There may be some concept drawings there, but I don't know for sure.  I'll be reporting back about what happens at this meeting and sharing all the juicy details.

There may be some concept drawings there, but I don't know for sure.  I'll be reporting back about what happens at this meeting and sharing all the juicy details.

 

any updates? how did things go?

Hey, I'm new here. I'm a second year architecture student at UC.

 

Anyways, I'm interested in what's going on with this project. I just moved into UPA yesterday, and instantly noticed that the two old fast food restaurants were gone. I went looking for any information on what this could mean as I knew the project was having some troubles of taking off and I ended up here. I know I wasn't around for the old days when this block was successful being used for many other businesses, but I really like UPA and the convenience of being around so many great retailers and restaurants. I literally have to walk down a few flights of stairs and out a door to be by Gamestop. In reality, this may not be a good thing, but it is really convenient.

This is great news.  That whole area has tons of potential to be something totally cool and unique.  One area I want to see built up more than anything is the corner adjacent to Mad Frog.  Thank God that old parking garage is gone but Im sick of looking at the corner lol.  Put a Tower Records there or something.

^ I think it will have to be the "or something"; Tower Records is out of business.

Towne Properties will be attending a community meeting on September 11th to discuss their intentions, possibly some early renderings and to gather community input on the site. Apparently this has more traction than what many people think. I was also told that they should be presenting their time line for the development of this site.

 

I still don't agree with how the entire stretch was sold to a single developer.  No matter what, this thing is going to look like a behemoth and a mega-project.

the streetcar better go there.  But hey, the taco bell and stuff is way better than what was there before.  Talk about shanty shops.

framing for large billboard-type signs was installed on the opposite corners of the McMillian/Calhoun site. I'm thinking they should be putting up renderings and/or project information soon. Watch this! I'm really excited to see some momentum (finally!) at this site!

Something to note...

 

Chris Bortz is leading the push for the streetcar proposal on City Council.  The Bortz family controls Towne Properties.  Towne Properties now controls the site that could eventually be the northern end of the Downtown/OTR line and southern end of the Uptown route.  My money would be on something happening at this site soon.

I'm not sure how relevant this is, or if it is even new news, but as I'm looking out my window at UPA watching the rain, I've noticed that there is a new white, wooden structure that has been erected in the empty lot along Calhoun Street. It currently is just a frame, but it appears that it will hold a sign in the very near future. I don't recall seeing this structure before (please, correct me if it has been there all along) and it appears to be brand new as the holes that it looks like it will sit in look as if they were just dug recently. The dirt is still piled up around them. With this sign (if is is indeed a sign, and also if it is actually a new structure) and the demolition of Hardee's and Arby's buildings, I'm wondering if we could be seeing some sort of construction in the near future.

jmicha, that is exactly what I saw and mentioned earlier in this thread! glad someone else noticed too. keep us posted on any other developments when they happen since you have such a good view of the site. I live on the west side of campus now so I don't walk on Calhoun every day anymore...

I must've been more tired last night than I realized. I didn't even realize you had posted that. But I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

I realized I have my locations screwed up.  Can someone tell me what's all going at the old Kro-ghetto site and whats going by the ihop.  Two different placed correct.  I thought it was the same.  Baaaaaaahh I need to drive by there.

I still don't understand why it Walgreens to east and Kroger to the west wasn't possible.  Both buildings could face a realignment of Vine Street, meshing well with the rest of the business district.  Parking would be to the rear of each building (Euclid and Jefferson).

I realized I have my locations screwed up.  Can someone tell me what's all going at the old Kro-ghetto site and whats going by the ihop.  Two different placed correct.  I thought it was the same.  Baaaaaaahh I need to drive by there.

 

You can find information about the Kroger/Walgreen's site in this thread:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2563.0.html

 

And you can find information about the IHOP/Hampton Inn development site in this thread:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17024.0.html

Gah!  Someone derailed the thread again!

 

I think I've made this mistake a couple times. :)

So I just walked back from DAAP and to my excitement, found that the white structure is now in the ground and has a sign attached to it. Unfortunately, this sign is covered by some white sheet, but I could tell that there was something behind it because the wind was causing one of the corners to be exposed, yet not enough to be seen. It appears that there will be some sort of reveal in the near future. I'll keep everyone updated as I expect that by the end of the week, we will know what is on the board.

You know, the reveal could happen sooner if you go over there in the middle of the night, and rip that sheet off!

Lol, I was so tempted to, but it's much too high for me to actually be able to get to it. That, plus the massive amount of cops patrolling Calhoun Street lately, would probably make it impossible to take a peak what's behind the white sheet.

 

Edit: So I just looked out the window and saw two men in a truck removing the white sheet. I'm going to go outside and see what's on the board. I'll post back in a minute.

Okay, the sign has some irrelevant pictures and says "Uptown Commons" and "stay tuned for more details." No renders or anything on the board, but I have a feeling we will get some new information on the project in the very near future.

Any firm logo shown or listed?  I guess it's now time for us to be impatient.

With all this stuff going on, we reeaaaaalllly need that streetcar near campus;)

All it said was Towne Properties and the acronym for the Calhoun restoration group (sorry, having mental block right now).

No problem.  I'll be down that way later tonight.  Existing stuff though!

CHCURC

^Yeah, that one, lol.

Towne Properties apparently did not release any renderings or specific project information at that September 11th meeting.  I'm pretty sure I was told they weren't able to attend for some reason.  Stay posted...I have a feeling things might move quickly here (relatively speaking).

I wonder if the "McMillan Park" name is dead in favor of "Uptown Commons."

whatever

Uptown Commons = UC. I wonder if they thought of that.

Uptown Commons = UC. I wonder if they thought of that.

 

Uptown Commons was also the name of a failed project down by the zoo for NIOSH.

McMillan Park development too slow

Community, business leaders gather to unveil futile sign on Sept. 30

http://newsrecord.org/sections/opinion/mcmillan_park_development_too_slow

 

Staff Editorial

 

Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2008

 

Updated: Thursday, October 9, 2008

 

Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC) and Towne Properties developers partnered last week to make a dramatic announcement.

 

“Please join us for a project sign unveiling announcing Clifton Heights’ newest development. The home of this new mixed-use project will be along Calhoun and McMillan Streets, adjacent to the University of Cincinnati. Remarks … will precede a cocktail reception,” read the press release jointly issued by the two groups.

Now that strikes as something that developers will start to become famous for over the next couple years.

The News Record is terrible.

Heh. I saw the new sign yesterday and was tempted to call Randy.

 

"GUESS WHAT'S COMING TO UPTOWN???" And make all kinds of "na na na naaaa" sounds all the while.

 

But this is depressing.

Can someone do a cheapo cell-phone snapshot of the sign because I'm really curious how "attractive" and "inspiring" it could be. 

Heh. I saw the new sign yesterday and was tempted to call Randy.

 

"GUESS WHAT'S COMING TO UPTOWN???" And make all kinds of "na na na naaaa" sounds all the while.

 

I don't get it.

An excerpt from a WLWT report...

 

 

“I think we're well positioned to survive this latest downturn,” said developer Arn Bortz.

 

Lenders aren’t extending as many loans as usual, but the stalled retail development along Calhoun Avenue near the University of Cincinnati could finally be completed.

 

“Ground-level retail, market-rate apartments and hotel” will likely be part of the development, Bortz said.

 

http://www.wlwt.com/money/17715058/detail.html?rss=cin&psp=news

$100M project eyed for Uptown

Towne seeking financing for hotel, retail center

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/11/24/story1.html

 

Towne Properties wants to develop a $100 million mix of hotels, apartments, retail and office space for the Calhoun Street corridor south of the University of Cincinnati.

 

Dubbed Uptown Commons, the project is an attempt to restart a long-stalled development initiative by the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corp.

I'm trying to locate some larger versions of these graphics, but for now these will have to do...

 

1. Site Plan (almost too small to read)

 

2.

Awesome! Can't wait to see some sort of renderings for this project.

 

n/m - Posted them before I had time to reply...

Its an institutional-grade investment for any banker, Bortz said. This is not just another make-believe lifestyle center in a cornfield somewhere. Its location is unique.

 

I like this quote.  :)

Neighborhood leaders in Clifton Heights have been lobbying for a rail spur to run up West Clifton, but Vine Street is wider and its grade isn’t as steep.

 

“Our goal would be that this thing comes up Vine and circles our project,” said Towne Properties Principal Phil Montanus. “But this project can accommodate a streetcar regardless of the route selected.”

 

 

 

The streetcar coming up W. Clifton would be much more effective for students and people of the area, which is why neighborhood leaders are pushing for this, but I have an unfortunate feeling that those with money and the ability to develop the area are going to have a little bit of a stronger say as to where the line will go.  IMO, a vine street route could cause the uptown loop to be a big bust due to the differences in where people live that will use it

^I think it all comes down to how much it will cost.  Due to the steeper grade, I'd think that the streetcar line going up West Clifton would cost a few more million dollars.

^but the increased property values would be much greater on the w. clifton alignment

^That's the dream, but that may not be future.  Most of that is rental property for students anyway, which may cause rent to rise higher than many can manage.

 

The less steep grade on Vine Street seems more sensible to me.  Although, with the announcement of the redevelopment plans of Uptown Commons, I absolutely hate the idea of a parking garage at Vine and Calhoun.  I think higher property values would prove to be a very positive impetus for reinvestment for the stretch of Vine between Corryville and upper OTR.  I think that link between Uptown and OTR redevelopment is key.

 

Plus, what do you do with all the parking along West Clifton.  Build another parking garage or three?  After the curve up the hill, there's parking on both sides and not much more room to wiggle.

Those are some expensive apartments. There is so much cheap housing around, I'm not sure what the other new developments around UC charge for rent, but I have a 3 bedroom on Ohio for 995 and last year had a 3 bedroom on McMillan for 750.

Those are some expensive apartments. There is so much cheap housing around, I'm not sure what the other new developments around UC charge for rent, but I have a 3 bedroom on Ohio for 995 and last year had a 3 bedroom on McMillan for 750.

 

As someone who has lived on Eden, W. Clifton, and currently on Probasco with rents in that same vicinity I would imagine that you got what you paid for.  I have friends who live in stetson square because their parents can afford it and it the differences between the places is unbelievable.  People will definitely pay a higher price for more quality, especially at that location, which would be prime.

 

 

My argument for the line going up WC instead of vine is that from the bottom of the hill to the top, there is a very dense community there as opposed to vine street.  The streetcar would be utilized much more simply because of the differences in the amount of people that live on the two roads.  Then you have to take into account what the line is going to serve once it comes to the top of the hill and that obviously favors the west clifton route as well. 

 

As far as the cars parked along the street, I was under the understanding (maybe I am wrong) that the streetcar's tracks are in the lanes of the road that the cars also use, then then curve to curbside at their predetermined stopping locations, much like the bus.  If this is the case, then minimal parking spots will be lost.  If I am wrong, then that is something to definitely take into consideration because its harder than hell to find parking anywhere in that neighborhood.

Those are some expensive apartments. There is so much cheap housing around, I'm not sure what the other new developments around UC charge for rent, but I have a 3 bedroom on Ohio for 995 and last year had a 3 bedroom on McMillan for 750.

 

Well the apartments that are across the street from this (University Park) generally fetch around $2/sf and there is a waiting list.  There is definitely a market for these types of apartments that appeal to both students and their parents.  Students like the close proximity to campus while not being on campus and subject to campus rules and nice living spaces...the parents like the secured nature of the places and the close location that provides still some campus structure for their kids leaving the dorms.  These will rent with no problem.

>IMO, a vine street route could cause the uptown loop to be a big bust due to the differences in where people live that will use it

 

UC killed off Corryville by building the new dorm on Calhoun and stealing business from Short Vine and the streetcar would go a long way toward restoring Short Vine and attracting investment in Corryville east of Vine.  Obviously if the W. Clifton hill is chosen, a spur could run east on Calhoun/McMillan and turn north up Vine. toward the hospitals and zoo, a configuration that I think would be preferable from Corryville's perspective because it would connect it with UC more so than the Vine St. hill.