Wow. 

3 hours ago, jmecklenborg said:

I like the Salvation Army building as an unlikely disrupter of an otherwise large street wall.  At some point almost all of these halfway-nondescript med-century buildings are going to be gone across the United States. 

 

Also, remember that skyscrapers of basically the same style are being built in 200+ cities around the world.  U.S. cities are unusual not just for typically having old skyscrapers, but also having ones built between 1960 and 1990.  In addition, we have small and oddball mid-sized buildings in our cities built between those years that no city in Europe or Asia or the Middle East will ever have. 

 

So stuff like the Salvation Army building is actually important to keep if we want the story of the city's evolution to remain. 

 

I agree with you about the importance of preserving mid-century architecture, however a lot of the buildings from this time period utilized terrible site plans that make them problematic in urban areas. In the case of the Salvation Army building, there is a moat of parking separating the building from 12th Street. Brutalism and non-residential mid century modern architecture often created sites that either ignore, or are actively hostile to their surroundings, which is part of what makes them difficult for preservationists. See the Terrace Plaza as exhibit A in this discussion...

I think the EPA is probably the most problematic preservation question, because its bizarre grass moat is as much part of the building as is the building. 

 

It speaks to what is expected of a workplace these days that the Terrace's windowless section isn't even considered Class C office space -- it's basically unrentable to anyone in 2019. 

Not putting the casino in the Terrace Plaza was a huge missed opportunity.

They began taking soil samples on Saturday for the project at 1118 Sycamore. 

1 hour ago, Largue said:

They began taking soil samples on Saturday for the project at 1118 Sycamore. 

So glad this is moving forward. This will make a huge difference in that area and really bring OTR and Pendleton together. 

So is this project taking up the entire surface lot between Sycamore and Bunker Alley?  Or just half the lot?  Either way it's great to see these lots starting to get filled in.  Hopefully this project is so successful it leads to the others in the area getting developed.  

The project is up for a vote today in  the budget and finance committee at 1pm. The project is just the entire Central Parking lot from the alley to 12th, it does not include the Arnold S Levine owned lots where the Pedal Wagon garage is located. 

 

See page 197: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/council/meeting-agendas-minutes/budget-finance-committee1/

I believe this project will be roughly the size of the red square on this map. The other parking lots in that area, including the one between this project and Lucious Q, are owned by the Levine family.

Well that sucks.  Does this Levine family not have any interest in developing or selling their parking lots?  They're a complete eyesore to the neighborhood.  

7 minutes ago, cincydave8 said:

The project is up for a vote today in  the budget and finance committee at 1pm. The project is just the entire Central Parking lot from the alley to 12th, it does not include the Arnold S Levine owned lots where the Pedal Wagon garage is located. 

 

See page 197: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/council/meeting-agendas-minutes/budget-finance-committee1/

 

Interesting, this project will be paying into VTICA for 30 years. (It is exempt for the first two years but goes up in year 3 to at 7.5% of the abatement value, jumps in year 5 to 15%, year 7 to 20%, years 16 through 30 back down to 15%, making for an average rate of 15% throughout the project's 30-year abatement.) 

1 minute ago, Cincy513 said:

Well that sucks.  Does this Levine family not have any interest in developing or selling their parking lots?  They're a complete eyesore to the neighborhood.  

 

They are probably like the Josephs with their downtown lots. Parking revenue is a stream of money that just keeps coming in without you having to do anything. Both are probably also hoping someone comes along and makes them a huge offer.

12 minutes ago, taestell said:

I believe this project will be roughly the size of the red square on this map. The other parking lots in that area, including the one between this project and Lucious Q, are owned by the Levine family.

You are correct, anything that is darker on the screen was either re-paved or sealcoated by the Levine family. The lot that is lighter gray was the lot that was sold for the new development. 

2 hours ago, Cincy513 said:

So is this project taking up the entire surface lot between Sycamore and Bunker Alley?  Or just half the lot? 

 

Arnold Levine died last January...his son is the only remaining family member with the law practice. They have a low office in Pendelton so sort of makes sense why they have the lots.

 

I'm sure if this project is a success, they will probably get a high ball offer in the future for the remaining Pendelton lot.

I missed the Pendleton Neighborhood council meeting last night, but I heard this udpate.  Matthew Andrews from the city came and presented about a 7 lane option for the liberty street road diet.  Essentially keeping the road as is but with pedestrian bump outs.  Pendleton voted in favor of this.  I don't know if this is going in front of OTRCC again or if this is just making up for Pendleton not being included in the presentations for the road diet in the first place.  Seems like with FCC coming in though, the road diet is never going to happen.

20 minutes ago, JoeHarmon said:

I missed the Pendleton Neighborhood council meeting last night, but I heard this udpate.  Matthew Andrews from the city came and presented about a 7 lane option for the liberty street road diet.  Essentially keeping the road as is but with pedestrian bump outs.  Pendleton voted in favor of this.  I don't know if this is going in front of OTRCC again or if this is just making up for Pendleton not being included in the presentations for the road diet in the first place.  Seems like with FCC coming in though, the road diet is never going to happen.

 

Update on your update...Council members announced on twitter they have pushed forward a resolution to continue with the 5 lane option and have 6 votes needed to proceed with this plan without further Public input sessions. The 6 votes also allow it be veto proof for mayor cranely. This is scheduled for Wednesday.

Edited March 12, 20196 yr by troeros

On 1/28/2019 at 9:00 AM, Largue said:

They began taking soil samples on Saturday for the project at 1118 Sycamore. 

 

I saw another one of these machines in that parking lot yesterday. Must be taking more soil samples.

11 minutes ago, taestell said:

 

I saw another one of these machines in that parking lot yesterday. Must be taking more soil samples.

 

What exactly is the purpose of soil samples? 

I know that site used to have an old brewery building on it.  Anyone know if there are tunnels under that parking lot?

25 minutes ago, troeros said:

 

What exactly is the purpose of soil samples? 

 

To get financing there has to be environmental work done to see if there is soil contamination in case the property falls into receivership. 

Also need to calculate footer size and depth, as well as determine other civil/structural requirements.

Edited April 15, 20196 yr by Traveler Joe

Glad to see they're going ahead and getting a move on this project instead of sitting on it for another year or so. 

1 hour ago, JoeHarmon said:

I know that site used to have an old brewery building on it.  Anyone know if there are tunnels under that parking lot?

Short answer, probably.

 

There is very little documentation about the demolition, but going on past experience at other historic brewery sites there is probably at least the lower lagering cellar still extent.

This is the building that used to be there. 

52 minutes ago, jjakucyk said:

This is the building that used to be there. 

 

Nice find!

1 hour ago, savadams13 said:

 

Nice find!

Public Library has an excellent collection of brewing heritage items in their digital library: https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org/digital/collection/p16998coll64

 

The Brewery District CURC has been working to get people's items scanned for posterity through the Library.

20 hours ago, troeros said:

What exactly is the purpose of soil samples?

 

20 hours ago, wjh2 said:

To get financing there has to be environmental work done to see if there is soil contamination in case the property falls into receivership. 

 

19 hours ago, Traveler Joe said:

Also need to calculate footer size and depth, as well as determine other civil/structural requirements.

The main purpose of soil samples is basically what @Traveler Joe has said. They are using giant augers that that take a sample of the cross-section of earth at specific locations around the site. Engineers use this information to determine the bearing capacity of soil. Is it loose fill? Is there an abundance of unsuitable, organic material? How far down is bedrock? This information dictates the structural foundation type to be used: piles, footers, raft foundation, etc. 

Snapped some photos the other night of the new BrewDog going in at Reading and Lockport. The architects are DKB out of Columbus. The space definitely has potential to be really nice. 

 

 

lol. I never knew Lockport was a street in Cincinnati. Thanks for the info!

Does anyone know when Brewdog is supposed to open?

27 minutes ago, JoeHarmon said:

Does anyone know when Brewdog is supposed to open?

A few months ago, there was an article saying it was planned to open summer 2019. 

20 hours ago, ryanlammi said:

lol. I never knew Lockport was a street in Cincinnati. Thanks for the info!

Same. Might win the prize for shortest street in Cincinnati. Can’t be much more than 40’! 

The city gave up on Lockport after rebuilding Reading, so now it's just an extra short block of Eggleston.  https://goo.gl/maps/rXYbfBTV4WCWXbko8 

What!? We need to get that fixed. I'm also still waiting on a replacement sign for Alta Crest Lane.

On 4/26/2019 at 10:23 AM, JoeHarmon said:

Does anyone know when Brewdog is supposed to open?

 

August

 

 

I looked in the window yesterday and zero work had been performed.  

20 hours ago, jmecklenborg said:

I looked in the window yesterday and zero work had been performed.  

They have done some interior demolition. Hauled off a whole dumpster full last week. But yes, nothing going on yet in the way of new construction. 

It's a big empty space that already has some bathrooms and back-of-house stuff in place, there's probably not much construction left to do besides moving in the equipment.

For anyone who lives in Pendleton, here is a link to a survey concerning the Liberty Street Road Diet.   I personally answered every question with, "six lane option is worth less that nothing, no one wants that, you're better off doing nothing"

 

https://forms.gle/WDysdZX7MSShBoou8

 

Edited June 4, 20196 yr by JoeHarmon

The Brewdog project saw a little work. Front glazing and brick sill was removed, but the interior is still surprisingly devoid of completed work. Their goal of opening before the end of this summer probably won't happen. Looks like it could be a really interesting space though with tons of daylight and a nice mezzanine. We'll see...

Are there any updates on the Sycamore lot  redevelopment?

4 hours ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

Are there any updates on the Sycamore lot  redevelopment?

Not that I know of. The giant parking lot hasn't had any construction activity at all. 

There's a lot of underground work being done on Sycamore right next to the lot this week. Unsure if it's related to a project or not. 

Edited July 24, 20195 yr by cincydave8

I usually check on 1118 Sycamore to see what permits come in. Came across this one, but not really sure if it has anything to do with the new apartments. 

 

https://cagis.hamilton-co.org/opal/apd.aspx?entcode=cinc&ezstdadrtag=1118||SYCAMORE|ST||||CINC|CINC|00750001020201118S|007500010202|007500010202|CINCINNATI&APD=2019P07321

1118 sycamore submitted a plan review, hopefully this means it is moving along. 

 

https://cagis.hamilton-co.org/opal/apd.aspx?entcode=cinc&ezstdadrtag=1118||SYCAMORE|ST||||CINC|CINC|00750001020201118S|007500010202|007500010202|CINCINNATI&APD=CIC1903461

 

 

Great to see it! How many units will this have?

On 8/29/2019 at 3:41 PM, seaswan said:

Great to see it! How many units will this have?

150 apartment units and over 7k lease-able retail space

Love how many units we’re getting with this development. Huge addition to OTR/Pendleton.

1118 has filed for permits:

 

https://cagis.hamilton-co.org/opal/apd.aspx?entcode=cinc&ezstdadrtag=1118||SYCAMORE|ST||||CINC|CINC|00750001020201118S|007500010202|007500010202|CINCINNATI&APD=2019P08296