They should celebrate when the Banks and CRP are completed....but that's about it.

 

That's kind of hard to do when everything is in phases... First off, technically they are two separate projects... The Banks is one thing... the Riverfront Park is another- (they are loosely unified).  In 2018, when they are both completely done.. there will be little to celebrate... hundreds of people will have been living at the Banks for almost 7 or 8 years by then... People will have been eating at the Lager House for about 7 years... Using half the park for 5 or 6 years... and all of the parking structures for 6 or 7 years.  It won't really seem like some big grand finale ending.  There will surely be small events marking the major milestones the entire way.

 

I'll agree this is a small thing to celebrate, but what new Mehring way allows is huge... once it's torn up the actual park's spacing will be visible.  It's exciting!

I'll be celebrating when the Moerlein Lager House opens...

Banks planners celebrate milestones

 

By Lisa Bernard-Kuhn • [email protected] • November 4, 2010

 

DOWNTOWN – Planners behind The Banks riverfront development are celebrating the completion of two key project milestones Friday.

 

Local officials, business leaders and contractors are expected to gather at the development site on Friday to dedicate the relocated Mehring Way and the more than 1,000-space public parking garage recently built just off Joe Nuxhall Way.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101104/BIZ01/311040125/1055/NEWS/Banks-planners-celebrate-milestones

I'll be celebrating when the Moerlein Lager House opens...

 

Celebrating or binge drinking? :drunk:

 

Is there a difference? ;)

Here's a few shots of The Banks and the new Mehring Way from yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome shots!  I assume the brown cladding on QCS is the framework for the sign?  It looks like it may really help shield the rooftop mechanicals.

Damn! I had extra time today, should have called and I would have rode down :/ Not that it's far from my apartment.

I took a drive on the new MW the other day and I must say it is surreal how a small move like that can make such a difference.  At certain points I was almost disoriented and to see the added room between MW and river I was very excited for what is to come with that space.

I can't wait to see all the new stuff down by the river!

The brown "cladding" on QCS is actually part of the scaffolding where they are putting in the sign.

 

As added news, they were dismantling the Banks tower crane today, using another, massive, mobile crane.

 

Not completed yet.

This has me excited for what this tenant could be!

 

Banks Developers Secure Retail Financing

 

"The initial $2.2 million loan will be used for retail tenant finishes and specifically to lure one, big-name tenant that the developers expect to announce by year’s end. That tenant, in turn, is expected to attract at least three more to the project."

 

 

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2010/11/22/banks-developer-seeks-retail-financing.html

I hope the Banks has at least one "big name tenant".

 

I also hope for a large grocery, maybe in the 35,000 sq ft range?

Is it a Planet Hollywood!?!

Go to www.atlanticstation.com, my bet is on Foxsports grill.

The following is the grand opening release for Atlantic Station, the only two I see as potential tenants for The Banks that would attract other tenants are Foxsports and Publix.

 

"Following the week of grand opening festivities, the statues “Peace” and “Justice,” of the National Monument Foundation’s Millennium Gate, created by internationally-renowned sculptor Alexander Stoddart of Scotland, arrive in the community on Thursday, Oct. 27. The American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Walk” begins and ends in Atlantic Station on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 29. Atlantic Station also hosts the Brand Atlanta Campaign ambassadors, starting Oct. 18.

 

Atlantic Station’s retail district is anchored by Dillard’s, Regal Cinemas and Publix. Other retailers include American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, Atlantic Cleaners & Tailors, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Bonehead’s Seafood, California Pizza Kitchen, Cingular Wireless, City Sports, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, Doc Green’s, DSW, Express/Express Men, Eye Gallery, Fox Sports Grill, Gap, The Grape, Guess?, Jos. A. Bank, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Old Navy, Pier 1 Imports, PJ’s Coffee and Lounge, Tahitian Noni Café, Taste Clothing Boutique, Victoria’s Secret, Washington Mutual, West Elm, White House Black Market, Wolf Camera and Z Gallerie. IKEA is also located in Atlantic Station and is currently open. Bars and Restaurants Claddagh Irish Pub, Rosa Mexicano and Strip Steaks & Sushi are slated to open by the end of 2005."

It's definitely a big chain. If the Banks becomes a chainfest, I will be severely disappointed. The architecture is bad enough...fill it with chain stores, and it will taint the riverfront for years.

It's definitely a big chain. If the Banks becomes a chainfest, I will be severely disappointed. The architecture is bad enough...fill it with chain stores, and it will taint the riverfront for years.

 

I tend to disagree and agree at the same time.  Fill The Banks with chain attractions and it will be a HORRIBLE move... but filling it with a chain grocery, a McDonalds or Subway (some sort of cheap food to help out diverse/not rich residents), I have think would be a GREAT move. 

Not everything can be unique and a mix of homegrown and chain will be great.  But PLEASE we do not need a Foxsports Grill or an ESPNZone just because the stadia are there does not mean these under-performing unoriginal venues should take root.  We already have Moerlein Lager House & the In Between Bar  etc to provide much better atmospheres. 

^ Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying chains should be avoided completely. I guess the key lies in my neologism "chainfest", and how you wish to define it. I think a key part of my definition (and, hey, I'm the creator :))would be "dominated by chains". So a McD's or Subway here or there is fine. Fill it with this type of establishment, and we have a problem. Planet Hollywood, Foxsports Grill, etc., would IMO be "dominating chains" which, by their singular presence, would tilt the flavor greatly towards "chainfest". Maybe you could squeeze one in there, but that would severely restrict which other tenants would be acceptable.

 

Basically, I'm saying I agree with you, and didn't mean to imply something inconsistent with what you said.

It won't be an ESPN zone.  I think they closed those. 

would love to see a small movie theater like the new Kenwood one or the neon in Dayton, not a chain like Rave or AMC (since they have one already at the levee

It's definitely a big chain. If the Banks becomes a chainfest, I will be severely disappointed. The architecture is bad enough...fill it with chain stores, and it will taint the riverfront for years.

 

What's so horrible about the architecture? I actually kind of like it, it's a step in the right direction compared to most of the crap that's been built over the past 40 years.

I'm fine with chains, provided that they are unique to the area.  I don't like FOX Sports Grill, but at least there aren't already 3 of them in the 'burbs.  Even McD's would be fine, since there are none downtown.  I'd give anything for a Einstein Bros Bagels or a Zaxby's Chicken to open at The Banks.

I'm fine with chains, provided that they are unique to the area. I don't like FOX Sports Grill, but at least there aren't already 3 of them in the 'burbs. Even McD's would be fine, since there are none downtown. I'd give anything for a Marx Bros Bagels or a Zaxby's Chicken to open at The Banks.

 

Speaking of bagels, some place like Gilpin's would be amazing there. A Gilpin's with more seating and more space

Is it a Planet Hollywood!?!

 

No, something better!

 

:lol: Toby Keith's!!! :lol:

 

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2010/11/24/toby-keith-honky-tonk-may-be-headed-to.html

I dislike the whole "country" scene, but I suppose it's good for the City of Cincinnati?

I wouldn't worry so much about what ends up at the Banks in the first round.  This Toby Keith thing will be out of business in 4 or 5 years.   

I wouldn't worry so much about what ends up at the Banks in the first round. This Toby Keith thing will be out of business in 4 or 5 years.

 

The great thing is that it is not a problem if it is out of business in 5 years... The success of the The Banks will stem from venues like this not being the stand alone structures pictured above and thus when/if it goes out of business the neighborhood will continue on without completely vacant structures. Eventually the area will become known by retailers and the storefront windows will only be vacant temporarily as urban neighborhood turnover takes its course. 

Toby Keith??? Feh. Why can't we just get a Hard Rock Cafe in this city and be done with it?

Supposedly this sort of venue is to have more live music than a Hard Rock soooooooo at least there is that.

 

(unfortunately that music is country but- to each their own- I'll be at Moerlein anyway)

oh.  god!  who the hell is going to want to live down here now?  I would never want to live where a bunch of overweight hilljacks from the 'burbs congregate on a weekly basis.  I live in the city to avoid exactly that.  ugh and a half.  please say this is some sort of april fools in november thing. 

Toby Keith has a restaurant?  Barf.

Nice. So the county is heaving out a loan to attract chains and crap like this? I know the banks are not lending out, but going to the county for money for this is not what the government was intended to do. The banks loan money to private enterprises, not the government. I thought we learned this after the failing stadium fund bit...

I'm confused...do people go to these?  I've never heard of it and it doesn't sound appealing. 

 

I dreamed last night that I could see Great American Tower from downtown Hamilton...maybe I'm still in that dream.  Someone give me the kick.

http://www.examiner.com/country-music-in-detroit/toby-keith-s-i-love-this-bar-grill-lives-up-to-expectations

 

For what it's worth.  I'm skeptical, don't particularly enjoy country music, but I think it could be a fun atmosphere.  Besides, a very important aspect to downtown thriving, much to the angst of most everyone on here, is for burbophiles to come downtown and spend their money.  They have "Freedom Fries" for crying out loud.  Hello Hamilton County Republican Party Convention

I wouldn't fret too much over the specific stores that come in, especially at the beginning.  The important part is that there's good retail space in a mixed-use area.  The chains can come and go, and as the buildings age a bit, the spaces will become more affordable to local businesses. 

After the Toby Keith restaurant closes they can put in an Ozzy one where you snort ants.

Too bad they don't make a "Dr. Dre Beat Lab and BBQ"

Thats interesting. As long as the place is fun I dont care.

This will probably get a lot of suburban people to come downtown.  Every other radio station in this city is country music, so there has to be a giant clientele.  After all, Cincinnati is just the northernmost southern city.

I'm not a huge Keith fan, but I don't think this can hurt.  Between the Morlein house, Keith house, and whatever other entertainment venues sign on.......this really could be the building of the regions top entertainment destination for the folks who like to spend money on this.  Whether it's gambling, drinking, dining, or arts you will soon find it in Cincy.  Hey, We should build a streetcar and connect all these places! :wink:

I am not a country fan, at all. But the saving grace is it's a live music venue. It could be really cool if more of them signed on; preferably of better genres. It would be nice if the Blue Wisp could move there.

It may put Cadillac Ranch out of business. Hopefully the food will taste better

I can already picture the fights at Fountain Square in five years as the hipster squad rolls downtown on the streetcar from OTR and Mt. Auburn. Meanwhile the neo-urban suburbanites drive the three blocks from the Banks to the Fountain Square garage. The fights will be brutal.

I can already picture the fights at Fountain Square in five years as the hipster squad rolls downtown on the streetcar from OTR and Mt. Auburn. Meanwhile the neo-urban suburbanites drive the three blocks from the Banks to the Fountain Square garage. The fights will be brutal.

 

West Side Story, 2015 Cincinnati Edition? haha.

Although this type of celebrity-theme restaurant is cringe-worthy as all get out, I'm starting to warm up to it because it might bring a ton of people DT and live country can be really good IMO.....but I doubt any good country will ever sing in This Bar but I could be wrong.

Although this type of celebrity-theme restaurant is cringe-worthy as all get out, I'm starting to warm up to it because it might bring a ton of people DT and live country can be really good IMO.....but I doubt any good country will ever sing in This Bar but I could be wrong.

+1

Too bad they don't make a "Dr. Dre Beat Lab and BBQ"

 

Heck yeah

you guys i personally dont like country usic but its still a good genre and if that theme to this restaurant can atract a new demographic downtown than thats awesome...a good city is culturally diverse. i'm psyched to get anything new that alot of other cities might not have like this for the good of our nati! lets remember why we're all urban enthusiasts here people :)

Really to me this sounds gimmicky, it really doesn't bring unique character to the place but since it's signed I hope the food is good.

It may put Cadillac Ranch out of business. Hopefully the food will taste better

 

After what Cadillac Ranch pulled 2 years ago at Midpoint, the quicker they go out of business, the better.

 

Anyway, on topic.... I hate Toby Keith, but this probably isn't as horrible an addition as it sounds on the surface.... I've glanced around at the one in Vegas and its not the worst thing I've ever seen... certainly its no worse than Planet Hollywood.

Also remember, competition and variety is a good thing. There's still the Moerlein Lager House, so think about it this way, that's potentially less people waiting in line for the biergarten :)