The College Hill eNewsletter
Telling the story of "A Diverse and Neighborly Community." August 29, 2008
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In This Issue ...
What's the Story on Linden Park?
CHCURC President's Comments on the Editing of Yesterday's Linden Park Announcement
More Information about the Linden Park Development
Coming Events in College Hill.
Dear Reader,
 
The purpose of this issue is to retract some editing that the first article in yesterday's eNewsletter received on its way to publication.

The first article in yesterday's eNewsletter, contained an announcement about the status of the Linden Park Project by the Mike Cappel, the President of CHCURC. Co-editor Ken Lyon added a headline and graphic to that announcement that reflected his own feelings about the announcement, but was in no way part of the announcement from CHCURC.

Thus, the first article in this issue is a "do-over" in that it presents CHCURC's announcement with the headline that CHCURC provided, and without the counterproductive and confusing headline and graphic that the editor added to the announcement.

Mike and your editors are in complete agreement that the development of the Hamilton/North Bend corners must continue to progress and that we need to maintain our optimism and look forward to a great outcome for our community.

One other thing that we agree on is that this needs discussing, and one place that can take place is on the College Hill Speaks Community Discussion Board.

Ken Lyon, for Gail Finke & Ken Lyon, co-editors
eNewsletter@CollegeHillOH.net
What's the Story on Linden Park?

The headline above and what follows is the (unedited) announcement from Mike Cappel, President of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation:

The Linden Park sales center office has been removed from the former Shuller's Wigwam site at the intersection of Hamilton and North Bend.   The Linden Park developer, Al Neyer, Inc., was unable to secure the required number of condominium presales and commercial preleases to break ground within an anticipated timeframe.  Unprecedented downturns in the housing market contributed to slow sales.   With its contract with the City of Cincinnati about to expire, Al Neyer, Inc. has chosen not to renew its option to continue as the developer.  

CHCURC maintains its strong partnership with the City to develop this prime property for its best use in College Hill.  Efforts are already underway and interesting options are being explored.  CHCURC is optimistic about new possibilities which may result in a development project even more beneficial to the College Hill community. 


Check for periodic updates by visiting CHCURC's website.
CHCURC President's Comments on the Editing of Yesterday's Linden Park Announcement

From Mike Cappel to the eNewsletter co-editors:

I don't appreciate your editorial commentary when you printed CHCURC's press release concerning Linden Park.  While we all may be disappointed that a building isn't being constructed right now, we need to be positive for the community and not destroy any contacts with developers in the city. 

By placing a "Neyer Bails" headline and a picture of a grim reaper on the article, you have placed a negative connotation with this article and our relationship with Neyer.  You are probably unaware that CHCURC is still meeting with Neyer, and that Neyer has agreed to assist CHCURC in securing and working with a future developer.  Your choice of headline and graphic seriously damages our relationship with Neyer and certainly gives Neyer little reason to cooperate with CHCURC and potential developers.  

Neyer was reluctant to walk away from its investment of significant hours and resources in the Linden Park project, but a developer has no control over a drastic downturn in the housing market and economy.  Neyer has been gracious in its exit and praised CHCURC, the College Hill community and the neighborhood itself.   The insulting headline and graphic sent the exact opposite message CHCURC intended.   Burning bridges with Neyer only creates more obstacles for CHCURC and College Hill to overcome.  

The choice of headline and graphic inserts your personal opinion into CHCURC's announcement.  You used your position as editor to influence the community's reaction by portraying Neyer as "bailing," -- a clearly pejorative term.  As you point out, the message board would be an appropriate place to voice your negative opinion.  Unfortunately, you sent two erroneous messages:   one to Neyer and other developers that College Hill is a community that publicly blames and insults developers if events don't go its way; and one to the College Hill community that development on the Shuller site is dead.  This hurts our community.

To add insult to injury, the headline and graphic appear to have been submitted by CHCURC.  Residents are already voicing their displeasure, confusion and panic about the headline and graphic, assuming these were provided by CHCURC.  Because of this unfortunate and damaging misperception, and because we now need to repair our relationship with Neyer, I am asking for a retraction or clarification of the story.  It must be conveyed to the community that the headline and graphic were your choice - not CHCURC's - and that CHCURC strongly disagrees that "Neyer Bails" or the grim reaper graphic are appropriate characterizations for the status of the project.

I hope a special issue is sent with this retraction or clarification.

At this point in our email conversation, co-editor Ken Lyon agreed to publish a special issue to retract his editing and to clarify CHCURC's position, and asked how much of Mike's email could be used in the retraction.

Subsequently, Mike Cappel emailed:

You are free to use my message in your retraction.  I just don't want people to give up on this site and development.

Concerned residents have already asked both me and [Forum President] Elizabeth Sherwood if CHCURC has given up on this site because of the grim reaper picture.  We don't want people to get pessimistic.  While Neyer is no longer the developer, we hope that this new opportunity allows us to get a great development, even if it takes a little longer to accomplish.   Thanks for printing your retraction.
More Information about the Linden Park Development

On August 20, James Neyer wrote a letter to Michael Cervay, Cincinnati Department of Community Development announcing Neyer's decision to terminate the contract to develop the northeast corner of Hamilton & North Bend. You can read it on CHCURC's website here.

Back eNewsletter issues provide an interesting history of the development. The eNewsletter's first issue was June 18, 2005, so the earliest stages of the project are missing from the eNewsletter record.

  • The July 1, 2005, issue reports that a community vote to support the expansion of the College Hill Urban Renewal District to include the Eastern Star Home and other Masonic properties. 
  • The July 8, 2005, issue provides an update from CHCURC about the Linden Park development.
  • A November 19, 2005, Special Issue reports that City Council approved purchase of several properties on the north side of North Bend Road for the Linden Park development. Conceptual pictures are included in the article.
  • The November 30, 2005, issue announces a New Year's Eve Pre-Demolition Fireworks display to celebrate City Council's decision to purchase some of the properties for the Linden Park project. 
  • The February 9, 2006, issue reports that the City had agreed to buy several properties and then transfer them to Neyer, who committed to developing all the properties in accordance with community plans approved by the City.
  • The March 16, 2006, issue updates progress on the Linden Park development: Shuller's demolition expected in the summer; Neyer expects presales to begin April 1, 2006; details of Kroger acquisition being worked out; Eastern Star purchase waiting for appraisal & environmental reports.
  • The April 14, 2006, issue provides updates from CHCURC on the development. Groundbreaking on the Shuller site expected in the fall of 2006.
  • The April 28, 2006 issue reports that Shuller's demolition is expected in the next few months.
  • A Special Development issue on May 11, 2006, details plans for the Linden Park development. Demolition of Shuller's Restaurant slated for summer of 2006. Presales of condos and preleases of commercial properties to begin in May, 2006. The Eastern Star Home property purchase was agreed to, and Neyer had negotiated a price for the Kroger property.
  • The June 2, 2006, issue reports that pre-demolition work is going on at Shuller's.
  • The June 22, 2006, issue reports the Shuller's demolition and contains other articles outlining the history of the project (dating back to 2003) and expectations for the future.
  • The November, 20, 2006 issue reports that signs advertising Linden Park condos have gone up and a sales trailer is to come soon.
  • The December 7, 2006 issue reports that Linden Park Condos are now for sale on the web.
  • The March 10, 2007, issue summarizes the CHCURC annual meeting, at which Linden Park was reviewed and it was announced that two units had been reserved prior to sales kick-off. A link to a Business Courier article is included.
  • The April 20, 2007, issue reports that sales for Linden Park phase 1 will soon begin and that acquisition of the former Kroger property is expected soon.
  • The July 21, 2007, issue announces that the Linden Park project is "unstalled." Sales contracts to be offered in late 2007 with groundbreaking in 2008.
  • The August 31, 2007, issue announces a special community meeting to review new plans for the Linden Park development before they are taken to City Council.
  • The September 5, 2007, issue announces that the community voted to support city funding for the project.
  • The September 26, 2007 issue reports that new Linden Park drawings had been unveiled at a Forum meeting.
  • The January 30, 2008, issue reports that City Council's Finance Committee voted to recommend to Council funding for the development. A link is provided to a Business Courier article reporting that Neyer expects to open a sales center March 6, 2008, and expects to break ground in the fall of 2008 .
  • A February 1, 2008, Special Issue announces that City Council has approved funding for the project. Several articles outline what happened and plans for the future.
  • The March 12, 2008, issue reports the opening of the Linden Park sales office and other development news coming out of CHCURC's annual meeting.
  • The March 5, 2008, eNewsletter, announces the arrival of sales trailers on the Linden Park site; Hilltop Press and Enquirer articles are quoted.
Coming Events in College Hill

Here is a week's worth of upcoming events from the College Hill Calendar.  Check the calendar itself for uptodate information.  If you know of an event that isn't yet on the Calendar, click on "Submit an Event" below & let us know about it!

2008
Community Calendar

Submit an Event

August
29

The Sloes are a progressive acoustic duo with a truly unique style, utilizing mandolin, guitar, and tight harmonies. Their music draws inspiration from folk, jazz, bluegrass, and rock influences. The core of the group's strength lies in the songwriting skills of singer/guitarist Rick Lisak. Rick is a 30-year veteran of the Cincy music scene, garnering him chart success and industry recognition, and a broad fanbase throughout the area. Onstage, Rick pours his soul into every song, his positive energy and natural charisma captivating the audience.Mandolinist Scott Carnder's musical career began in the early '90's. After studying jazz at UC's College Conservatory of Music, he spent the remainder of the decade touring the country with Cincy jamband The Spookfloaters, developing a loyal following along the way. While subbing a gig in early 2000 Scott met Rick, and The Sloes were born.  Recruiting local percussionist Stan Ginn, the group released their debut CD, "Desperate Train", in early 2006. Featuring nine originals and a striking Rolling Stones cover, the disc was named by Citybeat Magazine as one of the "Best of 2006".
 

30

Ryan Adcock in his premier performance here! Ryan's a native Cincinnatian who been making quite a name for himself across the nation and in several foreign countries! He's a favorite of ours and we couldn't be happier that he's finally taken a short break from touring and running marathons and is  here to entertain you! He's been voted "Best Rock Vocalist" and "Best Singer-Songwriter" in Cincinnati. Whether you call it folk-rock, indi-rock or rockin' folk, Ryan pounds it out and tells a story - funny, sad or soulful - his music hits the emotions, and creates the excitement as only the great ones do. In 2002, Ryan made an impressive debut on Mitch Albom's nationally syndicated radio show, playing to nearly 2.5 million listeners.  He likes small coffee shops, too! And he's great in any venue. His debut CD, "From Silence and Joy," is a best-seller.  If you missed him on the Acoustic Stage at Summerfair,  now's you chance! 
 

September
2

College Hill Gardeners, Tomato Summit: Llanfair Retirement Community Campus Center.  CHG's monthly meeting will be about tomatos, tomatos, tomatos! Bring a tomato from your vine for show and tell, and hear speaker Jerry Leubber, president of the Cincinnati Heirloom Open Pollinated Tomato Associate Growers talk about ways to preserve and grow heirloom varieties. You do not need to be a member to attend. No fee; 7 pm. Call Diane Brewster at 541-0013 with questions.
 

7

College Hill Presbyterian Church presents China: Land of Contrasts. Speaker Wei Wei, who has led more than 50 trips to China, will present a talk about the world's largest country. Presentation includes lunch and a style show and is suitable for everyone from school age to senior adults. CHPC; no charge (but bring a salad for 8 people); 12:45-2 pm.
 

12, 13 College Hill Town Hall: Breaking Barriers. This solo concert by Flora Leptak-Moreau, director of Kai Kweol Caribbean Music and Dance, will be an evening to remember! 8 pm. Additional details to be announced.
 
20 Sonshine House Consignment Store (1607 Llanfair): Storytime. Young children and their families can enjoy free storytime at the neighborhood consignment store (sales benefit 3Cs nursery school). No charge; 10:30 am.

College Hill Rhythm Race 5K Run/Walk and party at Pleasant Hill Academy. Last year 275 runners and walkers participated -- let's make that number even bigger! Enjoy an evening race through the tree- lined streets of College Hill to benefit the College Hill Urban Redevelopment Corporation and pay the salary of College Hill's Director of Development who works so hard for us all. The fee to run, walk, or participate in a wheelchair is $25 -- $20 if you register at http://www.sprunning.com  before Sept. 12. The After Party in Pleasant Hill's parking lot will be FREE, but all donations to CHCURC will be gratefully accepted. Don't miss a great race AND a great party! Same-day registration begins at 5:30 pm; race at 7 pm; party immediately following.
 

McAuley High School Fall 5K Run/ Walk at Miami Whitewater Forest.  McAuley invites alumnae and friends to this fundraising walk benefiting the Alumnae Legacy Scholarship Fund. For all ages, including parents with infants in strollers. Register online at http://www.alumnae.mcauleyhs.net/fallwalk or call (513) 755-9535.
$25 before September 19, $35 race day; fee includes t-shirt and refreshments. Race begins at 9 am.

 

26, 27 Contemporary Dance Theater presents Lar Lubovitch Dance Co. in concert. Known for a compelling synthesis of modern and ballet, choreographer Lar Lubovitch has been called one of the world's top ten choreographers by the "New York Times." For times and ticket prices call 591-1222.
 



The eNewsletter is published every week or two by the volunteers listed below. Our purpose is to help make College Hill an even better place to live, play and do business by publishing a broad spectrum of news for and about College Hill, with an emphasis on stories of College Hill people working together to improve our community.

The eNewsletter is independently prepared and published by neighborhood volunteers.  It is not affiliated with the College Hill Forum Community Council.

Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of any College Hill or other organization--or even of the editor. The inclusion of an article is not necessarily an endorsement. The fact that something isn't in the eNewsletter is not necessarily a lack of endorsement--it's most likely because no one told us about it.

eNewsletter photos are often edited to remove extraneous material.

Send us news that you think would be interesting to your College Hill neighbors--and we'll very likely publish it. Email to eNewsletter@CollegeHillOH.net.

  • Co-editors: Ken Lyon and Gail Finke
  • Contributing Editor: Sarah Mann Wolf
  • Backup Editor: Tom Strothers