Because I am completely slammed, and because there's not a whole lot going on over the summertime, today I want to turn over Building Cincinnati to you, my readers.
Feel free to offer feedback, to rant on things you've seen around town, etc. All I ask is that you keep it clean and refrain from making personal attacks on anyone.
If you have any ideas of things you'd like to read about, please feel free to post that to. I'm always looking for new things to explore.
I hope to get some construction photos today, so look for those in the coming days.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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16 comments:
whatever happened to the american can site in northside?
Kevin-
The Carson School. That's my rant for today.
I hadn't been by that part of Glenway for a long time (Carson School).
Are you kidding me? This is why the city of Cincinnati is so frustrating. Granted, this isn't the city's undertaking -- but CPS can certainly be influenced by the city (we do after all pay for this junk with our tax dollars).
How sad I was to see the heavy equipment tearing down the original, beautiful, old school. I nearly broke down and cried. And to add extra sting to the pain, that hideous monstrosity that they've constructed to replace it -- what a disgusting eyesore. It's so called "design" makes it appear as though it was built in the 60s-70s and some of the "brickwork/design patterns" trick the eye into thinking it is already boarded up. What genius came up with this place? It looks like a prison. I guess that's where they figure most of their students will end up, so why not make them feel comfortable early on? It's really sick.
On top of all that, they've got the nerve to post a sign that pretty much says "Your tax dollars at work". $15 million of our tax dollars at work. For this pathetic box of junk. You're telling me they couldn't rehab the old structure for the same or less?
This city is doing the opposite of what it should be doing. Tearing down this type of structure is bad enough -- but replacing it with that asylum is unthinkable.
Cincinnati is destroying the only hope it has for the future -- the rich history of her architecture. It is the one thing that would make people come (and maybe even stay).
Once it's gone it ain't ever coming back.
Rehabs in OTR. There is so much going on
D R E W...The project is still a go. From what I understand, it's all about lining up the financing.
Anonymous #1...You wouldn't happen to be the person who wrote the article in the "Share" section of the Enquirer, would you?
Kevin-
Nope, not me. I did just find that article today, though, after submitting the post.
I'm new to Cinti (been here less than 2 years) -- but I remember looking at homes off of Sunset (and Jamestown, too, I think) in Price Hill during the first visit. I remember seeing the old school -- and the then empty lot where the new one resides now.
I have no history in Cincinnati of any kind -- no friends (other than the ones we've made!) or relatives -- so the old building held no special history for me.
I just know that when you lose structures like that old school you're trashing your own history. The one thing Cincinnati still has a good deal of is wonderful architecture. Yet they keep letting things like this happen.
One thing is for certain -- the generation that built those grand structures is long gone. The character of those hard working people who took such pride in their work is long gone, too.
There are exceptions to be sure; I've met a few during my short time here -- but I often wonder what the architects and laborers who crafted these elegant places would think if they could see the decay, the neglect, the disrespect shown to the landscape they worked so hard to create. So many empty buildings.
No city as old as Cincinnati is immune to it, and I'm sure there are places far worse. Cincinnati has never felt dangerous to me -- just poor. Very poor. Too much poverty, and too much catering to the lowest common denominator.
Ah, but there is something going on this summertime - quite silently even as I write this and feel I am the only one who has noticed and who cares. And yes, it is about the demise (in the early stages) of yet another fantastic structure in this increasingly stupid appearing city.
The property, a one time house, most recently a functioning nursing home (2005) is at the the NW corner of Forest Avenue and Alaska. Follow Burnet Avenue due north and you can not miss it ( fear not - you can see it from your car). 400 Forest is the address. It needs help.
One example, we all know what water can do to a building and how fast. What I do not understand for starters is how windows can be left open - open as in removed entirely - as in stolen and then not boarded up. "They said they were being repaired" Repaired my A** . Some people will believe anything...CPA. The windows, third floor transoms, where leaded glass used to be, have been open to the elements since at least February with the curtains at times hanging outside of the windows - blowing in the wind - not an easily missed sight.
I call on the city to show some back bone and make these people who own the place take responsibility for their property. It also hurts the rest of the neighborhood. I have spoken to numerous city people who seem to have every excuse to not do anything about it. It is such an easy fix in order to avoid more serious damage later.
Why would someone pay $250,000.00 and let the place intentionally decay? As far as I know the owners are alive and well and LIVING NEXTDOOR... in a house that has had scaffolding up in the same places for how many YEARS now? Just what is going on City Building Inspectors???
This building is a treasure and should be cared for as such. You have fewer and fewer of them Cincinnati - SHAME ON YOU.
Can the new skyscraper by Western Southern look any more like a giant uncircumcised PENIS? There. I said it.
Yes it could.
I am so pleased that the development in the Clifton Heights Business district is finally coming to fruition. While, it's not exactly what we wanted, (owner occupied condos over retail), I think it still has the potential to boost our owner occupancy rate. Hopefully some of the people who will work in the office space will end up buying a house in the neighborhood. Retail aimed at office workers will probably be the kind, (banks, dry cleaners, ect), that will serve owner occupants too.
It took too long, (8 years), and it was a non-stop parade of seemingly insurmountable problems, with an uncooperative partner, (UC), but we are now on the cusp of great things.
Thanks, and congratulations to all who helped this project along.
What a shame they tore it down, so sad. My question is where did all that great stone go, there should be a law if you must tear down a building you should have to salvage the stone and other arch. materials and donate it to a pool of materials to be used on future projects.
Questions, Kevin what is up with that mess of wires and crap on the Cincinnati side of the Purple People Bridge. Was that suppose to be something?
What is happening to the stone (was it part of the incline) they are dismantling behind the firehouse by the boathouse on Eastern ave. Looks like they are going to reuse.
Anonymous/Carson...Thanks for the thoughtful post. I think I might look into this whole deal with Carson School. It may take some time, but I might come up with some responses to your concerns.
Anonymous/400 Forest...If you are who I think you are, I'm glad you were able to get that comment in. It bothers me every time I pass by there and see the curtains blowing in the breeze.
Anonymous/Penis...LOL...you're not the first one to notice that quality in skyscrapers.
vudutu...That thing you mention by PPB, which I like to call "The Used Car Lot", was Cincinnati's worst attempt at public art ever. Apparently one of the councilmembers in 2005 (I forget which one) was so upset with how pretty Newport's side looked with all of the planters that they commissioned this project, and got money for it from OKI.
"Ultimately, this simple bridge infrastructure will help thousand of people enjoy the offerings on the central riverfront." - Charlie Luken
,"It almost makes me wish I hadn't gotten the money." - Mark Mallory
Re: the stone around the Adams Landing area...I assume that is being removed as part of the Mount Adams steps project. I do not know if they are re-using it.
Kevin,
About the work behind Adams Landing, I'm not sure about the stone Vudutu was referring to, but I'm pretty sure they are rebuilding the arch that used to be there for 150+ years, before it was removed maybe 10 years ago. I was heartbroken when they removed it -- I had climbed up there maybe 20 years ago, when remnants of an old park (and an even older Marine Hospital) were still visible beyond the arch. I had no idea the arch was going to be removed. I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw a story a few months back that the arch was going to be rebuilt.
On a completely different matter... has anyone else moved into Marburg Square? I posted the question a few months back, and someone else quickly replied that, yes, everything there was going great, people were moving in, etc. I think it must have been a real estate agent, because I check the Auditor's site every month or so, and nobody else has bought anything there since last year. Or maybe condos are recorded differently than regular houses?? It looks like they are building more units there, but I think they are just throwing good money after bad. I think area is pretty dead.
Kevin,
ROFLOL
"It almost makes me wish I hadn't gotten the money." - Mark Mallory
He really has a great sense of humor.
That was a public art project? Who the ^$%#* signed off on that?
Anon, I could be wrong, I just got a quick look from eastern, I saw stone on a truck, could be they are bringing it in not taking it out. I will go take a closer look.
Perhaps the WS building could be placed so it projects up between the P&G Dolly Parton towers. Sounds like a job for Photoshop!
Oh...you must be talking about the stone arch, then. Yes, they are installing it as part of a public plaza at the end of the steps. The arch has been in storage since 1990.
I hope it is not too late to leave a rant..or two.
I recently drove through Columbia/Tusculum by way of Columbia Parkway and saw the new building by Neyer. How completely out of place it looks. It truely looks like a suburban office park building plunked down in the middle of an historic neighborhood. I had such hopes when I learned a new "Center" for the area was to be created. The streetscaping and sidewalks are nice. Shouldn't buildings face the street with parking behind them? It looks like all parking. Maybe there is more coming, but right now it just looks wrong. When are these companies going to invest in good...no, make that the best, appropriate design? They do it in other cities. This looks cheap. Is this what Burnet Avenue is going to look like too? I'm glad you companies will be making lots of money for yourself off of these projects.
The second one: Who's idea was it to unload a truck load of topsoil, leave it there, put concrete blocks around it in a circle - from your local home improvement store, and plant flowers on top of it?
This is at the split in Eden Park off Gilbert where turning right goes to the art museum and left to Krohn. This rant is not that the mound is dopey looking, but that it obstructs the straight ahead view of Mirror Lake and beyond as you approach the split - priceless. (it did sink a little since last year) The island the mound is in could have easily been planted at ground level with low blue Petunias or whatever - as a precursor to water. Open your minds (the Park Board is great which surprises me even more why they(?) did this) and think of your surroundings...you too Columbia Square builders.
^ Agreed on Columbia Square. It would have been nice to see something different for such an historic neighborhood.
Some of that surface parking will be lost when the project is built out, but there is still far too much for my tastes.
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