UrbanCincy

Each Note Secure covering Cincy's music scene

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:27:00 +0000

There has been a new addition to the greatest, best blogroll God has ever given man on the face of the earth. Each Note Secure is a, "Cincinnati Music Blog" that started almost 4 years ago. Owner, Joe Long, describes the site as being "an outlet for me to talk about my sometimes obsessive music tastes."

The site features observations/reviews on music, the industry, and a lot of information about the Cincinnati music scene. A scene that Joe feels has a lot of great local bands right now. Who would be better to listen to on the topic than someone who is obsessive and passionate about it?

Each Note Secure is pretty comprehensive with its reviews. Each one tends to come standard with audio clips and links to artists/producers. If you're looking for the best music reviews and show information, in the Cincinnati area, then I recommend checking out ENS.

*Site maintenance note: There have been a few small changes to the site recently...some of which will be permanent, others temporary. There will also be another change to come - a newly created logo. Right now I am sending out a request for submissions for an UrbanCincy.com logo design contest. If you are interested please email me to be provided with specifics...or look for the details online HERE.

Looking for some Summer fun?

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:40:00 +0000

Two fun/new things to do are coming to Cincinnati soon. Ride the Ducks tour(s) in Cincinnati will mark the companies 8th location nationwide (Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Baltimore, etc). These tours are a combined land and water tour and are popular among tourists and locals alike. The Cincinnati tour will begin in Newport (near the Newport Aquarium) and will go between both Cincinnati and Nky.

Ride the Ducks tour boat (left) and cable wakeboarding (right)

The other new attraction will be a Wake Nation theme park in the Fairfield area. The company specializes in 'cable wakeboarding' (GoogleVideo) and describes the theme park as a "watersports complex designed for wakeboarding, wakeskating, water skiing and knee boarding." This news, as originally reported by Cincinnati Living Online, states that they plan to break ground in August 2008 (with a planned opening in Spring/Summer '09) and that the park is on an eight acre lake and has a cable system suspended 30 feet above the lake.

Both sound like very fun and very unique/new attractions for the region. I personally can't wait for both as the Duck tours will provide for great photo ops and a chance to get out on the Ohio River...and the Wake Nation complex just sounds awesome in every sense of the word.

Read more about the Ride the Ducks tours in this week's Soapbox Cincinnati issue.

Flagship urban Kroger at The Banks?

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:14:00 +0000

Local NBC affiliate, WLWT Channel 5, reported last week that the developers of The Banks are planning to release names of tenants later this year. Three tenants in particular that they did mention that they are in negotiations with are an ESPN Zone, Margaritaville, and Kroger.

ESPN Zone and Margaritaville don't surprise me all that much...Kroger on the other hand is a pleasant surprise and gets my thoughts stirring about what they could do with an urban store in a newly constructed building in the very city they call home.

What I expect is for Kroger to step up and do something truly special. Something that incorporates all of their best store features and incorporates them into an urban model. A store that could become their flagship urban grocery store - an area in which Kroger doesn't seem to venture too often, but one that they might want to start considering (see gas prices).

I'm thinking of a store that has lots of international foods, organic products, and generally fits with an "urban lifestyle" for those who may be buying in smaller quantities but at greater frequencies. Could there be a better location, time, and/or opportunity? I don't think so.

Urban Kroger location (GoogleMap) in Atlanta, GA - Photos by Randy Simes

Calhoun/McMillan development pushes forward

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:32:00 +0000

Over the 4th of July weekend, the last two remaining buildings came down in the long-stalled McMillan Park project. First it was the money, then it was the property holdouts, then the bad economy topped it all off. Throughout this process the project was pretty much scrapped and put on the back burner.

That is until the remaining properties were secured. That has happened...enter Towne Properties, a renewed interest from UC, a growing UC student population, and future connection point between the Uptown and Downtown streetcar lines and you have some serious momentum.

Original rendering for McMillan Park - Source Unknown

Some people have criticized the poor design of University Park (across the street), but I'm not sure anyone can complain about its impact on street activity along Calhoun Street. People can be found all over the place doing homework, eating, relaxing, and socializing. So what can be done across the street to compliment those activities and continue to expand upon them?

I think a pedestrian only Hartshorn Street (GoogleMap) would be great for large outdoor patio spaces (see Cadillac Ranch Downtown) that could also make for neat street vending opportunities for students (i.e. artwork, music, maybe even some performance type stuff).

Along with that, 8-10 story buildings would seem to work well. The first two floors should be built out to the street, and then setback for the remaining 6-8 stories...thus creating the opportunity for an amenity deck above the 2-level retail or town homes below. This would then create a new level of activity that would spill onto the street below, while also remaining semi-private for the residents above. What would you like to see?

Example amenity deck - Source, www.1010midtowncondosupdate.com

Get involved on Fountain Square

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:24:00 +0000

With the regular programming of events, on Fountain Square, there is a need for volunteers to help staff these events. This has been all well and good...and more than likely you've seen these volunteers serving up beer, soda, treats, and ushering people around for various events.

The Square has really been coming into its own and the surrounding area has also been improving with new restaurants, stores, and entertainment. Add in some of the typical big Summer events and you have a slammed Fountain Square almost all the time.

This is creating the need for more volunteers to keep all these events functioning as best they can. This Sunday alone they are expecting around 6,000 people to come out and enjoy the weekly Smooth Sunday concert on the Square. On top of that you know it's going to be packed for Saturday Night at the Movies (this week featuring Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius & Batman Begins).

If you're looking for some service hours at school, a unique social experience, maybe some cash (I made some good tips serving beer before a Reds game in a matter of 2.5 hours), or even the excuse to just hang out on the Square with some great entertainment then this is for you. You can sign up to be a Fountain Square Volunteer, or you can offer your time for immediate needs at events like the Sunday evening concerts.

Genius of Water - Image from MyFountainSquare.com

Barack Obama packs Downtown and delivers historic speech

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:10:00 +0000

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee - Barack Obama - addressed the NAACP Convention at 8pm, July 14th, 2008. People started waiting at the Duke Energy Center about 6 hours earlier at 2pm hoping to get into the convention center to be a part of a movement and history in the making. Obama did not disappoint as he dazzled the crowd with a wonderful speech (full text).

Those who weren't lucky enough to get inside, and others looking for different atmosphere, gathered on Fountain Square - packing it to the gills. Local organizations put together some entertainment for the expected crowd that started gathering en mass around 5pm. Others who wanted to stay at home could do so thanks to the live coverage by local NBC affiliate, WLWT-Cincinnati.

The presumptive Republican nominee - John McCain - will speak Wednesday at 11:30am. You will also be able to catch this on WLWT, Fountain Square, or in person at the Conference. It's great to see the level of excitement about politics this year. It's even better to see it first-hand right here in Cincinnati.

Fountain Square Scene - Photo by 5chw4r7z

Know Theatre - What's the Point?!

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:03:00 +0000

What's the Point?! is soon to be at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. The production originally opened in 2007 in New York City at The Reprise Room and will return there in September. In the mean time, the Know Theatre of Cincinnati will bring the cabaret musical to another city for the first time ever this Summer.

The musical is based on the popular 1950s and 1960s revue styles, which were known for commenting on popular trends and on society in general. Additionally this particular production has been described as "fast-paced" with each member, of the three-person cast, playing a variety of characters.

The Cincinnati premier will take place on Friday, July 18th and will run through Tuesday, August 12th. Shows on Fridays and Saturdays start at 9:30pm, while shows on Mondays and Tuesdays start at 7:30pm. You can get tickets for a mere $15 by calling 513.300.5669 (KNOW) or by stopping by the box office located at 1120 Jackson Street (GoogleMap).

Political spotlight on Cincy next week

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Next week will be a big week for Cincinnati as the political spotlight will be shining directly upon our city. It all starts with the 99th annual NAACP convention being held at the Duke Energy Center. The convention is expected to bring an estimated 9,000 delegates and two VERY important special guests.

The two presumptive presidential nominees, Sen. John McCain (R) and Sen. Barack Obama (D), are both scheduled to address the NAACP delegates this coming week. Local NBC affiliate WLWT-TV, Channel 5, has announced that they will cut in to normal programming to broadcast both speeches live. This then allows the speeches to be shown on the giant LED board over Fountain Square - expect big crowds.

McCain and Obama - from http://randallps129.blogspot.com/

The real issue here is not all of the coverage Cincinnati will get, the political attention, or big crowds that will fill hotels and spend big money. The thing that should be most noted is how it all came to be...Mayor Mallory, and other key leaders, worked aggressively to lure the NAACP convention to Cincinnati over the convention heavyweight Las Vegas.

In addition to that the City has worked very hard at giving Downtown a "spit-shine" to ensure a good impression on the 9,000 delegates. This 1-million dollar effort included things like repairing damaged sidewalks, curbs, street corners, painting light poles and other small projects.

Speech Schedule:
Sen. Barack Obama (D) --- Monday, July 14th at 8pm
Sen. John McCain (R) --- Wednesday, July 16th sometime between 9:30am and 12:30pm

Bring VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown to Cincinnati

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Some local, regional, and state leaders have worked to extend an invitation to VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown to come to Cincinnati's Fountain Square. This is in light of the very popular new song/video, "It's Not My Time," from 3 Doors Down - which was filmed in Cincinnati. The video is shot entirely in Cincinnati and covers prominent city landmarks in Over-the-Rhine, Downtown, Mt. Auburn and Lower Price Hill.

So how can you help bring the countdown to Cincinnati? The easiest way is to go to VH1's website and vote for the 3 Doors Down video. It is really quick/easy, and we need to get to work as the video is currently at the #14 spot on the countdown. Pass on this information to as many people as you know so that we can bring the countdown to Fountain Square.

This effort would generate six hours of national publicity in roughly 90 million homes. The show is a two-hour program that airs three times during the week - beginning from 9-11am Saturdays - and features a dozen mini-remotes during which host Alison Becker touts the different venues from the assigned location of the week (insert Cincinnati). Alison would be able to tape from Fountain Square, Government Square, the Freedom Center, restaurants and nightclubs in/around Downtown, plus some views overlooking the city.

WATCH "IT'S NOT MY TIME" HERE

Zoning Revolution!

noreply@blogger.com (Hawse) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:30:00 +0000

Neighborhoods are the heart of what makes Cincinnati an incredible city. Each neighborhood is different, and has developed over time into the vibrant places they are today. Hyde Park, Mt. Adams, Clifton, Over-the-Rhine, are all great neighborhoods. They are also illegal under current laws. So what happened? Why can we not build neighborhoods like this anymore? My theory… Euclidian Zoning.

The conventional city zoning code deals with uses. It tells what you can or cannot have at a certain place (example: commercial separated from residential). This separation of uses effectively prohibits a traditional neighborhood or mixed use development from occurring. What if, instead of thinking of buildings in uses, we thought of buildings in form? If we select certain elements that the form of the building has to have, then we can work towards creating traditional neighborhoods, instead of a series of random buildings surrounded by parking.

Andres Duany has championed this neo-traditional development form. He has asked us to do nothing more than create the places where we all want to live. If we like places like Over-the-Rhine, why not create a zoning code that allows new development to be built like Over-the-Rhine? This isn't about recreating history, or making "fake" cities, it is about creating smart, pedestrian friendly, diverse, and beautiful neighborhoods.

Let's make smart design legal again.

Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls' is pursuing a plan to bring "Smart Codes" to Cincinnati. She believes that "a combination of traditional zoning codes and auto-oriented, suburban street design has threatened the built form and the design quality of our neighborhoods and business districts". I for one, support her in this effort.

Learn More about SMART CODES HERE!

UrbanCincy readers are excited about streetcars

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:33:00 +0000

The June poll results are in...and it was a clear/decisive victory for streetcars (YouTube video about modern streetcars). The question was, "what are you most excited about over the next few years?" And phase 1 of the proposed streetcar system (141 votes) nearly tripled the amount of votes casted for the second place finisher (The Banks phase 1a - 53 votes), and tallied one more vote than the other four options combine.

I voted for the streetcar option for a pretty simple reason. It is something that helps make many of those other options (i.e. The Banks, OTR progress) more feasible and helps to spur more good things to come (i.e. future Queen City Squares). It's like the gift that keeps on giving.

So, why did the other 279 voters vote the way they did, and most importantly, what are you going to do to help make them happen?

Image from Dewi's Trains, Trams & Trolleys

Is gentrification inevitable in OTR?

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:05:00 +0000

So, is it? I tend to think that it is inevitable, but it does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. The word often comes with very negative connotations, especially when you throw race into the equation. This is exactly the issue in Over-the-Rhine, and it is also not a new one (see Buddy Gray).

Gentrification, by definition, is the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents. The key here is that gentrification often displaces poorer residents. An influx, of middle-class or affluent people, alone isn't a bad thing. It is what usually comes with it that is bad - the displacement of poorer residents.

NW View over OTR by Randy Simes

So far gentrification has been taking place in/around the Gateway Quarter, but displacement hasn't really occurred. Many of the buildings were vacant and there has been an effort, by 3CDC, to keep units at affordable levels. Some of the units have even been arranged to only accommodate individuals within certain income ranges.

As more and more new condos pop up and more new businesses arrive, the question seems only logical. How are we going to deal with the issue of gentrification in our city's most infamous neighborhood? It is something that will take work and courage from our leaders, and dedication from the developers to do what is right.

The gentrification of OTR doesn't have to be the divisive/negative aspect that it often is elsewhere. We know what we can do (inclusionary zoning techniques), and we know what we should do. The question really is whether the OTR power brokers will ultimately do the right thing and not displace those current residents just so they can fatten their wallets.

Contemporary Arts Center: ’08-’09 Exhibition Season

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:24:00 +0000

The 2008-2009 Exhibition Season, at the CAC, will be another great one. The CAC’s Chief Curator, Raphaela Platow, describes the upcoming season as “an opportunity to see ground-breaking moments in sculpture, painting, film, dance and multimedia, including new and site-related works.”

The season boasts artists like the 89-year old Austrian painter, Maria Lassnig, who will have her first U.S. exhibition; Mexican artist Carlos Amorales who will take part in the first collaboration with the Cincinnati Ballet in a site-related performance; the first museum exhibition of Donald Sultan’s early linoleum paintings; and the first-ever museum show anywhere for the Japanese painter Aya Uekawa.

You can become of member, of the CAC, for as little as $25/year with a Student or Senior Membership. All memberships get you exclusive discounts at the CAC store, a subscription to the CAC’s CENTERBEAT newsletter, 2 guest passes, and invites to some of the coolest parties/exhibits in town.

From left to right: Donald Sultan - Cantaloupe Pickers, 1983; Carlos Amorales - Black Cloud, 2007; Aya Uekawa - A Euro Lover, 2006; Maria Lassnig - Couple, 2005

Shaking up SORTA

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:46:00 +0000

This past week Cincinnati City Council passed a resolution that proposed a restructuring of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority (SORTA). SORTA, as it currently exists, operates the Metro Bus Service and is primarily funded by the City of Cincinnati.

The City of Cincinnati currently dedicates .3% of its annual earnings tax (roughly $43 million) to the operation of the Metro Bus Service. This amounts to about 90% of the total operation costs of what is a regional transportation system. This is where the problem is with the current SORTA makeup.

Cincinnati pays an overwhelming majority of the costs, but does not also see an overwhelming majority control. Additionally they are essentially the only financial contributor to this regional system. In order for this regional system to truly flourish all the parties need to contribute financially and have representation that matches their contribution. This is just what the resolution calls for.

The resolution looks to “reward jurisdictions that invest in public transit a proportional share of control over the governing body in order to incentivize and reward public investment in public transportation.”

Essentially this resolution would automatically bring more entities to the table than now and it would also shift control to those who contribute the most. The board will consist of at least 11 members (no more than 19) with one representative from Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont Counties with the City of Cincinnati also being allotted one representative.

From there the rest of the board will be made up based on how much each of those entities contribute to the annual budget. The kicker here is that if a given entity makes up greater than 50% of the annual budget then that jurisdiction can appoint additional members, to the board, until they reach a majority control (if they do not have one already).

Seems to make a lot of sense and it is shocking that this isn't the way our current system works. John Cranley and the other members of City Council should be commended for their work on this particular effort as Cincinnati moves towards the creation of a better regional transit system.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati: '08-'09 Season

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:09:00 +0000

The Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati has announced their 2008-2009 Season. The lineup includes six different works ranging from contemporary theatre award-winners, as well as, some Cincinnati favorites.

Three of the works have been nominated for Tony Awards. Grey Gardens has been nominated for 10 including Best Musical. The Seafarer and Gem of the Ocean have both been nominated for several (4 and 5 respectively) awards and are both nominated for Best Play.

In addition to those goodies you'll have the opportunity to check out Alice in Wonderland (a musical retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic story), Mauritius, and Don't Make Me Pull This Show Over: Dispatches From The Frontlines of Parenting.

Quit pandering, do what's right

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:00:00 +0000

City Council appears poised to not roll back the millage rate for Cincinnatians for the first time since 2000. The current millage rate (4.53) generates roughly $29-million a year for city coffers. The roll back essentially keeps that number flat from year to year.

Last year's roll back saved the average homeowner $1.39, while it would have collectively generated millions for the City. These millions of extra dollars could be used to help stabilize the City's budget and improve its credit rating. Additionally the City could look into providing more services to its citizens ranging from public safety to neighborhood improvements.

Interestingly enough there are still four members, on City Council (Monzel-R, Ghiz-R, Berding-D, Cranley-D), who believe it is a better idea (politically I'm sure) to roll back the millage rate and possibly even freeze it where it stands. Interestingly enough John Cranley (one of two Democrats in favor of the roll back) has also made repeated statements about the importance of investing in our neighborhoods and public safety. Chris Monzel is the most outspoken on this topic (only council member not on the Finance Committee) and describes the five others on council as, "hungry wolves at the public trough."

It would seem to be a better strategy, for the politicians, to look at what is ultimately in the best interest of its citizens rather than pandering for future votes. The City's finance department, City Manager Milton Dohoney, and five members of council seem to agree. Lets take the $1.39 hit for what is ultimately best for our city.

For some reason this issue reminds me a lot of the proposed Gas Tax Holiday - may score up some new votes, but ultimately it is not in the best interest of the public.

External Sources:
Cincinnati Enquirer - Cincinnati council leans against traditional tax cut
City Hall image (by Greg Hume) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License

OTR Ambassador update

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:31:00 +0000

About a month ago Vitality Over-the-Rhine, a group tasked with making resident/business driven initiatives reality, started signing people up for a new Volunteer Ambassador Program in Over-the-Rhine.

Since that time Ambassadors have started showing up on the streets of OTR. Ambassadors were spotted at the GoOTR 5k and Findlay Market. There are nearly 50 people signed up for the program dedicated to improving Over-the-Rhine. This group is made up of students from UC, XU, and the Art Academy...it is made up of residents of OTR and Downtown...business owners, community leaders and activists.

Volunteer Ambassadors after the GoOTR 5k - Image provided by Queen City Survey

Shirts will soon be on display at a variety of locations throughout OTR including Park + Vine. These locations will serve as satellite sign-up locations for the program. Monthly social gatherings have been arranged for volunteers and community members, and most importantly Ambassadors are hitting the streets and making a difference.

Not sold yet, there are a host of OTR businesses offering special discounts and offers to Ambassadors. Simply put, if you're wearing the Ambassador t-shirt you get special discounts all over OTR. Meet new people, get connected in Over-the-Rhine, and help make a difference in one of Cincinnati's greatest neighborhoods. Become an Over-the-Rhine Ambassador today!

The next gathering will be at 6:30pm this Thursday (6/5/08) at Mr. Pitiful's (GoogleMap). Come out to hear more about the program and sign-up. Feel free to bring a friend along even if they're not necessarily interested in signing up.

Join the Vitality Over-the-Rhine Facebook Group

Welcome newbies!

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:25:00 +0000

The poll for May indicates that the majority of readers, on UrbanCincy, are relative newcomers (less than 3 months). Nearly 50% of the 151 respondents selected this as their response. The next largest group (25%) were those that have been reading roughly from the beginning (9-12 months).

As UrbanCincy enters its second year of existence I expect this number of newcomers to continue to rise and the level of regular readers also to rise. These are high expectations, but things have been good thus far. Keep reading...we'll keep writing.

Washington Park expansion

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:21:00 +0000

Washington Park offers a great opportunity for Over-the-Rhine. It is a historic park that has been owned, by the City, since 1855. The park boasts Civil War monuments, a historic bandstand, and some beautifully mature trees.

On the other hand the park has been plagued with perceived safety issues and an overall lack of investment in the surrounding area. This is rapidly changing with the massive investment from 3CDC and others. New residents, businesses, and a new School of Creative and Performing Arts are all offering the park and the neighborhood a fresh chance at new life.

Washington Park Conceptual Plan - Image provided by 3CDC

Washington Park Elementary once sat on the northern most portion of Washington Park and essentially cut Washington Park off from its northern neighbors. The demolition, of Washington Park Elementary, now offers an opportunity to expand the park where the school once sat. At the same time it will allow for a potential solution to another problem for new residents, businesses, and established destinations in the area (i.e. Music Hall, Memorial Hall, etc) - parking.

The expansion plan right now is to build a garage, underneath the expanded park, that would create 600-700 parking spaces. The total project cost is pegged around $25-million and a time line for completion will be created following more community input on the final plan.

This is all made possible by a recent agreement between Cincinnati Public Schools and the Cincinnati Park Board with 3CDC. CPS has agreed to permanently transfer the title for the former school site to the Park Board.

What is a city to you? (part one)

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:29:00 +0000

Seems like a simple question, right? I've heard many different explanations from a wide variety of people. I have even heard wide-ranging opinions from people with similar backgrounds and formal training/education. So what is a city to you, what comes to mind when you hear the word city, and has your opinion changed over the years.

What a city is to me (Overview):
Wikipedia defines a city as an urban settlement generally with a large population. The definition I had when I was younger was much simpler...I thought of cities generally as the places where all the tall buildings were. Pretty simple, I know, but that was where it all began and where my interest (in cities) stems from.

Since that time the meaning and my opinion, of cities, has greatly evolved. I think of cities as living/breathing places that have their own heartbeat and rhythm. This rhythm is set forth by the cities people and then ultimately that rhythm dominates the culture until a major force acts upon it.

A city is a place of diversity (of all kinds - not just race), it is a place of culture, unique local experiences, uncertainty, and people...lots of people. Sometimes these items can be good, sometimes bad...but in the end they are the things that makes cities - cities. Nowadays when I hear the word city my mind starts racing and jumping all over the place seemingly impossible to tame - kind of like a city I guess.

Image Credit:
Yves Tessier, Tessima/Quebec City Tourism

Interesting related reads:
Who's Your City by Richard Florida
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

Streetcar Forum June 10th at UC

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:16:00 +0000

Are you in search for more information about streetcars and more specifics about the Cincinnati streetcar proposal? If so then this June 10th is for you.

The City of Cincinnati will be hosting a Streetcar Forum at the University of Cincinnati from 8am - 1:30pm. There is a $35 registration fee for the event (includes continental breakfast, box lunch, parking, and forum materials).

The forum will be taking place on UC's Main Campus at the Tangeman University Center (TUC-Great Hall - GoogleMap), 4th floor.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Cincinnati Streetcar Forum: Promoting Growth & Mobility - Itinerary

8:00 - 8:30 Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 8:35 Welcome and Introductions by Moderator

8:35 - 9:00 Introduction of Cities

9:00 - 10:00 Session One: Streetcars 101

What is a Streetcar System?
Why have they been successful?
What was the community reaction?

10:00 - 10:15 Break
10:15 - 11:15 Session Two: Impact of Streetcars on Economic Development

How has the Streetcar System stimulated growth and mobility?

11:15 - 12:00 Lunch: The Cincinnati Proposal
12:00 - 1:00 Session Three: Implementing a Streetcar System

What funding sources are available?
How much does it cost to maintain a Streetcar System?
What are the lessons learned implementing a streetcar system?

1:00 - 1:30 Final Comments: Questions & Answers

Cincy Fringe Festival

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:54:00 +0000

The 2008 Cincinnati Fringe Festival marks the 5th year of its existence. The festival started tonight at the Art Academy in Over-the-Rhine. Over the next 12 days, Downtown and Over-the-Rhine will support 20 different venues which will play host to a variety of art including visual, performance, and film. There will also be an ongoing mural installation on the south side of the Know Theatre over the 12 day festival.

The Cincy Fringe Festival is one of 20 active Fringe festivals in North America including New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Minneapolis...with the original stemming from Edinburgh, Scotland which began 51 years ago.

Organizers are still looking for volunteers to assist in various ways throughout the festival. You can get involved by signing up online (it's very easy). Volunteers get a Fringe Festival t-shirt for signing up for one shift and get two free tickets (to any Fringe show) for every shift you sign up for after that.

There is a lot more I could ramble on about, but you can get most of the information from the website. You can order tickets, get reviews, preview shows, and much more.

Ohio Transportation Survey

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:23:00 +0000

If you are as passionate about transportation options as I am, and want your voice to be heard, go check out this survey being conducted by Ohio's 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force.

I was first tipped off, to the survey, by an informative post over at Building-Cincinnati.

I'm confused...someone please clarify

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:45:00 +0000

Here is an email I received from Millvalley...

No surprise: we're driving less -- about 4.3% fewer miles than last year, the first annual decline since 1979and the largest yearly decline on record.

On the other hand, public transportation use is now at its highest level in fifty years, with rail systems showing 6% year-over-year gains.

Our region is not reacting to these trends aggressively enough.

Let me explain. The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments is now updating its 2030 Plan, a document that guides investment in transportation projects here. Ohio and Kentucky will be spending about $4.4 billion over the next couple decades on new and improved roadways, transit, bike and pedestrian programs, freight and information technology systems. Another $2.5 billion will be spent on the operations and maintenance of our mobility systems.

Kentucky expects to invest $1.4 billion on roadway projects compared to only $22 million on transit -- fully 63 as much on a mode of travel that is declining nationwide compared to one that is growing. Ohio's progam is a little more balanced. Projected spending for roadways is $2.3 billion. While transit is nominally slated to receive $509 million, about $410 million of this sum is for the Eastern Corridor rail project which, in my view, has little chance of ever getting built. If it does get built, the numbers show that it will be a very poor performer. So that leaves about $99 million for all other transit projects for the next couple of decades. It's still heavily lopsided in favor of roads -- in Ohio, we'll $23 for highways for every $1 spent on transit.

I'm just wondering if this would fly in the private sector? I tend to say no, but I am confused as to why this is accepted from our government?

If you would like to hear more and subscribe to the Millvalley listserve you can do so by emailing Millvalley@aol.com.

Let's talk tax structure and streetcars

noreply@blogger.com (UncleRando) — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:56:00 +0000

There is no doubt that residents and businesses, in Downtown/OTR/Uptown, see the value in the proposed streetcar system. It is also quite understandable that community leaders in neighborhoods like Westwood, Price Hill, and Mt. Washington may not exactly see the benefits to their respective communities.

Every community would like to have more amenities and improved services. These are the things that help make neighborhoods successful and great places to live. At the same time they understandably don't want to see their taxes rise. So lets break down the tax structure and how the streetcar will play into this whole situation...

Residential properties are accepted losers when it comes to taxes. They simply demand far more services than they pay for in taxes. Those services (i.e. trash, police, fire, schools, etc) are made possible by those that pay exceedingly more than they demand (i.e. office, industrial).

Therefore the commercial and industrial bases are the most important tax bases to preserve and grow in order to maintain service levels for your residential base. Of the Top Ten taxpayers, in 2006, 9 were based out of Downtown* (for what I could find).

With that said, residential properties can get close to offsetting their service demands. The best opportunity for this to occur is in the most densely populated (or built) areas where economies of scale factor in big time. In Cincinnati's case there is no other residential neighborhood that has a potentially better return on taxes than Over-the-Rhine.

Chart illustrating the functionality of Economies of Scale

These most densely built areas need to be focused on first and foremost, and need to be populated with as many people as possible. This allows you to grow your residential base without significantly growing the demand for services (in OTR's case you may actually decrease demand for services like police and fire by repopulating the neighborhood).

So while a streetcar line only serving Downtown, OTR, and Uptown seems to only benefit those 3 neighborhoods...it is really affecting the financial stability of the entire city, and allows for a growth in tax base without a significantly higher demand for services. This means extra tax revenues can then be used for increased services and funding for the other 49 great Cincinnati neighborhoods.

*Tax data from City of Cincinnati's 2006 Annual Financial Report (pdf 5mb)

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