Category: Development

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Development News Politics Transportation

Cincinnati Streetcar Update

While there hasn’t been a whole lot of big news relating to the Cincinnati Streetcar lately there have certainly been things going on. On November 5th the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design, build, operate and maintain the Cincinnati Streetcar project was sent out.

As of 8:30pm November 16th there have been 21 companies to download the RFQ packet. Now this does not necessarily mean that all will submit bids for this project, but the range of companies goes from local companies like Glaserworks and DNK Architects to national companies like URS and Parsons Transportation Group. These companies have until the end of the workday on December 18th to submit their bids.

I also got in touch with City Architect Michael Moore and was informed that City Manager Milton Dohoney should be reporting back on financing in early 2009. This is important because since the Streetcar motion was passed by City Council in late April this has been the number one tast for Milton Dohoney – raising the necessary private contributions. If these contributions aren’t raised then the motion that was passed is no longer good and things will go back to square one. So far I have heard positive feedback about this fundraising process, but nothing specific outside the $3.5 million that Duke Energy has pledged to the project.

In addition to all this I decided to have a little fun with that streetcar congestion graphic I posted last week. That graphic was from almost 100 years ago, so I thought it might be interesting to give it a 100-year update. I attempted to keep the look/feel as close as possible, and with the help of Brad Thomas we calculated out numbers for the modern version.

Ford Taurus dimensions were used for average auto size with an average of 1.2 passengers. Skoda ST10 dimensions were used for average streetcar size with an average of 85 passengers. What was seen is an increase in both the average space taken up by streetcar passengers and auto passengers. Auto space saw a 142% increase which dwarfed the 26% increase for streetcar passengers.


Early 20th Century Graphic vs. New 21st Century Graphic
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Arts & Entertainment Development News

Looking the Queen Up & Down

I was so lucky to be extended the offer to go up on the Atrium II tower’s top level terraces. There were some terrific views that I had not seen before. I was able to get some great aerial shots of construction progress at The Banks and Queen City Square.

The day was somewhat gray, but the photos turned out pretty well considering the conditions. I especially found the views of the Licking River to be most enjoyable, as it is not often that you can get an overview of all its twists and turns through the hills and valleys of Northern Kentucky. Feel free to view the slideshow below, go to the Photobucket gallery, or read through the annotated photo thread I’ve posted on UrbanOhio.


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Development News Politics

Giving the ‘Soapbox District’ some teeth

W. 4th Street has seen a buzz of activity in recent months. New stores have opened, new buildings have gone up, and new residents move in. In addition to this the area has also attempted to be rebranded as the ‘Soapbox District.’

A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. This is one of the angle that the branders were getting at. The other was to pay tribute to Cincinnati’s soap making history and the shape of many of the buildings in the W. 4th Street area.

I find the angle of public speech and discussion to be most interesting. Fountain Square was seemingly that spot, but that public space has been converted into a hybrid public/private space where I doubt this kind of thing would be tolerated any longer. The branders also mentioned how this could be the spot, in Cincinnati, where young people make their voices heard. Great, many of the new residents in that area are indeed young so this seems to possibly have some traction.

The problem is that there seems to be no concerted effort to make this into reality. I look to London’s Hyde Park. In the park’s NE corner (aka Speaker’s Corner) people come to speak publicly about what they wish. They are allowed to continue as long as it is considered lawful. I look at this example and see a huge opportunity at 4th & Plum (GoogleMap) in Cincinnati.

That location is right in the heart of the ‘Soapbox District’ and is currently occupied by a surface parking lot. An ideal scenario would be to acquire this lot and turn it into a park. Create a much needed dog park area within it, sitting places, and lots of trees. In addition to this, make the park the epicenter for public/free speech in the newly dubbed ‘Soapbox District.’ The idea is great, now let’s give it some teeth.

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Business Development News

Gateway Quarter retail spaces filling up

The new residential units, in the Gateway Quarter, boast exposed brick walls, original support beams, hardwood floors (in some cases original), very unique floor plans, and a prime location in the heart of what will soon be Cincinnati’s premier neighborhood. Well guess what, the retail spaces have all that too, and they are filling up quite nicely right along with their residential counterparts.

The area already has 11 unique retail establishments, the most notable being Park + Vine (a ‘green’ general store) and Lavomatic (urban wine bar by Jean Robert). Many of them have been there for over a year and are now about ready to be joined by three new additions.

The Little Mahatma (513-723-1287) is relocating its jewelry, art and artifacts store from its previous location, on Main Street behind the Aronoff Center, to 1205 Vine Street and will also be celebrating its 20th year in business. The Little Mahatma will be open M-F 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

Switch (513-721-8100) is opening up at 1207 Vine Street and will have lighting fixtures for your home and office highlighting current designs from North and South America, Europe and Scandinavia. Hours for Switch will be M-F 11am-7pm, Saturday 12pm-6pm and by appointment.

Incredible Creations (513-961-4111) is the third establishment that will be opening up with the other two this Fall, and will be located at 1209 Vine Street. This upscale barbershop and beauty salon will offer a host of services and will be the first service related business to the Gateway Quarter. Hours for Incredible Creations will be T-Th 9am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-7pm, closed Sunday and Monday.

All three are excited about their new locations echoing similar comments of one another that the neighborhood is becoming a magnet for unique retail options and that they want to be a part of the urban renaissance that is occuring in Cincinnati.

The new shops plan to be open for the Downtown Tour of Living on September 27th where the Gateway Quarter will once again be prominently featured. Official grand openings will be coming later, after the Tour, bu t those attending the Tour will be able to go through and check out the new places.


Park + Vine (a ‘green’ general store) in the Gateway Quarter
Categories
Arts & Entertainment Business Development News

What is a city to you? (part two)

In the first part of What is a city to you? we covered the basics and overall what is thought of when we hear the word city. In that breakdown one of the items I mentioned is that cities are places of diversity. So what exactly does that mean, diversity?

Well for one thing it goes far beyond race. Diversity in cities means diversity of streetscapes, architectural styles, building heights, activities, and most importantly people. The built environment elements are fairly easy to understand and grasp. Different building heights, architectural styles, and streetscapes all help make a place interesting and unique — exactly what a city should be.

Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine – Photo by Randy Simes

People are the most interesting part of this equation…as their variations are limitless. It is important to have the greatest diversity of people as possible. Diversity of backgrounds, races, creeds, wealth/stature, age, and gender. The greater the variety of types of people creates a greater variety of events and encounters that might occur within a city.

No matter how great the buildings, public spaces, and venues it means nothing without the people. People are what make cities great. They make cities exciting, interesting, unique, enlightening, lively, edgy, thought provoking, and at times places of crime. But whether good or bad, these feelings are caused by the people who created the environment…and it is in cities where you get the most varied and sporadic of these feelings. What could be better than the diversity of feeling and emotion?