March 3, 200817 yr I agree with all of you. There will always be those people who will NEVER take the trip to the basin, but thats alright. I was driving on Main Street last night around 12:30 or so and it absolutely looked beautiful with all the street lights shining along the strip :-D. Can't wait for Bock Fest this weekend :drunk:.
March 3, 200817 yr There will always be those people who will NEVER take the trip to the basin, but thats alright. I have always said the same thing, but when you look at some of the people who are going to Lavamatic, those were the people who I never thought would step foot in OTR yet there they are.
March 3, 200817 yr But no one group is entirely responsible for the resurgence of OTR. I think most people would attribute OTR's newfound energy/momentum to me...and I gladly take full credit.
March 3, 200817 yr And I gladly give it to you! I as one of the little people, would just like to say thank you Randy. In all seriousness, it will be interesting to see how things progress through spring and summer. With this much momentum building through the winter, I feel pretty good.
March 3, 200817 yr Talking about law enforcement, I just came back from Gateway and the entire east side of Vine from Central to Liberty was blocked off and a couple cop cars in between. Word on the street is that they finally got in and served a warrant on the Cricket store that always has people hanging outside.
March 4, 200817 yr I just came back from Gateway and the entire east side of Vine from Central to Liberty was blocked off and a couple cop cars in between I am sitting down here right now and this is what I am hearing also that it was a warrant.
March 4, 200817 yr Talking about law enforcement, I just came back from Gateway and the entire east side of Vine from Central to Liberty was blocked off and a couple cop cars in between. Word on the street is that they finally got in and served a warrant on the Cricket store that always has people hanging outside. What's the warrant for? I know this place always has at least 10 people hanging outside, but can the police press charges for that?
March 4, 200817 yr Right next to kroger right? They have been selling drugs outside of there since the 80's
March 4, 200817 yr New OTR Development, Residents Push Out Crime POSTED: 2:22 pm EST March 3, 2008 UPDATED: 7:36 pm EST March 3, 2008 CINCINNATI -- Dramatic changes have taken place and will continue in Over-the-Rhine, a neighborhood shrouded in both infamy and history, and once-wary home-shoppers and business owners are deciding to take a second look after the area's planned revival. Though Over-the-Rhine is a place where drug deals often overshadow real-estate deals, developer Brandon Smith believes the unique area holds true potential.
March 4, 200817 yr It turned out to be that place next to krogers. This is huge news since this is one of the biggest trouble spots on that stretch of vine. Police Raid Over The Rhine, Bust Up Gang Last Update: 7:23 am Web produced by: PJ O'Keefe After getting a search warrant, police barged into a business on Vine Street in Over the Rhine Monday night. Police said they arrested at least five people on various charges involving drugs and selling stolen merchandise. Police said the storefront was the hub for a violent gang known as "The Cotti Boys," which they say is behind a Halloween homicide. City councilman Cecil Thomas gives credit for the bust to good police work and community involvement. "Being a former law enforcement officer myself and having worked these streets here, to see this kind of continuous effort from law enforcement with community support, that means an awful lot. It's huge," Thomas said. The raid was organized by a new crime fighting group known as "CIRV" which stands for Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence.
March 4, 200817 yr I think that the place across the street from Kroger is called SMITTY'S. It is a pawn shop. It has large light bulbs around the windows and an undeniable 'gangster' feel. This stretch of vine is one of the few places that I feel uncomfortable walking though. In fact, I was threated the last time I was taking pictures of that block. Due to this criminal element, the OTR Kroger cannot really be used as a selling point to a potential downtowner. In fact, much of the demand for a downtown Kroger may be met simply by making this Kroger 'safer'. This store is clearly a hub for gang activity and I hope that the recent bust helps to clean it up. When the store closes, it will signify a tipping point in my mind for OTR. I pledge to buy anyone an OTR on Main St. if/when the store closes.
March 4, 200817 yr I think that the place across the street from Kroger is called SMITTY'S. It is a pawn shop. It has large light bulbs around the windows and an undeniable 'gangster' feel. This stretch of vine is one of the few places that I feel uncomfortable walking though. In fact, I was threated the last time I was taking pictures of that block. Due to this criminal element, the OTR Kroger cannot really be used as a selling point to a potential downtowner. In fact, much of the demand for a downtown Kroger may be met simply by making this Kroger 'safer'. This store is clearly a hub for gang activity and I hope that the recent bust helps to clean it up. When the store closes, it will signify a tipping point in my mind for OTR. I pledge to buy anyone an OTR on Main St. if/when the store closes. I agree, but there is a strong possibility that a Cricket store by the same people will be moving to Main Street very soon, as well as the old KFC on Liberty. The fight is not over, unfortunately.
March 4, 200817 yr ^I am hearing primarily speculation about that, but I have not seen anything definitive that this is actually the case.
March 4, 200817 yr I think that the place across the street from Kroger is called SMITTY'S. It is a pawn shop. It has large light bulbs around the windows and an undeniable 'gangster' feel. This stretch of vine is one of the few places that I feel uncomfortable walking though. In fact, I was threated the last time I was taking pictures of that block. Smitty's is also a check cashing store(in the back), the locals use smittys rather than the checks cashed place right up the street. I saw two young white guys with huge expensive cameras taking pictures around that area a couple of weeks ago was that you?? Not the smartest thing at to do as you guys stood out big time!
March 4, 200817 yr Smitty's is also a check cashing store(in the back), the locals use smittys rather than the checks cashed place right up the street. I saw two young white guys with huge expensive cameras taking pictures around that area a couple of weeks ago was that you?? Not the smartest thing at to do as you guys stood out big time! Nope. Not me. I was shooting for an OTR tribute video (available here) with my Canon SD850. As soon as I started recording, a guy came up and made it clear that I should not be recording there, as many of the people there wouldn't like being taped. So, I just moved along the way.
March 4, 200817 yr I agree with Jskinner. Smitty's is not a problem on vine, they serve the neighborhood and keep vine st alive with lights.
March 4, 200817 yr That is easily the biggest trouble spot south of Liberty. Good news. I agree - this is one of the few spots in OTR where I don't feel comfortable walking. I went there a few weeks ago to take a picture of the beautiful building that used to host Wielert's Cafe. The sotre the police busted is just to the left of that building. I'm glad they are cleaning up the block.
March 4, 200817 yr I believe Boss Cox used to hold court in the above-pictured building, no?..at least that's how Tarbell tells it. And Ezzard Charles trained at the neighboring building just to the South. And I would second the testimonials re Smitty's. It is not a problem in this area. ah yes...here it is: Wielert's Beer Garden, 1408-1410 Vine Street. A saloon with a beer garden behind that provided entertainment by a 40-50 member orchestra. As many as 1500 people attended special concerts. Wielert's Beer Garden stayed in business until 1919, when Prohibition caused it to close. It was one of the major beer gardens in OTR and a favorite of "Boss" Cox before WWI.
March 4, 200817 yr Great picture!! It is hard to get pictures around that area without being hassled. That building is historically very important. Maybe this building could be the next gateway building to the north.
March 5, 200817 yr I saw two young white guys with huge expensive cameras taking pictures around that area a couple of weeks ago was that you??
March 5, 200817 yr ^ Were they carrying a map on a huge clipboard and a large camera? if so that was me. I was doing inventory and analysis for my senior project. I didn't really feel threatened until i got over to the drop in center. Across Washington Park at the Lord's Gym i was a little sketched out but there were three cops sitting in the park so...
March 5, 200817 yr As of Feb. 21 OTR Holdings Inc (3CDC) has that building... 3CDC owns the Wielert building?
March 5, 200817 yr Walked past lavomatic at lunchtime it was packed, jim tarbell was there. I have ripped 3cdc in the past on a couple of issues but wow I have to say they are doing a fine job on vine.
March 6, 200817 yr ^ Drove past it last night after going to Primavista in Price Hill (which was excellent). . .Lavomatic was packed when i drove by! :-D
March 7, 200817 yr Okay, so Lavomatic is nice, and the food is great, but we need something else to munch on in the Q besides venice on vine and enzo's. I would like to see something like Tuckers down there (I'm not saying they should move, I love going up there when I am at Findlay, but something like that)...
March 7, 200817 yr I heard somebody talking about a Deweys pizza at 12th and vine at a bar the other day. I can't imagine seeing something like that there..
March 7, 200817 yr Why not, it would certainly be better than venice pizza....imagine being able to walk out of your condo and grab a pie from across the street...
March 7, 200817 yr I was told by reliable sources Dewey's passed on a location in Duveneck at this time.
March 7, 200817 yr ^ Heard the same thing. I do know they are trying to get more (independant) affordable eats in there, though.
March 7, 200817 yr Found this in the Oxford Press, read the bolded line with the GREAT OTR comment...knuckleheads... February sees substantial number of drug arrests Click-2-Listen By Ryan Gauthier Staff Writer Tuesday, March 04, 2008 February was host to an average of one drug-related arrest every day, with Oxford police taking in 29 individuals last month. Police seized approximately four pounds of marijuana, between 40 and 50 Adderall pills, countless pieces of drug paraphernalia and well over $11,000 of cash subject to narcotics forfeiture.
March 7, 200817 yr Personally, I'm gonna write to the editor to see if they've ever been to OTR, as well as the Oxford Police Dept.
March 7, 200817 yr Nothing about OTR in this article by the paper Miami student. http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2008/03/04/FrontPage/Opd-Arrests.16.Students.For.Drug.Charges-3249963.shtml
March 7, 200817 yr Oxford Police Cheif: [email protected] General Police Dept. Email: [email protected] Or if you would like to make a formal complaint you can find information on how to do that here: http://www.cityofoxford.org/Page.asp?NavID=729
March 7, 200817 yr Wow check out some of these bozos, badmouthing the OTR. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60993-i402-k986562-o20-O_T_R_your_opinion_please-Cincinnati_Ohio.html
March 8, 200817 yr OTR has potential and a lot of good things happening to it but that doesn't negate its problems and its old reputation. I believe it is coming back and will completely come back. The key is making sure it is valued for generations to come and will never fall back into the squalor and vice that has come to characterize it. Cincinnati has to realize what it has and be proud of it...forever and always.
March 8, 200817 yr Wow check out some of these bozos, badmouthing the OTR. Everyone on here should post there opinions and views of OTR on that site.
March 8, 200817 yr Everyone on here should post there opinions and views of OTR on that site. Great idea. Nice job with your post on that site. I just added my own.
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