Last night I walked with Kevin Lemaster from 12th up to Liberty around 1am, and there was literally nobody outside. I walk around there regularly during the day, and bike through at night all the time, but it was incredible for there to be none -- zero -- of the old drug and prostitution scene, for those of us who remember how things used to be down there. I do regret not taking a video camera and recording how wild that strip used to be at night in the 90's and up until just recently, a before and after would have made for an incredible youtube clip.   

On Vine?

 

I remember Cunningham a few months ago saying that 15th and Vine was the most dangerous corner in OTR and in Cincinnati. Ronny (Gordon Bombay) called in, stating he'd provide proof. We walked down to that corner at midnight and there was only a few souls around -- and college kids. We didn't get raped or mugged like Cunningham was probably envisioning.

Last night I walked with Kevin Lemaster from 12th up to Liberty around 1am, and there was literally nobody outside. I walk around there regularly during the day, and bike through at night all the time, but it was incredible for there to be none -- zero -- of the old drug and prostitution scene, for those of us who remember how things used to be down there. I do regret not taking a video camera and recording how wild that strip used to be at night in the 90's and up until just recently, a before and after would have made for an incredible youtube clip.

 

Although I haven't seen anything bad on Vine St since I started going to Cincy 3 years ago, when I visited in June the scene on Race was nothing to brag about.  People were lounging around on every surface and a guy was peeing directly into the street.  This was in the early afternoon.

Although I haven't seen anything bad on Vine St since I started going to Cincy 3 years ago, when I visited in June the scene on Race was nothing to brag about.  People were lounging around on every surface and a guy was peeing directly into the street.  This was in the early afternoon.

 

What you mean peeing in the street during the middle of the day isn't normal in Milwaukee?

...a guy was peeing directly into the street. This was in the early afternoon.

 

We've all had those days before.

Well, they had two shootings Friday night... one on Vine at McMicken and the other in the West End. Buttocks and legs shot, gang related.

 

That said, the crime rate has not drastically declined north of Liberty and east of Central. Most of the crime reductions have been coming from South of Liberty in the Gateway Quarter district, and has slightly increased along Main and to the east in the Pendleton district.

So it sounds like they are close to landing a third restaurant? Next to Senate and accross from Lavomatic. I'm sure some of you already know the inside details, but this is new news to me. Very exciting.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/09/07/story12.html?b=1252296000^2044481

 

Realtor jumps in with both feet for Cincinnati's Gateway Quarter revival

I was a part of UC's DAAP input on this project early on, so I thought I'd share for those interested:

 

---

 

From Mike Morgan (OTR Foundation):

 

Over-the-Rhine Green Historic Study

 

Exploring the Intersection Between Environmental Sustainability and Historic Preservation

 

Findings of year long study to be announced in a public presentation on September 18, 2009 at 5PM

 

On Friday, September 18, the findings of the "Over-the-Rhine Green Historic Study" will be revealed in a  public presentation that will be held at the University of Cincinnati campus, 2624 Clifton Ave., (the DAAP building), in Auditorium 4400.  The presentation is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 5PM for welcome and reception.  Presentation begins at 5:30PM.  Question and Answer period will begin at 6:15PM, and the program will conclude by 6:30PM.

 

The Study

 

In the spring of 2008, the Over-the-Rhine Foundation began work on the "Over-the-Rhine Green Historic Study."  The goal of the study was to test a common assumption:  that historic buildings are inherently energy inefficient.  The study compiled a cross-disciplinary team of professionals to look at conflicts and commonalities between the goals of "green design" and historic preservation.  The project was co-managed by the Over-the-Rhine Foundation and historic consultants Gray & Pape, Inc.  It was funded, in part, by grants from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office and Duke Energy.

 

The "Over-the-Rhine Green Historic Study" took over a year to complete.  A full study report will be printed later this month.  The study brought together an unprecedented cross-disciplinary team, including:  LEED certified architects, historic preservation consultants, developers, building code experts, solar and geothermal experts, and a structural engineer.  It also utilized a University of Cincinnati DAAP course and a graduate level design seminar.

Just as a reminder to everyone that the Tour of Living at the Gateway Quarter is happening today from 12-5 along with the Tour de Fronts and Second Sundays on Main. 

 

This is a FREE TOUR

 

All of the condos and commercial spaces will be open on Vine, Republic, Race, Main and Trinity Flats will be open for the first time today across from 14th and Vine.

 

also on the tour;

Gateway

Duveneck

14th and Vine

Trideca

City Home (will be grilling out)

Lackman Lofts

Duncanson (not open-sold out)

Mottainai

Falling Wall

Centenial Row

Belmain

Trinity Flats (open for the first time)

 

For more information

http://gatewayquarter.com/

OMG, I really want to go.  Make sure to take lots of photos.  I hope they used Rookwood in Trinity Flats too.

I hope they used Rookwood in Trinity Flats too.

Not at this point according to Matt Reckman.

 

There is already tons of people floating from Main to Vine now and all of the vendors are getting ready to open. There is a sea of Vitality OTR Volunteer Ambassadors floating around right now so if you need any help navigating your way from building to building, stop anyone in an orange shirt.

 

Main is shut down above 12th but you can park in any of the lots including the one at the Quarter (just remember that is a pay lot) street parking is still available but is filling up fast.

What a fantastic turnout today. I am now seriously considering purchasing a condo, and showed my parents (for the first time) many of the units. They liked the large, defined spaces of 14th and Vine, and the kitchen at Trinity Flats (well, the two units that were open). The deck on the units at Trinity Flats were very large and very much awesome, and it is a place I can see myself living at.

 

Will there be an elevator installed for those units? Reason I am asking is that I commute by bike a lot, and it is a hassle to drag a bike up and down stairs. Or will there be a common bike-lock like at Belmain?

 

I was also impressed with Belmain -- my first time inside the finished units, which apparently went from apartment to condo. Urban Sites is aiming for LEED certification. Park+Vine supplied the paint, and Jim Moll did the interior touch-ups. Very nice, and the prices were VERY reasonable and almost made me want to drop down the down payment TODAY for a unit on the top floor. I came close, but I may wait and see what comes online in the 1400 block of Vine in the next year.

 

My parents are both from a rural/suburban area. They were curious why laundry hookups were in closets and why there were few bathtubs. I think they have accepted the fact that I want to get a unit in OTR versus say... in a suburban area, and that I'd rather live near downtown than in some outlying neighborhood, and they are starting to see the value and appreciate the smallness of such a unit.

I was at the loft tour towards the end of the day. Unfortunately, the event was really winding down by 3:30, but it was still a tolerable mix of yuppies and old people looking at condos, with a few transients, screaming children, and wannabe thugs looking on.

 

I thought the units were great, and very diverse in character. Most of the price points seemed reasonable for units within such easy walking distance of the CBD. I know that some people in Cincinnati consider anything in the 6 figures to be too expensive (apparently like the two crazy unwashed anti-3CDC protesters with signs) but virtually all of the units are extremely affordable to people with professional jobs.

 

The only concern for me (and especially my wife) was essentially the neighborhood. It's not quite "there" yet. I'll be excited to see if the upcoming completion of SCPA and the Washington Park renovation spur on another shift in the area. For now, I think someone still has to have that "urban pioneer" mentality (sorry, I hate that word, but it's the best description of the concept) in order to overlook the remaining vacant buildings and assorted loiterers.

 

But again, for the buildings that are renovated ... very very nice.

Will there be an elevator installed for those units? Reason I am asking is that I commute by bike a lot, and it is a hassle to drag a bike up and down stairs. Or will there be a common bike-lock like at Belmain?

 

I thought I remember seeing an elevator shaft being constructed on the backside of Trinity when I was there for the Gateway Expansion Tour a few months ago.

Where were the 3CDC protestors at? 13th and Vine?

The 3CDC protesters were at 12th and Vine when we were leaving, probably around 3:30 or 4.  There was one at the Northeast and one at the Southwest corner.  Neither approached or bothered me or those I was with, but their signs were certainly screaming for attention.

 

Regarding the rest of the event, I was very impressed.  I've been quietly following the Q for a while now and have driven and walked through several times, but this was my first opportunity to get in some of the units.  There was a good turnout and everyone really seemed to be enjoying themselves.  As for the above comment on transients and wannabe thugs, it was actually better than I was expecting.  There were definitely those who appeared to fit the bill, but as with the protesters, none of them were interested in bothering us or anyone else on the tour. 

 

The two units in Good Fellows Hall that were open were by far the most impressive of them all.  If I had a cool $400k to drop, that just might be where I'd look.  Agree with Sherman that those in the Belmain building are great as well.  There seems to be something for everyone.

I don't understand the logic of the protesters.  As I understand it, no one has been kicked out of any of the building that have been or are being renovated.  It also annoys me when students at UC say "crime is moving up to around campus because OTR is being cleaned up."  No one I've talked to has been able to back that up with facts.

It was a great event from what I saw from the brief time I was there. Lots of young ladies in attendance, next year they need some live music and a beer tent at the 12th St. parking lot. 

 

<img src="http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/jmecklenborg/3-6.jpg">

Nice photos there, anyone have any more from the tour?

I shot a few but I won't get to them until Wednesday.

Some of mine here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/taestell/sets/72157622248893957/

Sorry, I didn't get over to Main and didn't realize they were having that street festival.  Still, they should probably think about having something over by the Vine St. lot next year.

I don't understand the logic of the protesters. As I understand it, no one has been kicked out of any of the building that have been or are being renovated.

 

I share your confusion. But trust me, If you had met these protesters, you wouldn't be making the mistake of presuming they had any logic to begin with. One of them was even telling passers-by that 3CDC was going to tear down all the historical buildings in OTR ... which should give everyone some indication of how disconnected from reality they are.

 

I presume they were just some washed-up old culture warriors. Part of the distressing group of people (on both sides of the political aisle, I might add) who insist upon the forced concentration of poverty in the urban core.

The protesters were were probably at one time affiliated with Buddy Gray.  No doubt Gray is turning over in his grave -- in order to be the big-shot he was the poor needed to be right next to Music Hall and City Hall. If the Drop-In Shelter and Buddy's Place were out in Ivorydale, he would have been lucky to have gotten on TV once a year. 

 

<img src="http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/jmecklenborg/8-6.jpg">

 

These are the folks that stand at the corner of Calhoun and Clifton on Friday evenings. Usually their ire is directed toward anti-war and the like.

Some of mine here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/taestell/sets/72157622248893957/

 

great pictures, thanks for sharing

Ha look at the protestors.  The enemy of the poor isnt 3CDC, it's settling with being poor lol.

The enemies of the "poor" are poverty pimps like Gray and Chris Smitherman.  When the mentally ill were de-institutionalized and released on to the nation's city streets, it gave them their power. 

Does anyone have a handy list of what phase 3cdc is on, what is included in that phase, and what project are going to start next?  I am a little lost.

Does anyone have a handy list of what phase 3cdc is on, what is included in that phase, and what project are going to start next? I am a little lost.

 

That's a great question and one I'd like to know too. Maybe a graphic?

Does anyone have a handy list of what phase 3cdc is on, what is included in that phase, and what project are going to start next? I am a little lost.

Phase 4.

John Hueber Homes between 1400 and 1500 Race St

Phase 2 of City Home

B2B between the 1400 and 1500 on Elm

Northpointe Group between the 1400 and 1500 of Vine rental

Mercer Commons

 

Of course there are many other things that could be announced as well as the other projects like Wash. Park. The biggest difference will be added commercial tenants and there is a new commercial agent on the project, Terri Danzilo.

Properties are still left in each of the previous phases although some buildings are completely sold out including Duncanson and Bremen.

1400-1416 race street is being converted into commercial office space and is out for bid right now.  the bid is just to "white-box" the building. 

 

not sure if anyone else has mentioned that...

^What do you mean by "white-boxing"?  Their exteriors look to be in good shape.

^What do you mean by "white-boxing"? Their exteriors look to be in good shape.

 

I am not in the industry, but I would imagine the term means to make the interior an unfinished white box.

Ohh, okay.  I wasn't sure if it meant wrapping the exterior with a generic facing.

 

Hmmm.

I would like to see development by the old SCPA.  We have Vinyl and we have that boarded up club called Vybz.  We have two gigantic surface parking lots across the street too.  There's a lot of potential there.

Sorry - it means make the building 100% ready for a future tenant to apply their own finishes.  Everything will be refurbished, interior and exterior.

That means these buildings will be rehabilitated? A good move, which links the Vine Street corridor to the isolated City Home project on Pleasant Street.

 

Do you know the status of the 1300 and 1200 block of Race? Many of the once occupied buildings have been boarded up.

^What do you mean by "white-boxing"? Their exteriors look to be in good shape.

 

I am not in the industry, but I would imagine the term means to make the interior an unfinished white box.

 

lol

Study shows Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine perfect place to marry historic preservation, green movements

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/09/21/story2.html?ana=e_ph

 

"While the neighborhood’s drafty old buildings might seem horribly energy-inefficient, the dense neighborhood and proximity to mass transit give them an edge in the LEED rating systems used in green design, said Chad Edwards, a principal with Emersion Design and a member of the study team. And, in many cases, simple fixes such as storm windows can make the buildings more energy-efficient while keeping their historic character, he said."

There's much more opportunity for something like that in Queensgate, a neighborhood that truly needs infill.  I'd like to see the continued efforts prevail in OTR.  New construction should complement the Italianate architecture, not compete with it.

There is no neighborhood in Queensgate, outside of a scatting of homes in the middle of large industrial developments. It is too far gone to really do much with. Are you thinking of Lower Price Hill, the West End or the area near the new sign museum?

^Nearest to Lower Price Hill or the West End, creating a new district on the periphery of existing neighborhoods.  We would greatly benefit from a cluster of green industry.  Price Hill and OTR are two city neighborhoods that already bear stronger green ethics.

Eh, there isn't much saving Lower Price Hill. The stench of the treatment plants, the heavy industry nearby, the isolated nature of the neighborhood... I'd rather see what little remains demolished and replaced by new industry... such as the new mutli-modal facility proposed.

Essentially, I think we're agreeing on the same thing, with regards to Lower Price Hill.  But that itself is a neighborhood that would benefit from infill green industrial and a domino effect into Queensgate.  The multi-modal facility would be a positive catalyst.

 

Now to get back on topic. 

Cincy ought to open up OTR as some sort or large scale showroom or have some sort of competition for national and international firms in LEED design. Invite everyone to come in, pick a building, do their thing (within historic district guidelines), and watch things happen.

 

The biggest thing we got out of the OTR Green Historic Study was that you don't need a fancy design or high tech systems to achieve sustainable design in Over-the-Rhine.

 

These buildings and this neighborhood was designed and built sustainably, and it takes very little effort to meet LEED certification.  Everybody is already welcome to pick out a building and do their thing.

On other news, how are the businesses in that area doing?  Are they in general doing okay?  Would love to hear that business is stable to good.

On other news, how are the businesses in that area doing? Are they in general doing okay? Would love to hear that business is stable to good.

 

Last year before the holidays I asked the owner of MICA how they were doing, and he said something along the lines of better than they expected.  I would think business has improved with the surrounding area.

Smaller specialty retailers are, on average, having a tough time this year with the economy in its current state. I think this is going to be a critical holiday time for many of these businesses. If you enjoy the businesses that are down there, be sure to stop in when you do your shopping this year.

As of December, Park and Vine was having their best monthly sales ever. Support your local tenants!