Stray New Year's Eve bullets aren't a new phenomenon anywhere.  In fact there was a story in the local news about it happening somewhere in NKy this year, too. 

Yup even happens in fairfield. A bullet was found right next to a babys crib. 

^Yeah, stuff like that happens... but on the other hand, roving bands of kids setting cars on fire or getting robbed at gunpoint is clearly not acceptable.

I am a tremedously positive person, I look for the best in all things however how this has been handled has just made me sick!

 

A neighbor of mine was robbed at gunpoint a couple of weeks ago and this is what sparked this whole thing. He did the right thing, he called the police and then called the neighbors with a description of the person. Almost 24 hours after the incident, three neighbors (two of which were myself and my wife) spotted the person in front of our house-we followed him, had him arrested and a positive ID was given by the victim within minutes.

 

The Captain personally calls me and gets involved with the case and agrees to meet with the residents of Mulberry in a special security meeting (2 weeks earlier than originally scheduled) to give them the details of this matter along with other major crackdowns within the Mulberry/McMicken Sector. This meeting is tonight.

 

Yesterday I recieve a call from Chris saying that they have done something that I am probably not going to be happy with and as he is saying this Holly hands me another phone and says it is the Captain. Channel 9 news had contacted him and wanted to show up at this private meeting because of the "crime spree" on Mulberry. Putting residents at risk by going to the media and wanting to show our faces on the news when we are the one's who are turning these criminals in and testifying against them is bad judgment at best.

 

We tell one of the participants in the story that this was sensationalism and they justified it by saying they wanted to put the pressure on the police to act. Even an email sent back from Channel 9 to one of the participants (don't want to name him) says

"Hopefully the story will help you get the help you need from police to put a stop to the crime."

We already had the person who did the crime, the other was just a random gun firing. But according to channel 9 last night Mulberry is out of control. We lost face with the police and who knows how much damage this has done to the reputation of our street. They did not even wait for the meeting to call the media to say "

and now everyone on the street is afraid to come out in the streets just to go to their cars."

bull!!

 

This is the most frustrated I have been during my time here. Not because of the crime, I have more information than most do on that, but because of foolish, irresponsible actions like this by only two people without even waiting for the facts from the police, the fact they did their job and they did it well and we are on a safe street. Last night, Mulberry was depicted as the most unsafe street in the City and that is just wrong!

 

Chris and Joe's heart is in the right place, I do not doubt that but all of the residents are furious over this depiction of Mulberry. This will damage our police relationship, it will damage home sales, and it reinforces the already negative image of all of downtown by many in Greater Cincinnati. This got us nothing but having some of the most active participants on the street wanting to through their hands up and say forget it, if you are going to fight within, then you can fight without.

^Thanks for the details. That's why I posted here instead of the crime thread.

 

I thought only rednecks shot guns in air during New Years. Fireworks sure, guns - no thanks.

well projects and construction is very appropriate, because that is what stories like this will affect the most.  Everyday 3 Comey agents push this street and the sector hard, not because it is easy or we make a whole hell of a lot of money off a $50,000 shell, but because we are married to it, we live, work and breathe Mulberry and OTR and it only takes one small story like this to turn the clock back

So why did Christopher Rose cooperate with the story?  It does not seem rational.  It's not going to help mitigate any future crime that may occur, and it's certainly not going to help him sell his house if he wants to move...

it's certainly not going to help him sell his house if he wants to move...

I was thinking the same thing. I was really surprised Chris and Joe would go on camera like that. I can see the neighborhood newbie who got her van torched, maybe she is a renter, who can get out easy but land developers and home owning residents?? Oh well,  makes the shells  more affordable. I need a 2nd home.   :-D

I had the opportunity to speak to both last night and this was a knee jerk reaction to a situation before hearing what law enforcement had to say. Both understand that in the future there are better ways to handle things.

 

The meeting last night took place at the OTR Chamber office on 14th Street. It was standing room only, the police had as many reps as we did residence. This was not your typical bitching session to the police but an information sharing event. Most people in OTR do not understand the layers of enforcement which include everything from Dist. 1 & Dist. 4 patrols, CPOP, Citizens on Patrol, Vortex, Sheriffs and Street Corner. And last night showed to the residence that there is a virtual army working nonstop to stop these crimes.

 

Oct. showed a spike of 15 crimes on Mulberry, Nov showed 0. This is because on Oct. 31, a resident further down Mulberry toward Vine was arrested while breaking into a car (not on Mulberry) and from that day on, it stopped.

 

CPOP is working on eliminating pay phones in the Mulberry/McMicken Sector that are being used by drug buyers to call into the dealers. Most all pay phones in the sector are illegal phones to begin with (no license) CPOP is working with Citizens on Patrol to identify the locations of these phones and Cincinnati Bell is cooperating (these are not Bell pay phones)

 

Video surveillance is being placed on the the three southern steps on Mulberry (Sharpe Alley, Frintz, and 29 Mulberry Steps) as well as signage to help discourage drug running. Frintz is already monitored.  We will request a temporary closure of the 29 steps leading to Vine.

 

Additional lighting will be placed on the 29 Steps, and we will begin working with the Park Service to address lighting issues at the Jackson Hill Park side of Mulberry.  Additional lighting as well as a "flash cam" is being requested for the Western side of Peete st.

 

CPOP is forming to address the issue of E. Clifton from Lang to Frintz and we are doing this with the help of OTR Housing Network as well as other property owners in the area.

 

Network is addressing putting additional lighting on their properties and we are working with this organization more than ever to clean up E. Clifton, McMicken and Peete.

 

Is this the picture of a neighborhood under siege by criminals? Does this seem like an area that is going down hill and spinning out of control? This is only the beginning of a permanent, positive change in our sector.

 

 

 

We will request a temporary closure of the 29 steps leading to Vine.

Hey, I use those steps!! Don't even temporarily close them. Good news on the rest of the activities.

What the heck is a temporary stairway closing, anyway, but putting up a sign you ust walk around ?

When steps are outlawed only outlaws will have steps.

:-)

Aren't walking communities great ?

29 Mulberry steps have been the site of 2 armed robberies and increased drug running between Rice and Vine as well as a staging area for car breakins. These steps past the entrance of the side of 29 provide access to no homes on Peete or Vine (19 Peete is a vacant property slated for demo) A temporary closure to disrupt known criminal activity is only one step in a more comprehensive plan to monitor, disrupt and finally end the problems that we are having on one of the most closed in drug cooridors to the west side of Mulberry.

 

What the heck is a temporary stairway closing, anyway, but putting up a sign you ust walk around ?

When steps are outlawed only outlaws will have steps.

 

Aren't walking communities great ?

 

YES!

City steps have been a part of my entire life starting with my grandmas steps in South Fairmount and the wonderful steps here in PH  which I use to get the busline on reading rd and  to get to Gods bible to vote. The steps here have a little drug activity and prostitution and yes they are used for a car breakin getaways,  but do I want them temporarily shut down because of it?  no way! Mulberry is a great street to break in a car and getaway by  bike. Same as PH.   I use the steps to vine to get to findlay market since the shortcut (lang St) is always full of gangstas and dealers.

 

 

Staying on the topic of development. This is right next to where 2 condos are going to be built on liberty hill.

 

435 Corporation Alley is on the market  they wanted an extremely steep 130,000  for this cute little woodframe that needs alot of tlc looks like the price is under 100k  now.  I would take it for 50.  probably needs about 100k to fix it right.

   

investors needed!! call this development alley!! handyman special..rough but very doable..home needs some work but in the right area.. use imagination.. city view is incredible 

$98,900

Max,

what about sharpe alley steps or Frintz St steps?  You are correct though about the ease of getting to Findlay using these steps.  I learned it first hand about a year and half ago.  Breakins were happening through the back of 29 Mulberry, property was being destroyed by vandals and was in danger of being set fire (burning candles were everywhere in the lower unit) with 2 residence living upstairs.

We caught these people in the act one day and these steps were their point of egress which led us on a foot chase along with what seemed to be half of district 1 into Findlay.  Luckily we caught both of them but criminals also realize that these steps are an excellent method of escape. 

Once again, we are simply trying to disrupt and monitor hot spot areas.  They hopefully will not be hotspot areas for long.  We need lighting, we need cameras, we need to cut back the overgrowth on Peete, we need flashcams on Peete.  All of these need to take place but in the meantime, we still have a resident of 29 that was held at gunpoint at the entrance of his home on whose only access is going down this dark set of stairs.  His right to walk into his front door without having to worry about him or his girlfriend being attacked in some way supersedes our right to have multiple options to enter Findlay.

I however am not the final say in this nor do I feel that we have thought of everything.  The problem is that these stairs are proving to be a problem that is facilitating criminal activity and we want it stopped, give me other suggestions or alternatives.

Are you going to visit Max in prison ?

Seriously, people commiting the crimes want to not be seen. If people are not using the steps, I would imagine that would make the steps more attactive to the criminals.

I would assume the lights & cleaning of brush would make them less attractive.

I think the cameras are a good idea. I do not understand how someone installs a public phone illegally.

I really do wish you guys the best. Thre has been a lot of work put into that street & it is in stark contrast to the street just below you.

I just think it's a shame to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

I understand that they don't want to be seen and that is why we are installing cameras. I understand that they want easy access in and out of an area and that is why we are taking that away from them. I understand that they want to intemidate the residents, this is why we are putting together a show of force that will make them think twice.

 

What do we do for the residence who come to us with problems that are stemming from these steps in the meantime? How do we say that we are taking action to correct this problem and doing everything we can to protect you so that you do not choose to move? What do I tell Josh and Jim of 29, Chris who lives just a couple of doors down with his wife and 2 kids? If we have any means to disrupt the criminal activity and do not utilize everything in our arsenal, what do I tell them if anything else happens to them? That baby in the bathwater is the residence, not the steps. Those steps are useless if people feel it is unsafe to live on Mulberry because then it truly will only be the criminal element who is left using them.

ok

How will you close them so people don't just step over the "STEPS CLOSED" sign.

If a guy knows they're closed - he knows he has privacy as the law abiding residents won't use them.

Great place to pee, get a blow job & smoke dope. No nosy people walking by.

How about step parties ?

The residents can hang out on the steps & make them an undesireable place for bad guys.

Closing the steps is a first step to a gated community.

I think the cameras are a good idea. Hav e you worked out who will monitor them ?

we still have a resident of 29 that was held at gunpoint at the entrance of his home on whose only access is going down this dark set of stairs.  His right to walk into his front door without having to worry about him or his girlfriend being attacked in some way supersedes our right to have multiple options to enter Findlay

So putting a sign up that says "closed"  is going to stop these gangstas? The only thing it is going to do is make ME have to lug my groceries over the top of the STEPS CLOSED sign and hopefully not break any of my Fresh amish eggs! I carry my cell phone and call the cops everytime I see suspicious activites. Guess that area will become more unsafe. Oh well  I can drive to findlay market instead of walk. That of course wasn't the reason I chose to live here but...

 

This reminded me about the klotter steps topic. One reason I chose NOT to live on klotter st. Sorry John.

 

http://www.cincypost.com/news/1998/steps031998.html

 

Some see city's steps as pathways for crime

By Sarah Sturmon, Post staff reporter

 

 

For residents of Klotter Street and Conroy Alley, the three sets of steps stretching up from West McMicken are ''conduits of crime.''

 

For the residents of West McMicken and parts lower, the steps are arteries to playgrounds and the rest of their neighborhood.

 

This week, the two sides squared off over a request to close the steps in order to alleviate crime in the neighborhood.

 

But some say the request is really about walling off a poorer, needier section of a neighborhood from a more affluent, successful section.

 

''This is classism and economic segregation,'' said Eunice Ravenna, a resident of West McMicken and an opponent of the closing. ''This is a reaction that has not been well thought out.''

 

But others say differently.

 

They say they are simply trying to protect themselves from thieves and vandals who use the steps as a fast getaway after their crimes.

 

 

''This is about common sense,'' said Ken Carmichael, a resident of the neighborhood.

 

Cincinnati City Council Wednesday unanimously approved the request to close most portions of the neighborhood steps.

 

The Klotter and Conroy steps are among the 393 sets of steps that exist in the city of Cincinnati.

 

Faced with an increasing number of requests to close steps, the city established a step policy in 1994.

 

The policy requires input from community groups, step users and city agencies before any set of steps are closed.

 

Currently, city records show that only 45 sets of steps have been closed, some for decades.

 

Of those steps that have been closed, 37 were requested for closure or to remain closed by the community, city records show.

 

Thirteen of the 37 closed steps are steps leading up to Columbia Parkway, where pedestrian traffic is no longer allowed.

 

The Klotter Homeowner's Association gave the city last year a request to close the steps that stretch from West McMicken to Klotter and Conroy along Baymiller Street, Freeman Avenue and Kress Alley.

 

The request is supported by the Clifton Heights-University Heights-Fairview neighborhood, which surrounds the area on three sides.

 

However, the request was opposed by the Over-the-Rhine Community Council, which makes up the southern border of the area.

 

The OTR Community Council says the closure would create a ''wall'' between the new development happening on Klotter and the poorer, needier neighbors along West McMicken. Instead, the community council is suggesting better lighting.

 

''This would be just another barrier between the more developed upper middle-class area from the poorer, needier streets,'' said Patricia Powers, a resident of West McMicken who protested the closing.

 

Others, like Myrtle Ellington, say it would prevent her from using Fairview Park which is in the upper area - something she does routinely with her great-grandchildren.

 

But others, like Tom Walter, said the closure is needed. ''Allow us to close our neighborhood's back door,'' he asked council.

 

Walter points to three months of crime statistics that were gathered by the neighborhood as proof the closure is needed.

 

According to those statistics, there was one reported crime every three days on Klotter and Conroy avenues. And most, according to the map drawn by the neighborhood, were in the vicinity of the steps.

 

In a report to council earlier this month, the city administration recommended that the Baymiller Street and Freeman Avenue steps be closed temporarily but that the Kress Alley steps remain open while the police division reviews crime statistics on the effect of the steps

 

closing.

 

Following council action Wednesday, the steps will be closed except for a portion of the Baymiller steps to allow access to the playground and the section of the Kress Alley steps that run up to the neighborhood church.

 

Council also asked the city for further review of the effect before the closing is made permanent.

 

Publication date: 03-19-98

 

 

 

 

 

I was actually thinking of extending the 6' privacy fence across them but the details haven't been worked out yet.

 

"The residents can hang out on the steps & make them an undesireable place for bad guys."

 

If I can get some volunteers here to hang out on the steps day and night to patrol them then hey, Im all for it. I see one of the coordinators for Citizens on Patrol is reading this topic now-Steve can you get them signed up for patrol?

 

Why be more up in arms about a set of steps being temporarly closed then the victimization of residence? Send some emails out to the residents saying that your desire to leave them open is greater than their right to live safely. I will give you the email addresses.

 

"This reminded me about the klotter steps topic. One reason I chose NOT to live on klotter st. Sorry John."

 

Here is the reason we are faced with people not wanting to live on Mulberry

Crime Wave Hits Home For Residents Of Tri-state Street

Reported by: Jenell Walton

Web produced by: Neil Relyea

Photographed by: 9News

First posted: 1/9/2007 8:33:17 PM

 

Now I'm no Realtor, but which do you think perspective buyers will take most into consideration, steps or crime?

 

 

 

 

Now I'm no Realtor, but which do you think perspective buyers will take most into consideration, steps or crime?

Most prospective buyers choose the suburbs.

People who want the amenities of city life (walking) would likely opt for steps.

So what's up with monitoring the cameras ?

These will be private cameras bought by the sector but placed on to adjacent buildings. We have one on 103 and several on 97 that are monitored by the owners (and by monitoring I mean if something happens we can pull tape.) The same will be true with 29. The camera will serve a double purpose, one it gives a record of a criminal activity and secondly it serves as a deterent so that perhaps the crime will not happen in the first place.

We will not have staff watching a monitor 24/7.

 

People who want the amenities of city life (walking) would likely opt for steps.

well for those people who want a 3rd set of steps over safety then I guess we have the place for them, bring them on, there are 2 condos for sale at 29 now.

 

 

If I can get some volunteers here to hang out on the steps day and night to patrol them then hey, Im all for it. I see one of the coordinators for Citizens on Patrol is reading this topic now-Steve can you get them signed up for patrol?

 

 

We're always looking for more volunteers!  There is training session that starts Feb 1.  Only three nights and you get a snazzy uniform.  Feel free to contact me (my email should be on the side) or download an application:

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/police/pages/-9496-/

 

One thing on the steps, Mike was talking about a temporary closure.  The idea is similar to what was done on 13th street (which was never meant to be permanent).  It is meant to disrupt the criminals.  Of course anything that disrupts the criminals might disrupt the residents, but you have to look at the overall net gain.  I'm a huge fan of the city's steps, I think is a great part of the character of the neighborhoods.  But in the short term crime is a bigger issue.

 

Also, all of the possible solutions we are discussing are in the context of working with the police CPOP team and appropriate city departments.

Here is the reason we are faced with people not wanting to live on Mulberry

Crime Wave Hits Home For Residents Of Tri-state Street

  Well  it wouldn't have been much of a crime wave if 2 mulberries had not told the world about how bad they're neighborhood is.  Heck there is a bullet hole in the back of the little house for sale  I posted a few messages back and it didn't make the evening news.

 

One thing on the steps, Mike was talking about a temporary closure

.

A temporary closure will turn into a permanent closure. I can guarantee that. The city is always looking to spend less money and stairs are expensive to maintain. But how many other cities boast more public stairs than cincinnati, only 1 San fransisco. Stairs  are something we should not take for granted and they should be protected at all costs.

protected at all costs.

We will have to agree to disagree on this. I am not ready to say that these stairs are more important than the safety of our residents, they are the ones who should be protected at all cost. If the stairs never reopen then I will be happy to take the blame, but if another person is mugged or worse on them because we did not act, that is something I am not willing to bear.

I do agree with you that this got blown way out of proportion by the news story, but these are the cards we are dealt and we must deal with them. The problems at that location are real, the stories I have told you are true and the solutions are a matter of opinion and conjecture at this point. The important thing is that we have a problem and the community is working toward a solution.

 

^following your logic we should cut bus routes to the suburbs to protect the residents out there.

Why be more up in arms about a set of steps being temporarly closed then the victimization of residence?

 

I am not ready to say that these stairs are more important than the safety of our residents

 

Michael, that is completely unfair.  The argument others are making is that putting a "closed" sign up will do nothing to make residents more safe, it will only be a feel-good measure that does nothing except make residents less safe.  Asserting that those who disagree with you don't care for the safety of residents is neither true nor helpful.

 

Now, putting a fence up that does block off the steps?  And that can't be walked around?  And that actually makes the route un-walkable?  Well, that's a different discussion.  I would probably wind up disagreeing with that as the best way to fight crime, but I'd defer to your judgement.  But if your argument is that those who disagree must be more concerned about their convenience than the lives of your neighbors, I'm certainly not going to buy it.

 

Everyone here loves you and all you do - I would just ask that you fight fair!

 

When I moved to Cincinnati, one of the first things I noticed was the steps.

As I didn't have a car at the time I saw their value immediately.

Now, again, I don't have a car & I use the stairs a lot.

These things are a great value to the city & could be a greater value if gas gets expensive or scarce.

I think getting rid of them is very shortsighted.

whats going on with the brewery district project? Did that fall through or are they looking at TIFs or..?

 

Riverviewer,

some of what I say is meant to be taken tongue in cheek but I guess on here it may not come across that way. We can leave the steps open and not consider a temporary shut down, I can live with that. I also do not want the feeling of big brother watching over me at all times, that is not why I moved here, cameras can be reconsidered. The feeling of living in a police state was not high on my priority list when searching for a new home either, CPOP can be eliminated. Literally having your neighbors turning you in for a crime sounds a bit Stalinist so Citizens on Patrol should be dissolved.

 

Once again, I say this tongue in cheek however no matter what methods are proposed to eliminate a problem can and will be rebutted by someone. Steve brought up 13th St. and that solution (which was working) met opposition by a resident and it went away, now the problem is back.

 

Now, putting a fence up that does block off the steps? And that can't be walked around? And that actually makes the route un-walkable? Well, that's a different discussion.

I was kinda serious when I said,"I was actually thinking of extending the 6' privacy fence across them but the details haven't been worked out yet"

 

Now much of my response in the past couple of post was stemming from the statement that steps should be kept open "at all cost", I simply disagree because I do know a cost that we are not willing to pay. Also, I see the unfairness in the argument is the spin back to permanent vs temporary closure.

I think getting rid of them

will turn into a permanent closure

Closing the steps is a first step to a gated community

 

My first concern is addressing a problem, and if everyone else in the sector is agreement then we can wait on asking for a closure. I would like for everyone to know that we were approached about closing down the Frintz St. Steps almost 3 years ago (about the same time that they were impassible due to a fallen tree). A group of neighbors, myself included decided to utilize other alternatives including clearing the overgrowth on both sides, planting and maintaining, and the removal of an entire house (with the help of the fire dept) on Peete. We have gone through extraordinary measures to keep open those stairs, Sharpe Alley, and made the Main St. Steps (the longest single set of stairs in the City) a more appealing place to walk. There is an initiative by the residents (one of whom was quoted in the story) to reclaim the steps leading from Mulberry to Jackson Hill Park and Pauline VanderHaar has asked that we look at clearing back the rest of Main all the way up the hillside by 3' on either side. Lets just say that Mulberry has done more than most to protect and beautify its steps.

 

All this being said, we are in jeopardy of loosing a couple of people on the street. The reason for the meeting the other night was meant to be a powerful message to the residents that we are doing everything in our power, without exception, to address their safety concerns. Max, Quim, riverviewer and everyone else, your arguments do not fall on deaf ears, I understand your desire to keep open stairs and I am certainly not an advocate to close stairs because theoretically they may pose a problem, but this is a real, and current problem that we are dealing with.

I have to agree with Mr. Redmond on this. Maybe it's a culture clash, but the idea that residents in the area have to tolerate being rob at gun point or have their car set on fire seems absurd. Yes, I know stairs don't rob people, but if they create an unpleasant environment then something needs to be done. Having the resident just deal with it will chase them away and the city can ill afford that.

Moonloop - I think half the argument here is that "closing the steps" will do NOTHING to make folks more safe.  If it's just hanging a "Steps Closed" sign from handrail to handrail, that insures the steps will be a lure for illicit activity.  It's not a question of tolerating residents being robbed at gunpoint just to keep steps open - it's a question of doing something that sounds active, that will actually do nothing to make people safe, meanwhile closing the steps off to law-abiding folks.

 

Michael - I agree, it's not fair to argue this as though the closure is already permanent.  Now, arguing that a temporary closure will become a permanent closure is one thing - I think that's a perfectly legitimate argument, I think we're going to see it come true regarding the Collins steps, and I would worry about that happening here as well.  But I agree with you that then arguing as though a permanent closure is your plan is also unfair, and you're quite right to point that out.

 

Again, I'd say that if the closure doesn't involve making the steps impassable for a scofflaw teenager, then any closure will only serve as a magnet for crime.

 

no matter what methods are proposed to eliminate a problem can and will be rebutted by someone.

 

That may be true - but it's certainly not true in this argument.  You've got a list of proposals as long as your arm, and I think everyone on here has cheered every one of them - except the closure of public right-of-ways.  I don't think that's obstructionism - it's just people thinking hanging a closed sign won't be a very effective crime-fighting tool.

 

And furthermore, I think there's a fear that certain interests want to turn their little corner of the city into a gated suburban community.  Like Keys Crescent getting the Collins Steps closed - that's the most absurd nonsense I've heard in a long time.  That went through over the objections of just about everyone except a couple residents.  Didn't matter how many people who actually use those steps spoke up, or how many community groups, or how utterly absurd the argument for closing them down was, or the fact that it's a public goddamn right-of-way - nope, hell with you folks, we're closing them down.

 

This is a different situation - there's actual crimes here, for one thing - but you've gotta understand the sensitivity to closing down public right-of-ways in general; and then the absurdity of thinking that closing them down in the way every other step closure is handled (a sign that they're closed) would do anything at all for safety...

Very well said Riverviewer and understood.  These are proposals at this point, only the cameras and the signs have been ordered so far.  The Sherriffs as well have contacted several of the residents to insure us that they will step up patrols. 

 

It is not up to me as to whether these steps are closed or not.  I still believe that a temporary closure is part of a larger plan inluding the cameras, signage, lighting, and brush and tree clearing that will all work in conjunction with one another to solve this problem.  However it is ultimatly up to the residents as a whole, the police dept, and the city as to whether or not this will happen.

 

Let me get away from the topic of stairs for a minute and get to the what I feel is the most important thing to come out of this.  When a crime is committed in our sector, I want not just the residents feel safer, but for the ones who committed the act and others who may do so in the future that an immediate and overwhelming response will occur.  One of the reasons that crime of opportunity like this happens is because of the belief that they can get away with it consequence free.  The one who did the robbery was confident enough that he walked down Mulberry 24 hours later at the same time of day, wearing the same clothing.  HE WAS CAUGHT.

 

Out of all of this I would like to say the the police and sherriffs dept. have been such a tremendous help.  Capt. Jones of Dist. 1 could not have acted any quicker or done things any better.  We are all fortunate to have a system in place, put there by the OTR Chamber, that allows for this level of interaction and information sharing.  If there is ever anyone who says that nothing ever comes out of safety sector meetings and they are a waiste of their time, let them know of what happened in this case.

Yeah, crimes will happen, no matter what neighborhood - but the reaction from all parties in this case is the real news story - if only that had been the news story...

 

Work has started on franks F's place in the 400 block of milton st. There is even a portolet on site.

 

Sorry to keeping beating up the stairbashers but I had to post this..  Oh and I am not sure if this was listed on another topic but Mt. Adams will soon have a set of new stairs. Very close to where the incline was. it will be completed by 08 from what I have heard, linking lower mt adams to upper. :-)

 

Saw this on another topic thought it was relevant here.

 

* The Collins Street steps.  Here is a letter, dated November 6, 2006, from Tim Burke to Caleb Faux, Chair of the City Planning Commission, regarding the ILLEGAL closure of the steps.

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cdap/downloads/cdap_pdf15093.pdf

 

As a result, there will now be a hearing in front of the City Planning Commission on January 19, 2007.  The staff recommends DENIAL of the closure for the following reasons:

 

1) The public steps are an important part of the city's overall transportation system

2) DOTE followed the city's step-closure policy and recommended that the steps remain in use, be repaired, and be monitored and maintained--as soon as possible

3) Closure should be done as a final alternative only, and closing these stairs without exhausting all other options could set a bad precedent regarding future decisions about the city's transportation network.

 

An another off topic steps-related issue, the Fort View steps in Mt. Adams are nearly complete.  They have been completely rebuilt; they managed to reuse many of the cocrete step sections and they completely rebuilt the stone retaining walls by hand.  They also really cut back the trees and overgrowth.  The place looks a million times better and a lot less initimidating (scary wise, climbing the steps will still prompt a heart attack).  I will try to snap a pic next time I am over there.  Michael, if you want to see some good work the city has done on the steps issue, I suggest taking a trip over there.

Max,

 

I believe they begin peering in 3 days. This is a great design and Milton is very fortunate that the Fielers are building one for themeselves, they are a wonderful couple.

On the steps, this is neither permanent, nor is it a foregone conclusion that it will even happen. That being said, Collins steps are a different issue and even Burke's arguments we feel do not apply nor has his arguments even been proven in this case and therefor only represent an argument.

 

Cincinnati kid,

I am not sure exactly where in Mt. Adams these steps are, can you give me a landmark or street that they intersect.

 

On a development note, new drives have been cut into the north side of Goethe st for the two homes that face Dorsey (corner of Dorsey and Sycamore)  Seitz and Goethe both I feel are the next two streets to see some major development.

I am not sure exactly where in Mt. Adams these steps are, can you give me a landmark or street that they intersect.

 

 

It is between Fort View at the top and Hill St.(At the bottom of Hill St.) These stairs have something in common with rice st steps on mulberry in that there is door access to a home only accessible by the stairs.

I see that as a commonality but was all of the other things that the sector is proposing also proposed for Collins?

There are actually two homes that have access only via the steps.  My friend lives in the lowest one and was really impressed with the City's work on the steps.  He said the contractor's guys worked their asses off.

Grapevine news...

 

I just heard that 88 and one other house on Mulberry, 318 or maby 316 (I am going to have to drive by) are scheduled for demo. 88 I believe is coming down in Feb. the other I am not sure. 88 was Johnny Van Steins house and has some serious structural damage (you can tell it even from the street) Chris Rose now ownes it and is planning to build his new home there-relocating from his other house on Mulberry. He also has purchased 5 lots behind 88 for a back yard for his daughters.

The other, as I understand it, Doug Spitz is building on. 

clearing has begun on Mulberry Lots just east of the Main St. Steps on the north side. I believe this is part of Doug Spitz's as well. We may see new const. sooner rather than later on Mulberry.  I must be mistaken about the 318 or 316 address, the only one I can tell that would perhaps be a canidate is 300 for demo.

121 Dorsey St was rehabbed and is on sale for $250K.

 

No one has posted 221 Dorsey either, I don't think.  This one has been on the market for a long time at nearly $200,000.

 

Last night was the Mulberry/McMicken Safety Sector meeting and we had several guest speakers including OTR Housing Network, Vernon Rader, Doug Spitz and Chris Zimmerman-each spoke of their different projects in the sector so here is a brief recap.

 

OTR Housing Network is proposing market rate housing to be located on the south west corner of Mulberry and Antique, Peete and Antique, and one almost across the street on the north side of Mulberry and Antique.  GBBN is the architects, I believe it was approx 10 condos in all, each with parking.

 

Vernon Rader and his 5 buildings on the corner of Main and Liberty (on the north side of the intersection) just signed his first tenant yesterday.  All market rate rental, 18 rental units and 6 commercial spaces.  He has already received intrest in the commercial spaces.  Completion date of this project (all 5 buildings) is scheduled for June of this year.  He also just purchased Don's Crank Shaft and will turn that into a gallery.  Vernon also says the new street scaping will be completed by this time as well.

 

Doug Spitz is going to start construction on the Seitz building that has the yellow boards in the windows.  6 market rate rental units will go there. He is still working out the plans for the lots that he is clearing between Seitz and Mulberry.  He just received approval for a teardown next to these lots and is pushing for some something to be done to 300 Mulberry as well.

 

Chris Zimmerman is moving forward with his plans for a new Shell Station on Liberty.  He is fighting for a carry out beer license right now and has negotiated an agreement with the sectors not to sell certain items.  Unfortunately, members of Pendleton are trying to place unreasonable demands on him right now but we will get this worked out in short order.

I will be a very happy man when vernons properties are done.  :-) It is a highly visible corner and will further reconnect Main with mcmicken and mulberry.

It is the gateway into the sector.  I believe I had posted, or someone had about the steetscaping I was referring to.  If not, I can dig one up somewhere.

I'm looking for a good deal on a house for me and some friends that are looking to move off campus...  I'd love to live on Prospect Hill or an area like that..but Prospect Hill isn't walking distance to UC. Michael do you know of anything good in Fairview for rent that's reasonable?

^You could catch the 24 uptown to UC from Prospect Hill.

True.. if it was a good enough deal (cheaper than whatever is comparable closer to UC) then I'd do it! :]

Other than just a couple of rentals that I have in my inventory, I really am not sure what is available outside of downtown.

A massive renovation is about to happen at 160 Goethe St.  This is the only house on that side of the street.  They are also building a 1000+ square-foot addition.  My guess is that they'll build up to take advantage of the view.

 

I have always thought that I knew everything that happens on that hillside but I was surprised at what I saw today.  160 Goethe is almost complete and they have done one hell of a job on this place, I barely recognized it.  If anyone is out and about with a camera, post this place.

Other than just a couple of rentals that I have in my inventory, I really am not sure what is available outside of downtown.

Oh no, here we go again on what is "downtown"....I know people percieve the whole basin as downtown..but do you say you live downtown?? Downtown is the CBD not OTR, Mt auburn, mt adams, west end etc.