September 30, 201014 yr "Most people will want to go to the real park, the one they're building on the river." I'm not too excited about either a new park on the river or the caps. Parks work best when there is activity on all four sides. The riverfront park is a sort of dead end space - there is no reason to walk across it. Other than a few events such as Riverfest, Paddlefest, Tall Stacks, and things having to do with the water, our riverfront really isn't all that useful as park space. The caps, besides being expensive and cutting off the view from the highway, would be surrounded on four sides by streets. It's better to have direct pedestrian access to buildings.
September 30, 201014 yr Not the "view from the highway" bit again. There's only a view from the trench if you're a passenger looking up through the sunroof. Otherwise, all you see are the walls (which are very nice walls for a highway I'll admit) and the road in front. Take in the view from the Covington cut in the hill then be done with it. As if the highways haven't done enough to destroy downtown, the last thing we need is to try to preserve some view for them. The caps are an example of air rights construction. Something that's very important in expensive downtown locations. Cincinnati may not be to that point yet, but with the streetcar running through that area it might just make it that much more lucrative.
October 1, 201014 yr Well, I got hooked on Cincinnati from looking at the downtown Skyline, particularly the Central Trust building, while riding in a car on the (old) Fort Washington Way on the way to grandma's house as a kid. I would MUCH rather see some 4 story buildings, or even grass, on some of the parking lots surrounding downtown than the FWW caps.
October 1, 201014 yr Enquirer is loving this controversy. This is all from today: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100930/EDIT01/10010371/Council-thumbs-its-nose-at-the-law http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100930/NEWS0108/309300053/Casino-to-pay-for-streetcars http://cincinnati.com/blogs/opinionati/2010/09/30/chicago-style-politics-at-city-hall-leaves-readers-angry/ http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100930/NEWS0108/10010336/0/NEWS010701/Council-casino-votes-reveal-division http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/city-councils-silly-games/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/no-wonder-citys-in-bad-financial-shape/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/use-casino-money-to-pay-overdue-bills/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/citys-foolish-spending/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/sneaky-spending-decisions/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/city-should-spend-on-needs-not-wants/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/sculpture-prediction/ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/09/30/payne/
October 1, 201014 yr ^Ultimately I have to say, "What controversy"? I strongly suspect that this will disappear as an election issue come November 2011. Once again, these are non-binding motions. Berding, Bortz, Ghiz, Monzel, Thomas and Mallory will all be term-limited out by 2013 anyway. The funny thing about the letters to the editor are 1) How many people in the suburbs purport to care about what the City spends its money on, and 2) The few people who care to comment know precious little about which local government entity runs what. It's really kind of embarrassing. I'm convinced this story is being pushed by the editorial board as a way to create a controversy. This reminds me of that recent story about a mosque that wasn't actually a mosque being built somewhere where it wasn't actually being built (I can't remember where exactly). Here we have story about politicians who are stupidly allocating money that doesn't exist, ramming it (Chicago-style!) through a means that has no legal effect, while ignoring the will of the voters by expressly declaring their intentions about how they would spend future revenues prior to an election.
October 1, 201014 yr Author The Enquirer's editorial about the meeting doesn't even mention that 50% of the funds are going to the port authority or tht 14% are going to city capital projects, but mentions the streetcar twice (which by the way is 25% for economic development projects including the streetcar) and the 1% going to public art. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100930/EDIT01/10010371/Council-thumbs-its-nose-at-the-law
October 1, 201014 yr I noticed there's been some ongoing utility work on Main Street around 8th and 9th Streets. Have they begun utility relocation work for the streetcar yet, or is this something unrelated?
October 1, 201014 yr ^ I've noticed it too - every night until 4:00a sometimes. It's not relocated to the streetcar. I asked Michael Moore about it, and he said the streetcar will be running down the east side of Main, whereas the work that is now underway is on the west side of the street. They have been movng the alignment around a lttle from what is shown on the maps in order to reduce crossovers. The first utility relos will occur in the vicinity of Music Hall and move north from there.
October 1, 201014 yr Formal flower/sculpture gardens would be fine by me Me too. We don't have anything like that, and formal gardens would really spruce up the area. Huge permanent sculptures would be interesting as well. Portland (and I really hate to keep talking about that city) added a Chinese garden to its downtown several years ago. It's about the size of one of those caps. I don't know if it is technically a park, since it charges admission, but it's interesting example of what you can do with a relatively small space. To be totally honest, I don't care what they use the caps for. Even above ground garages would be preferable to seeing and hearing Fort Washington Way every time I walk by there.
October 1, 201014 yr I love the idea of caps. I walk across 2nd and 3rd street twice a day and it feels like you are walking over a gigantic highway. However, I'm not keen on the idea of more parks (I like parks, but there is a huge park right next door) or sculptures/fountains/etc..I think those are a waste. If you are going to cap it, put something useful there.
October 1, 201014 yr Author Check Appendix C to the Enviromental Document for routing and stops. Some of them may have changed since it was published however.
October 1, 201014 yr It seems like they should run the Streetcar on the west lane of Main & Race and the east lane of Walnut & Elm.
October 1, 201014 yr Author "Lydia Jacobs-Horton, director of Procter & Gamble Co.’s Global Facilities and Real Estate Organization, said downtown improvements, including a streetcar system, casino and upgraded parks on the Cincinnati Riverfront and Over-the-Rhine, will have a direct bearing on P&G’s ability to attract talent." Read more: Cincinnati tourism ambassadors program to get new life - Business Courier of Cincinnati http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2010/10/dan_blog.html
October 1, 201014 yr It seems like they should run the Streetcar on the west lane of Main & Race and the east lane of Walnut & Elm. That's what it looks like in the 2007 document (pages 5-6): http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/projects/streetcar/docs/appendices_map.pdf It also would make sense to have the drop off outside of Music Hall at the new "music hall plaza" that is part of Washington Park (circa page 19) http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/WP%20-%20Council%20Finance%20-%20June%2028%202010.pdf
October 2, 201014 yr Question: Why are there bus stops at almost every block down at the Banks, when a streetcar is already going to stop at the alternate blocks? This seems entirely unnecessary.
October 2, 201014 yr Question: Why are there bus stops at almost every block down at the Banks, when a streetcar is already going to stop at the alternate blocks? This seems entirely unnecessary. They may only be temporary as bus stops are known to be.
October 4, 201014 yr Enquirer Opionati headline: Over-the-Rhine ranks among US’s top 25 most dangerous neighborhoods "Last year, Over-the-Rhine received the top spot, but according to the website, the section that ranked on top of the list last year — from Central Parkway to Central Avenue, and down McMicken Avenue to Vine Street — is not the same slice of the neighborhood which received the 24th spot this year. Like last year, Vine Street is included in the named area. The street was recently chosen as the streetcar route between downtown and Clifton....." http://cincinnati.com/blogs/opinionati/2010/10/04/over-the-rhine-ranks-among-uss-top-25-most-dangerous-neighborhoods/ They just don't give up do they?
October 5, 201014 yr More proof why the Enquirer is a rag. After the Reds clinched the division I was outside the ballpark and paid $1 for a cover that some Enquirer folks were selling that said "Reds Reign." I joked with the lady I bought it from saying: "This is the first time I've bought the Enquirer and not used it to wipe my ass." She laughed and said: "We hear that kind of stuff a lot."
October 5, 201014 yr Public may get a say on casino money http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101005/NEWS0108/310050059/Public-may-get-say-on-casino-money
October 5, 201014 yr There's a reason why we have a representative republic. Because there are no successful direct democracies. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 5, 201014 yr FWIW, Marty Brennaman said this morning on his regular segment with Tracy Jones on WLW that he is a BIG fan of the streetcar and loves the idea. :-)
October 5, 201014 yr There's a reason why we have a representative republic. Because there are no successful direct democracies. The streetcar project has been scrutinized far more than any other project in Cincinnati that I can remember. Obviously the enquirer has lost all objectivity on that matter. At this point, construction just needs to start. Nothing is going to change people's minds except success of the project. They need to see it. Unfortunately people aren't coming together to support the project. It's now become a bitter partisan issue due to, in part, the enquirer. They've gone against this project strictly for ratings and revenue
October 5, 201014 yr That article talked about a 'public hearing', not a referendum; Thomas & Young don't want to be seen funding the Port Authority, not the Streetcar. Where are the moderators when you need them?
October 6, 201014 yr FWIW, Marty Brennaman said this morning on his regular segment with Tracy Jones on WLW that he is a BIG fan of the streetcar and loves the idea. :-) You may want to re-listen unless I'm completely missing the sarcasm...
October 6, 201014 yr Looks like COAST gave marching orders to its half-dozen soldiers to keep commenting on the Enquirer's articles that downtown Cincinnati doesn't have a McDonald's. The city has 52 neighborhoods and probably 15 McDonald's restaurants. So by their reasoning Hyde Park, Clifton, Northside, College Hill, Avondale, Mt. Adams, etc. are all "failing".
October 6, 201014 yr Author Looks like COAST gave marching orders to its half-dozen soldiers to keep commenting on the Enquirer's articles that downtown Cincinnati doesn't have a McDonald's. The city has 52 neighborhoods and probably 15 McDonald's restaurants. So by their reasoning Hyde Park, Clifton, Northside, College Hill, Avondale, Mt. Adams, etc. are all "failing". I'm not aware of any other Chick-fil-a's in the city.
October 6, 201014 yr This whole funding issue is bs. Does it matter if the streetcar operation is funded through the casino money or as just another item in the city budget? Does the opposition think that if they get the counsel vote to fund it with casino money that it won't get voted through a different part of the city budget?
October 6, 201014 yr Looks like COAST gave marching orders to its half-dozen soldiers to keep commenting on the Enquirer's articles that downtown Cincinnati doesn't have a McDonald's. The city has 52 neighborhoods and probably 15 McDonald's restaurants. So by their reasoning Hyde Park, Clifton, Northside, College Hill, Avondale, Mt. Adams, etc. are all "failing". There is a McDonalds in downtown Youngstown, that economy must be kicking ass.
October 6, 201014 yr Looks like COAST gave marching orders to its half-dozen soldiers to keep commenting on the Enquirer's articles that downtown Cincinnati doesn't have a McDonald's. The city has 52 neighborhoods and probably 15 McDonald's restaurants. So by their reasoning Hyde Park, Clifton, Northside, College Hill, Avondale, Mt. Adams, etc. are all "failing". There is a McDonalds in downtown Youngstown, that economy must be kicking ass. Wait- I must have missed the beginning of this conversation- I feel like McDonalds is a horrible thing to have anywhere... not a good sign of anything. just a personal opinion though... :)
October 6, 201014 yr Enquirer is suing Mallory and city Council over the spending talks http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101006/NEWS0108/10070307/Enquirer-sues-mayor-council-over-secret-spending-talks ""Council acted in a deliberate and despicable fashioned geared to freeze the public out of the deliberations over the allocation of public funds," Enquirer attorney Jack Greiner wrote in the suit...... The suit asks that the action be invalidated because council's vote on how to divvy up the anticipated money was done without public input and the details were plotted during illegal meetings. It also seeks to permanently prevent the mayor and council from violating Ohio's Open Meeting laws again. The suit seeks to have the city pay $500 for the violation, to pay court costs and The Enquirer's legal fees in the case." Wow. Naturally the closed the comment section. I'm going to send in a letter that probably won't be published because I will criticize them
October 6, 201014 yr They definitley are misleading the public. A public hearing was held regarding funding the Port Authority stuff. They insinuate that there wasn't one.
October 6, 201014 yr Is there really no other news in this city to report on that the paper has to get their own attorney to create news even without all the facts. I mean, the ONLY person they interviewed in that story is their own attorney. How about someone from council, an attorney that specializes in these matters or someone who actually knows what they're talking about? Whatever happened to objectivity.
October 6, 201014 yr So let's get this straight...they allowed comments when the St. X kid fell off the balcony but not for one of their own lawsuits.
October 6, 201014 yr ^Why don't one of you Cincy guys call the paper. I would be very interested in hearing what they have to say.
October 6, 201014 yr I think whoever pulls the Enquirer's strings is trying to embarrass Mallory. That's what all of this is about.
October 6, 201014 yr The suit asks that the action be invalidated because council's vote on how to divvy up the anticipated money was done without public input and the details were plotted during illegal meetings. It also seeks to permanently prevent the mayor and council from violating Ohio's Open Meeting laws again. The suit seeks to have the city pay $500 for the violation, to pay court costs and The Enquirer's legal fees in the case." I don't see how the part in bold is actionable. I suspect The Enquirer just threw it in there to keep harping playing the idea that they are fighting for the people.
October 7, 201014 yr Don't know if you guys saw it this morning, but the NAACP and COAST are planning a ballot initiative now on how the casino funds will be spent http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101006/NEWS01/10070331/NAACP-plans-ballot-initiative-on-casino-money
October 7, 201014 yr I have a feeling that the Enquirer has heavy ties to the good ole boy network of downtown executives who fight progress and change at every chance they get. I think these guys fear that they are loosing their control over the city, and are trying to find any way they can to maintain the status quo.
October 7, 201014 yr There is a McDonalds in downtown Youngstown, that economy must be kicking ass. No there isn't. Yet the Youngstown-Warren area has added or announced 8,000 new or reinstated manufacturing jobs so far this year. No ragging on other cities, OK? Especially ones ranked #1 in the nation in manufacturing job growth in the second quarter of 2010.... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,8297.msg513857.html#msg513857 So let's get this straight...they allowed comments when the St. X kid fell off the balcony but not for one of their own lawsuits. Let me get this straight: The Enquirer sued the city claiming it didn't allow public comment yet, won't allow public comment to its article about the lawsuit. Now THAT is the definition of hypocrisy. Your revenge: stop clicking on cincinnati.com and stop buying the fishwrap. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 8, 201014 yr Don't know if you guys saw it this morning, but the NAACP and COAST are planning a ballot initiative now on how the casino funds will be spent http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101006/NEWS01/10070331/NAACP-plans-ballot-initiative-on-casino-money You mean Chris Smitherman and COAST.
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