POW!!!

 

 

Lindners, AFG announce huge Music Hall donation

May 1, 2015, 1:06pm EDT Updated: May 1, 2015, 3:08pm EDT

Barrett J. Brunsman Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

American Financial Group and the family of Edyth Lindner, wife of the late AFG chairman Carl Lindner Jr., donated $10 million today to help renovate Cincinnati Music Hall.

 

In addition, Harry Fath, owner of Fath properties, and his wife, Linda, doubled their $2 million commitment to $4 million.

 

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/05/01/lindners-afg-announce-huge-music-hall-donation.html

This is huge news! The funding gap is nearly closed now. This is going to be such an amazing restoration. Just the thought of this building being brought back to its former glory is amazing. I can't wait to round the corner for the first time and seeing it finished. Windows opened back up, cleaned up, teaming with new life.

What windows are exactly blocked? Is it in the front of music hall? Also does anyone know if the statue is still part of the plans for the revitalized Music Hall plans..like in the pic below, granted it's from plans back in 2011

 

http://otrmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/washington-park-3-12-11-color-view-3.jpg

Like 900 windows are bricked up. 

I think essentially all of the windows on the back side are bricked up. 

Like 900 windows are bricked up. 

 

And doors.

 

Why were they initially bricked up? That seems sort of strange...

Why were they initially bricked up? That seems sort of strange...

 

Because it's cheaper to brick up old wood windows than to refinish/re-caulk them or put in new windows that don't quite match.  With central air and wood windows you want to put in storm windows which can detract from the appearance. 

Why were they initially bricked up? That seems sort of strange...

 

Because it's cheaper to brick up old wood windows than to refinish/re-caulk them or put in new windows that don't quite match.  With central air and wood windows you want to put in storm windows which can detract from the appearance. 

 

Plus they did a remodel of Music Hall back in the 1970s when people bricked up windows to make things more energy efficient.  Its part of the reason why places like the UC Law building have such tiny windows on them.  Windows technology has gotten better so this isn't as much an issue as it used to be.

I may have missed it...apologies.  What is the plan with the windows then?  Will they remove the brick and replace with modern windows?

This photo is from 1928, so at least some of the windows had been bricked in by then (perhaps some of these were never windows originally?):

 

This photo is from 1928, so at least some of the windows had been bricked in by then (perhaps some of these were never windows originally?):

 

 

Music Hall looks way nicer without that skywalk

I thought I heard it's being removed as part of its restoration. If that is true and that garage is torn down and redeveloped I'd be in heaven.

Looks like if the Senate version of the state budget gets passed then the "catalytic" tax credit Music Hall was awarded would be void according to this article. Music hall was set to receive $5M per year for the next 5 years, $25M total. The senate version of the budget would cease the program for the next two years...

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/11/senate-budget-disastrous-music-hall/71067154/

 

I would imagine a lot of developers with $$ and stakeholders in music hall, who are some powerful people, are not happy about this. Hopefully it gets taken out before getting passed.

Looks like if the Senate version of the state budget gets passed then the "catalytic" tax credit Music Hall was awarded would be void according to this article. Music hall was set to receive $5M per year for the next 5 years, $25M total. The senate version of the budget would cease the program for the next two years...

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/11/senate-budget-disastrous-music-hall/71067154/

 

I would imagine a lot of developers with $$ and stakeholders in music hall, who are some powerful people, are not happy about this. Hopefully it gets taken out before getting passed.

 

I hope you are right and these developers and stakeholders hold the Senate accountable for their idiocy.  They shouldn't be able to take back something they already awarded.  It just seems like it would be illegal, I don't care that they are the senate.  I don't agree with what they are doing, and if anything, the deal made with music hall for the tax credits should be grandfathered in.  The people in our government need to be held accountable for their actions.  As people in office are held to a higher standard, so should their actions be held to that higher standard.     

I just read an article and it said that they will make sure that projects that have already been promised money like the $25M for Music Hall will be safe.  They said they will change the proposal so they don't lose the money that was promised, but no new money will be issued after July for new projects.  They didn't want to slow down the existing projects and it would force owners to sue the state because they were promised credits they didn't receive.     

It still is an f'ing terrible idea to eliminate these tax credits, and is still Ohio shooting itself in the foot. Other states that aren't swing states can persue policies that grow the economy with impunity (think rail in red-state Utah,) but Ohio is forever held back by politicians willing to kill progress for political playground games.

Why is there so much reliance on this tax credit though? Is development in Cincinnati so risky that unless there's a historic tax credit attached then there's no drive to get a project off the ground?

Why is there so much reliance on this tax credit though? Is development in Cincinnati so risky that unless there's a historic tax credit attached then there's no drive to get a project off the ground?

 

Yes.  Old buildings are a minefield of problems and the tax credits reduce the risk associated with fixing those problems. 

 

Eliminating this tax credit would be worse than not having a streetcar.  I am pro-streetcar, but if I had to choose one item to keep, it would easily be the historic tax credit program.

Why is there so much reliance on this tax credit though? Is development in Cincinnati so risky that unless there's a historic tax credit attached then there's no drive to get a project off the ground?

 

It evens out the disparity in subsidies for greenfield development versus redevelopment. 

It's not somehow limited to Cincinnati.  Re-developing old buildings is very difficult no matter where you are--and that's why you see developers all over the state using it. 

 

It is *always* easier to build on some vacant lot in a generally undeveloped area. 

Why is there so much reliance on this tax credit though? Is development in Cincinnati so risky that unless there's a historic tax credit attached then there's no drive to get a project off the ground?

 

Yes.  Old buildings are a minefield of problems and the tax credits reduce the risk associated with fixing those problems. 

 

Eliminating this tax credit would be worse than not having a streetcar.  I am pro-streetcar, but if I had to choose one item to keep, it would easily be the historic tax credit program.

 

Remember, it only is used on older buildings.  Great American Tower, Dunnhumby, condos on Riverside drive, etc. have all been developed without historic tax credits.  So it's not a Cincinnati issue--it's a redeveloping old buildings issue. 

Though this is a big issue for Cincinnati considering how old much of its housing stock is.  Its older than any other major city surrounding it generally.

There will be a press conference at Music Hall next Monday at 2 p.m:

 

WHAT:

 

After an extensive selection process, the City of Cincinnati, Music Hall Revitalization Company, 3CDC, and all resident companies of Music Hall introduce the chosen design team for the renovation. Along with Design Team introductions, a scope of work overview and construction timeline will be unveiled. The short press briefing will be followed by a guided tour of Music Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE:

 

Music Hall foyer

 

Parking available in Washington Park Garage

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN:

 

Monday, September 14, 2015

 

2:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

WHO:

 

Speakers:

 

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley

 

Otto M. Budig, Board Chair, Music Hall Revitalization Company (MHRC)

 

Stephen G. Leeper, President & Chief Executive Officer, 3CDC

 

Gary F. Martinez, President, Martinez + Johnson Architecture

 

Patricia K. Beggs, General Director & Chief Executive Officer, Cincinnati Opera

 

Murray Sinclaire, Chair, Cultural Facilities Task Force

 

 

 

 

 

CONTACTS:

 

Resident company rep: Chris Pinelo, [email protected], (513) 744-3338

 

3CDC: Anastasia Mileham, [email protected], (513) 604-3093

 

3CDC announced the design team for the Music Hall renovation. Notable is a total absence of any local firms:

 

http://www.3cdc.org/2015/09/14/design-team-announced-for-music-hall-renovation/

 

From what I have heard around town, all of the firms large enough to take on big projects like this one won't touch 3CDC with a 10 foot pole.

Not entirely accurate. GBBN has done some architecture of record work for Music Hall and has handled a lot of the field documentation for the existing property.

Not entirely accurate. GBBN has done some architecture of record work for Music Hall and has handled a lot of the field documentation for the existing property.

 

All of the large firms have worked with 3CDC in the past, but from what I hear not many of them ever want to again. Granted there are only 4 firms in town big enough to do a project of this magnitude so it's not a huge sample size.

With the exception of massive undertakings like Music Hall I actually think that's a good thing. Big firms aren't necessarily that great at working at the scale necessary in OTR. More specialized, often residentially based firms are more appropriate.

 

But yeah, for large projects like Music Hall it's possible that they just don't want to get involved for whatever reason.

TriVersity Named General Contractor for Memorial Hall Renovation

 

Construction Expected to Begin Fall 2015 for a Fall 2016 Opening

 

CINCINNATI (October 14, 2015) –Trustees of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society and 3CDC announced today TriVersity Construction as the general contractor for the renovation and modernization of the 1908 Beaux Arts building designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons. Once finished, the hall, which closed in May for renovation preparation, will be part of an envisioned “Arts District” adjacent to Music Hall and Washington Park.

 

“We are pleased to announce TriVersity as the general contractor for Memorial Hall," Steve Leeper, President and CEO of 3CDC, said. “Based on the success of our partnership on the new City Gospel Mission campus we felt TriVersity was a great fit on this project, and we look forward to teaming up again.”

 

Renovations to the hall will include enhancements to the patron experience, such as new, larger restroom facilities, a new HVAC system to allow the building to be cooled during summer months, and new furniture, including more comfortable seats. Renovations will improve operational aspects of the facility as well, including the addition of a contemporary catering kitchen and backstage crossover space for performers.

 

Based on the changes and scale of the project, TriVersity emerged as a perfect fit, given its track record of working for clients with complex needs, intense regulatory environments and high standards for quality and safety.

 

Headquartered in Norwood, TriVersity provides construction management, general contracting and design build services and is one of the 10 largest commercial construction companies in the region.  In addition to City Gospel Mission, TriVersity has completed recent projects for clients Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Procter & Gamble and Toyota.

 

“TriVersity is committed to realizing the community’s vision for Memorial Hall as a modern performing arts space that also retains its historic character,” said Mel Gravely, CEO of TriVersity. “Through the construction process, we will also provide opportunities that uphold our values of diversity and inclusion.”

 

John Senhauser Architects and Westlake Reed Leskosky will lead the architecture, engineering, theatrical consulting, and historic consulting on the renovations.

 

Funding for the roughly $11 million project will come from a combination of state and county grants, state and federal historic tax credits, federal New Markets Tax Credits and private donations. Construction costs represent approximately $8 million of the total project.

I was just looking over 3CDC's Memorial Hall page and found the following statement: "Following renovation, the theater will be operated on a day-to-day basis by 3CDC, who will oversee programming and operations in a fashion similar to the successful public spaces at Fountain Square and Washington Park."

 

Very interesting. 3CDC does concert booking for the stage that's on Fountain Square over the summer, but now they'll be responsible for programming at a year-round, 600-seat venue. I wouldn't be surprised to see Memorial Hall and Washington Park become the epicenter of Midpoint Music Festival in 2016 or 2017.

Great comprehensive article on the renovation.

 

Music Hall makeover takes center stage

Janelle Gelfand and Bowdeya Tweh, [email protected] 4:55 p.m. EST February 27, 2016

 

Within 90 days, Music Hall is set to close for the most complex renovation in its nearly 140-year history. Now, the public is getting a first look at the renovation plans.

 

The plans reveal:

 

A much smaller Springer Auditorium with about 1,000 fewer seats, although the new seats will be wider with more leg room. There also will be new boxes, a resloped main floor and balconies and a “thrust stage” on which the orchestra will play.

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/02/27/music-hall-renovation-plans/80785414/

Looks great! On the interior design, they're tuning down the faux-Rococo aesthetic which will make the space feel much classier. Can't wait for the bricked-up windows to be opened up. It's going to be gorgeous at night.

 

 

Is the concept art final? I noticed the missing gargoyle statue is in the rendering..I know it was supposed to be in the original design but for some reason didn't happen during the construction of music hall.

Is the concept art final? I noticed the missing gargoyle statue is in the rendering..I know it was supposed to be in the original design but for some reason didn't happen during the construction of music hall.

 

CSO posted this to their Facebook page earlier today.  I don't think the gargoyle is being added.

 

I am so stoked to see all those windows opened up with the lights on at night!

For reference, this will be the new Music Hall only topic. I will work in the coming weeks to untangle Music Hall, Washington Park, and Memorial Hall from that messy combination thread that will now be the Washington Park only thread.

Interesting photo posted on Twitter by RoadMapCincy showing the daylighting of the north carriage way:

14th St at Central Pkwy/Elm remains closed till 4 PM as crews continue demo in north carriage way

I saw from my bedroom window this morning that there is a huge crane of sorts looming behind Music Hall.  Not a tower crane, but a very tall structure that is taller than even the peak of Music Hall.  Any info on that?

The April 4th Historic Review Board packet has details on the Music Hall renovation, starting on page 134: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/

 

Here's a link in case the HCB takes it off their site: https://www.dropbox.com/s/t35q0dyy8db7h5e/HCB%20Agenda%20%26%20Materials%20No%20SR%204.4.16.pdf?dl=0

 

They will be removing the ramp (since new doors will allow for access without using the stairs) and making the entrance more symmetrical. Music Hall already is a beautiful building. I can't wait to see how stunning this will be after the renovation!

 

 

It appears they're removing the terrible wood canopy over the entrance and that alone makes me happy.

 

Edit: Seeing that elevation drawing with all those new windows is amazing. The look and feel of Music Hall will be dramatically improved.

 

I also like that the Elevation drawing shows how off centered the plinth for the statue that never happend is on the main gable. I always get a chuckle of pointing that out to people who then can never unsee that it's not centered correctly.

FYI: for anyone looking for a color code: orange is a bricked-over window being reopened. This is going to be a huge improvement.

 

Anyone know why the North Hall isn't being opened up like the rest of the building?

FYI: for anyone looking for a color code: orange is a bricked-over window being reopened. This is going to be a huge improvement.

 

Anyone know why the North Hall isn't being opened up like the rest of the building?

 

I've been wondering that question as well. The floor plans don't clearly indicate what that all of the spaces in the north hall are used for, but it seems like it's for back-of-house services with the loading dock (off of 14th St) opening into a double-height area that has no windows. I was hoping that the long wall of bricked in windows along 14th St was going to get opened up... but alas it seems like that will remain bricked in.

 

First floor:

 

Second floor:

 

Third floor:

I figured (before seeing this drawing) that they would essentially unbrick all of the openings and place windows there, even if there was nothing on the other side and it just led to a wall. Maybe even add LED lights between the window and the wall directly behind it so there's an opportunity to light up all of the windows.

We are going to save the Music Hall skywalk so that suburbanites can walk directly from the Town Center Garage into Music Hall without having to walk on the scary streets of OTR!

 

Back entrance restored to Music Hall plan

 

But after an outcry from subscribers and others who regularly attend events at Music Hall, officials have devised a way to allow access to Music Hall from the Central Parkway side of the building. [...]

 

Both the pedestrian bridge and the Town Center Garage (also known as the CET garage) are city-owned and need repairs. The bridge, in particular, has crumbling concrete and visible rebar. City officials say that there is no truth to ongoing rumors that the city was going to tear down the structures. The city has not yet answered The Enquirer regarding repairs, however.

I'm having a hard time envisioning it but it sounds to me like they are making it an enclosed door/stairway to the second floor, but it won't be connected in a architectural or ownership sense to the skywalk.  But who knows maybe I'm reading it wrong.

There are two separate entrances being discussed:

• The streetlevel entrance that has stairs leading up to the second floor. The article says: "Some readers have asked whether the steps leading up to the Ballroom entrance from Central Parkway will be retained. There will be steps, but they will be enclosed within the building, with doors accessing a rear entry, said Anastasia Mileham, spokesperson for project manager Cincinnati Center City Development Corp."
  
• The pedestrian bridge entrance on the second floor. About this entrance, the article says: "Patrons will now be able to enter through the Ballroom door from the pedestrian bridge on the second level. That entrance will be fully accessible to the rest of the building. The timeline entrance currently is not accessible, he said."
  

 

The street level entrance is going to be enclosed with a glass doorway in southern most of the 3 archways:

 

Here is how it appears today (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@39.109113,-84.519884,3a,75y,113.17h,92.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sN0zIbpwMeN6s6mR5KCH5BA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656">streetview</a>):

We are going to save the Music Hall skywalk so that suburbanites can walk directly from the Town Center Garage into Music Hall without having to walk on the scary streets of OTR!

 

I'm surprised by your condescending attitude towards that. The skywalk and garage are a great asset to have near by, they shouldn't be neglected.

My condescending attitude is directed at the people who wrote in to the Enquirer and threatened to stop going to Music Hall if the skywalk was demolished, as 3CDC originally intended to do. Many of the people claimed that they felt unsafe in the neighborhood and were scared to walk on the streets of Over-the-Rhine. Maybe, if these people actually set foot in Over-the-Rhine, they would realize that OTR is now a safe, vibrant community filled with activity. Maybe they would even be willing to eat at one of the restaurants in OTR before walking through Washington Park to get to Music Hall. But instead, they will drive in and drive out without ever having to set foot in the neighborhood.

 

The skywalk and the Town Center Garage are both very old and are starting to crumble. The city will now have to spend taxpayer dollars on rehabbing this skywalk (which allows suburbanites to bypass Over-the-Rhine) instead of spending that money on higher priority items that would actually enhance pedestrian life in Over-the-Rhine.

And it's not like the Washington Park garage doesn't dump you a mere stone's throw from Music Hall's front door.  I wonder how many of these people even know it's there. 

Yeah it's probably similar to the dissent when they took the skywalks out of the equation at Fountain Square?

 

Come on, they won't come if they can't take the skywalk?  Cincinnati is honestly too warm of a city for skywalks.  Now, you talk about cities in the upper Midwest like the Twin Cities, I can see that.  But not Cincinnati.  Light up the parking lot and make a really nice pedestrian path with blinkers, and a light, etc. across the lot, then get that Lot redeveloped.  What a waste of space