The parking garage isn't really going to extend down to Mehring Way on the west side of the bridge, is it? The current parking garage doesn't go that low into the ground. Are they going to bring that section up out of the flood plain?

Pretty sure it is. 

Lot D and Mehring Way west of the suspension bridge is at grade with the lowest level of the current parking garage. This would allow two levels of parking below future development, assuming they build up to grade with the rest of the banks street grid.

 

Moerlein Lager House added photos to their Facebook page of Thursday's VIP Opening Night  https://www.facebook.com/moerleinlagerhouse  The place looks amazing...I can't wait to go!

The lager house looks so flipping epic it's ridiculous. Huge asset to a resurging downtown! Local business, historic local theme, makes great use of the city's physical beauty, it's pretty itself, a boon to the Banks, an anchor for the park. A great showcase for the city and something both urban and suburban dwellers can be proud of. This thing just oozes synergy. Oh, and it's right next to the ballpark.

 

Looking at these pictures on Facebook, I just imagine being a visitor from out of town, and being blown the f$&k away. Any city would be jealous of this place. I love the way it shows off the Roebling bridge!

^Agreed, natininja!

 

More pics here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.178598712251567.35289.116212398490199&type=3

 

The Lager House opening is a huge milestone. It's only going to get better, as the park is completed and the Banks is built out (e.g. the adjacent empty office tower footprint).

^ Great pics, has anyone been yet?

Went last night!!! Stunning! Plan to go back soon.  incredibly high quality construction.  Great attention to detail, great service.  For being brand new, the staff worked VERY well together. 

 

Fun facts: 225 people work at the Lager House, All the rent goes to fund operations of Riverfront Park, they are planning events wed-saturday all summer on the lawn.  Gorgeous views of downtown, the river, and both stadiums.  It really is impressive. Took a few photos, will upload them later. 

Went last night!!! Stunning! Plan to go back soon.  incredibly high quality construction.  Great attention to detail, great service.  For being brand new, the staff worked VERY well together. 

 

Fun facts: 225 people work at the Lager House, All the rent goes to fund operations of Riverfront Park, they are planning events wed-saturday all summer on the lawn.  Gorgeous views of downtown, the river, and both stadiums.  It really is impressive. Took a few photos, will upload them later. 

 

Yep, that explains why Cygnus couldn't rent the lawn for his reception.

 

I'm very confused about this whole relationship between the park board and Moerlein. It kinda smells.

Lot D and Mehring Way west of the suspension bridge is at grade with the lowest level of the current parking garage. This would allow two levels of parking below future development, assuming they build up to grade with the rest of the banks street grid.

 

Yeah, I just went back to look at the renderings. Unless my eyes deceive me, there will be some space at the park level and other buildings built up to Freedom Way in that lot. I just don't want there to be a wall all the way across Mehring like it is by the lager house.

Went last night!!! Stunning! Plan to go back soon.  incredibly high quality construction.  Great attention to detail, great service.  For being brand new, the staff worked VERY well together. 

 

Fun facts: 225 people work at the Lager House, All the rent goes to fund operations of Riverfront Park, they are planning events wed-saturday all summer on the lawn.  Gorgeous views of downtown, the river, and both stadiums.  It really is impressive. Took a few photos, will upload them later.

 

How was the food and what are prices like?

I'm very confused about this whole relationship between the park board and Moerlein. It kinda smells.

 

What smells about this?  It's a pretty similar arrangement to Fountain Square. A small piece of the park is being rented, managed, and promoted by a vendor under the overall authority of the Park Board.  In the overall scope of the Riverfront Park this is a small percentage of the available area.  Many of the events on the lawn put on by Moerlein will be free to the public, which wouldn't have happened otherwise. 

Additionally, considering Council has had a history of cutting funding to the park board, the rent paid by Moerlein will ensure they have a dedicated stream of operating funds for the Riverfront Park.

Went last night!!! Stunning! Plan to go back soon.  incredibly high quality construction.  Great attention to detail, great service.  For being brand new, the staff worked VERY well together. 

 

Fun facts: 225 people work at the Lager House, All the rent goes to fund operations of Riverfront Park, they are planning events wed-saturday all summer on the lawn.  Gorgeous views of downtown, the river, and both stadiums.  It really is impressive. Took a few photos, will upload them later.

 

How was the food and what are prices like?

 

You can view the lunch, dinner, and beer menus on its website:

 

http://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com/

I'm very confused about this whole relationship between the park board and Moerlein. It kinda smells.

 

I'm confused about this whole relationship also, but it is interesting.

 

There's nothing new about concession companies that rent land from a public park board. For example, the folks that run the hotels in  Natinal Parks do so under a license, and the National Park Service gains some revenue from it. The Cincinnati Park Board rents out certain shelter and facilities.

 

The difference here is that the Lager House has the potential to be an attraction in iteslf, not just an accessory to the parks. It's almost like the Park Board has become a major landlord.

 

In some parts of the world, landholding is thought of in a different way. The king owns all the land, and the tenants pay rent. In the United States, individuals own land, but they pay property taxes. So, we have an example of tenants paying rent again. 

It might be a bit too soon to go king making out of the Cincinnati Parks Service- in any case I am a huge proponent of additional income is great if it helps continue Riverfront Park west of the Roebling... and continues to provide citizens with quality recreational space.

You have to admit though that it is different. Also, don't you think it's interesting that the landlord is the Cincinnati Park Board, instead of, say, the City of Cincinnati or one of the 24 other city departments?

 

Renting concession space to an ice cream vender in a park is completely different from renting land to a tavern business that employs 300 people. I am just bewildered by the scale of it.  :-o

 

 

Scale or not, the definition is still the same- they are vending goods and beverages.

^^ @EighthandState it seems similar to the arrangement Tavern on the Green and the Central Park Boathouse have with the NYC Parks Dept.

You have to admit though that it is different. Also, don't you think it's interesting that the landlord is the Cincinnati Park Board, instead of, say, the City of Cincinnati or one of the 24 other city departments?

 

Renting concession space to an ice cream vender in a park is completely different from renting land to a tavern business that employs 300 people. I am just bewildered by the scale of it.  :-o

 

 

 

I am in agreement. But the Tavern on the Green example that JCS mentions is at least a precedent.

 

Still, it's a bit uncomfortable that they are more or less monopolizing the only completed piece of the park so far. Where does the profit go?

Meanwhile, there is a bit of a scandal with the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.  The city owns their giant lot, where they run a lucrative valet service, but apparently the city receives zero or close to zero rent.  When the housing market was hot, the city could have sold off that lot for condos, built above the lot on pillars, with the lot remaining for the restaurant's use.  The city or park board might own the boathouse building, which also has the rowing team boats in the basement, or at least did originally. 

Meanwhile, there is a bit of a scandal with the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.  The city owns their giant lot, where they run a lucrative valet service, but apparently the city receives zero or close to zero rent.  When the housing market was hot, the city could have sold off that lot for condos, built above the lot on pillars, with the lot remaining for the restaurant's use.  The city or park board might own the boathouse building, which also has the rowing team boats in the basement, or at least did originally

 

Someone actually explained this to me once but I am not sure I can properly repeat. The sweetheart deal was partially due to the inclusion of the "rowing center" because it is a public good or something. Montgomery Inn pays something like a dollar a year rent with some option to buy after a set period of time at an absurdly low rate. If you want to know who arranged the deal just look at who the rowing center is named after.

I'd like to know what Montgomery Inn pays to rent out the Sawyer Point Skating Pavilion Spring through Fall. They have two tents installed and have regular events as well as wedding receptions. This eliminates the public use of the rink during this time.

I put together a post of some pics and the Queen City Project's video of the Moerlein Lager House:

 

http://overtherhine.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/moerlein-lager-house-opening-photos/

 

 

That looks great.  Hope to get over there for lunch sometime this week.

The place looks great.  I still wish they wouldn't have created such a wall to Main Street but instead tried to interact with the street instead of turned its back to it.  Some lighting improvements up the side of the building could still help. 

The place looks great.  I still wish they wouldn't have created such a wall to Main Street but instead tried to interact with the street instead of turned its back to it.  Some lighting improvements up the side of the building could still help. 

 

Yes definitely some light columns or something to add some rythym would be a good idea. I feel like I've seen a pic of that though already somewhere...

I stopped in to the Lagerhouse for dinner Thursday night.  The food was great and the views were incredible.  It was pricey, but the atmosphere makes it seem worth what you pay.  I heard nothing but positive comments from my co-workers, who are decidedly suburban.  This place could be a game changer.

This place could be a game changer.

 

Now couple that with a streetcar ride to Findlay Market by Fountain Square, the renovated Washington Park, Music Hall and historic buildings in OTR....and boom

The food there is amazing. Went there with Cincyimages and another photographer, and we had three delicious meals and three delicious beers. We had no wait to get seated, and had a nice window view.

The place looks great.  I still wish they wouldn't have created such a wall to Main Street but instead tried to interact with the street instead of turned its back to it.  Some lighting improvements up the side of the building could still help.

 

Signage for that wall is beginning to go up. I'd expect there to be lighting too.

The place looks great.  I still wish they wouldn't have created such a wall to Main Street but instead tried to interact with the street instead of turned its back to it.  Some lighting improvements up the side of the building could still help.

 

Signage for that wall is beginning to go up. I'd expect there to be lighting too.

 

Awesome.  good to see.  Thanks for sharing. 

^ Speaking of that particular stretch, I was walking down it last night after parking on-street up on 3rd, and couldn't come up with any reason why there isn't on-street parking there other than the fact that the city wants to force people into the garage ala Washington Park.  Standard rush hour restrictions aside, that street really doesn't need to be four lanes.  The walk from the Banks to the Riverfront would feel a lot less sterile if it had more street parking, for instance Freedom Way has the nice buffer of parked cars between the street and sidewalk.

I know that on the west side of the street, Lager House uses a lane for their valet parking. I'd expect the eventual hotel would need that as well. During the day, the east side of the street is regularly used for Reds HOF school/tour group bus parking.

 

 

^ Speaking of that particular stretch, I was walking down it last night after parking on-street up on 3rd, and couldn't come up with any reason why there isn't on-street parking there other than the fact that the city wants to force people into the garage ala Washington Park.  Standard rush hour restrictions aside, that street really doesn't need to be four lanes.  The walk from the Banks to the Riverfront would feel a lot less sterile if it had more street parking, for instance Freedom Way has the nice buffer of parked cars between the street and sidewalk.

 

Also- Garage is owned by County, street parking is determined by City.  I doubt the City is going out of its way to get the County more revenue. :)

what will become of the two spaces in front of the freedom center that are supposed to be restaurants.  Are we really to expect two more restaurants there? 

what will become of the two spaces in front of the freedom center that are supposed to be restaurants.  Are we really to expect two more restaurants there? 

 

If we're going to add more restaurants, perhaps a more kid-friendly option is in order? Of course, I don't have kids, so I don't care. But I took my nephew to a Bengals game last fall and of The Banks options open at the time, Holy Grail was too packed plus it's not appropriate for a 15-year-old, and Johnny Rockets is "meh" plus it's hardly unique. I don't think Crave, Mahogany's, CM or Wine Loft are going to satisfy that demographic either. Toby Keith's might, but it's too early to tell what vibe that place will take before/after games. Will it turn into a Holy Grail part II? If we want to attract those dollars from families with kids headed to/from Reds games, I think we need an option that they're going to want to stay downtown for as opposed to bolting straight for the burbs. Since we're national chain-happy, what about a Rainforest Cafe? Or even a pizza place like a Larosa's or Dewey's?

 

It's fine that downtown is an adult playground, but it wouldn't hurt to get today's kids excited about a trip into the city. We need to start changing perceptions and that's a good place to start. Their parents may be a lost cause, but today's 15-year-olds (and their dollars) are exactly the people we will want downtown a decade from now.

^ Our 19-month-old has been to both the Holy Grail and to the Moerlein Lager House. 

I was thinking a Wolfgang Puck type restaurant would do gangbusters at the Banks.  Unique enough that each restaurant has its own menu and feel, notorious enough to attract people form the burbs.  That being said, those two plots in front of the Freedom Center are huge, and would require something more substantial in scale or iconic like an ESPN zone or a Rainforest Cafe.

>Holy Grail was too packed plus it's not appropriate for a 15-year-old

 

You obviously did not grow up on the west side. 

 

What makes Holy Grail inappropriate for a 15-year old?

What makes Holy Grail inappropriate for a 15-year old?

Alcohol is served, and it's not named Applebee's.

What makes Holy Grail inappropriate for a 15-year old?

 

Of course it is most of the time. I was talking about the scene before Bengals games, and the scene that takes over after most Reds games. It's standing-room-only packed with lots of :drunk:. Don't get me wrong, that's fine with me. In fact, I'm headed down there now to watch the UC-Georgetown game. Certainly kids are allowed in, but would you want to take them there when that atmosphere takes over? I think most parents would take a pass on that.

What makes Holy Grail inappropriate for a 15-year old?

 

Of course it is most of the time. I was talking about the scene before Bengals games, and the scene that takes over after most Reds games. It's standing-room-only packed with lots of :drunk:. Don't get me wrong, that's fine with me. In fact, I'm headed down there now to watch the UC-Georgetown game. Certainly kids are allowed in, but would you want to take them there when that scene takes over? I think most parents would take a pass on that.

 

That's a fair point. But any place with TVs and booze is like that come game time..

I would love to see a Larosas

What really needs to happen down there is more signature restaurants of Cincinnati icons, a flagship Skyline, a flagship Montgomery Inn and a LaRosas, that would be Awesome and tie into what Moerlein is doing to promote the region's uniqueness.

While I really do dislike LaRosas, I think a flagship location down there would be very appropriate and do well. I also can see why Holy Grail wouldn't exactly be a family type place on game-days and I think the Banks could use at least one.  I really wouldn't want a national chain in there but a loca one would work.  I remeber Buddy LaRosa had an italian market at one of his west side market which was actually pretty nice but underappreciated by the Green township clientele.  Something like that could do better downtown as part of the concept. 

What really needs to happen down there is more signature restaurants of Cincinnati icons, a flagship Skyline, a flagship Montgomery Inn and a LaRosas, that would be Awesome and tie into what Moerlein is doing to promote the region's uniqueness.

 

agreed but I think these might come later. The MLH is special though. A flagship Skyline and LaRosa's would have to be pretty special to be included in the Banks. I could see them coming into the development at a later stage but not now...they aren't exactly "destinations" 

 

And don't forget the Montgomery Inn Boathouse is already at Sawyer Point and bills itself as "the most popular restaurant in Greater Cincinnati"

http://www.montgomeryinn.com/boathouse-montgomery-inn.php

these lights are sweet: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thaddfiala/6815360880/#in/pool-1912435@N23/