GE may move 1400 jobs to the Banks: https://www.facebook.com/BringGEtotheBanks

^ Really?? That's awesome!!!

 

j/k

Yay. Another Facebook page.

Looks like Kaisch may have sealed his re-election with this news.

 

I hope not. This is great news, but re-election really

Looks like Kaisch may have sealed his re-election with this news.

 

That's all about turnout.

Looks like Kaisch may have sealed his re-election with this news.

 

For Cincinnati/SW Ohio?  Remember, there are still 8.5 million people elsewhere in the state not even close to Cincy.

 

Here's to hoping The Banks gets a new tenant!

Looks like Kaisch may have sealed his re-election with this news.

 

I hope not. This is great news, but re-election really

 

Kaisch, who is going to beat him?

Kaisch seems like a pretty stand-up guy. He's a shoo-in to beat Kasich in November.

From the world of construction on Tuesday 4/8:

 

The Banks II Office Building

"The project consists of approximately 300,000sf of Shell Office Building. The office building will be a cast-in-place concrete structure with eight ( 8 )

floors. The project is scheduled to start during the fourth quarter of 2014."

 

From today's (4/11) Business Courier:

 

"The office pad in phase 2, however, could house a 500,000 square foot building, although it is subject to height restrictions, as is the apartment building, because of its proximity to the stadium."

 

 

My wish:  GE chooses the Banks.  I feel that Oakley Station will easily poach companies already established  in the suburbs, so it would be nice for a new to the region company (GE Back Office Ops) to select the Banks and keep development moving forward.  The lack of a tenant for Phase I at the Banks shows that  no existing company in the region is interested. 

All signs are pointing to the banks, which i am very anxious to hear more details on.  But i cant help but think that the whole Bengals height restriction issue is going to cause problems with the negotiations. 

 

I could easily see the bengals being pricks about everything, so GE doesnt even want to deal with it so they move to another location. If they are able to work out a building that meets their size requirements on the phase1 office pad then this is a non-issue, so lets hope that is the  case.... regardless phase 2 residential needs to get going already, its been over a year in delay for mysterious reasons.

 

At the end of the day, the reds champion the city and bring the ASG here and promote the banks, while the bengals, more specifically, mike brown cause problems.

Here's the link to the article mentioned above.

 

 

Banks ‘shovel ready’ for GE, but Bengals’ issues may need to be settled

Chris Wetterich Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

If General Electric chooses the Banks as its location for an office building and 1,400 new Ohio workers, the man in charge of the public infrastructure at the project says it is ready.

 

But Hamilton County still needs to settle with the team how high the apartment building set to be built in phase 2 of the project can be, which could be an issue if GE wants to go to the Banks.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/04/10/banks-shovel-ready-for-ge-but-bengals-issues-may.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_cincinnati+%28Business+Courier+of+Cincinnati%29

^I find this article confusing, mostly because of my presumptions.  I thought the Bengals only had some sort of right regarding the Elm street blocks of the Banks, the ones immediately adjacent to the stadium.  The article seems to indicate that the Bengals have their veto rights over the entire Banks Phase II development, which I always took to refer to every block west of the Freedom Center.  Does anyone know what the real situation is?

Yes I believe it's the two blocks immediately east of Paul Brown Stadium, extending east to Vine St. 

 

I highly recommend reading Robert Fogelson's Downtown: Its Rise & Fall 1870-1950.  It discusses how height limits are a tool of the landed gentry, disguised as a benevolent aesthetic concern.  Mike Brown is part of Cincinnati's power elite -- by conferring him this authority back in 1996, he helps Lindner, etc., control who can build on The Banks. 

I had always assumed that the height restrictions near PBS were out of concern that tall buildings could provide a view of the playing field which might impact the Bengals' ability to sell tickets.  Like at Wrigley Field.  I didn't know that it was because Mike Brown is a member of the landed gentry. 

I had always assumed that the height restrictions near PBS were out of concern that tall buildings could provide a view of the playing field which might impact the Bengals' ability to sell tickets.  Like at Wrigley Field.  I didn't know that it was because Mike Brown is a member of the landed gentry. 

 

Violate the height restriction and force the Bengals to prove damages

The large parcel south of Freedom Way looks like the best option for GE. In some plans, I've seen the Riverfront Park using some land north of Mehring Way, which seems misguided to me. I think Riverfront park should concentrate on the land south of Mehring Way (along the riverfront, as its name suggests), leaving as much developable space north of Mehring Way, precisely for large scale projects like GE. Does anybody know if Cincinnati Parks already owns rights to some of that land? Could that be re-negotiated?

I think you're underestimating the size of that spot south of Freedom Way. The spot you have labeled as "Apts" is big enough for 300 apartments and an office building big enough for GE in addition to ground level retail and a spot which will be parking at first but slated for a future grocery store.

^-GE is large enough and powerful enough that they may force Mike Brown to be reasonable for once.

jimcha, are you sure that one block could support so much, taking into account the height restrictions? I thought that spot was slated for just 300 apartments plus 19,000 square feet of retail: http://thebankscincy.com/development-opportunities/phase-two.aspx

That spot is multiphased. A base with 300 apartments and 19,000 square feet of retail was the first phase until an office tenant was found for the second part. Two towers can be built on that site sharing a 3 story base.

 

http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/BanksPhase2.jpg

 

In the picture in that link the office building is the generic boxy building beyond the apartment building.

The real question then is whether the southwesternmost block is the giant block as labeled in bottom picture of jwulsin's post of 12:59, or the much smaller block in the top picture of the same post.

^-GE is large enough and powerful enough that they may force Mike Brown to be reasonable for once.

A justified comment indeed, but don't bet on it.  In some mysterious and malevolent way, Mike Brown almost always gets what he wants--and I, for one, believe that jmecklenberg's #7228 comment offers us reasonable insight why.

I agree. Mike Brown will want something in return. Maybe a lifetime supply of GE appliances.

The park already exists north of Mehring Way (see: Moerlein Lager House; Schmidlapp Event Lawn; steps and water features).

 

Edit: Isn't the carousel scheduled to go in the block jwulsin highlighted? They've already done significant work there as part of the park.

 

Edit2: Actually, I think the carousel is in the small space between that "block" and the Roebling bridge, but still...that will be contiguous w/ the park space colored purple in the top image.

Are the apartments definitely going there? That'd be a good place for GE if they can't do next to the Current apartments.  IMO the further north (of The Banks), the better.

Are the apartments definitely going there? That'd be a good place for GE if they can't do next to the Current apartments.  IMO the further north (of The Banks), the better.

 

I'm sure the Banks developers would be very flexible for GE, so the apartments might move. Some are speculating that GE might have something to do with the delay in starting Phase II. I certainly hope that's the case (assuming GE doesn't just hold everything up then pick somewhere else).

GE might actually be assembling a downtown building site, but are acting like they're interested in The Banks in order to foil speculators. 

Here's a nice map showing the rough footprint of each lot:

^ Lot 23 will be part of the park, just like Lot 20 already is. That doesn't mean it will be all green space, as Moerlein is on Lot 20.

More details on Lot 28 and 23 in the Parks's video flyover from April 2013 (details around 5:40): http://youtu.be/WPcc1fYUlcM.

Lot 28 was said to be slated for a white tablecloth restaurant... Which is okay, if they do a great job like they did with Moerlein. But why just a two-story restaurant? If ever there is a place that would benefit from additional density, it is here.

 

In lot 23, their plans call for the "west park grove. There'll be an area of walkways, places to sit in the grass under trees and yet another feature within this area will be a dog park."

 

I love dog parks and sitting under trees... But this frankly seems like an uninspired use of the space for lot 23. There are plenty of areas along the river for sitting under trees and plenty of spaces where a dog park could fit (I do think a dog park would be a nice addition to the riverfront, just not in lot 23).

 

The Banks has so much infrastructure in place to support a high density of residents, employees, and visitors. I just want to make sure the City doesn't waste this opportunity by pushing for too much greenspace that is devoid of people (like Sawyer Point on most days).

GE might actually be assembling a downtown building site, but are acting like they're interested in The Banks in order to foil speculators. 

 

Breaking news - GE to develop a 50 story tower to house their operations center at the corner of 4th and Plum in the convention place lot. Will be downtown's new tallest. -  It is nice to dream isn't it.

Might be kind of crazy but... what if they built on lots 1 and/or 2 (on jwulsin's map above,) decked over Fort Washington Way and expanded with a building there, and connected to that building with a bridge over Second Street? 

All signs are pointing to the banks, which i am very anxious to hear more details on.  But i cant help but think that the whole Bengals height restriction issue is going to cause problems with the negotiations. 

 

I could easily see the bengals being pricks about everything, so GE doesnt even want to deal with it so they move to another location. If they are able to work out a building that meets their size requirements on the phase1 office pad then this is a non-issue, so lets hope that is the  case.... regardless phase 2 residential needs to get going already, its been over a year in delay for mysterious reasons.

 

At the end of the day, the reds champion the city and bring the ASG here and promote the banks, while the bengals, more specifically, mike brown cause problems.

 

I have already read that even Cranley said that if it was necessary, that we could do what we did with Krogers and build them a garage.  Therefore, since everything points to them wanting to be in downtown, a tower can be built anywhere in downtown with plenty of exposure, have plenty of parking and be in the core of downtown.  They do not have to be in "The Banks".  They could be anywhere in the CBD.  I would actually prefer that, because a developer could actual have a tower built and give them prominence in the skyline.  If they want to be on the edge of the skyline, there are still many places a tower can be built and give maximum exposure for GE.  A developer would have the ability to build a nice tower beyond the 400K sq ft to accommodate others until GE fills more of the space.  Similar to how Queen Tower got built.  A developer only needs a certain percentage to build a tower.  Building in "The Banks" could limit that exposure by coming in too small.     

^-GE is large enough and powerful enough that they may force Mike Brown to be reasonable for once.

A justified comment indeed, but don't bet on it.  In some mysterious and malevolent way, Mike Brown almost always gets what he wants--and I, for one, believe that jmecklenberg's #7228 comment offers us reasonable insight why.

 

The Schottensteins recently bought properties across from Cooper Stadium (the old Clippers ballpark) to make sure that no one would build tall buildings between I-70 and the automotive development center that they are turning Cooper into.

As an ultimate inside joke for me when people ask me how I am doing I am thinking of saying quite well for I am a "landed gentry".  I am not sure why that term is so sticky, but it seems hilarious to me.

"Ask the local gentry and they will say it's elementary"

I thought Catholic Health Partners was thinking about building 350,000 square feet of office space somewhere in Cincinnati. Anybody know what  is going on with this project

Didn't they decide on a site in Bond Hill near Jordan Crossing/Swifton Commons? 

Didn't they decide on a site in Bond Hill near Jordan Crossing/Swifton Commons? 

CHP is also considering Norwood's vacant U.S. Playing Card complex and its renovation specifically for them.

My neighbor, who works for CHP on Elsinore, told me yesterday that they are in fact moving to the old playing card site. She said the move will be in 2015. Also, there is an article on wcpo by Dan Monk/Tom McKee (can't post the link) which the mayor of Norwood didn't mention the US Playing Card site as being an option for GE.

^  Thanks for the update.  Obviously, it's premature for me to congratulate Norwood just yet, but if this is true, it will be a great win!

Does anyone remember the height restrictions at the Banks? isn't it something like 25 stories?

Bengals, county agreement could pave way for GE

 

The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County leaders are negotiating a deal that would make significant upgrades to Paul Brown Stadium – including the long-discussed new scoreboard – in exchange for waiving height restrictions at The Banks.

 

That’s crucial to clearing the way for a new General Electric building – and up to 2,000 new jobs – at The Banks. It would also allow for construction to start on a new apartment building there.

 

A source told The Enquirer securing the height restriction waiver is a vital part of the bid package to bring GE to The Banks, a proposal that is due to GE on Friday. Commissioners are competing against Oakley and Mason to land the company at the riverfront development, which is jointly owned by the city and county.

 

Two county commissioners – Democrat Todd Portune and Republican Greg Hartmann – could vote on a deal with the Bengals as soon as Thursday.

 

Cont

"Sorry Fortune 500 company, we can't offer you a space at our signature development until our football team says it's OK."

 

 

People don't understand how brilliant Mike Brown is.  He put that stuff in the lease back in 1996 and now 18 years later it became the precise bargaining chip he knew it could be. 

 

I have to admit it's pretty exciting to imagine that this time next year we could see two big new buildings rising on The Banks.

People don't understand how brilliant Mike Brown is.  He put that stuff in the lease back in 1996 and now 18 years later it became the precise bargaining chip he knew it could be. 

 

People should also know about how f-ing evil that a-hole is and boycott the bengals too ;)

Like they say, if you're not hated in the business world, then you're not doing something right.

Ruthless people do get far, but in the long run it comes back to bite them in the rear.  There are better ways of running business even if its harder.

Brown bought out his last minority shareholder in 2011 with $CASH$.  Like $150 million in $CASH$.  He ran the team abstemiously for decades, and of course got the incredibly favorable lease in 1996, which enabled him to save $10 million+ per year.  Now the Brown family owns all but 1 share of the Bengals and are completely impervious to the sort of minority shareholder sneak attacks that undermined Art Model.