May 8, 200619 yr City could pull rank on part of Banks Cincinnati Business Courier - May 5, 2006by Dan Monk, Lucy MaySenior Staff Reporters Now that city and county leaders have concluded their high-stakes poker game on the future of the riverfront, some city leaders are talking about their ace in the hole: the city's legal authority to unilaterally develop the western half of the riverfront. Full story text is available at http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/05/08/story3.html
May 9, 200619 yr <i>Math isn't my strong suit, but doesn't "unanimously approved" simply mean majority rules. So a 3-2 vote would be all that's needed. Wouldn't a 4-1 vote be harder to achieve? Maybe Castellini can keep them in line.</i> <b>Banks deal morphing</b> BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Announced just last week, the agreement between Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati on how to proceed with developing the Banks is changing. But both sides say the changes are needed to ensure the proposed $600 million development doesn’t stall... Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/NEWS01/305090009
May 10, 200619 yr <b>Cirque Du Soleil Schedules Run On Riverfront</b> POSTED: 4:55 pm EDT May 9, 2006 UPDATED: 5:33 pm EDT May 9, 2006 CINCINNATI -- Millions of people watch a performance of the Cirque du Soleil every year. The world-renowned show plays in just a handful of cities, including London and Las Vegas. Cincinnati will soon be added to that list. Full story text is available at http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/9185771/detail.html
May 10, 200619 yr Great news...though I hope their tents and all that foot traffic doesn't disrupt the natural beauty of the area...
May 10, 200619 yr Lets remember: Image originally published by The Cincinnati Enquirer (www.enquirer.com)
May 11, 200619 yr City, county dot the i's, cross the t's for Banks By Joe Wessels Post contributor The city and county have passed differing resolutions relating to the new group charged with completing the long delayed Banks project on the riverfront. Full story text is available at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060511/NEWS01/605110355
May 11, 200619 yr From the Opinion section of the Cincinnati Post.... Riverfront soap opera The most recent episode of "As The Banks Turns'' found Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory calling a press conference to announce that they had worked out yet another deal for managing the downtown riverfront development project. Full story text is available at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/EDIT/605090308/1003
May 11, 200619 yr Circus to perform at the Banks Cirque du Soleil here in August Post staff report Cirque du Soleil announced Wednesday that its live touring production Quidam will perform at the Banks from Aug. 24 to Sept. 17. Full story text is available at www.cincypost.com
May 12, 200619 yr Great news about news about Cirque du Soleil, and I plan on taking the family. I think this will provide a hint of what some activity on the riverfront will be like. On a sour note, I was just wondering today how many times Phil Heimlich is going to declare victory on the Banks (kind of like it's been 1000 days since "Mission Accomplished"). He keeps coming out for press conferences to take credit then screws it up again. As mentioned earlier I also cannot wait to see David Pepper take care of him this fall.
May 13, 200619 yr Banks development unit gets its fourth member THE ENQUIRER Steve Leeper, president of Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., is the fourth appointee to the Banks Working Group, the body formed to push the development of the Banks, the proposed $600 million residential, retail and commercial neighborhood between the two sports stadiums. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060513/NEWS01/605130373/1056
May 15, 200619 yr I hope strongly that all these people heed Jack Rouse's words that development is for the long term, not to combat short term financial issues. I also hope they remember that they are creating a neighborhood, not a themepark. Those things I expect are withing the grasp of any appointee. I don't dare to hope that they make a real attempt to market this development to middle to lower income persons and families instead of the wealthy empty-nesters and real estate speculators that these appointees hope to cater to.
May 15, 200619 yr Great news about news about Cirque du Soleil, and I plan on taking the family. I think this will provide a hint of what some activity on the riverfront will be like. I can't wait! I've seen Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and it was an amazing show. It's something you could probably watch many times, and you still would notice something different in each show. I wonder if the rest of this area realizes how big of deal this is.
May 15, 200619 yr Group reimagines Banks' impact with green emphasis 9 million fewer pounds in landfills, for starters Cincinnati Business Courier - May 12, 2006by Laura BavermanStaff Reporter If Cincinnati's Banks project were built green, energy and water bills could be $29.2 million less over a 20-year period. Full story text is available at http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/05/15/story2.html
May 15, 200619 yr ^I really dont see why these kind of building techniques arent used more often. I love the idea and would really love to see it happen!
May 16, 200619 yr Potential Banks developer balks New request for proposal would be costly, time consuming BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER One of the four companies vying to become master developer of the proposed $600 million Banks project still wants the job - but not if it has to take months more and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars providing a more in-depth plan. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060516/NEWS01/605160330
May 16, 200619 yr How many times have we gone through this ridiculous "request for qualifications" crapola!?!?!? Its time to move forward with this thing and quit shooting ourselves in the foot for possible large-scale projects in the future. Seeing what we have throw these developers through now who would want to venture on a large-scale project in Cincy knowing this is our reputation (to beat a dead horse).
May 16, 200619 yr How many times have we gone through this ridiculous "request for qualifications" crapola!?!?!? Its time to move forward with this thing and quit shooting ourselves in the foot for possible large-scale projects in the future. Seeing what we have throw these developers through now who would want to venture on a large-scale project in Cincy knowing this is our reputation (to beat a dead horse). A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and a Request for Proposals (RFP) are two totally different things. No one in their right mind would move forward on a project of this scope without the submission of RFP's. These are detailed, in-depth documents that show what the developer has in mind and that they are serious enough about the project to spend the money to submit an RFP. An RFP for a project the size of the Banks will cost several hundred thousand dollars to prepare. If a company is unwilling to submit one, then they were never serious about the project anyway. To date, no developer has submitted an RFP for the Banks project since its inception. Based on the RFQ's submitted in 2002, four developers (of the many who submitted RFQ's) were going to be asked to submit RFP's. However, it never got that far because that is when Hamilton County started balking at funding the garages. Hence, the developers did not know which square they would be starting from, which makes submitting an RFP a moot point.
May 17, 200619 yr Mayor completes Banks committee Ex-administrator Riordan gets city spot on working group BY DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER All five members of the group that will determine who will develop Cincinnati's riverfront are now in place, and will soon begin working. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060517/NEWS01/605170340/1056
May 17, 200619 yr Well since we know the politican lean on two of the committee members, what is the politican affiliation of the rest? ;) My #1 desire for this project is that it is URBAN! If I see some Newport on the Levee bullshit I will be one pissed off Monday morning quarterback.
May 17, 200619 yr Great. This has now become a racial issue because of five white men. And sexist because it includes no women. :(
May 17, 200619 yr I will have no problem with the whole situation as long as it is done the right way. Which means it should be very 'urban', have minority inclusion in the project, and be done in a timely manner. Should these guys manage to mess this up then I will be very upset. It wont matter who the 5 members are I would be upset either way.
May 18, 200619 yr Diversity urged on Banks board BY DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Three Cincinnati council members think Mayor Mark Mallory is missing an opportunity to diversify the five-member board that will make all important decisions on the $600 million riverfront development known as the Banks. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/NEWS01/605180371/1056/NEWS0103
May 18, 200619 yr Jesus, people, these folks weren't selected to represent balkanized interest groups or something - it's your damn job to represent the people of the city! This group is NOT making decisions, it's making SUGGESTIONS. It's working out a plan, which will be approved or disapproved by you folks, who are a diverse lot of folks. And if your concern is that minorities are going to end up shut out of contracting and hiring, just look at Riordan's record on the Convention Center, which I understand well exceeded all minority contracting targets. Ms. Cole, are you saying that despite Mr. Riordan's past behavior, you can tell what he's really like from the color of his skin? Mr. Cranley, are you saying you're going to be steamrolled by this working group when it comes time to approve or disapprove? Mr. Crowley, are you admitting that you're incapable of representing the interests of your African-American constituents? These people astonish me...
May 18, 200619 yr I think the complaints about the lack of minority representation are legitimate. I'm not sure I understand a complaint about the lack of female representation. I guess if these guys come back with a plan for a monestary we'll know we should have had some female input. But let's take a moment to see who was chosen for the board, and by whom: 1) Bob Castellini, Reds owner, chair (Hyde Park resident); 2) Tom Gabelman, county attorney, chosen by the County (Mt. Lookout resident); 3) Steve Leeper, head of 3CDC, chosen by 3CDC (I don't know where he lives); 4) Robert Rhein, former president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati, chosen by Castellini with County approval (Indian Hill resident); 5) Tim Riordan, retired city administrator, chosen by the City (downtown resident). Now, of all the entities concerned, who had the most picks? Clearly it was Castellini and the County. The City only had one pick. The county chose Gabelman to look out for its interests, the City chose Riordan. Since a resident of the City must by definition be resident of the county, the County has just as much of a responsibility to minority inclusion as the City does. And seeing as they had more picks, they certainly could have made a greater effort. The choice of Robert Rhein, past president of the Home Builders Association and Indian Hill resident, is certainly a poorer choice for the task at hand than Tim Riordan, retired city admnistrator and downtown resident. I think the complaints are justified. But the complaints against Riordan are not. A man such as Rhein is going to have much better personal access to this board than the average prominent minority. If he has an issue he can just corner Castellini or Gabelman at a GOP fundraiser or talk to them about it on the green while their fourth is putting. It's a shame the County didn't step up on this issue, but it's not unexpected. Complaining about people complaining about lack of minority involvement helps the casual conspiracy of the Cincinnati squirearchy to keep doing business as usual. It's not so much that these people are malicious or intentionally disincluding people, it's that they just don't think about it. It doesn't occur to them. But that's the very problem with the whole Banks project, why it has been delayed for so long because of the bad stadium deal, and why Heimlich's fumbling attempts with Corporex and others fell through. We don't want business as usual down at the Banks, or else we will end up with a Newport-on-the-Levee in between two stadiums.
May 18, 200619 yr It's not so much that these people are malicious or intentionally disincluding people, it's that they just don't think about it I disagree with that comment. They were very aware with the issue of trying to get minority representation involved. I feel that they hired who they thought would handle the job best.
May 18, 200619 yr I disagree with that comment. They were very aware with the issue of trying to get minority representation involved. I feel that they hired who they thought would handle the job best. I find that very hard to believe. I'll give you that Mallory thought that Riordan would do the best job representing the City, and that Heimlich thought that Gabelman would do the best job representing the County. Leeper probably (and unsurprisingly) thought that he would do the best job representing 3CDC's interests, althought there are competent minorities on his staff, and at least one black man on 3CDC's board. But I'll give Leeper the benefit of the doubt and say he's best to represent 3CDC's interests. So that leaves two spots: 1) Rhein's and 2) Castellini's. Now obviously Castellini is the chair. There are certainly plenty of competent minorities available in the City or County to chair this board, such as former Sixth Circuit Federal Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, or former P&G executive Ed Rigaud, who chaired the committee that brought the Freedom Center to Cincinnati. But once again, let's give everyone the benefit of the doubt and say that Castellini is essential and irreplacable. That leaves Rhein's spot. And who chose him? Castellini, with the approval of the County. Rhein is the only one on the board (aside from the chair, Castellini) who wasn't named as a representative of a specific entity; his spot had the fewest strictures. And who was chosen? A Republican fundraiser and lobbyist that represents an organization that has virtually nothing to do with urban infrastructure, and is arguably opposed to it (I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but you might check out their website to read their self-description and see the pictures of the residences they've selected to show http://www.cincybuilders.com/.) It doesn't seem that Castellini and Heimlich are casting the net very wide for their one free and unemcumbered pick. That's what I mean when I said they don't think about the process of inclusion, that it simply isn't present in their minds.
May 19, 200619 yr Complaining about people complaining about lack of minority involvement helps the casual conspiracy of the Cincinnati squirearchy to keep doing business as usual. I wasn't complaining about the complainers. I was just unhappy that these issues had to come up at all.
May 23, 200619 yr Banks panel's makeup blasted Groups call for inclusion of blacks and labor BY DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER ROSELAWN - Several local organizations demanded Monday that the five-member panel that will make important decisions on the $600 million riverfront development known as the Banks be expanded, so blacks and labor representatives can be included. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/NEWS01/605230370
May 24, 200619 yr City, county not budging on Banks Race of panelists called less important than making deal BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The makeup of the Banks Working Group - five white men - won't change despite complaints from minority and labor groups that it isn't representative of the community. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060524/NEWS01/605240342/1056/NEWS0103
May 24, 200619 yr why is this all about the lack of blacks on the board? that in itself is a bit racist isn't it? what about hispanics and asians? so far all the talk is about the lack of blacks on the board. racism is a two way street, and this town is full of them.
May 24, 200619 yr well considering the town is 53% white and 41% black I can understand why there is no gripe about other racial minorities.
May 24, 200619 yr why is this all about the lack of blacks on the board? that in itself is a bit racist isn't it? what about hispanics and asians? so far all the talk is about the lack of blacks on the board. racism is a two way street, and this town is full of them. Note: This post originally contained an unattributed picture of Barry Bonds shrugging his shoulders during what appears to be a press conference
May 24, 200619 yr Expanding the Banks Working Group (I've read suggestions as high as four additional members!) would be incredibly stupid, because it would get so caught up with squabbling that it would never get The Banks built. I guess I don't see how the interests of the poor and minorities differ from the interests of others with respect to The Banks. And don't tell me it's about supplier diversity, because that is an objective criteria that any competent developer can institute. Is there a black way and a white way to design a building? Maybe the battle ground would be retail tenant selection. But while the Banks Working Group may have the power to seek out certain tenants to get the project off the ground, in the long run the market will determine which tenants stay and which leave. As for the poor, the city and county can barely afford to get this project off the ground, let alone subsidize its housing units. Of course, it would have been a symbol of inclusiveness had Mallory appointed a black man or woman to sit on the Banks Working Group. But ultimately the Banks is a market-driven project, so I doubt it would have made a difference in the final product.
May 24, 200619 yr not sure I understand the Bonds reference here :| It's his facial expression.It's classic lol.
May 25, 200619 yr Local group recommended to develop The Banks Cincinnati Business Courier - 1:25 PM EDT Thursday A development group led by Western-Southern Financial Group has been recommended to make The Banks riverfront project a reality. Full story text is available at http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/05/22/daily40.html?from_rss=1
May 25, 200619 yr I am glad to see Eagle/W&S involved. W&S has more money than God and has the connections, blue blood contacts, and clout around town to get it done, plus they are a hometown company and have their reputation at stake. Also, being a large landowner downtown, they have a personal interest in seeing this project kick ass!
May 26, 200619 yr I guess I don't see how the interests of the poor and minorities differ from the interests of others with respect to The Banks. And don't tell me it's about supplier diversity, because that is an objective criteria that any competent developer can institute. Is there a black way and a white way to design a building? You just made the point you say that you say you can't understand, 1) You don't see what the difference might be, because you aren't a minority, and 2) Just because any competent designer can deliver a product doesn't mean that the product will be delivered competently, particularly with Heimlich's gang in charge of the County Administration. Look at how incompetently they've handled things so far, not to mention their desire to increase the price of housing up into the $4K range, despite the plans that call for mixed income development at the Banks. How many black folks do who live in the City are living in a $400,000 house? If it's important to make sure the business community is involved, then it's just as legitimate to make a gesture to such a large and important constituency, particularly when it seems like what they are asking for is mere tokenism, i.e. someone who is black. While to whites it appears as mere tokenism, it was only forty or so odd years ago at best that mere skin color would disqualify one from innumerable positions in society. So someone sympathetic can understand the desire. All politics aside, why don't we ask ourselves this question: which group is more important to have in on the building process when the County attempts to build a new neighborhood- local capitalists or local constituents? I argue that the County can certainly find the money it needs to build somewhere else (it certainly won't raise all the capital locally anyway) and it doesn't need a local developer to develop the entire sight anyway, it can do it itself (witness the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston; also, this is what public authorities were created for in the old days) but it most certainly needs the support of the local population to pay for the project and to populate it.
May 26, 200619 yr ^I don't think this addresses your point, but Back Bay in Boston is just about the most segregated neighborhood in the city - it's 85% white in a city that's less than half white. (http://www.curp.neu.edu/sitearchive/spotlight.asp?id=1430) I think the main point here is, the representatives of the people here are City Council and the County Commission. The Banks Working Group is simply an advisory board. Council and the Commission ought not allow racism into their decision-making process; the jobs created in construction should follow state, county and city standards for minority inclusion; and the shape development takes should serve all the various constituencies. And that's what Council and the Commission is for. If they're incapable of doing that job, we shouldn't have elected them as our representatives.
May 26, 200619 yr >Look at how incompetently they've handled things so far, not to mention their desire to increase the price of housing up into the $4K range, despite the plans that call for mixed income development at the Banks. How many black folks do who live in the City are living in a $400,000 house? Well we have to accept that rent for commercial and residential space in The Banks is going to be some of the most expensive in the city. The land was expensive and preparing the land will be expensive. Governments simply have to make back some of the money on this, we can't just give away land down there like they did with the Freedom Center. In fact the presence of the Freedom Center on probably the single most valuable piece of real estate in the midwest outside Chicago really weakens these people's argument.
May 26, 200619 yr I'm not quite sure what the difference is between giving land to to the Freedom Center and giving land to the Stadiums. Granted, the stadiums are still owned by the county, but they are both large parcels of very valuable land devoted to very specific and limited functions, just like the museum. I feel like it comes down to this: If it's important to create an attractive, mixed-income neighborhood on the Banks, then the County might not make back everything it puts into this project, at least not immediately. If the Banks is simply a way to pay of County debt, if that's what it's function is, then perhaps the construction will pay for itself in the short term, and perhaps we'll be able to pay down some debt as well. Downtown is one of the few neighborhoods in Cincinnati where population is growing. Check out the Sibcy Cline or Huff websites to see all the projects underway. I think we can all agree that it is primarily wealthy folks who are moving downtown. I think the private sector is doing a decent job at providing new opportunities at downtown living, and because it is expensive to rehab these old office buildings for housing, they natually price them toward a certain clientele. If it's important to have different income types living and working downtown, if it's important to have families and not just empty-nesters and young professionals living there, if it's important for people to use the new Riverfront park (and who uses parkland more than kids?), then the Banks project is clearly the place to do it.
May 26, 200619 yr Home team takes Banks lead BY KIMBALL PERRY AND DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS The home team took the lead Thursday, when a group of developers - most with Cincinnati ties - was recommended to build the $600 million development planned for the riverfront. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060526/NEWS01/605260372/1056/NEWS0103
May 26, 200619 yr Local group proposed to build Banks But many more approvals needed to pick developer BY CLIFF PEALE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Years of Cincinnati connections and billions of dollars in financial strength might have earned a consortium of local real-estate companies the county's recommendation to develop The Banks. But that's only the first step in a laborious process that will soon include another recommendation by a five-member Banks Working Group and final decisions by Hamilton County Commissioners and Cincinnati City Council. Full story text is available at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060526/NEWS01/605260373/1056/NEWS0103
May 26, 200619 yr Black vs. White is not the same as Wealthy vs. Middle Class and I think that line has been blurred here. Yes the development will probably be priced to a certian population that would pay a premium for views of the river and downtown. Any developer in their right mind would do this, just look at the condos going up on the Kentucky side of the river, they are all geared toward this same group of people, and yet no one is bitching about. Things like this are completely market driven, no one is going to build section 8 housing on one of the most valuable pieces of land in the region. As for the $400,000 house comment, I bet there are more black people living in them than the Enquirers beloved "young professionals." Most of these people can't afford anything near this price range. And if they are like me, they are already have bills that look like morgage payments for their student loans for the next 10-15 years.
May 26, 200619 yr >I'm not quite sure what the difference is between giving land to to the Freedom Center and giving land to the Stadiums. Granted, the stadiums are still owned by the county, but they are both large parcels of very valuable land devoted to very specific and limited functions, just like the museum. Well, I could write a pretty lengthy response to this, but one of the more obvious points is that the whole struggle with the stadiums in the mid and late 90's had nothing to do with the Freedom Center. If the Freedom Center had been imagined by someone in 1996 I certainly didn't hear about it, and there was no public debate over where it would be located. Look at any of the drawings for riverfront redevelopment prior to the 1999 Banks drawings and The Freedom Center is nowhere to be seen. >I feel like it comes down to this: If it's important to create an attractive, mixed-income neighborhood on the Banks, then the County might not make back everything it puts into this project, at least not immediately. If the Banks is simply a way to pay of County debt, if that's what it's function is, then perhaps the construction will pay for itself in the short term, and perhaps we'll be able to pay down some debt as well. Where are all these mixed-income neighborhoods that we are supposed to be modeling after? There certainly aren't many examples of millionaires and section 8'ers living in the same building, if there are any at all. Where are the neighborhoods with mansions and trailers living in harmony, side-by-side? The only example I can think of is Kato freeloading in OJ's guest house. >Downtown is one of the few neighborhoods in Cincinnati where population is growing. Check out the Sibcy Cline or Huff websites to see all the projects underway. I think we can all agree important to have families and not just empty-nesters and young professionals living there, if it's important for people to use the new Riverfront park (and who uses parkland more than kids?), then the Banks project is clearly the place to do it. I certainly would like if they had a few dozen studio apartments for $450/mo., and in fact there are always some for that price somewhere in the CBD. They are not very big or nice apartments, but if you want to go try and get a loan and buy a parcel down there and build a utopic apartment building and lose a lot of money, it's a free country.
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