Has anyone heard anything about Tin Roof or the Wine guy!? Neither have started construction.

 

Nor has Crave or Ruth's Chris, from the looks of it. And I won't even ask about Mahogany's. But it looks like the Holy Grail has used their expanded space to offer a permanent outdoor bar.

 

On another note: I noticed the temporary metal barricades that line Third Street during baseball season have been put in place. As if the Second Street sidewalk wasn't ugly enough with its absence of flower planters or street trees, the metal barricades make it even worse. I understand they're there for safety reasons and to prevent jaywalking, but can't we put some permanent fencing there? These things just scream "parade route." What's next, port-o-pottys?

 

 

I agree that something permanent would look better. Unfortunately, the stretch in front of Toby's is used as a taxi stand many nights. 

Unfortunately?  I think using taxi's are great-  definitely better than having people all drive down here individually. I see NO reason for 2nd street to be 5-6 lanes across.  It's way too big.  Turn one lane into taxi or hell, even parking meters.  It would slow things down immensely.

I think the point was that a permanent barrier might not work bc of the taxi line

^ ya-  I totally misread that statement.

 

At the same time, the non-permanent one that they have right now is equally difficult if you're trying to hail a cab.  Very strange.

Also, the Streetcar stop might be on that side of the street.

They could put in big permanent planters that have brackets for removable fencing that fill in the spaces during reds games. Solves both problems.

^ Perfect.

Has anyone heard anything about Tin Roof or the Wine guy!? Neither have started construction.

 

Nor has Crave or Ruth's Chris, from the looks of it.

Work inside Crave has started.

I think there has been some discussion of the "family visit" to The Banks.  I tried to take the wife and keeds for something to eat after the St. Pat's festivities and our outcome was a half-full belly and a completely empty wallet.  Names withheld to protect the guilty.  The first chain, local or otherwise that locates there that is family friendly even on special event days will be in high demand.

 

Thoughts?

I think there has been some discussion of the "family visit" to The Banks.  I tried to take the wife and keeds for something to eat after the St. Pat's festivities and our outcome was a half-full belly and a completely empty wallet.  Names withheld to protect the guilty.  The first chain, local or otherwise that locates there that is family friendly even on special event days will be in high demand.

 

Thoughts?

 

Did you try the upstairs of the Lager House?

So the upstairs is like the CAC's unmuseum?

So the upstairs is like the CAC's unmuseum?

 

yes, both have a sensory elephant.

I went to the Reds futures game last night at the ballpark. Despite it being an exhibition game with a modestly sized crowd (probably about 12K), some of the new Banks establishments were exposed to a new group of people for the first time. To no one's great surprise, Holy Grail and Moerlein Lager House were quite crowded. There was also a decent crowd inside Johnny Rockets and even a short line after the game at their take-out window. Toby Keith's also attracted its share of the post-game crowd, but it looked much more crowded before the game than after.

 

I also walked by InBetween Tavern after the game and there weren't more than 10 people total inside. I noticed they really expanded their inside space into the adjoining building. The space looks nice and they have Holy Grail-style TVs on the walls, but there wasn't anyone inside watching them. Is InBetween going to be a casualty of The Banks?

 

Back to The Banks - I'm surprised the space between Holy Grail and Crave hasn't been taken yet. That would seem to be one of the best spots there to attract baseball fans before and after games.

That

I think there has been some discussion of the "family visit" to The Banks.  I tried to take the wife and keeds for something to eat after the St. Pat's festivities and our outcome was a half-full belly and a completely empty wallet.  Names withheld to protect the guilty.  The first chain, local or otherwise that locates there that is family friendly even on special event days will be in high demand.

 

Thoughts?

 

Did you try the upstairs of the Lager House?

 

That wasn't it.  I walked in the LH and decided things were a little inappropriate for 6 and 3 yr.  Didn't wanna look like "that parent."  Anywho, are you saying upstairs is an option in the future? 

 

As far as In Between, I think they will see a drop but don't think they will be a casualty b/c of overflow.  Cincinnatians are now in a process of being retrained to think about food/drink options within crawling distance of the stadia gates.  More people will catch on and you have a larger percentage of the crowd coming early/staying late to spread around.  Ain't it great?!

That

I think there has been some discussion of the "family visit" to The Banks.  I tried to take the wife and keeds for something to eat after the St. Pat's festivities and our outcome was a half-full belly and a completely empty wallet.  Names withheld to protect the guilty.  The first chain, local or otherwise that locates there that is family friendly even on special event days will be in high demand.

 

Thoughts?

 

Did you try the upstairs of the Lager House?

 

That wasn't it.  I walked in the LH and decided things were a little inappropriate for 6 and 3 yr.  Didn't wanna look like "that parent."  Anywho, are you saying upstairs is an option in the future? 

 

We've dined there with our 1.5 year old, so I'm not sure what you mean by "that parent."  They have a kid's menu, high chairs, and changing tables in the restrooms.

I also walked by InBetween Tavern after the game and there weren't more than 10 people total inside. I noticed they really expanded their inside space into the adjoining building. The space looks nice and they have Holy Grail-style TVs on the walls, but there wasn't anyone inside watching them. Is InBetween going to be a casualty of The Banks?

 

InBetween is doing a decent lunch hour with the addition of Great American Tower workers. It's funny to see that a majority of people choose to sit on the expansion side or outdoors. They really need to remodel their original space...

 

I'm sure they'll do their normal Opening Day business, but may suffer on normal game days with the CRG now open and priced at $10. Also, they were closed the Saturday nights of the Big East Final and March Madness Round 3. Holy Grain on the other hand was packed.

Cincinnatians are now in a process of being retrained to think about food/drink options within crawling distance of the stadia gates.

 

I really like this analysis. I wonder if there will also be an increase in game attendance this year as more people are trained to think of that area as an entertainment destination. Of course, a wire to wire season wouldn't hurt.

I also walked by InBetween Tavern after the game and there weren't more than 10 people total inside. I noticed they really expanded their inside space into the adjoining building. The space looks nice and they have Holy Grail-style TVs on the walls, but there wasn't anyone inside watching them. Is InBetween going to be a casualty of The Banks?

 

InBetween is doing a decent lunch hour with the addition of Great American Tower workers. It's funny to see that a majority of people choose to sit on the expansion side or outdoors. They really need to remodel their original space...

 

I'm sure they'll do their normal Opening Day business, but may suffer on normal game days with the CRG now open and priced at $10. Also, they were closed the Saturday nights of the Big East Final and March Madness Round 3. Holy Grain on the other hand was packed.

 

Until I read this, I had no idea that InBetween was still in business. I can't tell you the last time I ever saw it open.

On the Enquirer's "19 ways to celebrate Opening Day":

 

The Banks will be packed - embrace it. Walk around and witness how the area is transforming into something special.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=AB&Dato=20120402&Kategori=NEWS06&Lopenr=204020802&Ref=PH

Bob Castellini said this morning that The Reds are cued to get an All-Star game but did not announce which year.  The difference between 1988 and 2016~ will be startling. 

Of course, a wire to wire season wouldn't hurt.

 

Unfortunately, the Cardinals are already ahead since they won a game before the Reds even had a chance.  :-P No wire-to-wire this season. Oh well.

 

I don't think other downtown Cincinnati establishments will see a drop off, but I have little faith that Newport on the Levee is going to feel the same "entertainment retraining" effects, unless the cheaper/free parking is really that attractive to keep people there. I think the Reds would need to see a sizable increase in attendance to make up for it.

Bob Castellini said this morning that The Reds are cued to get an All-Star game but did not announce which year.  The difference between 1988 and 2016~ will be startling.

 

The next available ASG year is 2015, and coincidentally that is a National League hosting year. So that's the year they're targeting. Another three years and The Banks should be completely full on the GABP side, with hopefully the hotel (a must) and office building operational. And the western portion near PBS should be coming on line also. The Riverfront park will be complete and linked to Sawyer Point.

 

Elsewhere throughout downtown/OTR by 2015: the streetcar line will be established; the Dunnhumby building with its retail/residential will be open; the 21c hotel will be open; the old Maisonette buildings will be revived/occupied; Washington Park will be open; Vine Street development will have reached and possibly surpassed Liberty; Race street in OTR will be under transformation; Music Hall renovation should be complete; Emery Theater renovation should be complete; casino will be operational; Reading Road corridor into downtown will be upgraded; and a couple thousand new residents not living downtown today should be then.

 

It would be nice if, in 2015, there was also a new use for TP Mall, a reoccupied Bartlett Building, a new tower under construction for all to see and a new airline or two at CVG (Frontier? Southwest?) so Delta can't hold ransom the flights that weekend. It would kind of suck if visitors had to fly into Dayton or Indy in order to go to a baseball game in Cincinnati.

 

That All Star Game weekend could be Cincinnati's coming-out party to the rest of the nation and it looks like we have three years to prepare.

^that would also be a great bookend for the ten year transformation of our urban core beginning with the fountain square re-dedication in 2006 and ending with the above described scenario

I'm a little concerned that the Banks won't be getting much foot traffic...

 

 

(source: http://mlb.mlb.com/cutfour/article.jsp?content_id=28011254&fb_ref=fb_share&fb_source=home_oneline )

did anyone get a picture of the Smale park lawn?

That picture rocks!!!!!

 

That is a great picture.  I was watching from my office in the new Great American Tower, and there were people everywhere at the Banks on Opening Day.  Even better, you could tell that the lines for Holy Grail, Toby Keith's, and the Lager House were out the door after the game.  Toby Keith's actually looked like a mob scene near as I could tell.

 

Re: the In Between--not only is it still open, but I bet it's doing the best business it's done in awhile.  The newly-redone side is really nice.  It's got exposed brick, and seems like something you'd see in the Gateway Quarter.  It's benefiting from the influx of workers into Great American, I think.  I went there for Happy Hour one day in February--no game, nothing going on downtown--and the place was packed.  I imagine it will only get better with the Reds season starting. 

I've not seen any of the Event Lawn party. Here are a couple more of The Banks found online:

That

I think there has been some discussion of the "family visit" to The Banks.  I tried to take the wife and keeds for something to eat after the St. Pat's festivities and our outcome was a half-full belly and a completely empty wallet.  Names withheld to protect the guilty.  The first chain, local or otherwise that locates there that is family friendly even on special event days will be in high demand.

 

Thoughts?

 

Did you try the upstairs of the Lager House?

 

That wasn't it.  I walked in the LH and decided things were a little inappropriate for 6 and 3 yr.  Didn't wanna look like "that parent."  Anywho, are you saying upstairs is an option in the future? 

 

We've dined there with our 1.5 year old, so I'm not sure what you mean by "that parent."  They have a kid's menu, high chairs, and changing tables in the restrooms.

 

Don't take offense.  It was St. Pats Day and it was crazy in there.  I didn't even want to bother to ask if we could be seated.  Again, I've not been yet so I wouldn't have known of the set for little ones unless you just mentioned it.  I think you know what I mean by "that parent" but it sounds like with the right timing the LH wouldn't make me uncomfortable at all.  St. Patty's Day wasn't the right timing.  Thanks for the heads up in the kids menu though!

Ruth's Chris looking at a Fall opening date.

Nice- Was announced only about 2 months ago and will open well before the stupid Tin Roof- Which hasn't started construction OR announced an opening date- and was announced in September 2011.  Same goes for Crave.  They were announced about 9 months ago!

Crave construction is well under way though. I'd expect them to be the next to open.

This is an amazing idea and a great way to jump-start Phase 2.  Too bad 180 Walnut doesn't have any interest.

 

Could University of Cincinnati's law school move to Banks?

Councilman Charlie Winburn pitches $65M project

[url=http://http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2012/04/13/could-university-of-cincinnatis-law.html]

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2012/04/13/could-university-of-cincinnatis-law.html

I spoke with Dean Bilionis about the law school's relocation this week and he didn't mention the Banks as a possibility. They want to stay close to or on campus while the new building is being built. 

Any idea with "Charlie Winburn" in front of it, I generally find it to be bad.

 

While jump starting phase II would be great, I think they'd be better off on the real campus. The Banks is a big retail/dining/tourist spot, not a college.

^I think a great place for the UC College of Law would be the old SCPA building. There is virtually zero cross over between the Law School and the rest of campus.

Well Winburn knows most would take the streetcar from the banks to the main campus.

^I think a great place for the UC College of Law would be the old SCPA building. There is virtually zero cross over between the Law School and the rest of campus.

 

What about Tower Place Mall?

Any idea with "Charlie Winburn" in front of it, I generally find it to be bad.

 

While jump starting phase II would be great, I think they'd be better off on the real campus. The Banks is a big retail/dining/tourist spot, not a college.

 

The Banks is not a bad place for this type of use.  The more diverse the uses, the better off the area will be.  In Philly, Rittenhouse Square - one of the most touristy parts of town, has a college right on it - a music conservatory.  Although you would never know because it is tucked into a high rise and there are a million other uses fronting the square as well, such as office, residential, cafe's, etc etc etc.  Each injects vitality at different parts of the day making it a great urban space at all hours.  The Banks could use more diverse uses.  I think this is a good idea. 

What about Tower Place Mall?

 

Good luck lining up donors for that project.  Puke.

 

The school will end up where the big donors want it to go.

Isn't Tower Place Mall pretty windowless?  That's one of the main complaints about the current college of law (in addition to being outdated in other ways). 

What about Tower Place Mall?

 

Good luck lining up donors for that project.  Puke.

 

The school will end up where the big donors want it to go.

 

The school will end up in it's current location, they are going to demolish the existing building and rebuild there. The real question is where the school goes in the 2-3 years during construction. They need about 130k sq. ft.

Drove by yesterday and it looks like work is finally progressing on Crave. Doors were open and plenty of equipment present.

Maybe they can make a Cincinnati walk of stars somewhere at the banks.

Also, announced yesterday that Cleveland will also be getting a TKILTBAG location

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/04/flats_east_bank_project_lines.html

The school will end up in it's current location, they are going to demolish the existing building and rebuild there. The real question is where the school goes in the 2-3 years during construction. They need about 130k sq. ft.

 

Probably a combination of Edwards Center (also used as overflow space for McMicken & CECH) and the office space UC agreed to lease at USquare@theLoop.

The school will end up in it's current location, they are going to demolish the existing building and rebuild there. The real question is where the school goes in the 2-3 years during construction. They need about 130k sq. ft.

 

Probably a combination of Edwards Center (also used as overflow space for McMicken & CECH) and the office space UC agreed to lease at USquare@theLoop.

 

This is probably accurate.

Finally made it to the Banks, when UK-UL played a few Saturdays ago. Went to the Holy Grail for a couple of hours then headed up to Mt. Adams prior to tip off.

Very nice development. Went to opening day ...............Banks too crowded, but GABP sells beer also!

Finally went to Johnny Rockets last night. When I was a kid, I used to beg my parents to take me to the one in Kenwood, we'd go every year for my birthday. We stopped when I got older. The last time I was at a Johnny Rockets was probably when there was still one in the Cincinnati Mills Mall. For nearly two months now I've been trying to get to the one at The Banks. They have that walk up window and paint on the windows that say they close at 2 AM on the weekends. They don't seem to follow their hours well. Many times we've walked up only to be told they were closed or find them closed well before their hours said so.

 

Anyways, last night we lucked out, but thought we had hit the same problem. We walked in, the sign said wait for a server. We waited for awhile and finally a friendly girl came and sat us. We were the only ones there, Holy Grail seemed relatively busy across the way as did Moerlin Lager Haus when we walked past it. Now, I come from a family who has a habit of being overly critical of the wait service at restaurants, I personally couldn't care less. I've only had one awful experience with a waitress in my life. But, don't get me wrong, the service from our waitress at Johnny Rockets was great. She was very polite, but the rest of the staff seemed to forget that there were people eating there. It was clear they were closing soon and I understand getting ready for that, but they were so obvious about it that it made us feel rushed. Eventually another couple did come in too and they also seemed confused as to whether or not it was open. They had to wait for a server for a little bit.

 

The whole experience was just odd, but the food was good and I really liked the spinning sign/interior design with the classic Reds and Bengals stuff going on. However, this place seems like its hardly open and has terrible reviews online. They need to step up their game it seems like.