I am sure i am in the minority but i think the Law school at the Banks is a bad fit.  I am all for more mixed use and making a bit less of a party district but I just can't envision a law school in that enviroment.  For better or for worse, the banks has become the primary  events/entertainment district. Open containers will only make it that much more.  Does a law school really fit in that environement? I always hoped UC would covet/develop some of the empty lots by city hall i.e. Elm and 9th area.  Some really cool undeveloped town homes, and proximity to OTR and CBD could be attractive.

 

I don't think that's true. Especially when you have GE, and it's 2,000+ employees working there from 9-5.

 

Plus you have the Freedom Center, and supposedly that area is in works to have a Charter School as well. And then you have that available office pad site as well.

 

The Banks was always meant to be a work by day/party by night type of area.

 

I consider OTR way more of the epicenter for the, "party" area of Cincinnati anyways.

What exactly are the parcels for Phases IIIB and IIIC? Is it all the space bounded by Elm, Mehring, Race, and 2nd Street?

I believe so. Phase 3c may also be the front part of the Phase 3a garage that the Parks Department still needs funding to build.

I am in the party where I would rather have UC build their adminstrative offices in the region of Walnut / Central Parkway or Main / Central Parkway.  Mostly because I think it would be a better environment / a little less quiet, and also if I were a law student I would like that location better because of the proximity to Main Street and Vine Street, etc.

 

That said, I don't think you can really go wrong with either sites, but the Banks seems a bit "busy" for it.

I wonder if UC Law could take over some of the county buildings downtown by Central Parkway. The county wants to unload some of those buildings anyway if the price is right.

Put the law school in the transit center. 

Put the law school in the transit center. 

 

Just set up some folding chairs and hang a curtain between "classrooms". 

What exactly are the parcels for Phases IIIB and IIIC? Is it all the space bounded by Elm, Mehring, Race, and 2nd Street?

 

Thanks for asking and clarifying. I was wondering myself. I kept thinking: "why do they need funding for the garage that is already being built"?

Put the law school in the transit center. 

 

Just set up some folding chairs and hang a curtain between "classrooms". 

 

I went to the 7th and 8th grades in a school that was built in the 70's with an "innovative" flexible floor plan. It had moveable walls  and there were two rings of classrooms along the perimeter. So you had to walk through the inner classroom to get to the outer classroom. And if you were in the outer classroom and had to take a bathroom break, you had to walk through the other classroom to get to the hallway. The hallway consisted of one big loop which was designated one-way clockwise.

Put the law school in the transit center. 

 

Just set up some folding chairs and hang a curtain between "classrooms". 

 

That wouldn't be too far a leap from the trailer park campus that sits where Wilson used to be.

Put the law school in the transit center. 

 

Just set up some folding chairs and hang a curtain between "classrooms". 

 

I went to the 7th and 8th grades in a school that was built in the 70's with an "innovative" flexible floor plan. It had moveable walls  and there were two rings of classrooms along the perimeter. So you had to walk through the inner classroom to get to the outer classroom. And if you were in the outer classroom and had to take a bathroom break, you had to walk through the other classroom to get to the hallway. The hallway consisted of one big loop which was designated one-way clockwise.

 

Where was this?  I went to an ES built in the 70s in Louisville that was similarly "new age" for its time in that it had an open classroom concept.  Each grade was one long open area and the hallways spidered between the "pods".  Sorry for being OT.

Put the law school in the transit center. 

 

Just set up some folding chairs and hang a curtain between "classrooms". 

 

I went to the 7th and 8th grades in a school that was built in the 70's with an "innovative" flexible floor plan. It had moveable walls  and there were two rings of classrooms along the perimeter. So you had to walk through the inner classroom to get to the outer classroom. And if you were in the outer classroom and had to take a bathroom break, you had to walk through the other classroom to get to the hallway. The hallway consisted of one big loop which was designated one-way clockwise.

 

Where was this?  I went to an ES built in the 70s in Louisville that was similarly "new age" for its time in that it had an open classroom concept.  Each grade was one long open area and the hallways spidered between the "pods".  Sorry for being OT.

 

This was Spaulding Middle School in the Goshen Local School District. Goshen did a major district-wide renovation in the early 2000s and they demolished almost the entire building (except for the gym and cafeteria) and rebuilt the entire academic portion with a better layout.

Activity at the AC Hotel site today including lane closure and equipment delivery.

Activity at the AC Hotel site today including lane closure and equipment delivery.

 

At long last. Still disappointed that we couldn't get something with a bit more height on that corner but it will be a welcome addition to the street.

The hotel site has a lot of activity, and looks like the molds for concrete pours starting are being set up.

 

But the sign that said "Coming Soon Two Bits" where Wine Guy used to be is completely gone, so the lease negotiations must have stalled. With the hotel, GE, and new apartments opening soon the retail will fill in but seems to be taking a while. I assume they are pretty picky about tenants and the rental rate is probably very high as well.

Wait, WG closed? I must've missed that.

 

I'm not surprised that Two Bit isn't happening, we already have two other new-ish barcades in town.

 

I'm really hoping that retail picks up when Radius and GE open. But I still think that a destination restaurant, like a brunch place facing the river, would be a big draw on non-game days, compared to the super generic Yard House and Holy Grail type options.

Wine Guy has probably been closed for at least a year. And between the hotel, apartments, and GE that is a lot more activity then what is down there today with only the 300 apartments from phase 1. Plus the streetcar has a stop right out front and rumors of UC adding it law school into the mix. Things will pickup, just unfortunately takes time.

 

 

we already have two other new-ish barcades in town.

 

I'm really hoping that retail picks up when Radius and GE open.

 

1) We have another barcade beyond 16 Bit!?

 

2) Keep in mind, while the opening of phase 2 does bring ~1,500 office workers and ~300 apartments, it also will add a considerable amount of new ground floor commercial space. It's possible that a lot of this space could potentially be filled by a large single user (grocery store rumor), but IMO the more likely scenario will be fairly similar to phase 1.  The hotel should really help give a steady stream of business to the restaurants down at the Banks, though.  The offices and streetcar should also help. It does seem a little strange, though, that there are so many vacancies in phase 1- including the other stand alone site in front of the Freedom Center.

Now if we could get some good news on a spec tower for Second and Walnut.

we already have two other new-ish barcades in town.

 

I'm really hoping that retail picks up when Radius and GE open.

 

1) We have another barcade beyond 16 Bit!?

 

2) Keep in mind, while the opening of phase 2 does bring ~1,500 office workers and ~300 apartments, it also will add a considerable amount of new ground floor commercial space. It's possible that a lot of this space could potentially be filled by a large single user (grocery store rumor), but IMO the more likely scenario will be fairly similar to phase 1.  The hotel should really help give a steady stream of business to the restaurants down at the Banks, though.  The offices and streetcar should also help. It does seem a little strange, though, that there are so many vacancies in phase 1- including the other stand alone site in front of the Freedom Center.

 

1- Yeah, Arcade Legacy in Northside

 

2- Re: vacancies, it makes sense that they're struggling since they're going after these flash-in-the-pan national chain companies like Toby Kieth's, in contrast to 3CDC's method of nurturing homegrown businesses that are now branching out into other cities and neighborhoods beyond OTR.  (I kind of wish 3CDC was in charge of leasing out the Banks, but I also wonder if they were, if that would be spreading their "magic" a little too thin, between the Banks and OTR and Fountain Square/84.51 building area downtown. I think 3cdc addressing Ziegler Park next is a smart move because it builds on the strength and momentum they've already created in OTR.) 

 

 

It is interesting that 3cdc was able to fill most of the 84.51 building pretty quickly with locally owned restaurants that i would imagine would do well at the banks. I guess since the banks is owned and managed by out of town developers that they just look to national chains to fill in the retail at all of their developments.

To be fair, three of the eight establishments at The Banks are locally owned.

It is interesting that 3cdc was able to fill most of the 84.51 building pretty quickly with locally owned restaurants that i would imagine would do well at the banks. I guess since the banks is owned and managed by out of town developers that they just look to national chains to fill in the retail at all of their developments.

 

Plus I would think The Banks is the most likely part of the core to draw the regional tourist.

It is interesting that 3cdc was able to fill most of the 84.51 building pretty quickly with locally owned restaurants that i would imagine would do well at the banks. I guess since the banks is owned and managed by out of town developers that they just look to national chains to fill in the retail at all of their developments.

 

Plus I would think The Banks is the most likely part of the core to draw the regional tourist.

 

Does your typical tourist want a chain or a unique local experience, though? I'd say most tourists that do any research to find the best local places will end up in OTR anyway. Your typical business traveller will, unfortunately, just stick to the chains they know.

It is interesting that 3cdc was able to fill most of the 84.51 building pretty quickly with locally owned restaurants that i would imagine would do well at the banks. I guess since the banks is owned and managed by out of town developers that they just look to national chains to fill in the retail at all of their developments.

 

Plus I would think The Banks is the most likely part of the core to draw the regional tourist.

 

Does your typical tourist want a chain or a unique local experience, though? I'd say most tourists that do any research to find the best local places will end up in OTR anyway. Your typical business traveller will, unfortunately, just stick to the chains they know.

 

I think you're giving the typical tourist too much credit.

I hope I don't sound snooty saying this, but I think the Banks is meant to appeal to the Bud/Bud Light crowd (maybe tourists from WV or Ohio farm country) while OTR has a more sophisticated appeal (for tourists from Chicago or the East Coast.)

 

Of course the existence of the Pedal Wagon pretty much destroys this theory though.  And the streetcar will allow easy travel between both.

^ Agreed and agreed.

Once upon a time in Portland the pedal wagon was a hipster thing lol

we already have two other new-ish barcades in town.

 

I'm really hoping that retail picks up when Radius and GE open.

 

1) We have another barcade beyond 16 Bit!?

 

2) Keep in mind, while the opening of phase 2 does bring ~1,500 office workers and ~300 apartments, it also will add a considerable amount of new ground floor commercial space. It's possible that a lot of this space could potentially be filled by a large single user (grocery store rumor), but IMO the more likely scenario will be fairly similar to phase 1.  The hotel should really help give a steady stream of business to the restaurants down at the Banks, though.  The offices and streetcar should also help. It does seem a little strange, though, that there are so many vacancies in phase 1- including the other stand alone site in front of the Freedom Center.

 

1- Yeah, Arcade Legacy in Northside

 

2- Re: vacancies, it makes sense that they're struggling since they're going after these flash-in-the-pan national chain companies like Toby Kieth's, in contrast to 3CDC's method of nurturing homegrown businesses that are now branching out into other cities and neighborhoods beyond OTR.  (I kind of wish 3CDC was in charge of leasing out the Banks, but I also wonder if they were, if that would be spreading their "magic" a little too thin, between the Banks and OTR and Fountain Square/84.51 building area downtown. I think 3cdc addressing Ziegler Park next is a smart move because it builds on the strength and momentum they've already created in OTR.)

 

Barcade-wise, I'd consider 16-Bit a tad more relevant re: The Banks, given proximity.  Regardless, the market for arcade games in an adult setting has to be close to saturated - I wouldn't be upset to see something else go in at Phase I.

The vast majority of people I talk to that travel out of town very much want to try the local places, not the chains. Now 15 years ago that was different but today I feel most people like trying new local places.

Whenever I travel for business, which is not that often.  I hardly ever want to eat at a chain, I can do that here.  I prefer to walk around or take transit and search for something unique.  Was just in Phoenix, but I didn't think the downtown was very urban and walkable.

^ It's not, but what's sad is that it used to be.  http://www.roguecolumnist.com/rogue_columnist/phoenix-101/

For the most part you guys are capturing my thoughts in the tourist appeal of the banks.  By virtue of it being between two sports stadia, among new construction, and highly visible to the CBD along the river, it appeals to the low information tourist. No?

For the most part you guys are capturing my thoughts in the tourist appeal of the banks.  By virtue of it being between two sports stadia, among new construction, and highly visible to the CBD along the river, it appeals to the low information tourist. No?

 

Pretty much.

 

If Cincinnati was smart, they would plaster big video boards along empty space walls, add a bunch of neon, and add a bunch of high end fashion retailers, and some fast food places. and make it the focal point for the cincinnati "tourist"

 

The banks is the closest Cincinnati will ever have to Toronto Dundas Square, or NYC Time Square. Fountain Square will never be that place. The only thing missing are the retail destinations. The banks needs high end retailers. I'm talking H&M's, Prada, a Hard Rock Cafe, an AMC movie theater, etc.

All those places you mentioned are way more integrated into their city's cores than the Banks is. Also I don't see H&M or Prada there, they belong closer to Fountain Square.

For the most part you guys are capturing my thoughts in the tourist appeal of the banks.  By virtue of it being between two sports stadia, among new construction, and highly visible to the CBD along the river, it appeals to the low information tourist. No?

 

Pretty much.

 

If Cincinnati was smart, they would plaster big video boards along empty space walls, add a bunch of neon, and add a bunch of high end fashion retailers, and some fast food places. and make it the focal point for the cincinnati "tourist"

 

The banks is the closest Cincinnati will ever have to Toronto Dundas Square, or NYC Time Square. Fountain Square will never be that place. The only thing missing are the retail destinations. The banks needs high end retailers. I'm talking H&M's, Prada, a Hard Rock Cafe, an AMC movie theater, etc.

 

It presents a quandary or an advantage.  I'd hate that to be the focal point.  But I think it needs to function for what it is suited best.

 

Not sure why they all have to be discrete since a streetcar will connect them but Banks, FS, and OTR can be branded to appeal to different tastes.

 

 

 

 

Of course the existence of the Pedal Wagon pretty much destroys this theory though.  And the streetcar will allow easy travel between both.

 

Btw, the pedal wagon has its equally obnoxious equivalents in Chicago, I'm sure they are also in NY.  Chicago also has these horrible "douchebag" "Trolleys" (think Southbank shuttle full of drunk bros) which constantly feature bros/trixies yelling woooo and trying to out pace each other in levels of being obnoxious.  To someone from Chicago or NY, that's a sign of a vibrant city, albeit and extremely annoying one.

I actually don't mind the Peddle Wagons. What I DO mind is the "Redneck Shuttle" that's a short bus painted in camo with lights and crap inside constantly filled with wasted sorority girls who couldn't be bothered to give a damn about their education and instead are more interested in buying friendship and making as much noise as possible while flirting with guys and then getting angry when they flirt back and cry in the street while taking off their heels and walk barefoot down the sidewalk.

 

*As a sidenote, just so nobody is offended, this is an actual scene I've watched unfold on more than one occasion as groups have gotten off the Redneck Shuttle*

I actually don't mind the Peddle Wagons. What I DO mind is the "Redneck Shuttle" that's a short bus painted in camo with lights and crap inside constantly filled with wasted sorority girls who couldn't be bothered to give a damn about their education and instead are more interested in buying friendship and making as much noise as possible while flirting with guys and then getting angry when they flirt back and cry in the street while taking off their heels and walk barefoot down the sidewalk.

 

*As a sidenote, just so nobody is offended, this is an actual scene I've watched unfold on more than one occasion as groups have gotten off the Redneck Shuttle*

 

No different than a large group of Trixies in River North in an equally obnoxious "Trolley" - though the term "redneck shuttle" and the "camo bus" is a higher level of trashiness.

I generally don't have a problem with the Pedal Wagon except for when a dozen drunk women go by singing along to "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" at the top of their lungs.

 

 

"WOOAH-OHH-OHH, mumble mumble, mumble mumble, WOOAH-OHH-OHH"

^^^ On more than one weekend morning I've come across a single shoe (usually a heel) on the sidewalk on/around Main. A lot of those girls don't make it home with both when they make the decision to go bare foot. Luckily it's been a long time now since I've seen a needle anywhere down there, so at least they have that going for them.

My best friend is female and beyond the obvious "high heels aren't designed for comfort" thing I was curious why this is such a common thing. Because it's disgusting. She didn't have a good excuse and was like "either you commit to the discomfort or wear flats. That crap is filthy." So I felt okay in not having sympathy when I've heard people complaining about their feet hurting while walking barefoot down the street. I did feel slightly bad for a girl I watched step on broken glass though. Regardless of the cause (her barefootness) that's not a fun experience for anyone.

 

I've noticed a lot more of the bachelorette parties around the basin lately where everyone dresses the same and the bride-to-be wears a sash and has some phalic display such as a head piece with penises on it, a giant penis straw, a blow up penis, etc. and they all act as though everyone else's life should revolve around the fact they're getting married. They wind up at the few gay bars we have in Cincy and demand attention by being loud, walking on stage during the show, trying to get free drinks (because gay bartenders totally give drunk women free drinks...), etc. It used to be a massive smack in the face before we gays could get married when they'd come parading in commanding the room and disregarded the fact nobody else there could even legally marry their partners.

 

I'm getting off topic though. The Banks should cater to a specific crowd. Branding gets people to try out new places and that can be a great "urban introduction" for people who maybe haven't experienced much of the city before. They'll likely eventually find their way further into Downtown and OTR.

I generally don't have a problem with the Pedal Wagon except for when a dozen drunk women go by singing along to "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" at the top of their lungs.

 

"WOOAH-OHH-OHH, mumble mumble, mumble mumble, WOOAH-OHH-OHH"

 

LOL

My girlfriend and her friends from Cincinnati (think northern suburbs around I-75 and I-275) mostly always go out at the Banks.  I never really have much fun at the Banks to be honest.  In my opinion they are more or less the touristy area of Cincinnati if only for some out of towners and more in-region but further out of city people.

 

But then we go hit OTR and always have a ton of fun.  I think a "real" Cincinnati experience is going to OTR for one of the great restaurants then hitting Japps for some bourbon drinks and listening to any of the live music they may be playing on the "bar" side of the establishment, then later on sliding over to any of the other bars or even Godfather's Pizzeria.  Main Street to me simply has a much more authentic feel than does the Banks.

 

Righteous Room and Igby's and Nicholson's, those bars in that area are definitely fun and have their place but, they always seem a bit uppity for my tastes.  I like my nightlife a bit more wild like you get on Main

My girlfriend and her friends from Cincinnati (think northern suburbs around I-75 and I-275) mostly always go out at the Banks.  I never really have much fun at the Banks to be honest.  In my opinion they are more or less the touristy area of Cincinnati if only for some out of towners and more in-region but further out of city people.

 

But then we go hit OTR and always have a ton of fun.  I think a "real" Cincinnati experience is going to OTR for one of the great restaurants then hitting Japps for some bourbon drinks and listening to any of the live music they may be playing on the "bar" side of the establishment, then later on sliding over to any of the other bars or even Godfather's Pizzeria.  Main Street to me simply has a much more authentic feel than does the Banks.

 

Righteous Room and Igby's and Nicholson's, those bars in that area are definitely fun and have their place but, they always seem a bit uppity for my tastes.  I like my nightlife a bit more wild like you get on Main

 

You mean Goodfellas: http://www.yelp.com/biz/goodfellas-pizzeria-cincinnati-2

 

The bitchy bar-shuffling bachelorette party is a blight.  I'm not sure exactly when they started but they didn't exist in large numbers in the 90s.  But they were definitely "a thing" by about 2005, right when Facebook and camera phones started.  No doubt the social media stuff has encouraged their proliferation and intensity.  It gets really bad when aunts and other 40+ year-old women get invited onto the party bus. 

 

 

I wouldn't care so much if it weren't for the whole "we deserve everyone's attention" attitude that comes with them. I generally don't let myself be concerned with how other people live their lives but the moment they begin to scream over other people, try to force their way to the front of the crowd during shows, etc. then they've gone beyond just living their lives and are getting in the way of other people living theirs.

 

You're getting married, whoopty doo. So are a lot of other people. Nobody beyond your group cares. Expecting them to and then getting angry when they don't is childish and incredibly annoying, especially for me since I don't drink and have no desire to ever be drunk and cannot empathize one bit with the drunken state.

You all sound like bitter old men (or women).

Haha. Perhaps...or perhaps bachelorette parties are just obnoxious in a way basically no other group of people out and about is.

I know what you guys are talking about. It's mob mentality. It's boorish.