WCPO

Cincinnati’s most celebrated chef is Frenchman Jean Robert.

Everything he touches turns to gold.

Tonight, he opens the Twist Lounge next to Pigall’s, his flagship four star restaurant. He’s already launched Jeanro’s Bistro downtown and two restaurants in Covington, Pho Paris and Greenup Café.

Jean Robert’s new investment may shock you.

Click here to watch the video

BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | LBERNARD@ENQUIRER.COM

A plan to renovate one of Cincinnati’s oldest parks is seen as a key to revitalizing one of its oldest, most architecturally remarkable and most troubled neighborhoods.

Under a proposal expected to be unveiled Tuesday, Washington Park is poised to get a bold face lift and be expanded to more than 6 acres.

The expansion is considered crucial, because it will allow a direct connection between the park and what planners, city officials and others hope one day will be a revitalized residential community running between 14th and Liberty streets.

East of the park, boarded-up buildings have been transformed into chic condos and edgy street-level shops. The change is result of a $31 million redevelopment led by Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (also known as 3CDC), the nonprofit best known for renovating Fountain Square.

Simultaneously, the community is watching as Music Hall’s tenants contemplate a makeover, a $72 million facility is constructed for the School of Creative and Performing Arts, and plans are drawn by city officials for a proposed streetcar line that would bracket the park by running on Elm and Race streets.

“We have a critical mass building here,” said Robert Maly, vice president of development for Model Group, which has renovated nearby residential buildings.

Moving onto center stage in the transformation of the neighborhood is the park itself. As with the improvements to Fountain Square, the vision for the revamped space goes beyond bricks and mortar.

“This is about enhancing the park so it serves as a catalyst for further development and better serves residents there today and the new ones coming in,” said Steve Schuckman, a superintendent with Cincinnati’s Parks Department. “It’s less about problem solving, and more about seizing an opportunity.”

A public meeting set for Tuesday will give residents a final glimpse at the proposed master plan for the park. From walking paths to playgrounds, to a pool and even a dog park, preliminary plans to date have shown countless amenities.

The upcoming meeting will solidify which concepts stay and which go, Schuckman said. His department wants to finalize a budget and timeline to get the project started by the end of the year. Estimates for the renovation range as high as $14 million, although the project likely will cost less.

One certain step will be the park’s expansion north to 14th Street. The move will encompass the site of the former Washington Park Elementary School, which was demolished earlier this month.

POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH

For 3CDC, which may have a hand in developing programs for the park, the redesign is particularly timely.

In recent years the nonprofit group has helped pump $31 million in private and public investment into the neighborhood. So far its focus has been on the blocks just east of the park, along Race, Republic, Vine and 12th streets.

Branded as the Gateway Quarter, the area is home to 93 new condos spread among six renovated buildings. In addition, more than 15,000 square feet of renovated retail space has been claimed by stores such as MetroNation and Mica.

To tackle the renovations, 3CDC tapped local developers Model Group, B2B Equities, North Pointe Group and Urban Sites. From a central office on 12th Street, the firms are marketing and selling the condos and retail space.

“We really see a great potential for growth here,” said Model Group’s Maly. “Historic rehab is our niche and we want to be part of Over-the-Rhine’s revitalization and the broader revitalization of Cincinnati’s urban core.”

STILL, SOME FRICTION

According to 3CDC, which sees an attractive residential base in Over-the-Rhine as essential to the redevelopment of downtown, there’s more to come.

North of 14th Street and south of Liberty Street, the group owns roughly 100 buildings and another 100 vacant lots in 18 blocks near the park.

“We would like to undertake another phase of development comparable in size to what we’ve done,” said Stephen Leeper, president and CEO of 3CDC. “Our goal is to try to begin developments of that size each year for the next few years.”

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The city of Cincinnati is considering the elimination of the Bicycle Transportation Program from the Department of Transportation and Engineering Division in order to meet a “required 2008 budget reduction.” Among these cuts is a proposal to reject $2.6 million of federal funds that city council recently agreed to use to bridge the Little Miami River so that it could ultimately connect downtown to the Loveland Bike Trail.

This all comes at a time when the League of American Bicyclists recently named Cincinnati as one of the top 10 most unfriendly cycling communities.

Here are the details of the proposed cuts:

Title: Eliminate the Bicycle Transportation Program Budget
Amount: ($51,810)
Fund: General Fund FTE: -2.0
Description: This represents the elimination of the Bicycle Transportation Program from the Department of Transportation and Engineering Division in order to meet the required 2008 budget reduction.
Comment/Recommendation: This decrease in funding is recommended to balance expenditures to established resources in 2008. This will eliminate two full-time positions, a Civil Engineering Technician 2 and a Senior Engineer, resulting in a net salary savings of $50,810. There will be an additional savings of $1,000 in associated non-personnel expenses (telephones, printing, and other reproduction costs). The elimination of the Bicycle Transportation Program will cause the following services to be eliminated: a) staff support of the Bicycle Planning and Advisory Committee; b) design or installation of any new signage, bicycle-safe storm sewer grates, or pavement markings; c) advancement of the permanent alignment of the Ohio River Trail identified in the recent study, possibly necessitating the return of a $2.6 million federal earmark for the design and construction of the Congress to Carroll section; and d) design or planning of any other bicycle trails to be located in the City of Cincinnati. The elimination of this program is recommended because it represents an infrastructure amenity, rather than essential infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Additionally, the Hamilton County Parks District currently designs, constructs, and maintains bike trails at other locations in the Hamilton County. It is believed that pursuing trails within the City of Cincinnati would be consistent with the Hamilton County Parks District’s mission and an appropriate use of their levy funding.

Contact city council directly to voice your concerns:

Vice Mayor David Crowley
801 Plum St. Rm 350
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-2453
Fax: (513) 352-2365
david.crowley@cincinnati-oh.gov

Y. Laketa Cole
801 Plum St. Rm 351
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3466
Fax: (513) 352-3957
laketa.cole@cincinnati-oh.gov

Jeff Berding
801 Plum St. Rm 346A
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3283
Fax: (513) 352-3289
jeff.berding@cincinnati-oh.gov

Chris Bortz
801 Plum St. Rm 348
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3255
Fax: (513) 3264
chris.bortz@cincinnati-oh.gov

John Cranley
801 Plum St. Rm 356
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-5303
Fax: (513) 352-4657
john.cranley@cincinnati-oh.gov

Leslie Ghiz
801 Plum St. Rm 354
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3344
Fax: (513) 352-3277
leslie.ghiz@cincinnati-oh.gov

Chris Monzel
801 Plum St. Rm 346B
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3653
Fax: (513) 352-4649
chris.monzel@cincinnati-oh.gov

Roxanne Qualls
801 Plum St. Rm 352
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3604
Fax: (513) 352-3621
roxanne.qualls@cincinnati-oh.gov

Cecil Thomas
801 Plum St. Rm 349
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3492
Fax: (513) 352-3218
cecil.thomas@cincinnati-oh.gov

Group seeking funds from city to aid repairs
BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | LBERNARD@ENQUIRER.COM

A portion of Vine Street would get a new look and about 100 more condo units would be developed in Over-the-Rhine, under the latest proposal by Cincinnati Center CityDevelopment Corp. (3CDC)

The nonprofit development group wants to spend $29.5 million to transform vacant buildings along Main, Vine, Pleasant, Race and Republic streets into 108 new condominiums and about 15,000 square feet of commercial space.

Some of the sites 3CDC wants to renovate would be adjacent to the fledgling Gateway Quarter on Vine. But other renovations would be on Main Street, which has seen its entertainment district decline in recent years. “Main Street needs some attention,” said 3CDC president and CEO Stephen Leeper.

Another group of buildings to be renovated is on Pleasant Street – in an area north of Washington Park where 3CDC has bought and “land banked” dozens of buildings. In addition, a couple of new buildings would be built in Over-the-Rhine.

On Monday, the group plans to give its proposal to City Council’s Finance Committee.

While $25.2 million of the financing would come from residential and commercial new market tax credit loans, 3CDC said it needs a commitment of about $5.3 million from the city to move forward.

The money is needed because some of the redevelopment costs – such as the removal of lead paint and asbestos, as well as restoring historic buildings under preservation standards – are so high that repairs aren’t possible without subsidies.

In addition, the money would pay for $2 million in streetscape improvements on Vine between Central Parkway and 13th Street, plus improvements on 12th and 13th between Pleasant and Jackson streets. The improvements would include putting overhead utility wires underground, new decorative light poles, new sidewalks and curbs, and new traffic signals and signage.

“We think (the city) recognizes the significance of Over-the-Rhine to the development of downtown and its central business district,” Leeper said. “We know they have a lot of competing interests, but we think they also see … that if they do this we will deliver another $24 million worth of investment.”

In recent years, 3CDC leveraged about $6.7 million in city funds to lure $26 million in private financing for the development of the Gateway Quarter.

Bounded by Central Parkway, 13th, Vine and Race streets, the Quarter is home to more than 90 condos and about 15,000 square feet of renewed commercial space. Since last spring, about 38 percent of the condos have sold or are under contract, and roughly 67 percent of the commercial space had been leased, Leeper said.

Beside bringing new residents and new businesses to Over-the-Rhine, the renovation of buildings in the Gateway Quarter shut down some businesses and locations associated with crime and other problems. Before the building at the northwest corner of 12th and Vine was renovated, police were called there more than 150 times a year; in 2007, there have only been four police calls to the building.

Local firms that had a hand in developing the Quarter – The Model Group, Urban Sites, B2B Equities and Northpointe Group are expected to sign on for the upcoming phase, Leeper said. In addition, 3CDC is working another nonprofit, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, for the development on Pleasant Street.

“I think people feel like we have some momentum going here,” he said. “At times we tend to focus on what we haven’t accomplished, but there’s no question that I’m seeing a different view than I did a year ago.”

If council approves the financing, Leeper said work will begin immediately. “We’re ready to rock and roll,” he said.

Looking forward, 3CDC hopes to launch additional development phases in coming years that have the potential to transform 140 buildings into 395 condos and 60,000 square feet of retail space – a total effort valued at more than $100 million.

The nonprofit developer also wants to continue to extend the improved streetscape up Vine, a few blocks at a time every year or so.

But getting there will require action now, said Joseph Pichler, who as vice chair of 3CDC’s board has focused on Over-the-Rhine redevelopment.

“The idea of being able to develop the lower part of Over-the-Rhine in a five-year period is breathtaking, because this is a problem that developed over 40 to 50 years,” he said. “It’s obvious that if we keep going at the rate we’re going this is going to work, but if we don’t do it now it will be 40 more years before anything happens again.”

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The day after Thanksgiving is heralded as one of the biggest shopping days of the year–and when many stores traditionally become profitable. Commonly referred to as Black Friday, the day finds mass retailers spending tons of money on advertising and purporting the biggest deals of the year in an effort to get people in the door.

Given that Park + Vine is barely six months old, we certainly didn’t know what to expect today. It doesn’t help when a local paper, which shall remain nameless, encourages readers to actually leave the area for big-name stores in other cities and rattles off a list of regional malls and lifestyle centers as the best shopping options. Rather than digging into the pool of locally owned stores that define some of Cincinnati’s best neighborhoods, readers get a random rundown of mostly chain stores found in most other major cities. Sigh.

Regardless, Park + Vine was buzzing today. It was one of our best days yet. The first group of customers arrived around 11:30 a.m., with things calming down around 6 p.m. We’re thrilled with the support we received today from both regulars and newcomers visiting our emerging stretch of Over-the-Rhine.

Park + Vine carries plenty of affordable eco-friendly gifts to get you through the holiday season. Browse our online directory of products to see what lines we carry.

• Park + Vine gift cards are good toward any in-store merchandise.

• The Downtown Cincinnati Gift Card is redeemable at a long list of stores, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, theaters, museums, galleries, and other businesses.

• A Year on the Land: The Land Connection’s 2008 Farmer-Annotated Calendar: This gorgeous calendar highlights local food, farmers, farms and photographers. ($20)



• Couch Guitar Straps and belts are free of animal products and made with love in a sweatshop-free environment in downtown Los Angeles. ($16 and up)



• The Jimi Wallet is a compact, colorful and water resistant innovation made from recycled plastic in California. The wallets come in six different colors and are completely recyclable. ($14.95)



• Luna Evergreen Tea of Cincinnati supports sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts. Teas are made from procured herbs. ($7 and up)



• miYim makes naturally-colored, organic cotton toys for infants, toddlers and dogs. ($3.50 and up)



• Resource Revival collects tons of discarded bicycle parts every year from bicycle shops and uses them to create new products like bottle openers and chain bracelets. ($12 and up)



• Reusablebags.com’s ACME Workhorse is an everyday reusable replacement for disposable plastic shopping bags. They’re stylish and made of rip-stop nylon that is virtually tear-proof. ($9.95)



• The Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kit was recently featured on “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” During the show, Oprah described the kit as “the perfect gift for someone who likes cleaning and also likes to help the environment.” Click here to view product details and add the starter kit to your own gift list this year.

• SIGG reusable aluminum bottles are lightweight, non-leaching and 100 percent recyclable. They come in different styles and sizes for kids and adults. ($15.99 and up)



• Sunbeam Candles’ Pure Soy Wax candles are made from 100 percent natural soybeans grown in the United States. Sunbeam candles are biodegradable, free from pesticides and herbicides, and contain no genetically modified material. ($11-$14)



• Vinylux holiday ornaments are created from original 45 rpm records that are laser-cut and feature a yellow spindle adapter and chrome bead-chain hanger. Each ornament is 4″ in diameter. ($16.50)

Business Courier of Cincinnati

A pair of entrepreneurial Miami University students are opening Over-the-Rhine’s two newest bar/lounges.

Co-owners Joe Gilster and Mark Fogarty will open Cue on Thursday and Speakeasy in early December, Gilster said in a phone interview.

Cue, in the former RBC space at 1142 Main St., will offer more than 20 beer brands on tap, as well as affordably priced martinis, Gilster said. It has a contemporary club/lounge atmosphere with music and pool tables.

Speakeasy, at 1134 Main St., will be more of a high-end bar, with a vintage art-deco look, Gilster added.

Gilster and Fogarty, both 21, are the two youngest holders of an Ohio liquor license, according to a news release. Gilster said they got into the bar business because he has bartending and party-planning experience, and both wanted to start an entrepreneurial venture.

Cue’s 9 p.m. Thursday opening will feature a guest list that includes Mayor Mark Mallory, members of Cincinnati City Council and local media personalities.

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The city of Cincinnati is holding the kickoff meeting for its new Climate Protection Steering Committee 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in Cincinnati City Hall Room 115. This meeting is open to the public.

As part of the city’s Green Cincinnati initiative, the steering committee is charged with developing and implementing a plan to reduce Cincinnati’s contributions to global climate change. The committee is composed of key leaders in local government, business, and environmental, civic and labor organizations. Vice Mayor David Crowley is chairing the committee.

The city of Cincinnati recently hired Ginnell Schiller to coordinate climate protection activities. She can be reached at 513-352-6911 or Ginnell [dot] Schiller [at] Cincinnati-oh [dot] gov for more information.

This is a great opportunity for Cincinnati to create innovative green strategies that benefit locals and our environment.

Bring unwanted gift cards to Park + Vine during BuyCincy.com’s Cincinnati Unchained campaign on Nov. 17 and receive a gift card equal to the current value of a chain competitor. All gift cards must be verifiable via phone or the Internet.

We got our inspiration for this promotion from Shake It Records, a demigod in the Cincinnati web of locally owned and operated businesses. And because we love bicycling, we’re donating 10 percent of all sales to the all-volunteer crew at MoBo Bicycle Cooperative in Northside.

With local businesses contributing about 3.5 times more money to the local economy than chains, just one day of shopping local can make a huge difference.

This month’s Quesday coincides with Election Day Nov. 6. Reward yourself for participating in the democratic process with a visit to Over-the-Rhine’s Gateway Quarter. Shop at Park + Vine, City Roots, Metronation and the newly opened MiCA 12/v 4 to 7 p.m. for special offers and then head to Below Zero Lounge before 8 p.m. for some happy-hour fun. Shoppers receive a ticket for every purchase over $10 throughout the month. The drawing takes place at the next Quesday.

This monthly neighborhood event is more than a shopping and happy-hour outing. It’s the coming together of independent businesses, residents, and people curious about what’s happening in our emerging neighborhood. The Gateway Quarter is bounded by Elm Street on the west, Walnut Street on the east, 14th Street to the north and Central Parkway to the south.