Somewhere Over the Rhine

Thoughts on the Casino at Broadway Commons

2009-12-18T13:11:00.003-05:00

The Enquirer ran a surprisingly thoughtful article today highlighting some very important points about the design and implementation of the Broadway Commons Casino and the impact it will have on Downtown. It can be read here: Uncommon Expectations

They posed the question "Will the new casino be designed as a cohesive part of a bigger downtown draw?"
This is an excellent question and one that needs to be taken very seriously by City officials, neighborhood leaders and citizens. I see two possible scenarios for the Casino downtown.
1. I lived in Detroit for a couple of years recently and visited their downtown casinos several times. Basically they were designed to attract people by automobile, park, gamble, maybe eat/drink inside the casino, maybe stay at the Casino's hotel, then get back in your car and leave. There was absolutely no impact on the surrounding downtown because people are encouraged to stay inside the casino's walls and not venture anywhere else.
This sort of situation needs to be avoided vehemently!! We don't need another I-71 exit full of hideous parking structures surrounding a walled off Casino.

2. The casino is designed to blend with the historic character of the surrounding neighborhoods and parking structures are kept to a minimum and equally well blended into the surroundings. It should be a casino and a casino only that encourages people to go elsewhere for dinner, hotels, and other entertainment. Key to this encouragement would be insuring that the streetcar is built so that people actually have a way to get to all of the other downtown attractions (like the new hotels being planned already at The Metropole on Walnut and the Phelps apt. building on 4th Street, the Banks, the Stadiums, Fountain Square, the new Riverfront park, all of our Downtown Restaurants, Bars, Shopping, OTR's Main and Vine street districts, Music Hall...the list goes on and on)

I really believe that if its done right the Casino will be a great addition to downtown and will really bring a lot of visitors and new residents to the surrounding neighborhoods and downtown. If done incorrectly it will do absolutely nothing for Cincinnati.

I'd be really curious to hear what Dan Gilbert has to say about the Cincinnati Streetcar plan and if he has any plans on contributing to it to insure its built? I think it will be a critical part of making the Casino a success. Just imagine how much easier it would be for people to come downtown for any number of various reasons (a bengal's game, a business trip) and say "hey why not hop on the streetcar after the game and check out the Casino?" I know I'd be much more inclined to do so if I knew there were no extra steps in paying for parking or finding a cab or whatever. Without the streetcar I doubt people would be as willing to walk or drive all the way up to Broadway commons from anywhere downtown and would likely opt to stay put.

Back to the Subject at Hand

2009-12-06T10:48:00.005-05:00

With Issue 9 finally behind us and the prospect of a much brighter future for Over the Rhine and the rest of Cincinnati, I can finally get back to focusing on the original intent of this blog which is the history and current progression of Over the Rhine and the surrounding downtown and uptown neighborhoods. I'm going to start with pointing out this somewhat rare color photograph from a postcard I found at an antique mall depicting Central Parkway looking east. In the picture you can clearly see the YMCA building which is still standing on the corner of Central and Elm. In the distance is the American Building, still standing today. You can also see one of the more modern Cincinnati streetcars traveling north on Elm towards Music Hall. Because of that streetcar I'm guessing this photo was taken sometime in the early 1950s. Maybe late 1940s, but I'm not sure when that style streetcar was first built. You can see a lot of late 1940s cars in the picture, so it can't be much later than that.
Here's a picture of that same stretch of road today, unfortunately I couldn't get a birds eye view, but it still gives you a good idea of how things look now.

I can't believe my ears!

2009-11-05T22:23:00.003-05:00

John Schneider on 700WLW right now and Scott Sloan is talking about the streetcar and saying the most positive things I've ever heard anyone on our local media say about this project. He said "Not only am I getting warmed up to the streetcar now, but I'm getting all hot and bothered with it!" He's saying that with the casino going in, the banks being completed and all the other great assets we have downtown that he really believes its time to "tie them all together" and that "we'd be foolish not to." This is 700WLW speaking!

I really think I've died and gone to heaven! Could our city really be turning around and seeing the potential we have that quickly!? Yes for rail transit and thank you 700WLW for being the first media outlet to speak so highly of this project! You've hit the nail right on the head!

I am truly excited for our future and I think we're heading in exactly the direction we need to go!

Deciding Cincinnati's Future Tomorrow

2009-11-02T15:21:00.000-05:00

I realize that this blog has essentially been devoted to encouraging voters to defeat Issue 9 for quite some time now. That was not the original intent I had when I started this blog over a year and a half ago now. However, my interest in seeing a successful revitalization of Downtown and Over the Rhine mandated that I also become interested in the reintroduction of rail transit within the city of Cincinnati.

I've learned over the last year or so how vitally important a good public transportation system is to ensuring a successful, healthy, and vibrant urban core. I fully believe that the revitalization of Over the Rhine and the rebirth of a strong urban environment in Cincinnati can not reach its full potential without some sort of investment in rail transit within the city. A dense, walkable urban neighborhood like Over the Rhine simply can not support the large number of people it needs to be a success without an adequate means of moving them from place to place. There simply isn't enough room for all the cars that would come with the increase in population. In order for Over the Rhine to achieve the necessary density in population to be a success, we must invest in a good public transportation system in the form of rail transit. The streetcar would be a great first step, but certainly only part of the solution. Future projects involving regional light rail and intercity high speed rail would also be necessary to fit the needs of an ever growing urban population.

Cincinnati voters are at a critical turning point in our city's history. Over the last 50-60 years Cincinnati, like most other mid-west cities, has embraced the automobile culture of suburban sprawl and flight from our urban cores. As a result our most historic and important neighborhoods have suffered. This same process has happened all over the country. In recent years people everywhere have begun to realize how critically important a city's urban core is to keeping the entire city and its surrounding regions strong. Because of this there has been a renewed interest in preserving, revitalizing and strengthening our urban environment.

Good, reliable public transportation systems are vital to giving people options when it comes to transportation and allowing for the full revitalization of the city center. The United States as a whole is beginning to realize that we can no longer be a car-only culture. People need diverse options for transportation. High speed rail, regional light rail and inner city rail are all going to be an important part of strengthening our cities for the future.

Tomorrow, voters will decide what direction they want Cincinnati to take. Do we turn our backs to progress and ignore the need to diversify our transportation options by allowing Issue 9 to pass? Or, do we say no to issue 9 and move ahead with a future open to new transportation options? I know that I don't want to live in a city where it is necessary to use your car for your every transportation need. I want to live where I have choices. I want to live in a city with a bright future and that is willing to move forward.

Please, for the sake of Cincinnati's future VOTE NO ON 9!!

Nein on Nine Party Tonight! Grammers!

2009-10-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

What: Nein on Nine: PROJECTMILL has put together a No on Nine rally tonight at Grammer's that promises to be a great time. The purpose is to inform people of the dangers of Issue 9 and encourage everyone to go out and vote NO On 9! Several city council members/candidates are expected to be there to answer questions and we'll have lots of materials to give out from Cincinnatian's For Progress to show your support for the No on 9 campaign.
Also, the event will be followed by an "Octoberfest in October" dance party to be DJ'd by PROJECTMILL. Remember, these are the same guys that put on DANCE_MF in Northside Tavern, so you know you can expect an awesome time!

Where: Grammer's, 1440 Walnut St
When: Tonight Oct. 24, 8pm-10pm with after party starting at 10pm

Be There and Remember to Vote NO ON 9!!

New Streetcar Promotion Video

2009-10-20T13:53:00.000-04:00

Here's a link to a very nice new streetcar video produced by the city to help people understand what the streetcar investment is all about.
Enjoy! And remember No on 9!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnazP-9va-E

Issue 9 Video: Channel 12 Newsmakers

2009-10-19T14:05:00.000-04:00

Please watch this video. Tom Luken and Roxanne Qualls answer questions about Issue 9 on Channel 12 newsmakers.
Tom Luken is introduced as the "spokesperson for Issue 9." Let me just say that if HE is the spokesperson for Issue 9 then we have nothing to worry about. What I mean is, that he does a HORRIBLE job answering questions, in fact, he doesn't even answer the questions he is asked directly. When he does attempt to answer these very fair questions it is very clear that he has no valid argument for Issue 9 whatsoever and jumps immediately to a defensive, almost combative stance.
On the other hand, Roxanne Qualls does a very nice job of explaining her support for the streetcar project and clearly explains the danger of Issue 9 and why she does not support it. She gives very valid, clear and concise arguments that are obviously well informed and you can immediately tell that she has really put the time in to research the subject and give us a solid picture of what Issue 9 is all about.
If Issue 9 was written by people like Tom Luken and you watch this video, you can easily see that they do not have the well being of Cincinnati in mind at all. Not only that, but you start to get the sense that they really have no valid argument for Issue 9 at all. That explains why they immediately revert to being argumentative and quite unwillingly to participate in civil debate. Why? Because they know if they answer questions directly they will expose the ignorance and irresponsibility in proposing an amendment to our charter such as Issue 9.

Here are the links to the videos, they actually had to extend the length of the program because nothing was accomplished in part 1, mostly because of Tom Luken's inability to clearly answer questions:
http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=42641@wkrc.dayport.com&navCatId=86

Must Register to Vote by Monday Last Day

2009-10-03T11:30:00.001-04:00

If you want to register to vote in the fall election and help defeat issue 9, you must register by the end of the day Monday Oct. 5th!! Tell all of your friends and family to get their voter registration cards in immediately. They have to be post marked by Monday or you won't be able to vote.

If you don't know if you're registered or not, you can call the board of elections and find out at: 513-632-7000

Visit this website to download registration forms: http://www.hamilton-co.org/BOE/

This Link tells you exactly how to register to vote: http://www.hamilton-co.org/BOE/howtoreg.asp

Don't Delay! This is one of the most important elections in Cincinnati's history and WILL affect the future of this city in a very big way!

Register Today and Vote No on Issue 9!

Vote Early This Week: No on 9!!!

2009-09-28T16:58:00.001-04:00

As written by the folks at millvalley:

Few people know this, but this week and this week only, you can register and vote for mayor, city council candidates and especially against Issue 9 -- the anti-rail amendment to our city's constitution.

It's really simple to do, and you'll miss the crowds on Election Day.

So at 11:30a this Tuesday, rail supporters are gathering downtown at the Board of Elections (824 Broadway) to register and vote early. Any U.S. citizen over 18 and now living in Hamilton County, even if you just attend school here, can register and cast a vote in this all-important election.

If you're not sure whether you are registered to vote, they will look it up for you. If you're not registered, they will register you on the spot. Bring your driver's license and any other evidence that you live in Cincinnati/Hamilton County -- a utility bill in your name, a paycheck stub with your local address on it, an apartment lease, etc.

The following candidates for Mayor and City Council are the only candidates in favor of Issue 9, the anti-rail Charter Amendment. And all of them are opposed to the Cincinnati Streetcar too:

* Anti-rail candidate for Mayor -- Brad Wenstrup

* Anti-rail candidates for City Council -- Chris Monzel and Charlie Winburn

All of the other candidates for Mayor and City Council are pro-rail and against Issue 9.

Please forward this email and bring some friends. Ask them to vote "No on Nine!" See you Tuesday.

New and Improved CincyStreetcar.Com

2009-09-24T11:41:00.000-04:00

The folks over at CincyStreetcar.Com have updated and expanded their website making it much more informative and comprehensive. If you know someone who is either a Streetcar critic or not sure what they think about the streetcar plan this is a great resource to refer them to. There are lots of links to articles, videos, interviews and pictures that accurately and fairly describe what a modern day streetcar is and what it can do for a city.

Check it out for yourself: Click Here

Any Means Any

2009-09-23T17:32:00.000-04:00

Lunken Airport Site for 3-C Train Station?

2009-09-23T09:33:00.000-04:00

The Enquirer reports that Lunken Airport has been chosen as the site for the 3C train station by state officials. Read Here

Okay, I have to rant a little:

Really?! What a terrible idea! Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I can't imagine a worse place for the train station!

Now, like everything else in Cincinnati, the only way to access the train station will be to drive your automobile, very far, especially for those who live in the northern or western parts of town, over to Lunken airport, and try to find a spot to park in some expensive parking lot.
What are visitors from out of town supposed to do when they arrive? Pay for a cab? Rent a car? Wait for someone to pick them up in another automobile? They are no where near downtown so they will have no idea where to go when they get here. At least by having it near the boathouse they would have been close enough to downtown that it would have been relatively easy to find a hotel room downtown, a restaurant, bar, whatever. But now, nothing.

The whole attraction to rail transportation, at least in my eyes, is the fact you can ignore your car for once and not have to worry about driving or parking and instead just walk, take public transportation, hop on a train, enjoy a book or listen to music, nap, do whatever you want while you enjoy the ride. When you make trains easily accessible to people and neighborhoods via walking or taking public transit (streetcars!) the rails actually get use. When you add that extra step of having to drive somewhere, find a spot to park and worry about how much its going to cost to leave your car in a lot over the weekend it kind of kills the whole convenience thing.

I know they say that it is only temporary, but even while its there its just not going to get as much use and no one will ever support building a more permanent, hopefully better thought out location for the next station. If they don't link the 3C station to the streetcar or a light rail system, it will never work and hardly anyone will ride it. If, however, they make the station easily accessible by many different modes of transportation, (either foot, bike, streetcar, or light rail) it will get a ton of use.

Okay, I'm done, I feel better now.

Streetcar Route Virtual Tour

2009-09-22T11:42:00.001-04:00

Check out this awesome Virtual Tour created by Queen City Discovery! They did a really nice job highlighting all the key points along the route and showing exactly how inclusive this project will be. Check it out!

Streetcar Tour

Anti Rail Amendment Cartoons

2009-09-21T13:53:00.001-04:00

3C Corridor Passenger Rail Plan: Location of Cincinnati Station

2009-09-20T08:36:00.000-04:00

Of the two options being discussed as possible locations for the train station needed to start up passenger rail service between the 3C corridor, I'm not sure which one I favor.

Though I love The Union Terminal and I feel it would be amazing to actually see that station being used for what it was intended, I'm just not convinced it would be the best spot for train service now. Its kind of far away from Downtown, not very easily accessible by anything except automobiles and is located in a completely industrialized part of town where no one lives. I fear it wouldn't get used as much simply because of its inconvenient location.
The downtown location to me makes more sense. Its in a central location within walking distance to the city where all of the areas hotels, restaurants and entertainment is located. It would be easy to get to by the Streetcar system, buses, there's plenty of parking garages around downtown. The banks will be very close by, the new transit center underneath the stadium is right there and would make sense in the long run to make some use of that, with either streetcars, light rail or the 3C trains.

But, I wanted to get everyone else's opinions on this. I haven't heard all sides of the argument yet, so maybe my mind can be changed based on what I hear.

PARK (ing) Day Today!

2009-09-18T10:55:00.000-04:00

Lots of people PARK (ing) on the streets of OTR today. Here's a pic from this a.m. out in front of Park and Vine and the Segway store. There's free coffee at the Park and Vine spot. There's also supposed to be outdoor dining in front of Tucker's today, though I haven't been up that way yet. I'm getting hungry though, maybe I'll be heading up there too:)

No on Nine for Stronger Neighborhoods

2009-09-16T15:15:00.000-04:00

9-9-09 Vote NO on Issue 9!!

2009-09-09T16:06:00.000-04:00

As announced by Cincinnatian's For Progress today, the Anti-Rail Charter Amendment has been given a number on this November's ballot: Issue 9 and what a better day to spread the word than 9-9-09!

Be sure to start spreading the word that we all need to vote NO ON ISSUE 9!

Anti-Passenger Rail Charter Amendment Public Debate Tonight

2009-09-08T14:29:00.001-04:00

Bobby Maly of Cincinnatian's For Progress and Mark Miller from WeDemandAVote will be going head to head tonight in a public debate discussing this November's Ballot Initiative on the Anti-Passenger Rail Charter Amendment. Should be a lively discussion to say the least. All the information can be found at the link below:
Anti-Passenger Rail Charter Amendment Debate

Media Bridges' 20th Anniversary and WVQC Fundraiser

2009-08-31T15:46:00.000-04:00

From Media Bridges:

Local Musicians Help Raise Funds for New Community Radio Station

As Media Bridges Celebrates their 20th Anniversary,

Cincinnati Prepares for a New Addition to the Local

Media Soundscape.

Cincinnati, Ohio - August 21, 2009 - On September 5th, Media Bridges, Cincinnati's community media center, will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary. For the past two decades, this local nonprofit has been providing Cincinnatians with the means for making their voices heard by creating their own media. Through the provision of free equipment and free classes, Media Bridges has enabled local individuals and organizations to produce documentaries, television shows, radio productions, websites, and other types of electronic media.

The celebration will culminate in the FREE WAVE RIOT, a live concert starting at 8pm at the Know Theater in downtown Cincinnati. Featuring performances from local musicians IsWhat?, the Tigerlilies, Fourth Letter Gang, J. Dorsey Blues Revival, Losanti, the Frankl Project, and Culture Queer, proceeds from the event will help Media Bridges in their efforts to launch WVQC-FM, a low-power FM station featuring local content.

FREE WAVE RIOTMedia Bridges facility

WHAT: A celebration of Media Bridges' 20th Anniversary, as well as a fundraiser for the launch of 95.7 WVQC: Radio Free Queen City. Tickets are available starting Monday, August 24th at www.mediabrides.org or at Media Bridges (1100 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202) for a suggested donation of $9.57. Tickets will also be available at the door of the event.

WHO: Perfomers include IsWhat?, the Tigerlilies, Fourth Letter Gang, Cuture Queer, J. Dorsey Blues Revival, Losanti, and the Frankl Project.

WHERE: The Know Theater, located at 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

WHEN: September 5, 2009, 7:30pm-Midnight. Doors open at 7:30pm. Performances start at 8:00pm.

For more information, contact Christa Zielke, Media Bridges Development Coordinator, at 513-651-4171 ext.16 or christa@mediabridges.org .

Thursday Night CET: Media Projects about OTR

2009-08-26T15:26:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow night at 7:30pm, Viewfinder (CET's show on local film making) will introduce two media projects currently in production in Over-the-Rhine: "Over-the-Rhine: The Series" (a gritty crime drama) and "Rebirth of Over-the-Rhine," (a documentary film about the rebirth of the neighborhood, and the people who live there).

The segment will feature interviews of Lee Zellers (producer/director), Kole Black (co-writer), and Brent Bridges (co-writer) of "Over-the-Rhine: The Series," as well as Joe Brinker (co-producer), Melissa Godoy (director), and Mike Jones (film subject) of "Rebirth of Over-the-Rhine."

The show will be rebroadcast on Sunday, August 30, at 2 pm.

For more information on "Rebirth of Over the Rhine," check out their web site at www.over-the-rhine-movie.com

Just Right

2009-08-14T19:27:00.001-04:00

Channel 12 Newsmakers: Streetcars with Mayor Mallory Today!

2009-08-02T15:32:00.001-04:00

Wonderful informational talk about the current streetcar system plans this morning on Channel 12. If you are unsure about the streetcars or if you know people who aren't please take the time to watch this 18 minute video. They've done a great job accurately talking about all the most asked about issues including the current budget crisis, the actual route the streetcar will take and why, its impact in other cities, what a modern day streetcar actually is and looks like.
I really encourage everyone to show this video to as many people as you can.

Click Here

For instance,
Did you know that modern day streetcars can be tracked on your Blackberry or iPhone? They are equipped with GPS tracking so that you can accurately check where the next car is and how long it will be before it reaches your stop! That's freakin Awesome!

Mayor Mallory Speaks Frankly About Streetcars/Budget Issues

2009-07-28T18:43:00.000-04:00

I am reluctant to say this, but its about time the Mayor addressed the media and the general public about this very critical issue. For our city to remain united and focused on what's best for our future we need a strong central voice that will speak up on behalf of the city's best interest. As I've been preaching now for I don't know how long, the current proposal to bring inner-city rail transit (streetcars) back to Cincinnati is an opportunity that we can not afford to miss. Very clear, reputable data from many different sources show that rail transit projects such as this are good for cities and create huge returns in economic development. This leads to new residents, businesses, tourism, entertainment, and the list goes on. All of these things increase the city's tax revenue base. Cincinnati is in a financial mess now, not only because we are in the midst of a worldwide and nationwide economic recession, but also because we have failed in years past to invest in our most important asset...Our City Center.
Great strides have already been made in recent years reversing the damage of the 1950s suburban sprawl and highway expansion that caused the exodus of citizens from city centers to various suburban neighborhoods. The city has begun investing in our downtown from fountain square to the banks all the way up to OTR where new residents and businesses are already beginning to pop up everyday. However, we can only go so far without first providing a means for all of these people to move about efficiently without the automobile as their primary mode of transportation. These neighborhoods can not achieve the density of population necessary to give our city the boost it needs with out providing other means of transportation. There simply isn't enough room in such a small area for all of those cars and parking lots. People need to be able to get around with out a car.
I truly believe that right now our city has the opportunity to be on the forefront of a movement that is sweeping the nation. The cities who emerge from this economic crisis with a plan to decrease dependence on foreign oil, attract residents and businesses back to the city center, and make the city THE place to live again are going to be the most successful and prosperous cities in the 21st century.
As the mayor aggressively points out in the video below, allowing the anti-rail charter amendment to pass this November will mean the end of such vital projects as the Cincinnati Streetcar, 3-C Corridor Passenger rail, and regional light rail. We have a chance to use federal money to stimulate our local economy like its never seen before. We can not let this opportunity pass us by or we will forever remain a city that is simply a collection of suburbs and we will forever be a city just struggling to pay its bills.
Thank you Mayor Mallory for fighting so aggressively for this city's future. Please continue to reach out to the citizens of this city so that they can be appropriately informed of the dangers of allowing the anti-rail charter amendment to pass.

Video can be seen here:
http://www.wlwt.com/video/20203821/

Excellent Streetcar Post

2009-07-27T10:13:00.000-04:00

Check out The Phony Coney today for an excellent post in support of the streetcar system. Share with all your friends, especially the ones who can vote this November and aren't yet streetcar supporters!