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Washington Park construction will be in full swing for 2011
The bodies have been removed, the trees have been pruned and the massive renovation of Washington Park in Over the Rhine can be shifted into high gear this year.By the end of this week the construction fence there will expand south to 12th street, capturing the entire park as a construction zone except a small section near the south entrance, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) Vice President for Development Chad Munitz said. Sometime in February, that small area will become a construction zone too.Crews began working in the park in August, excavating human remains from old cemeteries there and making other preparations for the park's transformation. Construction began November 23. Since then, trees have been trimmed, fertilized and fenced-off so that construction equipment won't trample or damage their root systems during construction. Some existing features, including an old swimming pool, were demolished to make way for a new parking garage. Later this week, after the fence encompasses the southern portion of the park, workers will begin demolishing the old pathways and installing new path, sewer, electric, and water systems. Thirty-foot-deep holes will be dug to accommodate a dry-well system that will prevent storm water runoff from entering the city's combined sewer system, Munitz said.In the north end of the park, cranes are now lowering the outside walls into a 450-space, two-level parking garage. Excavation of the garage will continue for the next month and a half, and then its construction will begin, Munitz said.Once the roof has been put on top of the garage, an events stage and 37,000 square foot lawn will be built on top of it. The lawn will be flanked to the south by an interactive water park with 350 programmable spouts that will spray water on those playing inside it. The northern end will also include a playground and dog park.In February or March of 2012 the garage is slated to open to the public. The rest of the park will open, weather permitting, sometime in the spring of 2012, Munitz said.Weekly updates on the construction progress will be released on 3CDC's website throughout the project. The Washington Park renovation project is on a similar scale and construction timeline to the 2005 Fountain Square renovation, Munitz said. Both projects provided underground parking, cost just under $50 million, created a major events space and were completed on a roughly 18-month construction timetable.Writer: Henry SweetsPhotography by Scott Beseler.
North College Hill among America’s best, affordable places to raise kids
North College Hill ranked among "America's Best, Affordable Places to Raise Kids." Ten miles from downtown, the area offers affordable housing for middle-income families, proximity to employment hubs, decent public schools, and low crime rates. Read the full story here.
Earthineer.com social networking site brings sustainable-living minded people together
Covington software consultant Dan Adams' interest in sustainable living practices was stoked by his home garden. The self-satisfaction that came from growing some of his own food led Adams to learn how to can, preserve and pickle."I started reading a lot and getting into general sustainable living practices," he said. "The more I did this, the more I realized the sense of fulfillment that came with it." At the same time, Adams was running his own software constancy ItalkTech. In a sustainable practice of another type, he'd started the business in 2006 after being laid off from a tech company he'd worked at for nine years.It wasn't long before his two passions merged resulting in Earthineer.com. It's an online social networking community for people interested in green living practices. He'd been working on the site as a side project, but this year decided to devote his full-time efforts to getting the site off the ground."I decided that I was never going to get this done in my spare time, so I dedicated all of my time to finishing it," Adams said.He developed Earthineer.com, which is just coming out of beta, as an independent study course at Northern Kentucky University."This is meant to be a social network for sustainable living, eating locally and seasonally, and talking about renewable energy," Adams said.The site has a spot for blog posts for sustainable living "experiments" like different composting, canning or wine making methods. It also has typical social networking features including personal profiles, news feeds and status updates. There's also a members' recommended books section. Though the intention is to create a national network, Adams is developing a trading section where members who live near each other can also share tools and goods."You'll be able to configure a list of things you want and can trade people for them. If one person has eggs and another has milk, they could meet up to trade," he said.The site is designed not just for individuals but for like minded nonprofits, farmers and small businesses."I hope there is going to be enough information on the site on a national level that it will encourage local groups to meet and consume locally," he said. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Dan Adams, creator Earthineer.comYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Designers envision sustainable future for Cincinnati icon
A group of budding designers, architects and urban planers from the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning are helping to breathe new life into one of the Queen City's most notable landmarks. Thanks to a collaborative effort between Cincinnati Museum Center, DAAP and UC's Niehoff Urban Studio, 28 undergraduate and graduate students spent the fall quarter developing proposals in the aptly named course, "Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Cincinnati Museum Center and its District.""They're looking collectively at this," says course co-instructor Michael Zaretsky, assistant professor of architecture at DAAP. He explains that the students split into five working groups, with each focusing on different aspects of sustainable development in the Queensgate neighborhood, where the Museum Center is located. Some students focused on the area itself, developing plans for an eco-industrial district complete with an urban greenspace that flows from the district's center to Cincinnati's downtown business district. Others focused on the Museum Center's home, historic Union Terminal. Whether planning for the building or the area, all focused on sustainable design, multimodal transportation (think bike lanes, park-and-ride access, and walkable greenspace) and transforming Queensgate from a peripheral light-industrial wing of the city to a core neighborhood with a range of business and social attractions.Architecture graduate students Erica Stauffer and Gary Williams took on Union Terminal as their project. Their proposed redesign of the famous structure includes reopening its signature ramps to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and a three-tiered internal layout that allows the building to serve as museum, gathering place and retail/social destination.Both students said they understand their ideas may never make it past the finely-crafted architectural model and design proposal that they drafted. But an exact execution of ideas isn't the point, they say."The important point is envisioning an idea," Stauffer says. "It can really be the start of what the design can be."Williams added that he gained a lot from the wide-open nature of the project."I think part of the point was not having budgets, and having less limitation than if we were on contract," he says.And according to Zaretsky, that's a key to the project. Officials from Cincinnati Museum Center interviewed the students early in December to incorporate their proposals into their long-term planning for the facility. And the students' work is on display in the Union Terminal Rotunda, giving those most affected by the space - the people who use it for work and pleasure - a chance to consider, discuss and envision these students' sustainable ideas for the Cincinnati icon's future.Writer: Matt CunninghamPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Soapdish: Of Dollars and Sense
Columnist Casey Coston says don't blame the streetcar for Cincinnati's budget balancing woes - it might just be part of the solution.
The 11 best cities for telecommuters
Cincinnati ranked second on Daily Finance's "11 Best Cities for Telecommuters" due to its diverse attractions, universities, and affordable living. Daily Finance considered many factors and chose cities with a big-city experience at a small-town price. Cincinnati has plenty to offer as the headquarters for nine Fortune 500 Companies, the host of America's largest Oktoberfest celebration, the second-most fit city in the nation, and the "chili capital of the world." Read the full story here.
Pinnacle confirms $45M deal for River Downs
Pinnacle Entertainment plans to purchase Cincinnati's River Downs for 45 million dollars in cash. Pinnacle will revitalize River Downs as a gaming entertainment destination, which will provide new full-time jobs and new tax revenue for the state and local community. Read the full story here.
Four people who are very thankful for Chris Henry
Chris Henry, the Bengal's player who lost his life last year, became an organ donor and saved four lives. His mother, Carolyn Glaspy, made the difficult decision shortly after her son's death. Glaspy does not regret her decision because she is thankful that her son saved many lives and she also gained new "family members."Read the full story here.
Partnership between The Circuit, Op4G mixes market research, nonprofit giving
The Circuit, Greater Cincinnati's IT Association, has a new partner in online market research that allows the region's consumers to give product opinions, earn dollars and give back to their favorite nonprofit.The Circuit recently partnered with Op4G (Opinions for Good) a national, online market research company that gives members cash for their feedback. Op4G also helps fund nonprofits by requiring members to contribute at least 25 percent of those earnings to their favorite nonprofit.Op4G is working with The Circuit's membership to get Cincinnati area opinions, but the site is open to anyone interested in the market research program. This is the first time The Circuit has worked with a market research company. As a nonprofit itself, The Circuit also benefits from the partnership, said President Jim Cunningham."We're promoting it to our members, and we can make money off it. Op4G will pay the individual who takes the survey, then part of it goes to a nonprofit like us. We're also interested because it's an IT-based business," Cunningham said. Op4G's panel is comprised of non-profit supporters and organization from across the country, including alumni groups, civic organizations, charities, and others. Organizations needing consumer insight to improve their marketing decisions turn to Op4G to conduct research among Op4G's members who have agreed to donate a minimum of 25 percent of their compensation to their choice of non-profits."We are always looking for ways in which our organization and members can make positive contributions to our communities, and Op4G provides a simple and effective program that can serve as a catalyst for fund-raising efforts for The Circuit and a variety of local non-profit organizations," said Cunningham.The Circuit is the information technology association for the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region and is dedicated to raising awareness for the region’s growing IT community by providing support and services for local technology professionals, companies and institutions. The association’s growing membership consists of a variety of professionals and organizations representing all areas of information technology.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Jim Cunningham, The Circuit and KWPR You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Washington Park construction will be in full swing for 2011
The bodies have been removed, the trees have been pruned and the massive renovation of Washington Park in Over the Rhine can be shifted into high gear this year.By the end of this week the construction fence there will expand south to 12th street, capturing the entire park as a construction zone except a small section near the south entrance, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) Vice President for Development Chad Munitz said. Sometime in February, that small area will become a construction zone too.Crews began working in the park in August, excavating human remains from old cemeteries there and making other preparations for the park's transformation. Construction began November 23. Since then, trees have been trimmed, fertilized and fenced-off so that construction equipment won't trample or damage their root systems during construction. Some existing features, including an old swimming pool, were demolished to make way for a new parking garage. Later this week, after the fence encompasses the southern portion of the park, workers will begin demolishing the old pathways and installing new path, sewer, electric, and water systems. Thirty-foot-deep holes will be dug to accommodate a dry-well system that will prevent storm water runoff from entering the city's combined sewer system, Munitz said.In the north end of the park, cranes are now lowering the outside walls into a 450-space, two-level parking garage. Excavation of the garage will continue for the next month and a half, and then its construction will begin, Munitz said.Once the roof has been put on top of the garage, an events stage and 37,000 square foot lawn will be built on top of it. The lawn will be flanked to the south by an interactive water park with 350 programmable spouts that will spray water on those playing inside it. The northern end will also include a playground and dog park.In February or March of 2012 the garage is slated to open to the public. The rest of the park will open, weather permitting, sometime in the spring of 2012, Munitz said.Weekly updates on the construction progress will be released on 3CDC's website throughout the project. The Washington Park renovation project is on a similar scale and construction timeline to the 2005 Fountain Square renovation, Munitz said. Both projects provided underground parking, cost just under $50 million, created a major events space and were completed on a roughly 18-month construction timetable.Writer: Henry SweetsPhotography by Scott Beseler.
North College Hill among America’s best, affordable places to raise kids
North College Hill ranked among "America's Best, Affordable Places to Raise Kids." Ten miles from downtown, the area offers affordable housing for middle-income families, proximity to employment hubs, decent public schools, and low crime rates. Read the full story here.
Earthineer.com social networking site brings sustainable-living minded people together
Covington software consultant Dan Adams' interest in sustainable living practices was stoked by his home garden. The self-satisfaction that came from growing some of his own food led Adams to learn how to can, preserve and pickle."I started reading a lot and getting into general sustainable living practices," he said. "The more I did this, the more I realized the sense of fulfillment that came with it." At the same time, Adams was running his own software constancy ItalkTech. In a sustainable practice of another type, he'd started the business in 2006 after being laid off from a tech company he'd worked at for nine years.It wasn't long before his two passions merged resulting in Earthineer.com. It's an online social networking community for people interested in green living practices. He'd been working on the site as a side project, but this year decided to devote his full-time efforts to getting the site off the ground."I decided that I was never going to get this done in my spare time, so I dedicated all of my time to finishing it," Adams said.He developed Earthineer.com, which is just coming out of beta, as an independent study course at Northern Kentucky University."This is meant to be a social network for sustainable living, eating locally and seasonally, and talking about renewable energy," Adams said.The site has a spot for blog posts for sustainable living "experiments" like different composting, canning or wine making methods. It also has typical social networking features including personal profiles, news feeds and status updates. There's also a members' recommended books section. Though the intention is to create a national network, Adams is developing a trading section where members who live near each other can also share tools and goods."You'll be able to configure a list of things you want and can trade people for them. If one person has eggs and another has milk, they could meet up to trade," he said.The site is designed not just for individuals but for like minded nonprofits, farmers and small businesses."I hope there is going to be enough information on the site on a national level that it will encourage local groups to meet and consume locally," he said. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Dan Adams, creator Earthineer.comYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Designers envision sustainable future for Cincinnati icon
A group of budding designers, architects and urban planers from the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning are helping to breathe new life into one of the Queen City's most notable landmarks. Thanks to a collaborative effort between Cincinnati Museum Center, DAAP and UC's Niehoff Urban Studio, 28 undergraduate and graduate students spent the fall quarter developing proposals in the aptly named course, "Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Cincinnati Museum Center and its District.""They're looking collectively at this," says course co-instructor Michael Zaretsky, assistant professor of architecture at DAAP. He explains that the students split into five working groups, with each focusing on different aspects of sustainable development in the Queensgate neighborhood, where the Museum Center is located. Some students focused on the area itself, developing plans for an eco-industrial district complete with an urban greenspace that flows from the district's center to Cincinnati's downtown business district. Others focused on the Museum Center's home, historic Union Terminal. Whether planning for the building or the area, all focused on sustainable design, multimodal transportation (think bike lanes, park-and-ride access, and walkable greenspace) and transforming Queensgate from a peripheral light-industrial wing of the city to a core neighborhood with a range of business and social attractions.Architecture graduate students Erica Stauffer and Gary Williams took on Union Terminal as their project. Their proposed redesign of the famous structure includes reopening its signature ramps to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and a three-tiered internal layout that allows the building to serve as museum, gathering place and retail/social destination.Both students said they understand their ideas may never make it past the finely-crafted architectural model and design proposal that they drafted. But an exact execution of ideas isn't the point, they say."The important point is envisioning an idea," Stauffer says. "It can really be the start of what the design can be."Williams added that he gained a lot from the wide-open nature of the project."I think part of the point was not having budgets, and having less limitation than if we were on contract," he says.And according to Zaretsky, that's a key to the project. Officials from Cincinnati Museum Center interviewed the students early in December to incorporate their proposals into their long-term planning for the facility. And the students' work is on display in the Union Terminal Rotunda, giving those most affected by the space - the people who use it for work and pleasure - a chance to consider, discuss and envision these students' sustainable ideas for the Cincinnati icon's future.Writer: Matt CunninghamPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Soapdish: Of Dollars and Sense
Columnist Casey Coston says don't blame the streetcar for Cincinnati's budget balancing woes - it might just be part of the solution.
The 11 best cities for telecommuters
Cincinnati ranked second on Daily Finance's "11 Best Cities for Telecommuters" due to its diverse attractions, universities, and affordable living. Daily Finance considered many factors and chose cities with a big-city experience at a small-town price. Cincinnati has plenty to offer as the headquarters for nine Fortune 500 Companies, the host of America's largest Oktoberfest celebration, the second-most fit city in the nation, and the "chili capital of the world." Read the full story here.
Pinnacle confirms $45M deal for River Downs
Pinnacle Entertainment plans to purchase Cincinnati's River Downs for 45 million dollars in cash. Pinnacle will revitalize River Downs as a gaming entertainment destination, which will provide new full-time jobs and new tax revenue for the state and local community. Read the full story here.
Four people who are very thankful for Chris Henry
Chris Henry, the Bengal's player who lost his life last year, became an organ donor and saved four lives. His mother, Carolyn Glaspy, made the difficult decision shortly after her son's death. Glaspy does not regret her decision because she is thankful that her son saved many lives and she also gained new "family members."Read the full story here.
Partnership between The Circuit, Op4G mixes market research, nonprofit giving
The Circuit, Greater Cincinnati's IT Association, has a new partner in online market research that allows the region's consumers to give product opinions, earn dollars and give back to their favorite nonprofit.The Circuit recently partnered with Op4G (Opinions for Good) a national, online market research company that gives members cash for their feedback. Op4G also helps fund nonprofits by requiring members to contribute at least 25 percent of those earnings to their favorite nonprofit.Op4G is working with The Circuit's membership to get Cincinnati area opinions, but the site is open to anyone interested in the market research program. This is the first time The Circuit has worked with a market research company. As a nonprofit itself, The Circuit also benefits from the partnership, said President Jim Cunningham."We're promoting it to our members, and we can make money off it. Op4G will pay the individual who takes the survey, then part of it goes to a nonprofit like us. We're also interested because it's an IT-based business," Cunningham said. Op4G's panel is comprised of non-profit supporters and organization from across the country, including alumni groups, civic organizations, charities, and others. Organizations needing consumer insight to improve their marketing decisions turn to Op4G to conduct research among Op4G's members who have agreed to donate a minimum of 25 percent of their compensation to their choice of non-profits."We are always looking for ways in which our organization and members can make positive contributions to our communities, and Op4G provides a simple and effective program that can serve as a catalyst for fund-raising efforts for The Circuit and a variety of local non-profit organizations," said Cunningham.The Circuit is the information technology association for the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region and is dedicated to raising awareness for the region’s growing IT community by providing support and services for local technology professionals, companies and institutions. The association’s growing membership consists of a variety of professionals and organizations representing all areas of information technology.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Jim Cunningham, The Circuit and KWPR You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
