City taking action on streetscape TIFs

Building Cincinnati, 11/1/07

 

Although seven local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts were rejected by the State of Ohio, the City is still pursuing improvement projects in three of them.

 

Ordinances authorizing the floating of $3.75 million in bonds, or $750,000 per project, had been in Council committee in early September.

 

Only two of the TIF-based projects, those for Evanston and Walnut Hills, were recognized by the state. Their bond ordinances passed in late September.

 

In West Price Hill, the City is applying $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to begin public meetings on their project.

 

Two projects are on the table for Glenway Avenue:

 

* A full-scale streetscape, which would require some building demolition and would require the addition of $750,000 in TIF-supported bond funds.

* A more limited streetscape, allowing for some or all TIF-generated funds to be steered toward business district development

 

In Oakley, TIF funds could be used as gap financing for one of two proposed major development projects, or could be used for infrastructure such as a rumored parking garage.

 

Westwood would like to use the funds to acquire and demolish multi-family housing along Harrison Avenue. The City is planning to work with the neighborhood to study issues such as blight and tenant relocation expenses.

 

 

Walnut Hills and Evanston

 

Design work has begun on a Peebles Corner streetscape. Working with a budget of $1.05 million ($300,000 existing budget), work will improve the four corners as well as portions of Gilbert and McMillan avenues.

 

In Evanston, TIF funds will fund Phase I of a streetscape that will stretch along Dana Avenue from I-71 to just past the Keystone Parke development. The design has already been funded by Al Neyer, Inc. and Xavier University.

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/city-taking-action-on-streetscape-tifs.html

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Columbia Tusculum: 3629-3633 Woodbridge Pl

Building Cincinnati, 10/31/07

 

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/723/36293633woodbridgecl0.jpg[/img]

Rendering from the Greater Cincinnati MLS

 

Andrew James Custom Builders is planning three new single-family homes at 3629-3633 Woodbridge Place in Columbia Tusculum.

 

The homes will feature three bedrooms, three baths, a gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors and an outdoor deck.

 

All three are priced at $495,000 and are being sold through Comey & Shepherd.

 

Completion is expected by March.

 

The half-acre site previously contained a single-family home, which was built in 1958 and was valued at nearly $200,000.

 

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8232/3629woodbridgerz5.jpg[/img]

Formerly 3629 Woodbridge Pl, demolished

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/10/columbia-tusculum-3629-3633-woodbridge.html

 

Walnut Hills and Evanston

 

Design work has begun on a Peebles Corner streetscape. Working with a budget of $1.05 million ($300,000 existing budget), work will improve the four corners as well as portions of Gilbert and McMillan avenues.

 

Is this part of what's been going on up Gilbert the last couple months?  Lots of median-plantery...

 

UPDATE: The Cinelect building is already down.

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Tax exemption for Skyline expansion?

Building Cincinnati, 11/2/07

 

The City is considering a tax exemption that would allow Skyline Chili to build a larger restaurant in Walnut Hills.

 

KMS Realty would receive a Community Reinvestment Area Tax Exemption (CRA), estimated at $172,860, for a new restaurant at 1216 E McMillan Street. The tax exemption would last for fifteen years.

 

In Ohio, the CRA program was created in 1977 and is typically used to encourage development in under-invested areas.

 

KMS Realty plans to demolish the Cinelect building that currently occupies the site and to build a 3,600-square-foot restaurant with 140 seats, 60 parking spaces and a drive-thru. The estimated cost for the project is $1.3 million.

 

The larger restaurant would create 16 new jobs, four of which would be full-time.

 

Construction of the new restaurant would be completed by May 2008.

 

The current Skyline restaurant at 1202 E McMillan Street has been tentatively leased to Taco Casa, pending the outcome of this legislation.

 

In January, City Council approved a rezoning of several properties at the corner to CC-M Commercial-Community Mixed. The developers were granted a variance for the drive-thru, which is not allowed under that zoning.

 

KMS Realty's concept plan for the site included a strip center, though no final development plan has been released.

 

The tax ordinance is currently in Finance Committee.

 

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9591/1216mcmillaniq1.jpg[/img]

Cinelect building, 1216 E McMillan Avenue

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/tax-exemption-for-skyline-expansion.html

 

I don't know why I bother to visit the blog, it shows up here a couple days later! :lol:

Yesterday they started tearing up a front corner of the parking lot at the abandoned KMart site on Ridge.  I'm guessing that they may finally be starting construction on the National City Bank branch that an article above stated would be built there. 

 

 

Reading to accept bids for Nivison-Weiskopf demolition

Building Cincinnati, 11/7/07

 

 

The City of Reading will soon be accepting bids for the demolition and environmental remediation of the former Nivison-Weiskopf complex.

 

In late October, Councilmember Robert Ashbrock said that the city planned to advertise for bids on October 31, with a bid opening on November 15. A public notice for the bids has not yet been posted.

 

The 11.7-acre site contains 155,000 square feet of buildings, a third of which are structurally unsafe.

 

Site assessment also revealed petroleum in the groundwater near the rail loading dock and in the area around the rail corridor. Petroleum contaminant and PC has also been detected in the soil.

 

For remediation, the city recently applied for a $200,000 U.S. EPA Brownfields Petroleum Cleanup Grant.

 

The rest of the estimated $262,000 in remediation costs will be supplemented with a Job Ready Sites Grant and local funds.

 

Total cleanup and demolition costs for the entire site are estimated at just over $3.5 million.

 

The land will likely be used for a much-needed expansion of the 59-acre Reading Life Sciences Complex, a research and technology park housing 1,000 jobs and comprised of the Genome Research Institute of the University of Cincinnati, Girindus America, and Patheon Pharmaceuticals.

 

Girindus America has already said it would like to acquire 20,000 square feet of new lab space and to create 85 new jobs.

 

The former director of UC's Genome Research Institute estimates that the Nivison-Weiskopf site could support 100,000 square feet of new lab and office space at a cost of about $50 million, with about 400 jobs created and $15 million-$20 million in increased payroll.

 

Reading has lost 26 percent of its businesses in the last five years.

 

To facilitate the business park expansion, a research and development zone was created for the site and for several adjacent properties on Fourth Street in September.

 

The city would like to have demolition work completed by July 2008.

 

Nivison-Weiskopf manufactured glass bottles in the facility between the early 1900s and the 1990s. The property has been vacant since the city purchased it in 2006.

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/reading-to-accept-bids-for-nivison.html

 

Anyone know what's going in between Gilbert and I-71 by Channel 9?  They're moving right along on whatever is going there.

humana expansion, small hotel i believe

Seneca Place kickoff in Austinburg today

Building Cincinnati, 11/8/07

 

Sketch courtesy of CityKin

 

Modular homes will meet foundations today as the Seneca Place project takes shape in Covington's Austinburg neighborhood.

 

The Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington will hold a special presentation at 9 AM as two new modular homes are built at 522 and 524 Thomas Street.

 

Work will continue all day as sections of the homes are lifted by crane and attached to their foundations.

 

Refreshments will be served at the Kentucky Livery, Thomas Street and Oakland Avenue.

 

The homes are part of 12 planned for the development. All will have three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a full basement and off-street parking. Both of the models offered are Energy Star rated.

 

This is the first new construction in Austinburg in decades and it is hoped that they will help boost the neighborhood's relatively low homeownership rate.

 

Project partners include the City of Covington, LISC, Phoenix Building Solutions, Superior Walls and Huff Realty.

 

Thanks to Mike at CityKin, who posted about this project last week.

 

WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW

GOOGLE AERIAL MAP

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/seneca-place-kickoff-in-austinburg.html

 

There's already a National City Bank in P-Ridge's business district

Since we're throwing questions out there...

 

Does anyone know what's going on at the North Bend Rd exit on I-74.  There is some development going on there on the north-western portion of the interchange, just behind the Sam's.  There is a crane and everything...

^Renaissance West assisted living.    Checked it out on Fri.  Looks like 4 stories.

New medical office building for Norwood

Building Cincinnati, 11/9/07

 

Rendering from Colliers Turley Martin Tucker

 

A new medical office building is coming to the Montgomery Road corridor.

 

Pre-leasing has begun on the project at 2064 Lawrence Avenue, between Montgomery Road and Walter Avenue.

 

The new construction will be somewhere around 20,000 square feet with rents of $13.50-$14.75 per square foot.

 

The land had previously been zoned for residential use.

 

Construction is expected some time next year.

 

WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW

GOOGLE AERIAL MAP

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/new-medical-office-building-for-norwood.html

 

Northside looks to acquire South Block parking

Building Cincinnati, 11/13/07

 

City Council is considering an ordinance that could provide more parking for Northside's South Block.

 

The Northside Business Association would like to acquire City-owned land at 3926-3928 Spring Grove Avenue for its South Parking Lot project, which will also require the acquisition of adjacent privately-owned properties.

 

The sale price of the City's parcels would be $1.

 

The 22-space surface parking project would be paid for with NBD Improvement Project Funds, which have already been approved by City Council.

 

The ordinance is currently in Finance Committee.

 

The South Block consists of several business along both sides of Spring Grove Avenue.

 

The Kamlager Family of Los Angeles recently announced plans to renovate the buildings at 3930-3934 Spring Grove Avenue into a wholesale bakery, a retail bakery, an art gallery and apartments.

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/northside-looks-to-acquire-south-block.html

 

City trying to beat winter on Dana streetscape

Building Cincinnati, 11/14/07

 

In an effort to beat the upcoming bad weather, the City will shift around some of its funds to aid the Dana Avenue streetscape project.

 

In September, a tax increment financing district was established for Evanston which would allow for bonds to be issued to pay for the project.

 

Because the bonds have not been issued and the City would like for the work to start as soon as possible, City Council voted unanimously* to transfer $750,000 from the Urban Renewal-Tax Increment Financing account into the Evanston TIF account.

 

The streetscape work is happening around the Keystone Parke office development in Evanston. It will eventually reach from I-71 to Victory Parkway.

 

Project partners include the Evanston Community Council, Neyer Properties and Xavier University.

 

* Councilmember Laketa Cole was absent.

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/city-trying-to-beat-winter-on-dana.html

 

MSD needs new office building

Building Cincinnati, 11/15/07

 

Elevations by Burgess & Niple*: Click to enlarge

 

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) has outgrown its offices in Lower Price Hill and has proposed a new building adjacent to the future MetroWest Commerce Park.

 

MSD estimated that, after adding several mandated engineering support personnel, it needs room for 157 employees and consultants.

 

Their current space, which is spread among three rundown buildings in the Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant at 1600 Gest Street, only has room for 120 workers.

 

A new three-story office building would solve the space crunch and is estimated to cost $7.5 million.

 

Renovation of the three buildings would not create any more space and would cost $6 million, plus $1 million in temporary relocation costs.

 

MSD has requested a location along the north side of Gest Street, between Summer and Woodrow streets.

 

Hoping to jumpstart interest in the MetroWest site, the City has worked with MSD and has brought into the project the Department of Community Development and Planning, City Facility Management and the Department of Finance.

 

Funding for the project would come from City-issued bonds. Until the bonds are paid off, Hamilton County would lease the building from the City for use by MSD. Once the bonds are paid, the County would gain ownership.

 

Plans for the new building will be presented during Friday's meeting of the City Planning Commission.

 

Site plan: Click to enlarge

 

Southeast elevation: Click to enlarge

 

WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW

GOOGLE AERIAL MAP

 

* Renderings to be revised to show three stories

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/msd-needs-new-office-building.html

 

Target moving to Western Hills Plaza

BY JESSICA BROWN | [email protected]

March 29, 2007

 

WESTWOOD - A new Target likely will be coming to the Western Hills Plaza.

 

The plaza owner, New Plan, intends to raze the empty Kroger and Media Play buildings at Glenway Avenue and Werk Road. It will build another, bigger Target there, replacing the one that sits about a mile south, near Glenway and Crookshank Road.

 

The project is estimated to cost $10 million and is expected to be a rebirth for that shopping plaza, which includes a Sears, Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond, said New Plan's Michael Carroll. The new Target would be about 30,000 square feet bigger than the current store.

 

The announcement came during a meeting of Westwood Concern Tuesday night, and was met with applause. Although the deal has not been finalized, it is "more than a handshake," Carroll said. Target officials have said they want to move there.

 

"Target said that's the epicenter of the community," he said.

 

Though several tenants expressed interest in the spot, Target seemed the best choice, he said.

 

New Plan acquired the Western Hills Plaza in November 2005. The new store could open in October 2008, officials said.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEWS01/703290354/1056/COL02

 

 

I believe they finally are showing some sign of progress.   The Deals store has been moved to the other side of the plaza and Managers at Staples are telling me they are planning on demoing the old Kroger, Media Play, and short annex going up to the east side of the Staples store.   They look to be putting up some sort of partitions in the old Pier One.   

 

I know bid day for foundation work is due Nov 26.

 

The is the link for the name change from New Plan to Centro.

 

http://www.centroprop.com/PropertyProfile_short.asp?ProjectID=POHWESTH1

 

Can't wait!!!!    for this much needed facelift!

Can't wait!!!!    for this much needed facelift!

 

I couldn't agree more...that old Media Play space is completely hideous.  Although I can only imagine what the old Target store will be like once vacated.  That whole Glenway Crossing strip center is a shell.  Sure there are some businesses, but that whole area there is falling of the face of the earth to retailers.  One after another is closing up shop and moving northward on the westside.  And just think...they ripped through a ton of rail ROW in order to build this crap years ago.  It hasn't been all that long and it's barely holding on by a thread...disgusting.

Can't wait!!!!    for this much needed facelift!

 

I couldn't agree more...that old Media Play space is completely hideous.  Although I can only imagine what the old Target store will be like once vacated.  That whole Glenway Crossing strip center is a shell.  Sure there are some businesses, but that whole area there is falling of the face of the earth to retailers.  One after another is closing up shop and moving northward on the westside.  And just think...they ripped through a ton of rail ROW in order to build this crap years ago.  It hasn't been all that long and it's barely holding on by a thread...disgusting.

 

 

True True!!!      I have beef with Glenway Crossing myself.    But until they get an owner who will reinvest and modernize thier property like Centro/New Plan is/has, nothing will change. 

 

For God's sake, they haven't even fixed thier clock towers which quit working a decade ago!!!        It used to have neon signs and worked.  It looked better than it does today!

Boat Bloat: Rising river traffic a concern

BY JOE WESSELS | CINCINNATI POST

November 20, 2007

 

CINCINNATI - Even before all of the new development that's popping up on the riverbanks in both Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, the Ohio River was a busy place with recreational boaters darting about as towboats lumber along pushing a string of barges.

 

With high-rises, Cincinnati's Banks riverfront rebirth project and other developments shooting up on the riverbanks and more and more commercial traffic, new concerns about safety on the river are being raised.

^It's plagued with a terrible location that isn't all that visible.  It was a terrible idea to not connect that access street all the way through that serves the Dollar Saver Cinema.  Western Hills Plaza has MUCH better visibility plus a good deal of bus traffic (for good or bad its increased visibility and potential customer base).  Western Hills Plaza is also set up in a way very similar to the lifestyle centers that are so popular nowadays...whereas Glenway Crossing is simply too long/sprawly.

 

I say that the end with Best Buy, Panera, Chipotle, etc is in good shape...the rest could be bulldozed and re-examined for something different.  Western Hills Plaza is in much better shape and actually is compiling some decent retailers there (Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bath & Body Works, Sears, Target, etc).  Do something with the parking lot to break up the asphalt and make it a little more lifestyle center-esque and that place will be set.

"Do something with the parking lot to break up the asphalt and make it a little more lifestyle center-esque and that place will be set."

 

This may break it up enough! :lol:

 

"She said the Coast Guard withdrew its objection to the Southshore marina after the developer, Capital Investments Group, came up with plans to increase safety on the river, including requiring condo owners to have two-way marine radios in boats they dock at Southshore and putting up signs encouraging safety on the river, she said."

 

 

I missed that!  So they are building the marina?

Very nice article! I knew that there were an increase in developments along the river, but this greatly explains just how _much_ (in terms of worth) is going up. Nice.

320-322 Broadway demolition

Building Cincinnati, 11/19/07

 

The back building at 320-322 Broadway is being demolished, but the structure fronting on Broadway will remain.

 

The one-story rear addition was listed by the Hamilton County Auditor's website as being 3,960 square feet.

 

The demolition will make way for planned head-in surface parking with access off of Iola Alley.

 

With Iola Alley being extremely narrow, I have no idea how this will work.

 

320-322 Broadway is currently undergoing a rehabilitation, though I have no idea who the tenant will be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/11/320-322-broadway-demolition.html

Just drove past 2904 Park Avenue tonight, which is at the corner of Park and Chapel in Walnut Hills, to find that it's been demolished!  Gah!  I dug the building because it had the street names carved right in the corner:

 

 

Here are the images of it from the tax assessor's site:

 

 

 

^Thats pretty cool...and if you think about it, its a pretty good idea (until the street name is changed, but even still, you'd learn some history decades later). But it won't ever fall down or get damaged like some street signs.

^It's plagued with a terrible location that isn't all that visible.  It was a terrible idea to not connect that access street all the way through that serves the Dollar Saver Cinema.  Western Hills Plaza has MUCH better visibility plus a good deal of bus traffic (for good or bad its increased visibility and potential customer base).  Western Hills Plaza is also set up in a way very similar to the lifestyle centers that are so popular nowadays...whereas Glenway Crossing is simply too long/sprawly.

 

I say that the end with Best Buy, Panera, Chipotle, etc is in good shape...the rest could be bulldozed and re-examined for something different.  Western Hills Plaza is in much better shape and actually is compiling some decent retailers there (Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bath & Body Works, Sears, Target, etc).  Do something with the parking lot to break up the asphalt and make it a little more lifestyle center-esque and that place will be set.

 

I totally agree. Although that Old Navy has by far the highest rate of theft out of all in the district hehe. Its strange how BB&B is always next to Old Navys.

 

I went to the dollar cinema once.

Once.

RiverViewer...I posted about 2904-2910 Park on my blog the other day if you want to check it out.

I totally agree. Although that Old Navy has by far the highest rate of theft out of all in the district hehe. Its strange how BB&B is always next to Old Navys.

 

I went to the dollar cinema once.

Once.

 

 

OK, but the Staples right next to it has the least amount of shrink in there REGION!   Ohio,KY, IN,& TN         HEHEHE!!         

 

So, I really wouldn't buy into those stats too much!

RiverViewer...I posted about 2904-2910 Park on my blog the other day if you want to check it out.

 

Shoot - missed that!  I need to add Building-Cincinnati.com to my regular reading list!

 

I can't get to your archive pages right now - google is upset, I guess...but I'll check back...

 

^ Blogger seems to be acting up a lot more lately.  It's working right now.

Elevations by Burgess & Niple*: Click to enlarge

 

Southeast elevation: Click to enlarge

 

Does anyone else think that these renderings are hilariously BAD.  I'm a sophomore level architecture student, and I would be ashamed creating something like that.  On top of the building being boring as hell, the entourage is distracting and thrown together.  Burgess & Niple should think about taking a beginner Photoshop class.  I think they have them at the public library.

^ Haha, good point -- it looks like Super NES.

Anyone want to investigate these sales in East Price Hill, Grasscat?

 

Here's the deal, two apartment complexes in East Price Hill, according to the paper(an area I always considered to be Sedamsville) have been sold for over $19 million each. It's got to be a mistake. I'm sure there Section 8 buildings.

 

The properties are 269 Fairbanks Ave and 925 Delhi Pike. The seller was Downtown Property Management Inc. and the buyer for both was Ny Group Oh 1 LLC.

 

According to the Hamilton County website, 269 is worth $649,000 and 925 is worth $354,000.

 

Here a pic of 269.

 

And 925.

 

Maybe there's a lot of land involved?

 

ajknee...To be fair, those renderings are only EXTREMELY preliminary things slapped together for the purposes of the meetings.  Those are not the final drawings - for example, the renderings don't show an unfinished third floor that will be part of the building.

 

moonloop...I hate the way the auditor's site handles property sales.  That $19,250,000 consists of 42 properties that they purchased on November 2, which breaks down to about $458,000 apiece.  All of them appear to be rental properties and vacant land in what would be considered less-desirable areas of town.  I haven't been able to find out anything about who this group is.

^ Wow, $458k each is still a lot of money for "rental properties and vacant land in what would be considered less-desirable areas of town".  Are the lots just enormous?

I don't think anyone will care, but the wrecking ball is taking Madisonville by storm.  Two business properties, including one at Madison and Whetzel, have come down in the past week.  Does anyone know why?

moonloop...I hate the way the auditor's site handles property sales.  That $19,250,000 consists of 42 properties that they purchased on November 2, which breaks down to about $458,000 apiece.  All of them appear to be rental properties and vacant land in what would be considered less-desirable areas of town.  I haven't been able to find out anything about who this group is.

 

I must admit I'm very intrigued by the possibility of some major redevelopment happening there. $19 million is too much to spend and not do anything with the area.

 

There are two narrow one lane roads that I've always been tempted to drive, but I figured I wouldn't make it back down. One is Eastondale, which according to Google runs up to Embshoff Park. This is a very hilly area, but maybe housing could be built there. The other is Hasley/Farnland Ave. which are short deadend streets with poor housing stock.

 

I wonder if the church across the street is involved somehow. I'll keep my eyes and ears open.

I see now, it's 42 properties scattered throughout the city for the $19m, including a few places in OTR. Nothing to see here just the status quo, probably more low income housing. You can't trust a company from Brooklyn, NY.  :-(

When I first moved here I always thought that some condo's with marina's would be a nice addition to the river.  Hopefully more condo's will start to include marina's.

Red Cross to build operations center at Dana site

BY LAURA BAVERMAN | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

December 7, 2007

 

The Cincinnati branch of the American Red Cross has completed its search for a new disaster operations center, signing a letter of intent to build a 50,000-square-foot facility at Keystone Parke on Dana Avenue. The Red Cross said the plans are preliminary and has yet to sign an agreement. It must complete a $14 million fundraising campaign before construction can begin on the building, planned to house 150 full-time, part-time and per-diem employees and provide parking for its many volunteers.

 

But the early agreement calls for Neyer Properties to sell a portion of its property at Keystone to the Red Cross. Neyer would then build the agency's new center and would adjust its plans for the rest of the site. He'll alter his site plan for the Red Cross, reducing the size of two buildings to accommodate a fourth. All will be designed by PDT Architects and be constructed according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

That is a good spot and an organization that will look both ways on Dana.

I really hate to see Contemporary Galleries go, but those will be some sweet condos!

 

 

Condos to replace store

BY KEITH T. REED | [email protected]

 

A downtown institution will soon shutter to clear the way for more new condominiums on West Fourth Street.  Contemporary Galleries, a furniture store that for more than four decades has dealt in stylish, unique décor, is being closed by its owners, Rick and Denise Mayer, who plan to retire.  Mayer said that after 42 years in the business, he was already pondering an exit to travel, spend more time with his grandchildren and escape the 12-hour days he'd put in at the store for so long.

 

His longing for a simpler life was put on a fast track earlier this year, though, when he got an offer to sell the store's building at 221 W. Fourth to a developer who he wouldn't name but said has plans for new residences there.  "I had planned to probably give it up in 2009. We got some inquiries on the building, and we got some interest in it," he said.

 

The store sits in a corridor already filled with new residential development: The McAlpin, a 62-unit condo development, opened last year two blocks east.  Kinsey Flats, another residential project, opened in 2003 near the corner of West Fourth and Central Avenue.  The Parker Flats condos are under construction on West Fourth.

 

MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080108/BIZ01/801080329/1076/BIZ

 

Cool....at least it's not just going to sit vacant.

^^Contemporary Galleries doesn't occupy the entire building does it?  If not then this will actually be a net gain of occupied space for that building...chalk that up as a win if that's the case.

Also, it's great to see an article in the Enquirer involving the closure of a downtown business that doesn't try to paint a bleak picture of the area.  It's actually kind of refreshing to hear a story about a downtown shop owner that falls somewhere along the lines of "I love this business, but it's time for me to move on, and someone made me an offer that helped make that possible."  Good for him.  It also should provide more residents in the CBD, so good for the city as well.

^^Contemporary Galleries doesn't occupy the entire building does it?  If not then this will actually be a net gain of occupied space for that building...chalk that up as a win if that's the case.

Yes, they occupy the entire building.  Five wide open floors of furniture.

Development planned in Highland Heights

BY AMANDA JOERING | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

January 11, 2008

 

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Towne Properties is planning to develop a village of three buildings for restaurant and retail use in Highland Heights.  The Highland Heights Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that city council approve the developer's stage 1 plan and the zoning change needed to more forward with the development at a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 8.

 

The plan includes one building for single tenant restaurant use, one for multi-tenant retail use and one for single tenant restaurant or bank use.  The buildings will be located off the Wilson Avenue and Sunset Drive connector, near where I-471 meets U.S. 27, in the area called Gateway West in the city's comprehensive plan.

Mt. Adams streetscape improvements

BY ZACHARY PETIT | DOWNTOWNER

January 22, 2008

 

MT. ADAMS - A careless flurry serenely descends from the sky, journeying past Christmas bulbclad trees and onto a quaint streetscape in a moment that would probably earn an endorsement from Norman Rockwell himself.  It's a charming wintry day along Mt. Adams' main drag, St. Gregory Street.

 

Only thing is, it's all encased in a general aura of clutter: towering power poles along the narrow stretch ascend into the sky as their snaking black tendrils crisscross the street and awkward trees flank the road with exasperated sags.  All of that is precisely what the Mt. Adams Business Guild is trying to change through a new $574,522 effort.  With the help of the City of Cincinnati and area establishments, it appears they'll soon be a step closer to their wish.

 

From Hatch to Pavilion streets, officials plan to spruce up St. Gregory Street by moving electric poles and power lines underground, redoing sidewalks, replacing oversized trees and installing new streetlights.  The plan does not, however, include work on the actual street, which officials say should have been completed last summer.