Segways are fun. I've done a few "walking" tours with them, but those price points are absurd. You can buy a scooter or motorcycle for that kind of money.

Speaking of scooters,  a new scooter store opened at McMillian, Fairview and Ravine.

 

If we can get one at OTR, that would be fantastic!

Speaking of scooters, a new scooter store opened at McMillian, Fairview and Ravine.

 

If we can get one at OTR, that would be fantastic!

 

In the old police building?

One of my professors at daap was the lead designer on the segway and he used to fly up and down the halls with that thing.  Funny stuff.

Gateway Quarter

 

The Gateway Quarter is a mixed-use development project bounded by Central Parkway, 13th, Vine and Race streets in Over-the-Rhine. It is being developed by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, or 3CDC, along with The Model Group, Urban Sites, B2B Equities and Northpointe Group. The four-phase project is slated to have 400 residential units completed by 2010, with each new year coinciding with each new phase of the project.

 

You can read more about UrbanUp's latest addition here. Enjoy!

"Segways are treated the same as pedestrians and bicyclists and should not be taken on the road with vehicular traffic."

 

Huh? Bicyclists cannot use the sidewalks.

 

This is a great addition to OTR, and a visible sign that critical mass is being achieved in the vicinity of 12th and Vine.

 

In ohio a segway is a "human portable mobility device" or something like that which is the equivilent of a wheelchair.  Also you can't get a DUI on a segway because it isn't a 'vehicle'

 

 

I wonder how they determine what constitutes a vehicle and mobility device. I think it maxes out at 12mph which is about how fast a human can run, so for most people it isn't enabling them to put themselves in any danger they wouldn't already put themselves in without it, while under the influence.

The Model Group, Urban Sites, B2B Equities and Northpointe Group

 

Don't forget about the City Home phase that is Eber and OTRCH.

 

In all honesty I don't consider City Home or the projects on Main Street to be within the Gateway Quarter.  The projects are great, but it's a bit disingenuous to claim them as the same as the Gateway Quarter.  I refer to them as "more 3cdc projects."

I completely disagree. Both are part of the Gateway Quarter. They share the same marketing, they attend the same weekly developer meetings, they have the same sales team (as demonstrated during the Blogger tour when not just the sales team presented City Home and Main as part of the Q, but also you had other developers like Bobby Maly and Brandon Smith in Tow), the sales numbers will be reported with the rest of the Q, they are all part of the Q by any and all defintion. Just because they are the newest developers to join under 3CDC does not make them any less than B2B, Urban Sites etc and Main was a discussion as part of the Q as part of the Urban Sites deal with 3CDC. "Disingenuous" is not the word, "fact" is and if we want to parse buildings as to whether or not we consider them part of the Q, the fact remains that they are.

BTW, Joseph Williams Home will be relocating to the Gateway Quarter at the Trideca Building located at 13th & Vine.  They hope to be open by mid-November.

Out of curiosity, what are the official boundaries of the Q? I have a feeling I'll run into this issue again when more projects are put online.

Well the Gateway Quarter website used to use a map that showed all of OTR south of Liberty.

Well the Gateway Quarter website used to use a map that showed all of OTR south of Liberty.

It isn't that simple as saying that everything south of Liberty because there are a tremendous number of projects that are south of Liberty that are not part of the Q.  Buildings, not geography is what describes the Q.

The name "Gateway Quarter" seems to describe an area in its most natural state.  I understand that many of these projects are looking to be included in the golden brand that is the Gateway Quarter.  But after a while you have to start working these projects into a new brand and/or mold.

I may call up the Q tomorrow to find some clarification on this. I'm pretty confused.

Pretty soon mulberry st will be part of the gateway quarter.  It's already called downtown by some in the real estate realm. :lol:  According to Queens tower in price hill they are downtown too! Look at a citybeat.

Like I've said, if you can stand outside and see skyscrapers...your downtown lol.

I may call up the Q tomorrow to find some clarification on this. I'm pretty confused.

Sitting next to me is the person who you would be talking to at the Q and the definition that I described to you above was how she stated it to me. All buildings south of Liberty are not part of the Q, but all buildings in the Q are south of Liberty (my house on Mulberry an exception Max, that too is part of the Q and downtown. I am special that way. Hell, I may even fly a fricken Q and Downtown flag just so people know)

 

I understand that many of these projects are looking to be included in the golden brand that is the Gateway Quarter. But after a while you have to start working these projects into a new brand and/or mold.

But that is up to the Developer and 3CDC as to what to include and what not to. 3CDC has to see the project or building as an appropriate fit for the Q, it isn't as one sided as to say that developers alone want to be part of the Q because it is a win for them to be associated with the brand, it also has to make sense for the brand itself. For instance, and I do not know if this will happen or not, would the Meiner building be a fit for the Q? If so, why? Proximity? Style? Developer? Product Type? What would or would not make that a Gateway Quarter building? The same is true for Main and City Home etc. 3CDC and the Developers decided that it was an appropriate fit for all of those reasons above. I think that you are looking at existing concentrations of Q buildings and therefor assigning a geographical definition however that becomes equally confusing when you look at the number of buildings that are not part of the development at all. But rising tides raise all ships and those outside of the development but withing the same proximity certainly benefit from that same branding but do not share style, developer, sales team, marketing, or even product type.

 

This isn't like a suburban type development or even a typical urban development that is neatly contained.  There are many moving parts to the Q and as I stated above, everyone, whether they are part of the Q or not, benefit from the Q through proximity.  A muddled definition in peoples mind who visit the Q as to what is and what isn't may be a good thing as they associate all of OTR with the same excitement and outlook for the future that the Q brings.  It may be confusing at first, but the end will justify the means here in that everyone will ultimately benefit.

" I am special that way.  Hell, I may even fly a fricken Q and Downtown flag just so people know)"

 

LOL.

Interesting video on the Gateway Quarter:

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/videos/33gatewayquarter.aspx

Interesting video on the Gateway Quarter:

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/videos/33gatewayquarter.aspx

 

GREAT VIDEO!!!

Wow, that was a great video.  I hope this gets some circulation because it really expresses what's going on down there.  The music was perfect too.  Modern edge with a classical undertone utterly speaks of the character of the Q.  Three cheers to Soapbox for using Peter Adams, a local composer. 

Does anyone think that this will have an effect on the Q? As, arguably the most progressive neighborhood in Cincy I feel that this initiative could really take off in the Gateway Quarter.

 

Cincinnati to help fund ‘green roof’ efforts

Business Courier of Cincinnati

 

The city of Cincinnati and the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) are creating a loan/grant program to encourage the construction of vegetative “green” roofs.

 

A motion creating the program passed Cincinnati City Council by an 8-1 margin, according to a news release.

 

The grant program will be administered by the MSD, using Green Infrastructure Demonstration Funds. The loan program, if approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, will use money from the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund. Applicants for the program, which is expected to begin in early 2009, could receive below-market bank loans from participating banks.

 

A vegetative green roof incorporates waterproofing materials, a drainage system, a lightweight soil or growing medium and plants. The roofs reduce heating and cooling costs and stormwater runoff, filter pollutants and help insulate the building.

Mottainai, B2B and Northpoints Group's newest building on Republic is going for their LEED Certification including cork and bamboo floors and energy star appliances.  Urban Sites is also going green on the BellMain building on Main (Kaldis building)  None are going for green roofs that I know of yet but not to say that they will not in future buildings as the Q is really going in that direction more and more.

Wasn't Kaldis moving from their location?

Wasn't Kaldis moving from their location?

 

I overheard at Kaldi's, a couple months ago, that they were going to be closing again at some point soon...although it was expressed as an "any day now" thing.

 

Where did you hear they were moving?  I do think it would be a more successful business elsewhere.  However, even a couple days after the power outages, I saw tons of people in there.  Perhaps you just need to put everyone else out of business!

Does anyone think that this will have an effect on the Q? As, arguably the most progressive neighborhood in Cincy I feel that this initiative could really take off in the Gateway Quarter.

 

Cincinnati to help fund ‘green roof’ efforts

 

The reality of a "Green" roof is often very underwhelming. They are usually just gravel beds with sparse patches of brown colored lichen. Prepping a roof to grow bushes or even grass (nevermind making it accessible to people) is almost always cost prohibitive.

 

You can google images of Stuttgart, Germany for lots of Green roof examples. Honestly, they are usually less attractive than shingles.

You won't see very many 'green roofs' in OTR because of the extremely high demand for rooftop decks.

Wasn't Kaldis moving from their location?

Where did you hear they were moving? I do think it would be a more successful business elsewhere. However, even a couple days after the power outages, I saw tons of people in there. Perhaps you just need to put everyone else out of business!

 

They were looking into a move to Findlay Market.  A bartender there said they also considered moving to other locations on Main Street.

You won't see very many 'green roofs' in OTR because of the extremely high demand for rooftop decks.

 

As well as the existing roof framing typically won't allow the additional loads without extensive reinforcement (though there are cable systems that could be applied).

Kevin went a bit more in depth than I did in his article on Building Cincinnati.

 

Two OTR projects in LEED pilot program

 

Two redevelopment projects underway in Over-the-Rhine's Gateway Quarter are seeking to become the first LEED-certified residential buildings in the neighborhood, according to a media release.

 

Both Urban Sites' Belmain project at 1202 Main Street and Northpointe Group/B2B Equities' Mottainai Lofts at 1222-1224 Republic Street are part of a LEED-certified pilot project for mid-rise, multi-family buildings.

 

LEED, a third-party certification program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, promotes sustainable and healthy building practices by recognizing - and rewarding - sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

 

The Belmain will open next summer with 16 residential lofts; Mottainai Lofts will open next spring with eight loft condos.

 

Certification will be determined after both buildings have opened.

 

Currently, the Art Academy of Cincinnati building at 12th and Jackson streets is the only LEED-certified building of any type in Over-the-Rhine.

 

Both the Belmain and Mottainai Lofts are part of Phase III of the Gateway Quarter, a $30.3 million project that includes 106 for-sale housing units and over 15,000 square feet of commercial space.

 

Gateway Quarter Phases I and II resulted in 86 for-sale units and nearly 23,000 square feet of commercial space.

 

 

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2008/09/two-otr-projects-in-leed-pilot-program.html

Joel there are plenty of very beautiful green roofs. I do know what you are saying. I am a Landscape Architect so i am bias as to using these. they really do have a lot of great upsides - longer roof life, lowered heating and cooling cost, reducing storm water runoff, heat absorption, ect.

 

McMicken- Don't any existing structures need retrofitting for the roof to handle additional weight? Green roofs could also be implemented into the new structures that will serve as infill.

 

Rando- I know what you are saying, but greenroofs can also have functional portions.

 

One of my favorite green roofs. Obviously wouldn't fit in OTR

 

 

You won't see very many 'green roofs' in OTR because of the extremely high demand for rooftop decks.

As well as the existing roof framing typically won't allow the additional loads without extensive reinforcement (though there are cable systems that could be applied).

 

I would think that load capacities of buildings like Goodfellows, Duvenck and Trideca would be much higher than what we would get in a new construction building that wasn't purposed for having a green roof. And what constitutes a green roof percentage wise? Although there are rooftop decks, they do not take up the entire rooftop in most cases. Could there be both and still qualify as a "green roof" by the city therefor being eligible for the grants?

It depends on a couple of factors, especially whether the green roof is intensive or extensive (ie, whether you can walk on it/use it or not).  Even the lightest tray systems weigh around 15 pounds per square foot fully saturated (more typical is in the 40-50 pound per SF range).  Combined with 20 pounds per square foot snow load plus 10-20 pounds per square foot dead load of the roof structure and roofing, you're getting up there pretty quickly.  For reference, a typical residential floor load is 40 pounds per square foot plus the dead load of the floor structure).

 

The only buildings that don't need any reinforcing are usually the concrete framed ones.  Anything that's wood is typically undersized, even on the bigger buildings.  The floors in those buildings might be a higher capacity, but usually not the roofs.

 

In addition to the weight issues, you also have slope issues.  While you can step the tray systems, it's harder to get them to work on a steeper sloped roof.

 

That's not to say that green roofs in OTR are impossible, just a bit more challenging.

If they green-roofed some of the Banks, that would be killer!

Rumor has it that a ice cream shop/parlor has signed a lease for a space on 14th Street.  Stay tuned.

a graeters or aglamesis would be awesome! I know that it is not probable, but getting some of the local chains to invest here would really help the cause.

a graeters or aglamesis would be awesome! I know that it is not probable, but getting some of the local chains to invest here would really help the cause.

 

There is a new bookstore on Main that sells Aglamesis Ice Cream:  Iris Book Cafe.

 

It's a joint venture.

14th and Vine?

 

That spot on 12th and Vine would have been a perfect location for something like that

The unfinished Dandridge Townhomes are going to be sold in a Sheriffs sale probably close to years end.

^Where are these at?

behind pendelton if I remember correctly

The unfinished Dandridge Townhomes are going to be sold in a Sheriffs sale probably close to years end.

 

I've always wondered about these whenever I see them.

behind pendelton if I remember correctly

You can see these from Liberty.  Basically between Pendleton and Liberty.

Architects see a future in the city's past

 

By Joy Kraft • The Enquirer • October 11, 2008

 

By buying and renovating the historic Lyric Piano Building on Race Street - and relocating his home and business under its Venetian arches - Dave Collins of the Preview Group joins a group of architects with one eye on downtown's past and another on its future.

 

"It's very valuable to have architects as neighborhood homeowners for two reasons," said Chad Munitz vice president of development for 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.).

Switch opens Oct. 17th.  Little Mahatma and Incredible Creations are both already open.

Are you sure Switch isn't already open?  Maybe they just had a soft opening for the tour of living and have allowed people to browse since, but haven't officially had their "Grand Openeing".

They are open but the Grand Opening is Friday.

Are you sure Switch isn't already open?  Maybe they just had a soft opening for the tour of living and have allowed people to browse since, but haven't officially had their "Grand Openeing".

 

The doors have been open, but the store hasn't been fully finished.  It probably is now, but as Michael mentioned...it is the grand opening.

Financial strategy helps create a diverse Gateway

Graduated rents, flexibility appealing

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/10/20/story4.html

 

More than half the occupied storefront businesses located in the second phase of development in the Gateway Quarter in Over-the-Rhine are owned all in or in part by women or minorities, the result of a concentrated effort to attract small companies unique to Cincinnati that reflect the diversity of the neighborhood.