Tag: over-the-rhine

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OTR – Blogger Tour of Living

This past Saturday UrbanCincy and the fine folks from the Gateway Quarter put together a second Blogger Tour of Living. The idea was to give some of the bloggers a taste for what is coming up on this weekend’s Downtown Tour of Living, as well as, wet everyone’s appetite for what is coming down the road.

The turnout was great, the weather was even better. Plus we had Oktoberfest going on just a few blocks to the south of us, and a Bearcat football game just a little bit to the north of us that night (would have been great to have been able to hop on the streetcar and go from spot to spot). A couple of the developers, real estate people and investors were also on hand to answer questions and meet some of Cincinnati’s great bloggers.

We were able to go in to a couple of buildings (Good Fellows Hall, Trideca) that are putting on the finishing touches for this weekends big tour. We also got to see the City Home project on Pleasant, Trinity Flats at 14th & Vine, two projects at 13th & Republic, and another project on north Main Street. You can view/comment on all of my photos here, or simply let the slideshow roll through below.

The Downtown Tour of Living (brochure, 5mb) is Saturday, September 27th from noon to 5pm and will boast 15 sites throughout Downtown (8) and Over-the-Rhine (7). Tickets are $15 per person and are available in advance, as well as, on the day of the event at Fountain Square and Central Parkway & Vine Streets. You can also purchase tickets at any Downtown US Bank branch location.

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PARK(ing) Day invades Cincinnati

First organized by the Trust for Public Land, PARK(ing) Day is a global event that lasts only one day but whose goal is one that is shared amongst many. Whereas some cities devote 70% of their public land to the automobile, PARK(ing) Day attempts to reclaim land from the automobile, to change how one perceives public space to be defined as, at least temporarily.

Activists, artists and ordinary citizens come together to transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces,” or what are essentially public parks. Some of these reclaimed spaces are more elaborate than others, with some laying out the sod and lawn chairs to give the appearance of an actual park. An act of civil disobedience in some locales, nothing more than a glance-over by the parking maids in others.

What’s great about PARK(ing) Day is its simplicity. You choose a suitable location for the park, lay down some sod or shrubbery, add in some chairs or perhaps a bench, and other decorative elements that invite passerby’s to come in and chat. Perhaps add in an umbrella to provide some shade. Oh, and don’t forget to feed the meter.

For Cincinnati, there were seven PARK(ing) Day locations. Coffee Emporium, City Roots, Park+Vine, Outside, Iris Book Cafe and Classical Glass all participated.

At Coffee Emporium’s spot, one of the employees had kicked back in a chair and was catching up on a novel. At Park+Vine’s, they were selling lemons for two cents and advice for one cent from a cardboard stand that was reminiscent of Lucy’s “Pyschiatric Help” booth from the cartoon strip, Peanuts.

It wasn’t all rosy, though. An impromptu spot along Walnut Street between Fourth and Fifth streets ran into a snafu after participants began playing cornhole outside of a Subway restaurant. The fast-food eatery, fearing a major loss of business during the lunch rush, called the police to complain and the PARK(ing) spot was removed.

PARK(ing) Day was still a fantastic event and a much bigger turnout than from the prior year. It’ll be interesting to see what is planned for next year!

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News

Scooters gaining speed in Cincinnati

Are you one of the many people riding around town on a scooter, moped, or motorcycle?  If you are then you’re in luck.  The City of Cincinnati has taken note of the increased number of these smaller vehicles and is planning to introduce five parking locations, throughout the Downtown area, for these vehicles.

These will be 10-hour, dedicated, on-street parking options.  Each of the five locations will accomodate between 3-5 vehicles each.  The City plans to have these locations set up and in place by the end of October and wants your input on where they should be located throughout the Downtown area.

Take the survey here!Shop for scooters today!

The City is also strongly considering some other neighborhoods for this program, but would like your input on where it would be best suited.  Clifton, Northside, and others (you know who you are) this means you.  Tell City officials that you think it would be a great idea for this program to be extended to your neighborhood, and help make this initial program a success.

The beauty of this program is that it not only makes things better for those who currently ride around on scooters, mopeds, or motorcycles, but it also makes the city more inviting to those considering these smaller vehicles as an alternative to a car.


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MPMF 3 day passes

MidPoint Music Festival is right around the corner (Sept. 25-27). The music festival showcases independent local, regional, national and international artists throughout Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. This will be the 7th year for the annual festival and should be better than ever with new/more venues and tons of great acts.

One of the new features of this year’s festival will be the Scion Streetcar route. The crossover vehicles will be made available to festival goers to travel between venues. This is also meant to introduce the Cincinnati Streetcar movement/proposal to a host of new people and get even more people excited about the project.

The best performances are sure to sell out, and quickly. Therefore, MPMF organizers recommend buying See It All 3 day passes in advance. The $29 See It All 3 day pass will allow festival attendees to access all 17 stages and concerts by all MidPoint bands. This is the best way to guarantee your access to the best shows by your favorites artists.

Band Lineup | Schedule | Venues | Volunteer

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Business Development News

Gateway Quarter retail spaces filling up

The new residential units, in the Gateway Quarter, boast exposed brick walls, original support beams, hardwood floors (in some cases original), very unique floor plans, and a prime location in the heart of what will soon be Cincinnati’s premier neighborhood. Well guess what, the retail spaces have all that too, and they are filling up quite nicely right along with their residential counterparts.

The area already has 11 unique retail establishments, the most notable being Park + Vine (a ‘green’ general store) and Lavomatic (urban wine bar by Jean Robert). Many of them have been there for over a year and are now about ready to be joined by three new additions.

The Little Mahatma (513-723-1287) is relocating its jewelry, art and artifacts store from its previous location, on Main Street behind the Aronoff Center, to 1205 Vine Street and will also be celebrating its 20th year in business. The Little Mahatma will be open M-F 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

Switch (513-721-8100) is opening up at 1207 Vine Street and will have lighting fixtures for your home and office highlighting current designs from North and South America, Europe and Scandinavia. Hours for Switch will be M-F 11am-7pm, Saturday 12pm-6pm and by appointment.

Incredible Creations (513-961-4111) is the third establishment that will be opening up with the other two this Fall, and will be located at 1209 Vine Street. This upscale barbershop and beauty salon will offer a host of services and will be the first service related business to the Gateway Quarter. Hours for Incredible Creations will be T-Th 9am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-7pm, closed Sunday and Monday.

All three are excited about their new locations echoing similar comments of one another that the neighborhood is becoming a magnet for unique retail options and that they want to be a part of the urban renaissance that is occuring in Cincinnati.

The new shops plan to be open for the Downtown Tour of Living on September 27th where the Gateway Quarter will once again be prominently featured. Official grand openings will be coming later, after the Tour, bu t those attending the Tour will be able to go through and check out the new places.


Park + Vine (a ‘green’ general store) in the Gateway Quarter