Give me one week...that one store is only the tip of the iceberg.

Does anyone else remember Randy doing this on the streetcar thread?  Then when the "big news" deadline came, no one had a clue what the "big news" was. 

 

Is this one of those situations? 

 

Is it a refrigerator store?  Is that what "tip of the iceberg" means?

 

 

I'm just joking because I lack patience.

At least can we know if it's not a shoe store or Chinese food place?

Aren't there supposed to be like 4 new airlines open at CVG by now according to "big news" tipsters?

I heard it was going to be the Independent headquarters for The Dean's™ mayorial campaign.

I heard it was going to be the Independent headquarters for The Dean's™ mayorial campaign.

 

 

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!  That'd be awesome!

Give me one week...that one store is only the tip of the iceberg.

How about I give you 24 hours, then I will break it? :wink:

didn't this news already break informally?

Enough already---break the news!!!  LOL.  I am tired of reading about who will break the news and when it will break! This is becoming worse than American Idol results night! 

didn't this news already break informally?

I haven't heard anyone talk about it. You may be thinking about Duveneck.

Office Furniture at Duncanson. Ha!!!!! scooped UrbanCincy! :evil: The rest are yours Randy but at least wait until the leases are signed.

I heard it was going to be the Independent headquarters for The Dean's™ mayorial campaign.

No, that's in Kennedy Heights.

New shelter would allow drinking

By Jane Prendergast, Cincinnati Enquirer, May 14, 2009

 

Cincinnati's contributing $800,000 - and possibly $1.3 million more - to help develop the city's first long-term housing for chronically homeless people, controversial because it'd be yet another social service agency in Over-the-Rhine - and because clients would be allowed to drink alcohol.

If that means keeping the drunks out of washington park then I'm for it:)

If that means keeping the drunks out of washington park then I'm for it:)

 

Sounds like that's the idea.  If they're not going to quit drinking, at least give them a place where they can drink... aside from the $30M soon-to-be-made-over park...

^ It won't keep them out of the park.  This gives them a place to stay where they are allowed to drink is all.  There will be nothing keeping them from continuing to go to the park to get high or get drunk with their friends.

The fact that the Drop Inn's new courtyard has failed to keep them out of Washington Park and from the sidewalks is saying something...

^ It won't keep them out of the park. This gives them a place to stay where they are allowed to drink is all.

I agree, and to a point they are saying we are giving up on trying to help the people break their problems that have contributed to their chronic homelessness and chronic unemployment. Help the people-move them into an area that is conducive to recovery and help them break the destructive behavior that has led them to the homelessness in the first place. This is taking the problem, moving it a couple blocks, and finally accepting its inevitability. This is just another example of a social service not truly being interested in the solution, only the acceptance and the funding that perpetuates it.  They call the development side gentrification, I call the social service side exploitative and extortionist.

Office Furniture at Duncanson.  Ha!!!!! scooped UrbanCincy! :evil:  The rest are yours Randy but at least wait until the leases are signed.

 

Yes an office furniture showroom for the space on 12th Street adjacent to Mica 12/v is the one that some people have heard about.  But the rest have to wait as the leases aren't signed yet, but are expected to be signed within the next week or so.  Just be patient.

Have the immense amounts of dry shelters around here helped the homeless? I understand not wanting to concentrate another social service in this area, but the concept itself isn't a bad one to try if the current system is not working.

^ I hope so. After hearing rumors about several places moving in over the past year, I'll wait to celebrate until ink hits paper.

It's not the concept (for me at least), it's the location.  I actually support the concept as the overall financial costs to society are less over time if we provide safe housing for these individuals, rather than constantly paying for cops, jail space, court time, ER visits, etc.  The problem is that this location is the absolute last place you would want to place someone.  Locating it in a neighborhood struggling with crime, drugs, prostitution, etc is the worst place you would want to place someone who had drug and alcohol problems.

I hope they're more exciting announcements than an office furniture showroom....

Have the immense amounts of dry shelters around here helped the homeless?

I have fewer questions about the concept than I do the overall motive and agenda of shelters such as the Drop Inn. Dry shelters, Wet shelters, has any of this helped the homeless get out of homelessness? If that were indeed the goal, it would not be located where it is for one, and second, would not enable the behavior that in many cases is directly associated with the problem to begin with. This is nothing more than the Drop Inn exploiting the homeless by using them as leverage to extort "$800,000 - and possibly $1.3 million more".

Warehouses... er, homeless shelters like the Drop Inn, have about a 30% success rate. Considering the amount of money they require to house the homeless, that is a very poor return. You can use other methods of intervention that offer a higher rate of success for less money.

Is it a Skyline!?!

I hope not. I'd rather have a Dixie Chili than that! :)

Please be a averaged priced/casual food/sports bar type of place...please...

Warehouses... er, homeless shelters like the Drop Inn, have about a 30% success rate.

That may be true on a national level however I believe that a report came out a year or two ago (McMicken will probably remember this) that showed a much lower percentage of people who found permanent housing relative to those "served" by the Drop Inn.

 

They chose that location originally because of its proximity to City Hall so they could have the homeless "in the face" of the city and squatted in their current location. They continue to use the negative behavior of users of the shelter as leverage against 3CDC and the City to get funding. They are extortionist and if the rest of the city would see how they are exploiting these people for the sake of funding, then perhaps fewer and fewer would donate to this revolving door of a shelter. More and more funding, fewer and fewer results, now throw in enabling and you have yourself a scam.

[fingers crossed ]Long John Sliver's [/]

Question:  why is 3CDC behind this concept?  I can see them helping social services in general so that they can point to helping alleviate displacement (a whole other topic), but to see them back a wet shelter in this location... not sure how they think this is helping their agenda...

^If you notice, that bar on the southeast corner of 12th and Race is open at suspiciously odd hours that just happen to coincide with the hours when people leave the Drop Inn Center.  They want those folks out of the park, particularly by the time the school opens.

 

The key is creating a sense that the illicit behavior that currently happens in Washington Park is no longer tolerated.  You aren't changing the law, just finally enforcing it.  This is a way to save the park without forcing those folks to move to a different area and have the people their complain about that.

 

The only thing that will help those people in the long run is consistent counseling from people who know what they are doing and are paid well to execute it.

Question:  why is 3CDC behind this concept?  I can see them helping social services in general so that they can point to helping alleviate displacement (a whole other topic), but to see them back a wet shelter in this location... not sure how they think this is helping their agenda...

I don't think it being a wet or dry shelter matters to 3CDC. What matters to them is that they are pushing these people further North. I wonder if evenetually, the Brewery District will be the dumping ground and South of Liberty will be "The New Over-the-Rhine" supported by 3CDC. McMicken is absolutely correct though. These folks are going to continue their destructive habits as long as they are surrounded by an environment that enables them. And those habits include hanging around Washington Park doing stuff they shouldn't be doing. It would be nice if the police actually enforced liqour laws in the park, then these people would HAVE to use Drop Inn's courtyard.

^If you notice, that bar on the southeast corner of 12th and Race is open at suspiciously odd hours that just happen to coincide with the hours when people leave the Drop Inn Center.

 

The bar was either robbed or the building was broken into yesterday again.

I don't think it being a wet or dry shelter matters to 3CDC

I think you are exactly right.  The motivation of each group is different yet I do not believe that any one is driven purely to help the homeless.  I, more than most, can appreciate 3CDC's seeking a change for the area and identifying the current location of the Drop Inn as problematic and therefor providing funding that does not eliminate the service, but relocates it.  The motivation of the Drop Inn however is not pure either in that they are only seeking funding and is not, nor have they ever, sought to break the homeless cycle.

It would be nice if the police actually enforced liqour laws in the park, then these people would HAVE to use Drop Inn's courtyard.

That stepped up enforcement will come with the redevelopment of the Park.  Keep in mind that the park will be more than just a beautification effort, but will resemble the Fountain Square Project that brings event after event.  There will always be something going on in Wash. Park and the status quo will not remain.

"That stepped up enforcement will come with the redevelopment of the Park. Keep in mind that the park will be more than just a beautification effort, but will resemble the Fountain Square Project that brings event after event. There will always be something going on in Wash. Park and the status quo will not remain."

 

:clap: That's great to hear. It really is the programming and leasing that makes Fountain Square a successful project (architecturally, it's not that groundbreaking beyond the led glass wall). Having people in Washington Park (which is our Central Park, and should be regarded as such) will go a long way to clean it up. Every time I walk by I notice all the embedded wrought iron in the concrete curbs along the edge of the park, and think how beautiful it would be if that ornate iron work were still there. Back to the topic at hand, I do wonder about 3CDC's intentions North of Liberty. I wonder if housing these people at Odeon is part of an agenda to push them North, or just a compromise with OTRCH to keep people in the neighborhood. The ideal situation, in my opinion, would be that they help finance a relocation to a more another area all together. Perhaps somewhere more...suburban?

Over-the-Rhine is far from a forgotten local neighborhood

 

The Associated Press article "Emptied and Forgotten" (May 5) focused on deterioration in some of America's rustbelt cities. A better story would have been the rebirth that's under way in urban neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20090517/EDIT02/905170413/

Having people in Washington Park (which is our Central Park, and should be regarded as such) will go a long way to clean it up.

 

I'd beg to differ and say that Washington Park is our Washington Square Park (no regards to the similarities in name) and Burnet Woods should be regarded as our Central Park.

Cincinnati is incapable of having a "Central Park" mostly because of geography. Though the old Lincoln Park was probably as close to a Central Park as Cincinnati ever had.

Although we have a lot of great parks, and I suppose Eden Park could be considered the "main" park, we do lack one obvious "central" park.  UC is built on what was originally part of Burnet Woods, so that park was originally quite a bit larger.

 

But if Joseph Burnet hadn't donated his farm to the city back around 1820, Cincinnati College would have been located somewhere else, and the whole character of the city would be quite different.  For example if what became UC was instead in Camp Washington or Ivorydale or Walnut Hills.   

Rookwood Pottery finishes first phase of $18M rehabiltiation project in OTR

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0519rookwood.aspx

 

Rookwood Pottery got its start back in 1818, but is currently in the midst of an exciting period of expansion and growth.  Christopher Rose brought the historic company back to life in 2006 and has been responsible for the revival of the brand and its history ever since.

 

The fruits of that labor have led to the relocation of the venerated business from a small Corryville operation to a new 100,000 square-foot location near Findlay Market in the historic neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine.  So far, the company has invested $2.3 million into the building.

 

Plans are to quickly move into the second phase of the project which includes an additional 55,000 square feet of renovated space featuring a retail component and Race Street facade that will quickly become a neighborhood landmark.

 

Once complete, the $5.5 million first and second phases of the rehabilitation work will be completed within two years, with an additional future investment of $18 million also being a possibility.

 

Rookwood Pottery is working with GBBN Architects on the rehabilitation work that will lead to a complete reprogramming of the space. The new structure will eventually house their main operations, storage of raw materials, a museum and showcase area, retail space, and a Japanese arts and crafts style garden on the roof suitable for entertaining.

 

Rose says they receive a number of requests from around the country to tour their operations and learn more about Rookwood’s rich and venerated history.  As a result, the building is being designed to handle some 200,000 visitors per year, many of whom will be from out of town.

 

Rose is also working to ensure that the rehabilitation work is environmentally friendly.  In addition to the rooftop garden, they are also looking to incorporate as much solar power as possible, says Rose.  According to recent estimates, Rose hopes to take 90-95 percent of the building off the grid once complete.

 

“I chose this location so that we could be right on the streetcar line.  If you want to start looking at a return on investment, for the streetcar, then you can look at us.  We’re going in here with the streetcar in mind,” says Rose.

 

Also important is the close proximity to Findlay Market and the opportunity to be a secondary anchor for that part of Over-the-Rhine.  Future plans include monthly meet-and-greets so that people can visit the new facility.

 

Rookwood Pottery also hopes to leave a lasting impression on Cincinnati’s urban core by encouraging Over-the-Rhine developers to use Rookwood finishes in their buildings, and especially on the exteriors of their redeveloped properties.

 

"Over-the-Rhine has great Italianate architecture and we could really make this unique by leaving a Cincinnati touch on the street-level finishes of these buildings," says Rose.  Rookwood is currently working on several Over-the-Rhine projects including Lackman Lofts, Fourteenth & Vine and the exterior of Twist on Fourth Street.

 

Throughout the rest of the year, Rookwood Pottery plans to host several fundraising events at their new Over-the-Rhine location.  Those interested in staying up-to-date on the latest Rookwood news can sign up for the First to Know Rookwood Club.

 

New Race Street Facade:

 

New Japanese arts and crafts style rooftop garden:

I would contend that Washington Park is more like Central Park in that it is located in the urban core. Clifton is more of an inner-ring "first suburb". Although, I think dmerkow is right that Lincoln Park was a better analogy. STILL, the respect, importance, and patronage of Central Park should be given to Washington Park. So, back on topic...wow those are some hot, eye candy renderings. I can only imagine what it will be like to have that glass facade up there on Race! I think I'm actually starting to salivate...

I hear that a subcontractor was assaulted and robbed at the Galleries at Pendleton soon after construction resumed on the property. Apparently, they're having trouble getting more subs down there to work. Anyone else heard this?

Q&A with Bill Baum

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/05/25/story22.html

 

Bill Baum, co-owner of Urban Sites Properties, has been saving historic buildings in Over-the-Rhine for 25 years. Many in the neighborhood credit him with keeping the revitalization effort alive through all the booms and busts the troubled area has experienced.

 

Marge Hammelrath, former executive director of the Over-the-Rhine Foundation, once said, “If it hadn’t been for Bill, I think we would have bulldozed Over-the-Rhine by now.”

 

Click link for rest of article.

What kind of interview was this? Might as well asked him what his favorite color was.

I hear that a subcontractor was assaulted and robbed at the Galleries at Pendleton soon after construction resumed on the property. Apparently, they're having trouble getting more subs down there to work. Anyone else heard this?

 

Yes. In relation, I have a close friend that was just assaulted near Pendleton just last week and is now in a cast for the next 13 weeks.

What kind of interview was this? Might as well asked him what his favorite color was.

 

The Business Courier regularly runs Q&A's like this as a way to get to know and familiarize yourself with some of the prominent business people in the Cincinnati region.  Just thought that some people might find it interesting and/or relevant to the discussion since it's covering one of the most important/powerful developers in OTR.

There are several unidentified businesses mentioned in the article that can't be discussed yet, but they are coming.  You'll know more as soon as I get word that they're inked.

 

New businesses opening in Over-the-Rhine

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0526otrbusinesses.aspx

 

What was at one point one of the most troubled intersections in Cincinnati has now become the trendiest shopping district in the Greater Cincinnati region. During the completion of the first phases of the wildly successful Gateway Quarter, dozens of new businesses have opened with more on the way.

 

Gateway Quarter leasing consultant, Kathleen Norris reports if the next round of leases goes through, historic Over-the-Rhine will see 24 new businesses opened in just two years.

 

The first wave of businesses included a unique focus offering specialized retailers that Norris says were designed to create a destination atmosphere rather than focusing on service retailers such as banks or dry cleaners.  “When we started this project we knew we had to ensure survivability for our retailers…we had to create an instant critical mass,” says Norris.

 

That strategy seems to be working with popular retailers such as Park+Vine, City Roots, Outside, Mica 12/v, Metronation, Joseph Williams Home, A Lucky Step and Lavomatic.  These retailers have helped to create destination atmosphere the Gateway Quarter was banking on.

 

“We’re still looking for those lively, creative retailers and business owners for whom this is their perfect neighborhood,” says Norris.  Part of that creative business model is bringing in “high creative office users” like the newly signed Vine Street Interactive which will take occupancy of some 1,100 square feet of space in the Gateway Building on Vine Street.

 

Vine Street Interactive is a company started by native Cincinnatian, Mark Celsor who works as a freelance web developer.  Returning to Cincinnati from San Francisco to work on this business venture, Celsor found the energetic Gateway Quarter to be an ideal spot for his business and hopes to be moved in by the end of the month.

 

A new office furniture showroom on 12th Street called Integrated WorkSpace Solutions will also occupy 700 square feet of space in the Quarter.

 

“As more spaces become available and retailers become more established, and as our customers become more familiar with the neighborhood, we will try to backfill with those neighborhood amenities,” says Norris.  She goes on to say that specialty food stores would be a possibility, but also says that the Kroger grocery store on Vine Street is a solid asset to build from.

 

Norris goes on to say that the next phase of businesses will attempt to focus on ideal locations for restaurants throughout the neighborhood.  “We can really make this Cincinnati’s independent restaurant district,” says Norris.

 

3CDC currently controls dozens of more commercial properties throughout Over-the-Rhine south of Liberty Street.  Kathleen Norris says that interest continues to grow and that in addition to these two new business additions, there are several more that are in the works and should be announced soon.

There are several unidentified businesses mentioned in the article that can't be discussed yet, but they are coming.  You'll know more as soon as I get word that they're inked.

 

New businesses opening in Over-the-Rhine

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0526otrbusinesses.aspx

 

What was at one point one of the most troubled intersections in Cincinnati has now become the trendiest shopping district in the Greater Cincinnati region. During the completion of the first phases of the wildly successful Gateway Quarter, dozens of new businesses have opened with more on the way.

 

Gateway Quarter leasing consultant, Kathleen Norris reports if the next round of leases goes through, historic Over-the-Rhine will see 24 new businesses opened in just two years.

 

The first wave of businesses included a unique focus offering specialized retailers that Norris says were designed to create a destination atmosphere rather than focusing on service retailers such as banks or dry cleaners.  “When we started this project we knew we had to ensure survivability for our retailers…we had to create an instant critical mass,” says Norris.

 

That strategy seems to be working with popular retailers such as Park+Vine, City Roots, Outside, Mica 12/v, Metronation, Joseph Williams Home, A Lucky Step and Lavomatic.  These retailers have helped to create destination atmosphere the Gateway Quarter was banking on.

 

“We’re still looking for those lively, creative retailers and business owners for whom this is their perfect neighborhood,” says Norris.  Part of that creative business model is bringing in “high creative office users” like the newly signed Vine Street Interactive which will take occupancy of some 1,100 square feet of space in the Gateway Building on Vine Street.

 

Vine Street Interactive is a company started by native Cincinnatian, Mark Celsor who works as a freelance web developer.  Returning to Cincinnati from San Francisco to work on this business venture, Celsor found the energetic Gateway Quarter to be an ideal spot for his business and hopes to be moved in by the end of the month.

 

A new office furniture showroom on 12th Street called Integrated WorkSpace Solutions will also occupy 700 square feet of space in the Quarter.

 

“As more spaces become available and retailers become more established, and as our customers become more familiar with the neighborhood, we will try to backfill with those neighborhood amenities,” says Norris.  She goes on to say that specialty food stores would be a possibility, but also says that the Kroger grocery store on Vine Street is a solid asset to build from.

 

Norris goes on to say that the next phase of businesses will attempt to focus on ideal locations for restaurants throughout the neighborhood.  “We can really make this Cincinnati’s independent restaurant district,” says Norris.

 

3CDC currently controls dozens of more commercial properties throughout Over-the-Rhine south of Liberty Street.  Kathleen Norris says that interest continues to grow and that in addition to these two new business additions, there are several more that are in the works and should be announced soon.

 

When are they going to announce Melt and the burger place moving into Duveneck ground floor???  Hopefully Urban Sites, with 3CDC prodding, will address the structural sound issues in the building before a class action suit is filed by the condo owners....

Where does Melt plan on moving to?

 

It'll be pretty upsetting if Urban Sites ends up being the reason that there is an empty restuarant pad in such a marquee location in the Q.

When are they going to announce Melt and the burger place moving into Duveneck ground floor???

There is more at play than simply inking the deal. Many times, the tenant wants to be the one to do the announcement, especially when it involves either an expansion or a move.

 

Hopefully Urban Sites, with 3CDC prodding, will address the structural sound issues in the building before a class action suit is filed by the condo owners....

It has been my understanding that Urban Sites is currently working on sound issues in the building. When original floors are used and ceilings are left exposed you achieve a great look at the expense of perfect function. The problem will be solved one way or another as Urban Sites, with or without 3CDC prodding, constantly strives to put out quality product.