Since it's voluntary (otherwise they wouldn't be negotiating) I think it's a good approach.  It's the sort of simple common-sense kind of neighborhood involvement that we as a country used to be much better at in the past.  If it was a law or something, then yes it would be more of a slippery slope kind of situation.

I think the stores are seeing an opportunity; I'm sure they can make more money with the markup on organic produce and wine than that can make off of selling crack pipes and 40's. It's just a sign of an ever changing clientele.

The margins on crack pipes are huge and they sell them all day.  The ruling class are the ones smoking most of the crack anyway.  Once again not dealing with the drug problem (demand). 

You know your neighborhood is gentrified when the local bodega stops selling 40’s and crack pipes and starts selling fine wine and produce.

 

but the hipsters love their 40s! more bang for the buck!

Actually went down to Circle A market this weekend.  They don't have a very good selection and a lot of things are pretty overpriced when compared to a grocery store.  But that's what you'd expect from a convenience store.  Organic produce and wine?  Does not even exist at these places.  Unless they actually change their selection these stores will close.  Maybe that's the point, but if done incorrectly, it could be a missed opportunity.

New Gateway Pizza

Posted by pcampbell September 7th, 2010, 11:36 am

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/dining/2010/09/07/new-gateway-pizza/

Look, I like that idea of stores discontinuing these types of products, but does anyone else think this is crossing the line of big brother, nanny statism, etc.?

I think the city / police are recommending that communities initially use this tactic instead of petitioning the State ABC to revoke liquor licenses from nuisance stores in neighborhoods.  This allows the community to voice their concern about what types of products are being sold without trying to shut down someone's livelyhood.  I heard where community councils have approached new businesses that are applying for a liquor license and saying they will support it if they agree not to carry certain items like single cans, double deuces, & 40's. 

Does anyone know when the Parvis Lofts will get its occupancy permit? My girlfriend and I are considering the move from Hyde Park (it took months of convincing btw). We're really hoping its Nov 1st.  Thanks

How did you finally convince her? I'm currently working on my GF.

The units looked pretty finished for the Gateway Tour of Living and the website says Fall of this year. I'd say they are on track to opening soon.

I sure hope so.  We've already given notice on our current apartment. If Nov 1 doesn't happen. We may have to take up other options. :(  Any suggestions?

A friend at Northpointe has provided me with the # for the leasing agent at Parvis.  If you are interested you have to contact Karen with Northpointe Group at (513) 835-2110.They are aiming for Nov. 1 on occupancy.

I toured Parvis lofts during the tour of homes a few weeks ago and it sure looked completed.  I can't imagine it would be too much longer, especially the building right at the corner of 14th and Vine, it was totally completed.  I would see if your current landlord would let you stay an extra month, because you can always move in to the new digs a month late, and you never know what problems the Building Dept will find on the final inspections.

 

 

I went for a nice walk of the Gateway Quarter this morning and wow- the Parvis lofts look like they will be amazing.  They also still look like they're in the final stretch and there had to have been pushing 30 construction workers going full speed over there so I'm sure they'll have it done in a month.

 

This picture was taken from Republic street (on a crappy phone camera) looking towards the backside of the Parvis Lofts.  The google maps link below shows where I was standing.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1417+Republic+Street,+Cincinnati,+OH&sll=39.111109,-84.516092&sspn=0.000623,0.000857&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1417+Republic+St,+Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio+45202&ll=39.110903,-84.516186&spn=0.001247,0.001714&t=h&z=19

Glad to see that Parvis should be opening soon.  I am aiming to be in a condo in the Q by November 1st-ish too. 

How big is the Parvis Lofts project? How many "facades" on Vine?  How many buildings between Parvis and Smitty's? 

 

And does anyone know what 3CDC is doing with Smitty's? I recall hearing that they bought it after a fire.

^ technically it's the entire block of 1400 vine up to Smitty's... which they also now own. So they will have built out the entire block. and as of right now there is no official announced plan of what to do with the three Smitty buildings and burned out lot.  They just purchased it to land bank.  - Looking at the back side, each building looked very individually styled. Some had clearly added backsides, others were just rehabbed, etc.  Looked nice!

 

 

^thanks. So the new lofts will continue all the way up to Smittys, right?  Sounds like a great addition.

 

When is Mercer supposed to get done?  Has construction already started?

^ no construction has started on Mercer and I don't think anything will start until spring at the absolute soonest.  The Washington park project is over 40 million, the largest single project for 3CDC since the fountain square renovation (priced almost the same) and Mercer is budgeted to also reach over $40 million.  I was led to believe the plan is to get Washington park well under way before moving forward on Mercer Commons. 

 

On a side note- I think Mercer commons will be amazing and with the Parvis lofts will transform the Gateway quarter from a row of refurbished and trendy places, to a legitimate neighborhood.

The entire west side of the 1400 block in front of Parvis is all torn up for the new streetscape! 

Pictures!? I don't think we have seen an actual full photo update of the redevelopment this summer.  :-(

^ Why don't you take some?

I would if I lived there. I'm in Indy.

I took some.  But I'm not sharing. 

I took some. But I'm not sharing.

You're such a tease!

For those of you not in Cincinnati, like me.  Check out the new Google Streetview on Main Street.  This place is looking better and better every day.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1320+main+street,+cincinnati&sll=39.110358,-84.51195&sspn=0.009191,0.021458&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1320+Main+St,+Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio+45202&ll=39.109934,-84.511836&spn=0.009124,0.021458&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=39.110252,-84.511925&panoid=uyU0kJ9HTKh390h4j1rVkg&cbp=12,213.62,,0,-22.41

For those of you not in Cincinnati, like me. Check out the new Google Streetview on Main Street. This place is looking better and better every day.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1320+main+street,+cincinnati&sll=39.110358,-84.51195&sspn=0.009191,0.021458&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1320+Main+St,+Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio+45202&ll=39.109934,-84.511836&spn=0.009124,0.021458&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=39.110252,-84.511925&panoid=uyU0kJ9HTKh390h4j1rVkg&cbp=12,213.62,,0,-22.41

Two words: Holy. Cow.

 

That looks great

Everyone hypes up Vine, but IMO Main is nicer. Maybe because it feels more neighborhoody since it's not a major thoroughfare. Is it narrower? That could be it.

I think Vine has a bit more going for it right now, and you can also really starkly see it all happening.  Main, because of its former life as a night-life hotspot, may have started out just a bit ahead (that could be wrong).

 

When I was shopping for a condo in OTR, what REALLY stuck out to me is the contrast between Vine and Main and Walnut.  I know it all takes time, but it feels like Walnut has been passed over. 

When I was shopping for a condo in OTR, what REALLY stuck out to me is the contrast between Vine and Main and Walnut. I know it all takes time, but it feels like Walnut has been passed over.

 

Yeah, maybe there's a hope that Walnut will improve more organically since it's sandwiched between Main and Vine.

 

Isn't Mercer Commons going to have some frontage on Walnut?

^Yes.  It will be most of the block between 13th and 14th.

^Yes. It will be most of the block between 13th and 14th.

 

ya- once Mercer is done you can genuinely describe the Gateway quarter as a large, homogenous district as opposed to strips of various streets.  The budget for Mercer Commons is over $40 million.  That means, it's almost the same size of a project as the entire Washington Park renovation or the entire Fountain Square renovation (both were in the mid to upper $40's.  I go for a walk in the gateway quarter at least twice a week. and when you walk around the block that will be Mercer Commons and compare it to the rest of the development you can tell its sheer size.  Pretty massive.

Are there any renderings of Mercer Commons online? I've only seen aerial renderings of its footprint. 

 

I think I remember someone saying that it was going to start construction in 2011. Not sure about that tho.

^ not really, technically there is this image (from urbanout.com)

 

http://urbanqueer.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/mercer-commons1.jpg?w=450&h=264

 

but it's not very helpful...

They are pouring the sidewalks in front of Parvis today.

OTR Work Group for October has been posted to 3CDC's site:

 

http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/OTR%20Workgroup%20-%20October%2019%202010.pdf

 

Some interesting stuff -- new projects are listed, Mercer is considered a "development in progress" and Taste of Belgium is opening a new store (where??? and woohoo!).

OTR Work Group for October has been posted to 3CDC's site:

 

http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/OTR%20Workgroup%20-%20October%2019%202010.pdf

 

Some interesting stuff -- new projects are listed, Mercer is considered a "development in progress" and Taste of Belgium is opening a new store (where??? and woohoo!).

 

Is McCormack Baron Salazar doing Mercer Commons?  Is that why that slide is in there?

Is McCormack Baron Salazar doing Mercer Commons?  Is that why that slide is in there?

 

Yes

Taste of Belgium is opening a new store (where??? and woohoo!).

 

I agree -- Taste of Belgium will be a great asset to the lower half of OTR. I did a double take when they teased it out via their Twitter account I think a few days ago.

 

The 3CDC development continues to progress at a fast pace. What will their next target be once the lower half is complete?

Officially they have nothing farther north than 15th street.  They are doing Race and 14th right now, Washington Park and will start Mercer Commons next year.  There are some random scattered properties throughout the gateway quarter they still own and have yet to develop.  Also they are about to start City Home phase II. 

 

other than that- they will develop high rise condos at 5th and race (currently a parking lot) along with a couple other small things in the CBD. 

 

And thats all there is for now...

Is there a life-expectancy for 3CDC or is going to pretty much exist indefinitely?

 

Any renderings of the high rise condos at the fabled 5th and Race???

I'm sure 3CDC will continue to work its way west to Central Parkway.  Once the neighborhood is stabilized they'll probably turn their attention to Pendelton, north of Liberty St., the northwest part of downtown, maybe the West End, maybe Queensgate. But I don't see it happening anytime soon.  They still have a lot of work to do in the Gateway Quarter.

 

 

5th & Race discussion moved here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,344.0.html

If you want to see where 3CDC projects are going to be in OTR, all you need to do is follow the property they control.  They have maps showing what properties are 3CDC controlled, one is included in the October OTR work group presentation.  There could be more if 3CDC works with properties owned by others but they are probably done land banking for the most part.

 

Also, the Taste of Belgium is going into the old sales center at the corner of 12th and Vine.

Leeper already sits on the board for Findlay Market, and Adam has said they are now 2 years out from crossing Liberty.

Leeper already sits on the board for Findlay Market, and Adam has said they are now 2 years out from crossing Liberty.

OK good. So the plan is to cross Liberty at some point...how could one know this sort of info without an inside source?

Leeper already sits on the board for Findlay Market, and Adam has said they are now 2 years out from crossing Liberty.

OK good. So the plan is to cross Liberty at some point...how could one know this sort of info without an inside source?

 

It's pretty much implied by their maps of current projects and their goals. North of Liberty has just as much potential as south of Liberty; but  south of Liberty is closer to downtown so it's a no-brainer to start there and get some momentum going.

Leeper already sits on the board for Findlay Market, and Adam has said they are now 2 years out from crossing Liberty.

OK good. So the plan is to cross Liberty at some point...how could one know this sort of info without an inside source?

 

It's pretty much implied by their maps of current projects and their goals. North of Liberty has just as much potential as south of Liberty; but  south of Liberty is closer to downtown so it's a no-brainer to start there and get some momentum going.

 

Maybe I'm missing something but I've never seen any indication of that on any of their documents.  It is a no-brainer to start at Central and work north.  Here's a recent report from the OTR work group with maps. Everything is south of Liberty:

http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/OTR%20Workgroup%20-%20October%2019%202010.pdf

 

 

Another thing, is there a Gateway V in the works or are they moving on to something else before they announce more projects for OTR?

The Q was rocking on Saturday night.  The Queen City is Haunted Walking Tours were leaving from the Q Info Center and the two groups I saw leave were huge.  Senate was overflowing as usual, Lavomatic had a really nice crowd , and the Lackman was about two cab loads of people away from being one-in, one-out.  If they can add a few more unique restaurants (like A Tavola) and a couple of small bars to the area it's really going to take off.  Right now, the only limitation seems to be the amount of people that can be accommodated by those three establishments. 

^Hey the great thing is these places are overflowing.  That just shows people aren't scared to go down there anymore.  Can't wait to see the progress when I visit!