February 8, 200619 yr And San Francisco... I don't think it has quite the greenery he is talking about.
February 8, 200619 yr Well, there are cities that have portions that are hilly, such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and yes, even New York. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 8, 200619 yr ...and Chattanooga! Though it's not a big city, it's still hilly and frickin' outrageously beautiful...
February 8, 200619 yr Well, there are cities that have portions that are hilly, such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and yes, even New York. Atlanta? HA... It will be a cold day in hell before I ever live in Georgia. We are getting off track so if you want to discuss hilly cities more, someone can start a thread in Urbanbar else lets resume dialogue about "The Banks".
February 9, 200619 yr >Chattanooga! Yeah, Chattanooga has the highest hills in the east but the city is primarily on the flat valley floor. It and Pittsburgh are the most dramatic river valley cities, with Cincinnati coming in at #3. >Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and yes, even New York. And don't forget the imposing hills of Boston, MA. While true that all of Boston's "hills" used to be much higher, to call that place hilly in the way that many do is about as outrageous as calling the Charles a "river".
February 10, 200619 yr From the 2/9/06 Enquirer: Portune, city complain about Banks BY KIMBALL PERRY AND MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS Hamilton County's efforts to develop the Banks took some hits Wednesday, both from the city and one of the county's own commissioners. Commissioner Todd Portune said his fellow commissioners ignored his - and the city's - concerns and issued a request for companies to apply to develop the Banks. Portune was disappointed that Hamilton County's request doesn't require developers to specify the amount of minority companies or workers to be used on the project. The request instead calls for interested developers to tell Hamilton County how it will "encourage" such minority participation. Meanwhile, Cincinnati City Council members called on the commissioners - particularly Phil Heimlich - along with Deputy Administrator Ron Roberts and County Attorney Tom Gabelman, to come before the council next week to address the issue of developer selection and city-county cooperation. E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/NEWS01/602090367/1056/rss02
February 10, 200619 yr "Mall of America Developer"???? Guys, take a closer look. Mall of America was developed jointly by Simon Devlopment, the biggest mall developer in the world, with TripleFive out of Alberta. overzealous (read "inaccurate") reporting by local media.
February 10, 200619 yr City, County to meet on The Banks BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich plans to meet with Cincinnati City Council a week from today to brief them on the process of selecting a developer for The Banks. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory sent a Thursday memo to all Council Members telling them Heimlich will give a presentation on The Banks – a proposed $600 million residential, commercial and retail neighborhood between the two sports stadium -- at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Club 4,192 Room at Great American Ball Park. It comes after Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune and several Cincinnati Council members complained that Hamilton County issued a request for companies to develop The Banks without their input. Commissioners last year gave exclusive rights to Corporex Cos. and Vandercar Holdings to become developer of The Banks but that fell apart in December when Corporex pulled out. Earlier this week, Hamilton County issued a Request for Qualifications – to seek information from interested developers – and plan to chose a developer by April 5. E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/NEWS01/302100015
February 16, 200619 yr Today's news and posts moved to the Central Riverfront Park thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3363.0
February 16, 200619 yr I would just like to point out that there are unique attractions downtown and on the riverfront such as the Freedom Center, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum. There are also things downtown that are unique to the region such as Saks, Tiffany's, and Brooks Brothers. We should say the Banks needs to exapand the ammount of unique entities downtown rather then create one because acting like there aren't attractions downtown discredits the fine institutions listed above. I think you may have misunderstood what I meant. I was referring to a visible physical monument that would be a new symbol for Cincinnati. St. Louis has the Gateway Arch (despite those who don't like it, to the rest of the world that sees it, they recognize where it is). San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. Washington DC has the Washington Monument. New York has the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. L.A. has the Hollywood sign. Seattle has the Space Needle. Etc... That's what I meant when I said they need something unique on The Banks. Something that would be recognized as "Cincinnati". On a side note, however, I realize there are some unique things downtown. But they've never drawn me downtown. The last time I was in the Taft Museum was when I was in elementary school YEARS ago. I think the last time I was in Saks was probably about 18 years ago. I have yet to go into the CAC, Freedom Center, Tiffany's, or Brooks Brothers. And I live 20 miles north of downtown. Something else...if those attractions are so great, why is downtown so dead? ;-)
February 16, 200619 yr Council seeks say in Banks City would link funding, partnership with county BY MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER In a move that could restart efforts to build the $600 million Banks development but also adds a new twist in a years-long political tug-of-war, Cincinnati City Council has unanimously endorsed a proposed ordinance that would require Hamilton County officials to share with the council responsibility for developing the riverfront site. In an apparent tough-love approach, the ordinance would establish a joint city-county commission to oversee the mixed-use development on the 15-acre site that would include condos, retail and hotel space between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park. The proposal also has teeth: If the county rejects the city's overture, $35 million in city-controlled tax increment financing revenue and air rights - considered crucial to the project - would be withheld. At stake is the future of a prime property considered crucial to revitalization of the downtown/riverfront area but which also has been a battleground for political control since a plan for its development emerged in 1999. In June 2005, Hamilton County officials fired the most recent volley when they announced selection of a development team led by Covington-based Corporex and retail developer Rob Smyjunas. At the time, county officials said they were seizing rights to develop the site from the Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, which had been working on a plan for the Banks with the private Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., known as 3CDC. The county's announcement caught city, Port Authority and 3CDC officials by surprise, although all pledged to cooperate. In December, after a six-month period in which the development team, known as Banks Development Co., worked with the county on details of a project agreement, the deal collapsed. Two weeks ago, Hamilton County issued a call to potential developers in a bid to get the project moving again. County Commissioner Pat DeWine said that, "After six years of delay, it's more important to move the project forward than to worry about turf." In an apparent questioning of council's move, though, DeWine added: "They have a directly elected mayor and I think it certainly may be more beneficial to work through him." Though the proposed ordinance still requires formal approval by the council, its endorsement by all nine council members, representing three parties, virtually ensures adoption. It was unclear Wednesday when the ordinance would be formally introduced. Mallory could send it first to a council committee or it could be introduced at a regular City Council meeting. Email [email protected] Enquirer staff writer Kimball Perry contributed to this report http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060216/NEWS01/602160392/1077/rss02
February 16, 200619 yr I think you may have misunderstood what I meant. I was referring to a visible physical monument that would be a new symbol for Cincinnati. St. Louis has the Gateway Arch (despite those who don't like it, to the rest of the world that sees it, they recognize where it is). San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. Washington DC has the Washington Monument. New York has the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. L.A. has the Hollywood sign. Seattle has the Space Needle. Etc... That's what I meant when I said they need something unique on The Banks. Something that would be recognized as "Cincinnati". On a side note, however, I realize there are some unique things downtown. But they've never drawn me downtown. The last time I was in the Taft Museum was when I was in elementary school YEARS ago. I think the last time I was in Saks was probably about 18 years ago. I have yet to go into the CAC, Freedom Center, Tiffany's, or Brooks Brothers. And I live 20 miles north of downtown. Something else...if those attractions are so great, why is downtown so dead? ;-) Could downtown be healthier? Sure... But don't regurgitate what you hear from the local newspapers without seeing it for yourself. It is hardly dead. You know what I find dead? The Voice of America sidewalk… People hop in their car to go from Target to TJMaxx. Do you ever see a soul on the sidewalks in Tylersville or Union Centre Blvd in West Chester? No… not a one. Is West Chester dead? The Banks needs to be functional. Are national monuments helpful to the image of a city? Absolutely… I for one would rather see some state of the art bridge replace the Brent Spence than a monument taking up valuable riverfront land that should be lived in and enjoyed. As for city branding and the image of the city, well Cincinnati has two of them in the “Roebling Bridge” and the “Genius of Water” on the Tyler Davidson fountain. Are they world recognizable? Probably not, but haven’t we learned that these gimmicks only bring people in for so long. Are you telling me that if Cincinnati had a Gateway Arch or a Space Needle, you would visit the city more often? Are we to believe that for a second? If the things you mentioned aren’t going to bring you down to the city, more than likely nothing will. The city is finally starting to focus on the city resident and not the suburbanite (myself included). They need to work on improving function & quality of life for the residents that are already there.
February 17, 200619 yr Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory sent a Thursday memo to all Council Members telling them Heimlich will give a presentation on The Banks – a proposed $600 million residential, commercial and retail neighborhood between the two sports stadium -- at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Club 4,192 Room at Great American Ball Park. Does anyone want to attend this? I am off and I think it would be great to find out some info on the future of the banks straight from mayor. If you are interested in attending (seriously attending), then please post... we could meet up and then grab some lunch or whatever afterwards!
February 17, 200619 yr BS like this is EXACTLY why this should have been left in the hands of the Port Authority, not to mention one of the main reasons why it was created! County rejects Banks sale City wanted to take over development of riverfront BY KIMBALL PERRY AND DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS Cincinnati officials last week offered Hamilton County $20 million to buy the riverfront property for the Banks development. It was only after Hamilton County rejected the offer that City Council demanded more involvement by threatening to hold up the development if the county doesn't give council equal say. The offer and rejection were confirmed Thursday by top city and Hamilton County officials. "There were a ton of reasons given for rejecting the offer," Mayor Mark Mallory said, adding that the county's lease obligation to provide parking for the Bengals fans was at the top of the list. Under a plan approved by the city and the county in 2000, the Banks would combine housing, a park, boutique shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and a hotel. It would all be built on a parking garage between the two stadiums that will raise the development out of the Ohio River's flood plain. All nine members of City Council signed an ordinance Wednesday that would establish a committee - with equal representation from both governments - to discuss and agree upon important decisions, such as selecting a developer and negotiating a deal with that company to build the estimated $600 million project. Council members feel as though they have been left out of the loop since last summer, when the county decided upon a developer to take over the project. After that deal fell through, the county issued a request for developers' ideas and qualifications for building the project without input from the city. Now City Council isn't just asking for a seat at the table, it's demanding one. The ordinance says that if the county doesn't play along, the city will withhold taxes and air rights, both of which are necessary before laying the first brick. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060217/NEWS01/602170417
February 17, 200619 yr Hamilton County Commissioners = :cry: Is it just me, or are the commissioner's getting under everyone else's skin too? Here we are. We finally have a city council that's worth a damn and seem to see things eye to eye. But NOOOOOO, the commissioner's gotta f*** everything up. Like usual. IMO: City Council :-D Hamilton County Commissioners :x
February 17, 200619 yr I listened to Phil Heimlich on WLW today and I have to say that I see his side. It seems that the city council might be the problem with this one.
February 18, 200619 yr I just don't see why the city shouldn't have a say in this. However , I do think it was kinda retarded of the city to threaten to pull money out of the project if the county didn't agree to the ordinance. That would ( and did ) cause static. My point is that this is not the same city council as we have had in the past, and it looks as if there is a mutual understanding between them ( this is something we're not used to ). I think the city just want's to have a voice in the project, so if things look like they may be going in a different direction, they can say " wait a minute, this isn't what was planned. We never agreed to a WAL-MART at THE BANKS". :-o We have a new city council and mayor. All of them seem to want to work together and with the county on this project. So even though the threat was stupid, I still don't see why the county doesn't want to work with the city.
February 18, 200619 yr I don't know why the City is doing this, but this all stems back to the County pulling the rug out from under the Port Authority. Low and behold look what happened, political infighting; which is why the Port was created to handle stuff like this.
February 19, 200619 yr Could downtown be healthier? Sure... But don't regurgitate what you hear from the local newspapers without seeing it for yourself. I've seen it for myself. I'm not impressed. It is hardly dead. You know what I find dead? The Voice of America sidewalk People hop in their car to go from Target to TJMaxx. How old are you? Do you remember downtown from the late 60's through the mid 80's? I do - vividly. And compared to then, today it's dead. How many stores are closing downtown, hmmm? How many restaurants are hanging it up, including the 5-star Maisonette, because of lack of business, hmmm? Compare that to the success of VOA and Union Centre, and THEN come back on here and tell me downtown isn't dead, or dying. Do you ever see a soul on the sidewalks in Tylersville or Union Centre Blvd in West Chester? No not a one. Is West Chester dead? You're comparing apples to oranges. Aside from the fact that parking downtown is a nightmare, you may see more people on the actual sidewalks down there because they HAVE to walk to get to where they want to go. And yes, I've seen The Streets of West Chester on a busy evening, and there are so many people you have to pay extra attention when driving through the complex. The Banks needs to be functional. Are national monuments helpful to the image of a city? Absolutely I for one would rather see some state of the art bridge replace the Brent Spence than a monument taking up valuable riverfront land that should be lived in and enjoyed. The Banks needs to be the front door to the city, and should draw people down there. A neighborhood full of shops and condos will NOT do that. Neither will another park. I agree a dramatic bridge would greatly enhance the image of downtown, but there is ample room for a monument as well. If it takes a unique regional/world monument to get me down to the riverfront, so be it. We already have a ton of park space on the riverfront, and I haven't been down there for years. As for city branding and the image of the city, well Cincinnati has two of them in the Roebling Bridge and the Genius of Water on the Tyler Davidson fountain. Are they world recognizable? Probably not, but havent we learned that these gimmicks only bring people in for so long. You're right - they aren't world recognizable. Show a picture of the Roebling Bridge to someone in Germany, or Tokyo, and ask them where it is. They'll probably say New York, because people automatically associate that age of suspension bridge with the Brooklyn Bridge. Besides, I'm not just talking about a monument alone. It would need to blend in with the entire Banks project. Whether it is a gimmick or not wasn't my point. It's simply something that would enhance the project. Why was there ever talk about the 1200' tower that was planned for Newport? It was all about creating something that would draw people from around the world. Are you telling me that if Cincinnati had a Gateway Arch or a Space Needle, you would visit the city more often? Yes. Are we to believe that for a second? Unless you want to consider me a liar. If the things you mentioned arent going to bring you down to the city, more than likely nothing will. Interesting comment, considering you don't even know me at all. So you have no idea what would draw me down there. The city is finally starting to focus on the city resident and not the suburbanite (myself included). They need to work on improving function & quality of life for the residents that are already there. Great. Stupendous. But whatever happened to the Banks being a project that was supposed to be for the whole region? Let's stop the back and forth, because we will quickly grow to dislike each other. I have my opinions and you have yours. We'll leave it at that, okay?
February 19, 200619 yr Three words: City-County Merger. Ain't that the truth!! A big fat AMEN to that. :clap: This latest debacle just illustrates why this project is probably never going to be done. There is simply too darned much bickering that goes on when it comes to getting a project done. It's no wonder Northern Kentucky is leaping ahead of us so much.
February 19, 200619 yr A couple points - the Maisonette closing had nothing to do with people not eating there, it was an issue of family members buying each other out and debts and divorce and all kinds of stuff - but the issue had nothing to do with how many people came in to eat. And you said parking downtown is a nightmare - please, compared to what? Compared to Fairfield, I completely agree - but compared with any other downtown, you're not even close. There's always something on the street within a few blocks, or there are garages nearby. I've never had trouble finding parking, during business hours, during special events, during any time at all, except for Labor Day fireworks.
February 19, 200619 yr Aside from the fact that parking downtown is a nightmare, you may see more people on the actual sidewalks down there because they HAVE to walk to get to where they want to go. That has to be the worst complaint I hear in Cincinnati about downtown. Have any of you people ever been to any other city. Cincinnati has some of the easiest (worst imo) and cheapest parking in the nation. Dollar parking is too darn expensive? You wonder why downtown has been in a decline for the last 50+ years. All the parking and highways that have been built so you people can get down here has destroyed our city. The Banks needs to be the front door to the city, and should draw people down there. A neighborhood full of shops and condos will NOT do that. Neither will another park. What are you talking about? What is Chicago's front door? If I remeber correctly the Chicagoians will tell you its Grant Park. What is the heart of NYC? That'd would be Central Park. What was the cataylist for the massive change in downtown Portland durring the 80s? Pioneer Square. What do all three of these example have in common? They are all parks. If the new riverfront park is done right, which I have faith in the city that it will be, then we will see a great new neighborhood WITH shops, condos, apartments, eateries, everyday activities, etc.. The same things that surround Grant Park, Central Park and Pioneer Square. And please don't say the typical rebutal that Cincinnati is not Chicago, NYC, or even Portland. That is the problem with so many of our failed projects. We have no confidence in our city. How the hell are we ever going to be anything when so many people like yourself have already given up on this city? We can be like Chicago, Portland, etc.. And we will get this project done.
February 20, 200619 yr It's no wonder Northern Kentucky is leaping ahead of us so much. Not this crap again.
February 20, 200619 yr i think there should be a "gripe about cincinnati" thread that way most of these topics can stay on topic...its getting a little annoying
February 22, 200619 yr Speaking of people being off topic, all of these people involved in the Banks are acting like a bunch of babies. Feelings get hurt. Deal with it and move on. EVERY DAY THAT PRIME RIVERFRONT LAND SITS UNUSED MEANS THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE LOSING MONEY!!! From the 2/21/06 Enquirer: Two commissioners skip city meeting BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Only one of Hamilton County's three commissioners - Democrat Todd Portune - will attend today's city of Cincinnati economic development meeting, as hurt feelings linger from last week's disagreements over control of the Banks... E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS01/602210332/1056/rss02 From the 2/21/06 Cincinnati Post: Banks financing becomes thorny By Tony Cook Post staff reporter One of the most contentious issues in the dispute between the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County over the long-stalled Banks project on the riverfront revolves around the financing of the garages that will provide the foundation for the development... THE PLANS SO FAR Plans for the 15-acre site between Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium envision residences, retail shops, entertainment, office space and a hotel, at an estimated cost of about $600 million. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS02/602210372/1011/RSS02
February 22, 200619 yr I've seen it for myself. I'm not impressed. 6 years ago doesn't count. How many restaurants are hanging it up' date=' including the 5-star Maisonette, because of lack of business, hmmm? Compare that to the success of VOA and Union Centre, and THEN come back on here and tell me downtown isn't dead, or dying.[/quote'] Boy you do regurgitate what you read in the Enquirer. The Maisonette closed because the family ran the business into the ground. Jean Robert (former Maisonette chief) has been quite successful and has opened two fantastic restaurants in the city. You mention how change is good in a previous post then use the Maisonette closing as your scapegoat. A little hypocrisy, eh? The fact that you use VOA as an example of success makes you a naive suburbanite and it instantly discredits you. Aside from the fact that parking downtown is a nightmare' date=' you may see more people on the actual sidewalks down there because they HAVE to walk to get to where they want to go. [/quote'] "Have" in all capitals? Wow now you are a lazy suburbanite. God forbid you have to walk more than 10 feet to a store. Let me guess, you are the one I see at VOA that is driving around the parking lot for 15 minutes waiting for the front row spot while there is a spot 5 cars in? Downtown Cincinnati has some of the easiest parking options of any city I have ever been too and I have been to hundreds of large cities. You're right - they aren't world recognizable. Show a picture of the Roebling Bridge to someone in Germany' date=' or Tokyo, and ask them where it is. They'll probably say New York, because people automatically associate that age of suspension bridge with the Brooklyn Bridge. Besides, I'm not just talking about a monument alone. It would need to blend in with the entire Banks project. Whether it is a gimmick or not wasn't my point. It's simply something that would enhance the project. Why was there ever talk about the 1200' tower that was planned for Newport? It was all about creating something that would draw people from around the world.[/quote'] Funny you speak so naively about Northern Kentucky leaping ahead of Cincinnati then you comment on the 1200' tower in Newport that was NEVER built. I am sure you will find a way to pin that on the city of Cincinnati too. You are also naive to think that someone in Tokyo is gonna recognize the Gateway Arch. It is all subjective and your gimmick is all smoke an mirrors that lacks merit. Let's stop the back and forth' date=' because we will quickly grow to dislike each other. I have my opinions and you have yours. We'll leave it at that, okay?[/quote'] You are obviously forgetting where you are posting at… This is a board that caters to all things urban, all things Ohio. You are welcome to continue your rants, but you will be checked. It is obvious that you don't know what you are talking about when it comes to the city, urban living and what it takes to make a city successful. Cincinnati is a great city, it is a city in transition. It isn't like it was in the 60's or 70's for better or for worse but what it is today is a place that many of us love. Anyone who finds this place boring or lacking of things to do is an absolute idiot. The way the Banks is currently proposed is an incredible place. Like others, I hope the way it is rendered comes to reality. I am seriously interested in purchasing property there, I can't think of a better place to live than at the entrance of our city between both ballparks with a view of our wonderful festivals. You are part of the disease I have seen in Cincinnati since moving here. I don't know what Cincinnati did to you but that hatred isn't healthy, if you don't like the place don't let the door hit you on the way out. I didn't like the previous city I lived in but I did something about it and MOVED
February 22, 200619 yr Wow it feels good just reading the previous post.....It is good to know there are other people out there defending Cincinnati when there is someone ready to put it down at every turn. People do need to take what the local media says with a grain of salt. TV media is sensationalism at its best, and the Enquirer misrepresents just about everyone on every story it writes. Should these people (suburbanties) who continue to bash the nati ever really did some investigating of their own and utilize the great attributes of our city, then they to would realize that our city is NOT dead nor is the 24 hour city that we all wish we were. It is a city in transition and if you dont believe me look at the investments here as compared to most other midwestern cities. And if you are unaware of these going ons around the city please spare the 'dead city' rebuttle. You are truly the ones who dont know what you are talking about. :-D Defend the Cities......down with the burbs!!!
February 22, 200619 yr Banks facing $32M hurdle BY DAN KLEPAL, KIMBALL PERRY AND MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS The Banks development has a $32 million hole to fill before the dream riverfront neighborhood can become reality - the same gap that doomed Hamilton County's negotiations with a development consortium that pulled out of the project in December, city officials were told Tuesday. While the county has control of most of the 15-acre site between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park, control of a key financing practice that would yield the needed dollars is in the city's hands... More at www.enquirer.com E-mail [email protected] or [email protected]
February 23, 200619 yr Those residential garages are to be built on top of the underground garage. Ummm? Where in the hell would these fit in to the current rendering? :?
February 23, 200619 yr The above ground parking is the grey areas in the middle of the developed blocks shown above.
February 23, 200619 yr Enquirer reporting a deal has been reached between the city and county. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060223/NEWS01/302230009
February 23, 200619 yr “DeWine said, “I think these things could have happened without all of the drama.”
February 23, 200619 yr Absolutely fantastic news......first good news I've heard on this project in some time. And I say about time!
February 23, 200619 yr City, county strike deal on Banks BY KIMBALL PERRY AND DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS After a week of squabbling, Hamilton County and Cincinnati are expected today to agree to an equal partnership in selecting a developer for The Banks, Commissioner Pat DeWine and Council Member John Cranley said today... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060223/NEWS01/302230009
February 23, 200619 yr "Sorry, I still don't see them. Are they the buildings added to the park area?" They mean that each individual apartment building would have its own garage. Probably typical of the way most urban housing developements are designed today....a few levels of parking with housing units built on levels above.
February 23, 200619 yr ^Look at the blocks up next to the covered FWW. Excluding the Freedom Center block, the grey structures surrounded by the red buildings are the parking garages. You can see the parking deck lines on them.
February 23, 200619 yr O.K. I just took it wrong. To me it read as if they were talking about single car garages and such. The garages their talking about are still underground. I just got a little confused. Thanks guys.
February 24, 200619 yr City, county still on Banks Mallory says there's been progress since last week BY DAN KLEPAL AND MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS Hamilton County officials said they will begin meeting with prospective developers for the $600 million Banks riverfront project today, though an oversight agreement with the city still has not been reached. On Thursday, county and city officials failed to agree on establishing a committee that would make important decisions on the project, including selection of a master developer... Email [email protected] and [email protected] www.enquirer.com
February 27, 200619 yr State loan among options to help fund Banks project Dan Monk If Cincinnati and Hamilton County political leaders can quit bickering long enough to produce a development project on Cincinnati's riverfront, they could find a friendly checkbook waiting for them in Columbus... http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/02/27/tidbits1.html
March 2, 200619 yr So, in other words, not only are they throwing away money by having the land undeveloped, they're also throwing away money in pointless litigation. From the 3/1/06 Cincinnati Post: River projects legal tab is $8M By Tony Cook Post staff reporter Hamilton County has paid more than $8 million in legal fees for riverfront development issues, including matters related to the long-delayed Banks project, which has been on the drawing board since 1999... PAYMENTS LISTED Hamilton County payments to the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease: Parking/public Improvements 1999: $238,237.16 2000: $395,338.68 2001: $462,321.69 2002: $565,230.18 2003: $413,532.02 2004: $499,472.96 2005: $983,476.48 2006: $162,014.29 Total: $3,719,623.46 Great American Ballpark 1999: $112,472.49 2000: $342,527.51 2001: $459,278.92 2002: $24,650.63 2003: $949,215.70 2004: $1,025,875.94 2005: $773,113.11 2006: $257,535.93 Total: $3,944,670.23 http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060301/NEWS01/603010344
March 2, 200619 yr That doesn't actually sound very outrageous to me. Attorneys are expensive, and good ones are more expensive, and everything they're working on requires attorneys...you'd think they'd have in-house counsel to handle some of this, but for some stuff you truly need top-notch talent. One screw-up by an attorney can cost thousands, even millions of dollars...
March 2, 200619 yr I still say the county brought all this sh*t down on themselves! Rift widens over Banks BY DAN KLEPAL, KIMBALL PERRY AND MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS Hamilton County officials say they will pick a developer for the $600 million Banks development without input from the Cincinnati City Council after the council passed an ordinance Wednesday that seeks to force the county to share oversight of the huge riverfront project. After two weeks of negotiations over how the city and county might work together on one of the region's most important development projects, the two sides find themselves seemingly further apart than ever. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060302/NEWS01/603020331/1077
March 2, 200619 yr It is not the city who is at fault here. The county only has any say at all because of the half-cent sales tax increase that promised it would develop this site. Now the county wants money from everywhere else because THEIR projections were off. Of course the city would not want to help finance someone elses debt. The county promised voters that this land would get developed and that the sales tax would pay for it. It is not the city's responsibility to pay $30 some odd million so that the county can use all of the proceeds to pay off its debt. Heres the current deal the county wants: -City pays $30+ million if TIFF financing for garages on the site -County will get total control/proceeds from those garages -County wants complete control (land and air rights) to the land -City relinquishes a massive chunck of property (one of the most important to the city) -County does not want the City to check any proposal to ensure they arent burned like Center of Cincinnati again -County does not want the City to try to push minority involvment in the project -County does not want the City's zoning regulations to get in the way ***If the county wants all of these stipulations then why would they come to the city in the first place. You can build whatever the hell you want out in the burbs and not think twice about it.
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