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This Week In Soapbox 11/17

This Week in Soapbox UrbanCincy has the following seven stories that you must check out. You can read about Rookwood Pottery’s new role with the Cincinnati Gallery Auctions (originally published here), the progression of the $115 million Hoff Academic Quad project at Xavier University, a new salon in OTR, Building Value’s new home in Northside, the grand opening of DeSales Flats in East Walnut Hills, Tazza Mia’s aggressive growth strategy, and a new way to look at Cincinnati’s suburbs.

If you’re interested in staying in touch with some of the latest development news in Cincinnati please check out this week’s stories and sign up for the weekly E-Zine sent out by Soapbox Cincinnati. Also be sure to become a fan of Soapbox on Facebook!

TWIS 11/17:

  • Rookwood Pottery assumes famous Cincinnati Art Galleries Auctionfull article
  • $115M Hoff Academic Quad to transform Xavier University’s campusfull article
  • Salon Central opens in Over-the-Rhine with a ‘modern sensibility’full article
  • Building materials re-use company Building Value opens up shop in Northsidefull article
  • DeSales Flats celebrates grand opening in East Walnut Hillsfull article
  • Tazza Mia finds its coffee nichefull article
  • Recycling Cincinnati’s Suburbsfull article
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Business Development News Politics

What happened to the locavore movement?

The news is out that the Atlanta-based Carter/Dawson development team has selected Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC as the general contractor for the private development portions of The Banks. The Carter/Dawson team stated in a press release that Brasfield & Gorrie is “one of the largest privately-held contracting firms in the nation, and brings their extensive successful experience in building complex, mixed-use, vertically integrated developments in dense urban areas.”

This may be all well and good but the issue I have is that they’re based out of Birmingham. It’s not that there is anything wrong with Birmingham, or Atlanta for that matter, but there are huge sums of public money going into The Banks development. These tax dollars should be spent in the taxpayer’s best interest, and with unemployment hovering around 10 percent, we should be demanding that these contracts be awarded to local companies who will be employing Cincinnatians.

The Banks development plan – rendering provided.

It’s much like the rationale behind shopping local. When you award contracts to local companies they’ll hire people in the region, those people will take that money and upkeep their homes, go shopping, eat out, and support the local economy. When we give these contracts away to someone else there goes much of that money.

I can’t say for sure whether Brasfield & Gorrie is the best firm for the job, because they very well might be, but I do know that there are qualified companies here locally that would have loved the opportunity to not only get this contract, but also make a lasting impact on the city they call home. The one bright spot is that Brasfield & Gorrie has committed to achieving the development team’s goal of at least 30 percent SBE participation, and committed to utilizing a “significant amount of local talent to get the job done efficiently and effectively.”

Phase 1A of The Banks development – rendering provided.

Brasfield & Gorrie is expected to start assembling their team on site almost immediately and will begin construction on the overbuild of Phase 1A in December with a set completion date of Spring 2011. Once complete, The Banks will represent a total private investment around $600 million. Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Riverfront Transit Center are all complete and part of Cincinnati’s Riverfront Master Plan developed by Urban Design Associates. The Central Riverfront Park is under construction now and will compliment the entire development.

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News

New UC President Dr. Gregory Williams to keynote Triumph Awards

The Emanuel Community Center is hosting their annual Triumph Awards on Thursday, November 12 at 6pm. The Triumph Awards ceremony is one of Emanuel’s primary fund-raiser events throughout the year, and take time to honor the hard work people have put into the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The University of Cincinnati’s new president, Dr. Gregory Williams, will serve as the keynote speaker while Joe Pichler, William Mallory Sr., and Kathy Wade serve as the 2009 Triumph Honorees. Tickets are $50 and can be reserved by calling Jenny Mendelson at (513) 241-2563, ext. 20, by emailing eccinfo@emanuelcenter.org, or by purchasing your tickets online.

The Emanuel Community Center was founded in 1871 to help serve the expanding German immigrant population in the neighborhood. Today Emanuel is well-known for their childcare and youth programs serving neighborhood residents. And as the neighborhood continues to change, so does Emanuel, as they now act as a complete “center for the community” and are working hard to create programming and shared experiences in the neighborhood to ensure that capital investments evolve into a diverse and eclectic community.

“My time as an Over-the-Rhine resident has convinced me of the importance of this fantastic neighborhood in the future growth of our region,” said Emaneul Board Member Colin Groth. “At the start of this year I joined the board of the Emanuel Center after recognizing the critical role that community cohesion will play in the long-term sustainability of OTR.”

The Emanuel Community Center will host the Triumph Awards at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza’s famous Hall of Mirrors (map). The Hilton is within a block and a half of Metro’s Government Square bus hub. Plan your trip now using Metro’s Trip Planner to find out which route and time works best for you.

Hall of Mirrors photograph by Daniel Michael.

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News

New Orleans Jazz & Food festival at Washington Platform – 11/8

Washington Platform is hosting the Second Sunday New Orleans Jazz & Food Festival this Sunday, November 8. There will be live jazz music by the Mike Sharfe Trio in addition to the authentic Louisiana buffet. Washington Platform owner, Jon Diebold says that the event will run from 2pm to 5pm and that he encourages reservations to ensure space for your group.

Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant (map) has been in operation since 1875 and is famous for their oysters and annual oyster festival. Reservations can be made by calling (513) 421-0110. Also be sure to visit the restaurant during their newly expanded hours: Monday from 11am to 3pm, Tuesday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm, and Sunday from 4pm to 9pm.

There is plenty of free on-street parking nearby. Washington Platform is also well-served by more than a dozen Metro bus routes within one block of the restaurant. To see which route is most convenient for you, and to plan your trip now, use Metro’s Trip Planner.

Photo from Rrrrrd’s photostream on Flickr.

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News

Art showing at Bromwell’s new gallery space – 11/6

Cincinnati’s famed Bromwell’s is hosting an art showing, in their new second floor art gallery space, from 20 area artists including internationally known artist Tom Shaw. Bromwell’s new resident artist and gallery director, Even Hildebrandt will be on-hand along with many of the other featured artists to discuss their work.

The showing is free and open to the public and will take place from 6pm to 9pm at Bromwell’s (map) located in the historic West Fourth Street district in downtown Cincinnati. Bromwell’s beautiful fireplace showrooms will also be open and serve as overflow space for displayed art work. The showing will also feature a DJ and refreshments.

Bromwell’s is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm. Free on-street parking and garage parking (for payment) is available nearby. Bromwell’s is also within a two block walk of Metro’s Government Square bus hub. Plan your trip now using Metro’s Trip Planner to find out which route is best for you. Please call (513) 621-0620 with any additional questions.

Bromwell’s photograph by Scott Beseler.