress.com/uptown-light-rail/

 

This is a good project with a good mix of uses for Uptown however. (Even if it changes my plan  :-) )

So new ugly apt. complex #17 on Taft at Auburn is nearing completion...just saw tonight that there will be TWO driveway entrances directly onto Taft right there at the mean little curve that everyone likes to whip around.  Who down at city hall is approving this stuff? 

I will, unfortunately, put the likelihood of this new Vine & Calhoun project happening at 50%. 

Based on, what, exactly?

 

There's demand for new housing, there's demand for hotel rooms right by campus, the community has been pushing for this for ages, etc. No aspect of the project is overly ambitious or out of the ordinary. It's the exact same type of apartment complex being built all over Uptown and a pretty standard looking hotel building. Nothing crazy.

Do you think the fact there is not a national hotel brand associated makes it seem less likely? I read the whole Courier article and saw no brand or developer that I recognized, but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen.

Do you think the fact there is not a national hotel brand associated makes it seem less likely? I read the whole Courier article and saw no brand or developer that I recognized, but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen.

 

That is a huge part of it.  The last person to announce a major hotel without a single hotel partner announced or even in the wings was the SCPA hotel.  Also, their financing plan has large gaps, etc.  Trust me, I'd want this to happen, but when you have a first phase of a parking garage, and a second phase of actually building things, it sounds a lot more like we're going to get a parking garage with some hope for future development.

I do not have knowledge of a hotel brand for this specific project, but I believe the Rookwood hotels proceeded without knowing the exact Marriott brand.  They knew they would be from the Marriott family, just not specifically a Courtyard and Residence Inn.  Hopefully for this project, they have a brand but not the specific hotel.  From what I've heard, this project is a go and it just takes time to get moving like anything else. 

Bogart's has a new paint scheme -- has to be seen to be believed. 

I saw they put up scaffolding when I went over my brother's house recently. What colors did they paint it?

Short Vine is looking much better now that most (not all) of the utility poles and terrible cobrahead lighting have been removed.

 

^Agreed! Short Vine is looking so much nicer these days.

 

Speaking of which... does anybody know when the Kroger is scheduled to open? And what's the plan for the second floor of the Kroger? It doesn't appear to be a "fake" floor (like the Walgreens)... so there must be some plan to actually use that second floor.

Cool before and after shot! You even got similar lighting & skies. Makes it look like they got the work done in an hour or two.

^Agreed! Short Vine is looking so much nicer these days.

 

Speaking of which... does anybody know when the Kroger is scheduled to open? And what's the plan for the second floor of the Kroger? It doesn't appear to be a "fake" floor (like the Walgreens)... so there must be some plan to actually use that second floor.

 

Many of the newer Kroger stores (even suburban ones) have managers offices on the second floor over the checkout area. If you look towards the front of the building they have windows that face out into the interior of the store where the boss man can look over the whole place.

 

Cool before and after shot! You even got similar lighting & skies. Makes it look like they got the work done in an hour or two.

 

Thanks! Got lucky with that one.

^Agreed! Short Vine is looking so much nicer these days.

 

Speaking of which... does anybody know when the Kroger is scheduled to open? And what's the plan for the second floor of the Kroger? It doesn't appear to be a "fake" floor (like the Walgreens)... so there must be some plan to actually use that second floor.

 

Many of the newer Kroger stores (even suburban ones) have managers offices on the second floor over the checkout area. If you look towards the front of the building they have windows that face out into the interior of the store where the boss man can look over the whole place.

 

From my understanding it's going to be a true two-story grocery store with the lack of space they had available.

When I was interviewed to work at a Kroger video dept in 1997, the interview was in the office above the check-out area.  Lots of wood-paneled walls + a copy machine, file cabinets, bulletin boards, thumb tacks, motivational posters, water cooler.  Oh, and a window looking out over the whole store. 

Short Vine is looking much better now that most (not all) of the utility poles and terrible cobrahead lighting have been removed.

 

 

Quite a difference! Good shots.

^Agreed! Short Vine is looking so much nicer these days.

 

Speaking of which... does anybody know when the Kroger is scheduled to open? And what's the plan for the second floor of the Kroger? It doesn't appear to be a "fake" floor (like the Walgreens)... so there must be some plan to actually use that second floor.

 

Many of the newer Kroger stores (even suburban ones) have managers offices on the second floor over the checkout area. If you look towards the front of the building they have windows that face out into the interior of the store where the boss man can look over the whole place.

 

From my understanding it's going to be a true two-story grocery store with the lack of space they had available.

 

It is not a full two story grocery. Last time I checked the 2nd floor is a mezzanine around the outside of the building only (with the middle section being open full height space) and holds mostly back of house prep spaces, food coolers/freezers and offices. However it does also have a seating area for Starbucks, wine tasting etc above the cafe area.

^Agreed! Short Vine is looking so much nicer these days.

 

Speaking of which... does anybody know when the Kroger is scheduled to open? And what's the plan for the second floor of the Kroger? It doesn't appear to be a "fake" floor (like the Walgreens)... so there must be some plan to actually use that second floor.

 

Many of the newer Kroger stores (even suburban ones) have managers offices on the second floor over the checkout area. If you look towards the front of the building they have windows that face out into the interior of the store where the boss man can look over the whole place.

 

From my understanding it's going to be a true two-story grocery store with the lack of space they had available.

 

It is not a full two story grocery. Last time I checked the 2nd floor is a mezzanine around the outside of the building only (with the middle section being open full height space) and holds mostly back of house prep spaces, food coolers/freezers and offices. However it does also have a seating area for Starbucks, wine tasting etc above the cafe area.

 

Awesome! Thanks for clearing that up for me. The information I had was spotty at best.

Quote from: ucgrady on April 18, 2016, 04:54:24 PM

Do you think the fact there is not a national hotel brand associated makes it seem less likely? I read the whole Courier article and saw no brand or developer that I recognized, but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen.

 

That is a huge part of it.  The last person to announce a major hotel without a single hotel partner announced or even in the wings was the SCPA hotel.  Also, their financing plan has large gaps, etc.  Trust me, I'd want this to happen, but when you have a first phase of a parking garage, and a second phase of actually building things, it sounds a lot more like we're going to get a parking garage with some hope for future development.

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,26241.315.html#ixzz4GTwvzcQK

 

The Hotel proposed where the old Burgundy's Prime Time will be an Element by Starwood. I know from a couple sources plus the rendering has the Element "E" on the side of the rendering.

Somebody definitely is keeping a rooster behind their house in the 2400 block of W. Clifton.  I heard it several months ago and then I heard it again tonight.  Roosters are illegal within city limits. 

Somebody definitely is keeping a rooster behind their house in the 2400 block of W. Clifton.  I heard it several months ago and then I heard it again tonight.  Roosters are illegal within city limits. 

 

That's not a rooster, it's just a Reds fan from Kentucky.

Somebody definitely is keeping a rooster behind their house in the 2400 block of W. Clifton.  I heard it several months ago and then I heard it again tonight.  Roosters are illegal within city limits. 

 

I was touring a building in the Upper West Side of Manhattan that one of our clients is likely going to buy. While on the roof I was gawking at all the luxurious rooftops, terraces, backyards, etc. And then looked straight down and directly behind the building was a backyard that was all hay, had a wooden barn-like-thing, a pig, a rooster, and a sheep. Right between all this pristine monied environment was a scene straight from the country. Quite a contrast.

Cincinnati Children’s approves major expansion

 

 

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is about to embark on a major expansion, the Enquirer reports.

 

The hospital’s board of trustees recently approved a plan to expand its number of beds in Corryville and Avondale by more than 30 percent. The plan includes the construction of 600,000 square feet of clinical-care space and renovating existing buildings at its Burnet Avenue campus. A new emergency department, expanded loading dock, pharmacy, kitchen space and respite space for staff will also be created.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/11/11/cincinnati-children-s-approves-major-expansion.html

Corry Street has been re-striped and now has a center turn lane. A traffic light has also been added at the intersection of Short Vine and West Corry Street, which is also the main way to enter/exit the parking lot of the new Kroger.

A few months back someone posted on Nextdoor about the Neighborhood Project Suggestion program. It seems geared towards community councils, but anyone could submit. I decided to ask about the decayed staircase leading from Fairview Ave/Warner to Fairview Park. Wasn't expecting a response, but last week I got this detailed email. Thought other people here might be interested to read it also.

 

Thank you for submitting a Neighborhood Project Suggestion to the City of Cincinnati! We received over 150 suggestions from more than 30 neighborhoods.

 

We took those suggestions and coordinated with the appropriate departments to review them. Below you will find your suggestion as well as the response/action from the corresponding department.

 

Your Neighborhood Project Suggestion: Rebuild the stairs leading from Fairview Park up to Fairview Ave. This connection would increase the walkability of the neighborhood and improve the connections between residences on the hilltop and in the basin. Currently there is only one pedestrian-friendly entrance to Fairview Park from the hilltop (the Ravine St. entrance), as the entrance on McMillan requires crossing a busy street with no crosswalk. Cincinnati's stairs are a unique urban feature that should be strengthened and highlighted, not left to crumble!

 

Referred to: Department of Transportation and Engineering

 

Response:  The CUF Community Council also submitted for this project through the official Community Budget Request process.  The stairway between McMicken Avenue and Warner Street were originally constructed in 1915 and were structurally supported stairs. The section of stairway between McMicken Avenue and Fairview Drive was reconstructed on grade in 1994. The section of stairway between Fairview Drive and Warner Street has been closed since at least 1994. Due to the steepness of the hillside the section of stairway between Fairview Park Drive and Warner Street will need to be constructed as a structural stairway. The length of the proposed stairway is approximately 196 ft. and the change in elevation is approximately 72 feet. 2017 Funds for the Hillside Stairway Rehabilitation Program is committed to other repairs and replacement projects.  Funding to this program will need to be increased or a separate Capital Project established and funded to replace the section of the stairs.

Those are very cool steps and I personally would love to see them rebuilt. You are very correct about the danger in crossing at McMillan. I used to lie on Clemmer St. very near the park and went there a lot. Every time I crossed that street is was a mad dash hoping not to be hit by a car flying around one of the two blind corners there. Also, near the top of those stairs are remnants of the old incline supports. Along with that is the grade of the old driveway that led to an estate that was on the top of the hill. Very cool stuff that should be highlighted.

Interesting how times change.  The other Fairview steps that went from Baymiller, up through Klotter to Fairveiw park were still in use in the 90s but were removed at the request of residents and developers on Conroy. 

 

The steps are a unique asset to the City and removing them is not the way to fight crime.

I'd love those Baymiller steps to be returned, along with the Central Parkway footbridge. Probably won't ever happen though. The Warner steps at least seem to be in the cards, as long as the money is there.

That part of McMicken and Central is beautiful, and the buildings too. There should be a small park on Central behind those buildings, and bring back the footbridge.

$150k?  Seriously?

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1528507/3201-Jefferson-Ave-Corryville-OH-45220

 

This was the former Indian restaurant turned illegal casino called The Boneyard which experienced a fire back in 2012 or 2013 and was torn town soon thereafer.