LOL yeah I mean isn't that universal.  I am from Cedar Rapids, IA and everyone in the state of Iowa calls it CR.  Everyone calls Czech Village CV, and New Bohemia Village New Bo.  Everyone knows Cedar Falls isn't Cedar Falls, it is CF.  East Village in Des Moines is EV and Des Moines is DSM.  This isn't ground breaking stuff here....

 

Kansas City - KC

University of Missouri Kansas City - UMKC

St. Louis - STL

St. Louis University - SLU

Chicago - Chi-Town

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis - IUPUI

I don't think there's anything subliminal going on with "OTR" vs "Over the Rhine." The true attempt at rebranding was with the term "Gateway Quarter." I doubt that that term will have staying power. It seems expressly created to have the following conversation back circa 2010: "Isn't OTR Dangerous?" "Well, the Gateway Quarter is nice though." Seems unnecessary and obsolete with the progress of the last two years.

Our whole country is abbreviation and acronym obsessed. End of story. There's nothing specific to our city or this neighborhood. Can we go back to talking about actual news?

And also I don't mind if people slay me for this, but since there is a huge mural of a white person on a building saying Cincinnati Strongman, how come they don't come up with a massive mural, in the redeveloped area, of a black Cincinnati Strongman, who's claim is a little stronger than the strongest man in the world, IMO.  How about a giant Mural of Aaron Pryor, International Boxing Hall of Fame Member and voted by the AP as the #1 Welterweight of the 20th century? 

 

 

Going back to the earlier comments about how to make sure the neighborhood doesn't just turn into a tourist trap that nobody can afford to actually live in, this article from Cincinnati Magazine shares the perspective of various leaders in the area: http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/citywiseblog/the-future-of-cincinnati-is-otr-built-out/

 

Joe Hansbauer:

It’s important to us—from an altruistic perspective but also from a business perspective—that affordable housing is part of things. Those that are in workforce housing and affordable housing buy groceries and cook five nights a week.

Ryan Messer:

We’re pushing the northern boundary. And the opportunity is for equitable development of workforce housing—an inclusive, diverse neighborhood. I don’t want there to be tension with 3CDC, but if 20 years from now we look back and this is a homogeneous, upscale white neighborhood, then it is an absolute failure. They [3CDC] are operating like we live in their playground.

 

3CDC's Adam Gelter:

Zeigler Park is an under-utilized asset for Main Street. We’re hoping to do a renovation that has the same sort of positive impact that Washington Park did for the Vine and Elm Street area. But the intent of Zeigler is to provide that recreation component that isn’t in Washington Park. We want to build a nice pool and have basketball leagues for kids in the neighborhood. We’re also looking at doing more commercial office buildings. That’s an important component that’s been neglected. And we want to make sure we fill those first floors with retail. The bar and restaurant thing is great, but how sustainable is it? The retail there now is only able to subsist because so many people come down to the restaurants and they end up walking in.

I don't think there's anything subliminal going on with "OTR" vs "Over the Rhine." The true attempt at rebranding was with the term "Gateway Quarter." I doubt that that term will have staying power. It seems expressly created to have the following conversation back circa 2010: "Isn't OTR Dangerous?" "Well, the Gateway Quarter is nice though." Seems unnecessary and obsolete with the progress of the last two years.

 

Actually this is part of what I was talking about before -- that the neighborhood's name was a pejorative and anything positive happening there for the previous 20+ years dodged the name in order to avoid that negative association.  That's why today's overuse of its name and the acronym by new arrivals hard for natives to stomach.  I personally rarely use the neighborhood's actual name when talking to family members or other old-timers about what I'm up to. 

 

And there absolutely is a backlash against the property values escalating because so many people have lost so much money in the area in the past.  We were promised revivals for decades and there was no reason for the average person to expect anything different when the most recent revival started gaining traction about five years ago. 

 

 

And also I don't mind if people slay me for this, but since there is a huge mural of a white person on a building saying Cincinnati Strongman, how come they don't come up with a massive mural, in the redeveloped area, of a black Cincinnati Strongman, who's claim is a little stronger than the strongest man in the world, IMO.  How about a giant Mural of Aaron Pryor, International Boxing Hall of Fame Member and voted by the AP as the #1 Welterweight of the 20th century?

 

Did Aaron Pryor grow up/live/train in OTR? I'm pretty sure Ezzard Charles did and I heard a rumor that he practiced in the Cincinnati Color Building on Vine. I think he would be a great person to mural-ize.

 

EDIT: He did train in the Cincinnati Color Building.

YES! An Ezzard Charles mural would be great!

Agreed.

YES! An Ezzard Charles mural would be great!

 

I went on an Artworks Mural Tour today (and you should, too: http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/public-art/mural-tours/) and I can definitively say that they are working on an Ezzard Charles mural and it will happen.

Aaron Pryor still lives in OTR/West End. I saw him recently on Liberty.  Ezzard Charles is better mural material IMO

 

 

I really think the worry should go in the other direction, that the Cincinnati metro population and economic growth won't be enough to completely "build out" Over the Rhine.

 

I think that's way to early of a concern. I know Cincinnati's population is growing, albeit, slowly. And that OTR population is growing as well. Clearly rehabilitating buildings and blocks takes time, and of course money. That said, with the street car better connecting the city, and the GE center by the banks, one can only hope that more of these young professionals will take up residence in OTR who are employed by these companies.

 

 

I think a major stigma is it's name though. Can't even begin to mention how many people who live in the suburbs still associate current day OTR with 2001 protests and riots/the most dangerous ghetto in all of north america OTR. So many people acknowledge that they hear about the change, and want to potentially visit and explore OTR. But say, they are simply to afraid to put there lives and there family lives in danger. Even my younger, yuppie friends. They love to party down in OTR and go to neons and Japps. But when it comes to living down there, they are just simply to afraid to rent an apartment there, and this is the term my friend used so please don't blame me for being the messenger, because of the "black ghetto gangstas" that sprawl the streets.

 

Point is as bad as gentrification is, the white picket fence suburban people won't move down to OTR until it's completely rid of the, "black ghetto gangstas." And sadly gentrification is slowly but surely happening in OTR, regardless of the handful of affordable housing options that are being offered. Eventually it will be a predominantly white neighborhood, mostly consisting of young professionals and rich executives, and retirees. That's my 2 cents.

 

OTR will be built out. Only because gentrification (getting rid of the black gangstas) will allow it so. Everyone I know loves OTR. They think it's incredibly beautiful, and there's nothing else like it Cincinnati, let alone North America. It's a throwback to the olden days of actual urban neighborhoods that still exist in small pockets like in New York and Chicago. People WANT to live down there. But people don't want to live down there with the black gangstas that loom washington park and hang around the vine street kroger. It sounds racist, but you know it's true. They want to surround themselves with people like themselves. And that's truly sad, but just how society functions.

 

I'm sure there's a point woven into all of the "black ghetto gangstas" your were messengerizing.

 

It exists.  No doubt.  But I think millennials are the generation that will finally leave all the BS behind.

YES! An Ezzard Charles mural would be great!

 

I went on an Artworks Mural Tour today (and you should, too: http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/public-art/mural-tours/) and I can definitively say that they are working on an Ezzard Charles mural and it will happen.

 

Fun Fact, the Tarbell mural was originally going to be Ezzard Charles.

 

Art Works is doing a Ezzard Charles mural this summer.

Fun Fact, the Tarbell mural was originally going to be Ezzard Charles.

 

Learn this fact and many others during an Artworks Mural Tour!  http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/public-art/mural-tours/

So I was in OTR on Thursday. I have to say I'm surprised how packed it was, all the bars and resturaunts were full and it was 9-10pm at night...And the crowds were diverse. All the way from 20 to 60+ year olds.

 

I just am really not used to seeing that type of life late downtown typically..especially on a weekday no less.

 

Also, got to talk with the owner of Sundry and Vice, the new bar that just opened a few weeks ago. Gotta say, love there passion for OTR. Nearly everyone I talk to has that same passion, and you just know there's something truly special going on in that area. It has a really bright future ahead.

Does anyone think that OTR in the next 20-30 years can replicate what NYC has in the form of SoHo and Tribeca?

Does anyone think that OTR in the next 20-30 years can replicate what NYC has in the form of SoHo and Tribeca?

 

Not sure about SoHo and Tribeca, but I do see a Wicker Park style neighborhood (hip Chicago hood) in OTRs future.

Man was shot and killed today right next to Pontiac BBQ on Vine Street today.

 

Man was shot just a few days ago right next to Neons.

 

Sorry guys but this is OTR revitalization will take decades from the looks of it. Seriously had the impression OTR was changing for the best, but I can safely say I will never take my kids down there. It's sad, but even with the all the revitalization and new businesses opening up, you still have gang banging gangsters slinging dope and pimping hoes just a few measly blocks away.

 

That's why, I truly believe affordable housing shouldn't be allowed, and gentrification is a blessing. The less unemployed hood rats and gangsters you have polluting OTR, the quicker it can flourish.

 

You can stay in the burbs with that mentality.  Enjoy Loveland homie!  :wave:

 

Just curious, where do you live now TroyEros[/member] ?

I'm sorry but this revitalization is a joke. How can you build luxery condo's with all fancy resturaunts and bars and businesses, only to have a man dying from a gun shot wound on your front porch.

 

Gentrification is a blessing guys. DO NOT ALLOW AFFORDABLE housing, or else you will continue to get unemployed hood rats thinking they can make a career by slinging dope and pimping hoes.

 

Until then I will not bring my kids down to OTR. You can make all the bs arguments you want on how it was a targeted killing, but still, a murder is a murder..at an area that is supposedly considered the "crowning jewel" of the otr revitalization of Vine Street.

 

OTR is still an infested area full of gang bangers and welfare collectors who think they can make a full time career being criminals. Until they are pushed out of OTR (and I don't care where they go, but just get the hell out of OTR, hell go to covington, that seems to the most popular place nowadays), OTR will still be an incredibly unsafe place to be, eat, or live in.

What happened to this?

 

I truly see OTR becoming the next Indian Hill. A luxurious urban neighborhood for the Mega-Rich.

 

So two murders in OTR and you're convinced that it will take decades to fix now and you won't take your kids down there? Just out of curiosity, how long have you been following the redevelopments in OTR?

Man was shot and killed today right next to Pontiac BBQ on Vine Street today.

 

Man was shot just a few days ago right next to Neons.

 

Sorry guys but this is OTR revitalization will take decades from the looks of it. Seriously had the impression OTR was changing for the best, but I can safely say I will never take my kids down there. It's sad, but even with the all the revitalization and new businesses opening up, you still have gang banging gangsters slinging dope and pimping hoes just a few measly blocks away.

 

That's why, I truly believe affordable housing shouldn't be allowed, and gentrification is a blessing. The less unemployed hood rats and gangsters you have polluting OTR, the quicker it can flourish.

 

 

You haven't gotten outside of the Cincinnati area much have you?

What happened to this?

 

I truly see OTR becoming the next Indian Hill. A luxurious urban neighborhood for the Mega-Rich.

 

So two murders in OTR and you're convinced that it will take decades to fix now and you won't take your kids down there? Just out of curiosity, how long have you been following the redevelopments in OTR?

 

I still stand by that.

 

But I also realize most of the retivalization efforts is coming simply from 3CDC, and at the pace there going it will take at least 10 years if not more to really allow for that prediction to occur

Please keep the development threads clear of this discussion. Let's focus on actual developments in those threads. You can talk about perceptions of OTR here.

Wow yeah. I wish this site had a down vote feature.

 

Look the two murders in the last two weeks really suck. Just from a humanity standpoint, it's pointless violence. But they're also not random acts of violence. It's important to keep that in mind. The same night that the shootings happened by Neons, I parked my car on 12th St just a little further east from the bar and it was fine.

 

The reality is, there is virtually no danger for you and your kids to walk around these areas of OTR. The scourge of "gang bangers and dope slingers" randomly targeting citizens down there exists only in your mind and on local news.

Wow yeah. I wish this site had a down vote feature.

 

Look the two murders in the last two weeks really suck. Just from a humanity standpoint, it's pointless violence. But they're also not random acts of violence. It's important to keep that in mind. The same night that the shootings happened by Neons, I parked my car on 12th St just a little further east from the bar and it was fine.

 

The reality is, there is virtually no danger for you and your kids to walk around these areas of OTR. The scourge of "gang bangers and dope slingers" randomly targeting citizens down there exists only in your mind and on local news.

 

Yes but why should my children even witness the event of a man being brutually gunned down, with his blood and guts spilling all over the pavement? Yes, it wasn't random, but the fact still stands: I don't want to witness a stray bullet potentially hitting me or my car, nor any of my friends or family. And I especially don't want my kids to witness a slain man pounding out his last breaths while he drowns in his own pool of blood.

 

Stop with this OTR is generally safe rhettoric. It's idiotic, and just sounds as if your being paid to promote OTR by the city. That bullet could've EASILY hit a bystander, so the point stills stands, OTR is still the wild-wild west, and those who are traveling down there and trying to make a life are much like the brave first frontiers. If you want to risk your life go ahead.

... Sorry guys but this is OTR revitalization will take decades from the looks of it. Seriously had the impression OTR was changing for the best, but I can safely say I will never take my kids down there...

That's why, I truly believe affordable housing shouldn't be allowed, and gentrification is a blessing. The less unemployed hood rats and gangsters you have polluting OTR, the quicker it can flourish.

I've raised my family here and they walk to the store on their own.  There are shootings in every zip code in this country. 

 

Is Hood Rats the new code word for poor black people?  FU!  When OTR looks like Sycamore Twp and you feel safe enough to come down with your little angels, I know it will be time for me to move...

Wow yeah. I wish this site had a down vote feature.

 

Look the two murders in the last two weeks really suck. Just from a humanity standpoint, it's pointless violence. But they're also not random acts of violence. It's important to keep that in mind. The same night that the shootings happened by Neons, I parked my car on 12th St just a little further east from the bar and it was fine.

 

The reality is, there is virtually no danger for you and your kids to walk around these areas of OTR. The scourge of "gang bangers and dope slingers" randomly targeting citizens down there exists only in your mind and on local news.

 

Yes but why should my children even witness the event of a man being brutually gunned down, with his blood and guts spilling all over the pavement? Yes, it wasn't random, but the fact still stands: I don't want to witness a stray bullet potentially hitting me or my car, nor any of my friends or family. And I especially don't want my kids to witness a slain man pounding out his last breaths while he drowns in his own pool of blood.

 

Stop with this OTR is generally safe rhettoric. It's idiotic, and just sounds as if your being paid to promote OTR by the city. That bullet could've EASILY hit a bystander, so the point stills stands, OTR is still the wild-wild west, and those who are traveling down there and trying to make a life are much like the brave first frontiers. If you want to risk your life go ahead.

 

I'm scared to walk across the street because a stray car could come careening out in front of me.  It happens you know, I heard of it on the news. ;)

Your odds of dying by a car accident are way higher than getting shot by someone you don't know.

 

I'd rather take my chances on the street in OTR than in my car on 71.

Yes but why should my children even witness the event of a man being brutually gunned down, with his blood and guts spilling all over the pavement? Yes, it wasn't random, but the fact still stands: I don't want to witness a stray bullet potentially hitting me or my car, nor any of my friends or family. And I especially don't want my kids to witness a slain man pounding out his last breaths while he drowns in his own pool of blood.

 

You realize this happens everywhere right?  People get murdered in West Chester too, kids get run over by cars constantly (automobiles are the number one cause of death of children over the age of 1), and if you want to avoid stray bullets better stay away from rural hunters and suburban convenience stores. 

What happened to this?

 

I truly see OTR becoming the next Indian Hill. A luxurious urban neighborhood for the Mega-Rich.

 

So two murders in OTR and you're convinced that it will take decades to fix now and you won't take your kids down there? Just out of curiosity, how long have you been following the redevelopments in OTR?

 

I still stand by that.

 

But I also realize most of the retivalization efforts is coming simply from 3CDC, and at the pace there going it will take at least 10 years if not more to really allow for that prediction to occur

 

How do you think a neighborhood like Over-the-Rhine transitions from "an infested area full of gang bangers and welfare collectors" to "the next Indian Hill" (both terms used by TroyEros)? Do you think someone just flips a switch and it happens overnight?

 

Over-the-Rhine has gotten safer very slowly, one block at a time. It started with a few "urban pioneers" who were willing to come into the neighborhood even though there was still crime. Then they brought their friends. And 10 years later, suburbanites are coming to OTR for a nice dinner. Crime does not disappear overnight. OTR is still getting safer every year. If you are never going to come to OTR again because of two unfortunate incidents that happened to be within a few days of eachother... it's your loss.

Though I haven’t heard it much in the past two years or so, a lot of suburbanites would constantly say they don’t want to step foot in OTR because of how much crime there is. When you point out it’s been decades since someone random has been killed in OTR, and that all the murders are amongst the same small crowd of thugs, they move the goalposts and say they don’t even want to risk seeing something like that.

 

Personally, I’d be a hell of a lot more scared to get on the highway and commute 45 minutes to the burbs every day than I am to walk/bike through OTR. As an average white guy, I’m a lot more likely to die in my car than by violence in OTR, or anywhere for that matter.

 

Wow yeah. I wish this site had a down vote feature.

 

Look the two murders in the last two weeks really suck. Just from a humanity standpoint, it's pointless violence. But they're also not random acts of violence. It's important to keep that in mind. The same night that the shootings happened by Neons, I parked my car on 12th St just a little further east from the bar and it was fine.

 

The reality is, there is virtually no danger for you and your kids to walk around these areas of OTR. The scourge of "gang bangers and dope slingers" randomly targeting citizens down there exists only in your mind and on local news.

 

Yes but why should my children even witness the event of a man being brutually gunned down, with his blood and guts spilling all over the pavement? Yes, it wasn't random, but the fact still stands: I don't want to witness a stray bullet potentially hitting me or my car, nor any of my friends or family. And I especially don't want my kids to witness a slain man pounding out his last breaths while he drowns in his own pool of blood.

 

Stop with this OTR is generally safe rhettoric. It's idiotic, and just sounds as if your being paid to promote OTR by the city. That bullet could've EASILY hit a bystander, so the point stills stands, OTR is still the wild-wild west, and those who are traveling down there and trying to make a life are much like the brave first frontiers. If you want to risk your life go ahead.

 

That's a straw man argument. If you want to live in a bubble, go for it. That's your prerogative. But the world is a dangerous place. You're only marginally more likely to see a gun every go off in OTR now than any of the other outer townships of Cincinnati. I've gone down there probably 3-4 times a week (even more now that I'm working down there) for years now. I've never seen anything like that happen and I couldn't name anyone who has. It's so isolated.

 

I really hope you give it a chance and walk down there with different eyes and can appreciate the beauty of the neighborhood for what it is now. But if not, again, your loss.

Not posting the article (no need to encourage the clickbait), but I caught wind of the following on Charlie Luken's facebook page regarding a hit piece by the Enquirer on OTR - he calls them out on irresponsible journalism.  I'm not a big fan of the guy's tenure as mayor but this is spot on:

 

 

I reshared that on those articles and got some good upvotes and comments (Enquirer's Facebook page and on their website). There were FOUR articles about ONE murder:

 

1. Darnell Higgins wanted for Wednesday OTR killing by Henry Molski on April 30 at 12:44 PM

2. After fatal shooting, no easy answer in OTR by John Faherty and Ben Liebing on April 30 at 6:47 PM (an update from a hit piece posted last night)

3. Man killed in OTR was 'targeted' by Emilie Eaton and Rebecca Butts on April 29 3:03 p.m

4. Witnessing a shooting: What I saw at Vine & Mercer by Emilie Eaton on April 30 at 5:21 AM

 

John Faherty has been taking a beating and is replying to many people's comments, and going as far as to privately message them in a creepy manner. I've let his boss know.

 

"Wow, Sherman. Are you complaining about this story -- which I wrote -- or the headline? And what line did it cross? This story explained what happened, provided facts and context. It had voices from people there on the morning, people who work there, and people who have lived there for years. We had crime stats and police. Then the story was updated when a suspect emerged. I do not feel like I am losing relevance. But I do like your cat."

 

There were some other comments by him, but they seem to have been removed.

 

Emilie's post was the worst I've seen out of the Enquirer in years. An editor or copywriter would have noted the many errors in her prose and structure, and would have either nixed the article or substantially rewrote it. It begins with:

 

"I went to work early this morning. It was a typical day – I was going to grab a few photos in Over-the-Rhine for a story I was working on and head back to the office.

 

Instead, I saw a man shot to death."

 

And ends with:

 

"Today, I got to tell the world what was going on. Hopefully the information I reported from the scene was helpful.

 

But more important, I was a citizen. I'm proud of that.

 

Now I'm going to go call my mom."

 

The best comment from that article was: "Clueless White Girl From Suburbs Experiences Harsh Reality of Inner City Crime and then Writes Terribly About It."

 

But the worst of it was that she didn't race to get her phone from her car to summon help, or go to an open business to call for 911. She raced to get her phone to call the Enquirer to break the story, then went to the scene to take photos of the individual DYING. She took a SELFIE of her at the crime scene.

 

"Was this story not edited?! Not only is this bad journalism but you neglected your ACTUAL civic duty to call the police when you witnessed a shooting! You instead gosipped about it, called your paper, and took pictures. Selfish doesn't even begin to describe your behavior. I'm sure the info you proudly reported to the police was helpful but calling the police would have been even more helpful. You could've possibly saved his life."

:|  All kinds of awful there.  If John Faherty were fired over his inappropriate and unprofessional behavior perhaps my grandfather who was a journalist can finally stop spinning in his grave for a few minutes because the field still has integrity.

 

I was actually more appalled by that than I was with the shoddy reporting and fear baiting.  Thank you for writing to his boss about this.

I pulled up on the scene with the second cop (both of us on bikes). They had not done tape or anything. Just right there on the sidewalk at Mercer. I stopped my bike at the corner and gawked for a moment, as I thought it may have been a drunk guy that collapsed and hit his head. Did not see blood on the sidewalk or trailing from the scene, which you often see, and I did not hear the shots coming up Vine due to trailing a loud truck. I quickly realized the guy was dead, on his back and arms kind of frozen in the air and not moving. I would say that--for a brief second--the thought of a photo did cross my mind, in a Weegee crime scene in NYC sort of way. Then I was like "jeezus, that's awful," and quickly got out of the way of approaching sirens. That's my crime scene dispatch.

Obviously The Enquirer trotted their 25 year-old reporter out there to scare all of the parents and grandparents with kids and grandkids that age.  The thing that I found somewhat amusing was that people who are not familiar with gunfire in a city always remark that it sounded "fake".  That goes to show how much influence Hollywood and music has over the naïve public's superstition surrounding gun violence.  I read about 10 years ago about how Disney World has a problem with venomous snakes biting patrons because park visitors assume that they're fake. 

 

More amusing with this article was the anecdote about the writer calling her mom.  For what?  I've witnessed plenty of violent crime (as well as car wrecks, other accidents, etc.) and it never once occurred to me to immediately call mom, my siblings, Twitter, or anyone else.  Crime isn't that interesting. 

 

It is nearly impossible the use the Over-the-Rhine Residents Facebook page. Everything devolves into a handfull of long-time OTR residents getting confrontational, calling newer residents "elites", and opposing any new development in the neighborhood. Here is an exchange from today, with names redacted.

 

 

 

Original Poster: Hey Over-the-Rhine Residents - join us at the Community Council meeting tonight! Together, we create the place we love to live! (includes photos of children playing in the neighborhood)

 

P1: How many of these children are really

 

P1: A part of the future of over the Rhine?

 

Original Poster: P1 - These fabulous kids are my neighbors and they are def a part of the future of OTR!

 

P1: How?

 

Original Poster: How do you want them to be a part of our shared future?

 

P1: I asked you?

 

Original Poster: Feel free to call or message me to discuss further. I have ideas.

 

P1: Sweeping floors, picking up your trash, taking out your cat liter, washing dishes in your expensive restaurants, taking token field trips and pictures? Is that the 'future' you and your elite friends have for them?

 

P1: I would rather discuss it here.

 

P2: Original Poster, will you fight to keep the basketball.courts the children desperately want?

 

Original Poster: Everyone who is attending meetings of the community council probably knows that I have opposed the plan as it stands for development that would take out the courts. And the Community Council voted to oppose that plan in March.

 

P1: The only way to make sure is to get it in writing otherwise it is just talk...

 

P1: The court and swimming pool were suppose to be replaced that use to be at Washington Park.... That still has not happened. They also changed the bball courts to half court just to keep older black males from using them. Hanna Park was a full court. We were told this would be changed back and it never was.....

 

P1: And I stopped coming to those meetings because it was clear our need for inclusion is not on their agenda. Also things were being pushed through that furthered the desire to remove the amenities stores and public spaces of low income people in OTR and furthered the desires of the elite

I had a very unpleasant experience today when I got home from work. An unfortunate event considering how heavily I boost OTR and love living here.

 

I went over to Kroger when I got home from work to grab a few things. As the light turned red and I was given a walk sign I started walking. I heard someone accelerating hard to the south and saw a guy in a black Saturn Vue run the light at 14th and almost hit someone and while looking in his mirror almost ran me over as he ran the light at 15th. I shouted as I jumped out of the way. I thought that was the end of that. Unfortunately the guy had a problem with me shouting and slammed his breaks. I saw his reverse lights come on and froze for a second before he floored it in reverse and spun around, up onto the curb, almost running into a few people, and started to turn down 15th. I dropped my groceries and ran. I turned the corner onto Republic, knowing there were construction workers still at the Urban Sites project right there, and quickly ran into their site. He turned the corner and sped down Republic, not seeing that I ran into the construction site.

 

I honestly don't know if I've ever feared my safety as much as at the point when his reverse lights came on. The guy was obviously aggressive having just run two red lights while going 50 down Vine Street. I'm just glad I didn't have to run far to get out of his field of view. My faith in people is diminishing though. I shouldn't have to take off running thinking I'm about to be attacked when all I was doing was crossing a crosswalk at the wrong time.

 

This neighborhood has come a long way, but there's still a lot we need to do before it's rid of idiotic instances like this. People minding their own business just trying to buy some paper towels shouldn't have to take off running when some idiot has a moment of road rage.

 

I called the police as I turned into the construction site and gave them the vehicle description (didn't look long enough to get his license plate number) and the lady said there was a cop right at Republic and 14th at that time and radioed to tell him to look for a black Saturn Vue driving erratically. I know the likelihood of that going anywhere is essentially zero, but hopefully I'm wrong and he was caught doing something else stupid somewhere.

^ Glad you got out of it, though it's not really an OTR-specific kind of incident.  I saw a similar road-rage episode on I-71 a number of months ago with brake checking, swerving, cutting off, speeding, shoulder running, but the only difference is it was between two people in their cars, rather than one being in a vehicle and one not.  For all we know that guy could be doing the same thing in some suburban cul-de-sac or rural highway. 

Yeah road rage is definitely not OTR specific. But the aggressiveness towards a pedestrian is something that generally doesn't happen in the suburbs (lack of pedestrians) or neighborhoods that have long been established as desirable areas.

 

I'm a little shaken up just from the adrenaline of the situation but obviously fine. I just don't get what goes through people's heads during situations like this. Never once have I been so angry I wanted to chase after someone in my car. It's just messed up.

It is nearly impossible the use the Over-the-Rhine Residents Facebook page. Everything devolves into a handfull of long-time OTR residents getting confrontational, calling newer residents "elites", and opposing any new development in the neighborhood. Here is an exchange from today, with names redacted.

:Snip:

 

 

I dug this up, these are two radical idiots who probably worshiped Buddy Grey.  The thing is its quite literally two people.  Frankly the behavior they show is grounds for banning them from that group, they are unwilling to have a productive conversation.  These people make me sick, they want to keep holding the neighborhood and the city back in favor of some ridiciulous far fetched utopia.  Far too long did people do too much to appease them, and frankly they should be swept aside your city will be better for it.  Do they realize the number of transit accessible jobs that are being created due to OTR's resurgence?  Do they realize the amount of money that is being brought into the regional economy vis a vis tourism that will create even more jobs?  No.  They see the world in a fishbowl and are an extreme reaction to Cincinnati's conservatism, so extreme that they are parochial and conservative in their own very special way.

 

Now as to long time residents in OTR, integration should happen, I'm making a distinction between radicals who want OTR to only be a sanctuary for the poor (like the people above) and people who want a neighborhood that is a mixed income neighborhood.  Its not an easy path, but hostile people like this make it even harder and Buddy Grey single handedly (with help from idiots like Tom Luken and what not who had no leadership) held Cincinnati back from its potential  for decades.

they are parochial and conservative in their own very special way.

 

That was my takeaway too from looking at the page. Just people who can't handle change. No different from the suburban opponents of the streetcar, urbanism, etc. Who at first glance would apprear to be political enemies of these people on the Facebook group, but upon careful examination, they are the same thing.

Homelessness and income inequity should have nothing to do with any particular neighborhood of any city.  Those are national, not local issues, and are best dealt with with federal policy.  What Buddy Grey did was hijack those issues for his own benefit -- by creating a ground zero in a historic district and placing his shelter directly in between Music Hall and City Hall, he physically positioned himself to be a thorn in everyone's side.  I don't doubt that he did help some people, but he also turned many people off from volunteering in a similar vein.  They didn't want to deal with him or be associated with him. 

Yeah road rage is definitely not OTR specific. But the aggressiveness towards a pedestrian is something that generally doesn't happen in the suburbs (lack of pedestrians) or neighborhoods that have long been established as desirable areas.

 

I'm a little shaken up just from the adrenaline of the situation but obviously fine. I just don't get what goes through people's heads during situations like this. Never once have I been so angry I wanted to chase after someone in my car. It's just messed up.

 

I had a guy in suburban Columbus a few years ago tail me into a parking lot after I didn't let him cut in front of me going out of a green light, which the instant it turned green he began laying on his horn at all the cars in front of him. I parked, he came flying around in his car, screaming at me. If I had had a gun, I would have shot him. And I don't even own a gun. That's how much a feared for my life. I thought he was going to try to kill me. It was totally inexplicable behavior.

 

Except it wasn't, if you consider drug use. I think this guys was probably on meth. Drugs (including alcohol) can make people do terrifying things. It's rarely just someone acting crazy aggressive in a sober state.

Courtesy of America's Finest News Source - the Onion

 

Decaying City Just Wants To Skip To Part Where It Gets Revitalized Restaurant Scene

 

CAMDEN, NJ—Saying they were fed up with the numerous challenges stemming from their city’s extensive urban decay, Camden, NJ residents confirmed Wednesday that they would love to just skip to the part where they get a hip, revitalized restaurant scene. “I realize that these boarded-up storefronts and abandoned factories might be turned into trendy cafés and bistros someday down the line, but I think most of us would be pretty thrilled if we just went ahead and got to that stage right now,” said resident George Pierson, noting that he is fully willing to bypass Camden’s endemic crime, rampant drug abuse, and high unemployment rate in order to jump right to the point when he and the city’s other occupants can enjoy dozens of farm-to-table gastropubs. “Sure, we’ll eventually see lobster roll stands and high-end noodle bars popping up on every corner, but that could take years or even decades. Let’s just skim over all the gang turf disputes and burnt-out streetlights and go straight to blocks lined with stores specializing in key lime pies, locally sourced butcher shops, and gourmet empanada places. That honestly seems like the way to go.” Camden residents also told reporters they would like the city’s accelerated revitalization process to then stop just before they are priced out of their current apartments.

Yeah road rage is definitely not OTR specific. But the aggressiveness towards a pedestrian is something that generally doesn't happen in the suburbs (lack of pedestrians) or neighborhoods that have long been established as desirable areas.

 

I'm a little shaken up just from the adrenaline of the situation but obviously fine. I just don't get what goes through people's heads during situations like this. Never once have I been so angry I wanted to chase after someone in my car. It's just messed up.

 

I had a guy in suburban Columbus a few years ago tail me into a parking lot after I didn't let him cut in front of me going out of a green light, which the instant it turned green he began laying on his horn at all the cars in front of him. I parked, he came flying around in his car, screaming at me. If I had had a gun, I would have shot him. And I don't even own a gun. That's how much a feared for my life. I thought he was going to try to kill me. It was totally inexplicable behavior.

 

Except it wasn't, if you consider drug use. I think this guys was probably on meth. Drugs (including alcohol) can make people do terrifying things. It's rarely just someone acting crazy aggressive in a sober state.

 

That was why I was so worried the moment he turned around frantically while running up onto the sidewalk attempting to do a cool reverse 180 but only driving a Saturn Vue so it just spun aimlessly. I had no clue what state this guy could possibly be in. Most situations of road rage end when the person realizes they're not actually going to do anything because they're being ridiculous. But this reasoning goes away when under the influence of some substance. For all I know when he turned around it was his intention to kill me. It's not far fetched to believe he had a gun and was fully wiling to use it.

 

I wish there was some good way to detect road rage and to have an essentially zero tolerance for it. Obviously this is impossible, but ridding the country of people who aren't in control of their emotions while operating a vehicle would make the roads and areas around them so much safer for everyone.

I would have thrown some groceries at him. 

 

I had some guy flip me off in the McDonald's drive-thru last month.  Did the old "adjusting the sunglasses" thing. 

Unfortunately my groceries were made up wholly of very light things like paper towels, toilet paper, etc. It would have done very little damage haha.

 

The construction workers at the Urban Sites project were cool though. The one guy asked what was wrong and I said, "someone is chasing me" and another, on the sidewalk, said, "this black SUV?" as it sped past. He told me when the coast was clear after a couple minutes and I went back and got my groceries (all I wanted to do was clean my condo!) and went on with my business. Annoying, but thankfully it didn't end any worse. One of my friends had a strikingly similar situation the other week that ended poorly for him when the guy got out of the car and attacked him with a bottle. But he got a photo of the guy's license plate as he got back in the car and a photo of the guy's face and he's pressing charges. I wish I could have gotten a license plate number. Alas, I wasn't standing around long enough to read it.