Yeah, I saw that work being done and a shop owner on Main Street was talking about it.

 

Has anyone else noticed increased loitering on Main Street?

I wouldn't say I have seen any more than usual. Though school is out for a lot of kids, so there may be greater younger presence out right now. I haven't noticed anything significant.

Incidentally WAY more loitering on the Vine St. hill starting in 2011 after years of no problems.  Sadly that market just south of Inwood Park has turned into a beehive of drug activity. 

I noticed the streets all marked up indicating utilities. Any word on the duration or if the whole street will be closed?

 

Street has been reopened. They've moved on 12th into Pendleton. All that appears to have been done is asphalt sawing for a trench in the middle of the street. Water or gas line replacement.

I noticed the streets all marked up indicating utilities. Any word on the duration or if the whole street will be closed?

 

Street has been reopened. They've moved on 12th into Pendleton. All that appears to have been done is asphalt sawing for a trench in the middle of the street. Water or gas line replacement.

 

They're doing streetscape improvements too if my shopkeeper friend on Main St is to be believed...

hopefully we can get some more cash and thus even better contemporary  OTR buildings with the help of our visiting Choir fans....  like this from Constance, Germany http://www.archdaily.com/250513/h27d-kraus-schoenberg-architects/

 

That has to be one of the ugliest buildings I've ever seen. Ugh. Please, none of that in OTR.

I'd prefer something clean and minimalist like that, as opposed to a piece of faux-historical theme park kitsch that makes a lame effort to "blend in" with OTR's historical context.

Yeah, I wasn't advocating faux Italianate. I don't buy stripping all the style and character off a facade and claiming *that* is a style (i.e. minimalist). It's just a cop out for lack of real inspiration if you ask me. Let's save the stark concrete for our parking garages, thanks.

Just keep in mind that the building styles in OTR are already "faux" revival styles to begin with.  Yes we can make them even more fake now than they were then, but it's just a matter of degree and not a completely different methodology. 

What styles were they reviving? I know the name italianate sounds derivative, but I thought it was its own thang. Of course, I'm no architectural historian.

 

I guess Greek revival was reviving something Greek. What about second empire? Is that a revival of the first empire? :-P

...and the ancient Greeks and Romans actually revered even older architectural styles like the Etruscans.   

Look at Italian cities, their old buildings other than the monumental ones have a very similar look to Over the Rhine, it was meant to be inspired by Italian and Roman styles of architecture.

Architectural revivals aren't a problem if you're doing it with craftsmanship, quality materials, and an eye to detail. But therein lies the rub.

 

Doing a newfangled Italianate revival would actually be problematic because stonework, woodwork, and ironwork like we see in OTR buildings is now the province of specialty craftsmen and would be really expensive. And aping the form of Italianate buildings without all of the charming little grace notes would come off poorly, I think.

Architectural revivals aren't a problem if you're doing it with craftsmanship, quality materials, and an eye to detail. But therein lies the rub.

 

Doing a newfangled Italianate revival would actually be problematic because stonework, woodwork, and ironwork like we see in OTR buildings is now the province of specialty craftsmen and would be really expensive. And aping the form of Italianate buildings without all of the charming little grace notes would come off poorly, I think.

 

Cost is absolutely the reason the "revival" styles of the past are known as "faux-" styles today.  People want the look but aren't willing to pay for it.

 

It's also the reason why things like mass, form, and scale are replicated in today's infill projects rather than ornamentation and detail.  A building can pay homage to a past style of similar structures while looking nothing like it.

Yeah, I really judge infill development by the form of the building and how it interacts with the street.  It's sad, but it's just like a bonus if I actually like the way the building looks...

I hope that someday, MY generation can be proud of the the buildings that we construct, but for now, almost EVERYTHING I see being constructed (that isn't some massive endeavor in NYC or Dubai or w/e) is a heinous tasteless and spiritless homage to the US's love for cheap and disposable existence.

I have a question for anyone in the know. I was out last night and parked a meter next to the lot at 12th and Vine. Has 3CDC (they are the owners of that lot correct?) ever stated their future plans for some of their lots. I don't mind most of the ones on Vine at the moment but that one at 12th and Vine is a serious offender. When the garage at Mercer Commons is built is there any possibility of allowing that lot to be developed either by 3CDC or one of the other groups in OTR? If that corner was finished that whole section would feel so much more complete in my mind. Not that it isn't awesome as it is, but that corner is important to the fabric of that section of Vine and is a pretty gaping hole at the moment.

Has 3CDC (they are the owners of that lot correct?) ever stated their future plans for some of their lots.

 

No. I'd assume that parking lots will remain as such until 3CDC has addressed its landbank of vacant lots and buildings --- unless a developer made an offer 3CDC could not refuse which is doubtful.

 

^That's what I figured. And honestly that's probably the best idea anyway. I'd much rather see their landbank completely renovated and occupied first. Unless, as you stated, someone else came by with an offer. That would be quite acceptable as well.

FWIW, the old Rhinos Bar building behind the Emery (one of the last vacant buildings for sale in this area) is under contract for sale now. I hear it will be studio space and apartments.

Very cool. I'd noticed a lot of activity there, several people showing it including Vice Mayor Qualls who I forget is a realtor.

 

The most important thing for that place will be to brighten and liven up that corner. Exterior lights, etc. the gap between walnut & main is so dead.

Supposedly Rhino's has a beautiful draft tower with 21 tap handles on it. I have no idea if it's still on the property, or if it's been sold off. Neons had considered purchasing it, but putting it into actual use would require a massive amount of cooler space for all those kegs.

Supposedly Rhino's has a beautiful draft tower with 21 tap handles on it. I have no idea if it's still on the property, or if it's been sold off. Neons had considered purchasing it, but putting it into actual use would require a massive amount of cooler space for all those kegs.

 

I toured the property a few months ago and I am trying to remember if it was still there. I can't picture it being there. I'll tell you what was definitely still there: all of the belongings of the hoarder who lived in the apartment above the bar. Kudos to whomever restores that property.

The most important thing for that place will be to brighten and liven up that corner.

 

And evict the winos who perch themselves on Rhino's stoop and feel free to holler at passersby. Rudest winos in the city IMO.

The most important thing for that place will be to brighten and liven up that corner.

 

And evict the winos who perch themselves on Rhino's stoop and feel free to holler at passersby. Rudest winos in the city IMO.

 

REAL TALK. That stoop seems to be a favorite for naptime or a cold malt beverage at any/all hours of the day and night.

What/where is Rhino's?

^ SW corner of 12th and Clay

FYI Rhino's Bar was one of the hoppin' places on Main Street during the 90's/early 2000's entertainment district days of Main Street...I could delve a little deeper into its history but it suffices to say it changed owners around 2000, then moved to Clay and 12th and then closed several years ago.

I only have a vague recollection of Rhino's.  There were so many bars there at one point that it was pretty easy to go there regularly and never hit some of them.  I think there were about 10 more bars at Main St.'s peak than there are there right now, here are the spaces that are empty that I can think of:

 

-Rhino's

-Sycamore Gardens/Red Cheetah

-Club CLAU (was that actually all part of the same buidling?  I never went in either)

-Westminsters

-Have a Nice Day Cafe (might be the "Vitamin Water" space)

-Bar Cincinnati

-Barrellhouse (is now the art academy)

-Kaldi's (now a storefront or something)

 

That's 8.  There are probably at least a few more. 

 

 

 

-Kaldi's (now a storefront or something)

 

Park + Vine is in Kaldi's old spot.

Oh yeah, I forgot The Warehouse at 1313 Vine has been vacant since about 2004, and Club Venus was demolished (purple building where Mercer Commons will be built). 

 

I was talking about bars/clubs, not stores like Park + Vine. 

^ You said Kaldi's is "now a storefront or something" and OTR clarified that it is Park + Vine's space.

 

It is interesting to compare Main Street of 12 years ago to Main Street today, though I think they are two very different animals. It's nice to have Park + Vine and Shadeau Bread instead of two more bars, for example. (I know Kaldi's wasn't a bar.)

The Main St. district of yesteryear was more robust than today, but citywide I don't think the Cincinnati bar scene was as evenly distributed as it is now.  Uptown has taken a nosedive, but the Eastside, CBD and NKY all have better nightlife than they used to.  CBD still has a long way to go, though.

Anyone know what's going on with the building on the Northeast corner of Reading & Main? I walked by this morning and the bricks on the front were all torn out where windows would be, but had been bricked over. They've got a fence up around it and everything.

Anyone know what's going on with the building on the Northeast corner of Reading & Main? I walked by this morning and the bricks on the front were all torn out where windows would be, but had been bricked over. They've got a fence up around it and everything.

 

That's part of the old plasma center. The adjacent storefront to the north will be a US Bank branch and the property owners are opening the facade up with windows and a door (it was bricked over for the plasma center with the entrance next door) so that they can lease the space.

^^^Good news. When I saw the fence up and work going on this past weekend I was afraid they were just begining to brick over the windows. I guess I never paid much attention to what that building looked like prior to construction commencing.

I also see that 1205 Elm St (the church at 12th/Elm across from Washington Park) is also under contract for sale. Any idea who is behind this and/or the plans for the space? This corner is a serious hotspot of loitering and drug activitiy even with the new park traffic and Music Hall.

 

http://www.comey.com/re/homesearch/displaylisting/listnum/1301382/mls/mls_cincy

Church architecture discussion has been moved to here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27665.0.html

 

More details on Main Street developments: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2012/07/24/obama-campaign-hq-us-bank-coming-to.html

 

Obama campaign HQ, U.S. Bank coming to Over-the-Rhine

Business Courier

 

...

 

In addition to leasing space for the campaign office, Stough Group leased 1116 Main St. to U.S. Bank for a full service branch. The new, 2,500-square-foot location will consolidate two branches, one located on Court Street and another on Sycamore Street, according to a news release from the building owner.

 

...

 

Stough Group also is preparing a space for prospective tenants of the “Jupiter Building” at 1110 Main St. This adds another 4,500 square feet of space for potential tenants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

^ That's a shame, the Hanke Building was a great venue for MPMF last year and would have been cool again this year, especially if a permanent bar tenant fitted out the space in time.  Instead, we'll get a propaganda factory.

So 1116 was the old Plasmacare space and 1110 is the space that is undergoing construction right now to remove the bricked up facade.

1116 was the old Plasmacare storefront, but 1110 was also part of the center. No need for windows in the lab section I guess.

^ That's a shame, the Hanke Building was a great venue for MPMF last year and would have been cool again this year, especially if a permanent bar tenant fitted out the space in time.  Instead, we'll get a propaganda factory.

 

In one of these threads, someone stated that the owners of the Hanke Building are not interested in having another bar/nightlife spot as a tenant, and that they would be pursuing office-style tenants.  Obviously, a campaign HQ is temporary, but it doesn't sound like MPMF would have happened there, even if the space was empty.

^^ I imagine that an office might be easier and more stable as a tenant, since so many bars and restaurants quickly fold within a year or two of opening.

I also see that 1205 Elm St (the church at 12th/Elm across from Washington Park) is also under contract for sale. Any idea who is behind this and/or the plans for the space? This corner is a serious hotspot of loitering and drug activitiy even with the new park traffic and Music Hall.

 

http://www.comey.com/re/homesearch/displaylisting/listnum/1301382/mls/mls_cincy

 

Yes, I know who is behind it and something about the plans. I can't say anything else other than it is someone who has/is part of a business in OTR.

I also see that 1205 Elm St (the church at 12th/Elm across from Washington Park) is also under contract for sale. Any idea who is behind this and/or the plans for the space? This corner is a serious hotspot of loitering and drug activitiy even with the new park traffic and Music Hall.

 

http://www.comey.com/re/homesearch/displaylisting/listnum/1301382/mls/mls_cincy

 

Yes, I know who is behind it and something about the plans. I can't say anything else other than it is someone who has/is part of a business in OTR.

 

Fair enough. Any idea when we might have some sort of announcement on this space from that party? or is this a buy now and sit on it for a few years investment property?

nevermind

I was told over the weekend that the apartment building on the NE corner of 12th/Clay will go market rate following a major rennovation. The first floor will become retail and there is a bakery tenant already in place supposedly. My source did not include a timeline for this. Anyone have any additional information on this project?

Really?  I like the tenants on the first floor of that place.  They always throw great parties.

I was told over the weekend that the apartment building on the NE corner of 12th/Clay will go market rate following a major rennovation. The first floor will become retail and there is a bakery tenant already in place supposedly. My source did not include a timeline for this. Anyone have any additional information on this project?

 

Good news. I'll look into it.