Somebody suggested an abandoned PNC bank on that FB page. I'm thinking that is too small but I haven't been out that way in awhile.

Somebody suggested an abandoned PNC bank on that FB page. I'm thinking that is too small but I haven't been out that way in awhile.

 

It is on Ridge just north of Highland in the parking lot of the abandoned Kmart. They had to build a new bank down there and then it ended up closing in less than a year anyways.

Who owns the parcels that Walgreen's wants (besides the VFW)? In order to go ahead with the plans, they need the current owners to sell - where is the outrage directed at them, do they not have a stake in their own community?

Can't the City work with Walgreen's on their current location to enlarge and have the drive thru (waive some parking requirements? -- I mean how often do you see every space in a Walgreen's lot filled...)

Who owns the parcels that Walgreen's wants (besides the VFW)? In order to go ahead with the plans, they need the current owners to sell - where is the outrage directed at them, do they not have a stake in their own community?

 

Everybody's is owned by different people than the buildings housing Gaslight, Ridge Jewelers and the Hair It Is. The people who own Everybody's already turned Walgreen's down this time. The people who own the other buildings live in Anderson Twp. Its an LLC. Some people already have sent letters their way I think.

They probably just want to move so they can be on the corner of Ridge and Montgomery and nothing else.  They also picked the corner that's most easily accessible by people driving home in the evening (right in, right out).  Grocery stores try to do that too.  It's all highly abstract and normative, concerned only with metrics and formulas that have no consideration for placemaking or community, let alone urbanism. 

Hey guys, I'm not sure if this fits in this thread, but I'm not sure where else to ask it.

 

I post from time to time over on the city-data forum, and in the development thread today someone posted that her and her husband were in town recently, and were planning to buy the Metal Blast building and turn it into art and dance "studio spaces, art gallery, artist loft rentals, etc." She said the price to fix the building up was out of their price range, but they are still trying to find a similar building in OTR.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for comparable buildings in OTR that could fill this purpose? I think it would be great if something like this were to happen.

 

Thanks!

My take on the PRidge situation. I was initially appalled, however . . . if a few conditions are met I wouldn't be completely opposed to this.

1. All the current business need to have their relocation within the Ridge covered (the building sitting diagonally opposite is basically empty). You could certainly fit Everybody's and the Jeweler in there. That building is in much better shape. The corner under discussion is some of the oldest building in the Ridge with mostly retail front. I think the corner is still the old Pleasant Ridge Hotel. Gas Light is the hardest nut, though it isn't like the kitchen is in great shape so fitting them into a space wouldn't be impossible and the clientele will follow them anywhere in PRidge.

2. They cannot simply abandon their current store. If they can't find a tenant of equal quality, they must tear it down. Ideally, they would provide some funding to do a little new urbanist development with apartments above retail space (which should be the plan for the Kroger and the Burger King (which should be strongly encouraged to move their building up to Montgomery Rd.).

 

This will do no damage to Mullaney's. Walgreens has been in PRidge for 25 years or so (it's current spot was an abandoned restaurant and the Monte Carlo movie theater that was a porn theater in its last iteration). The two places have co-existed all the while. Feuer's was better than Mullaney's anyway.

 

I know the faked two story thing is appalling, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if component one and two are fulfilled.

FedEx Ground building facility

Lebanon celebrates good news for jobs

10:57 PM, Jun. 4, 2012

Written by Jason Williams

 

 

Lebanon is taking a significant step toward recouping jobs that were lost after one of its largest employers left town less than two years ago.

 

FedEx Ground on Wednesday is scheduled to break ground on an $15 million distribution center, which will create 120 new jobs when the facility opens next year.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=20120604&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=306040111&Ref=AR

My take on the PRidge situation. I was initially appalled, however . . . if a few conditions are met I wouldn't be completely opposed to this.

1. All the current business need to have their relocation within the Ridge covered (the building sitting diagonally opposite is basically empty). You could certainly fit Everybody's and the Jeweler in there. That building is in much better shape. The corner under discussion is some of the oldest building in the Ridge with mostly retail front. I think the corner is still the old Pleasant Ridge Hotel. Gas Light is the hardest nut, though it isn't like the kitchen is in great shape so fitting them into a space wouldn't be impossible and the clientele will follow them anywhere in PRidge.

2. They cannot simply abandon their current store. If they can't find a tenant of equal quality, they must tear it down. Ideally, they would provide some funding to do a little new urbanist development with apartments above retail space (which should be the plan for the Kroger and the Burger King (which should be strongly encouraged to move their building up to Montgomery Rd.).

 

This will do no damage to Mullaney's. Walgreens has been in PRidge for 25 years or so (it's current spot was an abandoned restaurant and the Monte Carlo movie theater that was a porn theater in its last iteration). The two places have co-existed all the while. Feuer's was better than Mullaney's anyway.

 

I know the faked two story thing is appalling, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if component one and two are fulfilled.

 

I agree on the Burger King however the issue with 1 is that the vacant building you refer to was purchased recently and is being rehabbed. There is already 1-2 tenants scheduled to go in there as well,  but I am not sure how much space they will be taking up. So all the businesses may not be able to relocate

Also, you can guarantee that when Walgreens moves they will leave their empty building sitting there.  They should be required to take it down.  One use buildings NEVER get reused well. 

Everybody's could move into the Walgreens.

^Everybody's has every reason in the world to move closer to a highway access point.

Kroger buys up Beechmont land, mum on plans

Business Courier by Jon Newberry, Staff Reporter

Date: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:00am EDT

 

Kroger Co. purchased eight acres adjacent to its Beechmont Avenue store for $3.4 million and is exploring expansion options there.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2012/06/08/kroger-buys-up-beechmont-land-mum-on.html

8 acres could hold a hell of an addition.

^ The new Jungle Jim's store in Eastgate should be opening soon. Now that I think about it, the Kroger Marketplace stores are the closest thing to Jungle Jim's in size and selection.  If they do build a new store I wonder if they will abandon the current one.  The old store across the street is just now getting a new entrance and being reused.

City gets out of costly project

Walnut Woods auction brings in $176,000, ending an experiment that cost millions

7:04 PM, Jun. 9, 2012

Written by Jane Prendergast

 

 

A strip of houses and lots Cincinnati spent millions on over decades sold Saturday in about 10 minutes for $176,000.

 

The money’s a fraction of what the city invested in the Walnut Woods properties in Walnut Hills since it first started trying to redevelop them in the mid-1980s. City officials acknowledge that. But Michael Cervay, community development director, said after other sales and marketing efforts failed, the auction was a new way to try to get the properties into the hands of people who will fix them up and live in them.

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?action=post;topic=333.1530;last_msg=624814

^Here's the link:

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120609/NEWS010801/306070151/City-gets-out-costly-Walnut-Woods-project

 

Man, the Enquirer website is a mess.

^ The new Jungle Jim's store in Eastgate should be opening soon. Now that I think about it, the Kroger Marketplace stores are the closest thing to Jungle Jim's in size and selection.  If they do build a new store I wonder if they will abandon the current one.  The old store across the street is just now getting a new entrance and being reused.

 

This would not be the first time Kroger built a third store, leaving two nearby former stores abandoned/partially empty.

^ The new Jungle Jim's store in Eastgate should be opening soon. Now that I think about it, the Kroger Marketplace stores are the closest thing to Jungle Jim's in size and selection.  If they do build a new store I wonder if they will abandon the current one.  The old store across the street is just now getting a new entrance and being reused.

 

This would not be the first time Kroger built a third store, leaving two nearby former stores abandoned/partially empty.

Sad but true.  The area along US42 north of Lebanon comes to mind.  That place is a mess of wasted land but the stores keep pushing north. 

Plans are being finalized for  a total 'New Urbanist' makeover of a run down home on the lower end of Knox Street in the Knox Hill Neighborhood.  The acquisition of the property has ended a  the lock a local "land hoarder" has had on the area for years

 

The home which can be seen on the hill as one heads west of the Western Hills Viaduct has a commanding view of  the viaduct, Mill Creek Valley and the city. The 2700 square ft design will maximize the views of the city, have  a2 car garage, two seperate master suites,  home theatre, rooftop deck, and  a home elevator. Work is expected to begin in August after plans are submitted and permitting is complete

 

Knox Hill already has extensive restoration on the Western end of the neighborhood and recently held a home tour. This project sits near a 19 acre nature preserve. This project is in addition to the current restoration of the C Wilkins House in the 1800 block of Knox, and the groundreaking for a new thumbnail park on Thompson

 

More info about the project here:

http://victorianantiquitiesanddesign.blogspot.com/2012/06/our-latest-project-overlook-at-knox.html

 

 

 

A little more info on the Anderson Township Kroger expansion.....

 

Beechmont Kroger may expand

10:07 PM, Jun. 21, 2012

 

The Anderson Towne Center Kroger store at 7580 Beechmont Ave. may expand its footprint east along Beechmont Avenue.

 

The Kroger Co. recently paid $3.5 million for 6.5 acres in the adjacent block – bordered by Beechmont Avenue to the south, Towne Center Way to the west, Bowen Avenue to the north and Wolfangel Road on the east.

 

Kroger has been slowly buying single-family homes in that block with three separate sales occurring in May 2011, and January and March 2012, according to the Hamilton County auditor’s website.

 

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/C2/20120622/NEWS05/306220009/Beechmont-Kroger-may-expand?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||p

I wasn't really sure where to put this since I didn't see a general streetscaping thread. But I had a question. I noticed a few weeks ago that some of the light poles downtown have started to begin being painted black. It actually looks quite nice compared to the grey/beige. Adds some contrast. Does anyone know if this is a plan to paint all of them black? If so, that would be a good thing in my book.

They have been painting them for months now, a block at a time. I would assume they will all be painted eventually.

i think its part of World Choir Games prep. Looks great!

I saw one guy with a van painting one of them on 5th Street near P&G.  I was a little disappointed that he didn't repaint the already black backplates behind the traffic signals, which in their somewhat faded state stand out as unfinished.

 

I think the black is a bit stark to be perfectly honest.  The beige just blends in with the background and doesn't clutter up the streetscape, but now they really stand out.  Do you really want traffic signals and overhead lights to stand out?  I guess I'm just wary that the glossy black won't age well.  Maybe if it was a matte black it would be better, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The reason they don't age well is that they're always painted different colors, so when the newest coat chips off, you can see the rainbow of colors beneath it.  They were dark red originally, then tan, and now black. 

Ok, but even before the black starts chipping it'll get dirty and streaky from dust and rain, which shows up way more on glossy black than on matte tan or gray or some other more boring color. 

Always good to know great things are going on over on the westside. Keep up the good work.

I walked around downtown today to check out the World Choir Games vibe and noticed some workers going in and out of the space at Seventh and Walnut (caddy-corner to Ruby's) that's covered with the "Bouncing here soon" signs. I glanced inside and saw what looks like interior demolition work. I know a Business Courier story a while back talked about a potential sports bar going there, and the window coverings have footballs, soccer balls and baseballs on them. Hopefully this is finally moving forward.

 

Also, walking through The Banks, you could clearly see inside open doors at Mahogany's and Tin Roof. Tin Roof looks much farther along inside and the bar is even installed.

Interesting property sale from the auditors website.

It is the old Buckeye Sales building (Race and Court).

I am hoping it is not a surface lot.  Doesnt seem viable at 1.5 million with other lots not at capacity in the area.  We will see!

 

1004 W COURT ST URBAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC to ACOUSTA SALES BUILDING LLC $500000

108 W COURT ST URBAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC to ACOUSTA SALES BUILDING LLC $500000

1009 RACE ST URBAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC to ACOUSTA SALES BUILDING LLC $500000

 

Sounds like a good thing...better than a parking lot!

 

Acosta, Kroger partner to build test kitchen

Business Courier by Jon Newberry, Staff Reporter

Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 11:38am EDT

 

Jon Newberry

    Staff Reporter- Business Courier

    Email

 

As one marketing firm serving Kroger Co.    looks to expand its offices now in the Baldwin Center, another marketing firm is building a test kitchen within a stone’s throw of Kroger’s corporate headquarters downtown...

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2012/07/acosta-kroger-partner-to-build-test.html

http://www.plancincinnati.org/#draft

 

draft for master plan of cincy.

Homes are being torn down at the NE corner of Vine & Mitchell.  There used to be a Taco Bell here but has sat empty for about 5 years.  Looks like they are clearing for a shopping center.

KFC. But the houses started being demolished about two months ago and they seem to be progressing up the hill. They closed a curb-cut along Mitchell.

 

The KFC was zoned B-1, with the lots on Vine and along Mitchell zoned R-3/Multi-Family.

 

The St. Bernard Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) has been planning for a planned development for the northeast corner of that intersection for at least four years, and I am not sure if a Joint Economic Development District has been formed with Cincinnati. The development is scheduled to be phased into three sections.

 

From http://www.cityofstbernard.org/PDF%20Files/mitchell_ave_corridor.pdf --

 

"Steps can be taken to transform the Mitchell & Vine District into a pedestrian friendly destination by attention to pedestrian circulation at crosswalks and creating buffers between sidewalks and streets. Wide sidewalks and large crosswalks (possibly with textured materials) to delineate space and make drivers aware of pedestrian activity in the area are recommended. Parking behind buildings is preferred, with landscaping to make parking areas more aesthetically pleasing..."

 

Phase One:

 

"To improve auto and pedestrian traffic flows, we believe a

connecting roadway needs to be established between Vine Street

and Mitchell Avenue which would more easily allow automobiles

to travel west on Mitchell. Our site plan for Phase One calls for

creating a right of way to extend Wuest to Mitchell across from

the Roger Bacon Stadium. Another approach might be to create

a right of way from Wuest to Leonard Avenue. In addition to this

right of way, Phase One incorporates an access street to parking

area behind a two-story mixed use development flanking the

northeast corner of Mitchell and Vine. This development might

include first floor retail and second floor flex-space or living

space. We envision entranceways and frontages to be aesthetically

pleasing from both street side and parking areas, with emphasis

on back entrances.

 

Phase One also addresses the opportunity for a development

on the west side of Walgreen’s, where parcels are currently for

sale. Due to strong morning traffic counts that head west on

Mitchell from the interstate, a drive through coffeehouse may be

a good fit, or another auto-oriented commercial use. We would

encourage use of the Walgreen’s existing curb cut to minimize

traffic congestion.

 

Streetscape improvements will need to coordinate with new

developments at a minimum. These improvements should include

landscaping, pedestrian scale lighting and pedestrian-friendly

walkways with widths as specified in the design guidelines. Once

the North Avondale business district boundary is moved, we

recommend that North Avondale apply for NBDIP funds for

streetscape improvements along the southwest side of the Mitchell

and Vine intersection. The east side of Vine Street and the north

side of Mitchell Avenue are within St. Bernard and improvements

would fall under its jurisdiction until a JEDD could be formed.

We also recommend relocation of the bus stop at the corner of

Mitchell and Vine to a less busy area of district and renovation to

make it friendlier to Metro users and less available for illegitimate

uses."

 

Phase Two:

 

"Once Phase One is successful, risk of further development in

the Mitchell & Vine District will be substantially reduced and

investment will be easier to achieve. We would then propose

Phase Two development. Phase Two development should be of an

extent such that critical mass is accomplished which will ensure

the longevity of the district and begin to enable a hierarchy of

use. 

 

Phase Two will concentrate on the southeast corner of Mitchell

and Vine (see Figure 14).  This area has a high potential for

development, as many of the current structures are for sale or

owners are looking to sell.  Further, the current physical conditions

of these buildings discourage investment and concern residents

of both St. Bernard and North Avondale, as they are viewed as

contributing to the sense of crime and danger that pervade the

area. 

 

Buildings targeted for Phase Two are not currently owned by a

Community Improvement Corporation. Assemblage of such

properties can be assisted through code enforcement, especially

if the area is chosen to participate in the city of Cincinnati

Neighborhood Enhancement Program.

 

Phase Two further establishes the region as a community gateway

that is a walkable, pedestrian-friendly place. On the southeast

corner of Mitchell and Vine, the gradual development of a mixed

use two story center will cater to street activity, have 0’ setbacks,

and hide surface parking behind buildings. The second story can be

used as flex space for first floor tenants, Roger Bacon High School

art studios, or even apartments/condos. A parking lot access street

to the far east of the development can double as an entrance to

Roger Bacon Stadium. Alternatively, parking behind commercial/

office/mixed use buildings on southeast corner of Mitchell Avenue

could include access from E. Mitchell and Vine Streets.

 

• Pathways connecting the high school to the side streets

As in Phase One, walkway systems and sidewalks would be built

according to design standards and to encourage street level

activity. These would be wide enough to enable retail uses to

spill onto sidewalks, which also encourages pedestrian activity.

As well, enhancement of the appearance the streetscape through

landscaping and lighting is encouraged.

 

In Phase Two, retail uses that illustrate the niche of the Mitchell

& Vine District and incorporate locally-owned stores as much as

possible will establish the character of the district. Development

on both sides of East Mitchell attracts more pedestrian use from

North Avondale."

 

Phase Three:

 

"As the market analysis has shown, additional development to

Phase One and Phase Two is justifiable from the demand of the

immediate market area, as well as demand created by fact that the

Mitchell & Vine District are gateways to Xavier, UC, the Zoo and

the VA Hospital. With the success of Phase One and Phase Two,

the Mitchell & Vine District may fully capitalize on its location,

and includes development that will add to daytime and evening

demand. Phase Three extends development along West Mitchell

Avenue and throughout the northwest corner of the Mitchell

and Vine intersection. Again, property acquisition will depend on

chosen regulatory, zoning and administrative strategies used.

Residential and commercial development is incorporated along

with commercial-mixed use. Adding to the appeal of this part of

the Mitchell & Vine District will be an underground, 250 space

parking garage, accessed from Kessler Avenue close to the corner

of Kessler and Mitchell. If an underground garage is not feasible,

an alternatives is to provide a surface public parking lot for the

northwest corner development, possibly behind the Holiday Inn.

In Phase Three, shown in Figure 15, development is significant

enough to warrant a large gateway feature at the northwest corner

of Mitchell and Vine. Although a building is shown at this corner,

an alternative is to open this corner to pedestrian activity, inviting

visitors to the park behind the structures. Both the development

on the northwest and northeast corners invite consumers to

access the structures from the backs of the buildings.  Significant

landscaping and buffers should be installed to differentiate between

the parks and surrounding residential properties.

 

The Northeast corner of the district, with its proximity to I-75,

access to parking and location on the pathway from Uptown and

Xavier to I-75, may offer the best opportunity for a chain-style

restaurant, possibly with outdoor seating or some other type of

retail anchor for the district. The design should incorporate both

old and new architectural elements. 

 

Numerous infill residential projects throughout Kessler Avenue,

Kessler Place, and Wuest Road increase density in the area,

something necessary for NBD support. This includes a residential

cul-de-sac at the intersection of Wuest and Kessler Avenue, which

could hold 8-12 homes. To support access for residents, Kessler

Avenue should be widened between Wuest and Kessler Place to

allow two-way traffic. 

 

Although mixed use commercial buildings are shown from Mitchell

Avenue to Wuest along Vine, the market will dictate whether there

are other possibilities, such as dense multifamily housing or office

uses.

 

Along the Southwest corner of Mitchell and Vine a partnership

with Vine Street Hill Cemetery will need to be created to allow

for development on cemetery property that fronts Mitchell

Avenue. Potential Development includes a new office complex

at intersection of Mitchell and I-75, allowing for high visibility

along the Interstate. This complex will develop in line with market

fluctuations and demands. Also, we envision development of autooriented commercial uses that have 0’ setbacks fronting Mitchell

and contain parking behind the structures. These one story uses

are ideal for such restaurants as an Olive Garden or Outback

Steakhouse. Creation of access road across from intersection of

Kessler Avenue and Mitchell will allow for access to rear parking

behind office complex and auto-oriented commercial uses.

Increased parking from the underground garage would allow the

large surface lot along the northeast corner of Mitchell and Vine in

Phase One to be replaced with a public park. Extension of Wuest

Road to Mitchell Avenue could now be created. A new access road

off Wuest would connect to off-street parking. 

 

One additional idea is a rotary that could be incorporated at

the intersection of the Wuest and Vine where the extension is

proposed. This idea was not included in the site plan, but might be

feasible depending on traffic flow.

 

With the introduction of Phase Three, pedestrian use would

warrant new, perhaps decorative, crosswalks in the Mitchell & Vine

District as well as wayfinding, trash receptacles, street furniture and

artwork. Traffic calming measures might include curb extensions

at intersection of Mitchell and Vine to allow for easier pedestrian

crossing, and installation of a larger traffic median on southwest

corner in front of Walgreen’s. 

 

To enhance connectivity along Vine Street, particular attention

could be given to the part of Vine Street that fronts the St. John

Cemetery. Improvements to the fence along with vegetative

buffering could soften the pedestrian pathway from the center of

St. Bernard along Vine Street to the Mitchell & Vine District. Trees

lining Vine Street beginning at Roger Bacon High School up to

Orchard could do the same."

 

Graphics of a proposed site layout of phases one, two and three are within the link.

This sign (and another just like it) is now posted at the surface parking lot on the northeast corner of Ninth and Walnut, across from the library and the YWCA building. I walk by there all the time and have never noticed them before today. A development on that surface lot would be most welcome, but what's with the 14-story limit?

 

Regardless, that ugly lot would be a nice one to rid downtown of once and for all.

 

 

 

 

I just noticed today that the former check cashing place at Vine & Liberty is closed and the space is for rent. (This may have happened a long time ago, I'm not sure.) Maybe this is a good sign that those types of businesses aren't succeeding in OTR anymore? (Or it was just a victim of the mega-check cashing place at Reading & Liberty.)

^^Anyone up for calling the number on the sign and asking?

Is that plan in St. Bernard an actual proposal or a UC project? It's pretty ambitious.

 

Also, do you know which houses have been torn down?

The vine & liberty place merged with the liberty & reading place. Signs on door redirect to that other location

>Also, do you know which houses have been torn down?

 

They're on the east side of Vine headed toward St. Bernard.

 

Would love to see that CVS or Walgreen's torn down and replaced by the guy who used to sell the giant lion rugs.

Drove down Vine in St. Bernard today. 4232 Vine and 4280 were demolished.

 

Here's an old picture of 4232 Vine:

I have to wonder why a professional photograph was taken of this modest home.  Looks like it might have been from a city survey, but most survey photos are taken quickly and so are poorly composed. 

I have to wonder why a professional photograph was taken of this modest home.

 

I wish I knew the answer to that as well. My family was the original owners of the house, so that's how I got the picture.

Maybe they wanted a nice photo of their new home?  It's something to be proud of for sure. 

I find that home to be absolutely beautiful!  Much better than ANY suburban Mcmansion I have ever seen.

Yeah, it was a beautiful house. We were all sad to see it go. We went through the rubble to try to get the little spire from the roof, but the roof had already been stripped prior to demolition.

Um, I finally looked at this link, and it's pretty obvious that it is a student project:

http://www.cityofstbernard.org/PDF%20Files/mitchell_ave_corridor.pdf

 

 

atlas should be able to give some insight into the whole thing. Where are you, atlas?

Looking at the participants in the study, it was completed by a graduate-level studio in the MCP program. Often, communities in the area (and outside) partner with DAAP to have development plans completed. This is one example at the grad-level. A couple years ago, a small city/town outside Louisville partnered with an undergrad studio for a site-development plan in their community.

 

I don't think the fact that this was a student project should detract from its merits... what point were you trying to make jmeck?

So is this a real plan or was it just a student project?