The one thing that bugs me about the brewery district is the hookers on mcmicken at Elm and Race. I saw about 8 of them the other night just in a 2 block stretch.

I'm afraid to say a lot of progress will be based upon the streetcar/light rail and The Banks.  We will see.

 

I'm not sure what is meant by this...I'm guessing you're saying that you're skeptical about the positive impact(s) that The Banks and the Cincinnati Streetcar will have on the area.  The Banks will obviously have just about nothing to do with anything up there.  I don't even see the logic is discussing that it would have an impact of any sort (positive or negative).

 

The Cincinnati Streetcar however will have a major impact.  I'm not sure if you have met and/or spoken with any of the property owners up there, but I would venture to say that they would echo this statement.  I know of a couple individuals who are sitting on property, in the Brewery District, waiting to invest in the properties...but are awaiting the streetcar line.  For those unfamiliar with the district it can be somewhat difficult to locate and/or navigate.  In addition to this, the Brewery District could very well evolve into a destination district of sorts...and it would make complete sense to make it easy to go between places like The Banks, Fountain Square District, Backstage District, Main Street Entertainment District, Gateway Quarter, Music Hall, and then the Brewery District.  It puts it on the hard line map of places to go and see when in Cincinnati.

What's the "Backstage District"? I've never heard that name before.

The area around the Aronoff and Nicholson's.

^

What exactly are you looking for, mapwise?

 

I haven't had a chance to get everything up on the website yet.

I was basically looking for something like this: http://www.otrbrewerydistrict.org/history_map.php

 

I hope the brewery district reaches its potential sooner rather than later.

I'm afraid to say a lot of progress will be based upon the streetcar/light rail and The Banks.  We will see.

 

I'm not sure what is meant by this...I'm guessing you're saying that you're skeptical about the positive impact(s) that The Banks and the Cincinnati Streetcar will have on the area.  The Banks will obviously have just about nothing to do with anything up there.  I don't even see the logic is discussing that it would have an impact of any sort (positive or negative).

 

The Cincinnati Streetcar however will have a major impact.  I'm not sure if you have met and/or spoken with any of the property owners up there, but I would venture to say that they would echo this statement.  I know of a couple individuals who are sitting on property, in the Brewery District, waiting to invest in the properties...but are awaiting the streetcar line.  For those unfamiliar with the district it can be somewhat difficult to locate and/or navigate.  In addition to this, the Brewery District could very well evolve into a destination district of sorts...and it would make complete sense to make it easy to go between places like The Banks, Fountain Square District, Backstage District, Main Street Entertainment District, Gateway Quarter, Music Hall, and then the Brewery District.  It puts it on the hard line map of places to go and see when in Cincinnati.

 

I guess I am trying to say that everything effects everything in some way or another.  Of course the streetcar would have a significant impact on the whole entire area; The Banks, CBD, OTR and so on.  I'm not sure how the impact of either (street cars or The Banks) will have on the Brewery District.  It is obvious that the streetcar will have a good impact on the neighborhood, but if the streetcar doesn't happen soon, or at all, what then? 

 

Now with The Banks.  We have heard about The Banks for 10 years now and there has always been some kind of discussion since Riverfront was built to do something there.  I believe the Banks will have a good impact on the Brewery District as well, but ONLY and ONLY if the street line connects the two. 

 

I am only playing the Devil's Advocate here.  I want the best for Cincinnati and the whole region.  With Cincinnati's past and history of getting large projects done, it's nerve wrecking and I guess when I mentioned how the streetcars and The Banks will effect the Brewery District in OTR, everything is TIED in to one another.  If one is affected, they all are affect in some way or another.  That is all, this is how I see things working.  The stars must be aligned to have everything to be perfect.  I am a "newer" poster, but some of you on here know who I am, and know about the knowledge I have in Planning.  I have worked for planning departments in government and I know how things work.  It is all very political and long. 

 

--off soapbox 

It is obvious that the streetcar will have a good impact on the neighborhood, but if the streetcar doesn't happen soon, or at all, what then?

 

I have been asking the exact same question.  We all want to see the Brewery Dist turn around however sometimes we start believing in our own rhetoric.  We need to start seeing real plans for the Brewery Dist vs just a lot of feel good talk.  Dunlap Flats, wonderful development, but it is an island.  KD Lamp, hows that coming?  Clyfside, we have been hearing about it for years and nothing.  Metal Blast, nothing.  And what else?  All I hear is it is such a great area and great buildings.  Great buildings for what?  I still have yet to hear real solutions for many of the buildings there. 

 

I am saying this to be critical yes, but not defeatist about the area.  Hopefully the Dist. will step up and put together a real plan, not just a marketing one.  To say we want investors to come into the area is not enough, some of the heavy lifting has to be done for them first.  And LostinCincinnati said it, if you hang your hat on the streetcar to bring your development then what is the contingency plan if something happens with that? 

 

The Brewery Dist does have one valuable resource, and it is not the buildings, it is the committed group who push the Brewery Dist.  That group just needs to put together a building by building plan and taking into consideration realities on the ground vs blind enthusiasm.  When that happens I think then you will see progress in the Brewery Dist, streetcar or not.

 

Oddly enough, the more flack I get about my above assesment will demonstrate the willingness or unwillingness to bring about real results to the Dist.  I hope that this year the Dist can make some real strides but I think it will take a different approach to achieve it.  Getting the name Brewery Dist with an accompanying map in the newspaper is not going to be enough anymore.

 

Here was the very first post on this thread, what has changed since then?

I found this website on another blog - http://otrbrewerydistrict.com/

The videos are interesting. Someone has big ideas. Anyone know how realistic this is?

The Brewery District sounds like a great idea but does it have funding? or a community of wealthy people behind it to get it going?  It seems like a lot of good talk which of course is a good start but it seems to me that OTR and it's next door neighbor the West End have a lot of good ideas but the money seems pretty limited.  I know that I've got hope for the area but the way that development is staggered it'll take about a decade to get the vibrancy back.  I support the Brewery District however idea though especially some of the renderings that I've seen from Niehoff look amazing.

Has anyone heard dollars and cents when it comes to this project?

^just think of those old breweries turned into brewpubs like http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com in Cleveland, it could be a real destination

just think of those old breweries turned into brewpubs

Just thinking does not a brewpub make.  But I agree, it would be wonderful.

ah yes, great point.

Build it and they will come.

Here was the very first post on this thread, what has changed since then?

 

That was October of 2005, so let's say 2 1/2 years.  I'll preface everything by saying this in entirely a volunteer organization.  The Brewery District started as a group of developers, residents, and business owners sitting around drinking beer trying to figure out how to make this neighborhood a better place.  It is as true of a grassroots organization as you will ever see.

 

1.  The neighborhood is immensely safer.  We still have crime issues, but Brewery District members started the conversation with the Sheriff and were instrumental in bringing him here, even while being threatened by the CPD.  But we are in a lot better place due to the Sheriff and CPD.

2.  People know where the Brewery District is.  Three years ago, no one could have told where or what it is, or it's importance to the city.  In April we'll be erecting an Ohio Historical Marker  and additional signage honoring the neighborhood's  brewing history.

3.  We have brought thousands of people to Over-the-Rhine to show them the history and culture that exists here.  They were shown that they could come to Over-the-Rhine and not get robbed or car jacked.  Many of these people would never have stepped foot in this neighborhood otherwise.  Two "Prohibition Resistance Tours", Bockfest, Steins in the Rhine, and two Christian Moerlein Ale Haus also brought business to Over-the-Rhine businesses.  The weekend of the first Ale Haus was the largest weekend in Findlay Market's history.

4.  We developed and got passed the "Urban Mix zoning district" and had it applied to a portion of the Brewery District.  This allows for a true mixed use neighborhood that will let light industry, other commercial uses, and loft living coexist.  This is the first citizen initiated zoning district that has ever been passed in the city's history, and has been proposed for other city neighborhoods.

 

I'm the first to agree that these have not directly gotten a single building rehabbed, but we had to lay the groundwork first.  The Brewery District, with the exception of Findlay Market, had been ignored by the city even more than the rest of Over-the-Rhine over the past 40 years.  The very fact that people are talking about the Brewery District, and see the potential is what has changed.  That is not insignificant.

 

As the Brewery District CURC matures, we will be starting our first redevelopment project later this year.  There are plans afoot for some of the buildings you mentioned, which alas I can't disclose.  There is a master plan, based on the Comprehensive Plan, and it is being updated.  It is happening.

The very fact that people are talking about the Brewery District, and see the potential is what has changed.  That is not insignificant.

 

I think that the marketing is great, and the historical marker, wonderful.  But if you say you are on track with development projects in the Dist then ok, I stand corrected, I guess.

That's not to say it's going to be overnight, and just like any plan nothing is 100% until it is up and running.  I think the next 6-12 months will see a couple of major projects moving forward, and another is probably 1-2 years out still.

That's not to say it's going to be overnight, and just like any plan nothing is 100% until it is up and running.  I think the next 6-12 months will see a couple of major projects moving forward, and another is probably 1-2 years out still.

Ok, well scratch what I said then, you guys are moving along swimmingly!  That was a bowl of sarcasm with a side of disbelief but I hope you are right.

^

So do I.

I have been asking the exact same question.  We all want to see the Brewery Dist turn around however sometimes we start believing in our own rhetoric.  We need to start seeing real plans for the Brewery Dist vs just a lot of feel good talk.  Dunlap Flats, wonderful development, but it is an island.  KD Lamp, hows that coming?  Clyfside, we have been hearing about it for years and nothing.  Metal Blast, nothing.  And what else?  All I hear is it is such a great area and great buildings.  Great buildings for what?  I still have yet to hear real solutions for many of the buildings there. 

 

The Brewery Dist does have one valuable resource, and it is not the buildings, it is the committed group who push the Brewery Dist.   That group just needs to put together a building by building plan and taking into consideration realities on the ground vs blind enthusiasm.  When that happens I think then you will see progress in the Brewery Dist, streetcar or not.

 

The thing that you must realize is that no one is simply assuming that the streetcar will be a fix all for the District or anything along the route for that matter.  The streetcar won't cure cancer or make peace in the Middle East.  But what it will do is make formerly isolated areas become less isolated/inaccessible...it will bring new investors and activists into the neighborhood.

 

The plans/ideas that we see and hear today do not account for the new investment we will see in the area as a result.  The streetcar will help to make the current plans reality, and it will also help to bring new plans/investment to the forefront.  It does not guarantee that they will happen or guarantee their success...but it makes things much more feasible and attractive for potential investors.

Randy,

 

This has nothing really to do with the streetcar per se, but the area of the Brewery Dist and its development.  My question is, when does the reality match the rhetoric.  Nor would I say that it is just a matter of isolation or inaccessibility, but one of adaptability.  What is an adaptive use plan for some of these buildings?  And is that plan based in reality.  Steve says they have it, so I guess now we wait.

What is an adaptive use plan for some of these buildings?  And is that plan based in reality.

 

The beauty of those buildings is that they are so versatile...they could be used for a WIDE variety of different uses.  Now what ultimately what happens in those buildings will be decided by the free market and what demands are there for that particular location and at that particular time given the issues facing society at that time.

 

In a neighborhood like OTR, I personally think it is a bad idea to try to dictate or maybe even predetermine what will go where and how.  Let the area develop organically with the free market forces at play.  We have seen the opposite take place in OTR before...and we have seen it fail.  It is those organic activities that seem to do best in OTR, and most inner-city neighborhoods for that matter.

the urban mixed zoning might be the most important and the least understood achievment the brewery district and Mr. Raser have made.

I'm throwing this story in this thread, since these are the types of businesses that we are looking for in the Brewery District (and Bryan is a tireless supporter of the Brewery District as well):

 

Cincinnati inventor hopes lightning strikes for his electric vehicle

Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Jon Newberry Staff Reporter

 

Bryan Vielhauer is about to launch a "green" business in Over-the-Rhine, but he's not just talking about the environmentally friendly kind.  Vielhauer's green includes Alexander Hamilton and Andrew Jackson - the color of all the cash he says people will save when they drive a car made by his newly formed OTR Electric Motor Car Co., as well as money that will flow to new employees and the community from a revival of local manufacturing.

 

"When I started this, it wasn't so much about green as saving money," said Vielhauer, who owns Decal Impressions, a sign and graphics display business on Stark Street in Over-the-Rhine. He lives 10 miles away in Deer Park, and as gas prices rose to $3 a gallon, the cost of commuting became more and more of an irritant.  "I wanted an electric vehicle, but the last thing I imagined was building it myself," he said.

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/03/03/story6.html

^Awesome.

That is cool!        OTR Electric Motor Car Co.

I have been doing business with Bryan and Josh at Decal impressions for a few years. They are really great guys and support OTR 110% Stop by an seem them sometime, Bryan loves to show off his electric truck!

The one thing that bugs me about the brewery district is the hookers on mcmicken at Elm and Race. I saw about 8 of them the other night just in a 2 block stretch.

 

I'll take care of that problem ;)

New business coming to the Brewery District in Over-the-Rhine.  I've spoken with Paul and he enthusiastic about the potential here, and is moving his restoration business to OTR as well:

 

http://victorianantiquitiesanddesign.blogspot.com/2008/03/gallery-1885-coming-to-cincinnati-and.html

 

Gallery 1885 Coming to Cincinnati and Over the Rhine

 

Victorian Antiquities and Designs has for many years, provided historic home owners with quality victorian antiques and musical instruments. With the acquisition of several large lithograph collections over the last few years we can now announce that in addition to our Antiques and Historical Design business we will be opening and new business venture within the group known as 'Gallery 1885'.

 

'Gallery 1885' will specialize in the sale of high quality lithographs, gravures and historic memorabilia of the victorian era.

 

This will provide a real option for the victorian homeowner to get artwork that is "Period Correct" for their home. Artwork will be available framed and unframed. Historic memorabilia will include vintage postcards, antique photograph and period publications of the times.

 

" We made a concious decision a few years ago to begin acquiring and collecting this type of material as we felt their was a design gap in terms of period decorating." This will further expand our existing antiques line of Victorian furniture, period wallpapers and fabrics offerings to include art for the wall.

 

We have collected items that will be affordable for the average old house restorer or enthusiast, average price for a genuine 1880's era unframed lithograph or gravure will start between 25-150.00. Framed pieces will start at about 150.00 and go up into the thousands for original oils and watercolors, of the era, and we hope to be able to provide a variety of "price points' even for the serious collector. A large part of the collection includes lithos by german artists of the period so it is a perfect tie in with the German history of Over the Rhine.

 

Our plans are to house the artwork in a seperate but adjacient space to our antiques business and the plans are to create what will look like a period gallery of the era. People will be able to see artwork hanging on the wall in a period setting of period wallpapers and chandeliers. The shop will also sell custon made art sash cords and picture railing hooks as well to create that period look.

'Gallery 1885' one of a kind gallery and completes our goal of being able to provide historic home owners with "everything" for their historic home. We are now offering period art unframed on our e-commerce site: http://victorianantiquities.blujay.com/

More details on the site location will follow but it will be located in Over the Rhine/Brewery District area.

New Redevelopment Project in the Brewery District, as The Clyffside is moving forward.  There will also be the unveiling of the Ohio Historical Marker as well as additional historic street signage along McMicken Avenue.  Full weekend of events posted here http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15202.msg268004.html#msg268004

 

--

 

On Friday April 11 at 3PM, the Brewery District will unveil an Ohio Historical Maker, along with additional signage along McMicken Avenue, which honors Cincinnati’s brewing heritage.  Cincinnati’s brewing industry was one of the largest in the country. At one point during the height of production, over 18 of the 36 breweries in greater Cincinnati were operating in Over-the-Rhine and the West End. Even after Prohibition closed most of the breweries permanently, the Brewery District still contains the majority of Cincinnati’s remaining breweries and brewery complexes. Administered by the Ohio Historical Society, the Historical Markers program enables Ohioans to commemorate and celebrate local history and to learn more about the state.  Designed to be permanent and highly visible, the historic markers are large cast aluminum signs that tell stories about aspects of Ohio’s history. 

 

Immediately after the marker unveiling at 4PM, the Brewery District, Clyffside Development Company, and Comey & Shepard will hold the groundbreaking for “The Clyffside”, which is the newest condo renovation project in Over-the-Rhine’s Brewery District.  The Public is invited to attend the groundbreaking of “The Clyffside” and enjoy refreshments at a reception to showcase unique property. The historic brewery at 244-246 West McMicken Avenue, founded in 1845 as the Hamilton Brewery, was also operated as the William S. Sohn Brewing Company, the Mohawk Brewing Company, the Clyffside Brewing Company, and finally the Red Top Brewing Company.  The brewery buildings date from 1845 and 1887, and are a stellar example of Cincinnati’s grand brewing past. The renovated building will house 19 condo units with unique two-story units.  The renovated brewery will include garage parking, decks with city views, rooftop terraces, luxury finishes, townhome and flat style floor plans, industrial style lofts, elevator access, soaring ceilings, and tax abatements.  More information about “The Clyffside” can be found from Comey & Shepard at www.theclyffside.com.

This is great news for OTR and the Brewery District. The Clyffside building is such a nice buidling, and it will be perfect for condos.

 

By the way, this thread has two pictures of the building (one recent, one from the 1930s)

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15308.0.html

The Clyffside project sounds/looks great...and it's nice to see the price of these units pretty affordable.

Moerlein reviving Cincinnati beer

Queen City used to be the center of the German beer-making legacy in the U.S.

By John Eckberg, Cincinnati Enquirer

 

If Greg Hardman has his way, Cincinnati will again be the beer center of the nation.  “If I have anything to do with it, yes,” crowed Hardman, president and chief executive of the Christian Moerlein Co. and father to a small but growing family of beers.

 

Hardman bought the 1853 Cincinnati beer label four years ago and has been steadily growing sales in the region.  This summer he plans to begin the first phase of a national expansion by rolling out his handful of beer brands to Indianapolis, Columbus and Louisville.  His new Lager House Original Golden Helles, a remake of the classic Moerlein lager, will be offered to the beer-drinking public at the Beer Barons Weekend at the Muhlhauser Barn in West Chester next Saturday, May 17.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/BIZ01/305090016/1076

Not in OTR, but I thought it was relevant to the brewing discussion.

 

 

Microbrewery owner Dan Listermann has eye on Evanston's revival

Second phase of tiny operation includes brew pub

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/06/23/story14.html

 

Same thing with this article...

 

BarrelHouse Brewing Co. hit by turnover, lost accounts

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/06/23/story15.html

Brewery District signage installed

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2008/08/brewery-district-signage-installed.html

 

The Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (BDCURC) is reporting that a new Ohio Historical Marker honoring Cincinnati's brewing heritage has now been installed at 231 W McMicken Avenue, in front of Hanna Park.

 

The signage made its debut on April 11 during a groundbreaking for BDCURC's $3 million The Clyffside condominium project.

 

In the future, BDCURC is planning additional, smaller brewery-inspired signage for various locations throughout the district.

 

At the height of production, a majority of the City's 36 breweries operated in Over-the-Rhine and the West End.

 

The Brewery District area of Over-the-Rhine now contains the majority of the remaining structures of those brewery complexes.

Holy Crap Mcmicken! I drove down Mcmicken around 7 last night, and saw the record ever 15+ Prostitutes! I actually lost count after that there were so many. Were the police doing a sting Operation?? I did see a cop car near Mohawk and a Tow truck at the ready.  Unbelievable!

[irrelevant]Do the undercover hookers actually look like grade-A product, in order to guarantee to lure those perverts?

 

Just wondering. :-P[/irrelevant]

Hah! No b/c then people would know it was a cop sting/setup!

They have been doing reverse stings recently.  I don't know if last night was one, but that's probably a good guess.

 

You can usually tell the difference, as the undercovers look healthy (ie not strung out on drugs).

 

It does take a practiced eye  :angel:

New Ideas on Tap in OTR

Brewery District has sights set on new urbanism

 

The district is something of a ghost these days — buildings that once were home to the city’s breweries, some empty, some gone, just an historic whisper. Those that remain stand among barely intermittent housing and a collective memory.  The Over-the-Rhine Brewery District is generally the area that was developed north of Liberty Street, an industrial megalopolis at the time, a short distance away from the beer gardens and more densely-populated areas of Vine Street and other places that catered to the German immigrants of the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.

 

The area hasn’t been so much neglected as forgotten. In the past few years, the focus by 3CDC and other developers has been on southwest Over the-Rhine, the area around Vine Street at 13th Street and beyond, as well as the area around Music Hall and Washington Park.  The focus is now expanding. Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CURC) is concentrating on that part of the neighborhood north of Liberty, incorporating Findlay Market and extending north to McMicken Avenue and the foothill of Clifton Heights.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-17058-new-ideas-on-tap-in-otr.html

Beer brewing once helped define us

 

Try to imagine what would happen to Cincinnati if the federal government outlawed soap and sent G-men with axes to destroy Procter & Gamble's contraband supply of Tide and Ivory.  Devastating. An industry that has been the part of the city's culture and history would be destroyed. Unemployment, bankruptcy, poverty and decay would follow like the Four Horsemen of the Regulatory Apocalypse.

 

But here's a revelation: That wouldn't even be close to the damage done to Cincinnati on Jan. 29, 1920, when Prohibition took effect and turned off the tap at Cincinnati's thriving breweries.  For decades, Over-the-Rhine was a thriving neighborhood, with a dozen breweries: Germania, Bellevue, Hauk, Schoenling, Clyffside, Jackson, Lafayette.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090201/NEWS01/902010360/1168/NEWS0101

Im planning on attending Bockfest this year, finally!

From the streecar thread:

 

Clyffside- Dwayne Donohoo.  No significant financial backing.  Failed

Metal Blast-Denny Dellinger.  No financial backing at all. Forclosed

Moerlein residence-Karen Dominee.  She rehabbed it and that was all she was planning on doing. Sold or rented, I will ask. office-Investor/architect who lives in Fla. Purchased it because he like the facade.

 

Metal Blast has been foreclosed on? Any more info. I love that building and name.

Denny is building either a Dinosaur Theme Park, a Ferrari Theme Park or possibly a Dinosaur Theme Park owned by the Ferrari Family in Dubai.

I thought it was dinosaurs driving Ferraris?

Dinosaur Theme Park

I saw a movie about something like that once...I don't think it ended well.

Cincinnati's Christian Moerlein plant on market again as lofty plans fizzle

 

California developer and former Cincin­natian Eddie Orton has reined in an ambitious plan to redevelop the old Christian Moerlein bottling plant in Over-the-Rhine.  The 100-year-old, 250,000-square-foot complex is now back on the market less than eight months after Orton Development Inc. acquired it and began cleaning it up.

 

Orton, a Walnut Hills High School graduate who still has family in town, bought the site in October 2008 for $500,000. He later added a smaller in-fill parcel on Race Street for $85,000, according to Hamilton County real estate records. The three-acre site spans the block between Elm and Race streets, a block north of Findlay Market and opposite the newly relocated Rookwood Pottery on Race and West McMicken streets.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/06/08/story11.html

Local news is now reporting a 4-alarm fire this evening at the old Christian Moerlein brewery in Over-the-Rhine. As @hoperatives said on Twitter, this one hurts.

 

This is pure speculation on my part, but I wonder if a homeless person lit a small fire inside the building to stay warm, and it got out of control.

 

Here's a Google Street View of the building.

Christian-Moerlein Building Fire January 8, 2010

I'll update the above link with more photographs tomorrow evening.

 

The historic Christian-Morlein Building on Elm Street caught fire on January 8, 2010. Watch this thread for more details and photographs.

 

 

 

WCPO.com also has a few photos.

 

Update: They've also got some video posted now.

This is heartbreaking... I hope they can at least save the exterior shell of the building, but at this point the entire structure may be a total loss.

Unfortunate, but the facade at least appears firm.