I was reading the Sunday enquirer. There was a paragraph about Ensemble Theater and how they plan to announce there, "future" plans on Feb 26th about the adjacent buildings they own on Vine Street and there expansion.

 

Does anyone have any details about this?

More info on Grandin Properties' plan to renovate the Strietmann Building:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/exclusive-developer-renovating-huge-historic-otr.html

 

Here's some context for timing, since they're going to re-apply for Ohio's historic tax credits:

 

Wyant expects to start on environmental clean up work in the next two to three weeks, which should take a couple of months. Grandin Properties also is applying for state and federal historic tax credits again. Its Strietmann project was one of a few in Southwest Ohio that did not receive tax credits in December.

Based on the timing of receiving tax credits, Wyant said she expects to start construction on the building in January 2017 with the project lasting 12 months. If the project receives tax credits in June 2016, she would move the start date up.

“We’re well-positioned to get credits,” Wyant said. “But it might take as many as three rounds.”

That church, The Gathering, in the storefront at Main and Melindy (just south of Liberty) has moved out. I'm guessing Urban Sites leases the building? Does anyone know if there are plans for that space?

Great news on that building on 12th Street.  It will be awhile before it's finished yes, but that will have a huge impact on the area if they can fill the 400 office workers and, in a prime location, looks like it would be a great place to work!

 

In regards to Travis's pictures, I sometimes wish I was a millionaire developer and could simply purchase a full block and rehabilitate all the buildings.

I sometimes wish I was a millionaire developer and could simply purchase a full block and rehabilitate all the buildings.

 

Only sometimes?

I sometimes wish I was a millionaire developer and could simply purchase a full block and rehabilitate all the buildings.

 

Only sometimes?

 

I corrected my previous quote

Che! will open on Thursday at 1342 Walnut:

 

Owner Alfio Gulisano says Che! will be open and serving empanadas and pizza on Thursday, Jan. 14. The basement room won't be ready, and it's gotten a bit cold for the empanada window. Those will come later when the weather warms.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2015/04/29/alfios-owner-bringing-argentina-otr/26586153/

 

Che! will open on Thursday at 1342 Walnut:

 

Owner Alfio Gulisano says Che! will be open and serving empanadas and pizza on Thursday, Jan. 14. The basement room won't be ready, and it's gotten a bit cold for the empanada window. Those will come later when the weather warms.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2015/04/29/alfios-owner-bringing-argentina-otr/26586153/

 

 

Walked by the space yesterday, it looks really good

ZBGB (from the owner of zula) has also opened this past weekend on Race Street. Apparently the burgers are top notch from what I've been told.

ZBGB's space came together nicely. I'll have to head downstairs and check it out sometime soon.

I wanted to post google streetview of these buildings for us to look back on as OTR continues to develop:

 

Broadway Square II, Pendleton

Project cost - $13,133,245

Tax credit - $1,300,000

Address - 1126-1211 Broadway, 405-414 E. 12th St., and 331 E. 13th St.

Developer - Model Group

Details - The second phase of Broadway Square calls for renovating 10 historic buildings for retail space and 37 residential units.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1097841,-84.5084004,3a,75y,145.25h,92.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1uliQkqlHj4KH1-XjqiWdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1097829,-84.5075949,3a,75y,302.74h,88.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHKBSRCkB47QS25u8S_O1XA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

 

 

Ophthalmic Hospital, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $7,366,150

Tax credit - $732,950

Address - 208-214 W. 12th St.

Developer - Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.

Details: The former Ophthalmic Hospital and Free Dispensary served as a medical facility for nearly 90 years, but is now vacant. The buildings are planned for renovations to house a 20-room boutique hotel with a bar and restaurant on the first floor.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1077388,-84.5185314,3a,75y,322.43h,103.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skCUIxQAWxnOHZqPyV962Mw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Kauffman Building, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $2,775,353

Tax credit - $249,999

Address - 1725 Vine St.

Developer - Wael Safi

Details - Built to house brewery workers in 1863, the building sustained two fire in the last two decades. The property is expected to be redeveloped into commercial spaces on the first floor, six residential units above and a new addition housing six more apartments and parking.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1725+Vine+St,+Cincinnati,+OH+45202/@39.1151331,-84.5164902,3a,75y,284.16h,106.31t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sOpFa2UkD6BxB7ht3XMt4_w!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DOpFa2UkD6BxB7ht3XMt4_w%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D392%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D262.30334%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x8841b3fbe19c27cb:0x23c7cc4cf4f7d302!6m1!1e1

 

1814 Race, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $1,983,366

Tax credit - $217,000

Address - 1814 Race St.

Developer - Model Group

Details - The property is expected to be rehabilitated to house five apartments and first-floor commercial space.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1814+Race+St,+Cincinnati,+OH+45202/@39.1159651,-84.518374,3a,75y,106.63h,99.83t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sIWNY8Bq6B1e6zZ2v-hG9tA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DIWNY8Bq6B1e6zZ2v-hG9tA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D86%26h%3D86%26yaw%3D87.9843%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x8841b3f96db9945b:0x6913467e2f970446!6m1!1e1

 

100 West Elder, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $1,587,987

Tax Credit - $220,000

Address - 100 W. Elder St.

Developer - Greg Badger

Details - The dilapidated mixed-use building is expected to be rehabilitated into first-floor retail or restaurant space with offices on the upper floors.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1155141,-84.5182567,3a,75y,308.21h,94.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZ-N2h8UVEJ04_-JJzp5bhg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

 

515 East 12th, Pendleton

Project cost - $1,579,851

Tax credit - $195,000

Address - 515 E. 12th St.

Developer - Model Group

Details - The small residential building is expected to be rehabilitated to feature six market-rate residential units. The project is part of the third phase of Broadway Square.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/515+E+12th+St,+Cincinnati,+OH+45202/@39.1100294,-84.5060779,3a,75y,156.58h,108.87t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sZO6tz8hOZlZI0TsuNfte2g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DZO6tz8hOZlZI0TsuNfte2g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D392%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D167.24214%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x8841b3e18c566d2f:0x50d17e1518ea5440!6m1!1e1

 

1737 Vine, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $1,316,634

Tax credit - $185,000

Address - 1737 Vine St.

Developer - Eric Haberthier, the Rhine Group

Details: The property could house seven market-rate residential units and restaurant users.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1737+Vine+St,+Cincinnati,+OH+45202/@39.11559,-84.5166051,3a,75y,265.48h,99.65t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sh0LpNdL50hHT8Mob2LvTfw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dh0LpNdL50hHT8Mob2LvTfw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D392%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D255.11304%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x8841b3fbdf9d3e75:0x43f13d45b5a608c7!6m1!1e1

 

1737 Elm, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $1,200,047

Tax credit - $233,799

Address - 1737 Elm St.

Developer - Kim Starbuck and Kevin Pape

Details - Two buildings, which date back to the 1850s and 1880s, have been vacant for more than 10 years. One building is planned to house small market-rate apartments and first-floor retail space and the second building could have one apartment unit.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1737+Elm+St,+Cincinnati,+OH+45202/@39.1149936,-84.5198212,3a,60y,237.97h,95.9t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sj4wU1mtxo_eMrcVp6PiRzw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dj4wU1mtxo_eMrcVp6PiRzw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D86%26h%3D86%26yaw%3D250.45824%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x8841b3f8da8590a5:0x2c009e81ec286e4b!6m1!1e1

 

Rutemueller Building, Pendleton

Project cost - $1,137,569

Tax credit - $113,500

Address - 527 E. 13th St.

Developer - Urban Sites

Details - The vacant former grocery store and tenement-style apartments is expected to be renovated for seven market-rate apartments.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1107429,-84.5056784,3a,75y,174.07h,112.63t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sVjLCeigm-dKTdQTVx_92iw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DVjLCeigm-dKTdQTVx_92iw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D197.84738%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Fromm Building, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $682,394

Tax credit - $108,500

Address - 286 W. McMicken Ave.

Developer - Julie Fay

Details - The vacant Italianate building is expected to be rehabilitated to feature seven residential units. The unit with first-floor entry will be designed to be a live-work space.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1203067,-84.5244539,3a,75y,21.46h,105.36t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFsRfaQWv5_GGbsmShwB1JQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

 

Schmitthenner Building, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $671,870

Tax credit - $82,750

Address - 1527 Elm St.

Developer - Jim Uber

Details - The four-story building built in 1873 has been vacant for more than 30 years and could be rehabilitated to house seven market-rate apartments and one retail storefront.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1527+Elm+Street,+Cincinnati,+OH/@39.1123961,-84.5191661,3a,75y,273.83h,96.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sS1aKt0eBpnqgHxi_90PkzA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x80246ff0da96cf34!6m1!1e1

 

205 West McMicken, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $375,000

Tax credit - $37,000

Address - 205 W. McMicken Ave.

Developer - OTR A.D.O.P.T.

Details - Vacant for more than 20 years, the property is envisioned to serve as first-floor commercial space with one three-bedroom apartment unit located on the upper floor.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1191004,-84.5210973,3a,75y,227.48h,109.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8DxdMkTvHgpRyF1XNMMY2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1114.3395.html#ixzz3x3C3wJKR

 

^ A nice idea. The Schmitthenner building is at 1527 Elm, however, not 1727.

^ A nice idea. The Schmitthenner building is at 1527 Elm, however, not 1727.

 

Sorry about that!  I modified.  It also says a 4 Story building but your building looks like a 3 Story if Google Maps has it at the correct address now?

^ no problem - thanks for doing this. It is actually a 4 story; the attic loft space narrows down to the eyebrow windows you see in front.

 

Park + Vine cutting OTR space in half

 

Park + Vine – which has resided in OTR since 2007, first on Vine Street before moving to its current location in the former Kaldi's coffeehouse at 1202 Main St. in 2010 – currently occupies two storefronts. Half is used as the retail space, while the other half serves as a cafe. Owner Danny Korman plans to consolidate both sides into the 1202 Main St. side, leaving 1204 open for a new tenant.

Is this building on West 15th Street being re-built?  It looks like there was a fire or something?

 

July 2015

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1112971,-84.5188813,3a,37.5y,113.79h,98.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZE0nMLUlikXUziTox1kVtw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

 

July 2014

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1112976,-84.5188814,3a,37.5y,106.44h,99.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRqkFLTzlPQsumFONASzq9g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

^ no fire, just some significant structural stabilization. They rebuilt floor systems and the bay windows, and probably much else. It's currently boarded up, though, presumably awaiting the right developer.

The New Resturaunt on 15th and Pleasant has a name, "Pleasantry", coming Spring 2016.T he chef is Evan Hartman, who was most recently sous-chef at The President's Room at the Phoenix, where he worked with Souder.

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2015/11/10/all-day-restaurant-part-latest-3cdc-project/75520034/

 

 

 

Some news on the development coming to the former Findlay Market Farm site:

 

$25 million mixed-use development coming to this corner of Over-the-Rhine

 

Source 3 Development, a downtown-based developer, and partner, 224 W Liberty LLC, plan to preserve four historic buildings, as well as construct a new mixed-use building with about 90 market-rate apartments and 15,000 square feet of street-level retail and restaurant space.

What blows my mind about the project ^ is that it's starting NEXT year. That's wayyy quicker than I imagined. Honestly thought this wouldn't be happening for another 4-5 years.

 

It's also one of the last few remaining, "massive" otr lots. Besides this one, the Findley Market lot, and the Sycamore lot are the last few that come to mind.

^ You may have meant starting this year (2016, fall).

 

It will be interesting to see what the plans look like, for such a significant development on a significant corner.

 

They said that "The apartments are planned to have a fitness room, cyber café and a 2,400-square-foot community room on the top level."

 

Seriously, do "cyber cafes" still exist? I know I'm overreacting, but statements like that make me think about old dudes sitting with their architect and saying "Where's the cyber cafe going to go - we've got to have one!"

That's probably exactly what happened honestly. I can speak from experience. People are very often completely out of touch with what their tenants will want. Nobody will use that space. The majority of "public gathering" type spaces in apartment complexes sit empty almost 100% of the time. A gym is about the only spot that will get used by some people.

I can't believe some people are complaining on the newspaper accounts that the farm is the best use of the property. Do they not remember the historic building that was razed and the tons of fresh dirt added to make the site remotely workable and clean?

^ You may have meant starting this year (2016, fall).

 

It will be interesting to see what the plans look like, for such a significant development on a significant corner.

 

They said that "The apartments are planned to have a fitness room, cyber café and a 2,400-square-foot community room on the top level."

 

Seriously, do "cyber cafes" still exist? I know I'm overreacting, but statements like that make me think about old dudes sitting with their architect and saying "Where's the cyber cafe going to go - we've got to have one!"

 

I actually laughed out loud when I read "cyber cafe". As if this were the late '90's and people were looking to pay for internet by the hour on a Packard Bell desktop computer. It's especially foolish since on the top floor they already have a "community space" and roof terrace, which are much more likely to serve as actual gathering spaces.

 

Other than the cyber cafe (which can be fixed easily when they realize nobody wants it), I like the layout/plan. They will be maintaining Freeport Alley: the second level will cover the alley for the first 40 feet or so from Elm St, so it'll be a partial tunnel until it reaches the garage. I'll be curious how they make use of the alley space, especially with the restaurant and retail there... it could be a neat space, especially if they save the Belgian block and granite curbs.  Each level of the parking garage appears to be level with about 11' between each floor (lower level elevation: 530.5'; ground level elevation: 541.5'; mezzanine level elevation: 552.5), meaning they could be converted to other uses in the future, if desired (though I consider that to be unlikely).  I like how the entrance to the parking garage on Liberty will only be at the street level, with the 2-6 levels above the garage entrance, making for a mostly unbroken street wall facing Liberty. It'd be better to not have any curb cuts on Liberty, but this is about the least intrusive way possible of implementing it.

Model Group is in the process of rebuilding the upper wall at the 1818-1824 Race St building.

 

Here's a photo from this morning:

Where are you finding the site plans, jwulsin[/member]?

Site plans were posted by OTR Community Council.

 

Here are the 2 PDFs with plans for the Liberty & Elm project:

http://otrcommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Site-plan-for-LibertyElm-Presented-to-Community-council-1-11-16.pdf

http://otrcommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SupportDocumentsJanOTRCCMeetings.pdf

 

Here's the blog post from the OTR Community Council: http://otrcommunitycouncil.org/new-and-exciting-developments-coming-our-way/

Very cool. I would love to see some renderings, but I like the scale and the overall plan. A little sad for Logan Street, but we need to build the parking garage somewhere since it's one of the last large lots to do it.

Does it bother anyone else that they put the transformer next to the sidewalk on Liberty? Also would love to see some town homes fronting the garage on Logan like they've done with Mercer.

^I don't know exactly how they determine where transformers are located, but it seems like they could put it somewhere hidden from the street.

 

I wonder how many spaces would be eliminated by adding townhomes. Or whether the garage would be feasible with a smaller footprint. I don't know the answers, just curious. It seems like they would need to make the building at least 25' deep (based on Mercer), which would eliminate 3 parking spaces in each row of parking on each floor. That would be 12 parking spaces on each level, which would equate to 36 parking spaces in the whole structure.

 

The parking garage seems pretty efficient since it has 3 separate entrances (one for each level) and doesn't have a central ramp that cuts into the number of spaces. You would still likely need a drive off of Logan, but maybe (depending on grade) you could get the entrance off of Freeport Alley about 40 feet from Logan, allowing townhomes all along Logan. The frontage along Logan Street is approx 130'. This is about the same length as the Mercer townhomes, so it seems like you could cut the parking garage from ~165 spaces to ~129 spaces and add 5 townhomes. Or, if an entrance is needed off of Logan instead of Freeport Alley, they could do the same thing, but add 4 townhomes and have a garage entrance facing Logan.

 

Either way, this seems like a better option than the parking garage going all the way to Logan.

Does it bother anyone else that they put the transformer next to the sidewalk on Liberty? Also would love to see some town homes fronting the garage on Logan like they've done with Mercer.

 

I will second both of these. I'm also a little confused about Freeport Alley. Will it still enable foot travel from Logan to Elm? The parking ramp seems like it might be in the way.

Does it bother anyone else that they put the transformer next to the sidewalk on Liberty? Also would love to see some town homes fronting the garage on Logan like they've done with Mercer.

 

I will second both of these. I'm also a little confused about Freeport Alley. Will it still enable foot travel from Logan to Elm? The parking ramp seems like it might be in the way.

 

Section Cut AA and BB would be helpful, I only see CC and DD.

Excuse me if it's in those PDF's somewhere but are they going to renovate the shells at the same time?  It's great that they are being kept. 

Seriously, do "cyber cafes" still exist? I know I'm overreacting, but statements like that make me think about old dudes sitting with their architect and saying "Where's the cyber cafe going to go - we've got to have one!"

 

Lol, this brings to mind the oft quoted though probably not true Mark Twain quote.

 

Cyber Cafes these days only really exist still in 3rd world countries.  In most places cafes with wi-fi or co-working spaces have replaced that.  In fact if they setup a co-working space type arrangement that would be way more innovative - an office work area that has spare monitors/keyboards/mice meeting rooms so that remote workers with laptops can get stuff done leaving their apartments without leaving home.  Throw in a barista or two and you got something.

 

I'm still super happy to see this not be used as farmland - yeah it was cool to have something so close to Findlay Market, but rebuilding lost density is so much better for the neighborhood its not funny.

I can't believe some people are complaining on the newspaper accounts that the farm is the best use of the property. Do they not remember the historic building that was razed and the tons of fresh dirt added to make the site remotely workable and clean?

 

Who is saying it? People who oppose all development in OTR?

What would be awesome is if they put a roof on the garage findlay could do planter gardening on top The more likely dream would be if they did a terrace garden for the residents. Probably not financially feasible, but it would be nice to look at that as opposed to a parking lot out of your new apartment window.

Excuse me if it's in those PDF's somewhere but are they going to renovate the shells at the same time?  It's great that they are being kept.

 

I believe so, yes. But there aren't much in the way of details around how each building will be renovated.

Yeah I believe they originally mentioned they'd be apartments but this current project with 90 units only encompasses the new building and the shells will be something else entirely. Not sure if they're going to happen at the same time or at a later date though.

In the <a href="http://otrcommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SupportDocumentsJanOTRCCMeetings.pdf">OTR Community Council packet</a>, perhaps even more exciting news than the new construction at Elm & Liberty, is the announcement of renovations of 139 housing units that are planned by OTR Community Housing and Cornerstone.

 

Cornerstone is renovating 50 units: 20 units at 33 Green St and 30 units in the 1500 block of Race/Pleasant.

 

OTR Community Housing is renovating 43 units as part of "Carrie's Place". 36 are currently occupied on E Clifton and Peete. 7 units will be in currently vacant buildings at 223 W 15th St and 1630 Pleasant.

 

OTR Community Housing is also renovating 46 units in "Morgan Apartments" scattered around corner of McMicken and Vine. 33 of the units are currently occupied. 13 are vacant.

 

It's great to see that OTR Community Housing is seeking Federal Historic Tax Credits which are non-competitive, which means they're guaranteed to get them as long as they adhere to the National Park Service's historic guidelines, which means the renovations will be done at a high standard, maintaining as much historic fabric as possible.

 

 

That's all good to hear! That's a lot of units and a lot of buildings that will be brought back to life. OTRCH does a good job and is a great asset for OTR.

Excuse me if it's in those PDF's somewhere but are they going to renovate the shells at the same time?  It's great that they are being kept.

 

In the Business Courier, Demeropolis writes:

 

The team will apply for historic tax credits to restore the four existing buildings at the site, 212 and 214 W. Liberty St. and 1711 and 1713 Elm St. The first three buildings will have first-floor retail space with apartments above, while 1713 Elm St. will be completely residential space.

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/01/13/25-million-mixed-use-development-coming-to-this.html

Not certain if these is posted yet or not, but newer renderings of the 1500 Block of Elm Street (west side of the street) are posted in the latest Historic Conservation package starting on page 109

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/jan-11-2016-packet/

 

Also in here is 312 West 4th Street, turning the vacant building into two floors of retail for Switch Lighting and the upper two floors into possible residential.

The more modern addition to the City Gospel building on Elm St. has been demolished.

I bet that means those three townhomes to replace it will probably start marketing soon. That will be a good replacement. That addition was absolutely horrible.

I know we want to minimize the need for parking in OTR, but because of the sprawled nature of our metro region there will always be a baseline demand.  It's been mentioned that a good strategy might be to concentrate parking options in a few structured garages, so that developments spread throughout the neighborhood can incorporate less parking or no parking.  With that being said, what does everyone think of this plan?  After the Liberty Street narrowing, put in an underground garage bounded by Elm, Liberty, and Race extending underneath Pleasant Street.  (Replacing the empty lot and stand alone cell phone store.) Then incorporate dense mixed use development on the two half block parcels above.

 

 

(Posting this in 3CDC thread because half the land area is already incorporated in 15th and Race project site and probably only they have the resources to do it)

I think that is ideal. With a narrowed Liberty, it would be great to have a One Mercer-style development on that lot facing Liberty with a garage hidden mid-bock.

Would we really be comfortable with losing the pedestrian connection between Findlay Market and Washington Park along Pleasant? I think that's a really important connection to bolster. Building a development spanning that street would completely destroy any potential for that.

Would we really be comfortable with losing the pedestrian connection between Findlay Market and Washington Park along Pleasant? I think that's a really important connection to bolster. Building a development spanning that street would completely destroy any potential for that.

 

You could still do that - thebillshark seems to be indicating that their idea is that development would be on the two half-block parcels, so you could still leave Pleasant in the mix.

 

That being said, who crosses the street as a pedestrian at Pleasant now? I certainly wouldn't. Dangerous! and they're not going to start adding lights for all of the minor street intersections on Liberty.

Yeah, sorry, should have been more clear! I was thinking an underground garage that goes underneath Pleasant thus providing a larger floorplate area for the garage. Pleasant Street should be very much rebuilt as-is, after the garage goes in. (I would never suggest blocking off streets for parking garages! :) In fact I think the weird Cincinnati Parks maintenance garage/shed in the West End's Betts Longworth should be torn down and Hopkins street reconnected to Central Ave.)

 

The Liberty narrowing could provide additional floor plate for said underground garage. Probably the larger the floor plate the more efficiently they can design the interior to maximize spaces.

 

Whether it makes sense to have any portion of the garage above ground (hidden by a "wrap" of street-facing buildings of course) would be TBD for the designers. My gut would be inclined against it though, I would prefer more space for development.

 

The Liberty narrowing could also address the street crossing at Pleasant, hopefully making it safer by slowing traffic and reducing the number of lanes to cross. And depending how they address a middle turn lane, perhaps there could be some kind of pedestrian island in the middle at Pleasant making crossing easier as well.

 

Narrowing Liberty sure does unlock a whole bunch of possibilities!

Also to clarify, this is only my idea and not a plan from 3cdc. But I might send it their way after getting feedback here.