a movie theatre downtown would be awesome - i think another grocery store would be nice, although luckily we're a couple blocks from the vine st kroger and walking distance to findlay

 

will be moving to OTR in about a week, we're the ones who bought the last unit in mottainai :)

Congrats prolix!

will be moving to OTR in about a week, we're the ones who bought the last unit in mottainai :)

 

We live right around the corner.  Welcome.

will be moving to OTR in about a week, we're the ones who bought the last unit in mottainai :)

 

Welcome :) And that is a really nice unit, congratulations!

3CDC just posted their April progress report. http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/April-2010.pdf

This involves the 1400 block of Vine Street where there are several concurrent renovations of the buildings into the next phase of the Gateway Quarter. Smitty's was unaffected in the renovations, but the fire apparently started there.

 

Crews battle large fire in OTR

By Jennifer Baker, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 28, 2010

 

OVER-THE-RHINE – A large fire in a commercial building in the 1400 block of Vine Street spread to three other buildings early Wednesday in a spectacular blaze that left plumes of smoke hovering over Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

 

Crews were called to 1427 Vine St. just after 3:30 a.m. after receiving a report of flames shooting from the building, said Capt. Michael A. Washington, fire spokesman.

It's unfortunate since it sounds like the building is a complete lost... HOWEVER, how can a place like Smitty's afford to stay open with damage to this degree? I'm interested in hearing the cause of this fire.

 

I myself wouldn't mind the pimp wear to move elsewhere and maybe 3CDC can take over the remainder of that block. *crosses fingers that the building can be saved*

Street View link:

 

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.111382,-84.515555&spn=0,0.00317&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.111382,-84.515555&panoid=4vyNHmgLu90CHZ3MPSh47A&cbp=12,261.75,,0,-7.34

So I had to laugh at this comment from Bryon Martin:

 

"So....did a massive number of light-bulbs simultaneously exploding start the OTR fire at Smitty's this morning?"

 

--

 

Article updated.

 

[*]Kelly Leon stated that she was not aware of damage to any 3CDC buildings.

[*]A front of a building two doors down collapsed onto the street.

 

And for fuck's sake, don't read the comments on this one. They are absolutely disgusting. I'm calling the Enquirer to complain because it just goes overboard.

And for f$&k's sake, don't read the comments on this one. They are absolutely disgusting. I'm calling the Enquirer to complain because it just goes overboard.

 

I'm all for free speech, but the Enquirer really needs to disable comments. Nothing intelligent is ever said. EVER!  :shoot:

And for fuck's sake, don't read the comments on this one. They are absolutely disgusting. I'm calling the Enquirer to complain because it just goes overboard.

 

Do it! We all should ... The Enquirer is such a joke.

 

It drives me crazy having a tabloid message board for a city newspaper.

 

 

If I'm looking at the streetview, which building was it that collapsed?

 

I wonder if they just meant the heavy overhead canopy that says "SHOES" on the one story next door because 2 buildings down in the picture looks fine. I can see it filling with water and debris and getting too heavy to support itself.

Word on the street is the main 4 story building is also unsalvageable. 

Looks like the Kroger on Vine is on the list of possible closings due to its under performance.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100427/BIZ01/4280341

 

They also plan to keep lines of communication open regarding two other under performing Kroger stores in Cincinnati - on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine and on McMillan Street in Walnut Hills.

 

Threats still exist in Over-the-Rhine and Walnut Hills, though Kroger has invested in technology, physical improvements and a wider product selection at both stores. They have yet to provide a return on investment, but Kroger said that sales on Vine Street had improved. Kroger still operates in Walnut Hills on a three-year lease extension that began in 2009.

The portion that had the facade collapse would most likely be this portion of Smitty's, since properties south of Smitty's -- that are 3CDC owned, were not directly affected by the fire.

 

 

 

^Facade collapse

 

 

_{These are not my photographs but of programs.}

That's correct.  Additionally 3CDC is renovating the buildings to the south of Smitty's but they are not damaged.

Looks like the Kroger on Vine is on the list of possible closings due to its under performance.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100427/BIZ01/4280341

 

They also plan to keep lines of communication open regarding two other under performing Kroger stores in Cincinnati - on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine and on McMillan Street in Walnut Hills.

 

Threats still exist in Over-the-Rhine and Walnut Hills, though Kroger has invested in technology, physical improvements and a wider product selection at both stores. They have yet to provide a return on investment, but Kroger said that sales on Vine Street had improved. Kroger still operates in Walnut Hills on a three-year lease extension that began in 2009.

 

It would be awful if they close the OTR store.  I suspect many people do not own cars and probably walk there for their groceries.  With new condos and apartments going in the area, I suspect business can pick up for them.  Besides, I thought they had an agreement with the city to keep that store open.  I thought it was part of the deal with the city building the Gateway Garage on Central Parkway.

 

Besides, why the push for all these super-sized stores?  I hear more people complain about the size of them.  I prefer the smaller-sized grocery stores such as the OTR one.  It doesn't take me 30 minutes to buy two items there like it does at some of the huge grocery stores.

Gotta keep pace with Wally World

Kroger is responding to the demands of a suburban low-density and car dependent demographic.  Until they learn how to do "Urban" pedestrian friendly and non-car dependent stores like their competitors (i.e. Publix), these stores will continue to under-perform and not adequately serve the surrounding population.

I also heard this morning that more buildings may have to come down.

Tarbell just stated that 2 buildings will need to come down, but 2 others are salvageable.

When I was there at lunch they were in the process of razing the 1 and 2 story building (see pic). The 4 story had significant damage to the back brick exterior but at this point is salvageable. The 3 story is owned by 3CDC and was in good condition.

JT Barse, of NorthPointe, ran down to the 1400 block of Vine this morning to photograph the fire and remains. Click through to view his photographs...

 

OTR Tragedy: Smitty’s Burns

 

It was 7:30 am and my first alarm had just gone off and been snoozed. The theme song to Austin Powers came through my phone speakers, meaning someone was calling me. I squinted to see my bosses name, and instantly jumped to the next level of coherence. I tried my best to disguise the sleepiness in my voice, but it was readily apparent that I was still horizontal.

 

“Get up big boy, I’ve got a job for you. Smitty’s is on fire, so get up there see what’s going on.” my boss said as I scrambled around looking for jeans and a shirt to throw on.

 

Igrabbed my cameras (still and Flip) and ran down to the garage to get my hard hat and safety glasses out of my car. I walked a few blocks north to see a plethora of pump and ladder tracks dousing 1425-35 Vine with water.

No offense to Smitty's (he's a really nice dude) but at least those crackheads won't be hanging out in front of that place 24/7 anymore.

JT Barse, of NorthPointe, ran down to the 1400 block of Vine this morning to photograph the fire and remains. Click through to view his photographs...

 

He seems to be pretty sure the 4-story is toast (oops, pun).

Just came back from looking at the site.  Rear of the 4 story is heavily damaged.  That being said, I firmly believe the facade can at least be saved.  I know there have been projects of new builds built from existing facades but it costs some serious $$ to engineer.  Not sure who's call it is but saving the building looks doubtful. 

Re Kevin LeMaster (buildingcincinnati):

 

OTR Foundation asks all to call Amit Ghosh tomorrow AM & ask City to explore options (not demo) for Smitty's bldgs 352-3433.

Fire code violations + deferred work = fire?

 

City spares Smitty's buildings

By Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 29, 2010

 

Cincinnati city officials today decided to save what is left of Smitty's, an Over-the-Rhine men's clothing store that burned Wednesday.

 

Wednesday afternoon, just hours after the three-alarm fire, the city determined what was left of the four buildings that housed the store should be torn down because they posed a safety risk.

 

But prompted by local community activists, officials took a second look this morning and decided the buildings could be salvaged, said Cincinnati Community Development Manager Ed Cunningham.

3CDC released several new renderings of Washington Park and Gateway's next phase. The pdf can be downloaded here:

 

http://www.otrgateway.com/2010/05/01/washington-parks-major-renovation/

well look at that, a nice structure in front on the parking garage.  overall, thats a tight, urban plan.  Happy with it. 

That's hot.

Yup, I'm definitely satisfied with that plan.  I can't say that I like that row of angled roofs with the green walls, but I'm not about to do anything to slow down this development.  Looks great.

 

I'm REALLY excited for Washington Park too, and it looks like they're going to have it done before the World Choir Games.  I hope they can keep that schedule.  That Civic Lawn looks fantastic.

Not bad at all. If you have to build an above-ground parking garage downtown, this is the way to do it.

When are the choir games again?

When are the choir games again?

July 4 - 14, Cincinnati (Ohio), USA

 

The World Choir Games will take place in the USA for the first time. The city of Cincinnati situated on the borderline of the US states of Ohio and Kentucky will house the event. The city has a long cultural tradition including the oldest ongoing choral festival in the world, the so-called May Festival, that is arranged every year.

 

The World Choir Games will start on 4th of July 2012, the US National Day, and choirs from all over the world will travel to the US and assemble in the colorful and fascinating city of Cincinnati.

 

http://www.interkultur.com/competitions-festivals/world-choir-games/cincinnati-2012/

^The US National Day.  LMAO!

Yea I'm pumped for the park.  The design is great.  Wow guys, in a few years we will actually have some legit parks people can go to downtown. 

In the rendering for the Gateway Quarter Phase IV, it is concerning the blocks bounded by 13th and 15th, Vine and Walnut streets, focusing on Mercer Street: Map

 

A good design. Let's hope these buildings are constructed much better than the Gateway Condos (at the Kroger garage, Central/Vine).

OTR: Too legit to quit (hey hey)

As an FYI, Stephen Leeper from 3CDC will be presenting at the May Downtown Residents Council monthly meeting to talk about the Washington Park renovation.

When is that?

AWESOME!

As an FYI, Steve Leeper from 3CDC will be presenting at the May Downtown Residents Council monthly meeting to talk about the Washington Park renovation.

 

DRC meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Tower Room (3rd floor) of the Main Branch of the Public Library.

3CDC released several new renderings of Washington Park and Gateway's next phase. The pdf can be downloaded here:

 

http://www.otrgateway.com/2010/05/01/washington-parks-major-renovation/

 

Where did those renderings come from? The link just provides information on Washington Park, and I looked around 3C's website last night and couldn't find anything.

3CDC released several new renderings of Washington Park and Gateway's next phase. The pdf can be downloaded here:

 

http://www.otrgateway.com/2010/05/01/washington-parks-major-renovation/

 

Where did those renderings come from? The link just provides information on Washington Park, and I looked around 3C's website last night and couldn't find anything.

Yeah, you have to click a couple times from that page. Here's a more direct link:

 

http://www.3cdc.org/who-we-are/otr-work-group/OTR_WorkGroup_April%2027_2010.pdf

I love how all the bums that perpetually inhabit Washington Park have been miraculously removed in the new renderings! 

The new condo/apt building along Vine Street should not include a new curb-cut for garage entry.  They should solely enter off of Mercer Street

The new condo/apt building along Vine Street should not include a new curb-cut for garage entry.  They should solely enter off of Mercer Street

 

I had that thought as well.  But I am guessing they are making that decision so people know where the parking is.  But appropriate, attractive signage should solve that problem. 

In the rendering for the Gateway Quarter Phase IV, it is concerning the blocks bounded by 13th and 15th, Vine and Walnut streets, focusing on Mercer Street: Map

 

Freshmen year architecture/urban design lesson: street names on any and all drawings, especially if they're going public.  I’m pretty familiar with OTR and urban design in general and I still had to stare at that for awhile before I could place myself.