Monday news roundup

A look back at development news from the past week


Blogs

Cincinnati.com Art blog: Sara Pearce gives a photo update of the progress of the $3.5 million Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park project, which is due for a summer or fall completion.


Print media

Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's Urban Design Review Board weighed in on plans for Queen City Square, suggesting making the building more pedestrian-friendly by incorporating a retail-lined promenade connecting Third and Fourth streets.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Fresh on the heels of the donated land controversy, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is now seeking $1.4 million to move its entrance to the Second Street side, citing a lack of faith in the future development of the Banks.

Eastern Hills Journal: The Hyde Park Neighborhood Council remains divided over a proposed four-story mixed-use building for 2633 Erie Avenue, with some worrying that too many denials could discourage investment.

News Record: Funding problems may delay the renovation of the University of Cincinnati's Dyer Hall and the structure linking it to Teachers College.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Jordan Park, a $17 million, 27-unit condo project being built by Greiwe Development Group near Mariemont Square, is on track for an October completion.

Cincinnati Enquirer: The Campbell County Fiscal Court approved the issuance of $10 million in bonds for the new Campbell County administration building in Newport, which will open in October 2009.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Sharonville city council voted unanimously against a plan by Fischer Homes to build 89 single-family homes and 196 condos on land owned by the Princeton City School District, meaning that the project likely will be scaled down.

Eastern Hills Journal: The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority will begin immediately the renovation of its 24-unit property at Madison Road and Observatory Avenue.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Two Covington city commissioners have come up with $120,000 in funding for a segment of the Riverfront Commons trail linking KY-8 in Botany Hills with the Covington Landing site.

Northwest Press: The $56 million Northgate Mall improvement project is well underway, with Rave Cinemas due to receive the former JC Penney property by the end of next month.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Silverton's business district will soon receive a $700,000 streetscape improvement at Montgomery and Plainfield roads, with work wrapping up by the end of summer.

Eastern Hills Journal: Mariemont Village Council has approved John Bentley's designs for the village square fountain renovation and will soon put the project out to bid.

Cincinnati Enquirer: The Parks Expansion Committee is exploring ideas for the 50-acre Rozzi property in Symmes Township, and is considering combining it with Symmes Park and the Meade property to create a 135-acre, destination megapark.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Riverfront condo sales have slumped, leaving some projects in stasis and keeping potential buyers from unloading their own homes.

Business Courier of Cincinnati: According to RealtyTrac, Cincinnati was 33rd in the nation for most foreclosures in the year 2007, but had the lowest foreclosure rate in the state.

Cincinnati Enquirer: The Kenton County Mayors' Group has voted to oppose the use of tolls to pay for the $3 billion+ Brent Spence Bridge project.

Cincinnati Enquirer: The City's CERT team swept through several decrepit West Side properties and made 15 arrests, including 13 at a four-building complex on Grand Avenue in East Price Hill.

Kentucky Enquirer: A proposal to raise rental license fees across the board and to allow the city to pull the licenses of problem landlords was defeated by the Newport City Commission by a vote of 3-2.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Community leaders and activists met at Xavier University's Cintas Center to share ideas and strategies at the sixth annual Neighborhood Summit.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Citing outdated buildings and public safety issues, the Hamilton County Agricultural Society is considering moving the county fairgrounds from Carthage to an unnamed site in western Hamilton County.

Cincinnati Enquirer: The City of Covington is considering an ordinance that would require developers to submit site plans to the city engineer before receiving permits to build on hillsides with greater than 20 percent slopes or slide-prone rock.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Southgate has hired a new part-time blight officer, whose first order of business is drafting a stronger blight code.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Investment in duplicate greenfields projects and inattention to an existing business district has led to the closure of a West Chester Township coffee shop.