September 17, 200618 yr I still can't figure out the round window at 525 Vine. It seems disjointed and doesn't match the rest of the building. And why is the lattice under the video board white. It doesn't match anything either. And why is the video board so high that you will have to crink your neck to see it from anywhere on the square except for the 9th floor of the 5/3 tower. I am confused??? Someone please explain.
September 17, 200618 yr Does the height of the video board have to do with all the trees they are planning to plant on that side of the square?
September 17, 200618 yr I still can't figure out the round window at 525 Vine. It seems disjointed and doesn't match the rest of the building. And why is the lattice under the video board white. It doesn't match anything either. And why is the video board so high that you will have to crink your neck to see it from anywhere on the square except for the 9th floor of the 5/3 tower. I am confused??? Someone please explain. *best arnold impression* STOP WHINING!
September 17, 200618 yr ^ Kind of agree with Rando, sounds like whining. I spent the weekend on the square at Oktoberfest and while I can see where you are coming from, it is picking at this point.
September 17, 200618 yr i think 525 looks great. that portion of the building is disjointed anyway so now it just feels like its an adjacent separate building.
September 17, 200618 yr I have to agree with SSSCincy about the round circle on 525 Vine. I can't figure that out, either. As for the screen, I wonder if the height is so you can see it about the fountian and the new building they are adding on Vine St?
September 18, 200618 yr The official skinny from 3CDC: Thanks for your feedback about Fountain Square’s video board. The board is placed at that height so that you can see it over the trees that will be planted on the west side of the main plaza. Thanks for writing. We do appreciate the feedback.
September 18, 200618 yr Sorry to be a lazy reader, but I'm trying to get the skinny on how this project was funded. 26 pages is a lot to read, so I figured I'd check in and see if any of the experts could refer me to a particular page on this thread that might clue me in, or could tell me outright. According to the 3CDC's website, the following sources were utilized: Conventional 1st Mortgage: $15m New Market Tax Credits: $10.75m Cincinnati Equity Fund: $4m Corporate/Philanthropic: $4.9m Urban Redevelopment Loan: $4m City of Cincinnati: $4m The total cost is listed as $42.6 million. They also mention thta income from the parking garage will support the capital structure used to fund these improvements. Does all this sound right? Am I missing anything? Thanks ya'll!
September 19, 200618 yr :-( Let's see, if I add up all those numbers, it looks like $42.6 Million (give or take 50 grand). So no. I don't think you missed anything. :-) The following is a power point presentation that 3CDC made to city council. I belive the data you are interested in starts at chart 81. http://www.3cdc.org/files/uploaded/Fountain%20Square%20Revitalization%20Presentation.pdf
September 19, 200618 yr I understand the height better. Now, explain the white lattice under the board. It matches nothing. The square is going to be great. I am excited about it.
September 19, 200618 yr ^ it was supposed to match...but it doesnt. and match in that it was to be closer to the grey of the precast
September 19, 200618 yr What does he mean when he says lattice? All I can think of is that vinyl stuff you put under a deck.
September 19, 200618 yr Are they going to make it match. Ok, vents or grilles might be better terms than lattice.
September 19, 200618 yr The LED board is done except for turning it on. The color of the lattic work and paint beneath the board actually does match the lighter color surrounding the Macy's sign. Over time I assume that the light color of the metal will slowly get dirty and darken to match the building a little better.
September 19, 200618 yr Great thread here, guys. As a NYer who likes to keep track of the happenings in Cincy, this board has been grat and it seems the square is the most exciting tangible project at this point. While it may not be as "open" as the classic European squarea and it previously was, I think the new square will look fabulous. It reminds me of Bryant Park in NYC which is a gorgeous square with a lot of activity. They seem to be planning a lot of potential activities (restaurant, screen, i.e. skating, childrens area) and I think it will be a true center of activity for the city.
September 19, 200618 yr Well last time i said i bet the square wouldn't be ready by September and it won't be so I'm saying this hoping im wrong...but i don't see it being ready by October now either.
September 20, 200618 yr If you look closely at the square they are actually very far along. Alot of the granite has been laid already, and the fountain is back. It looks to me that they are storing alot of junk up on top which makes it looks less complete. I bet they finish. There's no way that the new restaurant will be done though. By the looks of it they haven't really started that yet. I'm not sure how they'll finish the north part up by 5/3rd's new work either. My guess is they'll open from the fountain/restaurant area south.
September 20, 200618 yr Any ideas on when the official announcement of tenants will be released and what a possible hold up could be with that?
September 20, 200618 yr My guess the hold up is Fifth Third. The tenants are technically in their space, and for some reason they haven't started their construction. I'm not sure when that is even supposed to begin. Seems like there must be some kind of hold up internally over there. I can't think of any other reason unless the ellement of suprise...
September 20, 200618 yr Hmmm this photo looks familiar: http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/22867/fountainsquarevideoscreen.htm
September 20, 200618 yr ^The top photos at the end of that link shows how far short of "The Dream" we ended up with. Great work getting your shot into their promotional materials, monte!
September 20, 200618 yr Perhaps cost? Sometimes dreams are spring boards to reality. Proportionally as well they may have decided to work with standard 16:9 or some other typical media format so that it's easier to accept content in the future. That way you wouldn't have to spend the time to re-format everything they put up there. Maybe the designers like this better? Why does everyone always complain?
September 20, 200618 yr Why does everyone always complain? I don't really consider it so much complaining. If you want complaining, just read some of the messages on enquirer.com, etc. The people on here are overall very supportive of the project. Being support and aware of these big projects, people here are more likely to have and share their opinions and critical analysis. I don't really consider this the typical complaining and whining that many are used to. Just my opinion.
September 21, 200618 yr October 14th is the official opening, right? A little over three weeks by my count. That seems a bit tight. How long does it take to get the trees from NJ and planted? Will officials have to break some kneecaps? I can't see the restaurant above the square being finished. Of course, the 5/3 building won't be touched. I'm sure business have signed leases, but is three weeks enough time to open? The actual square may get done, but the surroundings seem like they could still be under construction. I think the average citizen would question that. For me as long as it's completed by Oct. 22 would be fine. I have a hot date with Spamalot. I want to eat lunch on the square.
September 21, 200618 yr On October 14th, they should have the square surface and the fountain (maybe even the children's fountain) ready. Half of the tree planters are there, and there should at least be dirt in them, if not trees. Don't be surprised if the park board sneaks in a couple hundred flowers just in time too. And of course, there's the video board. They're working hard on the restaurant building, but I don't think we'll see that complete until winter or even spring. This week, some crews have started working into the night.
September 21, 200618 yr I have heard that the trees may not be planted until after the official opening. There is a big ceremony planned that may include a rock band playing at night.
September 21, 200618 yr This week, some crews have started working into the night. Thats good to hear!!
September 21, 200618 yr <i>Wow, nice!</i> OK Go, Los Lobos, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek, Nikki Giovanni, Bootsy and the Symphony, Opera and Ballet Set to Help Reopen Fountain Square Fountain Square officially comes back to life Oct. 14 with an entertainment lineup that emphatically announces a new direction for the city’s highest-profile public space. 3CDC, which is organizing the event and managing Fountain Square for the city, is set to unveil a two-part schedule featuring official remarks and arts programming in the afternoon and concert performances in the evening. http://citybeat.wordpress.com/2006/09/20/ok-go-los-lobos-talib-kweli-hi-tek-nikki-giovanni-bootsy-and-the-symphony-opera-and-ballet-set-to-help-reopen-fountain-square/#more-182
September 21, 200618 yr Word is that the trees will NOT be planted for the opening for a number of reasons. Either way, it will be good to get on the square again and be able to park in the garage. There's no way they'll finish the restaurant either. What's strange to think about is that the ice rink is right around the corner. Any word on when they'll put that up?
September 21, 200618 yr Talib Kweli is really good. Around my way or All the Lonely People are great songs.
September 22, 200618 yr ^He also has a song that talks about "how they do it in the nati" its a good anthem with people talking about their cities.
September 22, 200618 yr I can't see the restaurant above the square being finished. Of course, the 5/3 building won't be touched. Part of the restaurant will be on 5/3 property, and they still haven't given permission to 3CDC to use it yet (don't know why, seeing as the pres of 5/3 is on the board of 3CDC). 5/3 work is in plan review right now at the city, so that should be starting very soon. They've also been working out the logistics of renovating the 5/3 building and finishing the restaurant while the square is open, it looks like the two contractors will share one tower crane for both projects.
September 22, 200618 yr ^He also has a song that talks about "how they do it in the nati" its a good anthem with people talking about their cities. That song is actually done by Hi Tek (from Cincinnati), Hi Tek and Talib are good friends and colaborate on a lot of projects. I saw their last performance at UC last year and it was GREAT!!! Can't wait for the reopening of the square!!!
September 23, 200618 yr Poetry hails Fountain Square Nikki Giovanni to read work at reopening BY JON NEWBERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Fountain Square's reopening celebration Oct. 14 will feature a variety of arts - from poetry to ballet to nationally-known rock and rap musicians. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/BIZ01/609230356
September 23, 200618 yr That's actually a pretty good line-up of black artists with local roots. I'm impressed.
September 23, 200618 yr Ditto. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 24, 200618 yr I was downtown Friday, and despite the rain, took a good look at the square. I think the screen looks much better in person, and will look even better with something on it. The white panels/grill system seems to fit with Macy's as the facade already is a series of tones/panels. Once the shine wears off, I think it will blend in well enough. Everything else looked good too, I left excited!
September 26, 200618 yr I can't believe how much progress they've made in the last couple weeks. I guess that's what happens when you approach a major deadline. They're framing the steel and building the new elevator pavilion and new restrooms right now. Steel hasn't really begun yet on the rest of the restaurant structure though. They still need to complete some foundation work first befor that can begin. The biggest thing is getting the elevators in place and running so they can open the garage for the opening. I looks like they've surrounded the fountain with granite and are moving quickly to the west towards Vine street.
September 28, 200618 yr Well it looks like they turned on the LED board this afternoon. It looked like mostly diagnostic stuff though, and actually more like just a 'power up.' I didn't see any images so far.
September 30, 200618 yr Author Westin to open restaurant Oct. 17 Cincinnati Business Courier - 11:16 AM EDT Wednesday The Westin downtown will open its new-concept Ingredients restaurant Oct.17. Ingredients will occupy the street level of the hotel's Fifth Street atrium, looking out onto Fountain Square. The fast-casual concept combines made-to-order gourmet meals and fresh, healthy ingredients, the Westin said in a news release. It will be operated by the hotel's culinary staff. Cincinnati is the test market for the new concept which, if successful, could be rolled out in other Westin hotels across the United States, according to the news release. The Westin is part of Westin Hotels & Resorts, whose parent is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT). http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/09/25/daily23.html?surround=lfn
October 2, 200618 yr I wonder what the hours of this place will be. I'm hoping it stays open relatively late given that it's associated with the hotel. One of my favorite spots downtown is Cafe Martin (Garfield Suites) because of their hours...it seems like the place is always open!
October 2, 200618 yr An Enquirer article from a month or so ago described ingredients as a "casual salad-and-sandwich restaurant." http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060830/BIZ01/608300342/1076/BIZ
October 4, 200618 yr Photos from 10/3/06 No way they are ready by the 15th. They are setting themselves up for a media bashing. The square might be open but most of the restaurants won't be open.
October 4, 200618 yr No way they are ready by the 15th. They are setting themselves up for a media bashing. The square might be open but most of the restaurants won't be open. Did they actually ever say when the restaurants would be open, or just that the square would be open on the 15th?
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