New Years Eve: Christian Moerlein at Arnold's

As previously announced, Christian Moerlein has returned to Over the Rhine and will soon begin brewing its beer in the neighborhood again for the first time since the start of Prohibition. Right now Christian Moerlein's beers are contract brewed at breweries in other cities. This is certainly an exciting moment for Over the Rhine and hopefully a sign of good things to come for Cincinnati's brewing culture. At one time Cincinnati was home to 18 different breweries and had one of the largest per capita beer consumption rates in the country! With so many exciting new things coming to downtown in the next few years (including the streetcar, casino, and banks projects), the addition of a few new breweries would certainly make things that much better.
To start the new year off right, Christian Moerlein will be tapping their inagural Over the Rhine brew at Arnold's on 8th street. At the stroke of midnight Arnold's guests will have the privelage of sampling the first batch of Christian Moerlein beer brewed in OTR in nearly 100 years! Their inagural brew, Arnold's 1861 Porter, is dedicated to Arnold's 150th Anniversary that starts in 2011.

Arnold's Bar and Grill
210 E. 8th St.
513-421-6234

Christian Moerlein's New OTR Brewery

Oktoberfest Weekend, OTR and BEER!

The Over-the-Rhine Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (OTR Brewery District Group) in conjunction with he Christian Moerlein Brewing Company are proud to announce events Oktoberfest weekend. The celebration will mark a new era in the future of Cincinnati beer.

The future site of the Christian Moerlein Brewery located at 1621 Moore St. – (formerly known as the Husman Potato Chip Factory and Kauffman Brewery) will be open to the public, commemorating plans for the company’s new endeavors: guests will be greeted with story-boards of the packaging and brewing facility and the Moerlein Lager House architectural plans.

Two sets of tours will be held: the “”Prohibition Resistance Tour” where beer lovers and history buffs can roam the historic lagering cellars and newly discovered tunnels (beneath Hamer St) that once connected the brew house and lagering cellars of the Kauffman Brewery. A new tour from author Mike Morgan, in conjunction with his new book – fittingly sharing the same title, “Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King,” which will be released on Oktoberfest weekend. The tour will feature a guest appearance from CEO Greg Hardman of Christian Moerlein Brewing Company, who contributed the forward to the book.

The “Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King” tour consists of two planned trips will lead participants on a walking journey that chronicles the melting pot of subjects that explore how beer and politics meshed the cultural make-up of the Queen City. The tour will travel the length of Vine Street, talking about early neighborhood history and politics. Participants will travel through the Crown Brewery, Kauffman Brewery, and end at the future home of the Christian Moerlein Brewery. Purchase tickets here:

Downtown Oktoberfest celebrants can take free shuttles from Arnold’s Bar (210 E. 8th St.) to and from the brewery. At the brewery, attendees can find a larger-than-life collections of special commemorative steins and historic brewery memorabilia, which will be available for purchase – guests can also preview a trailer for the “Cincinnati Beer Story” documentary. Food will be available from Café de Wheels who will be serving ‘Brats & Burgers’ at the beer garden.

While enjoying Cincinnati beer history, participants can enjoy: Moerlein Fifth and Vine Oktoberfest Marzen, Moerlein Lager House Helles, Moerlein Over-the-Rhine Pale Ale, Little Kings ‘Slim King Can’, Hudy Delight, Hudy 14-K, Burger & Burger Light, and the premiere of the new 125th Anniversary Hudepohl Amber Lager.

Brewery Open House Hours & Tours
· Saturday September 18th 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
· Sunday September 19th 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The Shuttle
The shuttle will run from 9A-6P on Saturday and 11A-6P on Sunday, and is FREE. The downtown shuttle stop will be Arnold's Bar and Grill, located at 210 East Eighth Street.
The “Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King” Tours
NEW tours during Oktoberfest: Mike Morgan, author “Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King,” will lead participants on a walking tour that chronicles places and events in his new book. Tours will start at the new location of the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. There will be two “Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King Walking Tours” guided by the author:


Saturday September 18th at 3:00 P.M.
Sunday September 19th at 3:00 P.M.



Tours will last approximately 2 and half hours, and will start and end at the new Christian Moerlein Brewery (located at 1621 Moore Street ).

Tours are available with a specially priced copy of the new book, and all tickets include a beer ticket good for use at the brewery all weekend. Purchase additional copies of the book


Coverage Suggestions:

1. Guided tour with Mike Morgan to historic brewing sites in Over-the-Rhine. Video opportunity.


*Space is limited and tickets can be purchased at the Brewery District website: http://www.otrbrewerydistrict.org/events_tour_whenbeerwasking_10.php


The Brewery District Tours
The public will have a rare opportunity to travel back to Nineteenth Century Cincinnati and explore the city’s rich brewing heritage, both above and below ground. The Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (Brewery District) will be presenting its popular “Prohibition Resistance Tour”.
Tours will start at the new location of the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. All tickets are sold for specific times and space for each tour is limited. Tickets are $30 and available at www.otrbrewerydistrict.org (click on Prohibition Resistance Tour on right-side menu.) Ticket price includes a 2 1/2 hour walking tour and beer ticket.


· Brewery District Tours - Hours of operation
o Saturday September 18th 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
o Sunday September 19th 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.


Coverage Suggestions:



1. Press walk-through: brewery guided tours with detailed history on cellars and future plans for this brewing cite.

2. Kauffman tunnels – video of break through from both sides of the wall to show newly found tunnel underneath the new Christian Moerlein Brewing Company.

3. Historical Perspective: in the 19th century, beer brought community together, how will the lager house and brewery continue this tradition?



*All proceeds from the weekend benefit the Brewery District, a non-profit committed to making the Over-the-Rhine Brewery District a healthy, balanced, and supportive neighborhood economy by preserving, restoring, and redeveloping our unique brewing history and historic urban fabric. More information about the Brewery District can be found at www.otrbrewerydistrict.org.
*Space is limited and tickets can be purchased at the Brewery District website: http://www.otrbrewerydistrict.org/events_tour_10_ticket.php

“Over-the-Rhine: When Beer was King
Rediscovering Cincinnati’s Lost Brewing Society
Mike Morgan, an urban & cultural development advocate in Cincinnati has finished his first book: “Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King”, exploring a rich history of Cincinnati brewing tradition.

Book Synopsis:
Over the Rhine is a place where a building owner can stumble upon huge caverns underneath a basement floor, or find long-forgotten tunnels that travel far below city streets. Its present mysteries are attributable to a past that transcends the common story of how cities change over time: It is the story of a how a clash between immigrants and “real Americans” helped rob Cincinnati of its image, its soul, and its economy. In the 1870s, OTR was comparable to the cultural hearts of Paris and Vienna. By the turn of the last century, the neighborhood was home to roughly 300 saloons and had over a dozen breweries within or adjacent to its borders. It was beloved by countless citizens and travelers for the exact reasons that others successfully sought to destroy it. This is the story of how the “Paris of America” became a time capsule.

About Mike Morgan:
Michael Morgan is an attorney who has spent the last five years leading non-profits that are dedicated to the physical and cultural restoration of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. This work has been diverse, ranging from pro bono legal work to improve local government and advocacy to save historic buildings to orchestrating beer-soaked special events. Morgan is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law and Ohio University. As a Trustee of the Brewery District CURC, Morgan helped create the organization’s Prohibition Resistance Tours of historic brewery sites. He has also been the primary organizer of Bockfest for the past several years, and is an unabashed proponent of local beer.

Saving Over the Rhine, One Building at a Time

Great article in the enquirer today about Cincinnati's own Danny Klingler.
Check it out for yourself

Old buildings, new owners

Christian Moerlein Lager House Riverfront Park

Check out this new post on Soapbox Cincinnati with details and pictures of the new, proposed Moerlein Beer Garden as part of the Banks and Riverfront park developments. Be sure to check out the link to the video that has actual artist renderings of the completed project! I'm getting excited about going there already!

Click Here

SORTA VOTES TO OPERATE STREETCAR

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority board of trustees today voted to authorize the transit authority to serve as a partner in developing an operating plan for the streetcar system and ultimately to serve as the operator of the Cincinnati streetcar if an agreement can be reached. SORTA operates Metro transit and Access paratransit services in Greater Cincinnati.

The decision is subject to the City of Cincinnati and SORTA entering into a mutually agreed upon operating plan and working together on a comprehensive community engagement program. The SORTA board will vote again after the completion of these processes to make a final decision on the operation of the streetcar. The City will also review these before finalizing a decision on the operator.

There are several advantages to the City/SORTA streetcar partnership:
· As the designated recipient of federal transit funding for the Greater Cincinnati area, SORTA can assist in leveraging federal grant dollars for the project and can serve as the conduit for those funds.
· The streetcar operating plan can be closely coordinated with Metro bus service to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.
· Metro’s proposed university transit center can be developed to serve as a connection point for the streetcar, Metro service, and the many shuttles in the uptown area.

“The streetcar is a city economic development tool of regional importance, but it’s also a transportation mode that must be integrated with current transit service and operated efficiently and effectively,” said Melody Sawyer Richardson, chair of the



SORTA board. “SORTA will bring extensive transit expertise and understanding to the project, as we work with the city and the community to develop the best possible streetcar operating plan. The City Manager has assured SORTA that his recommendations for funding will not include taking City earnings tax revenue that SORTA receives to operate Metro and Access.”

“With more than two-thirds of the funding for the streetcar system in place, we are in a good position to further develop the operating plan for the streetcar system’s long-term sustainability,” said City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. “We are glad to pull on SORTA’s transportation expertise and resources to make that happen as quickly as possible.”

SORTA operates Metro and Access non-profit, tax-funded public transit services, providing about 19 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.

More Good News for the Streetcar Today

As posted here at UrbanCincy, the Cincinnati Streetcar Project is yet another 4 million dollars closer to being a reality. The total allocated thus far is 86.5 million of the 128 needed to finish the first phase. More grant announcements are expected in the upcoming month. Great news for Over the Rhine!

Big Streetcar Vote This Week! Help Needed!

Update: It appears that Bortz and Berding have decided to vote for the passage of the bonds today as they have been reassured by the mayor and city manager that the city will not proceed with the project unless we receive federal and state funding. It is expected to pass 6-2, and with that we won't even have to worry about the frivilous law suit that Mark Miller and Tom Luken are threatening to send.
Read Here:
Enquirer Update

City Council will be meeting this afternoon to discuss issuing over 60 million dollars in bonds for the streetcar project. This is money the city has planned on using all along for its half of the funding. The other half is expected to come later this year from the federal and state government grant programs the city has applied for. When deciding who gets these funds one of the things the feds look at is the local financial commitment. So far, Cincinnati's has been quite small. That is part of the reason we didn't receive the first round of TIGER grant funds applied for earlier this year. Several of the council members have proposed issuing the bonds only if a contingency is placed on them stating that the city will not use the bonds unless the federal government gives us a certain amount of grant money.

At a meeting with city officials last week, a spokesperson for the federal grant programs warned Cincinnati that placing restrictive contingencies on our portion of the funding would jeopardize our application and chances of receiving funding.
We need 5 votes for the bonds to pass without contingencies. Bortz and Berding need to be convinced not to ask for contingencies on the bonds and to release them unconditionally, otherwise the entire project could be at risk.
Please take the time to email them now and tell them you want to see the project move forward now. Tell them to vote yes for the bonds without any contingencies!

* Jeff Berding = jeff.berding@cincinnati-oh.gov
* Chris Bortz = chris.bortz@cincinnati-oh.gov

Read Below for more info:
Enquirer Article

New Moerlein Beer Release

Next Thursday May 6th Christian Moerlein will be throwing a release party for their newest creation "Northern Liberties IPA" inspired by Cincinnati's rich immigrant history in the neighborhood north of Liberty St in OTR. The ceremonial keg tapping will occur from 5:30 - 8:30pm at the Rookwood Pottery building 1920 Race St in Over the Rhine. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (this includes food and drinks).
For more info and to purchase tickets go to: www.christianmoerlein.com

Live from City Council Finance Committee Meeting

1:05pm
Waiting for meeting to start. Lots of supporters here. Some anti-streetcar celebrities such as Tom Luken. Shouldn't be hard to deal with him, we've got John Schneider here.

1:28
Monzel is introducing a motion to suspend all spending on the streetcar. Alot of BS. Just called it a "trolley folly". Ghiz is speaking in support of the motion. More BS

1:32
Bortz is speaking and really sounding good in support of the streetcar. Lots of applause.

1:35
Winburn, showed up late. Said he was against the streetcar, but that he would "listen" to the arguments. Monzel speaking again. More BS. No valid pts at all. Poor Tom Luken was the only one that clapped for
Monzel.

1:40.
Qualls speaking, excellent points about job creation, subsidies for highways... Lots of applause again. Bortz up again.
Cecil Thomas speaking, generally in support of the project. Lots of
positive words about OTRs potential. Wants to see investment in the streetcar now.

1:47
Monzel's motion defeated. On to item 18. Speakers from the crowd are up. Excellent commentary so far.

2:10
Still listening to commentary. Not a single word against it yet, though Tom luken is up next.

2:42
vote coming..quinlavin speaking. All council members giving final speeches

3:25
We may be getting a vote on Bonds today also!

3:30
Issue 18 passed 6:2:abstained (winburn)

3:37
no voting on the
bond issues today

Christian Moerlein Comes Home!!

For the first time since the start of Prohibition in 1919 residents of Over the Rhine will be able to enjoy the scent of Christian Moerlein beer being brewed in the heart of Cincinnati's original German brewery district! This is very exciting news for the neighborhood and Cincinnati. Read the press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             

MOERLEIN, HUDEPOHL, SCHOENLING, BURGER
AND LITTLE KINGS ALL COMING HOME
CHRISTIAN MOERLEIN BREWING COMPANY
ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN BREWING OPERATIONS
IN CINCINNATI’S HISTORIC OVER-THE-RHINE
BREWERY DISTRICT  

FIRST MOERLEIN TO BE BREWED IN OVER-THE-RHINE
SINCE START OF PROHIBITION IN 1919
_____________________________________________________________________

CINCINNATI, OHIO – April 16, 2010 – Christian Moerlein Brewing Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co. is announcing plans to expand brewing operations to Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine Brewery District. The site of the new brewing operation will be the former Husman Potato Chip plant located 1621 Moore Street just north of Liberty and east of Vine. “We are proud to be part of the continued renaissance and economic development of Over-the-Rhine,” said Greg Hardman President and CEO of Christian Moerlein Brewing Company.

“Our goal is to strategically implement a phased in production over the next two years from both existing production on some of our specialty beers and from the continued rapid growth our brands,” said Greg Hardman. The company has entered into a lease agreement with an option buy for the 125,000 square foot facility that will enable the company to expand their business for many years to come; additionally, the buildings sound infrastructure and historical significance were main considerations in choosing the Over-the-Rhine location. The site was also the malt and lager house of the former Kaufman Brewing Company from 1869 through 1919 (till start of prohibition).  
 
Initial plans call for minor renovations of offices and general clean up of the facility so the company can relocate its corporate offices from its current Middletown location. It is envisioned the company will employ up to 25 at this location in 2011.
 
The history of Christian Moerlein dates back 157 years to when the brew master Christian Moerlein, an immigrant from Truppach Bavaria, Germany brewed his first beer in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine Brewery District in 1853. Christian Moerlein ceased operations at the start of prohibition and did not resume operations after prohibition ended in 1933. In 1981, Christian Moerlein was brought back to the Cincinnati market by the Hudepohl Brewing Company as one of the first commercially sold American craft beers and the first American beer to certifiably pass the German Purity Law of 1516 known as the Reinheitsgebot. Local ownership of the brand was lost when out of town owners purchased the brand assets of the Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company in 1999 and later moved production to Maryland. Beer industry veteran and greater Cincinnati resident Greg Hardman purchased Christian Moerlein in 2004 bringing back the local ownership along with an additional commitment to bring back the local brewing heritage. Brewing operations are scheduled to begin in the new Over-the-Rhine location beginning in 2011.         
 
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company would like to thank the Over-the-Rhine Foundation and its Executive Director Mike Morgan for dedicating an amazing amount of time and creativity in seeing this vision come to fruition. The OTR Foundation filled a much needed role, which was making necessary connections with all parties, assisting in negotiations and untangling numerous real estate issues. “Through the OTR Foundations efforts, it literally saved us time and resources we would have had to allocate otherwise. I’m not sure we would have moved along on this project without their assistance,” said Greg Hardman.     
 
Additional thanks goes to the City of Cincinnati who assisted through Senior Development Officer Jeff McElravy by coordinating numerous city agencies regarding water and sewer usage and availability, transportation planning and the city pre-development team in helping much needed answers to make our decision to move forward.

Since our inception in 2004, growth initiative firm Cincinnati Growth Partners have been at the front end of our strategic decision making process. From our initial purchase of the Moerlein Brand and all remaining brand assets of the former Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company, to the Moerlein Lager House in the Cincinnati Riverfront Park and the current production brewery, Mark Signorelli Managing Partner and his team have been vital assets to our strategic growth and decision making processes.
###
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company is the brewer of handcrafted Moerlein Lagers & Ales including Moerlein OTR Ale, Moerlein Lager House, Moerlein Barbarossa Double Dark Lager, Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA, Moerlein Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest Marzen, Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer Ale, Moerlein Friend of the Irishman Stout and Moerlein Emancipator Doppelbock. More information on Moerlein Lagers & Ales can be obtained at www.christianmoerlein.com .
  
Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co. is the brewer of Hudy Delight, Hudy 14-K, Burger Classic and Little Kings Cream Ale and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. More information on Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company beers can be obtained at each brands website at www.hudydelight.com , www.hudy14-K.com , www.burgerbeer.com  and www.littlekingsbeer.com .     

Save the Gamble House

I wanted to draw everyone's attention to the following post in regards to the recent news that the historic Gamble House in Westwood is now in imminent danger of demolition. Your participation could help save this beautiful building.
Please Click Here to Read

Staying Positive about the Streetcar

Thanks to John Schneider for these words about today's streetcar news:


Dear Cincinnati rail supporter,

I thought it would be good to compile an overview of what has transpired with respect to today's award of several TIGER streetcar grants. This is a long compendium that provides some perspective that you may find valuable. Please read it all if you have the time.

First, and foremost, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory has issued this statement:


Good afternoon –

As you may have heard, the Cincinnati Streetcar project was not one of the projects that received federal funding today from the TIGER grant. I want to assure you that this does not hurt the Streetcar project.

We have applied for funding from several different state and federal sources. Today’s announcement simply means that we did not receive this particular grant. In fact, out of 61 projects to receive funding today, only four streetcar projects were selected.

The federal government announced $1.5 billion in grants today. That is from over $56 billion in applications. Our project is simply one of many good projects that will be competing for the other funding that is still available. And, let me be clear, we are confident that our Streetcar project is one of the best projects in the country.

One of the pots of money still available is the Urban Circulator grant program, which is intended for streetcar-type projects. The reality is that after today’s announcement, there are four fewer projects competing with us for that funding.

There is going to be a lot written and said about today’s announcement and what it means for the future of the Streetcar project. I want you reassure you that despite the chatter, the Streetcar project is still on target and is going to lead to new businesses and job creation in Cincinnati.

I want to thank you for your support. Together we are going to continue to move our City forward with a bold vision for the future.

Mayor Mark Mallory


www.mayormallory.com

and Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney provides more detail here:

I wanted you to hear from me on the news of the City’s TIGER Grant application from the US Department of Transportation for the Cincinnati Streetcar project. As you may know, we did not receive funding in this round. Let me be clear: Today’s announcement does not hurt the viability of our Streetcar project. The Mayor and I have experience in these types of federal processes, and that is why we did not put all of our eggs in one funding basket. Our resolve has not changed.

We have two other applications for the streetcar:

· Urban Circulator (Federal) - $25 million - This Grant Program is specifically for Streetcar type projects. The four streetcar projects that did receive money today are now not eligible for these funds. We believe this improves our positioning.

· TRAC Grant - Ohio (Transportation Review and Advisory Committee) - $50 million.

In fact, the Mayor and I have been invited to a Streetcar Summit in Washington DC next week to present our streetcar project at the Summit. We will meet with Members of Congress and key White House and Administrative staff about it.

Cincinnati has received positive feedback over the past year from Members of Congress and White House staff about our project and its benefits for our city.

We continue to believe that the Streetcar project is a game-changing project for Cincinnati that will lead to new businesses and job creation.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in and support of the Cincinnati Streetcar project.

Onward and Upward.

Milton

[END]

Four cities were undoubtedly elated to receive grants to build or expand their streetcar systems. But others, like Cincinnati, aren't giving up. And perhaps there's some guidance for our continuing efforts in the several stories which follow.

Today's streetcar grant winners included these cities:

DALLAS: Today's announcement cements the idea that we are building a streetcar line from Methodist Hospital to downtown and that can't be anything but good for Oak Cliff.

http://oakcliffblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/federal-grant-to-support-oak-c.html



NEW ORLEANS: The project will cover the costs of a roughly 1.5-mile streetcar from the Union Passenger Terminal to Canal Street.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/new_orleans_awarded_45_million.html



PORTLAND: TIGER funds will be used to reconstruct SW Moody Avenue in the South Waterfront area. The project will elevate the roadway by 14 feet to cap contaminated soils. It will include three traffic lanes, dual streetcar tracks and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

http://bikeportland.org/2010/02/17/tiger-grants-streetcars-win-big-again-and-no-nirvana-for-bikes/



TUCSON: The project will construct a 3.9 mile modern streetcar line in the City of Tucson that connects the city’s major activity centers, including the Arizona Health Sciences Center, the University of Arizona main campus.

http://www.infrastructurist.com/2010/02/17/the-tiger-grants-which-states-were-the-big-winners/



And then some reactions from the cities that weren't successful today, but aren't giving up:

SALT LAKE CITY: The city could snag a second round of stimulus -- $600 million in additional Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14419119



ATLANTA: It was disappointing to learn that we did not get the grant, but at the same time, it is encouraging to see the commitment of our partners remaining intact.

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/despite-grant-rejection-atlanta-309384.html



FORT WORTH: In Fort Worth, the idea would be to reconnect the downtown area with the museum district and medical district with electrified streetcars -- modernized versions of the trolleys that were removed from the area decades ago.

http://startelegram.typepad.com/honkin_mad/2010/02/no-federal-funding-for-fort-worth-streetcars.html



BOISE: Boise had sought $40 million to help pay for a $60 million, 2.3-mile loop of track connecting several downtown districts.

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11998907



So there you go. Many cities competed, and a handful won. Cincinnati was unsuccessful on just the first of four potential rounds of funding. The winners and losers are all cities to be admired for their energy, pluck and success. We're in good company.

There's a common denominator here: connect your downtown with your cultural centers, universities, and medical centers. And that's Cincinnati's plan.

I'm taking the long view here. What our Mayor, City Manager, City Council and Congressional representatives are trying to do is to even the terms of trade under which Cincinnati and other cities labor today. It's taken seventy years to get us into the hole we're in, and it's going to take a while to dig us out. But you look at the unmistakable progress in Cincinnati and in many of these other cities that you may know personally, and it gives you some confidence that the pendulum is swinging our way. We're now well into a long and complicated process that most of us will live to see to completion.

Meanwhile, as City Manager Dohoney said so well, it's "Onward and Upward" from here. We'll get there.

Thanks for listening, and never give up.

John Schneider

Florist to Open in Over the Rhine

See Here for an Explanation: Click Here

A Vision for the Future

I just saw this video today and thought it would be nice to share with anyone out there reading this blog. It's a nice look at how well new transportation options can work in the future with a little bit of progressive thinking and smart planning now. Even though Cincinnati is very close to adopting a streetcar system and being reconnected with other cities via high speed rail, we still have a long way to go before we can hope to achieve such convenient and smart travel options. I just wanted everyone to use this video to help point your imagination in the right direction. Cincinnati's downtown region and its suburbs could equally benefit from streetcars, lightrail, and highspeed rail. I think this video gives a brief, but helpful glimpse in what that sort of system could do for the average Joe (even if Joe lives in Blue Ash).
Enjoy! Comments welcome as always!

See, what have I been saying all along!?

The Enquirer ran this article yesterday that is pretty much in line with what this blog has been trying to advocate for quite some time now. Over the Rhine should be preserved and treasured as our city's most valuable neighborhood. The history, architecture and urban landscape here is truly unique to Cincinnati and can not be found on such a large scale anywhere else in the country.
I'm glad to see the Enquirer and its writers are starting to see the importance of their role in changing the ill informed perceptions many Cincinnatians have about the neighborhood. With their help all of the redevelopment going on in the neighborhood can become that much better with positive media attention. Most of the new living units being created in the neighborhood are selling out quickly, even those on streets previously thought to be "too dangerous" to attract new residents. That shows we're not wasting our time or money saving historic buildings, there is a demand and that demand will continue to increase in the future.

Good news for Tower Place Mall

As reported in today's enquirer Tower Place Mall has a new owner/developer that promises to breathe much needed new life into 4th Streets struggling retail center. The developer responsible for creating Rookwood Commons now has his sights set on downtown. 4th Street is fast becoming a center point for downtown living. With all the new activity buzzing around Fountain Square, a well stocked retail destination would be a huge asset to insuring long term success downtown. It really makes sense to have a good central shopping spot in the center of the city rather than out in the suburbs. Now what we really need is a good grocery store downtown also. I'm tired of having to drive to Rookwood or Clifton for groceries. A nice whole foods market or similar along the streetcar route would be a dream come true
for Downtown and OTR residents.