Author: Randy A. Simes

Randy is an award-winning urban planner who founded UrbanCincy in May 2007. He grew up on Cincinnati’s west side in Covedale, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s nationally acclaimed School of Planning in June 2009. In addition to maintaining ownership and serving as the managing editor for UrbanCincy, Randy has worked professionally as a planning consultant throughout the United States, Korea and the Middle East. After brief stints in Atlanta and Chicago, he currently lives in the Daechi neighborhood of Seoul’s Gangnam district.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

The Yoga Bar to celebrate grand opening this weekend

The Yoga Bar will host a weekend of events this weekend to celebrate the grand opening of downtown Cincinnati’s newest yoga studio.

There will be a Yogini-Tini Opening Gala tonight from 7pm to 10pm that will include beer, wine, and specialty crafted drinks. Those who show up will also be able to meet owner Rachel Roberts in person, talk to the instructors, and tour the studio located on Main Street. Roberts also says that there will be live music from Quincy Live early in the evening, with dance music by DJ Sinceer during the latter part of the night. Cocktail attire is recommended for those attending.

The interesting thing about The Yoga Bar is the bar that remains from the former discothèque called Club Crush that previously occupied the space.

“Where else can you learn more about others’ lives than at a bar?,” Roberts asked UrbanCincy in early September 2010. The bar will now be used to cater to yoga students by providing a selection of healthful, rejuvenating non-alcoholic drinks like coconut water and Kumbucha tea.

Roberts says that on Sunday the yoga studio will be blessed with a traditional Hindu Ganesha Puja to honor its new beginning. This traditionally Indian ceremony is also open to the public.

Regular classes will begin on Monday, October 4 with morning classes at 7am, lunch hour classes, and 6pm offerings. Classes will cost $15 for drop-ins or $108 for unlimited monthly memberships.

Roberts also plans on using the 2,300-square-foot space for community events. Those interested in hosting weekend events can contact her at (970) 274-4402, YogaBarCincy@gmail.com, or by dropping by the studio (map).  Stay connected by following The Yoga Bar on Twitter @TheYogaBar, or by becoming a fan of the studio on Facebook.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Celebrate German-American Heritage Month with GACL this October

[This op-ed was written for UrbanCincy.com by Don Heinrich Tolzmann, President, German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati.  If you would like to sound off about something for UrbanCincy’s weekly op-ed column, please submit your ideas to urbancincy@gmail.com.]

October is German-American Heritage Month, and this year marks its 21st anniversary. Proclamations have been issued in the past by the governors of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and it has been recognized by the Ohio historical organizations as well. And since 1989, I am proud to say that the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati has sponsored the month in the Greater Cincinnati area.

German-American Heritage Month takes place in October as it is centered on German-American Day, the 6th of October, the date on which the first German settlement was established in America at Germantown, Pennsylvania. It was officially declared German-American Day in 1987 by President Reagan.

Feeling that one day was not enough to cover German contributions to the Cincinnati region, the German-American Citizens League founded German-American Heritage Month in 1989 and has encouraged its celebration elsewhere. Since that time, other places have followed suit. For example, this year, New York City celebrated the month as well.

We hope that other cities and states with a strong German heritage will also join in celebrating German-American Heritage Month.

This year programs will be sponsored by Northern Kentucky University, Kenton County Library, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and the German Heritage Museum.

Just think what the Greater Cincinnati area would be like without its German heritage. Without the German heritage, the area would be an entirely different place and look quite different – no Over-the-Rhine, no German brewing heritage, no goetta, no Oktoberfest, no MainStrasse Village in Covington, etc. Many things we accept as part of everyday life in the Greater Cincinnati area would not be here.

Cincinnati’s first Mayor was Major David Ziegler, a veteran of the American Revolution and during the Civil War, German regiments were formed for the Union Army. These and many other facts will be explored during German-American Heritage Month.

German-Americans helped build and make the area what it is today. German-American Heritage Month is the time to not only celebrate this history, but also learn more about it.  A full list of the events taking place during German-American Heritage Month can be found on the German-American Citizens League’s website.

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Business Development News

Cincinnati wins economic development award for $24M Corryville Crossings project

The City of Cincinnati has received an Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for a $24 million mixed-use development uptown. The award specifically recognized the City for its public-private partnership on the project.

“We recognize the City of Cincinnati for providing successful strategies to promote new paradigms in economic development in this period of global recovery,” said William Best, IEDC chair. “Cincinnati is showing that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities.”

Officials learned of the IEDC award on Tuesday at the council’s annual conference being held in Columbus, OH. IEDC officials say that the awards program is geared to, “recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders.”

The Corryville Crossings development has been under construction for more than a year. Once completed the development is expected to create 200 permanent jobs, include a 132-room hotel, retail space, a 219-space public parking garage, and spark additional investment in the Short Vine business district.

The City has partnered with the Uptown Consortium and local developers to help move the project from the drawing boards to reality. Project officials also say that creative financing tools like Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and New Market Tax Credits were necessary to advance the development.

A Starbucks coffee shop and IHOP restaurant were originally planned for the retail portions of the development before changes in the market that drove both national chains away from the project.  The new Hampton Inn and public parking garage portions of the development are expected to be completed later this fall.

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Arts & Entertainment Business Development News

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin to headline fourth annual OTRCH fundraiser

On Thursday, October 14, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH) will host its yearly fundraiser at Music Hall. The fourth annual event is meant to raise money for the non-profit while also engaging interested members of the public with the concepts, projects, and programs that OTRCH oversees.

OTRCH began as the Over-the-Rhine Housing Network in 1988 as an affordable housing organization. The organization then merged with ReSTOC, another affordable housing organization, in 2006 to help improve the organization’s ability to secure and sustain affordable housing and community-based development in the historic neighborhood.

The non-profit organization now manages a variety of programs including housing, resident engagement, advocacy and education, and even physical development projects throughout Over-the-Rhine.

This year’s fundraiser, entitled Celebrating Our Beloved Community, will honor Elder High School for their work in the community, and feature Ibrahim Abdul-Matin as the keynote speaker. Abdul-Matin is the author of the acclaimed book Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet.

OTRCH executive director Mary Burke says that the event will also include a song and dance performance by Elementz, light food catered by What’s for Dinner, and a cash bar.

Admission for Celebrating Our Beloved Community costs $50, with all proceeds going to benefit the affordable housing efforts of OTRCH. Those interested can make reservations online, or by contacting Mary Burke or Sarah Allen at mburke@otrch.org and stallan@otrch.org respectively.

The event will take place inside Music Hall’s Ballroom (map) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, October 14. Those attending the fundraiser can access on- and off-street parking nearby, free off-street bicycle parking, or utilize Metro bus service (plan your trip).

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Business News Transportation

Two area transit professionals recognized for young industry leadership

Two area transit professionals, Colin Groth and Ben Capelle, were named to Mass Transit Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list. The list recognizes industry professionals who have made “significant contributions” to the public transit industry.

According to magazine editors, those honored were nominated by their peers and then judged on their job commitment, industry involvement and contribution, professional achievement, and innovation in their particular field.

Colin Groth, Government Relations Director for Metro, was honored for his work with local, state, and federal officials since 2005. The publication notes that most recently Groth has been instrumental in securing more than $17 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the transit agency. Groth was also named to the Business Courier’s 2009 Forty Under 40 class, selected to participate in the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s 2010 C-Change program, and is currently active in eight different Cincinnati organizations outside of Metro.

“He represents the kind of dynamic, engaged and forward-thinking individuals that will help solidify public transit’s role in our nation’s future,” said Mass Transit Magazine editor Fred Jandt.

Ben Capelle, director of Clermont Transportation Connection (CTC), was also honored for his achievements. In particular, Mass Transit Magazine recognized Capelle’s leadership that has grown transit agency on a shoestring budget during his tenure.

“Capelle has helped grow the system from 15 employees to 32 and from providing 35,000 trips annually with a budget of $1.1 million to providing 95,000 trips annually with an increased budget of $3 million. CTC will also begin construction of a new operations center in 2013,” Jandt stated.

Combined, Metro and CTC provide roughly 19.1 million trips annually throughout the Cincinnati region.