I noticed that Ms. Cole has recently retracted her support for Cincinnatians for Progress/the streetcar/ No on Issue 9.

Is this bus proposal her lame attempt to appeal to both pro-transit AND NAACP people?

Disappointing on all counts.

Findlay Market is becoming more sucessful and the time has come for the city to be proactive to ensure the long term sucess of the market and promote redevelopment in the area.

What needs to happen is the city should solicit proposals for the North parking lot for a two level underground parking lot with low rise 2-4 story mixed-use retail/condomium development at street level that would be directed at art gallery space, antiques shops and restauraunt development with condos above.

This kind of development would need to be architectually compatible with Findlay and build on the sucess of the market. The city should combine that with tax breaks and facade grants on buildings in a two block area on Race and Elm, and if necessary use eminent domain to shake loose property being held by speculators.

This would make Findlay as sucessful as Fountain square but with a definite Historic Tourism type of development.

The time has come for Findlay to take 'the next step".

Paul, as a Historic Preservationist, why would you suggest tearing down the buildings around the Findlay Market area to put up new construction? Over the Rhine is one of the densest urban neighborhoods in the country, with plenty of beautiful Italianate buildings begging for restoration.

What the area needs is developers, yes, but ones that are committed to preserving the unique feel of Over the Rhine and the Findlay Market area. The worst thing we could do would be to raze those beautiful buildings to the ground and construct some shoddy lookalikes in their place.

Personally I am hoping that a group like 3CDC will target that area in hopes of reviving it a la the Gateway Quarter on the southern end of Vine Street.

If only there were some type of transportation that could move you from empty parking lots downtown directly past Findlay Market... Although the streetcar won't be done for a while. Why not have Scion run their "scion street car" like they did for MidPoint between parking and Findlay?

I'm sure they need more parking for people coming in but I think they could do with less surface parking. I hope nothing else gets torn down. I kind of think theres a lot of surface parking interrupting the urban fabric of downtown and OtR as it is. It would be nice to see something like what Paul is proposing (that is if we are talking repurposing the lots and not tearing down older surrounding buildings)that could help restore some of the interface with the streets again, creating more pedestrian friendly ways around the Findlay and brewery district area. It certainly seems poised to be a nice little area to live in, with many small streets that function at a very walkable and livable scale, both on the market and proceeding down Elm, Race, and Pleasant.

I agree with Paul Wilham's comment below and I think Jenny K makes a good point too. That north parking lot of Findlay Market could be converted to mixed use buildings with an underground garage without disrupting any of the historic architecture in the neighborhood.
Again, however, I think all of this would happen naturally if the streetcar system becomes a reality. No need for special bus service, we'd have rail going right by it and the parking situation would instantly improve, though I still think the area needs the kind of development Paul described below.

We need to concentrate our efforts right now at defeating Issue 9, because if that passes there's not much hope for fully revitalizing our downtown.

While the market is being more sucessful there are still alot of empty storefront on the south side of the market. Until those are full I don't see how it would make sense to add more retail space.

I am referring to the surface lot as a good redevelopment site. You need a developer with serious monies to come in to raise values to a point where it is economically viable to spend the kind of money to properly restore the historic storefronts.

Jason one of the problems with the south side buildings ( a couple are for sale) are the city orders against them that make redevelopment very difficult. I've looked at them for my own business and the numbers won't work with way property values are now. Banks arent making loans so you pretty much have to self finance these ventures. You are talking about dropping 3-500K on a building that may be worth at most 150-175 right now restored.

In my opinion Findlay lacks the well rounded type of retail a historic "tourist destination" needs. Findlay needs restaurants, art galleries boutiques and antiques shops so it is more viable all week long NOT just the weekends. But you need to get to a critical mass of retail.

UGH, I am so tired of people wanting more parking lots. What does more parking promote?
More driving!
Lets get this streetcar built now!

It made me sick up by UC at University and Vernon Pl, they torn down a couple incredible house for what? A parking lot.
They do nothing to add value or increase property values.

But Paul's idea does make a little sense, but too bad the existing stock couldn't be reused, they need 3CDC to sweep through there and work their magic.

Who would support a bus route between Findlay Market and nearby parking lots? Such a route doesn't go anywhere! There is no guarantee that anyone will ride it. We don't need to be wasting money on this boondoggle!

...and, don't forget, it would only benefit the favored few!

Or do this: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tBmE9wMvXzxaBgqC3Jeamg?feat=directlink

Jenny K... The Cole motion is date September 10, so its timing with her retraction of support for CFP doesn't exactly line up. Although it would be interesting to get her thinking behind both.

Paul did not mention or suggest anything about tearing down buildings or not reusing existing building stock. He said, "shake lose the speculators". The North Parking lot exists.
Read what is written instead of making things up. What is wrong with you people.

Funny, I go to Findlay every weekend, sometimes Saturday, sometimes Sunday, sometimes both ... early, mid-day and occasionally late-day, and I almost never have a hard time finding parking. In that lot, yeah, no doubt, but I cannot recall a single time this summer - when the market has been absolutely hopping - that I've had to park more than one block away. In fact, there are almost always spots on Race or Elm within a few car lengths. And there are lots towards Central Parkway that almost always have spots open.

Perhaps part of "the problem" is that suburbanites are fearful of walking even a block of OTR and actually mixing with folks who don't look like them?

Would more parking "on-site" mean more business? Maybe, if one assumes that people drive to Findlay but leave if they can't find parking within eyesight - and then don't come back. But is that really the problem?

More shopping options, galleries, etc. could definitely increase business - but frankly a good part of the market's allure is that it's >not< an experience like going to the mall. And speaking of the mall, I'm betting these same people consistently park further from Kenwood Towne Center than they would grabbing a street spot around Findlay - and spend far more time finding that elusive open spot - but of course those endless seas of concrete aren't so intimidating as the real world. And a good part of me thinks hundreds of more those people cramming every stall would make my market experience far less desirable.