Soapbox

54 years ago KZF Design got its start in the historic Ingalls Building on 4th Street in downtown Cincinnati.  Since that time the design firm has experienced internal growth and a growing national reputation withing the design industry.

That growth moved KZF from its original downtown space to the Baldwin Center on the northeastern outskirts of downtown Cincinnati near Walnut Hills.  As the firm continued to grow, KZF leaders saw an opportunity to return to their downtown roots while also creating a showpiece office space that highlights the firm's acclaimed workplace design.

"KZF is a leader in sustainable design and we wanted to make sure that we were walking the walk with the new headquarters space," said Tim Sharp, Vice President of KZF Design who expects the project to be awarded at least LEED Silver certification.  "We are also nationally known and recommended for our workplace design, so we wanted to invest in a great workplace of our own."

The $6 million renovation project of the historic 1915, three-story structure will initially house 75 employees within its 36,000 square-foot space.  What Sharp sees as the most exciting aspect is the location of the new headquarters within what some are beginning to call the 8th Street Design District - primarily for its conglomeration of design-oriented businesses.

"The location allows us to recruit and retain young, talented designers who want to be within the urban core," said Sharp.  "The 8th Street corridor is a very creative environment, and our employees love the ability to walk to work, lunch and just explore the downtown and Over-the-Rhine areas.  There is a great energy being downtown and it is also nice being close to public transit."

Sharp sees the burgeoning 8th Street Design District as a perfect compliment for the growing loft residential district there as well.  He notes the warehouse structures on the edge of the central business district as a perfect location for design firms who can not afford the high prices found on 4th Street where KZF was once located.

"It's no coincidence that so many design firms have located in the 8th Street Design District," Sharp said.  "The price points are good and, as I said, the creative environment found in those buildings and in that district is something design firms look for."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Tiffani Fisher
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

Cincinnati City Council voted unanimously to approve sweeping policy changes with a new Bicycle Master Plan that calls for establishing a 445-mile network of bike routes, progressive bicycle safety measures, and new off-street bicycle facilities that will compliment recently approved bicycle parking requirements.

"Our bicycle safety ordinance package is actually stricter than Chicago's and more comprehensive than anything else in the region," said Katie Vogel, Chair of the Cincinnati Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Bike/PAC).  "This is something that's going to go a long way towards assuaging the fears of cyclists and towards informing motorists as to the rights of cyclists."

The $55 million bicycle program is expected to dramatically change the landscape for one of the fastest growing forms of transportation in Cincinnati, and is the culmination of a nearly year-long community planning effort that included charrettes, meetings and public rides that took inventory of the city's existing infrastructure.

The changes will take place incrementally over the next 15 years with approximately one-third of the 330 new miles of bike routes completed by 2015 at a cost of $2.8 million.  The new bike routes will include more sharrows, climbing lanes for bicyclists going up Cincinnati's hills, and close to six miles of on-street cycle tracks.

The aim of the aggressive bike route expansion plan is to create a continuous network across Cincinnati, while new policy reforms will aim to change the culture of bicycling in the historic Midwestern city.

While the approval of the Bicycle Master Plan and its programs does not mandate its implementation, it does set the policy direction for Cincinnati leaders as they vote on future measures related to the plan.

"We clearly have a long way to go, but yesterday was downright monumental for active transportation in Cincinnati," concluded Vogel.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Tiffani Fisher
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

The renaissance taking place throughout Cincinnati's inner city neighborhoods is not happening by coincidence or chance, but rather a transformation is taking place because of a concerted effort by local leaders to invest in those neighborhoods.  According to Patricia Garry, Executive Director of the Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati (CDCAGC), the investments being made by Cincinnati-area CDCs are helping to not only direct investment back towards these neighborhoods, but also place the decision making at the neighborhood level.

"The neighborhood is able to make plans for themselves and they are able to partner with private developers to make it happen," said Garry.  "This collaboration makes it a lot easier to get project funding because banks know they're good projects and can make money on their investments."

In 2009, the CDCAGC funded 13 local CDCs which in turn developed 34 housing units.  The number of CDCs being assisted decreased in 2010 along with the total funding CDCAGC received from the City of Cincinnati.  But while there has been approximately $100,000 less to work with, Garry says that production has actually increased.  In 2010, the CDCAGC is funding nine local CDCs which are creating 89 housing units with another 140 housing units in pre-development stages.

The investments made by local CDCs are seen as a critical tool in turning around neighborhoods that have long been ignored by private investors.

"When the private market doesn't function it creates a need for Community Development Corporations," Garry explained.  "Utilizing the process our CDCs use may take a bit longer upfront, but implementation happens in a second since there is already community support for the project."

The need has been far and wide throughout the Cincinnati region as Garry states that there are approximately 50 CDCs stretching from Northern Kentucky to Middletown.  Ten of the most active CDCs are found in Cincinnati's inner city who often partner with Al Neyer Inc. and The Model Group - both have a track record of working with neighborhoods and taking advantage of the tax credits that become available by working with CDCs.

Garry plans to keep improving annual performance by capitalizing on potential economies of scale.  CDCAGC's Back Office Project will move accounting, information technology and other consulting work to the CDCAGC so that each individual CDC is not burdened by full- or part-time staffing costs, and can instead share those costs across the larger collection of CDCs.

"Our Community Development Corporations often times don't have the money to be fully staffed, but the Back Office Project will allow them to still have their needs met - it's a win for everybody."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

Last week, a local group of 16 traveled to Nashville, TN to tour new developments and see first-hand the successes experienced from using form-based codes. The group included citizens, community council representatives, business leaders, and four Cincinnati City Council members -  all interested in learning more about form based codes and how they can be implemented in Cincinnati. 

Headed by Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls and council members Laure Quinlivan, Wendell Young and Charlie Winburn, the group toured three developments in and around Nashville, experiencing new development, infill, and revitalized areas of Nashville that capitalized on the basic idea behind form-based code: creating places where people want to be. The developments toured included:

• Lenox Village:  Residential development that focuses on mixing different housing types and sprinkling in public spaces along with a retail sector within the development.
• The Hill Center:  Redeveloped lifestyle center with office space above and retail below - anchored by a Whole Foods and a YMCA.
• The Gulch:  Previously a deserted warehouse district, now a newly incorporated part of downtown Nashville's urban fabric, connecting residential with retail and nightlife.

These new developments were conceived through an intense charrette and community input process that included the standard visual preference surveys.  The city of Nashville then teamed with the developers of these communities to create a detailed neighborhood design plan for each new undertaking that creates a standard for the neighborhood. Once the plan is approved, any new development or changes to the area is required to adhere to the zoning.

According to Qualls, form-based codes are used as a tool, regulating development to achieve a particular urban form. Utilizing this idea creates a specific urban realm by controlling the physical form of the neighborhood instead of its land use.

In communities designed with form-based codes public places give people, not automobiles, precedence. This is realized by implementing strategies such as streets with fewer car lanes and wider sidewalks, bringing buildings closer to the sidewalk, creating architecture at a human scale, and utilizing streetscaping and trees to create more enjoyable public space.

Early Cincinnati neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, Clifton and others were originally planned with inspiration from the 1916 New York Zoning Resolution which influenced neighborhoods around the country at that time. Qualls and other city leaders believe it is time for a new approach that fits 21st Century habits.

In addition to a different land planning technique, Qualls noted that many of Cincinnati's original neighborhoods were built along 600 miles of streetcar lines, creating linear neighborhood business districts like Westwood and Oakley.

What was old is new again, as developers are realizing the potential and profit behind developing both retail and residential spaces to a human scaleand bringing in form-based code elements that people inherently enjoy and appreciate. 

Qualls, who primarily organized the trips to Nashville, hopes that the trips will help educate other community leaders and her fellow council members on these ideas and methods.  She hopes to move forward with new form-based codes in pilot neighborhoods throughout Cincinnati that have expressed interest in creating their own development plans in order to spur growth and bring neighborhoods back to the people.

The City will work with Opticos Design on the development of new form-based codes throughout Cincinnati.  If all goes according to plan, the necessary zoning code amendments could take place by fall 2010.

Writer: Jenny Kessler
Photography by Jenny Kessler
Stay connected by following Jenny on Twitter @JenLKessler

A large crowd gathered at City Hall yesterday afternoon to hear Cincinnati City Council's Budget & Finance Committee discuss a financing plan for the redevelopment of Washington Park in historic Over-the-Rhine.  After much discussion, the committee approved $14 million in public funding for the $47.4 million project by a 6-0 margin with Charlie Winburn (R) abstaining and both Leslie Ghiz (R) and Chris Monzel (R) absent.

The Budget & Finance Committee is comprised of the full City Council which will formally vote on the issue this Wednesday, June 30th.  The public funding portion of the plan includes a $2 million capital grant, $500,000 from the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), and $11.5 million from a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine which includes 300 acres of land and captures incremental gains in real estate taxes for improvements within the TIF District.

At the meeting, President and CEO of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) Steve Leeper, stated that construction could begin by August 2010 and be completed by late 2011.  Once complete, the renovated Washington Park will include a new $27 million, 470-space underground parking garage and a variety of other improvements including a new open lawn area, spray grounds, children's play area, plaza space across from Music Hall, dog park, and renovation of the park's historic bandstand.

"The Washington Park project is an important and critical next step in the overall, on-going renaissance of Over-the-Rhine," 3CDC stated.  "This investment will return the park to its original stature as a beautiful, safe, public, green space with a variety of features for all neighborhood residents as well as visitors to enjoy."

The financing plan presented to the Budget & Finance Committee provides that the $14 million in public funding will be complimented by $25.5 million in private supportand $5 million from a State of Ohio Department of Development Urban Redevelopment Loan and $2.85 million State of Ohio Capital Grant.  Private financing components include:

• $12.9 million Bank Equity Investment
• $3 million Bank Loan
• $4.5 million Cincinnati Equity Fund II Loan
  
• $1 million the P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
• $350,000 Carol Ann & Ralph Haile U.S. Bank Foundation
  

It is estimated that the redevelopment of Washington Park will create 920 temporary construction jobs and spur private investment in the immediate area similar to the $125 million in private investment made surrounding Fountain Square following its renovation in 2005.

According to 3CDC, "The proximity of Washington Park, Music Hall, the new School for Creative and Performing Arts, the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the Ensemble Theatre and other arts venues, combined with the historical significance and Italianate architecture of OTR, will make the Park an entertainment and arts destination locally, regionally and nationally.  It will stimulate additional private economic development, which will further improve the quality of life for the neighborhood and its residents."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Image Provided
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

When Nick Andersen moved from Mason to Northside this winter he had no idea he would be knee deep in restaurant renovations within a few short months. But the sushi chef was won-over by Northside's charm, so when he discovered the unique restaurant space vacated by Gajah Wong on Spring Grove Avenue he decided he would open his first restaurant there by the end of the summer.

"I got swept up with the effort that everyone here was putting into the community, and when I found this space I saw an opportunity to do my part," Andersen said.

Andersen's business partners are a British couple who were his most loyal customers as the chef of Bistro Ginza in Mason.  His new restaurant, Painted Fish, will be an Asian fusion restaurant serving espresso, lunch during the day and an eclectic dinner menu at night. Once the restaurant secures a liquor license, Andersen will open a martini bar inside and a tiki bar in the garden. It will operate as a BYOB restaurant until then.

Painted Fish will host concerts on a stage in the garden, and a room inside will be devoted to local artwork. The entire restaurant will be available for private parties. Andersen said that Northside community members encouraged him open a restaurant that would accommodate different budgets, so The Painted Fish will offer affordable menu items and inexpensive drinks in addition to steaks, seafood and specialty sushi rolls. He hopes the restaurant will be part of the upscale dining renaissance in Northside, but also a place where the community can congregate and meet each other, he said. 

Painted Fish will open at 3937 Spring Grove Avenue on what Andersen calls the "South Block," a stretch of mostly vacant storefronts just around the corner from a bevy of eateries, shops and nightlife spots on Hamilton.  Andersen sees potential in the block, and points out boarded-up storefronts that are bustling with renovation work inside. One neighbor is opening an art gallery, and another will open a restaurant. The Northside Business Association recently purchased a lot on the block for free public parking, and buildings of condominiums were recently renovated with the help of grant money.  Andersen hopes that his new restaurant and its shady garden will help pave the way for other redevelopment in the area.

"I really think the South Block is the next big thing to happen in Northside," Andersen said. "It's a natural progression."

Writer: Henry Sweets
Photography by Scott Beseler

Most Cincinnatians are aware of the dramatic success that has been achieved at Fountain Square following its $48.9 million renovation resulting in an estimated $125 million in private investment surrounding Cincinnati's central gathering space.  Crowds have set attendance records for concert performances, movie screenings, events, contests and more.  And local food vendors have been able to take advantage of that success.

Fountain Square now has food vendors serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night offerings.  Many of these vendors are small, local businesses that value the massive exposure they get from operating in the heart of downtown Cincinnati and one of the region's most prominent locations.

"People love being downtown in the heart of the city, and being a part of the revitalization taking place," explained Bill Donadedian, Managing Director, Fountain Square.  "Fountain Square provides great exposure to the vendors without even considering the money they make from operating there."

Business certainly has been good for many of the vendors.  Most recently, Tom + Chee was able to sign a three-year lease on a store front on Court Street following the success they experienced on Fountain Square last winter as they catered to those enjoying Fountain Square's ice rink.

"Last summer we were kicking around things to do and mobile foods have been really popular around the country," said Corey Ward, co-owner, Tom + Chee.  "We always wanted to have our own place, and Fountain Square provided a testing ground for us and allowed us to raise some money for the restaurant."

The new Tom + Chee restaurant in downtown Cincinnati serves many of the popular items served on Fountain Square, but also a few additional items.  Ward says that he and his co-owner Trew Quackenbush decided on downtown quite simply because they are "downtown people" and it just made sense.

There are currently eight different food vendors operating on Fountain Square during different parts of the day and week.  According to Donabedian, food vendors are required to pay a small flat fee to be at the events which depends on the prominence of the event, but offers a very low-cost option for small businesses looking to get their start much like Tom + Chee.

Donabedian did note that there is no vendor's permit for Fountain Square vendors and instead they must be associated with an event taking place.  He expects around 200,000 people to attend this year's summer concert series, and well over two million to visit the square over the course of the year.

"The two really work together," explained Donabedian.  "At events people want food, and sometimes people come to the Square for more than just food."

Vendors interested in operating on Fountain Square can do so by contacting the Fountain Square Management Group at (513) 621-4400 or by emailing info@myfountainsquare.com.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

Cincinnati officials and community leaders celebrated the opening of the new Headquarters and Disaster Operations Center for the Cincinnati Region of the American Red Cross on Monday, June 21st.  The new 50,000 square-foot facility will serve the large 25-county region that includes southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeastern Indiana.

The new facility in Evanston along I-71 replaces the previous facility in downtown Cincinnati that officials say was no longer meeting the needs of the organization.

"The new Headquarters/Disaster Operations Center operates at a new level of readiness and new speed of response for threats," explained officials with the Cincinnati Region of the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross touts the new facility which in addition to having an intake area for clients, loading/unloading areas, and multi-purpose training rooms, includes updates such as satellite feed capabilities that allow live feeds from Artemis and other agencies, wireless technology, comprehensive power resources that ensure back-up systems power during critical periods, and a new expandable Disaster Operations Center designed to accommodate disasters of varying sizes.

Developed by Cincinnati-based Neyer Properties, the new American Red Cross Headquarters/Disaster Operations Center is expected to achieve LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.  Several building features and technologies were included to improve energy and water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and sensitive use of resources during building construction helped the team achieve this status.

The new building also features a distinctive look, designed by Cincinnati-based emersionDESIGN, that embodies the colors and designs for which the American Red Cross is known.

"It's truly a new day as the American Red Cross enters its second century of service in Cincinnati," said Brian Keating, chair of the Board of Directors.  "And it's fitting that we have the tools in this new facility to allow us to provide critical services to the tri-state region."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

Earlier this month ArtWorks Director Tamara Harkavy hinted at a "huge national award" that was going to be awarded to Cincinnati for MuralWorks - a program that has brought 34 murals to more than two dozen neighborhoods throughout Cincinnati.  That award was announced last week by the U.S. Conference of Mayors as they handed out their City Livability award to Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory for the program.

The "large city" award was given to Mayor Mallory for his leadership in developing and implementing a program that "improves the quality of life in an American city, focusing on leadership, creativity, and innovation."  More than 200 applicants were a part of this year's awards.

"It is a great honor to have a program in Cincinnati recognized by mayors from around the country," said Mayor Mallory.  "It is undeniable that MuralWorks is transforming our neighborhoods.  ArtWorks does great work throughout Cincinnati and I am proud to work with them to share beautiful public art with the people of Cincinnati."

Since the Mayor's MuralWorks program teamed with ArtWorks, 280 youth have been hired over the course of the summer months.  Mayor Mallory pushed the partnership in 2007 when he asked ArtWorks to do at least one mural in each of the city's 52 neighborhoods.

ArtWorks' Harkavy estimates that more than 200 million motorists will be exposed to the murals on an annual basis following the completion of the summer program's six new murals this year.

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 78th Annual Meeting, judges described Cincinnati's MuralWorks program as an overwhelming winner and many of the mayors hoped to replicate it in their respective cities.

"For more than three decades now, the City Livability Award has been one of the most prestigious awarded by this organization, and one of the most competitive," said USCM President and Burnsville Mayor, Elizabeth Kautz.   "Each year, hundreds of mayors and their city governments submit a wide range of programs for consideration, vying for the honor to call themselves a City Livability Award winner."

Harkavy stated that ArtWorks interviewed 385 children for the program this year and was only able to hire 75 due to current economic conditions.  You can support the nationally acclaimed program by making a donation online or by mailing a check made out to "ArtWorks" at 20 East Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

In November 2009, Krishna Chapatwala started Green Eats as a way to both fulfill a passion of hers and a demand currently not being met in the Cincinnati culinary scene.  Green Eats focuses on providing local, seasonal ingredients that give her clients great tasting, healthy food that is also great for the environment.

"My love of cooking and food grew while in Cincinnati," said Chapatwala, who was born in India and moved to Cincinnati approximately five years ago.  "I always enjoyed cooking, and while I was in college it is how I made my evenings and weekends pass."

After moving to Cincinnati Chapatwala decided to enroll at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State where she earned a Culinary Arts certificate to compliment the business degree she earned previously.  After graduating she began her catering and personal chef business part-time, and recently turned it into a full-time operation.

"I started going to Findlay Market and it really hit me that I wasn't meant for a typical 9-5 office job," Chapatwala explained.  "Now I no longer have to worry about working a full-time job and doing my passion on the side.  Green Eats allows me to do what I love to do which is use local, seasonal ingredients while working with local farmers to create great tasting healthy food for my clients."

Chapatwala says that most of her clients want to have food that is locally-sourced and raised in environmentally sensitive ways, but they often don't have the time or energy to do the research on the products.  As a result, they rely on Green Eats to do all the work for them.  Presently, Green Eats has business relationships with about a half-dozen Findlay Market merchants and farmers - a number that continues to grow as Chapatwala continues to grow her business and food offerings.

"I have prepared Mexican, Indian, Hungarian, Thai and Vegan food for my clients, and for me it's very rewarding to try something new," said Chapatwala.  "When I have clients request food that I don't make daily it is very fun.  I'm not limited to any particular kind of food and I will do just about anything."

Chapatwala says that prices for catering and personal chef services vary greatly based upon what is needed, but she emphasized that her services are "within anyone's budget" and that her food appeals to everyone.  Those interested in learning more about Green Eats can contact Krishna Chapatwala at (513) 885-2822 or by emailing contact@localgreeneats.com.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

Michele Hobbs and Amanda Broughton may be the proprietors of Pet Wants, a new pet-needs store now open at Findlay Market in Stand 218, but there are quite a few more people who might feel a sense of ownership in the operation, too.

"There's Joe Thoman of JT Architects. This guy does a CAD drawing of what our store could look like using their wood. Kate Schmidt basically designed these [shelving] units for us. We've had friends offer to paint murals. The guys down at Underdog Wood have agreed to cut and preassemble everything. I have no explanation for it but they say do good things and good things will happen to you. It's just good people doing good things. It's as basic as that."

In a venture that truly has a barn-raising feel to it, Hobbs and Broughton are looking to provide for an element of the downtown community that has helped them so much already: downtown pet owners and the animals they love. "I live downtown and some of the challenges are, we shop Findlay Market every week but have to drive five, ten miles to pick up cat litter or dog food," Hobbs explains. "And it's inconvenient. Findlay Market has the shoppers and everyone's going there to buy their own foods. To me it was a perfect fit."

Beginning with the location, everything about the business is stamped with local flavor -- figuratively and literally.

"We have a complete line of nutritionally balanced foods made in Ohio," Hobbs says. "It's made once a month so it's very fresh.  There aren't any places you're going to find fresher food and keep the money in Ohio.  All of it." There are even products for sale specific to the neighborhood.

"We partnered with local butchers at Findlay Market to make in-house pet jerky."

In an interesting wrinkle, Pet Wants is also throwing a proverbial bone to those who want to shop what Hobbs proudly describes as a locally-sourced, future-friendly business, but who might live outside the Findlay Market area.  By offering a weekly subscription service for fifteen dollars that includes free delivery within five miles of the Market, Hobbs will serve pet owners -- with a twist.  Deliveries will be handled by area cab drivers waiting through the slow midday hours, bolstering their revenue stream and harnessing a latent resource.

"There are cabbies lined up at 3pm with nothing to do," she says. "I'm going to keep these cabbies busy instead of sitting there idling."

In addition to the unique products and services, Hobbs said she and Broughton wanted to make the space one-of-a-kind, as well, from the salvaged and reconstituted wood from Underdog Wood, to an antique penny-pony ride out front.  Pet Wants is clearly hungry to innovate, and Hobbs seems almost overcome by how hungry a diverse community of people and talents has been to help realize each new idea.

"I would lay in bed and think, Oh my god, this is really happening the way I envisioned it. I'm amazed."

You can follow Pet Wants on Twitter.

Writer: Jeremy Mosher
Photography by Tiffani Fisher

When the City of Covington updated its Comprehensive Plan in 2006 it became clear that a specific vision was needed for the 12th Street corridor. Poised for a widening project that is now underway and facing the addition of the new St. Elizabeth medical facility, the importance of updating such a plan became even more evident.

"In 2007 we started to study the larger area and developed some recommendations along the 12th Street corridor," explained Andy Videkovich, Project Manager and Principal Planner with the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission (NKAPC).

Covington's City Commission appointed a Steering Committee in the summer of 2009 to work with NKAPC to explore and implement the new land use recommendations developed in the Linden Gateway Small Area Study.  The result was the creation of a new zoning district called the Linden Gateway District (LGD).

The hope is to maintain a pedestrian friendly, mixed-use corridor that is compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods - one that compliments the area's design guidelines and is consistent with the land use and transportation goals and objectives set out for the Linden Gateway District.

"The 12th Street project has been in the works for some time and people have been excited about the possibilities for the area as a result of the project," Videkovich said.  "But people were also concerned how new development and investment would work with the surrounding historic neighborhood."

To address this, the NKAPC and Steering Committee worked with neighborhood stakeholders to  develop the LGD regulations that, when complete, will function similarly to form-based codes being developed elsewhere throughout the region.

The regulating plan will be the first of its kind in Kenton County and will include the overall LGD zoning district made up of 5 sub-districts.  According to Videkovich, this approach will ensure that any new development or investment maintains compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.

Officials say that the new guidelines are currently working their way through the approval process.  After going to the City Commission, then to the Kenton County Planning Commission, the guidelines will return to the Covington City Commission for formal adoption sometime this fall.  Those interested in giving feedback on the proposed regulations can do so by contacting Andy Videkovich at avidekovich@nkapc.org or by calling (859) 331-8980.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Tiffani Fisher
Rendering Provided
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

It's not often that you hear about a firm looking to find the most challenging projects possible, but that is exactly what Cincinnati-based THP Limited does.  The architecture and engineering firm not only prefers those types of projects, but they thrive on them earning industry awards for major projects like The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge in Covington.

"The Ascent was a very unique and complex building, and one of the things we worked on from the beginning is whether or not the building would lean," explained Shayne Manning, Project Manager & Principal-in-Charge on The Ascent project.  "What we did was lean the columns to follow the skin of the building which has resulted in every floor being different within."

The leaning columns found within The Ascent differ from another prominent Cincinnati project THP was involved with on the University of Cincinnati's campus.  At the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, the columns are vertical and the walls bend - leaving a gap in between the columns and the building's skin - something not seen as being desirable for a high-end residential condo building.

The shape of The Ascent also challenged THP as they worked with the winds found within the Ohio River Valley.  The firm had to conduct wind tunnel studies on the free-form building design to ensure its stability during unpredictable weather events.

The result of the free-form building design is a dramatic roof that slopes from the 11th Floor of the building to its pinnacle.  The 34-degree slope ascends vertically 160 feet and allows for nine penthouse terraces that bisect the roof.

The work was not only challenging for THP, but rewarding as well.  The firm picked up the Grand Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in 2009, and another award in the category of Residential Buildings from the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CSRI) in March 2010.

"The inherently flexible properties of reinforced concrete enables professionals to express their unique vision in building and bridge projects," stated Bob Risser, CRSI President.  "The CRSI Design Awards program recognizes designers for their creativity in using this great material."

THP has recently been tapped for the $100 million Music Hall renovation project in historic Over-the-Rhine and plans to begin its initial survey work in July 2010, with an expectation of approximately two years worth of work before completion.  THP will be working with Cincinnati-based GBBN Architects and New York-based Polsheck Partnership Architects which worked on the renovation of New York City's Carnegie Hall.

"These awards and these projects are very much a source of pride because we like to be involved with complex structures," Manning concluded.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

When Cafe de Wheels first started its food truck operations in December 2009 there wasn't much to know.  Owner Thomas Acito was left to negotiate locations for his truck throughout downtown Cincinnati during its busy and crowded lunch hours.  Since that time Senor Roy's Taco Patrol and Gold Star Chili's 'Chilimobile' have joined the fold, and Taco Azul will be entering in the food truck scene later this summer.

The ambiguity of public policy surrounding food truck vending in Cincinnati has been the primary focus of the newly formed Cincinnati Food Truck Alliance headed up by Cafe de Wheels' Acito and supported, in part, by Taco Azul's Gary Sims.

"I have read nothing yet that seems to clearly state where you can and can not operate," Sims explained.  "There have even been cases where the police have been involved and even they didn't seem to know."

Last week,City Council member Laure Quinlivan proposed three city-owned "mobile food vendor" locations throughout downtown Cincinnati that would help further accommodate the growing popularity of food trucks within Cincinnati's crowded city center.  Presently food trucks are not allowed to park on the streets in downtown Cincinnati during busy lunch hours.  As a result, Cafe de Wheels and Senor Roys are often found on the periphery of downtown Cincinnati where they can park on private property.

"I want to increase the vitality of our street life and spread activity from Fountain Square to other parts of downtown," Quinlivan stated. "I think giving mobile food vendors a few key areas to do business will help accomplish that. This is also an avenue for talented chefs to start a small business."

The three locations proposed by Quinlivan would support between 10 to 20 mobile food truck vendors depending on configuration and size, and would be located so that they would not compete with existing restaurants.  To secure a spot, vendors would have to get a permit from the City and could then set up operations at the foot of the Purple People Bridge, the City-owned parking lot at 6th and Race streets, or on Court Street a half-block east of Vine Street.  Permits would cost between $400 to $800 depending upon the size of the food truck.

"The pricing is very fair compared with what is being charged at private lots, and we still have the right to go to any private lot of our choice," Sims stated.  "We will learn as we go, but as long as City Council is willing to adjust it will be good, and as far as I'm concerned it's a good pilot program."

The plan was well received by most in attendance at the meeting last week, with most in attendance encouraging Councilmembers to come up with policies that bring more food trucks to Cincinnati's center city.

Cincinnati's existing and future food trucks are best tracked online either through their Twitter accounts, or by checking their respective websites and Facebook pages.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

Findlay Market is poised for yet another new tenant, but this one will be slightly different from the new bakery and pet store that have recently opened up shop in Ohio's oldest public market.  Pho Lang Thang is expected to open mid-July 2010 and will feature authentic Vietnamese food served in a quick, dine-in restaurant that seats about 35 people.

Located in the former Paula's Cafe on the north side of the market house in between the Internet Cafe and Madison's, Pho Lang Thang will transform the 1,200 square-foot space over the next month thanks to a three-way partnership between two brothers and a friend who all have deep roots to Vietnam.

"We are trying to stay true to Vietnamese culture including the way the food is prepared," explained Duy Nguyen.  "All of our recipes are a fusion between our families' recipes and our own unique style."

Nguyen explained that the name Pho Lang Thang helps explain the ethos behind the new restaurant with "Pho" being the national dish, and "Lang Thang" meaning 'to wander.'

"Lang Thang is part of a saying that our parents would always yell at us meaning, 'From night till day, all you do is wander.'  It's not a nice saying by any means - it is really saying we have no direction in life and all we do is party and wander the Earth," owner David Le said.  "But we are re-empowering the word and using it to describe someone with more of a free spirit who is passionate about life and doing what they love."

The three partners are all residents of Over-the-Rhine and excited about the new restaurant's location in their neighborhood, and the opportunities that it presents.

"Findlay Market is a great place for culinary businesses to get started because of all the support there, and we thought the people shopping at Findlay Market would be most open to trying authentic Vietnamese food," Nguyen explained.  Nguyen also said that they intend to buy as much of their food from Findlay Market vendors as possible.

Pho Lang Thang will be open from 9am to 6pm during Findlay Market daily operations, but Nguyen stated that they intend to stay open later at least one evening each week.  Entree items will cost between $4 to $8 and feature the staple Pho dish - a beef soup with rice noodles that makes for great comfort food and evidently serves as a great hangover cure.

Also on the menu will be a Vietnamese sandwich called Banh Mi that Nguyen said has been growing in popularity on the East Coast and features a choice of meat, pickled carrots, daikon, cilantro, cucumbers and jalapenos on a special French bread baguette.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy
Photography by Tiffani Fisher