February 15, 201213 yr I believe the safety beacon things, or whatever they are, are actually for the underground parking garage. You have to keep in mind that Hamilton County doesn't control anything at street-level. I believe that the security investment is actually to put those phone boxes and what not down inside the garage. A significant amount of that money will also not be for security-related measures at all and will actually go to manage traffic into and out of the Central Riverfront Parking Garage.
February 15, 201213 yr >There are, incidentally, a lot of cars and trucks being stripped in the West Chester industrial parks. Many warehouses are having the catalytic converters ripped out from under their delivery trucks and vans, and cars left overnight (often by salesmen) are getting hit. Enquirer is not covering this< Columbus media focuses on suburban/exurban crime much more than even two years ago because they've found out that there's a lot of it and it sells papers/gets ratings. Sounds like Cincy isn't doing that yet.
February 16, 201213 yr This is not where I expected Orange Leaf to be setting up shop... "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
February 16, 201213 yr If The Banks came in under budget, for the love of god use that money to make the next phase fancier than cinderblock and vinyl siding. I don't care who's money it actually is, just give me some nicer buildings. +1
February 16, 201213 yr The public likes and is jaded with mundane architecture. There's only a small portion of the Cincinnati population that could probably visually handle new stimulating architecture.
February 16, 201213 yr I predict this is just step one of the transition. In 5 years I think we'll see mainstream museum exhibits at the Freedom Center building and the Freedom Center stuff relegated to one corner of that building. Someone on Twitter suggested that the current NURFC building would be a great home to some of the exhibits from the Cincinnati History Museum. It would make sense for that location.
February 16, 201213 yr If The Banks came in under budget, for the love of god use that money to make the next phase fancier than cinderblock and vinyl siding. I don't care who's money it actually is, just give me some nicer buildings. +1 +2
February 17, 201213 yr The museum isn't empty. It's quite full actually. The exhibits are so spread out and there is really a lot of wated space in the building. It's also difficult to get a sense for how you are supposed to proceed through the different exhibits. The 3 times I've been there it's been virtually empty so it's not like you can really see where other people are going. There are some really great exhibits, but I think maybe the entire West wing could be vacated for different museum space. It would be really cool if the big travelling exhibitions that come through Union Terminal were instead moved to part of a reconfigured Freedom Center, leaving all that basement space for the existing museums there to expand. The Natural History museum is also desperately in need of an update...but that's a whole different topic.
February 17, 201213 yr The museum isn't empty. It's quite full actually. The exhibits are so spread out and there is really a lot of wated space in the building. It's also difficult to get a sense for how you are supposed to proceed through the different exhibits. The 3 times I've been there it's been virtually empty so it's not like you can really see where other people are going. There are some really great exhibits, but I think maybe the entire West wing could be vacated for different museum space. It would be really cool if the big travelling exhibitions that come through Union Terminal were instead moved to part of a reconfigured Freedom Center, leaving all that basement space for the existing museums there to expand. The Natural History museum is also desperately in need of an update...but that's a whole different topic. I still think the Freedom Center building would make a great Union Terminal. It's a great entrance to the city and is literally connected to the RTC. Streetcar, Commuter Rail and 3C line all coming together at the Banks would be fantastic. Not quite sure how Amtrak can get down there without building a new bridge, but the space is perfect for a new grand entrance to the city. CUT seems to work very well as a museum, and with the loss of the West End, it's not connected to transit in the rest of the city anymore.
February 17, 201213 yr Saw on the news earlier that Covington has some new plans for their riverfront. Imagine that.
February 17, 201213 yr I would like to see what Covington is planning for their riverfront. Are the plans posted online anywhere?
February 17, 201213 yr Those plans are nothing new out of the water. They have been coming for quite some time.
February 17, 201213 yr I would like to see what Covington is planning for their riverfront. Are the plans posted online anywhere? Yeah, linkage?
February 17, 201213 yr http://www.fox19.com/story/16195337/covington-asks-the-public-for-input-on-riverfront-development here is a link about the development
February 17, 201213 yr This would be great. The Covington shoreline is an eyesore. It wouldnt take much to really improve it. Just put some retaining walls and city parks at the waters edge and the riverfront would look very nice. It is strange that this hasnt been done yet considering the nice properties on Riverside Dr. in Covington.
February 17, 201213 yr In my dreams, I've envisioned Covington and Newport to one day resemble the lost development of Newport's "Ovation," but on a grander scale that would rival Cincinnati's skyline (minus the sports venues). That is, 35-45 story office and residential towers, etc. Can you just imagine cruising down the Ohio River between a canyon of buildings on both sides? (Yeah--maybe in 2085, maybe in 2125, maybe never--who knows?)
February 18, 201213 yr http://www.wxix.com/story/16952034/covington-receives-3-proposals-for-riverfront-development-project This is the renderings they have shown on the news. The one building looks ugly.
February 19, 201213 yr I made a stop down at The Banks while out last night to give Toby Keith's a shot. The line was out the door and to the corner by the Freedom Center. We went to Holy Grail instead (which was also quite packed) before making our way to Neon's and Lackman. This was also the first time I actually saw people eating in Johnny Rockets. About 10 or so. Hopefully as the popularity of the area picks up and the Reds/Bengals are playing they will see more interest. As for the two bars there already, if they keep up this pace, I see it doing wonderful things for the general perception of how downtown and the riverfront are changing. I saw a TON of older people there who appeared to be coming from the suburbs which is fantastic. And everyone was having a great time. Also, the Moerlein Lager House had a bunch of exterior and interior lighting on and it looked fantastic. It's definitely going to be a great place once it opens.
February 19, 201213 yr ^-I walked by there as well last night and couldn't believe the crowds and along with that came more traffic on 2nd street, and tons and tons of taxis. I guess there is a market for a Toby Keith related bar in Cincinnati - though I wouldn't count myself as part of the demographic that would appeal to. Made me wonder how long it will be until someone in the leadership gets the idea to encourage intercity buses like megabus to relocate to the transit center.
February 19, 201213 yr I had not heard of any Covington projects in the works. I guess lending is starting to loosen up.
February 19, 201213 yr I had about the same experience you did last night, jmicha. The line outside Toby Keith's was ridiculous, and it was pretty cold out. Why anyone would wait even 30+ minutes in the cold to get into there is beyond me. Maybe the restaurant was trying to make the place look exclusive? It certainly got a reaction out of us.
February 19, 201213 yr Once Reds season begins (pitchers and catchers reported today!), the Moerlein House other establishments open there will really be a strong crowd and an interesting mix of personalities/demographics. On a side note, can we please start referring to Toby Keith's by its acronym, TKILTBAG?! It just makes me chuckle for some reason.
February 20, 201213 yr It sounds like they may run out of food on big game weekends at the ball park.
February 20, 201213 yr Once Reds season begins (pitchers and catchers reported today!), the Moerlein House other establishments open there will really be a strong crowd and an interesting mix of personalities/demographics. On a side note, can we please start referring to Toby Keith's by its acronym, TKILTBAG?! It just makes me chuckle for some reason. I'm sure Tickle Teabag was the original name of this franchise, but they had to change it to make it more family-friendly.
February 20, 201213 yr Why anyone would wait even 30+ minutes in the cold to get into there is beyond me. Last night we were walking around just shooting photos of The Banks and the Toby Keith's was packed. I think a lot of it had to do with the dance event going on at the convention center as a lot of the folks inside had those dance team jackets on. It's not my kind of place at all, but the inside is really nice and the more business they do - the better. As I see it, if it brings people downtown it's a good thing. It's like Mynt Martini. That place is full of @$$holes, but it's always packed. I'm glad they do good business.
February 20, 201213 yr Why anyone would wait even 30+ minutes in the cold to get into there is beyond me. (Toby Keith's)It's like Mynt Martini. That place is full of @$$holes, but it's always packed. I'm glad they do good business. Excellent reference, haha. If Toby is feeding 2nd Street with traffic, I'm fine with his locale.
February 22, 201213 yr Developing Now Banks tenant could get $1M in city financing http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2012/02/21/banks-tenant-could-get-1m-in-city-financing/#comments City is giving the owners of Mahogany Restaurant-Bar $684,000 and loaning them $300,000. In return they get $50,000 in collateral. Awful deal for the tax payer. The $684,000 equals about 10 years of free rent.
February 22, 201213 yr ^^Are rents that cheap in downtown Cincy for retail space? I rent a space in a Cleveland suburb in a minor strip (4,200 square feet...not that much space compare to Banks restaurants) and pay about $100,000 a year or a million over ten years.
February 22, 201213 yr ^^Are rents that cheap in downtown Cincy for retail space? I rent a space in a Cleveland suburb in a minor strip (4,200 square feet...not that much space compare to Banks restaurants) and pay about $100,000 a year or a million over ten years. What do you mean rent? They said loan amounts, not rent.
February 22, 201213 yr ^Kyle stated that $684,000 (which I guess is the loan amount) equals about 10 years of free rent. Edit: Actually re-reading his post it seems to be indicating that it is not even a loan but a grant.
February 22, 201213 yr I'm all for the Banks succeeding and retaining a unique mix of merchants, but knowing the reality of of how many restaurants fail in the first year or two, this makes me uneasy. Same with TKILTBAG...I feel like once the novelty and $8 beers wear off for all the suburbanites that inhabit the place on the weekends, that too could be in rough shape...
February 22, 201213 yr ^Kyle stated that $684,000 (which I guess is the loan amount) equals about 10 years of free rent. Edit: Actually re-reading his post it seems to be indicating that it is not even a loan but a grant. The grant (tax payer gift) of $684,000 is about equal to 10 years of free rent. 3,500 Sq. Ft X $15.00 NNN per sq. ft = $52,500 annually or $525,000 over 10 years. If NNN at the Banks is $20.00 NNN that equals $700,000 over 10 years. Close enough. Bad way for the City to spend money.
February 22, 201213 yr ^Toby got 5.5 million. That loan is backed by the Developer, "collateral" and they have much more of it than a mom and pop restaurant owner. City/County will get than loan money back from Toby or Dawson/Carter. And it was a loan, not a grant.
February 22, 201213 yr ^^Are rents that cheap in downtown Cincy for retail space? I rent a space in a Cleveland suburb in a minor strip (4,200 square feet...not that much space compare to Banks restaurants) and pay about $100,000 a year or a million over ten years. sent you a private message
February 22, 201213 yr You know what Kyle everyplace is unproven at the Banks. Why pick on this place and not the others?????
February 22, 201213 yr If this is a good investment, why aren't banks lending them money? I don't get this. Is the market struggling so bad that The Banks can't get good tenants without offering crazy incentives?
February 22, 201213 yr You know what Kyle everyplace is unproven at the Banks. Why pick on this place and not the others????? Grant/Gift money on this deal is way out of line. I don't mind the $300,000 loan, because there is some collateral there.
February 22, 201213 yr You know what Kyle everyplace is unproven at the Banks. Why pick on this place and not the others????? Grant/Gift money on this deal is way out of line. I don't mind the $300,000 loan, because there is some collateral there. The grant is absurd. Hopefully when the full council votes on it on Thursday they realize that. Loans are fine, even with low interest, but that large of a gift to a private business is a waste. I can name a dozen new restaurants that have opened in Cincinnati in the past year that are wildly successful without handouts.
February 22, 201213 yr Ahh I see they edited the article from when i last read it this morning. It seems they owed back taxes. In that case it is indeed too much for a company that did't pay it's taxes for 2 years.
February 23, 201213 yr It's a black owned business and serves soul food. Cincinnati is badly in need of some establishment that will put its black business owners and upscale community in the public eye. I don't know if that was on the minds of the city leadership, but its something to consider. I don't know if 600 grand was an appropriate amount, but I'll be the first to say that I think SOME amount is money well spent. This city's upper and middle class black community needs more publicity than just Chris Smitherman, for the love of God.
February 23, 201213 yr I don't like the idea of giving them a grant either. Loan yes, low or no interest for that matter. It does seem to be a minority business sort of thing. I for one will eat there because I love soul food / home cooking having grown up in the south. It will also be one of the only spots of it's kind (soul food) in the immediate vicinity. I wish them the best but hope the grant doesn't go through.
February 23, 201213 yr It's a black owned business and serves soul food. Cincinnati is badly in need of some establishment that will put its black business owners and upscale community in the public eye. I don't know if that was on the minds of the city leadership, but its something to consider. I don't know if 600 grand was an appropriate amount, but I'll be the first to say that I think SOME amount is money well spent. This city's upper and middle class black community needs more publicity than just Chris Smitherman, for the love of God. A private business shouldn't be given a grant because they are black owners. If the black community, white community, Asian community, whoever, needs more publicity then go out and earn it like everyone else.
February 23, 201213 yr Blacks in Cincinnati are not a minority, probably a majority. This should not be the mission of elected leaders to champion skin color and ethnicity.
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