^Nah, they did win the credits, and still couldn't figure out how to make the financials work.  Good luck to this new ownership group.

 

You sure about they received State credits? They may have received federal credits (which aren't competitive), but I'm pretty sure they never got the Ohio credits. The Ohio Development Services Agency doesn't show it as one of the winners. Here is a map of the downtown projects that have received the State Credits: http://development.ohio.gov/redev/map.htm

From this article regarding the project falling through: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/10/14/peak-property-project-dead/17255403/

 

"Murphy said the deal likely fell apart because of difficulties the developer had in securing adequate project financing. The company was awarded nearly $1.5 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits earlier this year to support the project."

The Market Cincy will open their second downtown location this fall in the former Pieczonka Unlimited space at Dixie Terminal.

One of Cincinnati's oldest cocktail bars to reopen in 2016

Sep 16, 2015, 1:24pm EDT

Tom Demeropolis | Courier

 

 

One of Cincinnati's oldest watering holes will be getting new life when it reopens early next year.

 

Real estate investor Alfred Berger purchased the Bay Horse Cafe building at 625 Main St. in January. He's since partnered with local consultancy Liquor Support Services (LSS) to restore the bar as faithfully as possible to its original vision.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/09/16/one-of-cincinnatis-oldest-cocktail-bars-to-reopen.html

Does anyone know if these two projects have started? The articles indicate that they were supposed to be started in February / March and one was awarded Historic Tax Credits.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/01/08/11-2m-redevelopment-of-historic-school-may-breath.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/02/04/developer-plans-12-million-remodel-of-former-sands.html

 

Both of these projects would be a big positive for the area it seems.

 

The Heberle School is trying to get recognized on the National Register of Historic Places: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2015/09/this-cincinnati-school-could-be-named-a-national.html

Is it just me or does it seem that development announcements, actual development, etc. has slowed down in Cincinnati?  You would think with GE coming soon, etc. that more projects would be moving forward or at least proposed.

 

I can't find a link but I remember reading somewhere that Mayor Cranley specifically takes all the initial developmen inquiries to the city by himself, but doesn't allow other council members to know what is going on until it hits the floor.  This was from a few weeks back, does anyone remember?

 

It makes me wonder how many developers he turns away for certain projects, or possibly he is not offering any help with city money on any projects.  Even in Des Moines, IA, which I follow development a little bit, it seems a lot more construction is going on all over their downtown.  I know there are renovation projects in OTR and big ones at that, like Musical Hall, 309 Vine, and of course the apartments on the banks and some others, but where is the new, large apartment infill?  How can there not be more going on with such a high rate of occupancy (98%?)?  Thoughts?

There are currently around 2,500 units in various stages of planning/construction at this moment in time in just OTR/Pendleton/Downtown.

 

This is a point in the year where projects generally aren't being announced. Construction comes in waves depending on season and by Fall you see a slow down in projects starting or being announced until the Spring. It happens basically every year.

Also, unrelated and with a grain of salt, but talking with a person who works in large scale real estate and was told to expect an announcement about a new tower within the next 6 months from an Indy developer.

Thanks for the explanation.  That would be awesome for a new tower announcement.  I wonder when renderings of 4th and Race will come out.

 

Also, I wonder if anyone would ever be interested in putting together a "development map" of downtown and OTR, with "under construction, imminent construction, and proposed" in different colors with their footprint on a map.

 

I think it would be really neat.  Now for myself, I am technologically a novice but it could be a fun little project so we could visualize better.

^I've thought about doing that but every time I set aside time to do so I wind up being hijacked for something else. I may have time this week or Sunday to put something together. I have a compiled list on my computer at home of all the projects happening and how many units there are. Putting a map together is generally pretty quick at that point.

^ Yes that would be a good idea. I don't think that any one of us likely has tons of time to devote to this, but we could do it collaboratively.

 

One approach is to just make a google map. This is trivially simple, and anyone who can use a mouse can contribute. I just threw together a quick map and put two projects on it - the 4th and race condos and the GE operations center (actually, I'm not sure I got the GE building shape and location exactly right...). You can see it here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z6Hr96JyZCbU.klI_kQhRwrl4

 

If we wanted to go this route, we could make *anyone* have edit rights, which is probably not a good idea. On the other hand, any specific person who wants to be able to edit this could just send me an email and I'll invite you as an editor. This is set this up so that editors can add other editors, so this wouldn't need to go through me at each step, and the editors could just evolve naturally based on our interests. We could evolve a style and some basic "rules" for the editors to follow.

 

The features are pretty basic. We can have different layers for "proposed" "completed" "in progress" or whatever we like. Each shape drawn on a layer can have a uniform style, which is basically just how it's labelled and its color. To draw a new project, you just: 1) select the layer you want to add to; 2) select the "draw a line" icon and then "Add line or shape"; and 3) then just draw a polygon. You can add a label and a description, and also attach photos. Frankly I think this is all we'd need and it really is soooo easy.

Times always go slower, when you sit down, and watch the flowers grow.

 

I used to be obsessed with development, but it moves to slowly if you follow it day by day. That's why I recommend filling your time with other hobbies. It will make announcements and new developments seem like they come about quicker.

^ I thought this was a place for people who are obsessed with development, and letting life slip by... ;-)

I don't know, I find every aspect of development interesting, including what happens in the time between the announcement and actual construction. Maybe it's that I'm in the industry so I know what is happening during those periods whereas an outsider who doesn't necessarily know the ins and outs of the process might get bored (which is totally understandable).

 

That being said, I do like to have other hobbies that can fill the voids between the exciting times of development. I just need a winter hobby to get me through that period since all my hobbies slow down or stop when the weather gets cold and I get antsy waiting for new things to occur.

Denver Infill has a great map that is what you are describing.  If you haven't checked out their website it's pretty great. Similar to UrbanCincy.  Btw, Denver's Urban Core has 17 cranes up right now. 17,

^Great example! I would definitely be up for contributing to a map like that for Cincy. It would be a great resource to have when discussing upcoming projects.

^ so how would we move beyond theory here? What's the technology to use and who can set it up?

 

Your suggestion of Google Maps seems to make the most sense for me. Being able to see the footprint of a project is important in my mind so using your method makes the most sense.

^ OK. It would be great if someone like you could spend a few hours just putting in the projects that you know about. I think after that it would be useable. Let me know if you want editing access. I'll put in my two projects ;-)

Haha I can do that. I think my evening is looking pretty empty and I kind of want it to stay that way so I might have time between other things tonight to just get a base set up.

^ I have no tech experience but I have a pretty expansive spreadsheet I'd be willing to contribute.

That would be great! I have a compiled list myself but I can guarantee I've missed some things. That would be super useful to have.

Check out pages 9 & 10- http://www.downtowncincinnati.com/docs/default-source/Stakeholder-Docs/2015_dci-report_lr.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Anyone know anything about this? CDK creating 1000 jpbs somewhere in greater Cincinnati. Hopefully somewhere downtown.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/09/28/tech-firm-eyes-greater-cincinnati-for-1-000-job.html

I'm being told suburbs.

I swear, if Hamilton somehow lands this too, there needs to be a corruption probe.

^^ I really hope you are wrong but that was my first thought just by the way they used the term "Greater" Cincinnati, and not just Cincinnati. It drives me nuts that some of these companies are locating out in the burbs, especially when they say that they are moving hear to attract young talent.

drives me nuts when articles are written with "Cincinnati" in the title, and then the company / place in question is not actually in the city.

Another Campaign has been set up similar to GE's Global Operation Center, where there is outcry to bring CDK to the Banks, and you have the opportunity to message CDK and tell them why they should locate downtown, and at The Banks. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/BringGEtotheBanks?fref=ts

 

 

If it's true they are still deciding on where to locate, why not give them a public opinion, "nudge". The banks has a lot reserved for a business this sized, and the street car line is literally at there doorsteps. You would have many employee benefits such as nearby restaurants/cafes/hotels/as well as the largest parking garage in North America right beneath them, so I can't exactly see why the suburbs should be an immediate choice. Especially this is a tech forward company, who are probably trying to attract millennials.

 

Hearing from multiple sources that CDK is going to Norwood.

Hearing from multiple sources that CDK is going to Norwood.

 

That's at least better than the burbs. Would Norwood provide specific incentives in addition to Ohio? If so, I would assume Cincy would have as well?

They never reached out to Cincy.  The City was not on their list for consideration.

They never reached out to Cincy.  The City was not on their list for consideration.

 

Why would Norwood be a top choice yet Cincy not even be in consideration?

I wouldn't be too worried about Cincinnati missing out on this.  I think the average for new salaries was around 45,000, which is a really nice salary, but this is assuming it gets up to that high.  You got to figure the many mid managers  and upper managers of the new jobs will make closer to 60 or 70 k with the other workers making in the 30's.  They most likely couldn't make it work to build new in the core.

 

While the city is missing out on all that salary to be certain, this will add a lot of jobs to the immediate region and you can bet a lot of the people will live and play in the city of Cincinnati, so in that regards, I am not too concerned.

Not to mention that all of those folks will certainly not be living in Norwood and any that live in Cincinnati will still have to pay the city's earnings tax.

Hearing from multiple sources that CDK is going to Norwood.

If CDK is headed to Norwood, could it be into this large structure?    http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/08/06/exclusive-former-cincinnati-bell-president-to-open.html

 

Although I can't comment on what it looks like inside, the handsome building is fronted by a huge parking lot.  Or, if not this site, could the CDK move be to one of the following? (a) the new Rookwood Exchange; (b) the old U.S. Playing Card complex; or © the Sherman & Montgomery Rd. complex vacated by some 600 employees who are moving into Atrium downtown?

 

 

^ I didn't think of that.  So basically they will pay Cincinnati 1.05% and Norwood 1.05% if they live in Cincinnati, is that correct?

If you live in Cincinnati but work in Norwood, you pay 2.0% to Norwood and .1% to Cincinnati.  If you live in Norwood but work in Cincinnati you pay 2.1% to Cincinnati and northing to Norwood.  At least I think that's how it works. 

Correct (assuming Norwood has a 2% income tax). You pay to the city you work in first. If where you live has a higher tax rate, you pay the difference to that municipality. If the place you work in has a higher or equal tax rate as the one you live in, you only pay to the place you live in.

Norwood always keeps its earnings tax .1% below Cincinnati's and Cincinnati's tax hasn't changed since 1987 or 1988 when it bumped up from 2.0% to 2.1%.  Of course that's 2% to the City of Norwood whereas Cincinnati's 2.1% is only 1.8% to the City and .3% to Metro.  The late 80s tax increase was hilarious because it unintentionally coincided with the court case against Norfolk-Southern which gave Cincinnati a big one-time windfall from the Southern Railroad and then increased the annual payout from something like $2 million to $9 million.  So they really didn't need to raise the earnings tax after all, although that combination helped pay for Bicentennial Commons and other bicentennial-related stuff. 

 

 

 

 

As an employer who does all his own accounting, I can tell you that dealing with multiple municipalities' payroll taxes is LAME.

New York State and some other states do their municipal earnings taxes through their annual state tax returns.  I think there was some talk a few years ago from Kasich along those lines, but I'd never trust that guy. 

 

Also, if you work in an unincorporated area but live in an Ohio city with an earnings tax you can get away with not paying earnings tax in the city where you reside if your company intentionally doesn't fill out its paperwork correctly and your company is fairly small.  It's actually a very significant amount of money if you are a high income earner.  A former employer of mine had salesmen who *never* paid their earnings tax for the reason I described, and I got away with it for about a year (unknowingly) until a nagging little card showed up in the mail.  I assume that the CEO's of Ohio companies intentionally play games with it by being paid out of an out-of-state branch of their corporation, and of course stock sales and dividends aren't earned income. 

Awesome news, this place has sat empty forever!

 

Historic Mount Adams church to become event center

Sep 30, 2015, 12:44pm EDT

Tom Demeropolis

Senior Staff Reporter

Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

 

After owning the former Holy Cross Monastery and Church in Mount Adams for more than 35 years, Towne Properties has finally figured out what to do with the church.

 

Neil Bortz, a principal with Mount Adams-based Towne Properties, said the space – vacant since 1977 – has been a tough nut to crack.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/09/30/historic-mount-adams-church-to-become-event-center.html

^That is great news.  I never realized it was vacant, though.

How many event centers can Cincinnati support? - Is there an intense love of private events in the city???  Its also kind of a shame to not see it become something like a brewery...  However its better than seeing it get demolished...

I would say there is a lot of demand for event centers in Cincinnati's urban neighborhoods as more people want to have wedding or other events in the city. Many of the subuurban reception venues are really lame and in strip malls, like the one in the former Moore's Fitness in Loveland.

Yeah, most of the decent event centers are booked way too far in advance. I think it's likely cannibalizing the suburban locations, but so be it.

I don't know how much total demand there is, but size is always an issue with event centers, so having multiple venues of varying sizes to choose from is key.  Obviously a space that's too small simply doesn't work, but a space that's too big feels empty like your event didn't get all the people that were expected.  Being able to cordon off areas helps too, but it's usually clumsy.  A smaller venue like a church can probably get by without a ton of events, and with most catering being subcontracted out, they don't have to maintain staff or even particularly elaborate kitchens.  Smaller spaces still sometimes just subcontract out a bar and bartender, or if it's part of a brewery there's a minimum drink cover that's necessary to use the room.  So it seems that once they can get the space renovated, there's not a ton of carrying costs.

Kroger planning another Cincinnati-area Marketplace store

 

Kroger Co. has received approval to build its latest huge Marketplace store in Greater Cincinnati.

Cincinnati-based Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket operator, has received approval from Hamilton County’s Rural Zoning Commission to build a Marketplace store. The new store will cover 125,000 to 130,000 square feet, Adam Goetzman, Green Township’s assistant administrator/development director, told me.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/10/01/kroger-planning-another-cincinnnati-area.html

 

Looks more and more like Dent is the new Western Hills.  A "real" (standalone) Starbucks also just opened a couple miles down the road.  Then there's also the bike trail that they will begin work on next year. 

I agree, with the sewer extensions nearly all new development has crept toward I-74.  I have also heard more than one west sider voice their opposition to extending bus service on Harrison Ave. to serve this area.