Yes, I know the Bengals used UC's bubble during their playoff run and leading to the super bowl, but historically needing to practice in January isn't something we have had to worry about. 

 

EDIT: I wonder why the plans call it an "interim indoor practice facility". Does that mean they ultimately want it in another location but don't have the land owned or is that just a reference to the non-permanent nature of bubbles. 

Edited April 8, 20223 yr by ucgrady

26 minutes ago, ucgrady said:

Yes, I know the Bengals used UC's bubble during their playoff run and leading to the super bowl, but historically needing to practice in January isn't something we have had to worry about. 

 

EDIT: I wonder why the plans call it an "interim indoor practice facility". Does that mean they ultimately want it in another location but don't have the land owned or is that just a reference to the non-permanent nature of bubbles. 

The bubble is until the Bengals build a permanent structure.It doesn't take much to realize they will ultimately build the permanent facility where Hilltop Concrete is operating out of.10 acres north of this 6.7 acres. 

It's kind of crazy that they will have to dismantle and remove the dome every time the river gets to 52', that happens nearly every year at least once. 

 

It will be a much more interesting thing to look at from the BSB than a pile of gravel:

Edited April 8, 20223 yr by ucgrady

BUT WILL IT BLOCK THE SKYLINE SHOT FROM BRENT SPENCE?!?!?

(j/k)

14 minutes ago, ucgrady said:

It's kind of crazy that they will have to dismantle and remove the dome every time the river gets to 52', that happens nearly every year at least once. 

 

It will be a much more interesting thing to look at from the BSB than a pile of gravel:

Independent of flooding, wouldn’t they want to take the bubble down in the warmer months (like UC does)?

Hilltop moves ahead with relocation plans, freeing up land for Bengals

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/hilltop-moves-ahead-with-relocation-plans-freeing-up-land-for-bengals

 

Quote

CINCINANTI (sic, LOL) — A concrete company on a coveted 17-acre parcel of land near Paul Brown Stadium may be close to relocating. This would free up the land for additional Cincinnati Bengals parking and possibly a more permanent practice facility for the team.

 

 

Hilltop Basic Resources, an 81-year-old family business, has supplied concrete, gravel and limestone for landmark structures across the region. It also owns valuable riverfront land on Mehring Way that has been at the center of negotiations over Bengals tailgating and parking space, and disputes between the city and the county over how The Banks will be developed.

 

But after a five-year search, Hilltop President Kevin Sheehan said the company is close to finding a new home.

 

“Right now, we are focused on one property that is within the city of Cincinnati city limits,” Sheehan said. “I think everybody will be happy when this is accomplished. The city, the county and certainly Hilltop.”

 

Sheehan declined to name the location of the new proposed site, other than to say it’s on the Ohio River and near Downtown which the company requires for the transportation of its materials.

 

Not a big fan of all this land being gobbled up for seasonal, restricted use, but no complaints about hilltop leaving.

Wouldn't it make more sense for the Bengals to build a practice facility on land that doesnt cost $30M to acquire? I dont really understand why it *needs* to be close to the stadium outside of personal preference? Like how FCC has their training complex out in Milford. 

2 minutes ago, wjh2 said:

Wouldn't it make more sense for the Bengals to build a practice facility on land that doesnt cost $30M to acquire? I dont really understand why it *needs* to be close to the stadium outside of personal preference? Like how FCC has their training complex out in Milford. 

Because they want it next to the stadium.  Their stadium lease and the banks agreement allows them to push the city/county around. 

42 minutes ago, Cincy513 said:

Because they want it next to the stadium.  Their stadium lease and the banks agreement allows them to push the city/county around. 

 

When the taxpayer is paying, they don't how much it costs.

I know the Bengals are the opposite of the Cowboys, but they shook down a suburb to create a pretty impressive development centered around their practice facility.  Surprised the Bengals didn't try to do the same to Warren County.

https://thestardistrict.com/

A list of applicants for Ohio Historic Tax Credits Round 28. The winners are announced mid-summer. 

1 hour ago, wjh2 said:

A list of applicants for Ohio Historic Tax Credits Round 28. The winners are announced mid-summer. 

I tried to figure out which building the "Robert Mitchell Furniture Company" refers to... and the only thing I could find after a bit of googling was an oblique reference 17 West 4th St. This document from a website on Samuel Hannaford says: 

 

Quote

The retail showrooms were in the six story Mitchell Company building on West Fourth Street, designed in 1873 by James Keys Wilson in the popular Renaissance Revival style. Wilson was also the architect for the Plum Street Temple and the entrance gate for Spring Grove Cemetery. The Mitchell Company building is still standing as the central portion of the late McAlpin’s store on Fourth street. This section is marked by the stone carving of a woman’s head surmounting an arch. When the building was constructed, its next door neighbor was John Shillito’s dry goods store.

 

But if that's correct, I'm puzzled because that building was renovated into condos not too long ago so it would be strange for it to apply for historic tax credits. With the ownership spread out across all the different condos, I don't see how the historic tax credit program could be applied. Perhaps the "Robert Mitchell Furniture Company" had another building in Cincinnati? 

I believe the "Browning-Otte Building" is 33 W 4th (corner of 4th/Race). I have always thought that is a cool building - I hope it gets put pack to some productive use. 

14 minutes ago, jwulsin said:

I tried to figure out which building the "Robert Mitchell Furniture Company" refers to... and the only thing I could find after a bit of googling was an oblique reference 17 West 4th St. This document from a website on Samuel Hannaford says: 

 

 

But if that's correct, I'm puzzled because that building was renovated into condos not too long ago so it would be strange for it to apply for historic tax credits. With the ownership spread out across all the different condos, I don't see how the historic tax credit program could be applied. Perhaps the "Robert Mitchell Furniture Company" had another building in Cincinnati? 

I think it's the Chong building according to one of the articles about the removal of the brick last year:

https://www.cincinnati.com/picture-gallery/news/2021/01/30/historic-photos-19th-century-race-street-building/4325172001/

Edited April 25, 20223 yr by ucgrady

Work on the Bengals practice facility has started. I saw them excavating on my commute this morning.

Five Iron Golf opening first Ohio location in downtown Cincinnati

By Tom Demeropolis  –  Senior staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier

May 5, 2022

 

Five Iron Golf, an indoor, urban golf experience for golfers and non-golfers, is opening a location in downtown Cincinnati.

 

New York City-based Five Iron Golf signed a long-term lease for 13,000 square feet of space on the first floor of Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.’s Foundry at 80 W. Fifth St. The entertainment venue will be located in the middle of the building that was formerly home to a Macy’s department store with its entrance on Fifth Street.

 

Jared Solomon, who founded Five Iron Golf with Mike Doyle, Nora Dunnan and Katherine Solomon (Jared’s wife), said Cincinnati has been on his radar for a while.

 

MORE

That place looks pretty cool and that location should do really well with happy hours, conference/hotel guests and in my case people who live in the core and don't want to drive to west chester to hit a ball in the winter. 

Port approves financing for $365 million in Cincinnati developments

 

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority Wednesday approved financing measures and other public assistance for three major Greater Cincinnati real estate projects that will bring an estimated $365 million in private investment to the city.

 

The Port issued up to $105 million in bonds for the Three Oaks mixed-use development in Oakley, The District mixed-use development in Clifton Heights and the Barrister affordable housing project downtown.

 

The Port often acts as a financing conduit, issuing bonds for such developments that are backed by project revenues. It also regularly becomes the formal owner of such projects, allowing the developers to avoid sales taxes on building materials. In return, it is paid a fee and developers sign an economic inclusion plan.

 

Project financed Wednesday include...

 

...the following below!

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/05/11/port-oks-365m-in-financing.html

 

^Not mentioned in that article, but The Port also just announced today that they received an ODOD Remediation Grant for the removal of asbestos from the Shillito’s West Building. Hopefully, with that site remediated, it can be integrated into the broader redevelopment of the area around the Convention Center. 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdd0jVhl9kV/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

The water tower on the Shillito's building is perfectly aligned with Pleasant Street so when walking south from Findlay Market to Washington Park you have clear view of it above the Washington Park Bandstand. Let's hope the renovation includes a refurbishment of the water tower.

11 hours ago, Miami-Erie said:

The water tower on the Shillito's building is perfectly aligned with Pleasant Street so when walking south from Findlay Market to Washington Park you have clear view of it above the Washington Park Bandstand. Let's hope the renovation includes a refurbishment of the water tower.

 

Super neat! Know any other details about the water tower? When was it last used? It looks like it's above the portion of Shillito's building that is already occupied, so presumably it was deemed safe/stable enough to simply leave as is when that portion of the building was converted into apartments.

 

Since it's not part of the "Shillito's West Building," I doubt the Port will be doing anything to the water tower immediately, but I agree it'd be wonderful to see it restored. It could make for a very compelling design element, especially if incorporated into a rooftop amenity space. 

$18 million residential development planned at former school site in Colerain Township

 

A Montgomery-based real estate developer has finalized plans on a new subdivision at the site of an old elementary school in Colerain Township.

 

The township recently approved plans by HPA Development Group Inc. for a new subdivision at the old Bevis Elementary School site, located at 10133 Pottinger Road. The subdivision will be comprised of at least 92 market-rate townhomes to provide more equitable and accessible housing to different income levels, officials said.

 

“It’s important to have those different (price) levels because our township isn’t just a one size fits all place,” Helen Tracey-Noren, a communications specialist for Colerain Township, told me. “We welcome a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds and a lot of different income levels.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/05/20/colerain-township-pottinger-subdivision.html

 

$50 million in Cincinnati residential projects land tax credits

 

Four projects across Hamilton County have landed housing tax credits.

 

Combined, the four local projects are expected to create or preserve nearly 200 residential units with a combined investment of more than $50 million. The Ohio Housing Finance Authority announced the recipients of the 2022 Housing Tax Credit program awards Friday morning. A total of 31 Ohio developments creating or preserving 1,554 apartments for families, senior and individuals at risk for homelessness were awarded more than $31.9 million in 10-year federal housing tax credits.

 

“Housing, especially affordable housing, is needed to support our state’s growing economy,” Executive Director Shawn Smith said in a news release. “As jobs are created across Ohio, we want to ensure that Ohio families have an affordable place to call home. The investments we announced today will create new housing opportunities in communities across Ohio.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/05/23/local-projects-land-housing-tax-credits.html

 

Construction underway on $11M townhome project near Kenwood Towne Center

 

Construction on two model homes in a multimillion-dollar townhome development near Kenwood Towne Centre is underway. 

 

The project, called Townhomes at Wentworth, will the see the construction of 45 townhomes located on Wentworth Lane in Deer Park, less than a mile from Kenwood Towne Centre. The development is worth an estimated $11 million in new construction, according to Deer Park City Manager William Jetter. Ryan Homes is the builder of the project.

 

Wentworth Lane is an entirely new road, which was paved in October 2021 for the project, Jetter told me. Deer Park City Council approved in July last year tax increment financing revenue bonds of no more than $1 million for construction of the road. Tax increment financing, or TIF, is a public financing tool available to local governments in Ohio to finance public infrastructure improvements that support development. 

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/05/26/construction-underway-townhomes-at-wentworth.html

 

Look at the nearly identical boring townhome projects in 2 of the 3 immediate posts above, one in Colerain and one in Deer Park.

Developer Smyjunas has plans for long-shuttered school; community wants a say

 

Developer Rob Smyjunas recently purchased a long-closed school in Kennedy Heights with plans to redevelop the property into patio homes, townhomes and single-family homes. But the neighborhood’s community council and development corporation have expressed concerns about the proposed redevelopment to members of Cincinnati City Council.

 

Mary Ray, executive director of Kennedy Heights Development Corp., said the former Shroder School at 3500 Lumford Place has been a problem for a long time. Ray said the development corporation and Kennedy Heights Community Council wanted the Cincinnati Parks Department to take over the former school, which sits on nearly 7.2 acres. That didn’t happen when it ceased to be a school and was purchased by former owner Five Korners LLC in 2013, according to property records.

 

Now that Smyjunas owns the property, Ray and other Kennedy Heights community leaders want to meet with him to provide their vision for the property.

 

“Our basic goals are don’t harm the park, don’t harm the surrounding neighborhoods that are already there,” Ray told me. “We’re open to development.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/05/26/vandercar-shroder-school-plans.html

 

Look at the nearly identical boring townhome projects in 2 of the 3 immediate posts above, one in Colerain and one in Deer Park.

I could be wrong, but am fairly certain those townhouses are going to buoy by NVR (Ryan Homes) so you would be correct


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Looks like the new home for Cincinnati Public Radio won't be across from City Hall (see also) after all, but adjacent to the Keystone Park development in Evaston on I-71. Budget and Finance will hear a motion Monday excluding the property from the Keystone Park TIF.

 

"Cincinnati Public Radio’s existing office location on Central Parkway has become insufficient for its current needs, so CPR has been fundraising and searching for a location to construct new offices. A previous downtown location was determined to no longer be feasible. CPR has identified the Property as a location where they can construct a modern, 2-story, 30,000 square foot facility that will house its office space, radio studios, recording studios, and performance space."

 

Relevant for rumored development plans of the CET lot.

 

 

Edited June 27, 20222 yr by Pdrome513

Great job by city council picking cpr to get the lot next to city hall instead of a developer that wanted to build market rate apartments.  Now that lot has sat empty for years and will likely continue to sit empty.  

On 6/26/2022 at 8:21 PM, Pdrome513 said:

Looks like the new home for Cincinnati Public Radio won't be across from City Hall (see also) after all, but adjacent to the Keystone Park development in Evaston on I-71. Budget and Finance will hear a motion Monday excluding the property from the Keystone Park TIF.

 

"Cincinnati Public Radio’s existing office location on Central Parkway has become insufficient for its current needs, so CPR has been fundraising and searching for a location to construct new offices. A previous downtown location was determined to no longer be feasible. CPR has identified the Property as a location where they can construct a modern, 2-story, 30,000 square foot facility that will house its office space, radio studios, recording studios, and performance space."

 

Relevant for rumored development plans of the CET lot.

 

 

 

Putting the X in WVXU. 
I think this is a pretty good location. I thought their proposal for the block adjacent to City Hall was WAY too low density for the area. This seems like a more appropriate density, and just next to Wasson Way. Would be great to see this spur even more transformations along the bike trail.

15 minutes ago, Chas Wiederhold said:

 

Putting the X in WVXU. 
I think this is a pretty good location. I thought their proposal for the block adjacent to City Hall was WAY too low density for the area. This seems like a more appropriate density, and just next to Wasson Way. Would be great to see this spur even more transformations along the bike trail.

Their original plan spoke a lot about being a community asset so it seems fitting placing it next to a playground that has needed some help with upkeep in recent years.

I noticed the other day that he Second National Bank building is all lit up. This is new right, or have i somehow never noticed? It was particularly striking walking down Walnut near Court St by the Library Annex.  Also i hope that the building to the south is a go because the windows on this side were just badly stuffed with pink insulation and covered over from the inside. Maybe they intend to paint over this mess at some point until the south tower is build, but pretty trashy at the moment.

Here is what the south side of the 2nd NB is looking like..... I guess they don't want to show views that will soon be taken away? Seems odd if not because there are probably some good views from those.

1 hour ago, SleepyLeroy said:

Here is what the south side of the 2nd NB is looking like..... I guess they don't want to show views that will soon be taken away? Seems odd if not because there are probably some good views from those.

I don't know what their plans are... but perhaps the insulation is just to prevent solar gain during these hot summer months? I agree it seems a bit odd.

Listening to WVXU this morning, they aired a story about the 50% increase in Hispanic residents in Cincinnati. One thing I noted about the story was that the director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alfonso Cornejo, said that they would like to attract an Hispanic-owned microchip manufacturer to the area following the CHIPS Act. Would love to see that in the Mill Creek Valley. https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2022-08-15/population-buying-power-cincinnati-hispanics-uc-study

Now I am not trying to be a pessimist but why is the city pushing so hard for companies that work with Intel to open up shop here? I totally understand that it’s a huge win for Ohio but the intel site is 2 hours away from Cincy. I’d think most companies that work with Intel will want to be close to them. 

I think it depends on what type of companies they are. If Cincinnati could land a company that manufactures some of the component parts that Intel will need, it's really not a big deal to transport those parts 2-3 hrs, assuming they could get a better deal to locate in Cincinnati rather than somewhere in Greater Cbus.

13 hours ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

Now I am not trying to be a pessimist but why is the city pushing so hard for companies that work with Intel to open up shop here? I totally understand that it’s a huge win for Ohio but the intel site is 2 hours away from Cincy. I’d think most companies that work with Intel will want to be close to them. 

Biggest two issues are housing and schools. You cant have a major influx of companies/people in Columbus, there is a housing shortage for new employees and transplants. Plus you would put stress on school districts not having large enough facilities for school children. If you can spread these support companies for intel around the state you don't stress one cities/regions housing market and school districts. Instead other cities with capacity can take on new companies and people. Its beneficial for the state and other cities that didn't land the big intel facility. The biggest factor I see would be getting the state to make 71 three lanes between Cincinnati and Columbus. 

4 hours ago, savadams13 said:

The biggest factor I see would be getting the state to make 71 three lanes between Cincinnati and Columbus.

A man can dream of a 3C+D train connecting the major metros as well, would be huge for distributing both workers and businesses connected to Intel throughout the state. 

12 minutes ago, ucgrady said:

A man can dream of a 3C+D train connecting the major metros as well, would be huge for distributing both workers and businesses connected to Intel throughout the state. 

I just want a damn third lane at least between Lebanon and Washington Court House. I love the idea of a train but not practical to ride the train to Columbus and there is lack of transportation in the city like there is in Cleveland. 

A third lane between Lebanon and Washington Courthouse is totally unnecessary and a waste of money.

We're never going to have great passenger rail if we keep expanding highways.

18 hours ago, Dev said:

We're never going to have great passenger rail if we keep expanding highways.

Its never going to happen in Ohio period, the gerrymandering in Ohio has led to a Republican controlled state for years to come. Passenger rail is the last thing the GOP gives a crap about. I travel to Columbus weekly and the third lane isnt going to kill the 3C rail project. I am tried of being stuck behind to tractor trailers driving side by side for ten miles doing 55 mph. This is a weekly occurrence, and you will need a more robust interstate system in the state for logistics anyway if we are going to bring in additional industries like Intel. I know i see all your down votes, but I am speaking the truth here and it sucks. I love train and alternative modes of transportation, but its just not in the cards here in Ohio. 

All interstate highways should be 3 lanes imo.  I'd also love great passenger rail in our state and country but agree it's never going to happen in Ohio.  

On 10/5/2022 at 8:21 AM, savadams13 said:

Its never going to happen in Ohio period, the gerrymandering in Ohio has led to a Republican controlled state for years to come. Passenger rail is the last thing the GOP gives a crap about. I travel to Columbus weekly and the third lane isnt going to kill the 3C rail project. I am tried of being stuck behind to tractor trailers driving side by side for ten miles doing 55 mph. This is a weekly occurrence, and you will need a more robust interstate system in the state for logistics anyway if we are going to bring in additional industries like Intel. I know i see all your down votes, but I am speaking the truth here and it sucks. I love train and alternative modes of transportation, but its just not in the cards here in Ohio. 

Saying something is "never going to happen" just feels finite and defeatist. Let's take to the streets!!! lol

On 10/5/2022 at 11:21 AM, savadams13 said:

Its never going to happen in Ohio period, the gerrymandering in Ohio has led to a Republican controlled state for years to come. Passenger rail is the last thing the GOP gives a crap about. I travel to Columbus weekly and the third lane isnt going to kill the 3C rail project. I am tried of being stuck behind to tractor trailers driving side by side for ten miles doing 55 mph. This is a weekly occurrence, and you will need a more robust interstate system in the state for logistics anyway if we are going to bring in additional industries like Intel. I know i see all your down votes, but I am speaking the truth here and it sucks. I love train and alternative modes of transportation, but its just not in the cards here in Ohio. 

 

Honest question, is having to do 55 mph for 5-10 miles instead of 70 mph for that stretch really what is holding us back economically? Because we're talking about a huge expense to shave a few minutes off the drive to Cbus.

32 minutes ago, DEPACincy said:

 

Honest question, is having to do 55 mph for 5-10 miles instead of 70 mph for that stretch really what is holding us back economically? Because we're talking about a huge expense to shave a few minutes off the drive to Cbus.

When you have clients that change time of meetings to earlier instead of later at last minute, then yes it does make sense. The fact of the matter is Cleveland to Columbus three lanes, Columbus to Cincinnati two lanes, it doesnt make sense, and there arent large obstacles in the way of adding an additional lane, to allow passing traffic. 

35 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

When you have clients that change time of meetings to earlier instead of later at last minute, then yes it does make sense. The fact of the matter is Cleveland to Columbus three lanes, Columbus to Cincinnati two lanes, it doesnt make sense, and there arent large obstacles in the way of adding an additional lane, to allow passing traffic. 

A quick check with ODOT and the traffic counts are not the same. I'm seeing 39k to 41k in the southwestern sections and 48k to 51k in the northeastern. This probably a great example of induced demand although there's also the feeder from I-76.

In any case, if they widened the southwestern sections to a consistent 3 lanes, after a couple of years the improvements to trip times are likely to decrease. As for the statehouse, it's pretty easy to assume that the Intel plant is going create a big shift in central Ohio's demographics so there's a good chance that the gerrymandered maps will not hold up as well as they did the last decade.

50 minutes ago, Dev said:

pretty easy to assume that the Intel plant is going create a big shift in central Ohio's demographics so there's a good chance that the gerrymandered maps will not hold up as well as they did the last decade

Some would take this sentence as both a challenge and ammo to justify why density=bad; but I really hope you're right!