Posted April 13, 200421 yr The Rookwood Exchange eminent domain trial...from today's Enquirer: Protesters, including homeowner Carl Gamble of Norwood, rally against eminent domain abuse early Monday morning outside the Hamilton County Courthouse. (Gary Landers photo) Trial pits Norwood against its residents Opponents rally at courthouse as eminent domain trial begins By Sharon Coolidge The Cincinnati Enquirer If Rookwood Exchange is built in Norwood, it could bring more than 3,000 jobs to the city, a developer testified Monday. That could mean up to $2.72 million a year in tax money for the city and up to $300,000 per year for the school district, according to Brian Copfer, a developer for the Miller-Valentine Group, which is working with Anderson Real Estate to bring the project to Norwood.
April 13, 200421 yr I think it's important for Hamilton Co. to keep this development. It would be nice to see this go in at the old mill site near the new Meijer and Target in Oakley.
April 13, 200421 yr Author Sure, it would be nice. It does, however, raise some issues in regards to tactics.
April 13, 200421 yr kendall, are you familiar with Millworks? It's a plan for the site you're talking about in Oakley. I have no idea how it could sustain itself if the Rookwood Exchange project happens. That's just too much of the same type of retail for one area. Also, I have no faith in either developer. These will be garbage developments, full of parking with a building or 2 haphazardly placed. http://www.cincinnatimillworks.com
April 14, 200421 yr The more I think of Millworks the more I don't see it working. There is no visual presence off the interstate and shopping seems to depend on interstate access and frontage. Millworks would be hidden. Don't get me wrong, I love the design but I am just not sold on the location. In theory it is great as they are replacing old factories with new and vibrant retail but with no interstate advertisement I don't know how well it would succeed. As for Norwood, I hope the city is victorious so they can move on with development. The homeowners are getting over 2 times their value for their home - "cha ching"
April 14, 200421 yr I agree that millworks is not easy to see from the highway, but most major retail and entertainment centers rely on word of mouth and general knowledge of their location and existence more than drive-by traffic.
April 14, 200421 yr tear the whole city of Norwood down and everyones problems are solved. ......dont we all wish it was only that easy. I went to Norwood Middle school back in the day, it WAS a pretty good school.
April 14, 200421 yr Norwood Middle School...that was between October 8-24' date=' 1995, right? ;)[/quote'] lol you may not believe me, but I actually made it through the entire year there!!!! I also attended Norwood schools in the 2nd and some of my 3rd grade year. All together, we lived in 4 different places in Norwood. I should break out the 8th grade ID and scan it. That would be one embarrasing post!
April 15, 200421 yr Author This was in today's Enquirer: Developer cites blight study errors Norwood miscounted 'negative factors' By Steve Kemme The Cincinnati Enquirer Norwood declared a neighborhood blighted on the basis of a study rife with errors, a developer testified Wednesday. The urban renewal study is a key document in a trial pitting five property owners against Norwood, which wants to use the blight designation to seize the property by eminent domain and transfer it to developers who would tear down the buildings and construct the Rookwood Exchange.
April 18, 200421 yr Author Many articles over the last few days regarding the Norwood eminent domain trail. A finding probably won’t come about for another month. In the interest of not completely bogging down this page, here are the links: From Saturday’s Enquirer: Trial Over, Norwood Waits: Judge to Rule on City’s Right to Take Land Norwood Case Being Watched: Rookwood is Link in I-71 Chain of Development From Sunday’s Enquirer: EDITORIAL (PRO): “Takings” Can Be an Appropriate Way to Stop Decline EDITORIAL (CON): Eminent Domain a Tool of Last Resort: Not a First Option for Development EDITORIAL: Changing Standards Shape Field of Eminent Domain EDITORIAL (PRO): “Holdouts” Holding Neighbors Hostage EDITORIAL (CON): Why Isn’t My Business Good for Norwood
April 26, 200421 yr If anyone can get a photo of the model mentioned in the article, please post it. Crate & Barrel, others near deal at Rookwood Retail project awaits ruling on right to eminent domain Lisa Biank Fasig Courier Staff Reporter Crate & Barrel, Arhaus Furniture and several other retailers are in final negotiations with the proposed Rookwood Exchange, its developer said, and are ready to sign leases as soon as the project gets clearance. "It wouldn't be right to lease-out with them (yet), but everything has been approved," said Mark Fallon, director of leasing at Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate, which is behind the mixed-use project.
April 27, 200421 yr "the discount shoe retailer DSW plans to expand its Rookwood Commons store into the Zany Brainy site." yeah, lately i've been thinking that store is a little cramped... (don't shop there, been there once, making facetious remark about behemoth shoe store, etc) as far as rookwood exchange goes, it's summing up to be a perfect candidate for my boycott list.
April 27, 200421 yr "the discount shoe retailer DSW plans to expand its Rookwood Commons store into the Zany Brainy site." Are they going to add a PAYLESS?
May 2, 200421 yr Author The saga continues...from today's Enquirer: Rookwood backers, opponents file briefs Argument is about 'eminent domain' By Steve Kemme The Cincinnati Enquirer Does Norwood have the right to take private property needed for a developer's planned outdoor mall? Proponents and opponents presented arguments in written statements submitted Friday to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
May 2, 200421 yr If Norwood can't use eminent domain to take property, "Norwood will suffer as a community, and those many residents of the area who want to move on will be left struggling in a neighborhood that time has passed by." So true! Some people don't get it. Norwood is creating a enviroment that is attractive for new development and while many people bitch that the West Chesters and Deerfield are getting everything new and cool, here is an old town (inner burb - practically city) that is luring the development that outer burbs usually get. I hope and pray this goes in favor of Norwood else the inner burbs are doomed. Of course I am generalizing because many will do just fine but while all the cool new trendy retail opens north, (in the soccer mom's point of view) the people will follow to only leave the loser population to rot away until they die.
May 3, 200421 yr I guess you all are talking about a parcel adjacent or near to that shopping center where Joseph-Beth is at? If so thats interesting as I think the market there would be the affluent Hyde Park area. Norwood proper is further to the west, isn't it, along Montogomery Road. Seems like Norwood is pretty agressive at redevelopement. It looks like they rebuilt their downtown (the intersection of Montgomery Road & the Norwood Lateral), or maybe that was an abandoned industrial site as I read there used to be a GM plant in Norwood.
May 3, 200421 yr Author So true! Some people don't get it. Norwood is creating a enviroment that is attractive for new development and while many people bitch that the West Chesters and Deerfield are getting everything new and cool' date=' here is an old town (inner burb - practically city) that is luring the development that outer burbs usually get. I hope and pray this goes in favor of Norwood else the inner burbs are doomed. Of course I am generalizing because many will do just fine but while all the cool new trendy retail opens north, (in the soccer mom's point of view) the people will follow to only leave the loser population to rot away until they die.[/quote'] I see your points, and I have mixed feelings on the subject. There are pros and cons to the deal for both sides. Just a random thought (and I'm not saying this is right or wrong)...as for the "loser population" left behind, despite the increased (for a short time, at least) taxes that the city of Norwood will take in, it's doubtful that a sizable number of the residents of Norwood actually can use these developments. Norwood then prostitutes itself as a playground for the more monied.
May 3, 200421 yr Author I guess you all are talking about a parcel adjacent or near to that shopping center where Joseph-Beth is at? If so thats interesting as I think the market there would be the affluent Hyde Park area. Norwood proper is further to the west' date=' isn't it, along Montogomery Road.[/quote'] Yeah, but it's still the city of Norwood. I believe the people within the questioned parcel live in Norwood proper, too. Seems like Norwood is pretty agressive at redevelopement. It looks like they rebuilt their downtown (the intersection of Montgomery Road & the Norwood Lateral)' date=' or maybe that was an abandoned industrial site as I read there used to be a GM plant in Norwood.[/quote'] Yes, it was. It was pretty much a blank slate after the plant closed down.
May 3, 200421 yr This parcel is technically in the Norwood city limits and I might add - barely. There is a little triangle on the east side of I-71 that is still Norwood and yes they are capitalized off the affluent Hyde Park area.
May 3, 200421 yr but while all the cool new trendy retail opens north, (in the soccer mom's point of view) the people will follow to only leave the loser population to rot away until they die. I respectfully submit that it is the loser population who follows the retail around to the fad township of the year.
May 7, 200421 yr Here is an aerial of Norwood, Rookwood is in the middle and the homes effected are to the right or north of the plaza between I-71, Edwards and Rookwood.
May 20, 200421 yr For what it is worth, I happened to see a small demostration in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse today. The signs said they were protesting misuse of the eminent domain laws.
May 21, 200421 yr I'm glad the planned apartment buildings will be built out to the street instead of having parking between the buildings and the street. Hopefully the retail is reasonably accessible on foot, unlike Rookwood Commons and Pavilion.
May 24, 200421 yr Rookwood is shaping up nicely to be on my shopping list. Bring the homes down and let's get this thing rolling. That area is becoming the new destination for shopping. I would rather have these options in Rookwood than West Chester. Bring the homes down! I hope they rule in favor of Norwood!
June 15, 200420 yr Judge rules in favor of Norwood in eminent domain case Lisa Biank Fasig Courier Staff Reporter A Hamilton County Court judge today said that the city of Norwood can buy five properties through eminent domain, clearing way for development of the proposed Rookwood Exchange project. But attorneys for the holdout properties pledge to appeal.
June 15, 200420 yr ...after looking at that aerial I didn't know there was another shopping center behind Rookwood Commons.
June 15, 200420 yr oh my, was there any option for a parking garage or underground parking instead? that complex looks like "the blob" taking over the city
June 16, 200420 yr ...after looking at that aerial I didn't know there was another shopping center behind Rookwood Commons. Yes, that was actually Rookwood Phase I which consists of a Stein Mart, BW3's, Sofa Express, etc.. Typical "Strip Mall"
June 16, 200420 yr The whole thing is just a big strip mall. I do not like it at all. Give it 8-10 years, it will get old and then will turn ghetto.
June 16, 200420 yr At least the upcoming phase is mixed use in the sense that there will also be office and condos on the site. Not real mixed use, but better than all retail I suppose.
September 25, 200420 yr Author A more recent article from the 9/25/04 Enquirer: Jury judges price of Norwood home First of five in eminent-domain battle By Sharon Coolidge Enquirer staff writer A Hamilton County jury Friday put a price tag on the first of five properties at the heart of a two-year eminent domain battle in Norwood being watched nationally. Jurors said Joe Horney's rental home on Atlantic Avenue is worth $233,000, which is $125,000 less than the $358,000 he argued that his property is worth. But the jury's value is $43,000 more than the $190,000 the city offered to pay for it so it could be torn down to make way for a high-end development. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/09/25/loc_valuation25.html
September 26, 200420 yr The whole thing is ridonculous. Those homes aren't blighted at all. Make the developer pay market rate if he must have this location. Norwood is certainly guilty of pandering to the developer. Rookwood Commons could have been soooo much better. It is the biggest waste of space anywhere. Have they ever heard of parking garages? They could have fit Rookwood Exchange on the property of Rookwood Commons if it were designed properly. In fact, people could be buying silverware at Crate & Barrel as we speak if he would have done it right - instead nothing but bitter people made so by a huge eminent domain fight. Man o man!
October 22, 200420 yr Author Just an update...from the 10/21/04 Cincinnati Business Courier: Nonprofit firm appeals Norwood eminent domain decision A nonprofit law firm today appealed a county court decision that allowed the City of Norwood to forcibly acquire a rental property to make way for a mixed-use development. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/dailyedition.html#6
November 8, 200420 yr Author From the 11/8/04 Cincinnati Business Courier: Crate & Barrel eyes Rookwood Home furnishings chain negotiating to open first local store at Exchange Lisa Biank Fasig Courier Staff Reporter Crate & Barrel, the popular home furnishings chain known for contemporary styles at moderate prices, has put Cincinnati back on its list of expansion sites, this time slating 2006 for a tentative store in Rookwood Exchange. "We are in negotiations with them," said Bette Kahn, spokeswoman for the Chicago-based chain. "I think that Rookwood is the place." http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2004/11/08/story4.html
November 10, 200420 yr ya crate & barrel is opening their Columbus eason location. Im not too big on the idea thou because it is taking theplace of VIrgin Record Store which I would much rather have
November 10, 200420 yr So sad to hear Virgin is gone :( It was the only one in Ohio. Rumors have been going on that Ikea is eyeing Mason's new Lifestyle Center near King's Island. There is a plan for a 250,000 sq ft big box across Kings Mills from the Lifestyle Center. I will try and dig up the article.
November 10, 200420 yr An Ikea in Cincy would make me very, very happy... I could stop driving to Pittsburgh every time we needed furniture. Please do post if you find the article.
November 10, 200420 yr Here is a few things said about a store in Ohio. Behind the Blue Wall Oh, IKEA is Jen Funk Segrest, a web designer, part time medievalist and IKEA fanatic who lives near Cincinnati, Ohio. No room in her house is free of Ikea. Her living room and kitchen are swimming in it, and she drinks the ligonberry Koolaid proudly. Oh, IKEA is her little venture to get Ohio on the Ikea radar and to report any Ikea sightings and rumors for ohio. Hopefully once we GET an Ikea it will become a fan and news site as well with sales announcements and such. Press or anyone else, can contact the OHIKEA HQ at: Jen Funk Segrest 3217 Keays Ave Middletown, Ohio 45044 513-424-9202 [email protected] Posted by jen at June 1, 2004 11:48 PM | TrackBack Cømmënts Thåt Håve Bëën Mådë I live in Shaker Hts Ohio {a suburb of Cleveland} and this mornings 7/24/04 Saturday Cleveland Plain Dealer included a copy of the 2005 IKEA catalog with a white sticker on the front cover: "Cleveland Home Delivery starting at only $79.00". The catalog was inside a plastic green,brown and white IKEApromotional plastic bag. On the front of the bag "Read our new Catalog inside, then visit the IKEA store to see more!". On the back of the bag in black magic marker was written the word "sample". I have no idea what this may mean. The IKEA website shows nothing for a location in Ohio. Years ago I visited an IKEA store in Woodbridge Virginia and got hooked. Could this mailing be in anticipation of a store opening? Our Shaker Square area would be a perfect site for a new IKEA store. Posted by: Pat at July 24, 2004 04:03 PM The closest store to Cleveland is IKEA Pittsburgh, and I know a lot of other fans who make the drive a couple times a year. Posted by: IKEA Fan at August 3, 2004 09:54 PM I live in Northern Kentucky, actually in the greater Cincinnati loop. I have lived almost everywhere in the US and have found the Cincinnati area one of the WORST places to shop for house and home items. There are no options when it comes to shopping for variety, personality or character. Why the greater Cincinnati area is so bland is beyond me. We need IKEA for a creative perspective for shoppers as well as real competition for stores who continue to sell bland, unoriginal items. IKEA, where are you???? Posted by: want IKEA here YeSTERDAY! at August 8, 2004 02:31 AM Jen, I love your Oh,IKEA website. I'm crazy about IKEA as well, unfortunately I live in Columbus ohio, the nearest store is 3 hrs away. I wrote a whole bench letters to the IKEA, and told them how much WE, OHIO "LOVE" to have a IKEA store. I hope the IKEA will coming here SOON in the future!! you know what? I think maybe we can get up a petition or something, let the IKEA real hear ohio's voice. sue Posted by: su at August 9, 2004 03:27 PM I just complained to my wife that Chicago is getting a second IKEA, just 20 minutes south of Schaumburg (check the press releases on their web site) and that we here in Ohio seem to get nothing. I typed "ikea in ohio?" into Google and up came your web site. I am happy that there are like minded and dedicated Ikea fans ou there in this state. To put it in perspective, I am from Germany, IKEA shopper since, heck, the early 80s with now 3 IKEAs within 30 minutes driving distance from my German hometown. It is pretty tough to find decent modern furniture in this country and IKEA fills the void. I hope IKEA puts Ohio on its expansion list, rather than doubling up in areas already served by them. Posted by: Björn Kemper at August 12, 2004 09:23 PM I am so glad there's a group of people out there trying to lure Ikea ot Ohio! I make the drive to Pittsburgh several times a year. I can't believe they don't want to put one in Columbus. Imagine all the OSU students stocking up every fall! It's a central location that anyone in Ohio would drive to for Ikea. Although having one in Dayton/Cincy is clsoer to me.. :-) Posted by: Amy Maggart at August 17, 2004 04:20 PM I e-mailed IKEA few weeks ago, about opening a store in Columbus Ohio, here was the e-mail the IKEA reply me: Hello Su, Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Although we do our best to respond to all e-mails as quickly as possible, responses have been delayed due to technical difficulties. We do apologize for any inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience. We do recognize the potential customer base that exists for us in the sate of Ohio; however, with only 18 stores currently in the U.S., we have not committed to a timeframe for entering that market yet. Currently, our focus is on building new stores in markets where we already have a presence (Our economies of scale are what keep our prices so low). Your interest in IKEA coming to Columbus will be noted and forwarded to the appropriate department. Please feel free to check back with us at a later date, as we are still developing our plans for 2005, 2006, and 2007. You can also visit our website, to view a list of stores that are currently on our timeline: -New Haven, CT: Summer 2004 -Bloomington, MN: Summer 2004 -Philadelphia, PA: Summer 2004 -Tempe, AZ: Fall 2004 -Atlanta, GA: Summer 2005 We do hope that this information has been helpful, and we thank you for your inquiry. Best Regards, Ricqui IKEA Customer Care Center Posted by: su at August 18, 2004 04:28 PM In response to their reply, I wonder if they think listing Georgia or Connecticut will make us feel better?! I'm trying to keep the drive a little *under* 10-15 hours. COMING SOON...another for the greater Dortmund, Germany area...making it their 16th! Everyone, grab your driving gear! Let's go! Posted by: Kristina at August 26, 2004 01:55 PM My sister works at IKEA in San Diego and she said there is definately a LOT of talk about a new IKEA store in Ohio. I think the best place for it would be somewhere between Dayton and Cincinnati or Dayton and Columbus. Cleveland doesn't need it because Pittsburgh isn't all that far away, but those of us in SW Ohio are screwed being about 5 hours away from Chicago and Pittsburgh. (I've been to both and Chicago is so much bigger and better, but Pitt isn't so busy) I'll let you know if I get anymore inside scoop from the sis. Posted by: Heather at September 7, 2004 09:06 PM Glad to see I'm not the only one wishing for IKEA in Ohio, though I must disagree that Cleveland doesn't need one. Cleveland is the major east-west corridor midpoint between Chicago and New York. I think one of the big reasons that IKEA is focusing on existing markets is due to advertising. I work for a national retailer that likes to move into markets into pairs or threes. This way, we can put TV advertising on in the area, and it covers more than one store. Its like getting two for the price of one, and is a HUGE cost savings. This might be IKEA's strategy too. Even though I'm a little biased toward Cleveland being the first Ohio location, I can see the logic behind Columbus. The city already has a wonderful retail base, and IKEA would certainly add to the shopping attraction. I also can see how it would be great with OSU just down the street. Maybe if we all keep e-mailing IKEA they will get tired of hearing from us and start building here! (HA, well its worth a try anyway).
November 10, 200420 yr Holy IKEA fanaticism! IKEA is throw-away crap. Go to a real furniture store, like Abode in Covington. But I admit, it is cheap and allows you to stay abreast of trends without breaking the bank.
November 10, 200420 yr I'm a big crate and barrel fan. best of all the yuppie furnishings stores. much better than pottery barn. I'd like to see one here. I just moved here from PHL, where we have 2 Ikeas within 15 miles of each other, and as cool and easy as it is to go there and spend $300 on knicknacks, Ikeas furniture is crapola. Now that college is becoming a distant memory, Ikea has less appeal to me, but I do think the area would be served well by one.
November 10, 200420 yr unusualfire- thanks for the info Ikea is of course kind of cheap and crappy. But it is a great option for those of us on budgets to get stuff that's passably decent looking- a $10 table there looks a whole lot better than one from Wally World or Big Lots. Then again, my girlfriend and I bought our couch and loveseat and Snooty Fox in Mariemont- so we got Indian Hills castoffs for cheap, which are undoubtedly better in quality.
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