August 15, 200717 yr Is there even room for that sort of thing on the Cincinnati side. I guess if they took up some of the ballfields and/or other park spaces that are in the flood plain.
August 15, 200717 yr Author They also said that David Imboden is going to do the same thing on the Cincy side ... just after the KY side is done first (supposedly it would be easier to market the Cincy side, if the KY side was done first). "They" are probably referring to this project, it will be in no way $600M in scope though. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7029.0
August 15, 200717 yr ^ Yep, that's it TCK. There have been signs and bulldozers there for months...years, even. The sign's pretty easy to miss, though, because it's faded.
August 16, 200717 yr Author They have definitely picked up site work there recently. He was bringing in a ton of fill to raise the site to an acceptable level. Someone told me he was doing it without permits though and got nailed by the City. Not a big deal, he just did not have the proper permits and I am sure the City wanted to make sure that proper fill was going in, especially if he plans to build on it soon.
August 16, 200717 yr I would doubt that the city would make him rip up the fill work that's been done already...but you never know.
August 28, 200717 yr NKU unveils state-of-art planetarium August 27, 2007 | CINCINNATI POST Northern Kentucky University today became the first educational institution in the world to have a laser projection planetarium system. The $1.2 million Digistar 3 Laser Projector was dedicated in ceremonies on the fourth floor of the Science Building on the Highland Heights campus. The projector beams high-resolution images of stars, planets, constellations and galaxies onto a 30-foot diameter domed screen above 61 classroom seats in the Digital Science Center. The laser system also can project anything in a digital format, including complex computer-generated graphics. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070827/NEWS01/708270357
September 2, 200717 yr Author Covington seeking ideas for riverfront Developers will be picked to offer plan to rejuvenate shore BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] Northern Kentucky's largest city is laying the groundwork for a transformation of its Ohio River shoreline. Covington is asking interested developers to submit packets outlining their qualifications for riverfront redevelopment by Oct. 18, and the city hopes to decide by mid-November which developers are qualified. That way, by mid-2008, the small group of chosen developers can offer their visions of how to remake the riverfront - especially the proposed "Riverfront Center" area where the Covington Landing entertainment barges used to be. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070902/NEWS0103/709020402
September 2, 200717 yr there would have to be some serious scaping around that area I work at Madison Place. I miss the old Applebees and Friday's.
September 3, 200717 yr I have to agree! I would love to see them reopen across the river though. Whatever happen to the idea a couple years back of a restaraunt opening on the Purple PB? I know logistically it would be tough, but would definitely stand out as unique to see elongated food joints put on the bridge parallel to the ped side of the bridge facing west with outside dining. Yet, keeping the RR track side open for possible future streetcar! One can dream, right!
September 4, 200717 yr I could go for a casino in Covington. Sure I would prefer the revenues go to Ohio, but I'd rather see it stay in the region...and in particular the center city.
September 6, 200717 yr Arts district begins to take root in Covington BY LUKE E. SALADIN | September 5, 2007 As he worked toward a degree in fine arts from Western Kentucky University, Mike Amann found himself among a group of friends who worked in the studio long after other students had left. When Amann graduated in 2002, he made a pact with his classmates: He would take a traditional job with graphic design firms to make contacts in the design world and raise enough capital so he and his friends could start their own business. A year later, Amann and his buddies - Ben Nunery, Pat Jones and Clay Brunton - opened Powerhouse Factories, a graphic design firm on Pike Street in Covington. It has been thriving ever since. A year after Powerhouse opened, Covington officials announced that they were studying the idea of turning the area into an arts district, where artists, art enthusiasts and groups could mingle and, in the process, help revitalize the city. The district was to be centered around the intersection of Pike Street and Madison Avenue. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/NEWS01/709050357
September 11, 200717 yr City balks at zone change Townhomes planned at Kentucky/Mayo BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] Newport City commissioners cited traffic concerns and the stagnant housing market as reasons for not approving a zone change to allow 12 townhome units and two single-family homes on Kentucky Drive and Mayo Court. The commission instead approved more limitations and requirements on the proposed zone change, including reducing the number of townhomes to 10, and sent the proposal back to Newport's planning and zoning board for further review. The commission also asked for more detailed plans. Property owner James Arnold has proposed building the homes on 2.6 acres he owns. Several commissioners said they like the idea of more owner-occupied homes on a street with vacant property but expressed uncertainty about the project. The project would have consisted of two townhome buildings containing six units each on Kentucky Drive, said architect Steven T. Kenat. Two single-family homes would be built on Mayo Court. Prices would be about $200,000. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070911/NEWS0103/709110340
September 12, 200717 yr NKU expansion would be costly BY CLIFF PEALE | September 12, 2007 Expanding Northern Kentucky University to meet ambitious new goals for students and graduates will be expensive. NKU needs a renovated Old Science building, a new Health Innovation building and a new College of Business building, NKU President James Votruba told NKU Regents Wednesday. The university hopes that the state includes funds for those items in next year’s capital budget. The new buildings are only part of the daunting task NKU faces in more than doubling its revenue to fund a $536 million budget by 2020, compared to about $205 million this year. It also needs money to recruit faculty and establish programs that will draw students in a more competitive market. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070912/NEWS01/70912028
September 14, 200717 yr Author Building adds life to Newport Apartments, retail space to fill long-empty site BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | [email protected] PHOTO: http://cmsimg.nky.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20070914&Category=BIZ01&ArtNo=709140340&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=600&title=1 NEWPORT - By the end of October, a downtown Newport corner is expected to be fully transformed as Middle Earth Developers Inc. wraps up work on an $11 million loft apartments and retail development. Marx Cromer Warehouse Lofts is named after a furniture supply company once housed in the building. The project features 41 one-bedroom loft units that range in size from 480 square feet to more than 1,200 square feet. Monthly rent starts at $560 and goes as high as $1,900. The lofts feature exposed brick, wood timbers, and polished concrete and wood floors. The project is Middle Earth's first step into the Northern Kentucky market. The Camp Washington-based firm has made a name for itself by specializing in historic renovations, such as Kinsey Flats on West Fourth Street in downtown Cincinnati. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070914/BIZ01/709140340
September 27, 200717 yr N.Ky. center could expand Big question: How to pay for it BY PATRICK CROWLEY | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER September 26, 2007 COVINGTON - Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration is recommending that the General Assembly fund a $51 million expansion that would double the size of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The project is included in the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet's six-year funding plan that will be submitted to the governor's office and the Legislature for consideration in the 2008 legislative session that begins in January.
October 4, 200717 yr Covington reinvents riverfront BY ZACHARY PETIT | DOWNTOWNER October 2, 2007 COVINGTON - Ahh, the Kentucky riverfront. A dramatic sunset reflects in the water peacefully sloshing against the banks, a picturesque Cincinnati skyline rises in silhouettes above the horizon and a gentle breeze plays along the remnants of the day. But, Zen as it may be, it's hard to deny something that becomes rapidly apparent on an average visit to the site: Aside from some driftwood, there's virtually nothing here. The actual riverfront sits empty, and that's precisely what Covington officials are in the midst of trying to tackle. Like an ancient monument rising curiously out of the folds of recent history, an awkwardly bent sign looming nearby serves as a memorial to what once was. "Welcome to Covington Landing," it reads, referring to the former collection of entertainment barges that sat upon the Ohio River until floating debris smashed into them one too many times, eventually putting the mini restaurant district to rest and leaving the site more or less vacant in 2006. With many saying Covington is on the rise if a bustling MainStrasse bar scene, the curvaceous Ascent condominiums and a handful of new restaurants are any indications officials are trying to ensure that the former landing offers more than just a decent spot to make a U-turn. Taking the first leaps toward a new riverfront, the City of Covington opened the floor Aug. 24 to begin accepting some RFQs, request for qualifications, packets that basically outline a company's credentials for the job of planning the redevelopment of two new fronts along Covington's banks. "The riverfront has been talked about for a long time," says Gail Melvin, Covington economic development and community relations director. "It's at the point now where we decided that it's time to honor the citizens' trust and go ahead and develop it." Overall, Melvin says the city is seeking a schematic design and cost estimates so that they can begin raising money for the waterfront efforts. Once submissions are received by the Oct. 18 deadline, an internal committee appointed by the city manager is slated to review them and pick the top five companies based upon factors such as their record with similar projects and whether they meet the criteria listed in the RFQ. Interviews and selections of qualifying candidates are slated for November. In fewer words than the multi-page document, the city basically seeks a firm capable of creating an innovative method of addressing debris issues and controlling ongoing erosion and potential loss of infrastructure in the waterfront area, while laying the framework for development. The overall goal of the plan is to develop the "Riverfront East" from the Licking River to the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge and the "Riverfront Center at Covington Landing" from the Suspension Bridge past Madison Avenue. So what will the finished products look like? Melvin says she can't speculate about it, noting that while the city has many concepts, they want some actual professional designs that can be used to solicit funding. Throughout the process, she expects officials to inspect federal, state and local dollars. All told, Melvin is unsure how many different companies will submit their qualifications for the job, but says there has been a lot of interest in the effort thus far. While she can't guess when ground will actually be broken, Melvin says officials are hoping to proceed to the next step of the process with RFPs requests for proposals, where the real design plans will be pitched in January 2008. Even without definite plans, Melvin has ruled one option out. "We don't want anything on a barge, I will tell you that," she says, noting that the city literally had to pay to keep the former Covington Landing development afloat by pumping out water after river debris punctured the structure. Covington Mayor Irvin "Butch" Callery says public meetings in the last year have investigated what people want brought to the area, and he personally would like to see mixed uses of recreational aspects, green space and residential projects. In the hopes of gaining Covington revenue from a development, Callery says he also likes the idea of building a boardwalk-style project with restaurants and a diverter to ward off floating debris. And then there's also what he calls the "g-word" gambling. While the trade is illegal in Kentucky, the issue is currently under discussion by state politicians and candidates, and Callery says he wouldn't mind looking at the issue. He adds that the riverfront could be a prime spot for a casino, with infrastructure such as hotels already in place. As for the landing that has sat empty since the barges were towed away, Callery thinks it has affected the city to an extent, but not as negatively as some might believe. "We're still getting flocks of people coming in," he says. Overall, Callery is optimistic that the effort will see the light of day, and will do so at a reasonable pace "before the Banks," he notes, referring to Cincinnati's long-stalled riverfront development. Sharon Streck, owner of Greenup Street restaurant Coco's considers the former barges pass and outdated, and would like to see bars, restaurants and retail establishments on the riverfront, basically, a good mix of developments that would bring people to the area. "Any kind of business that brings in more business is very beneficial to all businesses," she says. With access to highway ramps, hotels and an excellent view, South Beach Grill at the Waterfront General Manager Charlie Bledsoe says the riverfront near his Pete Rose Pier restaurant is absolutely underutilized. Ideally, Bledsoe says he'd like to see a park, in addition to restaurants and stores that would boom the whole area. Like Streck, Bledsoe is optimistic that the riverfront dreams will eventually come to life. "I can really see this area blowing up," he says. "I think it's going to be awesome. "I think it's going to take over everything."
October 5, 200717 yr Author Wait a minute, I thought all of Northern Kentucky always got everything done on the fast track as opposed to Cincinnati. No red tape, no hassles, etc. what gives? LOL :wink:
October 5, 200717 yr If they had just handed the land to Corporex like they have the rest of the city it would have been developed by now.
October 5, 200717 yr I'm glad to hear that Covington is finally planning to do something with their riverfront. There's a lot of unrealized potential there. Of course, even if this does come to pass, they'll still have that massive, ugly, single-story, IRS building eating up a large chunk of the area near the river, not to mention the "fast food district" & hideous Radisson Hotel near I-75, but at least this is a start. Say what you will about Corporex and what they've done in NE Covington, but compared to the rest of Covington's near-river development... :-D Speaking of development, is there really enough demand for all of this? I mean, near the river we have existing/planned/under construction: Newport on the Levee, The Banks, Ovation, Manhattan Harbor, several independent condo projects, apparently these 2 developments in Covington, and all the stuff on Fountain Square which isn't far away, plus anything I forgot to mention. I love the idea of urban revitalization, and I honestly hope that all of these projects can co-exist, succeed, and attract people to the riverfront (either from outside of the region or from within), but I can't help but wonder if there's a saturation point here somewhere that we're approaching. Maybe I'm wrong though, and this is just the beginning of a population explosion in the urban core that will drive even more demand for this sort of development.
November 14, 200717 yr Parking lot start of cinema 16-screen Cinema de Lux at mall will be city's first new screens in 30 years BY BRENNA R. KELLY | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER November 14, 2007 FLORENCE - Behind a large chain-link fence outside the Florence Mall, a parking lot for a new movie theater is taking shape. It's the first step in transforming a vacant field into a 16-screen Cinema de Lux movie theater.
November 14, 200717 yr FLORENCE - Behind a large chain-link fence outside the Florence Mall, a parking lot for a new movie theater is taking shape. i never realized a parking lot takes shape.
November 14, 200717 yr ooooo What features will be in this parking lot? Added landscaping? Retention basins? More lights? Taking shape! I am so there!
November 16, 200717 yr A smart first step November 16, 2007 | CINCINNATI POST The other day a group of intrepid explorers set out along the western bank of the Licking River, trying to get a feel for just what it might take to put in a trail for hikers and bikers. They discovered a lot of land with surprisingly good potential, along with some that will present physical challenges and some where existing land uses might pose barriers to access. Still, it was a positive, if small, early step among the many that will be needed to translate one of Vision 2015's most exciting goals into reality. That visioning process, completed last year by nearly 2,000 residents and community leaders in Northern Kentucky, included a call for an expanded network of parks linked by "necklaces'' of greenways with bike paths along major streams. One of the most logical places to start is along the Licking River and its tributaries. The hope is that a Licking River park corridor would connect with the Riverfront Commons project planned along the Ohio River - which in turn would connect with existing and planned bike paths in Cincinnati and points north. The Licking River Greenway project got a boost this month with the announcement that Vision 2015 has hired an engineering firm and a landscape architect to work on the project. Woolpert Inc. and Cincinnati-based Human Nature will be responsible for coming up with a master plan for the project, a process they expect to complete in nine to 12 months. The study zone will extend along both sides of the Licking River, from the Ohio River to the I-275 bridge in Wilder.
November 28, 200717 yr Author I believe this article is referring only to the public lands along the riverfront as the firms are all engineers, architects and landscape architects, not developers as far as I know.... Covington pares riverfront redo finalists to three BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] City officials have picked three development teams to figure out how best to remake the riverfront of Northern Kentucky's largest city. Of six teams that submitted qualifications, three will move to the next round, and by early next year will be invited to work up proposals for riverfront upgrades. "We've narrowed it down to three," said City Manager Jay Fossett. "One of the reasons we do that (is) you don't want to have everybody spending all this money working on proposals if they're not going to have a shot at the job - these are the three that really rose to the top." Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071128/BIZ01/711280351
December 12, 200717 yr Kenton County OKs Covington site for new jail Kenton County Fiscal Court is about to find out if land behind the county animal shelter in Covington is truly the perfect site for a new jail. A year after it set off a storm of protests with its selection of a jail site near Independence, fiscal court on Tuesday officially announced it was pursuing the purchase of a site in Covington off Mary Laidley Drive. The news was met with praise from people like Keb Bright, who like many residents in Independence had spent the past year trying to convince the fiscal court to reconsider its decision to build the jail on a 25-acre site near Summit elementary and middle schools that the county purchased last year. Bright and others have touted the Mary Laidley site because it is not close to homes, surrounding businesses have not protested the location and the property's owners expressed a willingness to sale. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/NEWS01/712120361
December 12, 200717 yr NKU’s plans require big bucks December 11, 2007 | CINCINNATI POST The next step in Northern Kentucky University's ambitious new business plan to double its number of graduates in 12 years is to persuade legislators to begin funneling millions of additional state dollars to NKU. To reach a "double the numbers" goal set by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, NKU projects that its current annual budget of $205 million must mushroom to $571 million by 2020. The NKU business plan calls for the university to do more on its own to increase revenue, but it still calculates that if state aid continues at current levels, there will be budget shortages of $10.6 million in 2009, $14.3 million in 2010, $44.6 million in 2015 and $90.4 million in 2020. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071211/NEWS01/712110358
March 13, 200817 yr Author Wasn't sure where to put this.... Big projects, big solutions BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | [email protected] PHOTO: http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20080313&Category=BIZ01&ArtNo=803130330&Ref=AR&Profile=1076&MaxW=315&border=1 PHOTO: http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20080313&Category=BIZ01&ArtNo=803130330&Ref=V2&Profile=1076&MaxW=315&border=1 Four local development groups, whose projects are reshaping Northern Kentucky's skyline and riverfront, shared their strategies and secrets to successful urban development Wednesday. During an afternoon luncheon representatives of Corporex Cos., Joshua One, Ackerman Group and Capital Investment Group spoke to nearly 50 local home builders and developers about the challenges of urban development and provided updates on their respective projects. Hosted at the offices of the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky in Erlanger, the event was part of a regular meeting of the Land Development Council of Northern Kentucky. In recent years, the four groups have been at the forefront of urban development as they have broken ground on some of Northern Kentucky's most visible riverfront condominium projects. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/BIZ01/803130330/1076/BIZ
March 14, 200817 yr Apartments planned in Cold Spring BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER March 14, 2008 COLD SPRING, KY - The first phase of a more than 300-unit apartment community off the AA Highway in Northern Kentucky is expected to open to tenants in August. Construction is well under way on Brookstone Crossing, a $20 million development in Cold Spring that will deliver 224 apartment units this year and 79 town homes in a future phase of construction. Developed by American Village Properties and Kendall Construction Group, both of Indianapolis, the community spans 22 acres along the AA Highway and will have a more-than-3,300-square-foot clubhouse, business center, tanning room, fitness center, pool and car-care center for residents. Apartments will range from 640 to 1,300 square feet and will feature 9-foot vaulted ceilings, soaking tubs, walk-in closets, private patios and full-sized washer-and-dryer connections. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are available, and monthly rents will range from $650 to $1,000.
March 25, 200817 yr Urban campus boosted Senate would give Gateway $23.3M BY PATRICK CROWLEY & TOM LOFTUS | March 25, 2008 Gateway Community and Technical College would receive $23.3 million over the next two years for its planned urban campus under the state Senate's version of the state budget. Gateway also would receive $1.2 million to open and maintain two buildings under construction: a health careers building in Edgewood and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Gateway's main Boone County campus. The Senate passed the budget Monday by a vote of 36-2. All four Northern Kentucky senators voted in favor: Republicans Katie Stine of Southgate, Dick Roeding of Lakeside Park, Damon Thayer of Georgetown and Jack Westwood of Crescent Springs. The money for Gateway could remain in the final document or be removed during negotiations on the spending plan. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080325/NEWS0103/803250372
April 7, 200817 yr Author There is a tower crane adjacent to the Waters Edge project in Bellevue, and I mean right next to it on the upriver side. Does anyone know what is going on? Has it been there a while and I have just not noticed it?
April 7, 200817 yr I hadn't noticed it yet. Is it the same type of crane that they are using for the SouthShore condo tower?
April 7, 200817 yr They are building Phase II of Waters Edge. One more condo tower and two more townhomes are being constructed there. “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
April 8, 200817 yr Is it the same type of crane that they are using for the SouthShore condo tower? Made it a point to drive by this tonight. It is the same type of crane.
April 8, 200817 yr Is it the same type of crane that they are using for the SouthShore condo tower? Made it a point to drive by this tonight. It is the same type of crane. Thanks Jimmy! :-D
April 11, 200817 yr Plan grows, reshapes NKU Quadrangles, academic clusters would keep campus accessible BY CLIFF PEALE | April 11, 2008 A new sports and recreation complex near the Bank of Kentucky Center, a new academic cluster south of Johns Hill Road and a new influx of grass and trees are the building blocks for a vision of Northern Kentucky University's campus in 2020. Consultants unveiled their first recommendation for the campus master plan to NKU regents Thursday. It would add 2.1 million square feet of building space, 2,147 dormitory beds and about 4,500 parking spaces. It also would create a series of quadrangles in different academic clusters. Consultant Dick Rigterink said keeping the campus compact and walkable is critical. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080411/NEWS0103/804110420
April 20, 200817 yr Jail costs could hit $50M Higher 'general' costs drive almost $10M increase The cost of Kenton County's planned jail could soar to as much as $50 million, nearly $10 million more than the county had planned to spend. "It's going to be more than we hoped to spend," Kenton County Judge/executive Ralph Drees told the county's mayors during their monthly meeting, which was held Saturday at the Edgewood Senior Citizens Center. Drees did not give details but said that generally the cost of construction, materials, land and more is driving the increase. The county fiscal court is involved in court battles to secure the final two pieces of land through eminent domain. The county and landowners have been unable to agree on price, Drees said. Fort Mitchell Police Chief Steve Hensley said he is "not at all surprised" that the projected cost has grown. Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080420/NEWS0103/804200396
May 18, 200817 yr Ascent builders envision plaza Large outdoor TV would anchor complex BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER May 18, 2008 COVINGTON - Corporex may not be finished with soaring construction near Covington's Ohio River waterfront. The real estate development company is seeking city permission to build seven-story- and 10-story hotel buildings, directly across RiverCenter Boulevard from the Embassy Suites Hotel. The hotels' proposed location also is immediately west of Corporex's newly occupied, 22-story crescent-shaped luxury condominium tower, Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. "The developer is interested in doing two hotels on the site - a boutique hotel, and then another business-class hotel," confirmed City Manager Jay Fossett. ...
May 18, 200817 yr Ascent builders envision plaza Large outdoor TV would anchor complex BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER May 18, 2008 ... It also wants a conditional-use permit to install the large TV screen. The screen will belike the large TV on Fountain Square. So they are trying to make their own Fountain Square now? Very original, "We don't know what to do now so lets just copy Cincinnati and build a plaza with a big TV and put some hotels around it. They'll never catch on."
May 18, 200817 yr Oh come on. Does every post need to be a direct attack on any development in NKY? First, it was Ovation. Now it's with this "Fountain Square replica." It's a development. Like The Banks. Or pretty much any other project. Get over yourself. -- Bringing this back on topic, where will the plaza be located at -- in the sense of bounds by streets? And is this in the same footprint as Illuminations?
May 18, 200817 yr Oh come on. Does every post need to be a direct attack on any development in NKY? First, it was Ovation. Now it's with this "Fountain Square replica." It's a development. Like The Banks. Or pretty much any other project. Get over yourself. -- Bringing this back on topic, where will the plaza be located at -- in the sense of bounds by streets? And is this in the same footprint as Illuminations? Yeah, Let's all remember that Bill Butler and NKY actually have a riverfront - not just 20 years of talking about one.
May 18, 200817 yr ^ Um, you must be thinking about somebody else. I never said a thing about Ovation nor about any other thing in NKY. FYI, I've said that I love the Ascent so I don't think that I directly attack NKY development. I do, however, think that it's a little silly to put a giant TV screen in Covington mainly because I see no reason for it.
May 18, 200817 yr It does seem pretty lame. And wow! Cincinnati has done something FIRST! The times, they are a-changin'.
May 18, 200817 yr Bill Butler has a riverfront? I never knew that. I fail to see why any expressed displeasure with Corporex and what is certain to be yet another terrible development project (with the exception of the ascent which still has a handful of fundamental "corporex flaws") is declared off topic. In this case its "Illuminations" and so far the only critiques i have seen have been related to this project. Untill that post by The Nati Life as i was writing this...ha. Its obvious that this idea is directly related to the success of fountain square and it will be marketed as a place for people to gather safe from the homeless people, drug dealers, prostitutes, and the rest of the out of control criminal activity that plagues Cincinnati...at least according to Butler Corporex has failed time and again to produce developments that create a sense of place and this project will be no different.
May 18, 200817 yr This example just solidifies why I get irritated with Northern Kentucky sometimes - the leaders talk about regionalism when it is convenient, but they have consistently tried to poach attractions and development (I think many of us know the laundry list) from downtown and when they have not been able to they try to copy what is already there (e.g. first they wanted to steal Findlay Market vendors then they wanted to create their own). If it is something completely new, different, and originally drawn there more power to them. I recall recently Cincinnati actually endorsed the Covington IRS center and lobbied the federal government to keep that site opened. On the other hand when Convergys was looking for a new home NKY was more than happy to throw tons of incentives to try to lure the operation away from downtown, making it more expensive to keep the HQ downtown. I think you will find most people have their negative view of NKY based in examples like this.
May 18, 200817 yr ^ This example? It's just a couple of hotels, a plaza, and a big screen TV. Yes, that's somewhat similar to Fountain Square, but having a large video screen in a public place is hardly an original idea anyway. Something tells me the region is big enough (and obviously from the comments in this thread, divided by the river enough) to support two of these, so it's not that big a deal. That said, I do question whether there are enough people in that corner of Covington to make this plaza necessary. I guess we'll find out, if it actually happens (Illuminations seems dead and I haven't heard anything new about Ovation in a looooong time). As for your examples of NKY putting one over on Cincinnati, that goes both ways. I'm not going to start throwing out laundry lists of projects that have gone one way or the other, or defend ones that ended up on the KY side of the river, because that's not the purpose of this thread, but NKY has lost its share of attractions and whatnot to Cincy, and one thing that never gets pointed out is that it isn't even considered for a lot of opportunities because it "isn't Cincinnati". I also don't want to speak for Seicer, but it sounded like he was just pointing out that every time there's a KY project announcement, someone from OH blasts it on this board, no matter what it is. The Ascent was somewhat immune to this, but I think that's because the design was so controversial to begin with that it took it's fair share of hits just based on that.
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