Did they save that from the old Coliseum plaza?!

It'd been nice if this were a HD video screen. Sit outside at one of Freedom Way's cafes and watch the ballgame. And if we ever field another playoff team, close off the streets for stadium overflow/celebration. Ok, that probably won't happen, but one can dream. Instead, we get another ad board for the HOF. Guess the ad on the north end of the building wasn't enough.

 

Anyway, they'll be pouring Freedom Way very soon!

Just a quick comment.  On my Explore Cincinnati radio show this week, Mark Miller from COAST called in and suggested that we basically shouldn't have raised The Banks out of the flood plain.  He said Second Street should have been at ground level, even with Fort Washington Way.  This would have resulted in all buildings at The Banks either being on stilts or sitting on top of individual parking garages to raise them out of the flood plain, and lacking ground-level retail.

 

Alternatively, he mentioned Newport's approach of moving the flood wall closer to the river.  This would have completely prevented the construction of the Riverfront Park as currently planned.

Mark Miller wouldn't know good urban design if it fell on him. If COAST had been around back in the 1700's, Cincinnati never would have evolved past a collection of shacks on the bank of the river.

Banks developer to hold outreach session

 

By Lisa Bernard-Kuhn • [email protected] • July 24, 2009

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090724/BIZ01/907250313/Banks+developer+to+hold+outreach+session

 

Carter and The Dawson Co. will hold the first of several outreach sessions for the private development portion of The Banks next Tuesday at the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency.

 

 

The event is the first of several planned to encourage participation of small, minority- and women-owned business enterprises, and minority and female workers, the development team said in a release...

couple of updates from where I sit--

 

looks like they poured concrete for full block of Freedom Way last night;

also--there are actually two new Reds signs, one above the HOF entrance and one inside the park once you go through that gate and to the right. They are of the "flip" variety.  Not totally cheap, they show images and can be rotated.

The Banks’ Freedom Way East Comes Alive With Concrete Pour

‘Bidwell’ Equipment Allows for Efficiencies and Cost Savings

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/city/downloads/BanksFreedomWayEastConcretePour.pdf

 

Another significant step in the progress for The Banks development will take place in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 28 beginning at 3 a.m.  The final road surface for the City’s newest street, Freedom Way East will be poured.  The process will be significantly different from previous concrete pours on the project as the contractor will place and finish the concrete for the street using a “Bidwell” machine...

 

And here's a video from WLWT:

http://www.wlwt.com/video/20200489/

Sorry to chime in late here on the subject of the private development exteriors, but here goes: Buildings should not be judged only on whether or not they serve their initial programs well. Take the UP development. Yes, they function well, housing people, and providing spaces for retail on the first floor, but in 20 to 50 years, will people still want them around? Aesthetics are essential to create a legitimate and lasting sense of place. It is not because of the usefulness and utility of the Italianate buildings in OTR that makes them worth preserving. In fact, this is often a hindrance to preserving them. It is the quality of materials, the variety of their facades, and their overall aesthetics that make them SIGNIFICANT to our heritage and culture. We have spent a lot (politically, economically) on making this brand new neighborhood, and if we want it to be successful and last as a significant development for many years, the value that design adds must be carefully considered. We're starting from scratch, so we have a great opportunity for producing something lasting. If this turns out to be another University Park (except times 10!!), it will be a failure. This neighborhood has to be something people will find worth preserving in the future.

^ Well put!

Cincinnati's marketing of the Banks means helping potential tenants appreciate scope, span of project

The big picture

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/08/03/story2.html?b=1249272000^1869444

 

Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Lucy May Senior Staff Reporter

 

 

Real estate executives marketing the Banks riverfront development are “well under way” with letters of intent from seven or eight potential retailers and have made nearly as many lease proposals to major office users in the region...

 

[email protected] | (513) 337-9437

 

Any pics of the site as of late?

Any pics of the site as of late?

 

I'm sure they'll post them if they do.

I have some hot, steamy new pics but I'm enjoying them by myself for now... maybe if you're lucky you can see them too ;)

I have some hot, steamy new pics but I'm enjoying them by myself for now... maybe if you're lucky you can see them too ;)

 

Oh, you are such a tease!

I have some hot, steamy new pics but I'm enjoying them by myself for now... maybe if you're lucky you can see them too ;)

 

If I didn't know you personally, I would think you are a bit of a creap.  But because I know you personally, I know you are a creap and this is reaffirmation

I have some hot, steamy new pics but I'm enjoying them by myself for now... maybe if you're lucky you can see them too ;)

 

If I didn't know you personally, I would think you are a bit of a creap. But because I know you personally, I know you are a creap and this is reaffirmation

 

you love it

I have my own "hot steamy new pics" from 8/9/09

 

Freedom Way Street

 

 

50% at street level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not the banks but a nice picture

I doubt anyone made it to this, the Enquirer was a little too "late breaking"

 

Banks design plans up for review

By Lisa Bernard-Kuhn • [email protected]  • August 13, 2009 (Last Updated: 9:19 am)

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090813/BIZ01/308130032/Banks+design+plans+up+for+review

 

The latest set of refined design plans for how the first leg of The Banks riverfront development is going look will go before Cincinnati’s Urban Design Review Board today.

 

The 10 a.m. meeting is being held at the offices of CR Architecture + Design, 600 Vine St., Suite 2210, and is open to the public...

^They posted an image.

 

wow. I think, besides having balconies, this is the worst one yet. It lacks any type of character or energy

Banks design receives Cincy panel’s blessing

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/08/10/daily52.html

 

Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Dan Monk Senior Staff Reporter

 

Cincinnati’s Urban Design Review Board on Thursday gave conditional approval to the latest design for the Banks riverfront development project, bringing the project one step closer to starting its long-awaited private-development phase...

Yeah.  That rendering looks terrible.  Inspired by the gateway condos probably.  Oh well.

WTF are you people talking about. It's almost impossible to make any kind of judgment based on that grainy, oblique picture-of-a-picture.

WTF are you people talking about. It's almost impossible to make any kind of judgment based on that grainy, oblique picture-of-a-picture.

 

That's what I was thinking. And the Gateway Condos are a terrible comparison, they are built like a little fortress to avoid the neighborhood.

^ Make whatever comparison you want.  Mine still stands.  Ive seen enough projects thats start off as grainy renderings and turn out just as disappointing after completion to know what im looking at.  I hope im wrong, but with the track record of this developer, and the fact that the review board has had to hold the designers hands for this long doesnt bode well.  I hope im wrong... i really do.  I want the banks to be a success... but im not feeling it. 

I've seen more detailed renderings of the plan, including ones that were introduced two months ago, and they were... terrible. To their credit, it is hard to make a distinct collection of buildings when they are only apartments with a ROR that is a decade or two off. Condos allow for greater design variances and applications, but that's not included in this phase due to the terrible residential market.

 

The issues raised before include the lack of a distinctive corner at Main and 2nd that is opposite of the grand Great American Ballpark entrance, and the mismatched first-level retail window placement with the window placements above that, although that can be attributed to how the garage and framework above that is being designed.

 

I believe it will be a great development in the end, although I think that there will be some great design opportunities missed because this phase is being developed as market-rate apartments, not high-end condominiums or high-end offices.

Someone needs to post decent renderings here for there to be any worthwhile discussion. Sorry that can't be me, I'm in Florida.

Side note: They started laying Freedom Way's sidewalk bricks today.

So there are really no other updated pictures besides the tiny grayscale one posted by the bizjournal? The Enquirer had an equally useless picture up for about a day, but now it has been removed. .

 

More evidence that the newspaper industry has absolutely zero interest in keeping themselves relevant for the 21st century. They're still stuck in last century's model where every extra picture, graphic, or supplement represents an undesirable waste (because it takes up expensive page space in print editions).

 

It blows my mind that newspapers don't post every available original document they can get their hands on. It costs them nothing to post online, and it might actually make people want to pay for subscription online news.

I think they should build classic brownstones in the area mixed with high rise apartments and condos.  You guy's need to get more people living in the downtown area and it will automatically bring more business's, restaurants, stores, night clubs and create a 24/7 city.

^It *is* a PUD, so I guess brownstones would be theoretically possible despite contemporary construction restrictions.  But if they did that, it would absolutely price most people out of that neighborhood.  Plus, that type of use isn't really promoting the type of density planned for the project, unless you're proposing six-story brownstones.

 

And good luck finding artisans in the area who know how to do that type of quality construction.

Sorry, didn't know it had contemporary building restrictions.  But I was talking about the brownstone style in the four story range.  They could be built with modern construction methods.  I agree, good luck finding artisans that can still do the older construction.  And along with the high rise apartments and condos you could create whatever density you want.  My understanding is that they have a 25 story height limit in the area.

Just to clarify, I was just talking about the code guidelines that shape modern construction in almost any municipality.  Gotta get those permits.

Just out of curiosity, are they going to build this as one large superblock, or are they putting party walls in so that parcels can be redeveloped individually in the future?  I really hope it's the latter, otherwise I can't picture this becoming a true neighborhood anytime soon.

I do like the addition of the balconies.  I also like the more contemporary look of the design.  If you're not going to really go all they way in creating a traditional design then it should be more reflective of current design approaches.

Hmmm looks liek something i'd whip up in Sketchup in 45 minutes right before a presentation...

Does anyone know the status of the Banks riverfront park?

Does anyone know the status of the Banks riverfront park?

 

Yes, it's progressing on a time table similar to that of The Banks...meaning that phase 1 of the Central Riverfront Park will be completed at the same time as phase 1a of The Banks.  You can find all discussion and updates regarding the Central Riverfront Park project here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3363.0.html

Interesting concept, so when they plan on constructing this thing?

^What?  Are you asking when they're going to start constructing The Banks?  If so, go down to 2nd Street and observe the cranes, concrete pouring equipment and large numbers of construction workers.

 

If you're asking specifically about the rendering above, that particular building will be in phase 1a of The Banks development which is wrapping up construction on the public portion of the project (infrastructure and garages).  The private development portion will begin shortly after this phase of construction.  Occupancy by 1Q 2011 and serious buildings out of the ground by late spring/early summer 2010.

The Banks designers search for WOW

By Lisa Bernard-Kuhn • [email protected]  • August 16, 2009

 

As concrete foundations and twisted rebar rise from The Banks project site, a key question continues to dog planners: What will Cincinnati's new riverfront development ultimately look like?

 

After years of study and anticipation, designers are still grappling with critical details.  Progress was finally made last week, but final stamps of approval have remained elusive.  Succeed with a winning design and The Banks will create a vibrant urban neighborhood that's the new face of Cincinnati and the region.  Fail and The Banks gets a lackluster look that will haunt the city for decades.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090816/BIZ01/908160321/1055/NEWS/The+Banks+designers+search+for+WOW

Poor project. You can't make cake out of clay. This thing doesn't have the budget for "signature" architecture.

It's been my opinion that the thing is lacking the signature design is because of the standard approach.  There should have been a design competition or designs by a few different architects for different parts of the project.  One design team for a poject of this scale, magnitude, and style is going to give it a feel of monotany no matter how good of a design it ends up being.  Imagine if you had a few works by signature architects mixed in with the rest of the development (think UC's campus). Instead of the superblock design, you could have had a prominant spot like the corner across from GABP designed by competition, while the rest of the block was the style we see now, etc..

Cole-Russel is certainly capable of producing good architecture, they have done many of the infill projects in Cincinnati. They have proven that they have an acceptable grasp of placemaking and emulating historic styles. It must just be frustrating for both sides because at this point, The Banks must have a really tight program in order to be profitable, and creatively their hands are tied. Meanwhile, the Urban Design Review board keeps demanding better (understandably, but still frustrating.)

Any idea on how much the rent is going to be for those apartments?

Really, my primary concern is that they lay a good foundation because let's face it the buildings aren't probably going to be there for a 100 years.  Lay a good foundation and in another 25 years the site can be reinvented.  But that's a topic for another day.

Really, my primary concern is that they lay a good foundation because let's face it the buildings aren't probably going to be there for a 100 years.  Lay a good foundation and in another 25 years the site can be reinvented.  But that's a topic for another day.

 

Weedrose, this is a particularly dangerous attitude. We shouldn't be designing and building structures ESPECIALLY AT THIS SCALE, to last for only 25 years! This project will be successful if it attains LASTING SIGNIFICANCE. If it does not, it will be viewed as another failure for Cincinnati, and it will be a huge zit on the face of our city, which other cities will laugh at for the next however long it takes to get the political will to spend another vast amount of money to demolish and rebuild. I've said this several times on this forum, and I'm glad to see that Council member Qualls agrees with me, and that the design review board is doing their job.

 

Civik: Cole+Russel MAY be capable of good designs, but they sure as heck have not been demonstrating that for a long time. They are the Walmart of Cincinnati architectural firms. How the exact team that produced the unorganized fiasco of a building that is the new SCPA in historic OTR got the largest, most publicized commission of the decade is an f-ing mystery to me. The design review board needs to keep the leash tight here, or we'll end up with a Gateway Condos project X 10.  :drunk:

 

Also, thanks Enquirer for providing us with one image of the actual design...sheesh! :x

It's been my opinion that the thing is lacking the signature design is because of the standard approach.  There should have been a design competition or designs by a few different architects for different parts of the project.  One design team for a poject of this scale, magnitude, and style is going to give it a feel of monotany no matter how good of a design it ends up being. 

Ram, to have a good design does not mean a signature architect needs to be involved. However your point is well taken that SEVERAL architects could have made this project less monotonous. There are multiple firms in town with the fire power to make this into a great project (most with better design credentials than C+R). A competition would have been a great way to divide this up amongst several firms, or just one prominent piece. It would also have provided a huge economic stimulus to a local architectural community that desperately needs one. Heck, make the majority of the competition judges the members of the design review board, and you could reduce the process of approval to one meeting! Oh well, what do I know?

It's been my opinion that the thing is lacking the signature design is because of the standard approach. There should have been a design competition or designs by a few different architects for different parts of the project. One design team for a poject of this scale, magnitude, and style is going to give it a feel of monotany no matter how good of a design it ends up being.

Ram, to have a good design does not mean a signature architect needs to be involved. However your point is well taken that SEVERAL architects could have made this project less monotonous. There are multiple firms in town with the fire power to make this into a great project (most with better design credentials than C+R). A competition would have been a great way to divide this up amongst several firms, or just one prominent piece. It would also have provided a huge economic stimulus to a local architectural community that desperately needs one. Heck, make the majority of the competition judges the members of the design review board, and you could reduce the process of approval to one meeting! Oh well, what do I know?

 

Good point, and I didn't mean any harm to C+RA, all I meant to suggest was a variety of architecture.  Urban form is, historically, extremely varied.  It's easier to get that variety by having a varied design team, rather than trying to imitate it.  It would have been neat to have 3 or 4 local architects design different adjoining pieces of the block.

Really, my primary concern is that they lay a good foundation because let's face it the buildings aren't probably going to be there for a 100 years.  Lay a good foundation and in another 25 years the site can be reinvented.  But that's a topic for another day.

 

 

Weedrose, this is a particularly dangerous attitude. We shouldn't be designing and building structures ESPECIALLY AT THIS SCALE, to last for only 25 years! This project will be successful if it attains LASTING SIGNIFICANCE. If it does not, it will be viewed as another failure for Cincinnati, and it will be a huge zit on the face of our city, which other cities will laugh at for the next however long it takes to get the political will to spend another vast amount of money to demolish and rebuild. I've said this several times on this forum, and I'm glad to see that Council member Qualls agrees with me, and that the design review board is doing their job.

 

Civik: Cole+Russel MAY be capable of good designs, but they sure as heck have not been demonstrating that for a long time. They are the Walmart of Cincinnati architectural firms. How the exact team that produced the unorganized fiasco of a building that is the new SCPA in historic OTR got the largest, most publicized commission of the decade is an f-ing mystery to me. The design review board needs to keep the leash tight here, or we'll end up with a Gateway Condos project X 10.  :drunk:

 

Also, thanks Enquirer for providing us with one image of the actual design...sheesh! :x

 

Cole Russel isn't bad at all. I certainly don't think they failed in Mariemont, the project just had a richer budget:

 

Seriously, this thing is about working with what budget they have. There is plenty of architectural talent out there, even in big firms. When worked at SCB in Chicago for instance, basically a big modernist condo factory, they had some brilliant designers.