The Nati

The Southshore project in Newport (near the Comfort Inn) is set to break ground on the first of three condo towers next Wednesday (Feb. 21). It will consist of 200 condos when completed. Way out of my budget it's still a very cool project... they have a pretty slick interactive map on the site, but I'm wondering why my house wasn't specifically called out as an attraction in the area!

The only thing I don't like about the project is this: "Newport Beach Club, the private plaza located five stories above the parking garage". Would have been nice if they had followed suit with One River Plaza on the Cincinnati side (where Montgomery Inn Banquet Center now sits). ORP is going to have a PUBLIC plaza, and are even creating a grand staircase to connect with the purple people bridge. That is how a TRUE urban project is built. Making it walkable for everyone.. but hey, I guess it's there millions of dollars, not mine ;)

Good friend of mine Bobby Maly works at Model Management company and are working along side 3CDC, Kimbler, B2B and Urban Sites to build over 100 new condo units in Over-the-Rhine.


A lot is said around the downtown condo boom, and the goal of attracting Young Professionals. However, the fact of the matter is that most of the condos that are going up along the Cincinnati, NKY riverfront, and in the Central Business District are $300,000 plus. Not sure about most, but that seems to be stretching for a price point for young professionals.

Well that is where the Gateway Quarters urban renewal is exciting. There are condos starting at $86000. And to top it off, there is a tax abatement, meaning it's likely you can get into some of these condos as an owner for less than you are going to pay in Rent!

It's more than 7 buildings that is just the start of what is happening in the area. They have launched a website - Gateway Quarter. On it you will see floorplans, maps, prices, etc. But the real way to understand what is going on in OTR is go down and see it. Call 513.621.GATE (4283) and set up an appointment to go view some of the new urban living!

Kari from CinWeekly is going to Austin for SXSW and she's started a blog about it... It appears from her description, this may be the first time she's been down there... now I'm no expert (this will only be my second year), but my good friend Chuck has been begging me to go down for about a decade... so I feel like it's my tenth time down. ANd I've been to Austin about 2 dozen times... so here's my unofficial tips for Kari...

- Breakfast - Kirby Lane - yummy gingerbread pancakes.. make sure you get there and make sure you go to the original on Kirby Lane.

- Sunday Gospel Brunch - Stubb's... so, you know the BBQ, but the real secret is the gospel lunch every Sunday.. make reservations and take in the tunes!

- Yard Dog - Day Parties - there are plenty to go to, and I am sure I'll be hopping around, but Yard Dog is in a cool little part of town away from the chaos (SoCo - South Congress). And they've got great bands most every day... see my blog entry below for some of them.

Okay, that's it for now... maybe my friends and I will cross paths with Kari while we are down there!

My favorite singer/songwriter - Jake Speed, has paired up with another great Cincinnati talent - Traci Walker. They've come up with a great new song about Cincinnati, and what a great town we have.

If you've never heard Jake Speed and the Freddies you need to. This song is a lot like what you'll hear... a lot of songs about Cincinnati (good and bad)... Fun times are for sure, as he's also a great stage presence and gets the crowd taking part...

Enjoy... and thanks to Julie at the Chamber for passing along...

All Roads Lead to Cincinnati

Okay... here is my first crack at what I want to see. It doesn't include any showcases, just day shows (that I know about).

Anyone have other suggestions of bands to see? Here is the official list of 1300 bands that will be playing. It's a long list, but when you are choosing from 1300 bands, it's pretty short!


Aberdeen City - MySpace
Apollo Sunshine - MySpace - The Big One Day Show (Fri at TBD)
Apples in Stereo - MySpace
A Band of Bees - MySpace
A Fine Frenzy - MySpace - Opening for Pete Yorn
Apostle of Hustle - MySpace - IODA Day Show (Wed at Emo's), Hot Freaks Day Show (Fri @ Mohawk)
Shane Bartell - MySpace
Scott H Biram - MySpace
Andrew Bird - MySpace
The Black Angels - MySpace - IODA Day Show (Wed at Emo's), Mess with Texas (Fri @ Red 7)
The Broken West - MySpace - Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's)
Buffalo Killers - MySpace
The Cassettes - MySpace
The Early Years - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Mohawk)
Jon Langford - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
Geri X - MySpace - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
The Beauvilles - MySpace - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
Nessie - MySpace - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
Jesse Malin - MySpace
Margo & the Nuclear So and So's - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Club Deville)
Waco Brothers - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Clem Snide - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Gore Gore Girls - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
The Silos - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Deadstring Brothers - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Danbert Nobacon - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Twilight Sad - MySpace - IODA Day Show (Wed at Emo's)
The Rosebuds - MySpace - Birds Barbershop Day Show (Thur@ Birds), Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's), Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Club Deville)
+/- - MySpace - Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's)
Frog Eyes - MySpace - Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's)
Shearwater - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Fri @ Mohawk)
Annuals - MySpace - Spaceland and LiveDaily (Thurs @ Antones), Hot Freaks Day Show (Fri @ Mohawk)
The Young Knives - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Club Deville)
Viva Voce - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Mohawk)
Dirty On Purpose - MySpace - Spaceland and LiveDaily (Thurs @ Antones)

Don't have many details yet, but sounds like the former Jump space at 12th and Main street is giong to re-open as a Sushi restaurant. Good news for the area, given last weeks announcement of the re-use of the Jeckyll and Hyde space for a new theater.

Also downtown is the announcement that McFadden's has bought several nearby storefronts and will be opening a second bar called the Lodge (similar to the one in columbus). Sounds like it's going to be a very large space, and will include Live music.