Tag: clifton heights

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Arts & Entertainment News

Clifton Heights Music Festival returns this weekend

Local music fans will get the chance to see over 80 performances this weekend as the Clifton Heights Music Festival makes its return. For the fourth installment, this Friday and Saturday (April 1-2), the CHMF will feature a variety of MCs, comics, and street performances in addition to more live bands and artists, and has grown to include seven venues: Rohs Street Cafe, Baba Budan’s Coffeehouse and Bar, Uncle Woody’s Pub, Mac’s Pizza Pub, Christy’s Biergarten, Murphy’s Pub and The Mad Frog.

Some of the artists include You, You’re Awesome, Josiah Wolf (of Why?) and Liz Hodson, Walk the Moon, No No Knots and The Harlequins. The festival also includes some regional artists such as Candidate from Lexington, KY and The Ridges from Athens, OH.

The Clifton Heights Music Festival started in October 2009 with just 35 bands. Over 7,500 people have attended the first three festivals, and the CHMF continues to grow.

“Our attendance…is a testament to our belief that neighbors coming out to support what their neighbors create has much worth, and can bring a community together in a positive way,” says founder and director, Rome Ntukogu.

Tickets are just $5 for one day or $10 for the full two-day festival when purchased in advance. Tickets will also be available at each of the venues for $6/$12. You can view the full schedule of all performances and a map of the venues at the CHMF website.

Categories
Development News Politics Transportation

Cincinnati secures full funding for first phase of modern streetcar system

The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced yesterday that they have unanimously recommended an award of $35 million for the construction of phase one of the Cincinnati Streetcar. The $35 million award means that the first phase of Cincinnati’s modern streetcar system is now fully funded.

To date, the Cincinnati Streetcar has secured $150 million through a variety of public and private resources to fund the first phase of the system which is estimated to cost $128 million.

“Today was a great day for our streetcar project,” exclaimed Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory in an email yesterday. “We now have the full amount needed to complete the first phase. This will help grow our city and improve our financial future.”

In addition to $35 million for construction, TRAC also recommended $1.8 million for planning and preliminary engineering work for phase two of the project which will extend further throughout Cincinnati’s uptown neighborhoods.

The Cincinnati Streetcar project scored 84 out of a possible 100 points in TRAC’s ranking – by far the highest total of all transportation projects from around the state. As a result of that robust score, ODOT officials approved TRAC’s $15 million recommendation for the Cincinnati Streetcar project in May 2010.

During recent budget debates, some advocacy groups have lobbied against the Cincinnati Streetcar project and said that the money should be instead used for other purposes – mainly preserving police and fire sources.  City officials have responded by repeatedly stating that the capital funds identified for the Cincinnati Streetcar are restricted funds that can only be used on capital projects – not operating expenses like personnel. Furthermore, city officials also believe the streetcar investment will return an estimated $3 for every $1 invested.

“In light of the budget problems facing the city, I am convinced that we must use every economic development tool we can to bring residents, jobs, businesses – and tax revenue – to the city,” explained City Manager Milton Dohoney. “Together, the streetcar, casino, The Banks, 21c Hotel, and other investments generate bigger returns that will stabilize and grow our local economy.”

Once complete, the system will be managed and operated by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority which currently manages and operates Metro bus service. Phase one of the Cincinnati Streetcar is expected to take on its first passengers in spring 2013.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Two exciting events for Saturday 11/6

Cincinnati’s Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. will tap the first Christkindl Winter Warmer Ale keg of the season on Saturday November 6th from 1pm to 4pm at Christy’s Biergarten in the Uptown neighborhood of CUF.

Brother Tim Sucher of St. Francis Seraph Ministries will ceremoniously tap the first keg at 1pm, “We are honored to celebrate the new release of Moerlein Christkindl in the spirit of the holiday season,” said Brother Tim Sucher of St. Francis Seraph Ministry. $1 from every pint sold that day will go towards St. Francis Seraph Ministry’s Christmas Fund.

According to a the brewing company, the building in which Christy’s is located was built as a wedding present for Christian Moerlein’s daughter in 1890. Owner and manager Christy Windholtz Lammers commented, “My family is very proud to have a direct affiliation with Cincinnati’s grand brewing tradition, and is honored to host the Moerlein Christkindl keg tapping event at Christian Moerlein’s daughters home. Wilkommen!”

Christy’s Biergarten will have a special happy hour with $3 pints of the new Moerlein Christkindl and a specially priced happy hour food menu, serving Bratts, Metts, Potato Pancake, German Potato Salad – Rueben and Sauerkraut Balls. Christies is located in the heart of the Clifton Heights business district at 151 West McMillian. Christie’s provides ample parking, but if you choose to imbibe, please do not drive. The biergarten is well accessible by Metro bus service.

Later in the evening, there will be another party taking place at the American Sign Museum (map) in Walnut Hills. Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals (CHYP) will be throwing their ‘Under Construction’ Bash from 7pm to 11pm at the nationally renowned museum. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 per person and $45 per person at the door. Tickets include food, open bar, dancing, and a silent auction.

“We’re very excited about this event and grateful to be able to have it at a hidden gem like the American Sign Museum,” said Marissa Woodly, Development Director, Cincinnati Habitat.

The museum boasts a collection of over 3,000 pieces of glowing Americana, which provide a nostalgic look into our commercial past in America. The proceeds from the event will go towards building an affordable home for a Cincinnati family in need.  Tickets for this event can be purchased online.  Also be sure to follow CHYP on Twitter at @CincyHabitatYP.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Queen City Scene: Fall 2010

Fall is firmly taking root in Cincinnati, so now makes for as good a time as any to take a spin through Cincinnati over the past few weeks.  Check out progress at major construction projects like The Banks and Great American Tower, but also take in some unique perspectives from around town.

This collection includes 22 photographs from throughout Cincinnati during the late summer of 2010.  Neighborhoods captured include Northside, Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Clifton Heights, Mt. Adams, Norwood, Oakley, and Camp Washington.

Categories
Development News Transportation

Streetscaping improvements along W. McMillan Street near completion

Significant progress has been made on the first-phase of streetscaping improvements throughout the Clifton Heights business district. Over the past two months work has been taking place along W. McMillan Street to rebuild sidewalks, crosswalks, curbs, and more. The projected $440,000 project will also include new street lamps, parking meters, trash cans, and street trees.

This stretch of W. McMillan Street had long been plagued by buckled sidewalks due to root invasion from the street trees there and water that subsequently collected. The rebuilt sidewalks not only feature safe and pleasant surfaces for pedestrians, but they also feature uniquely designed brick work at cross walk locations.

The improvement work has been championed by the Clifton Heights Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC) whose director, Matt Bourgeois, said that “the business community is very excited about the progress being made.”

Some of that progress has been quite noticeable including several facade improvement projects; business expansions and renovations by DuBois Bookstore, Plaza Artist Supplies, and Mac’s Pizza Pub; and the addition of several new businesses to the district.

The first phase of streetscaping improvements, nearing their expected completion in October 2010, were funded through the Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United (CNBDU) and the City of Cincinnati. The later two phases will continue the streetscaping work throughout the district over the next two years depending on funding.