It's underhanded for a reason. Council would bitch, moan, and have "concerns" about any plan you put before them. At least this way they've already put developers in place before Council could scare them off. Does anyone really believe that Council represents them and their interests? (not that the county does either) I'm not that naive. Most of Council are out for themselves. Involving them would just provide another opportunity for grandstanding, which holds up development at everyone else's expense. I mean really. I want someone to give me an example where Council delayed or killed an important development thereby increasing everyone's quality of life and making our city a better place. Instead of being on the immediate defensive, how about trying to see if something can be worked out? We might save alot of unneccessary complaining. (BTW that's not directed at you SSSCincy, this whole bitch-fest over the Banks and Fountain Square has just really got me pissed.) 

As long as it stays council sniping and not council hindrance, I'm down.  Let them act like fools.

 

I'm excited to see someone take the damn ball and run with it instead of being called for delay of game and getting penalized 10 years.

This is the perfect time for ol Charlie to step up to the plate and give direction to this project's future.  The county did a backroom deal and the city has been slow.  This project needs a leader so let Charlie (it should be the mayor for obvious reasons) step up and work on this deal all the way to November.

Here is a reminder of some of the properties bought during the pre Paul Brown Stadium days.

 

This is dated but I will post anyway:

 

As I said before, this project was not in the City's domain.  The COUNTY has always had the lead on this and they both agreed to let the Port Authority handle it.  The Port then contracted with 3CDC to be the project manager on the Banks.  As much as I agree with everyone that City Council is slow with projects most of the time, your ire is misplaced here.  The County had agreed to let the Port and 3CDC find money and the developers, then Portune goes and pulls this backroom deal.  If you read a post of mine from 2-3 days ago, it will provide the details.

 

 

I just want it to happen.  YESTERDAY!

 

BTW, per the map there was a Bengal Dr.  Does that still exist?

I think Bengal Drive just became Vine St. again.

Obviously I hope they can still keep the money, but I would have to laugh at Todd Portune if this happened.  This is also the first mention I have heard of the Reds and Bengals not having to contribute any parking money toward the project (am I mistaken?).  Maybe Portune is feeling sorry he is suing the NFL and the Bengals and wants to cut them a break (LOL).  Seems to me he would want to get every dime he could out of the Bengals.

 

 

 

$25M for Banks in jeopardy

County's plan might trigger slice in federal funding

 

By Cliff Peale

Enquirer staff writer

 

 

 

Almost $25 million in federal transportation money - the linchpin in funding the Banks riverfront development plan - could be in jeopardy after Hamilton County took over the project last week.

 

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, known as OKI, each the conduit for about half of the money, say they need more details from county officials before they know whether the funds will transfer cleanly to a project with an entirely different structure.

 

Pair of local developers

 

Friday, county officials stunned city and civic leaders by picking local developers Bill Butler of Corporex Cos. and Rob Smyjunas of Vandercar Holdings to oversee the project. Their partnership is the Banks Development Co. LLC. If they can reach a final deal in the next six months, the developers would contribute $10 million to help build garages that would support condominiums, stores, hotels and offices.

 

 

$24.9 million centerpiece

 

The centerpiece of the initial plan was to use the $24.9 million in federal money from the Congestion and Mitigation Air Quality program on an 1,100-space parking garage just west of Great American Ball Park that would qualify as an "intermodal transit center" because it connects to a transit center under Second Street.

 

Different route?

 

Mark Policinski, executive director at OKI, said there is a possibility OKI could route funds through the Surface Transportation Program, which does not carry the requirement to reduce congestion. OKI is the conduit for about $37 million a year through that program.

 

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050616/NEWS01/506160337

The drama is hurting my head.

Utter bullshit.

This shit is f'd up because you have a bunch of idiots trying to create a development plan. This crap should've been in the hands of the development team, four years ago.

There's now an Enquirer comments page for the Banks if anyone's interested in the general public's take on it.  I haven't gotten a chance to browse through them yet, but I wonder if it's more positive than the Fountain Square comments.

 

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/comments/threadView.asp?threadid=109

I've gone through and read some of these and overall, it's not as extreme as the Fountain Square comments. 

Here's a sample of a few that I found interesting:

- Finally, don't call it "The Banks". It sounds like a place I'd go to open a checking account.

 

- We have some great modern structures there, why old-fashioned brick buildings? A sleek modern riverfront will be a draw to all who want to see the incredible modern architecture that is making Cincinnati unique.

 

- But it will never be a place I would want to work or live. I was born and raised in Cincinnati amd I remember how run down everything is down town. And that neighborhood is not a place to be after dark.

 

- Do something that benefits the general public, not just the business community.

 

- The downtown needs a Cheesecake Factory

 

- A small park if fine but what attracts suburbanites? Look at West Chester, Kenwood, Newport, Mason for tips.

 

- Smyjunas's Oakley project though much maligned by beaurocrats has helped spur Oakley into being one of the hottest neighborhoods in Cincinnati.

 

- I think it sucks. Where are people going to park for baseball and football games.

 

- There are good things happening in our city- but people would rather live in a bubble, and entertain in a pre-fab mall (newport).

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how many people were against the park/greenspace idea.  However, as can be seen from the following comments, among others, it seems your average Joe is unable to comprehend the concept of 'mixed use.'

 

- We don't need another park. And there should not be any housing on the river. We already have one highrise concrete eyesore in One lytle Place. Put the houseing elsewhere!

 

- What happened to all the restraunts & bars that were supposed to be build between the new stadiums? With these new condos there probably won't be any place to tailgate or do anything else before a game.

 

- I donot like the plan for building condos at the banks Ithink the site should used for retail and restaurants Ifeel condos will only bring it down.

 

Install a cable car system between our riverfront and Newport. I think it would be unique and another alternative to traveling between the areas. The 'owners' of the cable cars would foot the bill as they could then reap most of the profits and our two cities would reap the rest

 

Interesting, I like this idea...  Although it would have to be Covington not Newport since Covington is directly across the river. 

I've gone through and read some of these and overall, it's not as extreme as the Fountain Square comments.

Here's a sample of a few that I found interesting:

- Finally, don't call it "The Banks". It sounds like a place I'd go to open a checking account.

 

- We have some great modern structures there, why old-fashioned brick buildings? A sleek modern riverfront will be a draw to all who want to see the incredible modern architecture that is making Cincinnati unique.

 

- But it will never be a place I would want to work or live. I was born and raised in Cincinnati amd I remember how run down everything is down town. And that neighborhood is not a place to be after dark.

 

- Do something that benefits the general public, not just the business community.

 

- The downtown needs a Cheesecake Factory

 

- A small park if fine but what attracts suburbanites? Look at West Chester, Kenwood, Newport, Mason for tips.

 

- Smyjunas's Oakley project though much maligned by beaurocrats has helped spur Oakley into being one of the hottest neighborhoods in Cincinnati.

 

- We don't need another park. And there should not be any housing on the river. We already have one highrise concrete eyesore in One lytle Place. Put the houseing elsewhere!

 

- What happened to all the restraunts & bars that were supposed to be build between the new stadiums? With these new condos there probably won't be any place to tailgate or do anything else before a game.

 

- I think it sucks. Where are people going to park for baseball and football games.

 

- There are good things happening in our city- but people would rather live in a bubble, and entertain in a pre-fab mall (newport).

 

- I donot like the plan for building condos at the banks Ithink the site should used for retail and restaurants Ifeel condos will only bring it down.

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how many people were against the park/greenspace idea.

 

 

Thats it I am convinced.  After several years on message boards I am convinced, as a suburbanite myself I feel the need to say:

 

"Kill all suburban sheep"

 

I have seen the light.  You can now enter me into your cult...

^ I believe the cable car/trolley idea has been tossed around by Southbank Partners (operators of the often underutilized Southbank Shuttle) for quite some time now.

The majority of these comments just go to show you how ignorant and uninformed the average schlep is.  It may be mean to say, but read some of those, come on!

 

"Where are people going to park for baseball and football games"  DUH you idiot, there will be MORE parking!

 

"Smyjunas's Oakley project though much maligned by beaurocrats has helped spur Oakley into being one of the hottest neighborhoods in Cincinnati."  Yeah, it replaced all those high paying blue collar jobs at Cincinnati Milacron with minimum wage retail jobs a la the "norwood renaissance" of a movie theatre and a few mixed use buildings replacing a GM factory.

 

 

It just amazes me that people actually think this way.

 

 

If the Banks Condo project happens, that might move up as my #1 choice for my relocation to downtown being that it is somewhat affordable.  I have been looking at several options but most importantly I would need a job in the city and not in Dayton.  Living between both stadiums with the river right there.  I could think of a better way to live life...

I had to stop reading halfway through, I couldn't take it anymore.  Looking at where the people were from was even funnier.  Someone saying that he/she didn't want to come downtown b/c of crime, but they were from Price Hill.  I don't know numbers compared from downtown to price hill with crime, but it couldn't be any better/worse.  Everyone from the suburbs always talks about how they love going to Newport, and how Newport got it right.  There perception of the whole town of Newport is a three block area.  Also all the people talking about parking for games, did they fail to realize their will be parking garages underneath everything? 

 

Since when have condos brought a neighborhood down?  Homeownership must be a real bad thing for an area.

 

I really didn’t realize that people perceived downtown as such a dangerous place.  It’s amazing!

 

I wanted to respond to some of these people, but I am sure that they won't ever go back for responses on there.   

 

About that parking thing, didn't one chick say something about "where will we tailgate"?  Sure...that's a great reason for not developing the Banks!

 

Anyway, the better tailgaiting is over by Longworth Hall.

 

P.S> I went through them and did the same thing I did on the Fountain Square ones.  I'll post it in a few days.  One thing that struck me is that there were by far many more positive responses for this one.  In fact, I think the reason that the Fountain Square one got twice as many responses was the overwhelming number of people who thought it was a bad idea.

Grr those just make me mad

But, a Cheesecake Factory or something like that would help a ton.  it is something people can only get downtown(or maybe one other place)

Why the hell did 3CDC shop Fountain Square to the city of Newport?!?  From the 6/18/05 Enquirer:

 

 

City raps developer for Banks

County's choice flawed, Cincinnati planners say

By Gregory Korte

Enquirer staff writer

 

The Cincinnati Planning Commission sent a warning Friday to the Hamilton County officials eager to develop the Banks: Slow down.

 

The commission voted 4-0 to approve a resolution calling the selection of a preferred developer for the site "fundamentally flawed," noting the county decision bypassed a more rigorous selection process by the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority.

 

"I don't know if it was a bold maneuver or just plain ignorance, but either way it's inappropriate," said Councilman Jim Tarbell, a commission member.

 

Hamilton County commissioners voted 3-0 last Friday to select the Banks Development Corp., a joint venture of Vandercar Holdings Inc. and Corporex Cos., as the preferred developer for the $600 million project. The company will have 180 days to put together a development plan for approval by the county and, ultimately, the Planning Commission.

 

E-mail [email protected]

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050618/NEWS01/506180378/1056/rss02

 

yeah, what's up with that?

We have some great modern structures there, why old-fashioned brick buildings? A sleek modern riverfront will be a draw to all who want to see the incredible modern architecture that is making Cincinnati unique.

 

on the contrary, I would argue that it's our stock of beatiful historic buildings that helps make Cincinnati great.  I think the renderings for the Banks are pretty amazing -- they pay homage to our great architectural history, and to the fact that the Banks site is the "cradle" of Cincinnati's history.  My concern is that the buildings won't end up looking very much like this.  Wouldn't the selected developer(s) just contract out their own design and architecture work?  Or would they be tied to these renderings?  Anyone know?

dglenn I agree, I want a historic feel to the banks.  Brick is my preferred exterior of choice.  This isn't Orlando, this is Cincinnati.

 

...And Grasscat, about the article you posted.  I agree with the city totally on this one.  Red flags went up in my head when I saw one of the developers Vandercar.  They are awful and applaud the city for makings sure this gets done right.  Tarbell knows what he is talking about on this issue.

lets leave historic where it belongs...in the past.  we have over the rhine, and granted its not in great shape right now THAT is what makes cincinnati unique.  we need to progress here folks.  look at paul brown!  traditional with brick? nope!  and i think we can all agree...well hopefully...that building is one fine piece of architecture.  im not saying i think the river front should be super ultra contemporary because i dont.  i think a hybrid of the two would look really nice and bridge the gap of where we were architecturally, and where we should be now.  Nobody is bound to the nature of those renderings.  That was just somebody's whim of what it could look like.  Just depends on what direction the developer wants to take the project (corporex = Libeskind) and what the design review board is looking for.

Two different architectural styles largely dominate the riverfront, Paul Brown and Great American.  I could see more modern elements fronting Paul Brown but largely I agree that the take should be from Great American.

Also, the comments again show why you should listen to the citizenry but not fully act upon what they say.  Developers create plans, most of the citizenry don't really know what they want but they can tell the difference between good and crap.

i think that would be cool.  sort of a transition down the riverfront.  oooooh how symbolic!  and the freedom center right in the middle.

yeah, what's up with that?

"Hi...we noticed that you have an outdoor mall on your riverfront.  Can you give us some pointers on taking the soul out of this concept?"

 

...And Grasscat, about the article you posted. I agree with the city totally on this one. Red flags went up in my head when I saw one of the developers Vandercar. They are awful and applaud the city for makings sure this gets done right. Tarbell knows what he is talking about on this issue.

I would have liked to have been following the building of Center of Cincinnati more closely, because it sounds like something went way wrong.  The city blames Vandercar, Vandercar blames the city....

 

But at least Vandercar "got" a street named after it in Oakley!

lets leave historic where it belongs...in the past. we have over the rhine, and granted its not in great shape right now THAT is what makes cincinnati unique. we need to progress here folks. look at paul brown! traditional with brick? nope! and i think we can all agree...well hopefully...that building is one fine piece of architecture. im not saying i think the river front should be super ultra contemporary because i dont. i think a hybrid of the two would look really nice and bridge the gap of where we were architecturally, and where we should be now. Nobody is bound to the nature of those renderings. That was just somebody's whim of what it could look like. Just depends on what direction the developer wants to take the project (corporex = Libeskind) and what the design review board is looking for.

 

Totally disagree.  Brick is what should be there.  I used to have similar thoughts that you are having about cities in general.  It was my suburban background that funneled these thoughts.  I wanted glassy this and glassy that.  Over time I have grown (matured) to realize that I was off on many of those thoughts and it was 10 years of Florida ass planning that I was influenced by.  This is Cincinnati, we don't need to reinvent the wheel.  You don't see Paris flushing down their past when they build new.  Those renderings if they came to life would be perfect.  I suggest you check out Baltimore Harbour one day and see the beauty they have created there using the same materials of the surrounding city - BRICK!  Even when times have changed, noticed that brick is still the material of choice in suburban mcmansion developments.  It is long lasting, has great integrity and has a classy look if done right.  If you have thoughts of Norwood gritty streets, then flush them because "The Banks" with all their brick will be a site to be seem if those renderings come to life.

 

I would be interesting to know what you would like to see and what materials you would want to use?  And please don't say horrid "stucco".  Stucco is about as shitty as it comes and it belongs in shitty states like Florida and Arizona.  Like my dislike for corn fields, stucco is up there too.

 

This would be heaven on the river:

 

i dont mean to sound like i have such a prejudice against brick...because i dont.  its a building material for crying out laud.  building material alone doesnt constitute a contextual relationship, not every historic downtown building is brick...and context goes far beyond physical. as far as stucco goes...those renderings have dryvit written all over them.  i could list you hundreds of materials that could be used...hell, paul brown is a pallet in and of itself.  i think reinventing the wheel would be a pretty spectacular thing.  i dont disagree that those renderings portray a magical place because they do.  all i am saying is lets be original, lets think our of the box...this is cincinnati's chance to prove to the world that we arent as lame or stuck in our ways as a lot of people seems to think.

The only people that think Cincinnati is lame, is Cincinnatians!  Read the crime thread that grasscat has going on, perception is a powerful thing and Cincinnatians are their own worst enemy.  You know who gives Cincinnati the worst press, even more than Cincinnatians?  Former Cincinnatians!  My parents live in Florida and own a restaurant and they meet former Ohioans all the time and some of the shit that comes out of their mouth, you would think they were running from hell.  I have lived all over this country and without a shadow of doubt I can honestly tell you that outside all the bullshit hangups that the locals have, Cincinnati with some flaws is a great fucking place.  Do I have to be Tony Richards to this city to wake them up?  It is like dating a hot girl that can't forget about the last asshole that screwed her over, she is so busy dwelling she can't see light at the end of the tunnel.

first of all, I totally agree with Monte

 

and in response to this:

i dont disagree that those renderings portray a magical place because they do.  all i am saying is lets be original, lets think our of the box...this is cincinnati's chance to prove to the world that we arent as lame or stuck in our ways as a lot of people seems to think.

 

hello, this WOULD be original, and in no way would it be an indication to the world that we are "lame".  What's unoriginal or lame about a mixed use, pedestrian scale riverfront development with quality neo-traditional architecture?  And if it ends up a magical, special place -- as you admitted it appears in the renderings -- isn't that all that matters? 

 

look at the most thriving urban neighborhoods across the country, and they tend to be dense historic districts...people are seeking that type of experience, that type of ambience, that type of aesthetic -- and its greatly facilitated through architecture that has old world charm.

we are all entitled to opinions and thats what makes the world great.  i guess lame was the wrong choice of word.  I love everything about this city and like everyone here, i am filled with rage anytime someone knocks it down.  The city has a lot to be proud of, especially the vast quantity of magnificent historic architecture.  But let me ask, what recent buildings around cincinnati have received the most attention for their architectural integrity?  The contemporary arts center, UC's campus (minus the zinc), the proposed Libeskind tower...these guys are not "replica" architecture, they arent the spitting image of buildings built over 100 years ago, these have done more to help cincinnati's national image than other efforts.  I have no doubt that "historic" will the the underlining theme of the banks development and thats ok, if done well it will be successfull as an entertainment/housing district and a catalyst for economic growth.  My point through all of this is why not push it a little further?  There have been a number of conversations on this forum that discuss the importance of maintaining "the creative class".  Well, it takes creativity to attract creative people.  Well i feel i we are spiraling here so im not going to keep pushing my point of view...just start the damn thing already!

that was in response to C-Dawg

I don't think it becomes a lost dream as more and more time passes.  What matters is not that this project happens in the next 2 years, but that it is done RIGHT.  Sure, it'd be nice to have it sooner rather than later, especially for those of us who love Cincinnati and want to see it rebound.  But I think this attitude of hastiness is what often gets us (and other cities) in trouble.  Would you rather have a beautiful, thriving Banks in 10 years, or a poorly done shithole next year that's destined for failure?  Would you rather have a half-ass, unsustainable light rail system in our lifetimes, or a well-planned, financially viable system in our children's lifetimes?  I think too often politicians, planners, and citizens get caught up in this kind of selfishness and short-sightedness.

PhattyNati, you raise valid points and I'm definitely not trying to diss your point of view.  I also don't wanna drag the conversation on.  Let me just make one other point though...because you raised the issue of the "creative class", and I think you're right on there.  I just finished reading Florida's book though, and what's interesting is that the creative classes, according to him, are congregating in center city neighborhoods that have charming old architecture.  So from an economic point of view, I guess I'd be concerned about pushing the envelope on the Banks too far, because it might actually dissuade people from living there.  I definitely see your point though, and I can't claim that I'm necessarily right.  It's an interesting debate.

I unfortunately have not read his book and obviously i should.  What little i know about his ideas came through a lecture series at school.  Certainly he is right on about the attraction of these people to the charming historic areas.  Id like to think that includes me as i hope to move downtown in a few months.  You are right though, i would say the verdict is still out as far as the attraction of one over the other.  I think UC is a good experiment in seeing whether the new campus aesthetic brings change to the student body composition.  My only argument to the historic side of things is whether authenticity comes into play.  Good discussion!

Obscure agency revived for Banks

Development powers outlined by lawyers

 

By Cliff Peale

Enquirer staff writer

 

 

 

It has existed since 1962 but handled only a handful of development projects during the past decade.

 

But the Community Improvement Corp. of Greater Cincinnati could be the key for developing the Banks, or the source of more friction between two camps of public officials divided over who should control the $800 million-plus riverfront development.

 

Using the corporation to convey property or air rights to a private developer means Hamilton County wouldn't have to use a competitive bidding process and could select any developer it considers qualified.

 

Many local officials say they had not heard of the improvement corporation before the Hamilton County Commission announced June 10 that it would funnel development of the Banks through the Community Improvement Corp. and named Corporex Cos. of Covington and Vandercar Holdings of Madisonville as master developers.

 

Several groups that had previously been involved in the Banks, including the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority - which had been coordinating the project - and the private Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., were informed of the county's choice of Corporex and Vandercar less than 24 hours before the announcement. City officials said they also were caught off-guard.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050621/NEWS01/506210351/1077

Hey...just what we need -- a lawsuit!  From the Local Briefs section of the 6/22/05 Enquirer:

 

 

PORT AUTHORITY

Meeting to discuss 'imminent' suit

 

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority held an emergency meeting behind closed doors Tuesday night to discuss an "imminent" suit concerning one of its projects. The two-hour meeting came 11 days after the Hamilton County Commissioners made the surprise announcement that they had selected a developer for the riverfront Banks project, bypassing the three developers that the Port Authority had selected as finalists. The $600 million shopping, office and condo project has languished for years because of a lack of tax money to subsidize the development. "I don't want to get into the question of who the potential plaintiffs are or who the potential defendants are, because that has ramifications in the outside world," said the port authority's lawyer, Bruce P. Jones.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050622/NEWS01/506220401/1056/rss02

 

ah yes, how many years of delay will this cause?

Photos from last Sunday:

<img src="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/riverfront19.jpg">

<br>

<img src="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/riverfront20.jpg">

 

Bonus:

<img src="http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/riverfront15.jpg">

The Freedom Center's lawn back in Feb

It looks like the park part is well on its way. Just let natural take its course. ;-)

yeah, by the time the lawsuits and whatever else are over it will be a forest and the state can just declair it a nature preserve

^ Yeah my daughter will have graduated high school by then and she is only 6 now.  Grrrr...

so are bets now being taken whether this or the suspension bridge will happen first?

Suspenson Bridge?  You mean the Roebling?  Are you referring to it being painted?  Yes I would put my money on the Roebling.

First, a story from the 6/24/05 Cincinnati Post:

 

 

Meeting on Banks 'cordial'

By Kevin Osborne

Post staff reporter

 

Bruised egos won't stand in the way of progress on the long-stalled Banks riverfront development, some city officials promised Thursday.

 

Top staff members from the city and county governments met privately Thursday for the first time since Hamilton County commissioners unilaterally announced two weeks ago that they had selected a master developer for the project.

 

In selecting the developer, the county bypassed City Council and the regional Port Authority created to oversee the project.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050624/NEWS01/506240381/1056/rss02

 

The Banks: New team, same coaches

 

 

 

It was Back to the Future.

 

There was no Michael J. Fox or Christopher Lloyd. But on a stage with the Ohio River as a backdrop June 10, Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich unveiled the latest plan to develop Cincinnati's central riverfront.

 

His colleague Todd Portune joined in, with Bengals owner Mike Brown beaming behind them. Off to the side, county consultant Ron Roberts watched intently.

 

For anyone who has followed Cincinnati's riverfront development proposals over the past decade, it was surreal. It was as if you had fallen asleep and then awakened years later to find the same people in the same game but on a different team.

 

Imagine Bob Huggins coaching the Xavier Musketeers.

 

The same group played key roles when attention to what later became known as the Banks emerged in the 1990s, but at Cincinnati City Hall. Heimlich and Portune were City Council members.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050619/COL01/506190341/1081/BIZ

Banks deal upset port agency

 

By Kevin Osborne

Post staff reporter

 

BOTTOM LINE

To make the long-delayed Banks district along the riverfront a reality, officials estimate it will take about $170 million in public investment coupled with $400 million in private money.

 

 

As jockeying between Cincinnati and Hamilton County continues over the long-stalled Banks riverfront project, internal e-mails at the regional Port Authority reveal that agency's concern about being kept out of the process.

 

In one e-mail, the Port Authority's board chairman criticizes the move as a "good-old-boy backroom deal" and called aspects of the plan "dysfunctional."

 

When Hamilton County commissioners announced two weeks ago they had selected a master developer to build the Banks, the decision was made without consulting the Port Authority's board of directors.

 

City and county officials revamped the Port Authority nearly five years ago to let it coordinate riverfront development.

 

But the county had grown frustrated with the agency's board members and the project's sluggish pace.

 

The county's announcement on June 10 that it selected the Corporex Cos. and Vandercar Holdings Inc. as developer unleashed a flurry of e-mail communication among the Port Authority's board members during the next few days.

 

The e-mails, which The Post obtained using Ohio public record laws, highlight the surprise, anger and uncertainty that board members shared about the selection.

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050627/NEWS01/506270354