Northside Community Entertainment District Approved, City Awards Creative Tools to Grow

Mar 10, 2012 by

Northside at night (photo courtesy Adam Nelson)

With its eclectic mix of locally-owned businesses, the Northside neighborhood is already known as a prime Cincinnati food, retail, and arts destination in the region. But empty storefronts that would also make great restaurants have remained largely empty because of the lack of liquor licenses. Last week, all that changed. On Wednesday, February 29th, the full Cincinnati City Council voted to give Northside its “Community Entertainment District” status after a unanimous vote the day before by the City Council’s Livability Committee.

This is a huge win for Northside. Why? For at least the last couple of years, Northside’s business district, while hanging in there in the midst of the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression, has had to turn away small businesses wanting to open in the neighborhood, merely because of the lack of liquor licenses available and the premium $30,000+ cost of the very few licenses that were available on the open market.

The new designation changes that game. The Northside Community Entertainment District designation gives creative tools to the Northside neighborhood to enable new growth. Rather than a business having to reach out to a broker to maybe, just maybe, find a license at a relatively huge cost, a process that often takes years, they can now call the state of Ohio directly. In our new Community Entertainment District, up to 15 additional liquor licenses are immediately available to food establishments, all at a dramatically reduced cost of $1500, all directly available from the state, and with no outside brokers involved. These licenses are not transferable. If the business with the new license were to move out of the Northside district, they would forfeit that license. Note again that these licenses are not available to a business that only wants to open a bar, these are licenses that are available only to food establishments. This is a major win for Northside and small businesses.

The original 2005 Community Entertainment District legislation was initially not really geared for anything but for-profit developers to obtain. Last year, the not-for-profit Pleasant Ridge Development Corporation couldn’t afford the Community Entertainment District’s original application fee of $15,000. Many thanks need to go to Cincinnati City Council Member Laure Quinlivan, who worked hard to change the Cincinnati municipal code to make the fee downwardly flexible, thus opening the possibility of designation to not-for-profits. This change to the fee structure allowed Pleasant Ridge to apply for the status without outside funding, making Pleasant Ridge the first Cincinnati neighborhood to apply for and win the designation.

Already, Pleasant Ridge has new businesses that wouldn’t be there if not for that designation. As well, the neighborhood of Price Hill recently won Community Entertainment District status, and several new businesses have either already opened or they are about to open. So far, the two neighborhoods that have won the designations have benefited immensely. Over-the-Rhine, Madisonville and Westwood have also applied for Community Entertainment District status but have not yet received it.

Northside's new Community Entertainment District covers not just the traditional business district, it also targets a wide area south of Blue Rock Street.

The Northside Business Association first started working with Laure Quinlivan’s city council office early last year after hearing of the possibility of Northside applying for and winning this important designation; the designation wouldn’t have been possible without Laure and her staff’s efforts. Also, Berding Surveying needs to be thanked, as they donated their services to the effort to produce the required survey and map. Once Northside’s required application package was completed, as a matter of transparency, the plan was presented at open Northside Community Council and Northside Business Association public meetings for comment. Community support was widespread, and the package was sent along to the city council’s Livability Committee for consideration.

Northside Business Association President Isaac Heintz has this to say about the designation: “The Northside Business Association pursued the entertainment district designation to provide Northside with another tool to help retain existing businesses and to attract new ones.  I believe that the designation of the entertainment district can only help to continue the positive trajectory of the neighborhood and the growth of the Northside community.”

Northside's "South Block", along Spring Grove Avenue, is ripe for redevelopment. The Landman Building, right, was recently stabilized and environmentally remediated and is ready for build-out. The building just to the left is now a LEED Silver building with several newly-occupied residential and business condos.

The new district covers much of the existing Northside business district along Hamilton Avenue from the Ludlow Viaduct in the south to just below the Northside Library in the north. In the southern end of the district, Blue Rock Street and Spring Grove Avenue are both included, roughly from Colerain Avenue on the west side, to Crawford Avenue on the east.

As you’re aware, there are currently a lot of existing empty storefronts and industrial spaces in the new entertainment district’s map. We’d love to see that change. Can’t you imagine once-forlorn Northside blocks now teeming with urban life? By enabling these new licenses, we hope to see more development in the district. This new development would include not only the new food establishments benefiting from the designation, but additional retail, arts, office and residential spaces , all serving to increase the vibrancy, diversity, and uniqueness of all that is Northside.

(Full disclosure: GeekJames, a.k.a. James Heller-Jackson, is a certifiable Northside resident shill as a member of the board for both the Northside Business Association and the Northside Community Council.)

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COASTing Over The Line

Sep 11, 2011 by

(note: since the time that I originally assembled this post, COAST has apparently apologized for their “stupid” and “insensitive” tweet, but have stuck to their guns on their lies regarding the funding, without citing evidence, of course. Vice Mayor Qualls reiterates (again) that the money has all come out of the Capital Improvements budget. Frankly, the apology doesn’t really change my take on things)

Update 14 Sept: Mark Miller has essentially admitted that his tweets were misleading in an interview with Channel 12. “Yea, they can’t take fire department salaries and go out and buy rails with it. I admit that. That’s exactly right, but that’s not what they’re doing. They’re taking money that should be spent on salaries and buying a study.” That’s not what you’ve been saying though, Mark. Hat tip to 5chw4r7z for pointing this out.

 

I’ve seen my share of offensive things on Twitter. It’s likely that I’ve posted a few things myself that people found distasteful. That being said, yesterday I saw something that seriously boiled my blood. Honestly, I waffled on writing about it at all. I’d hate to contribute to getting them any publicity, but I think it’s important for everyone to see exactly what lengths COAST will go to in their attempt to win fraudulently sway hearts and minds to their side.

I understand that the streetcar is a contentious issue. I happen to support it, but I’ll also be the first to admit that it’s possible for a rational person to oppose the idea, and that’s fine. That’s what debates and public forums are for. However, COAST has dedicated itself to flat-out spreading lies regarding how the project has been funded up to this point. Funds for construction come of out of a fund that cannot legally be used to to fund firefighting (or police, etc and so on). Fire companies are not being browned-out to support streetcar construction. It’s simply not true. This is, quite simply, a step too far in the debate (if it even continues to be a “debate” once you’ve lied as much as these guys have). Having an opinion and spreading lies about it is one thing. Co-opting a national tragedy and diminishing it by dishonoring it’s memory through associating your lies with it is quite another.

It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any fallout for them from this, particularly among the politicians they endorse. I suppose it all depends on whether or not the media picks up on it, and I doubt that a lone Twitter shenanigan, no matter how vile, will hit the radar. If it does though, I wonder if the council-people they back will start jumping ship, or at the very least ask them to keep their endorsement to themselves. Personally, I’d have a pretty tough time voting for anyone who knowingly associated themselves with this garbage, but maybe that’s just me. I hope that it isn’t.

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Food Desert 101

Jun 24, 2011 by

Mari Gallagher presentation

 

Farming has not completely devoured me.  I’ve been teaching more classes, on nationwide radio twice (!) and I spoke at the 2011 Cincinnati Food Congress (I strongly recommend you check out the full report), which was back in April.

The Food Congress facilitates conversation amongst community leaders and stakeholders regarding the state of our region’s food supply and the impact it has on our population.  This year, the focus was on if/how the local Agricultural Community can contribute employment opportunities to the Greater Cincinnati job pool.  I spoke as part of a panel of local growers… as both an independent contractor on a small-to-medium scale farm, and as a mother.

There are SO MANY THINGS I have to tell you about this, too many for one post.  Bear with me for a little while and I’ll get as much of it out to you as I can.

First, a definition:

Food Desert:  A region where the population does not have ready access to fresh food.  The general consensus for what “ready access,” i.e. – within walking distance, reasonable bike ride, or a single-leg public transit trip (i.e., a bus ride without a transfer).  Keep in mind, food deserts are not necessarily urban.  Many rural communities fall under this classification.

The phenomena of the food desert has been an obsession of mine, and it was also the first topic addressed at the Food Congress.  Mari Gallagher presented some sobering figures illustrating just how bad it has gotten in the region, with the most disturbing point being that the best access to high quality food lies squarely in the suburban areas.  Poor, non-nutrient-rich food choices have been shown to lead to health problems, like obesity and diabetes… which spike higher numbers in the less affluent, more urban areas.

Full disclosure – I live in a fortunate, happy bubble here in Northside, because of Picnic and Pantry, which is arguably one of the best micro markets I have ever been fortunate enough to patronize.  They also source some of their goods from the Farm, as well as a number of other local artisans and growers.  Northside also has one of the most diverse farmer’s markets in the City.  I think this is in no small part due to the community being enthusiastic about their food.  For contrast – my parents, having recently relocated to a more rural part of the state, now have a 30 mile drive to the closest market.  They knew this going in, but how many of us choose our home’s location based on where the closest grocery is?

I’d love to hear about how many of you can / do walk / bike / bus to get your groceries… and how content you are with what you get.  I would also like you to consider what it would be like if that “convenience” store a few blocks from you carried some fresh produce and healthy protein choices, instead of the bevy of processed drek that usually fills the shelves?  Would you buy from them?  Are we, as consumers, too used to “one stop” or destination shopping for a smaller, more locally-based model to work?

 

Cheers-

Dark Martha

Garden Manager, Carriage House Farm

www.consciousurbanliving.com

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My Sad Solar Tale

Jan 28, 2011 by

The conversations that I have with my boyfriend, Dave, when we are lucky enough to walk our dog in the daylight, inevitably turn to how many homes in our neighborhood are ideal for solar collection.  Northside is old enough that many of the houses were built to maximize the light and heat from the sun, like ours, which is nearly perfectly positioned east-west.  We have a lot of south and east-facing windows, allowing plenty of natural light into the house.  Half of our roof faces south-by-southwest, which, for those who have never looked into it, happens to be PERFECT for solar energy collection.

Dave has been a solar dabbler/enthusiast for over 20 years.  His family has an island in Georgian Bay, on Lake Huron, that is five miles from anything. It has a modest photovoltaic array to provide electricity to the cabin, and to run the water pump for the cabin’s water supply.  Dave assisted his grandfather with the install of that set-up, and he’s been dreaming of getting himself off the grid ever since.

Northside has a new housing development not far from us, the model has an impressive photovoltaic solar array on the south-facing roof and a grid-tie-in system.  In layman’s terms, that is a series of solar panels that generate electricity that feeds back into the existing utility box.  Theoretically, such a system could make your meter RUN BACKWARDS, when the panels are producing more energy than your household uses.  Dave had the opportunity to tour the model back in October, and was so impressed with the system, that he decided to get a similar rig for our house.

After some research, Dave discovered that Ohio was offering serious grant money for folks like us who wanted to do some alt-energy improvements … here’s the math:

11    Panels
275    Watts per panel (ET Solar 275 Watt)
3025    Watts
$7.00     Per watt installed
$21,175.00     Cost of materials and labor
$(8,621.25)    State grant
$12,553.75     Cost Installed including state grant
$(3,766.13)    Fed tax credit
$8,787.63     Total after tax adjustments
$(2,887.08)    5 Years Energy Savings
$(5,040.00)    5 Years SREC’s
$860.55     Total cost after 5 years

11    Panels
275    Watts per panel (ET Solar 275 Watt)
3025    Watts
$7.00     Per watt installed
$21,175.00     Cost of materials and labor
$-       State grant
$21,175.00     Cost Installed including state grant
$(6,352.50)    Fed tax credit
$14,822.50     Total after tax adjustments
$(2,887.08)    5 Years Energy Savings
$(5,040.00)    5 Years SREC’s
$6,895.42     Total cost after 5 years

Assumptions:

350    Average kWh/mo produced by system
0.13748    Average cost per kWh (Duke)
0.24    SREC price per watt (Sol)
0.95    De-rating of state grant

Our roof could support enough photovoltaic panels to generate roughly 3kW during peak times, enough to offset roughly 30% of our usage.  Not too shabby.  Add to that the bonus of the SREC program, where the energy units we produce and feed back into the grid are bought and traded in the form of renewable energy credits from our local utility company (so they don’t have to do it themselves).  We were excited about this winter project that would start paying us back as early as this summer, which is considerably better than many other investments.

We signed a contract with the same company that did the job on the model home nearby.  Dave had roofers lined up to replace our roof immediately before the solar company would start the installation.

Then came the call that the Ohio grant program was over as of November 5, 2010.  Kaput. Finished.  No more buckos left for us.  The solar company we had been working with did not hold us to the contract – both parties were bummed out about the loss of that one piece of the puzzle that made it all work.  And here is my HUGE gripe about most of this renewable energy nonsense – IT IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE.  If our country is serious about curbing our fossil fuel usage, it needs to get serious about the incentives for the alternatives.  The tax credits are nice (30%+ in some instances), but that still doesn’t get it into a price range that makes it available to most of us who want to invest, nor does it make a dent against the massive subsidies that the oil, gas and coal industries enjoy.  (Although, if our government makes good on what was mentioned during the State Of the Union address… those subsidies may be on the way out.)  Dave told me a horror story about a similar grant / incentive program in Florida that went belly-up, leaving some homeowners owing even more money for already-completed installations.  I hope that didn’t happen to anyone here when the Ohio grant went under.

So now, on these sunny days, we think about how our roof could have been generating electricity, about how we could have invested some money into our community in the form of hiring roofers and the solar company and about how we could have been the first on our block to make a serious contribution to the alt energy pool.  The project isn’t completely off the table.  The solar company wants to meet with us again, to see if they can afford to come down in price enough to make it worth our while to move ahead.  I know their business must be suffering.

Cheers-

Dark Martha

http://www.consciousurbanliving.com/

PS – I will be featured in the only coast-to-coast gardening radio program, In The Garden with Ron Wilson, this Saturday, 1/29!  Have your coffee with Ron and I as we take call in and online gardening questions 7-8 am 55WKRC (AM radio).
If you miss it podcasts can be found here: http://www.55krc. com/cc-common/ podcast/single_ podcast.html? podcast=Ron_ Wilson.xml

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Cincinnati Syndrome

Jan 7, 2011 by

One thing that has amazed me over my nearly two years here so far has been the attitude of many locals towards the city and its environs.

“Ohio, Where Dreams Go To Die,” read the graffiti at DAAP when my wife arrived for her first day of grad school. It was an attitude I’ve seen echoed many times since. It’s almost like there is an inferiority complex about the city amongst segments of its population.

It’s pretty much bullshit too. No, Cincy is not as vibrant and lively as my old home, New Orleans, was. It’s no NYC or San Francisco either. But why would you want to be just like someplace else anyway?

The Queen City has a lot going for it – history, a hammerlock on consumer marketing, magnificent art deco architecture, and a revitalizing OTR that becomes more of an asset every day. If Cincy were total crap I would not have moved my family and my business here.

Of course like everyplace it also has its downsides. News outlets that are politically polarized to the point of near uselessness is a big one. The apathy that I frequently encounter is another. All that means is that we, collectively, have to get off our asses and make it better. Participation is required if we are to take pride in our community.

Earlier today I stumbled across a video of my friend Kevin Dugan speaking at Ignite Cincy. It addresses another aspect of this topic and is well worth your time.  Afterwards let us know your thoughts in the comments, I’d really ike to get a discussion about this going.

One last thing. One or two people seem to have a problem with the fact that New Orleans is my main point of reference. Tough.

You would, I hope, encourage Queen City natives who move away to show pride in Cincy while in their new state. Well, after 17 generations of family there NOLA is my home no matter where I live.That’s not even touching on events of he past five years down there.

I think the fact that I own a home here, own a business here, and write this blog should show that I consider Cincinnati my home as well. Unlike the other voices presented here I am a relative newcomer. The NOLA references also help me make sure I represent myself honestly. Comprendez vous?

-Loki, Founder and Curator

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Gamble House: Community Voices Silenced

Sep 23, 2010 by

Update:  Cincinnati.com is now saying City Councilman Charles Winburn will motion for the City of Cincinnati to take the Gamble House by eminent domain.  The article also reports Chris Bortz has stated he is against the motion.

The article includes a quote from Larry Harris, City of Cincinanti’s Urban Conservator:    “One witness was Larry Harris, the city’s urban conservator. He sent an e-mail stating: “I am working with the City Solicitor’s office and the Director of City Planning and Buildings to cite Greenacres for violations of the Zoning code and Housing code.”

_________________________________________________________

Ye who has the most money wins and in this case that would be the Green Acres Foundation.  I received the below notice in my Facebook inbox from Bob Prokop.  The Westwood Community made it very clear the demolition of the house was not what it wanted - does enough money, power, and private ownership render the community’s voice silence and unnecessary?

This certainly did not happen in Indian Hill where Green Acres currently resides – is it possible or even likely for something like this to happen in Over-the-Rhine?   This demolotion is happening without a COA, without a permit, and with police protection. 

This is a strong case for why the Cincinnati community will deeply miss Building Cincinnati; his photos and comments here would have been greatly appreciated.

Dear Friend of the Gamble House,

It seems like our efforts to save the historic home of James Norris Gamble, inventor of Ivory Soap, and Cincinnati’s greatest philanthropist, aren’t going to be enough to achieve our goal of preservation. While hope isn’t entirely lost, it appears more clear each day how the journey is likely to end.

For the past few days, workmen have been removing the woodwork and architectural details from the house — both the pieces previously removed — and anything else the owners have decided to salvage — and are relocating them to storage in the barn. The neighbors have alerted city officials to the activity, aware that the owners have no valid permits to perform any work at the home.

Today, Tuesday, September 21, 2010, an army of construction equipment: front-loader, multiple dump trucks, etc. have been tearing up the landscape in order to re-route the utility lines away from the home and to one of the outbuildings. News crews from Local 12 (WKRC) and Channel 9 (WCPO), along with Cliff Radel of the Cincinnati Enquirer were on hand to cover the activity. Police officers were hired — apparently either by one of the contractors or the owners of the property — in order to provide security for the workmen, and perhaps act as traffic control since the work closed down Werk Road to a single lane.

If the Gamble House is demolished, without a permit — and without a COA (Certificate of Approval) from the Historic Conservation Board — what does that say about our city’s laws and its right to home rule? What kind of message are we sending for the future of historic preservation in Cincinnati? If we cannot protect the single most important piece of historic architecture in our city’s legacy, what historic structure can ever be considered safe?

If (more likely when) the home of Cincinnati’s Grand Old Man is demolished, it will be a tragic day for historic preservation in Cincinnati; it will leave an indelible stain on the soul of a once-grand city; and it will mark the event that the Greenacres Foundation will forever be remember by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit the group to see photos of today’s activity: http://www.savethegamblehouse.org

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