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Business News

Google’s new maps feature takes users inside Cincinnati businesses

Cincinnatians have been able to use Google Maps for finding directions, transit information, traffic congestion, topography and other natural features, examining aerial imagery, and getting a first-person view of street scenes around the city. Now, Cincinnatians will be able to walk right inside of businesses and get a first-person view inside buildings.

The first Cincinnati-area location to receive this enhanced Google Maps feature is Arnold’s Bar & Grill. The historic downtown establishment can be viewed in all its glory with users being able to examine bar and dining areas, along with the famous courtyard and second floor.


Google’s new Business Photos feature takes users inside businesses, like Arnold’s Bar & Grill, through their Google Maps platform.

“Instead of just passing by on Google Maps Street View, you will be able to walk right in and tour the entire place in full 360, just as you would in normal street view,” explained Arnold’s Bar & Grill general manager, Chris Breeden.

The photography work was done by Cincinnati-based Alias 360 Photos. The company, owners say, is a new offshoot from the more established Alias Imaging, and is a certified member of Google’s Trusted Photographer program.

To use Google’s new Business Photos feature, simply go to the street view in front of Arnold’s and double-click on the doorway. Once inside, you will be able to navigate the establishment in the same fashion you would a normal street view.

Google’s indoor, 360-degree views were first announced in May 2010. Any business interested in having their interiors photographed for inclusion can do so by applying online.

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Up To Speed

Urban innovators to gather in Cincinnati at CEOs for Cities event

Urban innovators to gather in Cincinnati at CEOs for Cities event

A group of some of the nation’s most innovative urban minds will gather in Cincinnati on May 17 and 18. While here, they will examine the city’s ongoing urban success stories at CEOs for Cities bi-annual meeting titled, “The City as a Startup.” More from the Cincinnati Enquirer:

They’ll hear innovators from San Francisco to Songdo, South Korea, share stories of building smarter technology infrastructure, training, attracting and retaining talented young workers and creating a vibrant community of entrepreneurs. The meeting also lets local organizers Eric Avner and David Ginsburg spotlight how far our region has come since the men joined the group in 2004.

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News Opinion Politics

What can Ohio’s failed high-speed rail program teach us about America’s standing in the world?

When Governor John Kasich (R) gave away $400 million intended to start passenger rail service along what is known as the 3C Corridor, it spelled the end of Ohio’s high-speed rail aspirations for the foreseeable future.

While those aspirations were well intentioned, they were also quite modest. Initial service would have had trains traveling at top speeds of 79 miles-per-hour between Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. In an effort to keep upfront capital costs low, simple stations were also proposed along the corridor’s length.

In a city like Cincinnati, which boasts one of the grandest passenger rail stations in the United States, the 3C Corridor proposal left Union Terminal off the map in order to avoid the costly approach into the station through the congested Queensgate rail yard.


Cincinnati’s famous Union Terminal serves light Amtrak service and museum-goers today. Photograph by Jake Mecklenborg for UrbanCincy.

America used to build big things. Ohio used to build big things. This, it appears, is no longer the case, and it makes one wonder if the United States is even capable of building inspirational and useful structures like the Miami and Erie Canal, Union Terminal, or Interstate Highway System again.

The fall from grace may not be as noticeable if it were not for the exact opposite trends playing out across Asia, where the economic scale is tipping.


Hong Kong’s $1.3 billion West Kowloon Terminus Station will serve as a dramatic entryway into the global city from mainland China. Renderings provided by Aedas.

In contrast to the modest, and failed, 3C Corridor, leaders in Hong Kong will soon realize an extension of China’s high-speed rail network into the heart of their city. A 16-mile link will be built from Hong Kong’s Kowloon district to the region’s border with Shenzhen.

Most notable is that the entire 16-mile, $8.6 billion stretch will be underground and terminate in what will become the world’s largest underground high-speed rail station. It is a critical link that will open up those on the mainland to Hong Kong via the entire 87-mile-long Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Link.

Passengers arriving in Hong Kong will not only be treated to a center city arrival at 124 miles-per-hour, but also an arrival to a truly inspirational structure meant to not only provide a critical service, but awe those exposed to it. The investments will halve the amount of time it takes to travel between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and will be completed in 2015.

America has also been an inspirational place for people around the world, and America has always built and done things that inspire us all. It appears that current policy makers may be content with resting on those past successes instead of investing in the country’s future, and ushering the United States into another generation of global leadership.

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Business Development News

Yard House to open first Ohio restaurant along Cincinnati’s central riverfront

The Banks development team announced today that Yard House, an upscale American fusion restaurant with 100-250 taps, will open its first location in Ohio on Cincinnati’s central riverfront.

The 10,000-square-foot restaurant will be the first stand-alone commercial tenant at The Banks, and will be located immediately in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center at the corner of Walnut Street and Freedom Way. Project officials say that the new structure will have an urban, industrial design featuring an open floor plan, exposed pipes, warm moods and stainless steel accents.


The Banks development has exceeded expectations in its first phase of development, and may soon break ground on phase two. Photograph by Randy A. Simes for UrbanCincy.

“Yard House will be a great addition to The Banks,” stated Scott Stringer, executive vice president at Carter, in a prepared release. “We are committed to making sure The Banks becomes a destination with unique entertainment and eating options. Yard House helps us recognize that vision.”

The restaurant was originally started along Los Angeles’ famed Long Beach waterfront nearly 16 years ago and has since spread across the United States to 38 select cities. In addition to this being Yard House’s first location in Ohio, it will become only their second Midwestern location with the other being located in Chicago.

The location is one of two buildable sites in front of the NURFC intended for restaurants, and will be located across from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse which is currently under construction.

With phase one of development almost entirely occupied, speculation will now turn to when the second phase of construction will get underway. Cincinnati Mayor Mallory has already hinted that groundbreaking could take place this summer.

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Up To Speed

The economic crisis hits transit hard in cities like Pittsburgh

The economic crisis hits transit hard in cities like Pittsburgh

Cities across America continue to see ridership increases on their transit systems, but are feeling an even greater pinch from ongoing government austerity measures forcing service reductions. More from The Transport Politic:

The counter-intuitive result is that cities that are doing well economically are able to pay for improved transit services whereas those with many economic problems — the ones where transit is often needed most — are left to cut operations dramatically. Thus regional inequities are reinforced.