Downtown Residents Council
July 13, 2010 Member Meeting
Date of meeting: Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Time/Location: 6:00 PM, Cincinnati Public Library (800 Vine St.)
Welcome and Introductions
Chris Smith
Cincinnati Police Department Update: - Doug Wiesman - District 1 Commander
- Thefts from autos up and spending additional resources to handle (frequent offender recently arrested and working to keep him locked up)
- Picked up someone from out of town that started a small fire in The Cincinnatian
- Two bars of concern on Fourth Street (Velvet Room and Local 127): fights, person with a gun trying to get in, underage people getting served - previously worked to shut down Annies on Sunday night and now those patrons heading to these bars - will work with owners
- Question: Local 127 really an issue - still trying to determine
- Question: impact of new cameras - working really well (even found an individual from shots fired)
- Question: theft from autos hot pink report cards program - District 1 will be done in the near future
Cincinnati Fire Department - no report
Adoption of June 2010 Meeting Minutes
Motion to Adopt the June 2010 meeting minutes /w correction (Doug Wiesman D1 Commander) Hugh Koon motions with Craig Hudson seconding - all in favor.
Guests:
- Steve Hellman & Carel Vandermeyden - "Greater Cincinnati Water Works - public regional water district"
City manager and mayor asked to meet with resident councils to pass on information
1/3 of bill is actual water with none of it tax supported
Last year's Issue 8 recapped
Change in water works structure needed since there are legal limits to expanding further
Need is due to less water being sold as time goes on and a greater base of customers lowers rates which are some of the lowest in the region (i.e. has worked in the past)
District to buy the assets over a period of time from the city ($14-$18 million annually)
District run by a board of 9 including business people with 7 appointed by city council
People of Cincinnati will receive information and invitations to a public meeting (28th of July at Cintas) to explain further
Website: http://www.cincinnatiwater.org/
Question about supplying outside - currently supply in bulk to outside communities
Question about size increase - not sure exactly yet (at least 2 addition bulk customers)
Will have to increase rates somewhat, but no more than would anyway
Will allow other communities to not have to run their own water district
Question about already paid for assets and how city can take money
Question about public vote - Yes; petition must be filed with court first (no time frame)
Question about billing - billing services provided by the GCWW from multiple entities
Question about current size - Kings Island, Eastgate Mall, Indiana border, across river - Trent Germano - "Lead Developer for The Banks and Vice Chairman of Carter"
As downtowners we are ahead of the curve of the future as downtown residents
The developer is just finishing - Fort Washington Way, Stadiums, Freedom Center, etc... are already done
Initially discouraged by politics, but were impressed with the assets and inked agreement to move forward
Everything in the government/developer agreement is being done including Riverside Park done at same time
There are 18 acres to build out and they will do it all as fast as the market can absorb
There are 4 million people already heading down to The Banks area annually and Cincinnati area has 2 million people - not concerned about competition from other city development (e.g. Fountain Square)
$80 million currently being spent above ground /w governments funding garage in a public private alliance
Preserving green space in front of the freedom center to maintain view of the river
Residential: possible future 30 units of for sale housing in south east corner, but still working to see if it is viable (financiers not currently too keen on the idea)
Residential: 300 apartments (apartments now only because can't work out financing for condos) will be built over 4-5 months (glass handrail balconies, separate/secure parking, etc...)
Retail: include entertainment, boutiques, bars and restaurants tailored to the urban fabric (shooting for 4 or 5 regional draws) - 4 letters of intent, but cannot discuss until deals are finalized
Retail: working to get some local businesses as well as places like Starbucks
Hotel: working with several different hotels (loft concept like Hotel Indigo)
Business: Actively working deals on business building
The police will have a 4500 sq foot welcome center
Permanent additional nine foot outdoor seating setback in some of the area where new roads were built
LEED certification sought in many instances
Outside LED lighting system will be implemented to highlight businesses, but conscious of residential
Possible small shift in the target mix of retail, business and residential (flexible zoning)
Website: http://thebankscincy.com/
Question: grocery stores - grocers worried about cannibalizing stores & little interest (possibly later phases)
Question: residential leasing - 312 Walnut next week (many signed up for info online, but waiting list likely)
Question: residential pricing - Village Green is doing pro forma research which is nearly complete
OLD/REGULAR BUSINESS: COMMITTEE UPDATES
Events Committee: Marty McGlinchey
TONIGHT: Join us at Taqueria Mercado after the meeting!
Monday, July 26th: DRC happy hour at "The FSQ Lounge" from 7pm-9pm
Outdoors on Fountain Square: music by Trio, food, cash bar, reserved tables
Treasurer's Report: Craig Hudson
Beginning: $8581.62; Dues $15; Business $50; 501c3 Application $400; End $8246.62
Membership Committee: Alison Kamine
New business recruiting and discount program in progress.
Communications Committee: Ben Wissel
Summer Arts program has three weeks left, so please consider volunteering.
Volunteer Nights at Great American Ballpark - info@ilivedowntown.com for tickets
NSP/Budget/501(c)(3): George Verkamp
NSP contract waiting to be signed
501(c)3 - IRS received application and should get tax number soon.
Casino Update: Craig Hudson
no update.
Clean, Green and Safe Committee: Susan Lennard
No update.
Dog Park Committee: Chris Wiedeman
No update.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Paul Westendorf - Father Eric - St Xavier Church Downtown Dash and Block Party August 6th (donated $500 to the DRC last year) - see http://www.downtowndash.org/ for details
- Josh from Soho Sushi (fast food build your own sushi rolls) extending hours to dinner and doing catering
- Kim Dao - Vine and Walnut alternations business - 21 E Court St (http://www.kimalterations.com/)
- Jenn Carr from Downtown Cincinnati Jazzercise mentioned special offer and flyers in back
- Debbie McKinney - candidate for the Ohio Senate, 9th District introduced herself
Motion to adjourn by Hugh Koon seconded by Alison Kamine
Approximately 30 people were in attendance
Respectfully submitted by Ben Wissel