I know, I was referring to the garage across the street.

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-LvpBoDIt4Q/TQWSx8B2uII/AAAAAAAAJD0/DjRKXO78gsg/s1600/023%2B%25282%2529.JPG">Here is a photo</a> of the parking you are describing.

Where'd you find that photo?

 

Speaking of Mercer, when will that happen?  Start in 2011? 2012?

Here's another photo:

 

Parking is going to continue to be a problem in the gateway quarter.  Underground parking isn't possible with the small footprints of the buildings and surface lots just take up too much space.  It is going to be interesting to see how this can be addressed as more buildings are re-habbed.  The Mercer garage won't solve all of this problem and additional garages are $$$ plus there is no space.  Realistically, each unit built needs one parking space.  Hmmm.....

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-LvpBoDIt4Q/TQWSx8B2uII/AAAAAAAAJD0/DjRKXO78gsg/s1600/023%2B%25282%2529.JPG">Here is a photo</a> of the parking you are describing.

Where'd you find that photo?

I'm pretty sure he took it. I first saw it on his blog.

Parking is going to continue to be a problem in the gateway quarter. Underground parking isn't possible with the small footprints of the buildings and surface lots just take up too much space. It is going to be interesting to see how this can be addressed as more buildings are re-habbed. The Mercer garage won't solve all of this problem and additional garages are $$$ plus there is no space. Realistically, each unit built needs one parking space. Hmmm.....

 

 

I really don't feel that parking is a problem for residents here.  I live on Vine and never have trouble parking (everything built by 3CDC has a guarnateed spot, Parvis are the first where you might not get one).  Either way, I have friends over and they never have trouble finding street parking.  I visit my friends in other parts of OTR (main and liberty, walnut and 15th) and parking is never a problem at their places.

 

For retail, I understand the importance, and this is the one area I may agree with you.  But when these neighborhoods were designed, walkability was key (which is why we love living here!).  Hopefully with the streetcar, they don't need to keep paving over every bit of free space.  Plenty of neighborhoods in chicago don't offer parking to residents- but they also have a transit system that supports that.

 

Hopefully we get there soon- Cuz I hate seeing asphalt from building to building.   

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-LvpBoDIt4Q/TQWSx8B2uII/AAAAAAAAJD0/DjRKXO78gsg/s1600/023%2B%25282%2529.JPG">Here is a photo</a> of the parking you are describing.

Where'd you find that photo?

I'm pretty sure he took it. I first saw it on his blog.

 

I saw the blogspot url...what's the blog URL?

http://www.citykin.com/2010/12/im-back-but-rushed.html

http://www.citykin.com/2010/12/im-back-but-rushed.html

 

Are you the guy behind citykin? If so, I love your blog!

Thanks.  Its been slowing up a bit, but I hope to ramp up again.

A few pictures I grabbed at the ribbon cutting on Tuesday for Parvis Lofts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great shots ink. I wonder what vintage those stained glassed windows are. 

I'm just glad all these renovations are moving closer to that Kroger.  Its driving out all those thugs.  As sad as that the Smitty's fire was, at least something good came out of it.  All of those dealers aren't there.  It kind of changed things really fast.  Ofcourse, I'm in LA and sadly I haven't been to downtown in 4 months:(

What's the best site to look for apartment in OTR on?  I regularly check Craigslist and Hotpads, but none of the apts at Parvis or by UrbanSites are listed on either.  Is it generally word of mouth, or is there a more popular site for management companies to post on that I'm not aware of?

Cheese & Rice! Cincinnati is on the move!

 

... Not to start anything, but does anyone know if there are any other cities in the US that can lay claim to the amount of development we've experience here in the queen city? I may be naive, so no one needs to be defensive.

Cheese & Rice! Cincinnati is on the move!

 

... Not to start anything, but does anyone know if there are any other cities in the US that can lay claim to the amount of development we've experience here in the queen city? I may be naive, so no one needs to be defensive.

 

That question is very subjective.  Do you mean per capita?  Are you only looking at the previous year, two years, decade? 

 

Parking is going to continue to be a problem in the gateway quarter. Underground parking isn't possible with the small footprints of the buildings and surface lots just take up too much space. It is going to be interesting to see how this can be addressed as more buildings are re-habbed. The Mercer garage won't solve all of this problem and additional garages are $$$ plus there is no space. Realistically, each unit built needs one parking space. Hmmm.....

 

 

I really don't feel that parking is a problem for residents here. I live on Vine and never have trouble parking (everything built by 3CDC has a guarnateed spot, Parvis are the first where you might not get one). Either way, I have friends over and they never have trouble finding street parking. I visit my friends in other parts of OTR (main and liberty, walnut and 15th) and parking is never a problem at their places.

 

For retail, I understand the importance, and this is the one area I may agree with you. But when these neighborhoods were designed, walkability was key (which is why we love living here!). Hopefully with the streetcar, they don't need to keep paving over every bit of free space. Plenty of neighborhoods in chicago don't offer parking to residents- but they also have a transit system that supports that.

 

Hopefully we get there soon- Cuz I hate seeing asphalt from building to building.

 

Cincinnati, even with the streetcar, is a long way from becoming a place where you can easily get by without a car.  Additional developments will need parking and space for that is running low.  And of course, it would be much nicer to get some newer infill than see every vacant lot paved for parking.  I live on Vine as well and have a dedicated space in the gated lot next to my building.  I would not have bought this place without access to such a space and I think most people see it the same way.

 

Commercial parking isn't a problem, the Gateway garage is huge and basically empty on evenings and weekends. 

This is based on my own subjective observations, but between The Banks and OTR, I'm more than a bit amazed at the amount of development taking place in Cincinnati despite the down economy, even compared to NYC and Chicago (at least on a per capita basis). Other cities experience dramatic boom-and-bust cycles, and they're now in the middle of a huge bust, but Cincy seems to pride itself in its ability to plod along at a fairly consistent pace.

 

If OTR's renaissance had begun a decade earlier (or, say, if the riots had never happened), I could almost see a scenario where OTR was gentrifying too quickly during the boom years, and that parts of the neighborhood would've rapidly transformed into another Mount Adams. But given the realities of the housing market, I think OTR's redevelopment is happening at a pretty healthy pace -- not too slow, but not too fast either.

I'm just glad all these renovations are moving closer to that Kroger. Its driving out all those thugs. As sad as that the Smitty's fire was, at least something good came out of it. All of those dealers aren't there. It kind of changed things really fast. Ofcourse, I'm in LA and sadly I haven't been to downtown in 4 months:(

 

Smitty's is going to reopen at 15th and Vine.  No doubt about it that Vine is really getting cleaned up.  I'm not really sure if the thuggery was related to Smitty's or if it just so happened that development was happening about the time it burned.

 

That green building (it will be so amazing rehabbed, imo) along with the color building will bring a redeveloped Vine all the way to the Kroger, which is quite exciting. I hope Kroger can help out by halting the sale of singles and maybe even expand the store out to the street to make room for a real produce section and a deli with prepared foods...

 

Speaking of singles, did the carry outs on Main stop selling them?  If so, I think Kroger might be the only place to get them S of Liberty.  Watch the ground, and look how much litter up around there are steel reserve cans and colt 45 bottle tops.

What's the best site to look for apartment in OTR on? I regularly check Craigslist and Hotpads, but none of the apts at Parvis or by UrbanSites are listed on either. Is it generally word of mouth, or is there a more popular site for management companies to post on that I'm not aware of?

 

This is a really good question that I don't have an answer to.  I don't live in Cincinnati but have considered renting in OTR temporarily before/while I move in if I were to move back.

 

I'm just glad all these renovations are moving closer to that Kroger. Its driving out all those thugs. As sad as that the Smitty's fire was, at least something good came out of it. All of those dealers aren't there. It kind of changed things really fast. Ofcourse, I'm in LA and sadly I haven't been to downtown in 4 months:(

I hope Kroger can help out by halting the sale of singles and maybe even expand the store out to the street to make room for a real produce section and a deli with prepared foods...

They should do both but parking would be a problem (right?) and there is no reason they can't halt the sale of singles. Seriously.

 

If OTR's renaissance had begun a decade earlier (or, say, if the riots had never happened), I could almost see a scenario where OTR was gentrifying too quickly during the boom years, and that parts of the neighborhood would've rapidly transformed into another Mount Adams. But given the realities of the housing market, I think OTR's redevelopment is happening at a pretty healthy pace -- not too slow, but not too fast either.

I agree with your analysis but here's the thing: OTR's renaissance truly depends on something as large as 3CDC and without something as shocking as the riots that sort organization might have never happened.  I don't know how deep your roots are in Cincinnati, but I remember OTR before and immediately after the riots. There was very little hope for the entire neighborhood, only solitary points of hope here and there.

This is a really good question that I don't have an answer to. I don't live in Cincinnati but have considered renting in OTR temporarily before/while I move in if I were to move back.

 

You used to live in Cincy?

^ My roots in Cincinnati are deep enough that some of my ancestors most likely lived in OTR after immigrating here from Germany. I wasn't around for the riots, though... Point taken about 3CDC, although Main Street had already undergone a renaissance prior to the riots. We can only speculate how far that renaissance would have spread to the rest of the neighborhood if the riots hadn't taken place.

This is a really good question that I don't have an answer to.  I don't live in Cincinnati but have considered renting in OTR temporarily before/while I move in if I were to move back.

 

You used to live in Cincy?

 

Ja. Vas you efer in Zinzinnati?

^ My roots in Cincinnati are deep enough that some of my ancestors most likely lived in OTR after immigrating here from Germany. I wasn't around for the riots, though... Point taken about 3CDC, although Main Street had already undergone a renaissance prior to the riots. We can only speculate how far that renaissance would have spread to the rest of the neighborhood if the riots hadn't taken place.

Yeah. Suffice it to say the riots might have been a blessing in disguise (much like Katrina?)...ok, let's not go off topic.

Go to GatewayQuarter.com to rent parvis apartments-- other than that, I'm not sure (I rent from a guy who bought a condo and heard about it through a friend).

 

currently 71% of all 3CDC invested properties in OTR are occupied (not including Parvis in that figure).  Next up is more CityHome (new buildings on Pleasant [yay for infill!]) followed by Mercer Commons ($40+ million project), the Color Building (each floor is about 3000 square feet) and the old Wielerts building (the green building pictured above across the street from the Parvis Lofts).

Go to GatewayQuarter.com to rent parvis apartments-- other than that, I'm not sure (I rent from a guy who bought a condo and heard about it through a friend).

 

currently 71% of all 3CDC invested properties in OTR are occupied (not including Parvis in that figure). Next up is more CityHome (new buildings on Pleasant [yay for infill!]) followed by Mercer Commons ($40+ million project), the Color Building (each floor is about 3000 square feet) and the old Wielerts building (the green building pictured above across the street from the Parvis Lofts).

 

 

I hope they're turning Weilert's into a bar and biergarten, like it used to be. It'd be a shame if that infamous saloon was turned into a couple loft apartments or something.

When is Mercer going to begin construction?

^ I don't think there is a set date yet, but I wouldn't expect it until late next year at the soonest. 

I hope they're turning Weilert's into a bar and biergarten, like it used to be. It'd be a shame if that infamous saloon was turned into a couple loft apartments or something.

 

The configuration of that building seems to guarantee a commercial use of some sort.  The layout would not work for residential IMO.  I hope the biergarten area in the back is not used for parking as it has been in the recent past.

found this floating around Facebook, it's cool for a quick watch. it's a UC student's project entitled OTR: On The Rise

OTR- On the Rise

found this floating around Facebook, it's cool for a quick watch. it's a UC student's project entitled OTR: On The Rise

 

 

I saw this posted on Facebook earlier today but just watched it for the first time. Very well done for student work, although there is room for improvement (for instance, they should have better cited the source of the most dangerous neighborhoods - instead I had to google it myself)

 

From the perspective of a former OTR resident/current employee of a non-profit in OTR who has spent a significant amount of time there in the past few years, I have to say it was reaffirming to see some of my personal connections in the video. I'm glad that students featured Delbert Williams playing at Findlay! He performs every Friday night at the Blue Wisp :)

 

 

This video is more than a bit ridiculous.  Undergrads at UC probably showed up in 2007 or 2008 after the appearance of 3CDC.  These people have zero idea how it used to be. 

They probably didn't cite the controversial study because that would have required them to scroll to the bottom of OTR's wiki article....

This video is more than a bit ridiculous. Undergrads at UC probably showed up in 2007 or 2008 after the appearance of 3CDC. These people have zero idea how it used to be.

 

K - Finally watched the video... it's not THAT ridiculous.  it's a little silly that they mention the "dangerous neighborhood" thing-- techincally that firm was saying certain small portions of OTR were dangerous- so even while Randy and co. have shown that the entire concept and ranking is borderline a lie, you still have to say, a controversial ranking said that part of over-the-rhine was the most dangerous- it NEVER said anything around Music Hall, Ensemble Theater, the art Academy etc. were in the most dangerous neighborhoods. 

 

Other than that- and leaving out stories of Digital Rhine/Main street in the late 90's and early 2000's it's mostly true when discussing 2001-2010.  It was a 5 minute video- so you can't nock them too much for leaving a few details out.  As a resident of OTR, overall i felt it was pretty true. 

some photos of my almost completed home on Dandridge Street......the neighborhood is coming along quite well....all units are sold out and the neighbors are great!

 

 

^ Cool!

found this floating around Facebook, it's cool for a quick watch. it's a UC student's project entitled OTR: On The Rise

 

I'm glad that students featured Delbert Williams playing at Findlay! He performs every Friday night at the Blue Wisp :)

 

I don't think it was Delbert Williams, but a couple months when I was there, there was a guy singing and playing the guitar that was probably one of the best street performer I have ever heard. My girlfriend and I sat and listened to him play Georgia on My Mind and a couple other tunes for about 15 minutes. I wish I would have asked his name..

Finally made it Park + Vine back before XMas, got a book and some notecards.

 

What I like about that place is they are doing some local artist support.  I notice a lot of their notecards are by local artists or graphic designers or maybe even photographers.

 

 

found this floating around Facebook, it's cool for a quick watch. it's a UC student's project entitled OTR: On The Rise

 

I'm glad that students featured Delbert Williams playing at Findlay! He performs every Friday night at the Blue Wisp :)

 

I don't think it was Delbert Williams, but a couple months when I was there, there was a guy singing and playing the guitar that was probably one of the best street performer I have ever heard. My girlfriend and I sat and listened to him play Georgia on My Mind and a couple other tunes for about 15 minutes. I wish I would have asked his name..

 

When I was at Findlay in June, some street musician shouted at me and told me to put a smile on my face.  Lol...it worked. 

 

I thought there is a law against street performers in Cincy.  Are they allowed with a permit, or just tolerated at Findlay?  Is there a way to allow/encourage it all over OTR?  I think it's an activity perfectly suited to the neighborhood. 

At Findlay, the Corporation for Findlay Market has a lease with the city that gives them control of the streets surrounding the Market, which allows them the ability to set the rules.  I'm not sure how it works in the rest of the city.

found this floating around Facebook, it's cool for a quick watch. it's a UC student's project entitled OTR: On The Rise

 

I'm glad that students featured Delbert Williams playing at Findlay! He performs every Friday night at the Blue Wisp :)

 

I don't think it was Delbert Williams, but a couple months when I was there, there was a guy singing and playing the guitar that was probably one of the best street performer I have ever heard. My girlfriend and I sat and listened to him play Georgia on My Mind and a couple other tunes for about 15 minutes. I wish I would have asked his name..

 

When I was at Findlay in June, some street musician shouted at me and told me to put a smile on my face. Lol...it worked.

 

I thought there is a law against street performers in Cincy. Are they allowed with a permit, or just tolerated at Findlay? Is there a way to allow/encourage it all over OTR? I think it's an activity perfectly suited to the neighborhood.

 

Couldn't agree more.  Also, and this is totally unsubstantiated as I have no data, I feel like street performers might discourage panhandling.  Why would anyone give cash to someone with a styrofoam cup when there's a guy with an instrument working his ass off right next to him?

I NEVER give money to the cup holders.  I ALWAYS give money to street performers.  Just a philosophy of mine.

They allow busking on certain city streets at certain times.  I forget where and when but in general there are a few streets downtown where they can perform during the day.

Today the city planted trees in front of the Parvis Apartments (the whole west side of Vine from 14th to 15th).  I'd guess probably 8 trees were planted, and the light pole fixtures were going up too. Going from 3 giant orange street lamps to 5 of the Vine street double white lamps.  I'm a huge fan of pedestrian friendly streetlamps, vs. the giant, car focused, orange overhead lamps. 

OTR pilot program to be introduced today

Posted by lbaverman 01/19/11, 12:25 pm

 

Developers could soon begin renovations of six vacant historic homes near Findlay Market pending approval of a new pilot program, which matches potential homeowners with public financing.

 

The Owner Redevelopment Loan Task Force, a city-appointed group led by lawyer and historic preservationist Michael Morgan, will present to Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls’ Livable Communities committee later today its recommendations to spur more redevelopment in Over-the-Rhine. The task force began its work late in 2009.

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2011/01/19/otr-pilot-program-to-be-introduced-today/

^^^

 

FINALLY!!  Maybe they will figure it out????

 

Covington has used CDBG grant funds for a similar program for over twenty years to target ares for rehabilitation until said area had enough stability for market rate lending to take over.  The "loans" are eventually paid back, and passed on to another buyer so that the cycle of reinvestment can continue.

I used the program to buy into a block in 1991 that was poised for a rebirth, but where banks wouldn't lend.  Let's just say the area has done quite well since then, with homes now being able to be sold in the mid $250's.  Not a bad turnaround for homes that were at one time vacant, and being sold for 20k or less.  Interestingly, I know of NO ONE who was "displaced" by the turnaround.  I think most displacement fears are suspect.  Not that it doesn't occur, but not on the level we are often fear mongered with.

At the time I utilized this program, I was attempting to purchase and rehab in OTR or Mt. Auburn.  The City of Cincinnati had virtually NO aid available to a one-off small potatoes rehabber like me.  Frankly, when dealing with them, I almost felt like they were discouraging me to do so.  Looking back, I bet they would have liked to have my income tax money over these last 20 years...not to mention my property tax, other govt fees, and heck all the money I have spent in Covington bars and restaurants all these years instead of in Cincinnati.  All of this money went to Covington instead, because they had a program which provided me with a 0% $22k loan that BRIDGED THE GAP THAT MADE FINANCING POSSIBLE.

 

It's the availability to obtain financing for multiiple small individual rehabs that will really make OTR take off....and I hope it does so.

 

 

OTR pilot program to be introduced today

Posted by lbaverman 01/19/11, 12:25 pm

 

Developers could soon begin renovations of six vacant historic homes near Findlay Market pending approval of a new pilot program, which matches potential homeowners with public financing.

 

The Owner Redevelopment Loan Task Force, a city-appointed group led by lawyer and historic preservationist Michael Morgan, will present to Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls Livable Communities committee later today its recommendations to spur more redevelopment in Over-the-Rhine. The task force began its work late in 2009.

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2011/01/19/otr-pilot-program-to-be-introduced-today/

 

This is great news! Good to see some increased development beyond what 3CDC is doing and scattered, isolated projects.  The first phase near Findlay should have some really nice spin off near the market, and the second phase on Pleasant Street, combined with the second phase of the City Home project on Pleasant, should really make that street mostly rehabbed! Awesome news.

3CDC made a major purchase for their land bank (OTR Holdings) this past week, getting a bunch of property from Middle Earth in the Walnut/14th area.  It is nice to see some action on Walnut, these will be prime once Mercer is underway.  ...maybe it will even get the Wade's to start fixing up the property they own in the vicinity.  This should help answer some of those "where does 3CDC go next questions"

 

From what I can gather this is what was acquired:

 

1420 WALNUT ST

1412 WALNUT ST

1406 WALNUT ST

112 E FOURTEENTH ST

114 E FOURTEENTH ST

28 E FOURTEENTH ST

34 E FOURTEENTH ST

 

Today the city planted trees in front of the Parvis Apartments (the whole west side of Vine from 14th to 15th). I'd guess probably 8 trees were planted, and the light pole fixtures were going up too. Going from 3 giant orange street lamps to 5 of the Vine street double white lamps. I'm a huge fan of pedestrian friendly streetlamps, vs. the giant, car focused, orange overhead lamps.

 

Looks like the Main Street lights were made brighter too.

3CDC also just closed on 1513 Vine which had an elusive owner.  Somehow they tracked him down and got him to sell for $30k.

 

http://www.citykin.com/2008/09/1513-vine-still-falling-down.html

I believe OTR Adopt had a major hand in getting 1513 transferred.  $30k what a joke, the owners should have given it away and be happy there aren't criminal charges being filed against them.