March 11, 200718 yr Perhaps you are correct. I took that action to mean that outlot development would probably occur where the surface lots now lie especially with the proposed expansion. But I could be wrong.
March 13, 200718 yr City helps the Levee redevelop theater Former Imax locale is cleared of debts BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] The site of the former Imax theater at Newport on the Levee might soon be redeveloped. Monday, Newport city commissioners approved an order that assures that no liens, debts or bills of sale left after the theater closed in 2003 will inhibit the Levee's ability to develop the site, city solicitor Mike Schulkens said.
March 19, 200718 yr Rally to promote Levee bill State asked to extend tax credit for expansion BY PATRICK CROWLEY | [email protected] March 19, 2007 NEWPORT - Backers of legislation that would lead to an expansion of Newport on the Levee plan to rally Tuesday to try to build public and legislative support for the bill. State and local elected officials, project backers and the public are invited to attend the combination rally/news conference at 9:30 a.m. in the complex's Community Room.
March 21, 200718 yr Levee proposal faces uphill fight By Greg Paeth Post staff reporter Concerns about plans to expand Newport on the Levee have stalled an effort to give the complex more time to capitalize on a state tax rebate. "The people who want this are starting to realize that maybe they should be looking at something else," state Sen. Dick Roeding said Tuesday.
March 22, 200718 yr Does anyone else find this to be a terribly written headline?? Odds worse for Levee break BY PATRICK CROWLEY | [email protected] March 22, 2007 NEWPORT - Senate President David Williams said he will not call legislation extending a tax break for Newport on the Levee before this year's session of the General Assembly ends at midnight Tuesday. "They need to try a new approach," Williams, a Burkesville Republican, said in a phone interview from Frankfort. "It's a very poorly written piece of legislation."
March 28, 200718 yr State expands TIF law N.Ky. developers expect to see benefits BY PATRICK CROWLEY | [email protected] March 28, 2007 NEWPORT - A tax incentive bill that will pave the way for a nearly $1 billion riverfront project also may be used by developers on a planned expansion of Newport on the Levee. Gov. Ernie Fletcher has signed into law legislation that expands and restructures a tax break known as Tax Increment Financing, or TIF.
March 29, 200718 yr Levee to offer annual 'Bar Bounce' March 29, 2007 | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER NEWPORT - Newport on the Levee will host its third annual "Bar Bounce" from 7 p.m. to close today. Seven bars and restaurants will participate in the event, which will benefit the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund.
May 5, 200718 yr Newport Aquarium awash in penguins, paté, parties BY LUCY MAY | [email protected] May 4, 2007 NEWPORT - Local brides-to-be looking to combine the whimsy of flightless birds and the panache of French cuisine need look no further. The Newport Aquarium and Jean-Robert de Cavel are teaming up to present Currents, a new ballroom at the aquarium featuring menu items from Jean-Robert's Restaurant Group.
July 13, 200717 yr Newport could really use a decent hotel...especially one that is close to the levee. Hopefully this comes true. Hotel next at Levee? Project would go up on site of vacant Imax theater BY SCOTT WARTMAN | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER July 13, 2007 NEWPORT - City officials expect to see ground broken this year on a 200-room, $43 million hotel at Newport on the Levee. Levee officials would not release any details.
July 13, 200717 yr Smart move. People from out of town that choose this hotel will likely shop and eat at the Levee.
July 13, 200717 yr Smart move. People from out of town that choose this hotel will likely shop and eat at the Levee. Or they can cross the Purple People Bridge to Cincinnati, right? No seriously, I think the area is overdue for a new hotel. :)
July 13, 200717 yr That would happen, but the hotels in Downtown Cincinnati are all quite expensive. It would be nice to have a Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, La Quita or something of that nature pop up downtown. If the prices scare you away from Downtown Cincy you normally look across the river at the crap that is offered there. The proposed hotel at Calhoun and Vine would also be a welcome addition if it is to be moderately priced, as it has been suggessted.
July 13, 200717 yr Watch it be Holiday Inn Express @ The Levee. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 17, 200717 yr Levee plans 200-room hotel Commissioners endorse $43M in bonds to finance it BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] A 10-story, 200-room hotel will open by mid-2009 at Newport on the Levee on the site of the vacant Imax theater if all goes according to plan, the developer told the Newport city commissioners Monday. Long-term plans call for a second hotel and 200,000 square feet of office space east of the AMC movie theater on the site of a parking lot, said Dobbs Ackermann, president of the Ackermann Group and developer representative for Newport on the Levee.
July 17, 200717 yr "We could truly accommodate not only entertainment visitors but also convention and business visitors," Ackermann said. Convention visitors from where?!?! Cincy or Covington...because who is going to want to stay at a hotel in Newport just to have to drive or pay for a taxi to get to their convention. There is not enough to do in Newport for conventioners to make this kind of sacrifice. The hotes immediately surrounding the two convention centers have that market on lockdown...unless they are full, then Newport and other places get the overflow.
July 17, 200717 yr They could take TANK buses to the other side. Maybe that or a cab is worth it to some people, in exchange for having what Newport offers.
July 21, 200717 yr Newport low on money Officials are hopeful budget woes won't squeeze services BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] Newport officials are banking on tax revenue from a new shopping center and housing construction to save the city from cuts and layoffs during the next two years. Pension costs have eroded the budget. And Newport's largest commercial development to date, Newport on the Levee, has drawn millions of people but not the expected tax revenue.
July 23, 200717 yr Sure the residents don't notice a change now. But if Newport isn't bringing in the revenues, it will affect them eventually. The city's CFO already resigned. If you don't give people raises you risk losing some valuable human capital that is very beneficial to the city. If Newport failed, how can they be so sure that these won't? Even if they don't fail, they're big box retailers (not the most desirable). Also, atleast with the Levee they would have brought in tax dollars from Cincinnatians; the people that will spend money at Target and Home Depot contributing sales taxes, are their own residents.
July 24, 200717 yr WOW...it's like the media picked up on the comments/observations I've been making about NOTL for years now. Amazing! The whole upper floor of retail space is essentially empty...the retailers on the first level are the cheap lease paying tenants from the malls...and what do ya know, IMAX couldn't dethrone the king that is Omnimax. Go back to the drawing board and add 3-5 levels of residential above the levee, add in an office mix, and the hotel or two they're suggesting wouldn't have been a bad idea either. But that's what happens when you throw a crap plan together just to get it built as quickly as possible. Maybe it isn't soo bad Cincinnati is taking their time with The Banks. I guess their mindset is...let's not f up arguably the most important economic development project in our city's history.
July 24, 200717 yr ...catching up a little: City helps the Levee redevelop theater Former Imax locale is cleared of debts BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] The site of the former Imax theater at Newport on the Levee might soon be redeveloped. Monday, Newport city commissioners approved an order that assures that no liens, debts or bills of sale left after the theater closed in 2003 will inhibit the Levee's ability to develop the site, city solicitor Mike Schulkens said. The Levee bought the lease on the building for the former theater in the past month, city officials said. The city still owns the land. "We are interested in seeing the site developed," Schulkens said. The Imax theater closed after two years. The theater was behind in payments for its $2 million projector. The theater's owner, 3D on the Ohio LLC, has gone through bankruptcy, and the theater property has been vacant since. Uh, so does this mean that a creditor is being denied the ability to collect what's owed to him by the fiat of Newport's city commission? And if so, is that normal? And if not, doesn't that make anyone here involved in the construction trade squirm just a little bit? "We could truly accommodate not only entertainment visitors but also convention and business visitors," Ackermann said. Convention visitors from where?!?! Cincy or Covington...because who is going to want to stay at a hotel in Newport just to have to drive or pay for a taxi to get to their convention. There is not enough to do in Newport for conventioners to make this kind of sacrifice. The hotes immediately surrounding the two convention centers have that market on lockdown...unless they are full, then Newport and other places get the overflow. I would imagine it would actually have a wider appeal than that - there are a lot of small conferences out there as well, maybe things where your regional sales force wants to meet someplace central to everyone...and while some conferences are explicitly for the purpose of being an excuse for a vacation, a lot of them honestly are not - you're packed with stuff day and night...NOTL would actually be an ideal setting for something like that, because you could have a ton of options for meals or for drinks right there, but it would be a smaller venue than a major downtown hotel...I bet if this hotel does happen that its small conference business will do quite well...
July 24, 200717 yr >WOW...it's like the media picked up on the comments/observations I've been making about NOTL for years now. Amazing! The whole upper floor of retail space is essentially empty...the retailers on the first level are the cheap lease paying tenants from the malls...and what do ya know, IMAX couldn't dethrone the king that is Well go back to the first page of this thread, the second post said this two years ago and I've said it myself. The big problem facing the Levee is that around 2010 it's going to have to be renovated inside and out because these types of buildings always fade and go out of style quickly. It doesn't matter what style they're built in, they'll go out of style right around 10 years after they're built. Tower Place Mall already looks dated and City Center in Columbus looks downright dreary. >Maybe it isn't soo bad Cincinnati is taking their time with The Banks. I guess their mindset is...let's not f up arguably the most important economic development project in our city's history. Well Newport is certainly taking its time with the Millenium Tower. That project really got me upset because the tore down a nice-looking prewar office building where the bell now sits that was about 9 stories tall while orchestrating a multi-prong hype campaign, like spreading the rumor that The Maisonette was going to move to the top of the 1,000+ foot tower. The last time I went by the bell the visitor center looked like it had been mothballed and had a sign printed on a computer taped to the door that said "visits by appointment only". As for the hotel, there's been a riverfront Travelodge since probably 1960 right next to the Taylor-Southgate Bridge which got a fresh coat of paint a few years back. It would be interesting to see if that hotel is paying more in property tax than all of NOTL!
July 24, 200717 yr >WOW...it's like the media picked up on the comments/observations I've been making about NOTL for years now. Amazing! The whole upper floor of retail space is essentially empty...the retailers on the first level are the cheap lease paying tenants from the malls...and what do ya know, IMAX couldn't dethrone the king that is Well go back to the first page of this thread, the second post said this two years ago and I've said it myself. The big problem facing the Levee is that around 2010 it's going to have to be renovated inside and out because these types of buildings always fade and go out of style quickly. It doesn't matter what style they're built in, they'll go out of style right around 10 years after they're built. Tower Place Mall already looks dated and City Center in Columbus looks downright dreary. >Maybe it isn't soo bad Cincinnati is taking their time with The Banks. I guess their mindset is...let's not f up arguably the most important economic development project in our city's history. Well Newport is certainly taking its time with the Millenium Tower. That project really got me upset because the tore down a nice-looking prewar office building where the bell now sits that was about 9 stories tall while orchestrating a multi-prong hype campaign, like spreading the rumor that The Maisonette was going to move to the top of the 1,000+ foot tower. The last time I went by the bell the visitor center looked like it had been mothballed and had a sign printed on a computer taped to the door that said "visits by appointment only". As for the hotel, there's been a riverfront Travelodge since probably 1960 right next to the Taylor-Southgate Bridge which got a fresh coat of paint a few years back. It would be interesting to see if that hotel is paying more in property tax than all of NOTL! All in all, this might be one of my favorite posts from you of all time! I love the subtle/not so subtle Newport low blows. :laugh:
July 24, 200717 yr ^ If it weren't for the movie theater and Barnes and Noble, that whole place would be shut down.
July 24, 200717 yr Cincy-Rise, you're completely right, far as I'm concerned...I actually really enjoy going to NOTL, but it's because I like the carpaccio at Bravo, the sushi at Pacific Moon (still have to try Aoi), the bookstore to browse while waiting for your showtime at the movie theater with stadium seating, and the fact that I can walk there from my home. But no doubt, if I had the stadium seating theater downtown, we probably wouldn't bother with NOTL...
August 7, 200717 yr Sports Depot slates Levee opening Business Courier of Cincinnati - 2:41 PM EDT Tuesday, August 7, 2007 A local retailer of sports apparel, memorabilia, souvenirs and team uniforms is opening its second location, this one at Newport on the Levee. The Sports Depot plans to open Aug. 17, on the Riverwalk Level, Newport on the Levee said in a news release. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Click here to find out more! Like its sister store at Northgate Mall, the Sports Depot features Cincinnati Reds and Bengals items, as well as merchandise from NASCAR and local colleges, including the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and the University of Kentucky.
August 13, 200717 yr Saw this on the front page of cincynation.com, thought it was funny Newport Owes a Big Thanks to Carl Lindner Droves of people were seen walking to Newport on the Levee and nearby restaurants right after the Sunday's Reds game. Downtown Cincinnati? Empty. Even the much-hyped Sixth Street area was vacant. Because Carl Lindner wanted the ballpark on the riverfront, it has greatly boosted the fortunes of Newport.
August 13, 200717 yr Once again...we'll see how much impact NOTL will feel from the stadiums once The Banks is completed with phase 1.
August 13, 200717 yr It makes you wonder, though, that if the ballpark were built at Broadway Commons would Newport not have seen as much invest as it has recently. Would the Levee have been built in the first place if the Ballpark wasn't there and Riverfront gone? Thus, keeping people and tax dollars in the Downtown/OTR economy before and after the games.
August 13, 200717 yr You don't really have to wonder...the already struggling NOTL would have been completely unfeasibly had GABP been built at Broadway Commons. All the activity with games would have been out there, and most likely you would not have seen Main Street struggle as it has over the years. The area would have been much more lively and thus would have detered much of the crime that has scared away both potential businesses and residents alike.
August 16, 200717 yr Aquarium may be sold BY SCOTT WARTMAN | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER August 16, 2007 NEWPORT - The owner of Dollywood and other amusement parks is in discussions to buy the Newport Aquarium, an aquarium spokesperson said today. Norcross, Ga.-based Herschend Family Entertainment has had "serious discussions" with the aquarium's owners, Steiner and Associates, said Jill Isaacs, aquarium spokesperson.
August 17, 200717 yr Bit of Dollywood might be coming to the Levee Theme-park owner eyeing the Aquarium By Kevin Eigelbach Post staff reporter The Newport Aquarium, one of the region's most popular attractions, may soon have a new owner and management. Atlanta-based Herschend Family Entertainment, which manages Tennessee's Dollywood and other theme parks, wants to become at least a part owner in the aquarium.
August 17, 200717 yr I would like to see a financial update from the State of KY and Newport regarding the final few paragraphs as to what has actually transpired.
August 17, 200717 yr "More than 70 percent of the aquarium's visitors come from out of state, Kentucky Department of Tourism Economic and Community Development Director Todd Cassidy said" I wonder what that figure looks like if take out ohio.
August 17, 200717 yr Bit of Dollywood might be coming to the Levee Theme-park owner eyeing the Aquarium I would certainly like to see Dollywood take the Aquarium in it's bosom and nurture it for future growth.
August 17, 200717 yr Of course..I wouldn't doubt if 70 percent of the metro population is "out of state".
October 21, 200717 yr Here is something I've been stewing on. Many people say that NOTL is sooo cool, and that it would be great for Cincy to take a page out of Newport's proverbial book. Sure thing, but lets compare the two again: Downtown --$3 flat rate parking @ Fountain Square, with lots of free on-street parking after 6pm. Valet parking also available at FS and other various downtown spots. --More bars and clubs than NOTL or even Newport as a whole --Multiple performance theatres --Quality and quantity of restaurants isn't even comparable --Multiple live music venues --Cocktail lounges/jazz clubs --Multiple art galleries Newport/NOTL --$5 flat rate parking @ NOTL, slim pickings for free on-street parking. Valet parking also available at NOTL. --Handful of bars and arguably no clubs --Zero performance theatres --Couple decent restaurants --Couple live music venues --No real lounges/clubs --No art galleries at least to my knowledge. Bottom line is that Downtown Cincinnati offers more things to do, for a wider variety of people and offers cheaper parking. Who needs to be taking notes from who again?
October 21, 200717 yr What about shadowbox in NOTL? Aquarium in NOTL, I think there are some art galleries in Newport up a few blocks, but I might be thinking covington. from a taking out the familystandpoint NOTL has some strong points, but for a date or single person going out I think the CBD takes the cake, really its good that they are in walking distance for each other. having a streetcar line connecting to newport would be great, adds a movie theatre, aquarium, great views, Hofbrau house.
October 21, 200717 yr ^^forgot about shadowbox...also forgot about the Giggle Hut or whatever that comedy club is. Don't get me wrong...it's alright, I just don't understand why people always like to compare the two and then always say how much more there is to do in Newport. I just get heated from time to time.
October 22, 200717 yr Can we stop the bitching about if northern Kentucky or Cincinnati is better? It doesn't matter if both cities cooperate or if the developments of both compliment each other's profile. Both regions are great and have their own unique aspects. Who @#$%ing cares if Northern Kentucky doesn't have performing art venues or art galleries? And who @#^&ing cares if Cincinnati has 100s of more restaurants than Northern Kentucky? Last I read, this was a thread about Newport on the Levee, not Northern Kentucky sucks compared to Cincinnati.
October 22, 200717 yr Other riverfront projects Herald-Dispatch [Huntington], Oct 21, 2007 (Second item.) Dubuque, Iowa In the mid 1990s, Dubuque started planning a riverfront project, prodded by the Dubuque Historical Society, which proposed a $25 million river museum/aquarium. It ended up being a $58 million facility, but the society raised every last dollar, said Dubuque's city manager, Mike Van Milligen. From there, the vision grew into a $188 million renovation of the riverfront, funded through the city of Dubuque, state and federal government, and private enterprises. The 90-acre riverfront area in Dubuque includes an amphitheater, plaza, river museum and aquarium and more. Its concrete floodwall was buried and had a riverwalk put on top of it. Connected to that is a Grand River Resort and WaterPark and the Grand River Center, which is a city-owned convention center.
October 22, 200717 yr Also, just up the hill from all that stuff in Chattanooga is a wonderful arts district - little galleries, a coffee shop, restaurant or two, B&B, outdoor sculpture park, etc., etc...wonderful city, great development. Oh, plus the Reds AA affiliate, the Lookouts, play just west of all of that...very nice...
October 23, 200717 yr The Fountain Square South Garage is only $1 nights & weekends. I heard about that! 3 dollars to park downtown in the garage right below where I work. Incredible. I'm getting a car soon and will definitely take advantage of that!
October 23, 200717 yr Author Newport/NOTL --No art galleries at least to my knowledge. Pendleton Art Gallery has a small gallery down there.
October 23, 200717 yr ^that's more of a store than it is a gallery...doesn't count to me. Z Galleries, for example, also sells some art type stuff but they are primarily a furniture/home decor store...not a gallery.
October 23, 200717 yr You haven't been in Pendleton Arts Center then. We have a sister Pendleton in Ashland and it is very much an art gallery and studio. Ours contain ~30 artists who work whenever, and is open only on the first Friday and Saturday of a month.
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