Something is happening inside the old 1132 Bar space. Scaffolding set up inside.

A sign stating "financing by Huntington Bank" has gone up on the building on the northeast corner of 15th and Race. Hopefully we'll see that storefront opened up and units occupied above soon.

A sign stating "financing by Huntington Bank" has gone up on the building on the northeast corner of 15th and Race. Hopefully we'll see that storefront opened up and units occupied above soon.

 

The red building?

 

Yep.

Something is happening inside the old 1132 Bar space. Scaffolding set up inside.

 

XUMelanie talked with the guy, Dragon I think his name was, and apparently he's trying to get a restaurant in there.  He also said he'd be kicking out the ghetto store that's part of the building to get the restaurant more space.  Take all this with a grain of salt though as I'm not exactly sure what he's got lined up.  I know he's really unhappy with all the drug dealing that's going on just outside his place and he does seem like he's genuinely trying to help clean up the corner.  Then again, the crack bar and ghetto store were part of the reasons why the corner got so bad in the first place, so again take all this with a grain of salt.

 

That spot would be good for a restaurant.

 

But as that might be true, a corner general store that wasn't quite as sketchy as the one that is there (doesn't mean it has to be nice, just less drug-dealy) would also be really nice to have. One of the best aspects of living by the Ravine Street Market for years was the ease in which I could run a block away and pick some stuff up. I can still generally do this with OTR Kroger a block away unless it's after its fairly early closing time.

 

My bigger concern with that building is the state the rest of it is in. The cornice is gone, the windows are old and falling apart, the paintjob, disregarding how ugly the colors are, is in terrible shape, etc. The building needs a lot of work to put it on a path that doesn't result in it being uninhabitable in the future.

 

I've heard the guy is well-intentioned but also extremely stubborn. He doesn't want to sell which is totally understandable and I would never want people trying to force him to sell an investment of his. But a partnership that could help bring the ground level back to life as something productive and to clean up the building above (I'm thinking a partnership with OTRCH could work nicely) would be great for that corner.

If this guy doesn't have money to maintain a building, how the hell is it legal for this guy to be able to continue to keep ownership of the building?

 

I feel like there should be a mandatory level of upkeep, and if the owner isn't able to maintain that upkeep, than the building should be allowed to be bought on the open market.

I mean, there ARE laws in place to stop buildings from getting to the point of needing to be demolished (not that they're enforced much) but this guy is nowhere near that point. The building is in bad shape and needs a ton of work, but it's not structurally problematic and isn't falling down. It's ugly, sure, but most of what's necessary to make it look great again is just cosmetic as far as I can tell and from what I've heard of the interior. The current trajectory is definitely downward though which is the root of my, and others', concerns.

 

He's owned that building for awhile and I think it would be a shame for an Owner to be forced out. Hence my thinking that a partnership could work well for him and the neighborhood.

What is going on with the red building at the SW corner of Findlay & Vine.  OTR Adopt had an "I've been adopted!" banner on it two years ago...nothing has happened since until the sheets of plywood covering the windows started blowing off last week. 

 

OTR Adopt has now put a banner on a decrepit building on Vine just downhill from Clifton Ave...this building looks okay from the front but has major cracks and bricks falling off the rear.  The banner says "I just need a little love".  I'm like yeah -- and about $800k. 

Found this on 1500 Race Street:

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=10&ved=0ahUKEwiYw8vHztvJAhWBOiYKHci5BHsQFghVMAk&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati-oh.gov%2Fcommunity-development%2Flinkservid%2FE085BE79-FF28-3907-A9966C9E65A9587B%2FshowMeta%2F0%2F&usg=AFQjCNHhcNhTCViGdgyXbOZM3OoFNkTexg&sig2=Ayd3piSyrh-v-SOlNLTsVA&bvm=bv.109910813,d.eWE

 

"Description:    Full gut rehabilitation of Italianate building at the corner of 15th and  Race.  The  first  floor  will  be  a  fast  casual  café  with  quick  and  affordable food options. The upper floors will be three apartment  units."

 

Not certain if this is old information since it is from July 2014...

 

Urban Fast Forward, a real estate and planning consultant firm will be in the old Atomic #10 space on Main starting at the end of the month.

OTR Adopt has listed several of its long-festering buidlings.

 

2 Hust Alley:

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1475759/2-Hust-Aly-City-OH-45202

 

1921 Vine St.:

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1475776/1921-Vine-St-City-OH-45202

 

205 W. McMicken:

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1475770/205-W-McMicken-Ave-City-OH-45214

 

Wow, those look like they need a ton of work.  I wonder how long before you start seeing streets like McMicken and Clifton Ave start to turn around.

McMicken has such great bones and the potential to be a seriously cool stretch. The old industrial buildings with new, modern interpretations of that building style filled in between would be amazing. So many great spaces already exist along McMicken. Hopefully the answer to your question is "sooner rather than later."

Lots of projects were awarded Ohio's historic tax credits today, and more than half of them were in Cincinnati: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2015/12/16/cincinnati-developers-win-big-state-tax-credits/77388784/

 

Here are the projects in OTR/Pendleton:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Schmitthenner Building, Over-the-Rhine

Project cost - $671,870

Tax credit - $82,750

Address - 1727 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.

 

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.

Some great buildings on that list. And I see our own Jim Uber on that list.

 

My prediction that we'd see the 1700-1800 blocks of OTR see an uptick of redevelopment on Vine first that will likely move south from there seems to be coming true. I'm really excited about 1725 Vine Street. That's a gorgeous building. It's funny, while on the Holiday Home tour at jdm00[/member] house I was looking out and exclaimed to my friend how I couldn't wait for something to happen to that building since it's so large and prominent on that stretch of Vine. I'm glad to see my wishes answered only three days later.

 

Another boutique hotel by Washington Park will be great as well. More activity on that corner will be welcome.

1725 Vine is extremely interesting and exciting. I love that building's facade.  The fact that the developer only plans to put in 6 residential units in the existing building (plus 6 more in a new construction addition facing Republic), means that the units will be quite large. There are 3 floors of residential, and the floor print of the existing building is ~5,000 sq ft, meaning each unit could be over 2,000 sq ft (once you take into account elevators, stairs, hallways, and common space).

I wonder if they plan on altering the existing building though. It's possible the existing floor plates won't remain the way they are. I could see an addition being built off the back after reducing how deep the building itself is and creating a central courtyard that would create a fairly sizable 12 unit building but not quite as sizable as one would expect out of six unit in that existing building.

I wonder if they plan on altering the existing building though. It's possible the existing floor plates won't remain the way they are. I could see an addition being built off the back after reducing how deep the building itself is and creating a central courtyard that would create a fairly sizable 12 unit building but not quite as sizable as one would expect out of six unit in that existing building.

 

Unlikely that the State Historic folks would allow such a dramatic change in the floorplan. They're pretty insistent on retaining the "historic fabric" and layout of the building, wherever it's still in place.

 

 

Does anybody know anything about this: Striettman Biscuit Co. Building, Over-the-Rhine, applied for $1,999,999.

 

They didn't get the award... but if they requested $2 million, then it must be a big project (over $10 million). I can't find any info about the Striettman Biscuit Co Building in OTR. Anybody know where this is located?

I wonder if they plan on altering the existing building though. It's possible the existing floor plates won't remain the way they are. I could see an addition being built off the back after reducing how deep the building itself is and creating a central courtyard that would create a fairly sizable 12 unit building but not quite as sizable as one would expect out of six unit in that existing building.

 

Unlikely that the State Historic folks would allow such a dramatic change in the floorplan. They're pretty insistent on retaining the "historic fabric" and layout of the building, wherever it's still in place.

 

 

 

Really? Because there have been a few projects that modify floor plates in some major way that got historic tax credits. I always thought they were less interested in the interior than they were with the front and exterior as viewed from the public right-of-way. Maybe I'm misremembering though.

Does anybody know anything about this: Striettman Biscuit Co. Building, Over-the-Rhine, applied for $1,999,999.

 

They didn't get the award... but if they requested $2 million, then it must be a big project (over $10 million). I can't find any info about the Striettman Biscuit Co Building in OTR. Anybody know where this is located?

 

Pretty sure this is 221-235 W. 12th, across 12th from the Queen City Radio building. Grandin Properties bought this building and plans to renovate it. The building is huge, about 88,000 square feet (hence the high price tag). No idea if not getting the tax credit will slow the project.

I feel like they mentioned the tax credits would be very useful (obviously) but that they weren't a requirement for moving forward and that they had various options to consider to make up for that lack of funding if they didn't receive them.

Does anybody know anything about this: Striettman Biscuit Co. Building, Over-the-Rhine, applied for $1,999,999.

 

They didn't get the award... but if they requested $2 million, then it must be a big project (over $10 million). I can't find any info about the Striettman Biscuit Co Building in OTR. Anybody know where this is located?

 

Pretty sure this is 221-235 W. 12th, across 12th from the Queen City Radio building. Grandin Properties bought this building and plans to renovate it. The building is huge, about 88,000 square feet (hence the high price tag). No idea if not getting the tax credit will slow the project.

 

That would make sense, and that was my first thought as to a building large enough for that scale of project. Really hope they find a way to make it work financially, because that'll be a transformational project and make that block one of the city's most interesting.

As I recall the 1725 vine building is only still around because of tireless work to get city funds for stabilization. This was pre 3cdc and Jim Tarbell (the bald guy in the top hat mural) was on council and lobbied hard to save it after a fire made it unsafe.

 

Otis Taylor did the stabilization and roof and he's really an old school craftsman. He somehow owned the building for a while and had been struggling to sell it during the recent bad economic times cause his business was is a really tough spot.

 

And now it will be wonderful homes. It's a reminder of how important passion, optimism, and skill has been to getting OTR going again. It's inspiring.

​3CDC planning Over-the-Rhine boutique hotel

 

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. is planning to develop a small, boutique hotel near the intersection of 12th and Elm streets and has received state historic tax credits to move the project along.

 

The hotel will have 20 guest rooms and a bar and restaurant on the first floor, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Development.

 

Really? Because there have been a few projects that modify floor plates in some major way that got historic tax credits. I always thought they were less interested in the interior than they were with the front and exterior as viewed from the public right-of-way. Maybe I'm misremembering though.

It could depend on whether it's also asking for federal tax credits. You don't have to. The national park service rules for historic rehab seem to be the most stringent, and they definitely do care about the interior spaces and configuration. That being said there's nothing in there that says you can't radically change things, and you might expect that arguments could be made in the case of 1725 vine because it's changing from its original use.

 

Some of the things they wanted surprised me. Like in replacing some fireplaces and balusters they requested them to be created in the simplest possible style that matched the historic proportions.  So they didn't want anything that could look faked. They are definitely into details.

I hope the majority of these projects actually happen. I was just thinking about the historic tax credits yesterday, as I drove by the Kinsey Apartment building and saw that it's still very much abandoned, with no work being done despite being allotted a credit 2-3 years ago. Same thing with the little red building at 14th and Race. Hopefully the State has improved its process for for vetting which projects are actually financially feasible and ready to go.

Which building at 14th and Race? Do you mean the one at 15th and Race I mentioned up thread as having a banner put up last week stating its financing by Huntington Bank?

 

For the most part the projects awarded tax credits seem to go forward. Obviously anything can happen but the vast majority end up happening as planned which is good.

Wow, those look like they need a ton of work.  I wonder how long before you start seeing streets like McMicken and Clifton Ave start to turn around.

 

Yes they do need a ton of work.  The one on McMicken is in okay shape but the basement was full of water earlier this year.  Also, the first floor storefront space is very small and awkward.  I don't know what kind of business could move in there. 

 

The small building on Hust Alley could have a great rear courtyard, but I'm worried that renovation of that building will be unusually expensive because it will be tough to get some equipment down the alley.  Also, no telling when somebody decides to fix up the buildings next door. 

 

As a question in general, do any of you think all these smaller developments (in comparison to the large projects that 3CDC undertakes) would happen in the neighborhood at the rate they are now without the streetcar coming along in 2016?  Of course it is hard to project but, you got to believe the streetcar is playing some type of role with a lot of these projects.

^^ I'm surprised they are asking $60,000 for a small two bedroom home that needs a full renovation on that portion of Vine (1921). You could walk 5 minutes up Clifton and find larger, move-in ready homes on the always desirable Klotter Avenue for far cheaper than it would cost to buy and renovate that house.

As a question in general, do any of you think all these smaller developments (in comparison to the large projects that 3CDC undertakes) would happen in the neighborhood at the rate they are now without the streetcar coming along in 2016?  Of course it is hard to project but, you got to believe the streetcar is playing some type of role with a lot of these projects.

 

The streetcar absolutely plays a role in supporting the development that we are seeing radiate out from around Findlay Market. Development would be moving north much more slowly if it weren't for the streetcar.

As a question in general, do any of you think all these smaller developments (in comparison to the large projects that 3CDC undertakes) would happen in the neighborhood at the rate they are now without the streetcar coming along in 2016?  Of course it is hard to project but, you got to believe the streetcar is playing some type of role with a lot of these projects.

 

I view it like a bull stock market or momentum in a football game building up to a critical mass. Canceling the streetcar in 2013 would have completely and unnecessarily killed our momentum. Like throwing a pick six. Cranley has never acknowledged this.

 

All sorts of negative messages would have been sent out- don't get too excited about the urban revival here because this city will fight against improving transit tooth and nail- putting a ceiling on how far the revival of urbanism can go.  Etc.

Thanks for the response and I feel generally the same way.

 

I am curious also how much parking these new developments are putting in.  In my mind, the next stage of the development (Mid 2016 and beyond) with the rehabilitation of these units in OTR, new condos and apartment blocks in downtown, etc., that there will be less and less parking included as developers will find that residents will be okay walking or biking to work, thus driving rents down quite a bit.  I think there is still a need for strategic underground and above ground parking in certain areas, but this will decrease in magnitude and banks will lend without all the parking included as it seems they need / want now.

 

Edit: Walking, biking, using streetcar to work, live and play***

I feel like what we are seeing right now is the "second wave" of modern OTR revitalization.

 

The first wave was driven by people who saw OTR's potential and were willing to take a chance on a neighborhood. It took a lot of effort to convince some of the early businesses to open. I would say that the first wave lasted until condos started hitting around $300k.

 

The second wave is being fueled by people who see OTR as a safe bet. Many of the people buying now are probably upset that they missed out on the first wave when things were a lot cheaper. But I also think many of the newcomers are older people, perhaps baby boomers whose kids have moved out, who can afford to buy more expensive properties. That's why the discussion has moved away from condos and apartments and towards $600,000 townhomes. These people are already used to a car-centric lifestyle so they're going to bring their car down to OTR with them. (This is based on a lot of anecdotal evidence, such as observing the clientele at some of the newer places like Taft's Ale House and The Mercer, and hearing stories about some of the people who have recently bought property in the neighborhood.)

 

The third wave, hopefully, will focus on condos and apartments along the Liberty Street corridor and stretching into the Northern Liberties. This should bring a lot of people who are interested in a car-free or car-light lifestyle and who will take the streetcar from the Northern Liberties down to the CBD and the Gateway Quarter. I would definitely attribute new development in the Northern Liberties almost entirely to the streetcar. Some people might say that it has more to do with Findlay Market, but if that's true, then why hasn't there been any development around Findlay Market until recently? We are just now starting to see a few projects pop up in that part of the neighborhood, and it's not going to fully take off for a few years.

^Yes, i doubt Jean Robert would have agreed to move his French crust restaurant to Findlay if the streetcar did not exist.

^^ I'm surprised they are asking $60,000 for a small two bedroom home that needs a full renovation on that portion of Vine (1921). You could walk 5 minutes up Clifton and find larger, move-in ready homes on the always desirable Klotter Avenue for far cheaper than it would cost to buy and renovate that house.

 

If Cincinnati gets *really* big in 50 years like Atlanta, all of the CUF streets will become valuable and the area that working adults want to live in will put pressure on the college rentals.  Add to that all of the other hillside streets that nobody pays attention to now like Loth St., Rice, Valencia, etc.  There are a ton of vacant lots without views on the streets that are famous for them that don't require $100k retaining walls to build on. 

 

 

 

 

Excited to see all of these developments,  especially the ones on vine. Also will be really neat to see 205 w mckmicken, i was part of the crew that volunteered with otr adopt to clean all the trash out of it earlier this year.

EXCLUSIVE: Startup GNFN leaves Norwood incubator for OTR

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/16/exclusive-startup-leaves-incubator-for-otr.html

 

Anyone have access?

This video doesn't do it justice, but I went to Santacon on Saturday and we kind of stayed out of the main group of people and chose to just stay and explore OTR. I was with several people there that had either only driven through and never been.  There were literally people EVERYWHERE.  There was a palpable hustle and bustle in the air, people shopping with bags on their arms, stopping to look at windows, etc.  It honestly made me so proud and I don't even live in OTR.  There's just so much satisfaction to be able to showcase people that live in our city the amazing renaissance that's happening here.  Now that they're been down there, they already were planning on when to come back.

 

At one point, you can hear one of them jokingly say, "Where are we? Kenwood?"

 

 

As a sidenote, for Santacon next year, the Streetcar has an opportunity to make a good first impression on the folks visiting downtown and shuffle people easily around town. I can't wait for that.

 

Merry Christmas to all of you.

 

I honestly think last weekend was probably the most busy weekend I've ever seen in OTR. I've never seen that level of crowds, even during MPMF. It was insane. Every place was packed, the streets were filled with people, and everyone was having a good time. Holiday shoppers were everywhere enjoying all the new retail and everyone was having a great time. The garages were full all day and even side streets like Republic were filled with people going about their business. It was such a good weekend.

I agree. I went to the City Flea and it was SO crowded. Walked around OTR and downtown before catching the bus back to Mt.A and there were people everywhere downtown. Drunk Santas, ice skaters, people attending work holiday parties, Steelers fans who were in town for the game, Cyclones game attendees. It was great to see! A lot of the shops in OTR were open past 9 and they were all slammed.

Hopefully this weekend will be the same!

I think last weekend was helped a lot by the unseasonably warm weather. I was out at Washington Park long past sunset, wearing nothing more than a long-sleeve shirt. I'm sure there will still be a lot of people out this weekend, but the windy weather combined with freezing temps will keep some people from venturing out.

Yeah the weather was definitely a factor. It was so comfortable out that night. I went to City Flea, Taft's Ale House, Goodfella's/Wiseguy, and to the Macaron Bar to celebrate my friends having been in business for a year now and was actually hot at times walking in just a light jacket.

 

Apparently Christmas weekend is supposed to be just as warm. Which is crazy.

I was there Saturday.

 

It was actually pretty magical, and felt NYC like. A tavola was playing old christmas music, that were being blasted through the speakers, alot of passerby's where shopping for presents, alot of people dressed up festively for Santa Con, OTR was all dressed up and garnished for the Holidays, it was a pretty magical moment where you had to stop and soak in everything that was going on, and ask yourself, "Am I really in Cincinnati right now?"

 

The best thing about what I saw was how diverse the OTR crowd was. Saw alot of people from other countries, and different ethnic backgrounds. Made you feel you were in "actual" city where there is diversity.

 

What excites me the most, is that this is essientially only of a QUARTER of OTR we are talking about. Imagine, a fully revitalized OTR, that stretches from a busisness/resturaunt/shops packed Pendelton, all the way through Vine, up to the Mohawk/Brewery district. If we can replicate this type of "life, and activity" throughout ALL of OTR, then Holy shit will this place become something incredible to witness.

 

So the Queen City Radio location is scheduled to become a Bar & Beer Garden. Opening Spring 2016.

 

Official site: http://qcrbar.com/

 

https://www.instagram.com/queencityradio/

 

 

 

What excites me the most, is that this is essientially only of a QUARTER of OTR we are talking about. Imagine, a fully revitalized OTR, that stretches from a busisness/resturaunt/shops packed Pendelton, all the way through Vine, up to the Mohawk/Brewery district. If we can replicate this type of "life, and activity" throughout ALL of OTR, then Holy S**t will this place become something incredible to witness.

 

Nitpicking here, but Pendleton is actually not a part of OTR.  But I agree with the sentiment.

 

What excites me the most, is that this is essientially only of a QUARTER of OTR we are talking about. Imagine, a fully revitalized OTR, that stretches from a busisness/resturaunt/shops packed Pendelton, all the way through Vine, up to the Mohawk/Brewery district. If we can replicate this type of "life, and activity" throughout ALL of OTR, then Holy S**t will this place become something incredible to witness.

 

Nitpicking here, but Pendleton is actually not a part of OTR.  But I agree with the sentiment.

 

 

 

Still wondering how that happened its so weird considering all the other subneighborhoods that were either absorbed into OTR, West End or Queensgate.