Soapbox

The trend of mobile food is nothing new, but its one that is still emerging in Cincinnati. That will change with Cafe de Wheels, the region’s first independent food truck.

The brainchild of Tom Acito, and Chef Michael Katz, Cafe de Wheels will initially focus on burgers, fries, and Cuban sandwiches.  The two entrepreneurs are looking forward to changing the way Cincinnatians enjoy their food. Asked about the decision to do a mobile restaurant versus a more traditional stand alone storefront, owner Tom Acito said there really was no choice at all.

From a cost perspective, Acito estimates that the start-up costs to open a traditional spot would run about $300,000 whereas the Cafe de Wheels truck was purchased and equipped for about $50,000. Another big benefit is mobility which allows the restaurant to move with the crowd and pick and choose when and how they invest their time.

"We're pretty much just held to the same rules and regulations as a standard place without the associated costs of such an establishment," said Acito.

Cafe de Wheels benefits from minimal logistics involved with operating the food truck. Outside of the required food vendor's license, a peddler’s license, and tags for the truck, Acito and Katz say that not much ele was needed.

Cincinnatians can expect to see them popping up around town wherever the local police force will allow, including valid on-street parking spaces. According to Acito, in the heart of Downtown they are required to stay off the street and use private lots where they have reached agreements with owners.

The venture began when Acito put a help wanted ad on Craigslist and Katz was one of many people to respond. Acito said that Katz just understood more than most what he wanted to accomplish, and was really excited about the concept. Katz went through culinary school at Cincinnati State (then Cincinnati Technical College) and has worked in many kitchens around the city at various restaurants. 

While there are other mobile food trucks in the process of starting up around Cincinnati, Café de Wheels is the first of its kind in that there is no restaurant backing it. The plans are to use as many local suppliers as possible to outfit their pantry and fill the fridge including Avril-Bleh Meats, Shadeau Breads, and even Dojo Gelato to accompany a warm fruit crisp dessert.

You can follow Cafe de Wheels on Twitter @burgerBgood to stay up-to-date on their whereabouts, what they're serving and all the latest news surrounding the mobile food craze in Cincinnati.

Writer: Dave Rolfes
Photography Provided

Since completing its renovation in 2006, Fountain Square has since sparked millions of private investment downtown and brought tens of thousands of people to the heart of Cincinnati every year.  That success has not gone unnoticed outside of the larger Cincinnati region.

This fall the Square's developer and manager, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), and HR&A Advisors were awarded the pretigious International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Partnership Award. The award, in the public-private partnership category, recognizes "outstanding and innovative public/private development projects that have enhanced the economic revitalization of distressed communities, states, or regions."

The award highlighted the creation of the non-profit 3CDC organization which has been charged with leading downtown Cincinnati's revitalization efforts.  3CDC's efforts were made into reality through a business plan developed by HR&A Advisors which also helped design the corporation's initial organizational structure.
 
The business strategy developed by HR&A looked at a number of issues facing Cincinnati's center city and identified that a poor design of Fountain Square, combined with the absence of event programming, left a major void in Downtown.

Following a complete redesign of Fountain Square, Cincinnati's central gathering space rid itself of unsightly skywalks and underperforming retail frontages, and incorporated a variety of new design elements that invited activity to the square.

The award comes from the unique public/private partnership agreement between the City of Cincinnati and 3CDC for the ongoing programming and maintenance of the space including its 635-space underground parking garage.  Since completion, Fountain Square has returned to its rightful position as Cincinnati's most popular gathering space and has also sparked millions of private investment surrouding the square and influence dramatically higher retail sales at nearby businesses.

Today the non-profit Fountain Square Management Group, a 3CDC subsidiary, oversees the square maintenance and programming as part of the award-winning public/private partnership.

When Mynt Martini has their grand opening on New Year's Eve, Cincinnatians will be treated to a spectacular new $1.4 million club in the heart of downtown.  Located directly on Fountain Square, Mynt Martini boasts the "best location in Cincinnati" according to owner Chico Garcia.

Garcia says that this is the group's first club outside of Mynt Ultralounge in Columbus, and that they did not seek out their prime Cincinnati location - instead it found them.

"CB Richard Ellis representatives were in Columbus at Mynt Ultralounge and said that they would love to have Mynt in Cincinnati," said Garcia.  "They showed us the location and we absolutely loved it."

Mynt Martini will feature 3,800 square feet of interior space and another 1,200 square feet outside on the patio that is protected from the elements and includes sweeping views of the Westin Cincinnati, Tyler Davidson Fountain, and Fountain Square's giant videoboard atop Macy's. The club can hold up to 400 patrons.

Mynt will have high-quality entertainment options including live music, bartending shows, and comedians entertaining guests on their full-size stage located behind one of three interior bars.

"We feature Las Vegas-style martinis, high-quality service, and will be known for creating the party and not waiting for it to happen," said Garcia.  "This will be very evident on New Year's Eve because we're going to make sure everything is high-quality and that everyone is taken care of...we're not trying to pack as many people in as possible."

Following the New Year's Eve grand opening, Mynt Martini will be open from 4pm to 2:30am and will be serving light fare until 11pm, including oysters, feta stuffed tomatoes, yogurt and berries, and a special Mynt Fruit Salsa with pineapple, mango, jalapeno, mynt, cilantro and lime.  Mynt will be open for lunch in early February.

"Everything on the menu is very healthy," said Garcia who also mentioned that Mynt will be serving "very aggressive" salads and soups which seem to be lacking in the market.  Food prices will range from $8 to $12 and will also be available during happy hour specials.

The most unique item on the menu though might be the Myntini which includes 2oz of VOX Vodka, .5oz of Finest Call Mojito Mix, 1oz Finest Call Sour, and three secret ingredients.  Mynt's Las Vegas-style martinis will cost between $9 and $12.

All week long Mynt Martini will have a five-hour happy hour special from 4pm to 9pm that includes $5 martinis and $5 menu items.  There will also be special offers for followers of Mynt Martini's Twitter and Facebook accounts, including three to four special events throughout the year for those people following on Twitter and Facebook.

"Everyone that has seen the concept so far has absolutely loved it," said Garcia.  "On top of it all we're at one of the most beautiful locations in the city; we're not near Fountain Square...we're literally right on it."

New Year's Eve:
Mynt Martini will be having their grand opening on New Year's Eve.  Guests will be let in on a first-come, first-served basis.  A $40 ticket will guarantee your admission; elbow room; champagne toast at midnight; appetizers throughout the night including veggie spring rolls, sausage stuffed mushrooms, and mini mesquite grilled chicken quesidillas; party favors; music by DJ Ryan Cox; and live interaction with the Times Square Ball Drop.  Buy your tickets online now, or call Mynt Martini's VIP Host Nicole D at (513) 828-9335.

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

It has been ten years since legendary dueling piano bar Howl at the Moon closed its doors in the city where it got its start, leaving the Greater Cincinnati area without one of these popular entertainment concepts.  On November 13 this all changed when Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar opened in Newport next to The Newport Syndicate.

"We decided to name the place after the popular Newport Gangster Tours that take people on historic walks through the city," said owner Sharon Forton.

Gangsters offers something no other dueling piano bar does - pianos located in the center of the room with guests surrounding them.

"This is very different from most piano bars where the pianos are located on the side, and we think this will make Gangsters one of the most fun piano bars around," said Forton.

Gangsters has already been a big hit with bridal and bachelorette parties where guests get a special bucket drink and can take in the atmosphere.  Birthday parties have also been a big draw according to Forton.

The new establishment has already been a hit.  With a 200 person capacity, drink specials, food served late into the night, no cover charge, and top-notch pianists who make the commute to Newport.

"In order to be a piano bar player you have to be a little crazy and know a lot of songs," said Forton.  "Our pianists change weekly and fly in from all over the country as part of the piano bar circuit."

The bar (map) is currently open Thusday through Saturday from 5pm to 2am and serves food until 11pm.  Guests can take advantage of half-price drinks during happy hour (5-8pm) and all night on Thursdays.

Forton also says that they are gearing up for their first New Year's Eve which will have a gangsters theme and a $10 cover charge that will be waved if dinner reservations are made prior to 8pm.  To make reservations call (859) 491-8000.

"With it being our first New Year's Eve celebration we have no idea what to expect other than lots of fun," said Forton.  "What happens here, stays here."

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

Three new development projects in Over-the-Rhine have been awarded $7.1 million in historic tax credits from the State of Ohio.  The three developments will restore a handful of historic structures throughout Over-the-Rhine's burgeoning Gateway Quarter.

The money is coming through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program used to defray 25 percent of the rehabilitation expenses incurred in redeveloping historic structures, and is considered to be crucial in helping historic redevelopment projects move from paper to reality.

"This program has been a focus of my office since I first came to the legislature and I am very proud to see this funding awarded in Over-the-Rhine. The benefit it will have for this neighborhood is beyond words," said State Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati).“It moves projects off the drawing boards and into construction at a time when Cincinnati needs it most."

Of the three development projects included, Mercer Commons is the largest and consequently received the most money overall ($4.2 million).  Once complete, Mercer Commons will include a mixture of new construction along Vine and Race streets as well as rehabilitated historic structures that will cost more than $20 million to develop and include housing units and commercial space.

The Cincinnati Color Building and Germania Hall received $1.2 and $1.7 million respectively and will both be redeveloped along Vine Street as part of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation's (3CDC) latest phase in the Gateway Quarter.

Applicants compete for the tax credits based on a scoring rubric that measures criteria such as leveraged investment, jobs created, project scope, vacancy, end use, and financing secured. Projects that commit to green building principles; are located near institutions such as hospitals, research facilities, or colleges and universities; or follow the goals of an adopted community strategic plan receive extra points.

"Historic preservation and urban redevelopment are two goals that go hand-in-hand with this program. In terms of jobs created and taxes generated the state will see a return far outpacing its investment," said Senator Kearney.

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

Six years ago the City of Covington and residents of the city's East End neighborhood saw a variety of problems that they wanted to address.  Historic buildings were deteriorating, occupancy rates were declining, and the area was feeling less safe.

The neighborhood is still very much dominated by the Jacob Price housing development from the mid-Twentieth Century, but with the help of The Model Group, the neighborhood has experienced a dramatic turnaround.

"We knew that Jacob Price was going to take much longer to address, so we decided to take a scattered redevelopment approach of vacant properties in the area," said Robert Maly, Vice President of Development, The Model Group.

One of the first projects The Model Group took on was the redevelopment of the historic 5th District School building.  The $4 million project created 26 affordable senior housing units and restored a historic structure that had sat empty for 25 years.

"We knew this would be an extremely expensive and difficult project," said Maly.  "When we hosted the open house we had people there who had gone to the school and were thrilled to see it preserved."

The scattered redevelopment approach has continued for The Model Group.  Since 2004, they have invested close to $30 million into 45 different historic buildings and have created around 100 new units of housing for the once struggling neighborhood.

According to Maly, the City of Covington is still working towards redeveloping the Jacob Price housing site which Maly considers to be "functionally obsolete."

The Model Group says that many of the historic rehabilitations were made possible through state and federal historic tax credits, and that the majority of the 100 units The Model Group has developed have remained affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

"We're looking at some other development projects in the area, but right now we're focused on completing the difficult work we started in the East End neighborhood several years ago," said Maly.

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

The State of Ohio has awarded $1.5 million worth of funding for solar electric projects in Cincinnati.  The announcement came as Ohio Governor Ted Strickland awarded more than $13 million worth of grant money to 25 projects throughout the state of Ohio as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) State Energy Program.

The renewable energy awards - the first to be awarded from Ohio's $96 million State Energy Program - will enable Ohio to stimulate the creation and retention of jobs, save energy, increase energy generation from renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions according to State officials.

The ARRA funds are targeted towards public and private entities that are able to use the money to install wind electric, solar electric and solar thermal technologies at businesses, schools, parks and other public locations throughout Ohio.  The winning projects in Cincinnati will install solar energy projects throughout the city at public buildings, parks, and other facilities.

The Duke Energy Convention Center, owned by the City of Cincinnati, received $252,937 to install a 93kw photovoltaic array rooftop system at the 750,000 square-foot convention center located Downtown.  Cincinnati Parks received $451,418 to install a total of 170kw solar photovoltaic systems at 13 park sites throughout the city.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health will use $652,932 to install a 232.65kw solar photovoltaic rooftop system at its Summit Facility in Bond Hill.  And Greater Cincinnati Water Works will take $775,655 and install a 280kw photovoltaic solar array rooftop system.

All of the projects awarded grant money must meet federal goals of the ARRA's State Energy Program to accelerate renewable energy development in Ohio by creating or preserving jobs and reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

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

It has not taken long for Chef Joshua Campbell's Mayberry restaurant in downtown Cincinnati to catch the attention of food lovers.  Even though the restaurant has only been open a few short weeks, Mayberry's owners are already planning new weekend and evening hours to meet the demands of the dedicated supporters that have flocked there.

"Before we even opened our doors, people were asking us when we'd be adding weekend hours. We wanted to make sure we got the swing of things before we added those hours, but now we're ready," said Chef Josh Campbell, owner of Mayberry and World Food Bar in historic Findlay Market.

The new Friday and Saturday dinner hours will feature a separate menu which will change weekly, like the lunch menu, depending upon what is in season.  

"We don’t want to nail ourselves down to a set menu because it’s important for me to prepare and serve the best dishes possible. I want to be able to go to markets and buy the best ingredients to serve to our guests," Campbell said.

In addition to the new dinner hours which run from 5:30pm to 9pm, Mayberry also added a new Sunday brunch from 10am to 2pm. Campbell did note that the new dinner hours are flexible.  

"We will definitely be open through 9pm, but if the crowds are there, we will stay open until everyone has been fed," he said.  

The restaurant is currently in the process of obtaining a liquor license, but until that time guests are able to bring their own alcoholic beverages for the new weekend dinner hours.  The new weekly dinner menus will be featured on World Food Bar's Facebook Page and on their Twitter account.

For their first weekend of dinner hours, Chef Campbell prepared a crispy pork belly with Frank's RedHot butter and cheddar grits and short ribs with creamed corn and smoked bacon, along with a variety of other items.  There will also be select lunch menu items that will be rotated onto the weekly dinner menus.

"Without Twitter, I would have not been able to see their menu online, see photos of their entrees, or ulitmately been lured in for lunch," said Downtown resident and worker Thadd Fiala.  "Once I was in there, I was hooked...the star of the show is their BLT.  I dream sweet dreams about the sandwich, and when you pair it with Mayberry's Tater-Tot casserole, it's a match made in lunchtime heaven."

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

The Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District (DCID) elected six new board members at its annual meeting.  The new board members represent a diverse collection of Downtown interests and will help guide and implement the 2010-2013 Services Plan.

The DCID is a Special Improvement District (SID) that was created by Cincinnati City Council in 1996 and given approval by Downtown property owners within the boundaries of Eggleston Avenue on the east, Central Parkway on the north, Central Avenue on the west (including the Centennial buildings), and the river on the south (excluding the two stadiums).

According to Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI), the SID generates funds through a special assessment on property owners within the defined area.  These funds are then contracted with DCI to provide safe and clean services including the Ambassador program, marketing and communications services, and stakeholder services including business assistance, residential advocacy, and information gathering/dissemination.

The specific improvements are guided by property owners and the nine-member board that is made up of six stakeholders, two representatives from the City of Cincinnati, and one representative from Hamilton County.  In the past much of the focus has been on clean and safe operations that include the highly visible Downtown Cincinnati Ambassadors.  The six new board members, and their representative duties include the following:

• Class A Office Building Representative: Lydia Jacobs-Horton, Director, Global Facilities and Real Estate, Global Business Services,  Procter & Gamble
• Class B/C Office Building Representative: Jack H. Goodwin, Partner, Miller-Valentine Group
• Diversified Representative: Andy Barlow, General Manager, Central Parking System
• Diversified Representative: Roger Thesing, President, Thesing Real Estate Services
• Retail Representative: Rich Cappel, Co-Owner, Cappel’s Inc.
• Building Owners & Managers Association Representative: Steven Richter, Manager Atrium Two Building and Director, Asset Services, CB Richard Ellis

"This is an outstanding leadership team for DCID," said David Ginsburg, President and CEO of Downtown Cincinnati Inc.  "We’re looking forward to working with the new board to implement the 2010-2013 Services Plan that was so enthusiastically endorsed by our stakeholders. It is an exciting time for downtown, and I'm confident that the DCID public/private partnership will continue to thrive under the leadership of this new team."

The 2010-2013 Services Plan recently received approval from property owners within the defined areas of the district.  The vote passed with more than 70 percent approval - signaling to some that a strong interest and support exists for a higher level of services within Downtown Cincinnati.

"During a turning point in downtown history and during uncertain economic times, the downtown property owners demonstrated their continued support of the DCID by their approval of the 2010-2013 Downtown Services Plan," commented Rick Kimbler, Managing Partner of NorthPointe Group and outgoing DCID Board Chair.

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

With 17 locations across the Midwest including Columbus and Indianapolis, it was only a matter of time before popular Brothers Bar & Grill entered the Cincinnati market.  Their newest location is at Newport on the Levee.  

Founded in 1990,  Brothers Bar & Grill is known for its entertaining restaurant/bar atmosphere that caters to a younger demographic between the ages of 21 and 35 years.  As a result, many of Brothers' locations are in cities and towns with a strong college population like La Crosse, WI where Brothers was founded and where the University of Wisconsin has a satellite campus.

What sets Brothers apart from other restaurants/bars is their unique and innovative approach to operating the business in addition to their "over-the-top special events."  In 2002, Brothers was given the award for "Best Independent Beverage Program in America" at the Cheers Beverage Conference, and received the "Innovator of the Year" award at the Nightclub and Bar Tradeshow in 2004.

Located on the exterior Riverwalk Level of Newport on the Levee, Brothers Bar & Grill will boast a sports bar atmosphere with sweeping views of downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River and feature live music, special events, and outdoor seating complete with fire pit.

Brothers Bar & Grill is open daily from 11am to 2:30am.

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

While the rest of the housing market has been working its way out of a hole for the better part of the last two years, Over-the-Rhine's Gateway Quarter has been experiencing surging sales that lead the region, surprising many who were skeptical about the once downtrodden neighborhood.

Many of the buildings within the completed phases of the Gateway Quarter are either sold out or nearly sold out with only a few remaining units.  At newly opened buildings like Mottainai, units have sold quickly - almost as soon as they were available to live in.

The completed residential phases of the Gateway Quarter have included close to 165 residential units comprising lofts, condos, and townhomes selling between $90,000 to the mid-$300s.  The next phase of residential units currently underway along Vine Street includes more than 150 new apartments and around a dozen new condos.

This $100 million investment, much of it made possible by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), brings the Gateway Quarter's reach nearly all the way from Central Parkway to Liberty Street along Vine, Main, Republic, Pleasant and their cross streets.

The success of the new investment is a surprise to some, but not others.  Redmond believes that the neighborhood has a naturally strong appeal that has been complimented by the first-time home buyers tax credit this year.

"We have had record sales this year and have been very pleased," said Redmond.  "So far we have sold 30 units in 2009, and a total of 88 units overall due to the tax credit and the increasing interest in the neighborhood."

To schedule a tour of the available Gateway Quarter residential units, contact Holly Redmond at (513) 479-0413 or Stacy Rickert at (513) 515-2615.  You can also visit the Gateway Quarter sales office at the southwest corner of 12th and Vine streets (map) Monday through Friday, 12pm to 5pm; Saturday, 12pm to 3pm; or Sunday 12pm to 3pm.  Appointments are also available and are encouraged for a complete tour of the district's offerings.

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

As many companies are looking for a business strategy to stay afloat during these difficult economic times, Cincinnati-based Neyer Properties is plotting what they expect to be their fastest growth period in company history.

Neyer Properties president Dan Neyer sees opportunity in acquisitions as much of the market experiences a decline in value.

"What we're trying to target is well located and modern facilities," said Neyer.  "In the market today you don't want to buy the cheap location.  You want to position yourself properly to get a good producer, and buy based on value, not necessarily price."

In previous years, Neyer Properties' business model focused on development providing about 80 percent of their business, and only 20 percent from acquisitions. In 2010, Neyer says they plan on 90 percent of their business resulting from acquisitions and only 10 percent from development due to current market opportunities and projections.

"With development slowing down we decided to move towards more acquisitions," said Neyer.  "This is where the value is going to be created over the next few years, and we're trying to be where the market is, instead of where it is not."

He believes that the next three years will represent the fastest growth for Neyer Properties over their history based on the ability to buy under-performing properties while also incorporating energy conscience LEED components.

Neyer Properties is looking at well located properties throughout the Cincinnati and Dayton region, but are also looking at expanding into the Louisville, Lexington, Columbus, and Indianapolis markets.

"We thought it was worthwhile to explore properties in these other cities due to their same core value as Cincinnati," said Neyer.  "It also sets the stage for us to expand further if we're able to purchase properties in those locales."

Neyer expects the company to grow over the coming years from its current 18 full-time employees, include two full-time employees working in acquisitions.  He attributes this growth in part because of the company's well leased properties that boast long-term tenants as well as financing that is allowing the company to bridge the devaluation in real estate.

"Our low percentage of debt to capital is very workable with the credit squeeze," said Neyer.  "We have had no problem and will have no problems with getting loans for our existing properties."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography Provided
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

Taking cues from San Francisco, the City of Cincinnati engaged the local bicycling community in the City's first-ever Bicycling Report Card - an annual survey used to gauge the progress being made for two wheeled transportation in the city.

Almost 600 people answered the report card questions distributed through the City's Bicycle Transportation Program earlier this year. More than 70 percent of the total respondents indicated that they ride a bicycle at least once per week, with 75 percent of the respondents falling within the 25 to 54 year-old age bracket.

While the new Bicycling Report Card is a step in the right direction, it is clear that current or potential bicyclists feel there is still much to be done to make Cincinnati bike friendly after assigning the City a "C" grade.

"The survey results will be incredibly helpful to us as we move forward over the course of the next year," said Melissa McVay with Cincinnati's Department of Transportation & Engineering.  "I often hear people say that Cincinnati's topography will prevent us from ever really increasing our mode share numbers for cycling, but only 22 percent of the survey's respondents cited topography as an obstacle."

Perhaps the most important piece of data was what people said was keeping them from riding more often.  Of the roughly 600 respondents, 61.5 percent said that there were not enough bike lanes, while only 50 percent cited weather as an obstacle.

"This tells me that we have a very real opportunity to make bicycles as much a part of everyday life here as they are in San Francisco or Portland," said McVay.  "The feedback about bike lanes being such an important factor compliments much of the research we've seen on obstacles to increasing mode share - particularly for women.  This gives us additional incentive to build as many on-street facilities as we can."

The City recently opened up a 1-mile stretch of new dedicated bike lanes along Dana Avenue between Madison Road and Grigg Avenue.  The new bike lanes were installed as part of a "road diet" according to McVay, which included the removal of two vehicle lanes and the addition of two striped, five-foot wide bicycle lanes.

"The City is working to utilize every opportunity we can to install bicycle facilities," said Michael Moore, Interim Director, Department of Transportation & Engineering.  "Dana Avenue was an especially cost-effective opportunity for us because the street was already being repaved as part of the City's Street Rehabilitation Program."

Cincinnati now has more than 8 miles of dedicated bike lanes throughout the city, with another 2.58 miles of sharrows along city streets.  Another 340 miles of roadway is being studied as part of the Bike Plan process.  Additional Street Rehabilitation and Transportation Design projects will also be evaluated during the design phase to see how bikes or pedestrians can be best included as well.

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

Newport is one of the region's most historic communities.  Founded in 1795, the city currently boasts six national historic districts with 1,000 to 2,000 historic properties in each.

These numbers may soon change as the new Courthouse Square National Register Historic District moves forward.  Two weeks ago the Newport Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend the proposal for the new historic district.

The approval is an important step as the historic district moves towards reality.  Next it will have to gain the approval of the Newport Board of Commissioners, then the Kentucky Review Committee, and finally the National Park Service where its qualifications will be examined.

The movement to create the historic district comes at a time when Newport is experiencing a surge in investment in historic properties according to Emily Jarzen with the City of Newport.

"There have been lots of commercial rehabs along Monmouth Street in recent years," said Jarzen.  "Hopefully as time moves forward more areas see reinvestment similar to areas like Monmouth and the East Row neighborhood."

In 2008, the East Row Historic Foundation started the Newport Historic Plaque Program which is available to the entire city.  The program allows residents to get introduced to the history of their home so that they can learn its story.

"Once people know a little more about their house it becomes more real to them," said Jarzen who says that the Newport program currently only has a handful of people participating, while a similar program in Covington has a 90 percent participation rate.

"Basically all of Newport is historic, and we would love to see more people get involved with the program across the city," said Jarzen.

For more information about the Newport Historic Plaque Program, please contact Emily Jarzen at (859) 292-3637 or by email at ejarzen@newportky.gov.  Act soon: the cost of plaques is currently $97, but will be going up to $106 in January due to inflation.

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

After only one year in their Clifton Avenue location, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center is working on an $11 million renovation plan that would allow the center to expand its offerings and incorporate modern amenities into the 104-year-old Clifton School structure.

"We're currently only able to use about half of the space as a result of the work that needs to be done in order for us to use the rest," said Ruth Dickey, Executive Director, Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC).

The CCAC was a welcome addition to the neighborhood when the historic Clifton School became vacant in 2006.  The idea for the CCAC originated out of neighborhood input from a series of community engagement sessions in 2004 - community members wanted to see something done with not only the Clifton School building, but also the adjacent McDonald Estate Carriage house which they have a 50-year lease on.

Dickey estimates that the entire $11 million scope will take place over three to five phases, but will ultimately depend upon fundraising.  So far the CCAC has raised around $1.5 million from a $250,000 State of Ohio grant, $250,000 City of Cincinnati grant, and $1 million from an anonymous donor.  All in all, it is enough to cover the costs of the first phase of renovation work.

Phase 1 work will be managed by Cincinnati-based Turner Construction and includes a new elevator, fire protection system, and a new entry.  The completion of Phase 1, anticipated by Fall 2010, will allow the CCAC to utilize the top floor auditorium and gymnasium space.  Phase 2 includes new air conditioning, electrical and heating systems and will begin once money is raised.

"With the improvements we hope to expand our class, exhibit and event offerings for the Clifton and Uptown communities," said Dickey.  "This is a great community asset that extends far beyond the reaches of Clifton and Uptown though, and is an asset that should be embraced by all of Cincinnati."

If you are interested in donating to the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (map) you can do so online, or by calling (513) 497-2860.

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