I did see this article yesterday in the Dayton Biz Journal.  No mention of Millworks, but it did mention The Mills (hopefully grasscat will approve me posting this without anything of Millworks in it).

 

 

Sweden's Ikea scouting sites in southwest Ohio

LISA BIANK FASIG and DAN MONK

DBJ Contributors

 

Several southwestern Ohio retail developers are competing to win one of Sweden's hottest imports. But alas, Ikea's dance card might be full.

 

Real estate sources say the pocketbook-friendly furniture chain has been "in the market," actively scouting sites at Union Center Boulevard in Butler County and the Auto Nation property in Hamilton County's Forest Park. The retailer has gotten so many proposals that a spokesman said it is looking for a service to filter its many local inquiries.

 

Yeah, I might split that off and make an Ikea thread.

It looks like I got Cincinnati Millworks mixed up with Cincinnati Mills. The Auto Nation site near Cincy Mills would be a good location since it can be seen from 275. Looks like it could be a battle royal among Dayton, Cincy, and NKY. Ikea seems to be consider a serious destination store that would attract people from all over the region.

You guys have probably seen this already. Just copy and paste.

 

http://www.ddg-usa.com/projects/RET_Cincinnati_millworks/Project.html

perferct project that should be moved to he BANKS downtown...

It works better in Oakley.  We can and will do both.

This appeared in the Business Digest section of the 7/30/05 Enquirer.  Expect more news next week:

 

 

Council to consider Millworks project

 

Cincinnati City Council next week will be asked to approve plans for the $100 million first phase of the long-awaited Millworks office-retail development in Oakley.

 

An outline of the project goes before council's finance committee on Monday and the full council on Wednesday before its summer recess, said Chad Munitz economic development director. Millworks is planned for 48 acres occupied by part of the former Cincinnati Milacron plant and CECO Environmental Corp.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050730/BIZ01/507300330/1076/rss01

 

Millworks could get off starting block by September

Oakley project awaits TIF approvals, other red tape

Lisa Biank Fasig

Staff Reporter

 

After two long years of planning and negotiating, the proposed Cincinnati Millworks project may soon clear its first major hurdle to becoming one of Oakley's most vibrant mixed-use centers with an upscale cinema, a gourmet grocery and several restaurants.

 

The project's development agreement is expected to be brought before Cincinnati City Council for approval Aug. 3 (it goes before the finance committee Aug. 1). If cleared, developers can then request the needed tax increment financing (TIF) and with that, purchase the property and break ground.

 

"It is the first document, then the TIFs are expected to be cleared by September," said Chad Munitz, the city's economic development director. "We could slip, which I hope that we don't."

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/08/01/story4.html

 

 

"There's a lot of people involved," said Phill Adams, director of development for Jungle Jim's. "Holy cow! All we want to do is open a grocery store."  :-D :-D

cincinnati mills, millworks.  I think we need another, how about build a west mill mall in harrison, change northgate to north mill mall, change florence mall to south mill mall, and change eastgate to east mill mall.  Wahoo...go mills!!!

hey since i forgot about this thread and now its back in play fyi i found the bengals who dey history link:

 

http://bengalsjungle.com/whodeyorigin.html

 

 

**of course, non-cinci biased sources seem to say at most its disputed, like this one from nationmaster.com encyclopedia:

 

"Who Dey

 

Although the New Orleans Saints take credit for introducing this chant, Bengals fans were the first to use it heavily during their glory years in the 1980s."

 

turns out it's kind of a fascinating football fan mystery history tidbit -- who dey? who knew?  :roll:

 

 

From the 8/4/05 Cincinnati Business Courier:

 

 

Millworks project gets go-ahead from council

 

The long-planned Cincinnati Millworks project turned an important corner Wednesday when Cincinnati City Council unanimously approved the master agreement for the Oakley mixed-use project.

 

This clears Millwork's developer, Trademark Property Co., of Fort Worth, Texas, to move ahead with requests for tax increment financing in September at the next council meeting. (The Aug. 3 meeting was the last before summer break.)

 

Trademark is seeking approval of two tax increment financing (TIF) proposals, both of which are necessary for the project to move forward. The first proposal, expected to be presented in September, would help finance $10 million in public improvements at the project. It would be followed by a second TIF request, to finance an access road called the Kennedy Connector, a $16 million road improvement that would ease traffic from Interstate 71 and the Norwood Lateral. .

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/08/01/daily38.html?from_rss=1

 

QUESTION:  What impact do you think Cincinnati Millworks will have on Newport on the Levee?

 

A few of my observations/thoughts:

 

1.  CM is much more oriented toward traditional retail, whereas NOtL has minimal traditional retail (and lots of empty space).

2.  I don't know what the restaurant/bar mix will be, but I assume it will not be as heavily food/drink oriented as NOtL, which is the Levee's bread and butter.

3.  Cinemas:  this is where I think NOtL will get hurt the most.  Most residents of the east side of Cincinnati proper go to NOtL to see movies, I think CM will steal a good chunk of that business, especially the Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout and Oakley crowds; NOtL will still draw the downtowners, Mt. Adams, and other cental moviegoers.

 

 

What are your thoughts?

Agree,

Millworks is more likely to impact Rookwood and Jungle Jims will compete with Wild Oats.

I think Millworks will have minimal impact on NOL.  It might have a bigger impact initially, then peak and level out.  I agree with Jimmy Skinner that it will affect Rookwood much more.  NOL's biggest issue will come when The Banks/The Gregory development are built.

 

The skyline and the river are NOL's biggest assets, and Millworks can't compete with that.  Of course, Millworks could probably steal 90% of NOL's business simply by supplying cheaper parking.  :D

if i was to make a google map of the Kennedy Connector's proposed route, where would i go?

The only alignment I've ever seen is the one on page one of this thread. 

 

But, in fact, I don't believe they've even settled on a final design and alignment.  They're supposed to come up with that within the next few months.

 

Does anyone know if Cincinnati Millworks will in fact be charging for parking?  I know it will be heavily garaged, but with free parking at Rookwood and Kenwood Towne Center, I don't know if they could get away with it.

 

 

^ That's a good question.  I have no idea.

Does anyone know if Cincinnati Millworks will in fact be charging for parking?  I know it will be heavily garaged, but with free parking at Rookwood and Kenwood Towne Center, I don't know if they could get away with it.

 

 

Cincinnati??? you're kidding...

Im picturing this looking and feeling more like that lifestyle center in columbus that has crate and barrel etc.  (sorry dont know my columbus shopping center names).  I'm hoping this all goes through more for hte kennedy ave connector than the shopping plaza

This project's completion will cementthe Norwood, Hyde Park, Oakley area as the hottest area in the city.  Too much concentration to be stopped.

This project's completion will cementthe Norwood, Hyde Park, Oakley area as the hottest area in the city.  Too much concentration to be stopped.

 

im sure thats true, but as a pleasant ridge resident, im happy its close by but not in my backyard.  the proposed kennedy connector should take traffic away from Ridge and off my street as well.

as a pleasant ridge resident, im happy its close by but not in my backyard.  the proposed kennedy connector should take traffic away from Ridge and off my street as well.

 

As a Pleasat Ridge resident I feel the same way; glad it's close but not too close and I hope that the KC will reduce some congestion on Ridge.  I also hope that if this area become really hot, there will be some spinoff investment into the Ridge/Highland corridor. 

There's still a major holdup with the Kennedy Connector, the city, and Precision Industrial Automation (PIA).

 

As you all know, the Kennedy Connector is still in a design phase, and the city is working on a financing package.  It is supposed to complete a 4-way intersection at Ibsen and Ridge, go through the PIA property, and then loop back around to join with Kennedy at Duck Creek.  PIA will have to move to accomodate the road, as the city's DOTE has been unable to find a way to design the connector while saving PIA's building.

 

The city is offering to pay fair market value when the time comes, but not at the present time.  PIA's business has been hurt, and they need money now, so they have requested a $1.5M advance from the future sale, and they need it within the next 60 days.  The city has tried relocation assistance, but they have been unable to make a suitable deal.

 

The city is unable to do this because they lack the funds.  Also, they are not even entirely sure that the Kennedy Connector will even be built.  Therefore, they refuse to pay $1.5M for a piece of property which they may not even need.

 

 

 

 

Kirk & Blum buy boosts Oakley plans

By Jon Newberry

Post staff reporter

 

Kirk & Blum Manufacturing Co. has agreed to buy a Woodlawn plant for $3.3 million and plans to spend an additional $1 million on improvements, the company said Monday.

 

The deal means the manufacturer is ready to move from Oakley, clearing the way for a huge retail development there.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/BIZ/509130335/1001

Luken seeks vote on Kennedy Connector

Mayor wants developers to know roadway in Oakley, Madisonville will be built

 

By Gregory Korte

Enquirer staff writer

 

 

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken has asked City Council to make the $19.3 million Kennedy Connector roadway in Madisonville and Oakley its top priority in the city's 2006 capital budget.

 

The 500-foot road spur - which would connect the intersection of Duck Creek Road and Kennedy Avenue with Ibsen Avenue at Ridge Road - would improve traffic around the growing retail center in northern Oakley and southern Madisonville, easing access on and off I-71.

 

The city already has allocated $6.6 million to the project. Luken has asked City Council to commit whatever funds are necessary to make up the difference. He did not ask for a specific amount.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050921/NEWS01/509210352/1056/news01

www.cincinnatimillworks.com

 

Anyone heard any updates on this project?

gold42, there was a thread on Millworks already.  I merged your topic with the existing topic.

so much surface parking lots  :|

anyone hear anything about this lately?  all seems to be quiet over ther

I wouldn't expect anything until money is budgeted for 2006.  Nothing will be built without financing for the Kennedy Connector.

Getting this money would be very helpful!  From the 12/14/05 Cincinnati Business Courier:

 

 

Cincinnati may get funding for Milacron cleanup

 

The City of Cincinnati could receive $3 million for acquisition, demolition and remediation at the former Cincinnati Milacron industrial facility on Forrer Street, Gov. Bob Taft announced as part of $400 million in Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grants throughout the state.

 

The money, which must be approved by the State Controlling Board, allows idle commercial and industrial properties to be reused. The Milacron project will create 150 jobs. 

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/12/12/daily37.html

 

Just a couple of notes:

 

1) Cincinnati city council voted to accept the $3 million in funds from the Clean Ohio Fund that will help in cleanup of the Milacron site.

 

2) The city budget for 2006 includes $4.8 million for the Kennedy Connector.  This roadway needs to be built to make this development happen.  The entire Kennedy Connector portion is expected to cost $16 million.

 

The total project cost is estimated at $90.2 million.

 

From the 1/23/06 Cincinnati Business Courier:

 

 

Millworks gets $3 million grant

 

The Clean Ohio Funds has awarded a $3 million grant for the development of the long-awaited Cincinnati Millworks project in Oakley, a mixed-use development that has been in the planning stages for more than two years.

 

The former Milacron site will be demolished and improved for an office and entertainment complex that will be anchored by a Jungle Jim's market and an upscale cinema. But first the project's developer, Trademark Property Co., is seeking approval of two tax increment financing (TIF) proposals. The first proposal would help finance $10 million in public improvements at the project. It would be followed by a TIF to finance an access road called the Kennedy Connector, a $16 million road improvement that would ease traffic from Interstate 71 and the Norwood Lateral.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/01/23/daily13.html

 

From this week's CityBeat:

 

 

Buying Outside the Big Box 

Oakley businesses see positive side of new development

By Matthew Cunningham  

 

If the terms "sprawl" and "big box retail" seem to rankle residents of Cincinnati's quirky Oakley neighborhood, a short drive up Madison Road might explain why.

 

The old Oakley Square oozes cozy urban living, from the historic 20th Century Theater to the rows of brick-fronted one-off shops. The neighborhood is inviting, non-invasive and begs passers-by to park their cars and take in the ambiance on foot.

 

One block past trendy restaurant Pho Paris, however, the vibe changes. The railroad underpass on Madison Road marks an end to the square's wide sidewalks. After a quick left on Marburg Avenue, the buildings grow from quaint storefronts to massive concrete boxes. 

 

http://www.citybeat.com/current/news2.shtml

---

And from the 3/15/06 Eastern Hills Journal:

 

 

MAP: Preliminary Kennedy Connector plan

 

Kennedy Connector 'critical' for Millworks

BY FORREST SELLERS | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER

 

OAKLEY -- Developers for the Millworks project were expected to provide the Oakley Community Council with an update March 7. However, discussion of a traffic study affiliated with the project has been postponed until Tuesday, March 28.

 

Jeff McElravy, an economic development officer with the city of Cincinnati, did comment March 7 on the importance of the Kennedy Connector, which will link Ridge Road and Ibsen Avenue in Oakley to Kennedy Avenue and Duck Creek in Madisonville.

 

"It's critical to this project," McElravy said. "The idea of the connector is to take some of the traffic off Madison Road and the surrounding streets.

 

http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060315/NEWS01/603150441/1074/Local

 

From the 4/12/06 Eastern Hills Journal:

 

 

Council OKs connector proposal

Traffic upgrades presented April 4

BY FORREST SELLERS | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER

 

OAKLEY - The Oakley Community Council offered its support of traffic improvements associated with the Millworks project April 4.

 

Council voted in favor of a proposal for the Kennedy Connector, which would involve improvements to a number of intersections near the former Cincinnati Milacron site.

 

http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060412/NEWS01/604120407/1074/Local

 

Millworks development could get moving again

Oakley proposal expected to return to City Council

Cincinnati Business Courier - April 21, 2006by Lisa Biank FasigStaff Reporter

 

The long-delayed Millworks project proposed for Oakley is once again in startup mode as developers prepare to submit tax increment financing requests for the estimated $225 million project.

 

The delays have meant the Jungle Jim's grocery store that would anchor the project will not open before 2008, as many as six months past its earlier deadline. National Amusements, meanwhile, continues to negotiate putting a theater at the site.

 

Developer Kent Arnold said he expects to file applications for two tax increment financing (TIF) proposals in early May and hopes to begin construction by later that month. "We've got a capital partner that's funding the project," he said.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/04/24/story8.html

 

$120 million Millworks plan advances

City Council poised to OK development in Oakley

BY MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved and sent to the Finance Committee an ordinance to enter into a development agreement for the long-simmering $120 million Millworks mixed-use development in Oakley.

 

If all goes as planned, the Finance Committee would send the measure back to council for final approval next Wednesday.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/BIZ01/605180316/1076/BIZ

^ GREAT NEWS!!! I cannot wait! What a great location too!

From the 5/25/06 Cincinnati Post:

 

 

From factory to tourist draw

$122 million shopping mecca wins backing

By Joe Wessels

Post contributor

 

From what once was a factory, a new lifestyle shopping center may be born, thanks, in part, to a critical vote by the Cincinnati City Council.

 

Council on Wednesday approved $19 million in spending and other ordinances related to the $122 million Millworks Town Center multi-use project that will feature retail, office, and residential sites near Interstate 71 and the Norwood Lateral.

 

Backers say the project will look like a small village where people can live, work and play, similar to Columbus's Easton Town Center. They expect it to become a tourist destination.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/BIZ/605250381/1010/RSS01

 

The residential component is shockingly weak, as is the rest of the plan.

From the 5/25/06 Cincinnati Post:

The Millworks' opening, slated for late 2007, will come in phases. Arnold expects a 16-screen, 3,200-seat National Amusements cinema complex to open first with other retail, but he refused to disclose tenants other than a smaller-version Jungle Jim's gourmet grocery store. Eventually, there will be 125,000 square-feet of office space, 300,000 square-feet of first floor retail space and 25 to 40 condos.

 

 

hmmm 25-40 condos with a project this big but yet no-one agrees that 38-40 condos in a site that's only maybee 400 foot x 2000 foot in Clifton might be an issue. (my sq footage is probably off)

with the right vision (no pun intended) this project should have had a hell of a lot more than 25-40 condos.  I would bet those numbers in Clifton will come down a bit though.  There's not really much comparison here.  One is a truly mixed-use building integrating itself into the neighborhood, the other is a mall with some token residential.

why even have the token residential.If the free market and the neighborhood are demanding a mall type development just build the mall.

 

If you are trying to do mixed use, with a project as big as millworks you should have a tone more condos, and the

price rage should be all over the place from 150k -1.2m  I would like to see around 90-120 units in a development this size.

 

 

 

I wonder if Madisonville is the "next" neighborhood that's really going to turn around.

 

To bad its not northside, experiencing such development.

who's demanding a mall?  i could be wrong, but it seems to me that the market in Oakley is demanding new residential.  i think what we see here is a conventional developer trying his hand at mixed-use, and not doing a very good job with it.  i would guess that if there is strong demand for anything, it would be for true urban development.  perhaps that's just wishful thinking on my part.

Yeah, it is a pretty tremendous opportunity.  But I'm sure it's a question of immediate economics.  Why built a done of feature-intensive living spaces that will sell cheap when you can build fewer that sell really expensively.  I saw a billboard for "loft condo's" in Oakley starting at $740K...insane, but it probably makes more sense for the developer, even if it makes less sense for the community...alas.

 

Which, by the way, is part of the reason places like Madisonville, with its extensive smaller single-family housing stock is such an asset...there are still options for most of us to buy an affordable place, fix it up a bit, and either stay somewhere nice or move on to another place...hard to do that when the bottom line is three quarters of a million dollars - a coat of paint and refinishing the floors only goes so far...

For 750k I'm not doing a dam thing to the house/condo :-D

 

 

"People will literally be living and working and doing their dining and entertainment within the project," said Kent Arnold, president of Vision Land Development, which is spearheading the venture.

 

"That's one thing you won't find on any other project in Cincinnati."

 

What about the OTR redevelopment project???