Beginning in 2010, Explore Cincinnati will air on Radio Free Queen City (WVQC), the new public access low-power FM station being launched by Media Bridges.  You will be able to hear us over the air on Sundays at 3 pm on 95.7 FM.  Of course, new episodes will continue to be released to the podcast, meaning that you can still listen at any time on your computer or iPod.

Thanks to all of our listeners and guests who have made the first year of Explore Cincinnati such a success.  Enjoy the holidays and please join us in 2010 for more new episodes of Explore Cincinnati!

Matt Bourgeois joins us for discussion of developments in Clifton Heights and CHCURC.  Emily speaks with Betty Ann Smiddy about architect Samuel Hannaford.  Travis and Emily provide news updates on Kenwood Towne Place, 3C Corridor rail, Cincinnati State college, solar power in the state, new restaurants Downtown, and more.

Season 4, Episode 9 of “Explore Cincinnati” for December 9, 2009:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Bonus Segment: Emily’s entire interview with Betty Ann Smiddy:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Play above or download the interview.

Feedback:

We want to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment in this blog post, or call our feedback line at: (513) 2 EXPLORE, or (513) 239-7567. We may play back your comment on the next episode of Explore Cincinnati.

Further reading:

• “Cincinnati captures $1.5M for solar electric projects throughout city” from Soapbox
• “Kenwood receiver wants out” from the Business Courier
• “Towne Place tenant: We’re still here” from the Business Courier
• “Sewer district seeks $5 monthly fee increase” from the Business Courier
• “State rail group recommends DMUs for 3C ‘Quick Start’” from Building Cincinnati
• “State rail agencies studying development around six ‘Quick Start’ stations” from Building Cincinnati
• “Cincinnati State sees enrollment surge, cites economy” from the Business Courier
• “Jean-Ro v. Wade” from Cincinnati Blog
• “De Cavel restaurant opening delayed” from the Enquirer
• “Busken opens downtown bakery” from the Business Courier
• “Busken downtown” from Campbell’s Scoop blog (Enquirer)
• “Segoe Symposium On Smart Growth” from Cincinnati Locavore

John Yung joins us for discussion on Smart Code, developments in Bellevue and other Northern Kentucky neighborhoods, Retrofitting Suburbia, and more. Travis and Emily provide news updates on city council, the county’s property tax and stadium fund, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Findlay Market, and upcoming holiday events.

Season 4, Episode 8 of “Explore Cincinnati” for December 2, 2009:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Feedback:

We want to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment in this blog post, or call our feedback line at: (513) 2 EXPLORE, or (513) 239-7567. We may play back your comment on the next episode of Explore Cincinnati.

Further reading:

• “Cincinnati City Council members sworn in” from Business Courier
• “Qualls is the New Vice Mayor” from Cincinnati Blog
• “Qualls’ clout grows; options abound” (11/8) from the Enquirer
• “Hamilton County tax rollback remains intact” from Business Courier
• “Delta to cut more Cincinnati service” from Business Courier
• “Clifton Cultural Arts Center moving forward with first phase of $11M renovation project” from Soapbox
• “City loan approved for Northside mixed-use project” from Building Cincinnati
• “Findlay Market awarded $219k for local foods project” from Soapbox
• “De Cavel restaurant opening delayed” from the Enquirer
• Saint Anthony Lofts development in Bellevue, Kentucky
• “Century old church in Bellevue to be converted into contemporary lofts” from Soapbox
• “‘Holidays at the Betts House’ runs through January 6” from Building Cincinnati
• The Betts House website
• Cincinnatians for Progress’ Holiday Get Together and Thank You Celebration

Travis and Emily provide news updates on Queensgate Terminals, Metro, MLK improvements, the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, local restaurants, and more.  Sherman Cahal joins us for discussion of these stories, plus construction at Xavier University, the Metropole 21c hotel, and Cincinnati’s bike plan.  Dan Korman talks with us about his business Park + Vine.

Season 4, Episode 7 of “Explore Cincinnati” for November 25, 2009:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Feedback:

We want to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment in this blog post, or call our feedback line at: (513) 2 EXPLORE, or (513) 239-7567. We may play back your comment on the next episode of Explore Cincinnati.

Further reading:

• “Barge operators squabble over riverfront turf” from the Business Courier
• “City council to vote on river port issue” from Business Courier blog
• “Stadium tax shortfall could mean higher property taxes for Hamilton Countians” from Business Courier
• “Cincinnati to enter LPA with ODOT on MLK project” from Building Cincinnati
• “Metro: 20% service cut might still be needed” from Business Courier
• “Metro revises Access fare hike proposal” from Business Courier
• “General Growth Properties plans Chapter 11 exit” from Business Courier
• “Cincinnati wins $5,000 first-place prize in national recycling contest” from UrbanCincy
• “2009 Cincinnati Entertainment Award Winners!” from Each Note Secure
• “Salon Central opens in Over-the-Rhine with a ‘modern sensibility’” from Soapbox
• “Churchill’s moving to Findlay Market” from Business Courier
• “Mayberry to Open for Dinner” from Wine Me Dine Me in Cincinnati
• “Local 127 Opens For Lunch” from Cincinnati Locavore
• “The Ault & Wiborg Company” (demolition for P&G) from Sherman Cahal’s Abandoned
• Taft Museum current exhibits
• Gateway Quarter merchants

Chris Eilerman and Michael Moore from the City of Cincinnati talk to us about transportation development in Cincinnati, including the Streetcar plan.  Peter Hames joins us for more discussion on transportation, infrastructure modernization, and project funding.  Travis and Emily provide news updates on The Banks, the Metropole 21C hotel, I-74, Kenwood Towne Place, UC athletics facilities, and more.

Season 4, Episode 6 of “Explore Cincinnati” for November 18, 2009:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Feedback:

We want to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment in this blog post, or call our feedback line at: (513) 2 EXPLORE, or (513) 239-7567. We may play back your comment on the next episode of Explore Cincinnati.

Further reading:

• News briefs for November 12, 2009
• “Contractor chosen for Banks portion” from Business Courier
• “General contractor selected for The Banks” from Building Cincinnati
• “Hamilton County OKs Banks stimulus deal” from the Enquirer
• “UC trustees asked to sign off on practice bubble” from Business Courier
• “Tenants file to stop Metropole conversion” from Business Courier
• “I-74 ramp meters start Tuesday” from the Enquirer
• “Official: Ramp lights tweaked” from the Enquirer
• “Kenwood receiver can borrow for repairs” from Business Courier
• “Beam to close Cincinnati plant” from Business Courier
• “Qualls Nixes Vice Mayor Slot” from Cincinnati Blog
• “Qualls’ clout grows; options abound” from the Enquirer
• “Cincinnati council OK’s property tax reduction” from Business Courier
• Cincinnati Unchained event from BuyCincy
• “Cincinnati Unchained takes place this weekend – 11/21” from UrbanCincy
• “Balluminaria 2009 – 11/21” from UrbanCincy

• Metro has laid off 19 full- and part-time workers, also eliminating 82 union jobs.
• Metro is facing a $17 million budget deficit for 2010.
• City Council will vote next week on fare increases and service cuts.

Cincinnati development agencies secure $75 million in grants, from Soapbox

• The Cincinnati Development Fund and the Uptown Consortium have received $75 million in New Markets Tax Credits from the U.S. Treasury Department.
• CDF, which was awarded $30 million, will use the funds for projects in downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and Uptown.
• The Uptown Consortium will use its $45 million award toward development on Short Vine.
• Jeanne Golliher, Executive Director of CDF, said: “Part of the allocation agreement, for the tax credits, was that the projects must be done within two years.”

Business leaders broke ground Friday for Sharonville Convention Center expansion, from Building Cincinnati and Soapbox

• The $30 million expansion will more than double the Center’s space, resulting in a total of 63,000 square feet and 19 rooms when work is complete.
• The Center having more than 1,000 free parking spaces upon completion.
• Returns from the Hamilton County hotel tax helped make the expansion possible.
• The new building will contain energy-efficient and water-conservation components, with the goal of attaining LEED Silver certification.
• The Sharonville Convention Center will remain open during construction.

Clean Ohio Report released, from Building Cincinnati

• Five state agencies have released the 2009 Clean Ohio Report (PDF), which outlines progress made this year through the Clean Ohio Fund.
• According to the report, the Fund has created or retained 15,000 jobs, leveraged $119 million in conservation investments, protected 26,000 acres of family farms, and led to the construction of 200 miles of multi-purpose trails.
• In its first four funding cycles, the Fund has paid for 52 projects in Hamilton County, 17 in Butler County, 6 in Warren County and 3 in Clermont County.
• The Fund was created in 2000 following a voter approval of a $400 million bond issue.

Cincinnati moves up in jobs & technology ratings, from the Business Courier

• In its annual study of job growth and technology, the Milken Institute has rated the Cincinnati-Middletown area 138^th out of 200 metropolitan areas, up from 173^rd last year.
• Columbus placed 108^th.
• The Milken study placed Austin, Texas 1^st.

Summaries by Emily Schneider.

Xavier’s Hoff Academic Quad

Xavier’s new Hoff Academic Quad is under construction, featuring the new Williams College of Business, the Conaton Learning Center, and a central utility plant. These photos are from a hardhat tour of the new facilities:

Click on the photos to see a larger version, and check out the full Xavier photo set.

Neon’s Unplugged

Neon’s is re-opening in Spring 2010, but was open for two nights to give a sneak preview of this soon-to-be neighborhood hangout.

Check out the full Neon’s Unplugged photo set.

Around Uptown

The renovation of Hughes High School is coming along nicely. Here are a few photos from the Clifton Heights and Fairview neighborhoods:

View more photos from Around Uptown.

Mayor Mallory and Councilman Bortz on Election Night.
Photo by The Provost of Cincinnati.

The latest episode of Explore Cincinnati is now online. Refresh your Podcasts in iTunes (or subscribe now) to receive the latest episode, or listen in your browser below.

Travis and Emily discuss the election results, news on the Metropole/21C hotel, Rookwood Exchange, Cincinnati road projects, new restaurants, and more.

Season 4, Episode 5 of “Explore Cincinnati” for November 4, 2009:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Feedback:

We want to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment in this blog post, or call our feedback line at: (513) 2 EXPLORE, or (513) 239-7567. We may play back your comment on the next episode of Explore Cincinnati.

Further reading:

• “APC wins $30M in stimulus funds for plant at AK Steel” from Business Courier
• “Company gets $30M grant for Ohio power plant” from Charleston Daily Mail
• “Cincinnati taking action on roadway improvements” from Building Cincinnati
• “Cincinnati performing cost-saving energy upgrades in 39 City buildings” from Soapbox
• “28 Ohio counties could acquire land banking powers” from Building Cincinnati
• “Metropole to become world-class hotel” from the Enquirer
• “New 21c Museum Hotel to Open in Cincinnati, Ohio” from StreetInsider.com
• “Enquirer: Rookwood expansion to begin in spring” from Citizens for a Better Norwood
• “Rookwood expansion to begin in spring” from the Enquirer
• “Full List: America’s Safest Cities” from Forbes
• “Neon’s Unplugged to open tonight, tomorrow” (10/29-30) from Building Cincinnati
• “Wade: de Cavel eatery would violate contract” from Business Courier
• “Relish Leaves A Bad Taste In My Mouth” from Cincinnati Blog
• “Wade v DeCavel” from Enquirer blog
• “The New Metropolis” screenings

Dr. Jim Uber joins us for an in-depth conversation on Cincinnati’s Streetcar proposal.  We then discuss Issue 9 and its effects on the Streetcar plan, the 3C Corridor high-speed rail plan, and the Eastern Corridor commuter rail plan.  Plus, news updates on The Banks, the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the Eighth Street Viaduct, recycling in Cincinnati, and more.

Season 4, Episode 4 of “Explore Cincinnati” for October 28, 2009:

(Visit ExploreCincinnati.com or subscribe in iTunes to hear the show.)

Feedback:

We want to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment in this blog post, or call our feedback line at: (513) 2 EXPLORE, or (513) 239-7567. We may play back your comment on the next episode of Explore Cincinnati.

Further reading:

• “Duke Energy wins $200 million smart grid grant” from Business Courier
• “Cincinnati panel approves Banks design” from Business Courier
• “Think earthy, red” from the Enquirer
• “County ordered to fire Banks project lawyer” from Business Courier
• “Jewish Hospital sale hearing draws big crowd” from Business Courier
• “Little by Little, Cincinnati Improves Recycling Program” from UrbanCincy
• “Hamilton County adopts $210 million budget” from Business Courier
• “Eighth Street Viaduct Re-Opens Thursday” (October 22) from Local12
• “Roebling Bridge to get paint job” from NKY.com
• “Roebling to close for 2 weekends” from NKY.com
• “Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory goes digital” from UrbanCincy
• Cincinnati Enquirer’s election guide
• CityBeat’s election coverage
• Hamilton County Board of Election website