Categories
Development News

Clifton Plaza moving forward

The Bender Optical site on Ludlow Avenue, which is jointly owned by Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) and the Clifton Business and Professional Association, is moving forward with the city’s recent approval for the demolition of the Bender Optical building.

The city has stated that the building will be coming down this Thursday (11/15)…thus clearing the way for the plaza to move forward. Following the demolition one more round of soil testing will be done, and then the site will be ready for the start of the plaza.

As for some background…the Clifton Plaza is part of the larger Ludlow Avenue revitalization project which will eventually include new sidewalks/curbs, added trees (where needed), improved streetlights, coordinated street furniture and the reduction of some overhead wires.

For more information check out the following:
Ludlow Avenue Revitalization Project Presentation
Clifton Town Meeting (CTM)

***The images illustrate the proposed improvements to Telford Avenue, and the proposed improvements for the Merchant’s Lot access. Both images are from the presentation PDF that is linked above.

Categories
News

Downtown is the best nightspot in Cincinnati – Reader’s Choice


So the results are in…and from the extremely scientific polling methods of UrbanCincy it appears that Downtown is the favorite nightlife area in Cincinnati. There was essentially a tie for second between Mt. Adams and Northside; with Newport on the Levee, Mainstrasse and Main Street (OTR) bringing up the rear.

I must say that I am pleasantly surprised with the results. I did not think that Downtown would finish first even though I think it is a great spot for nightlife. I was expecting Mt. Adams, but it should be interesting to hear the explanations from everyone on how they voted the way they did.

I personally voted for Mt. Adams, because I think it is the best spot to bar hop in the city. Although the area is lacking some night clubs, the bars there are second to none.

Photo Credit:
www.wkrq.zipscene.com

Categories
News

Early bird gets the Metro worm


Metro is going to be giving away a “Night on the Town” package courtesy of Downtown Cincinnati Inc. This started in September and will be lasting through December. If you buy a monthly pass (either online or in person) before the 22nd of each month may enter to win the package. So what’s in this wonderful sounding “Night on the Town” package?

A gift certificate from downtown restaurants like Boi Na Braza, Cadillac Ranch and Washington Platform, a free night at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati and admission for two to the Cincinnati Museum Center’s” Real Pirates” exhibit. To enter you can go to the Metro Sales office at 120 East Fourth Street downtown or click here to complete an online contest entry form.

Another incentive to buy a monthly pass and get it early is to get one of these cool commemorative mouse pads that Metro will give out to the first 200 people to purchase a monthly pass. Here on some details on how to purchase your monthly pass and what they cost:

End of year “Clearance Sale” for Online Customers Only
Starting Sept. 1, pre-order your monthly passes on-line for October, November and December and save! Your credit card will be billed on the 15th each month when the pass is mailed to you. Discounts available on advance orders placed between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2007 only.

Sale Prices
Zone 1 Pass – Just $38 (save $2)
Zone 2 Pass – Just $57 (save $3)
Zone 3 Pass – Just $91 (save $4)
Zone 4 Pass – Just $100 (save $5)
All Pass – Just $119 (save $6)
M/T Pass – Just $68 (save $2)

Categories
News

Keep the movies rolling


Citykin just recently was discussing how Fountain Square will be showing some Halloween type family movies this Saturday (10/27). This is due in part to the great turnout they saw over the summer and the somewhat mild weather we are experiencing.

Personally I love the idea of movie nights on the square. It is a really neat thing for families to do and it’s free. Not to mention the unique social interaction opportunities the children have. But I have been wondering this since the summer was drawing to a close. Why is it that we have to stop showing these movies regularly after Labor Day? Sure this marks the end of summer, but the weather doesn’t start to get all that bad here until about mid-November. I also think they should start earlier in the year than the typical Memorial Day weekend start.

I think it should be a week-to-week decision following Labor Day and before Memorial Day. This would allow the great movie nights, on the square, to continue. Lets really capitalize on this great activity on the square. Keep the movies rolling.

Photo credit:
www.cincyimages.com

Categories
News Politics Transportation

Young Professionals and streetcars

Well a brilliant young individual had some delightful commentary in today’s Cincinnati Enquirer editorial section, enjoy…

I am by definition a young professional, part of the creative class, and I am enrolled at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning.

As you may know, Cincinnati is not exactly a hotbed for the creative class and has struggled to retain/attract young professionals.

As a creative person, it can be difficult to make it work here over a place like Chicago, New York or Atlanta, but it seems as though people are afraid to even try at times. We need to continue to prioritize the arts and place new emphasis on things like mass transit.

This is a very important issue to many young people and in particular the creative class. If we fail at creating a city with these elements, then we will fail at attracting that ever-important young professional.

Aside from bus service, Cincinnati offers no transit options. The cities that do a great job at attracting this demographic have much more, and we are falling further behind the likes of Seattle, Portland, Austin, Atlanta, Chicago and Baltimore.

Cincinnati is now looking to build a streetcar system. This is a great first step at creating a wide-reaching transit system.

I would argue that Cincinnati has an edge over many of these other cities in terms of arts, geographic features and affordability, but we simply cannot rest on our laurels.

I know I can not speak for every young person out there, but I say this: Please make the effort to keep us around for our sake and the sake of our community.

If you are not a young professional, would you prefer your child to live in Cincinnati or Seattle?

Streetcars are not the only answer, but they are the opportunity we have the chance to capitalize on right now.

Cincinnati Enquirer, Guest Editorial 10/24/07