I spent a quick two-and-a-half days in Minneapolis in mid-January to study their light rail system and explore the city’s urban core.
During my stay I was able to explore Midtown, Lowry Hill East, Downtown, Warehouse District, Loring Park, Uptown and some other areas very briefly. The city was expectedly cold, but I quickly learned why Minnesotans are such a hearty and down-to-earth bunch. The winters humble and challenge you.
The Hiawatha light rail line was small but well executed. The system utilizes modern rolling stock that includes low floors and is ADA accessible. The stations are nice, although suburban and off the beaten path in many locations. The best element, of the system, is that it connects major nodes with one another. The Mall of America, airport, football stadium, ballpark, arena, central business district, nightlife and government operations are all connected. The system will be vastly improved when it is expanded to St. Paul in the near future.
I will discuss specifics on Minneapolis’ transport network in a forthcoming op-ed. But for now, enjoy this brief collection of 37 photographs from my trip to the upper Midwest in the dead of winter.
It has been a busy 2011 in downtown Cincinnati so far. A slew of new businesses have opened, the city’s new tallest tower was completed, a new neighborhood is taking shape along the central waterfront, snow has displayed its dominance and the heart of Cincinnati continues to look as beautiful as ever.
Luckily for us, photographer and UrbanCincy contributor Thadd Fiala has been there to capture it all. Enjoy the following collection of photographs from downtown Cincinnati over the first month of 2011.
The overwhelming response to the incident at Tucker’s last week has been nothing short of amazing. Please continue to support this keystone of the Over-the-Rhine community. Love over fear.
The Parvis Lofts development has been open for less than one month and already developers say that they have leased nearly 50 percent of the 32 rental units available. The residential units also include 15,000 square feet of commercial space to fill out the $10.7 million development in the heart of historic Over-the-Rhine.
“The renaissance of Over-the-Rhine continues. By building apartments, we are giving new choices for people who are interested in being a part of the revitalization of this neighborhood,” Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory stated in a prepared release.
The development is located in the 1400 block of Vine Street which previously consisted of deteriorating buildings. NorthPointe Group developers say they renovated the 10 buildings into rental units to fill a need that had yet to be satisfied by other recently completed projects in the Gateway Quarter of Over-the-Rhine.
The finished units include laundry facilities in each unit, Rookwood Tile fireplaces, a courtyard, secure parking, lobby, Cincinnati Bell fiber-optic service, and range in size from 475 square feet to 2,025 square feet. NorthPointe Group officials say that rents average $850 per month, but start as low as $575 and go as high as $1,850.
“Up until now there has only been for-sale product developed in the Q, and we have received numerous requests for rental options,” explained Parvis Lofts leasing agent J.T. Barse. “Like the Gateway Quarter as a whole, the project is aimed at attracting people that want to live in and embrace Cincinnati’s urban core.”
The project was funded through a variety of sources that include State and Federal historic tax credits, New Market tax credits and a load from Cincinnati Equity Fund.
To date, NorthPointe Group has developed two other projects with HGC Construction in Over-the-Rhine including Duncanson Lofts and Mottainai – both of which have sold out. The development team is now working on Saengerhalle Lofts on Race Street just a block away.
The Q, and OTR in general, has been attracting a lot of attention, and with a burgeoning social scene we are seeing more people that want to live here even if they don’t work downtown,” said Barse. “While that may be what is bringing them down to look, the high quality finishes and exterior common area is what makes them want to rent.”
Barse also notes that many of the renters come down without knowing there is a Kroger grocery store directly across the street, or about how close the units are located to Findlay Market.
Those interested in touring the remaining units can do so by contacting J.T. Barse at jbarse@northpointegroup.com or by calling (513) 835-2110. You can also stay up-to-date by following NorthPointe Group on Twitter @NPGRealEstate.
Parvis Lofts photography by UrbanCincy contributor Jake Mecklenborg.
Seoul is a contradiction. It is a massive, cosmopolitan city with more than 24 million inhabitants. The city is culturally rich, historically significant, but also young, trendy, and a modern day economic powerhouse. But how then does the city also give off a timid, often conservative, feeling as well? The answer is, predictably, explained through the people that populate the buildings, streets, and urban environment.
I have been in Seoul for just over a month, and the contradictions are striking. The rich culture is what I believe keeps the people here so grounded and driven. Koreans want to be the best, they want to please, and they sacrifice in order to make your experience better. This is not something you would expect from a city with a young population that has also seen a relatively massive surge of foreigners enter its borders over the past 20 years.
So far I have not done nearly as much of the “must do” touristy things as I should have, but I have made some terrific Korean friends. Instead of checking out the palaces (which I plan to do) or posing for pictures on Namsan Mountain or atop Seoul Tower, I have instead spent my time living as much like a local as possible. I have been working long days and weeks, but I have been playing hard too – something for which Koreans are somewhat notorious.
One of my favorite things to do, besides karaoke, is to grab food from one of the omnipresent street vendors. While some cities in the United States might try to stand toe-to-toe with Seoul in this weight class, they might not realize what they are up against. To fully understand Seoul’s street food culture you must think beyond the meat on a stick, Ddeokbokki (spicy rice cakes), or the utterly delicious Hoddeok (honey, cinnamon-filled pancakes). Pojangmacha (tent restaurants) can be found in most districts throughout the city and they are where you can find some of the wildest food offerings, and one of the most humbling and interesting experiences you could ask for when dining on the curb.
Pojangmacha can range in size from a small tent that seats about four people inside in addition to the small grill working away, to a huge tent that seats dozens and dozens. Primarily known for being cheap places for drinking Soju or beer, the idea is that these are locations where everyone can sit down, eat, and drink regardless of social or economic standing. As a result you often find an interesting mix of people inside the cozy tent restaurants, and it is something that you must try while visiting Seoul or other major cities throughout Korea.
While much of Korea’s growth has occurred in the past three decades, you can still find very significant historic neighborhoods and landmarks almost all throughout the city…even if they might stand in the shadow of a massive, homogeneous and block-style apartment complex. One such district is Bukchon which is located just around the corner from my hotel, and the encroaching skyscrapers, and is famous for its collection of traditional Hanok homes. Bukchon manages to maintain its unique street configuration and almost entirely pedestrian focus even as modernization might be standing in its future.
Contradictions can be frustrating, but they can also be invigorating as is the case with Seoul. I have immediately fallen for the city and its people. There is a sense of calm here amidst the “Bali Bali!” rush that is comforting. It is a comfort might be best explained by saying you can make yourself heard, without raising your voice.
The collection of photographs from November 2010 features images from Bukchon, Insa-dong, Jongro, and Kangnam.
