Here are some nice photographs of abandoned theatres in the Cincinnati area from Queen City Discovery. The photos include big, suburban style cinemas as well as a wonderful old theater located in Over-The-Rhine.
One Way To Save Transit February 25, 2009
Michael Lewyn describes an interesting idea for increasing transit ridership – creating a tax incentive.
“So why not a tax cut for transit? Specifically, I propose the following: a $1000 per year tax credit for weekly and monthly transit passes. Transit agencies in need of revenue could raise the cost of transit passes, and could inform riders that they would be able to get the money back when they paid their taxes. As a result, more people would buy transit passes, and transit agencies would no longer be drowning in red ink.
In addition, a transit policy based on tax credits rather than subsidy increases would empower consumers rather than empowering bureaucrats. One common argument against subsidizing operating expenses is that federal subsidies are wasted by bureaucrats, and thus never really benefit transit riders. By contrast, under a tax credit plan, a transit agency’s interests would be aligned with those of riders: the agencies most able to appeal to riders would get the most funding, while less competent transit agencies would get less.”
Underground Railroad Bicycle Trail November 24, 2008
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Trail combines urban adventure, rugged outdoors, exercise, history and culture. The trail extends from Mobile, Alabama through Cincinnati to Canada, studded with interesting landmarks. Check out the route highlights, especially those near Cincinnati, Owensboro, KY to Milford, OH and Milford, OH to Erie, PA.
Mini Farms in Cincinnati November 4, 2008
Vice Mayor David Crowley has a very interesting idea of utilizing vacant urban lots for “mini farms”. I am not quite sure how this will work out, but the idea has a lot of merit. Blighted lots could become productive local gardens that are cared for by the neighborhood.
Regional Transit for Cincinnati? November 4, 2008
The framework is being put in place for a truly regional transit system in Cincinnati. In the past, Cincinnati Metro has been limited to Hamilton County primarily, restricting the agency’s ability to connect to major employment and residential areas in Butler, Warren and Clermont Counties. The agreement reached between the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County sets up a board that aims to have participation from surrounding counties.
The Phoenix Building in Cincinnati November 4, 2008
This historic building is so elegant and graceful. It is very traditional, yet interesting with nice design details. I love the windows. Cincinnati is lucky to have this!
Gateway Quarter to expand November 2, 2008
While projects here and nationally have been staled by the looming credit crisis and slouching economy, redevelopment in Over-the-Rhine has barely missed a beat.
Since 2006, dozens of vacant buildings have been transformed into new storefronts and more than 100 condominiums, mainly along Vine Street.
Another 106 condominiums and 15,000 square feet of retail space are under construction as part of a third phase of the Gateway Quarter.
Key to the projects has been 3CDC’s use of New Market Tax Credits, a federal program created by Congress in 2000 as a way to draw private development dollars into struggling neighborhoods.
3CDC got the city’s first installment of $50 million in tax credits in 2004 and last month announced it had landed another $35 million.
Cincinnati projects win Ohio historic tax credits October 17, 2008
Projects include:
- The American Can Building in Northside, which will receive $4.5 million in credits;
- Arrow Apartments, which will get $352,000 in credits;
- The old Cincinnati Enquirer building on Vine Street downtown, which will get the maximum $5 million in credits;
- A $4 million project to rehabilitate The Golden Lamb in Lebanon, which won a credit valued at $439,250.
- And the Glencoe Auburn Place Row Houses, which will receive $3.9 million in credits.
- Eleven of the 15 Cincinnati projects are buildings being redeveloped in Over-the-Rhine by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., or 3CDC.
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/10/13/daily41.html
Building Valued Neighborhoods Conference October 9, 2008
The Building Valued Neighborhoods conference sponsored by the City of Cincinnati and the Urban Land Institute, included a variety of perspectives: developers, architects, city/county staff, and political leaders. The conference showed how form-based codes, also called smart codes, can be useful tools to build well-designed neighborhoods. Form-based codes have the following goals:
1. Providing certainty for developers and residents alike as to what future development will look like. Rather than creating an adversarial situation with a zone change and a conventional zoning code, form-based codes define the form of future development in a design-based public participation process.
| Conventional Zoning | Form-Based Code |
| What can’t be done (prescriptive) | What can be done (proscriptive) |
| Minimum setbacks | Build-to lines |
| Focus on use and density | Focus on built form, streets, public realm |
2. Creating a mix of housing types to meet the changing market demand. Families with a married couple and children only make up about 23% of the housing market. Other groups are “settling” for typical suburban single-family homes when they would prefer something different. Traditional neighborhood development can accommodate a variety of single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, shops, and public facilities to meet the market demand.
3. Encouraging efficient use of land and preserving natural resources (“Smart Growth”). Allowing for a mix of uses and compact development encourages pedestrian activity and makes transit use more feasible. Conventional zoning encourages large lot sprawl and undesirable streetscapes. Form-based codes provide a tool for clustering development when desired.
4. Adding value to quality of life by creating desirable public places. Form-based codes focus on “transects” that can vary from urban to suburban to rural. By focusing on the appropriately designed form for the transect, development has character. Streets are a major focus in form-based codes. Buildings address the street creating a more appealing atmosphere, and amenities such as street trees contribute to creating a place where people enjoy walking, shopping, and relaxing.
Conference Website
http://cincycharacter.com/
Lenox Village – Regent Homes
http://www.regenthomestn.com/
Gulch Redevelopment – Downtown Nashville
http://www.nashvillegulch.com/living/index.html
Examples of Traditional Neighborhood Development
http://www.tndtownpaper.com/neighborhoods.htm
Nashville’s Form-Based Code
http://www.nashville.gov/mpc/
Louisville’s Form-Based Code
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/
Cincinnati neighborhood wins “Best in America” October 9, 2008
The early Cincinnati suburb of Mariemont made the list of the American Planning Association’s top ten neighborhoods in the country. I am especially impressed at how character is maintained with Columbia Parkway running through the middle of it.
