Next Batch of Cities for Comparison Articles

[thelakelander]

Lake, just noted your journey into Cincinnati...

Wow, man

DON'T MISS C-U-T, Cincinnati Union Terminal, this is a world renown art deco palace. Shapped like a giant RADIO of the 1930's it is perhaps the most incredible design of a train station in the country, at least of that era. It's a MUST SEE! Trust me my urban planning friend, you'll be amazed!

OCKLAWAHA

I have seen this station. It is worth a visit.  It is some distance from DT as I recall (but not TOO far).  It has been converted  into a collection of museums all under one roof.

I've been there before but I did stop by yesterday to take a few pics.  Impressive place indeed.

Overall, as always, I was impressed with Cincinnati's density and large collection of vibrant neighborhoods.  I spent most of yesterday in Cincy and had to eliminate my planned stop in Toledo to get to Detroit.

Lots of people downtown and the Fountain Square (their version of Hemming Plaza) remake is a remarkable success.  What I remember was once a dominant concrete space with little shade, now includes a shaded area lined with a collection of restaurants (Rock Bottom Brewery, Potbelly's and Chipotle being three of them).  The convention center, which is now called Duke Energy Center, has also been expanded.  Like Lexington's, it is directly adjacent to at least two large highrise hotels.

I was also impressed with the continued turn around of Over-The-Rhine.  There's major streetscaping work being done and a significant number of old brick buildings being converted into lofts and condos.

[brainstormer]

Perhaps instead of Paris, our local leaders should be spending part of the money visiting these US cities like Charlotte, Cincinnati and Nashville.  What is it that keeps these cities motivated and vibrant despite the recession?  How can they all be building up their urban core, when we continue to tear our's down?  How do they get local investors to part with their money?  Why are they building mass transit instead of roads?
The rest of the money could be used as incentives to get something done around here.  Common sense tells me this would be money better spent.

Aside from my rant, I love your updates Lake and can't wait for the articles and pictures.  I'm kind of jealous. 

[thelakelander]

What is it that keeps these cities motivated and vibrant despite the recession?

Imo, its a mix of the urban pioneer/investor/advocate and city leaders responding to what peer cities have been successful at establishing.  Regarding Cincinnati, may of the Over-The-Rhine projects tend to be small in nature (ex. an individual renovates a small building and the neighbor does the same to a nearby property).  The city's major investments tend to be public projects that complement and promote additional infill investment nearby.  It also appears that some sort of overall master plan or vision is in place.  I say this because most projects in several of these cities aren't isolated.  They tend to be designed with a larger goal in mind by properly integrating with surrounding properties.

How can they all be building up their urban core, when we continue to tear our's down?  How do they get local investors to part with their money?

One significant difference is that old buildings aren't torn down because they are vacant.  The number of vacant, yet still standing properties, creates more opportunity for small investors to come in.

Why are they building mass transit instead of roads?

There are still road improvements being done but many places are adding transit for the economic development benefits.  This is the main reason for Cincinnati's proposed streetcar system.

Aside from my rant, I love your updates Lake and can't wait for the articles and pictures.  I'm kind of jealous. 

Thanks.  So far I have taken images of downtown Lexington, Cincinnati and Dayton.  Before I leave Detroit, I'll probably take images of their proposed streetcar corridor and riverfront park system since those are two major issues facing Jacksonville.

I already have the article text for a few cities (Nashville "thanks to Reednavy", Lexington and Cincinnati), so its possible the articles from this trip could begin to run this week.

[DaytonOhio]

This time PLEASE post some better pictures of Dayton, OH. 

[Ocklawaha]

LAKELANDER, NOTE. Amtrak passed new rules on photography, thanks in part to the "Homeland Security Gang." The bottom line is unless you get premission from the STATION MASTER anyone taking photos from the platform will be subject to investigation. So make sure you ASK FIRST, if the answer is no, go to neutral ground to get your photos. The rule aparently does not apply to inside the stations, or the stations themselves, just the platform and train boarding area.

maybe I should have read this before taking pics at Sante Fe terminal in San Diego today :-)

Glad you got away with it. If you have a ticket the rules don't apply to you, but unticketed folks REALLY are at risk for a stupid, time wasting police interview under the new rules. Don't sweat it, I'm sure this will go to court soon and someone will get their socks sued off. The new rule clearly violates freedom of speach, expression, and movement, not to mention freedom of the press and a host of other freedoms. Keeping us safe is one thing, going crazy doing it is a whole other experience!

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

Lakelander and others who may wander this season. NOTE that Dayton, Ohio is in the 120Th year of electric transit. We need a ride, some photos and some comment on the effect of this and the downtown.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

This time PLEASE post some better pictures of Dayton, OH. 

They are definately better.  My last visit to Dayton was in the middle of Winter, so the place looked pretty desolate.  However, yesterday the streets were full of people and I spent a little more time in the area. 

Ock, I did not see the trolley buses in use yesterday.  Regular buses were serving the downtown area.  I don't know if it has something to do with it but there's a major street reconstruction project on Main Street.

[reednavy]

Any updates?

[thelakelander]

I'm in Chicago and I'm about to spend the rest of the day exploring urban neighborhoods outside of the Loop.  I did not take any images in Detroit.  I decided to spend the time with family and incorporate picture taking on a return trip next month.  On the way to Chicago the other day, I did stop in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.  Both are college towns with nice vibrant downtowns. 

Ann Arbor - State Street


Kalamazoo - Main Street


Dayton - Riverfront


However, I love Cincinnati's Over-The-Rhine district.  Its about the same distance from DT Cincinnati as Springfield is to DT Jax but better connected.



Ock, here is that train terminal.  I'll try to improve the pics when I get back to town.

[thelakelander]

A few pics taken around urban Chicago on Wednesday.

Taking the train into town


A bus shelter with advertising


Some chick falling off her bike near Navy Pier


Chinatown


Metra yard


Lakeview


Wrigleyville


River North

[ProjectMaximus]

^ nice pics

I was close to Chinatown today. Maybe that was you I saw taking pictures....

[reednavy]

Oh that's rich on the woman falling off her bike. I love it.

[vicupstate]

yeah, you caught her in mid-fall. Amazing.

[thelakelander]

A sneak peek at a few more cities.

Louisville


Indianapolis





Nashville

[Keith-N-Jax]

The pic with the water- the surrounding area sure does look well kept and clean.