Author Topic: Cincinnati: Pendleton: Horseshoe Casino (Read 145954 times)

jjakucyk · « **Reply #875 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:29:59 AM »

A roundabout with a fountain or other large sculptural item would certainly be a good way to go. Alas, we get a front lawn instead.

http://www.jjakucyk.com/portfolio/otr.html

moonloop · « **Reply #876 on:** July 09, 2012, 07:13:43 AM »

Looks like the first racinco rake in 12+ million after a month of operation. Casinos should have their revenue announced soon. I thought July 5. I guess Cleveland is still laundering the profits before they make it official. I know what goes on up there. I just watched Kill the Irishman.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the-irishman/

City Blights · « **Reply #877 on:** July 17, 2012, 01:38:56 AM »

Quote from: jjakucyk on May 16, 2012, 08:29:59 AM

A roundabout with a fountain or other large sculptural item would certainly be a good way to go. Alas, we get a front lawn instead.

Roundabouts are awful for pedestrians as well as traffic flow. Their only useful purpose is commercial space, and that only works in tighter roundabouts specifically planned for such. Having a landfill in the middle of the road or a fountain no one can interact with isn't as attractive as it seems.

Sherman Cahal · « **Reply #878 on:** July 17, 2012, 03:11:10 AM »

I would disagree. The notion that roundabouts are unsafe for pedestrians or cyclists is unfounded, much like roundabouts are unsafe for drivers because they are too confusing. The University of Tennessee, with a report funded by the Southeastern Transportation Center with a grant from the USDOT, found that modern roundabouts, in urban, suburban and rural settings, reduced vehicular crashes by 39% on average and injury crashes by 76% in one study of 24 intersection conversions (Crash Reductions Following Intallation of Roundabouts in the United States, IIHS).

In general, pedestrian incidents are rare. An example was cited in the report at North Carolina State University at a heavily traveled throughfare, where one intersection had 300 annual vehicle crashes and only seven pedestrian incidents. But that is also because pedestrian data is pretty rare, and that at most intersections, pedestrian activity is pretty rare. Modern roundabouts, according to the FHWA Design Guide, should have a roundabout splitter island that acts as a refuge for pedestrians and allows them to cross one direction of traffic at a time. The crosswalks are set back from the yield line to increase sight distances, but this also increases (minimal) walking distances. Roundabouts are not perceived to be safe by pedestrians, but roundabouts improve pedestrian safety, especially at major crossings. Approach speeds are far lower, and unexpected turning movements are eliminated. But a roundabout requires pedestrians to gauge distances between cars since there is usually a seamless flow of traffic.

Here is a rundown: There is little pedestrian crash data for roundabouts, and more for intersections. Traffic speeds are lower in roundabouts, but higher in intersections. There are more traffic calming measures (by the inherent design) in a roundabout than an intersection. There is a pedestrian refuge area in a roundabout (or should be) than an intersection. The number of pedestrian and vehicle conflicts is eight in a roundabout, or as low as 16 in an intersection. The judging gaps in a roundabout is fairly easy since speeds are lower and the number of potential turning conflicts are eliminated, but difficult in a typical intersection.

Based on the study, which is for the conversion of a major four-lane roadway into a two-lane road with roundabouts, it concluded that based on studies and simulations, and just research, that pedestrian incidents would be reduced while handling the same amount of pedestrians at any given intersection. There would be lower speeds and fewer conflict points, both of which are key for improving pedestrian mobility.

jjakucyk · « **Reply #879 on:** July 17, 2012, 03:55:47 AM »

The roundabout that I drew there is definitely too large a radius, which leads to higher circulating speeds that does hurt performance. However, everything Sherman said is right on. The other thing is that they actually do improve traffic flow in aggregate, because traffic flows constantly rather than being stopped and started intermittently. Once you get into multi-lane circles and traffic volumes over a certain threshold (which I do not think are present in this particular area, but I'm not sure) then yes they probably aren't the best solution. However, they are good at dealing with odd geometric problems like there are here. Besides, they're all over Europe and the UK, and in many highly urban areas, so they obviously work in such contexts.

City Blights · « **Reply #880 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:14:05 AM »

I never said roundabouts are unsafe for pedestrians, but they do require an exorbitant amount of walking and waiting. At any roundabout, there's going to be plenty of stoplights, and at an economically thriving roundabout, there's gonna be even more stop and go associated with lights from blocks before the roundabout from all sides as well as the roundabout itself. You're more likely to get caught by a light than you will be to ever make one. I live in Europe and long ago I safely concluded that they don't add much but ambiance while passing by in a vehicle. They're not all that fun on foot.

OTR · « **Reply #881 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:15:15 AM »

For what it's worth, driving down Reading Road by the casino definitely gives the feeling of a large blank wall.

jjakucyk · « **Reply #882 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:24:14 AM »

That, and it's a humongous road. I really hope the give a bunch of extra sidewalk space to the north side of Reading.

CincyGuy45202 · « **Reply #883 on:** July 17, 2012, 06:09:33 AM »

Sidewalks will be 15 feet on the north side (up from about 5-6 feet today) and 13-14 feet on the south side.

CincyMan · « **Reply #884 on:** August 02, 2012, 02:32:36 PM »

Buffett's 'Margaritaville' finds new home at Horseshoe Casino

http://www.fox19.com/story/19184006/buffetts-margaritaville-restaurant-to-open-in-cincy-casino

OHSnap · « **Reply #885 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:35:41 PM »

^ A slice of Eastgate, right downtown! Awesome!

Krugkiw · « **Reply #886 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:35:43 AM »

^ I think it was a Cheeseburger in Paradise in Eastgate. Never been to either.

thomasbw · « **Reply #887 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:39:33 AM »

I run by the casino a lot. I'm trying to count how many windows the entire structure will have. I think it's like 15 including transoms

moonloop · « **Reply #888 on:** August 03, 2012, 02:35:33 AM »

There's your family restaurant people have been asking for. Margaritaville and Casinos seems to go hand in hand. I had a good time in the one in Vegas. It's not a bad choice for a theme restaurant.

RockyMountainHigh · « **Reply #889 on:** August 03, 2012, 03:47:36 AM »

Margaritaville Cafe is not at all Cheeseburger in Paradise that used to be in Eastgate. It's easily a destination restaurant that will bring people to downtown, including many who have no intention of gambling at the casino. I've been to the one in Orlando and it's well done - island drinks, live music ... definitely an attraction. And, without a doubt, Jimmy Buffett has strong ties to Cincinnati, making this restaurant a natural fit and something that Indy, Columbus, Louisville, etc. probably have no shot to ever get. This isn't Hard Rock Cafe that essentially locates in any city with a pulse. Check out MC's locations:

Key West
Orlando
Las Vegas
Myrtle Beach
Panama City Beach
Waikiki
Glendale (Phoenix)
New Orleans
Mohegan Sun
Cancun
Niagara Falls
Nashville
Chicago
Grand Cayman
Turks & Caicos
Montego Bay

Not exactly a bad list to add Cincinnati to.

LesterLyles · « **Reply #890 on:** August 03, 2012, 03:54:57 AM »

Good choice for the casino location.

jmecklenborg · « **Reply #891 on:** August 03, 2012, 06:13:26 AM »

>I'm trying to count how many windows the entire structure will have.

Aside from your white legs shuffling past, honestly what is there to look at? I'm just wondering if any will be in line with the jail, allowing for some variety when women come by to flash their boyfriends in for the weekend up on the 4th or 5th floor.

natininja · « **Reply #892 on:** August 03, 2012, 06:55:45 AM »

It's less about looking out the windows and more about being dead to the street.

RockyMountainHigh · « **Reply #893 on:** August 03, 2012, 07:59:05 AM »

What casino has windows? They're purposely devoid of windows and clocks so their customers don't pay attention to the time. The gaming floors are also designed in ways to draw you further away from the doors and to make it a little harder to get out.

natininja · « **Reply #894 on:** August 03, 2012, 10:42:02 AM »

Quote from: RockyMountainHigh on August 03, 2012, 07:59:05 AM

What casino has windows? They're purposely devoid of windows and clocks so their customers don't pay attention to the time. The gaming floors are also designed in ways to draw you further away from the doors and to make it a little harder to get out.

We know, but Rock Gaming promised this one would be urban-friendly. Remember the charettes and all that?

RockyMountainHigh · « **Reply #895 on:** August 03, 2012, 04:28:56 PM »

Quote from: natininja on August 03, 2012, 10:42:02 AM

Quote from: RockyMountainHigh on August 03, 2012, 07:59:05 AM
What casino has windows? They're purposely devoid of windows and clocks so their customers don't pay attention to the time. The gaming floors are also designed in ways to draw you further away from the doors and to make it a little harder to get out.

We know, but Rock Gaming promised this one would be urban-friendly. Remember the charettes and all that?

Well it's a heck of a lot more urban friendly than a surface parking lot. The wall fronting Reading is a concern, but hopefully the streetscape improvements and the buildings across the street will be redeveloped in a way to steal the spotlight from the Horseshoe's side.

CincyGuy45202 · « **Reply #896 on:** August 04, 2012, 03:48:52 AM »

^ just to be clear, nearly all the buildings along reading facing the casino are already redeveloped into condos/event space.

jmblec2 · « **Reply #897 on:** September 06, 2012, 05:53:12 AM »

Video update:

http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/cincinnati/Media-sees-Horseshoe-Casino-s-progress/-/13549970/16502942/-/lxoejv/-/index.html

CincyGuy45202 · « **Reply #898 on:** September 06, 2012, 05:59:55 AM »

Pretty hideous exterior. How do these things get approved?! Seriously. Did the planning commission approve this crap?

JYP · « **Reply #899 on:** September 06, 2012, 06:06:19 AM »

^The casinos are exempt from local zoning.

ryanlammi · « **Reply #900 on:** September 06, 2012, 06:06:40 AM »

^ Could be worse.

wholtone · « **Reply #901 on:** September 07, 2012, 01:49:06 PM »

Quote from: City Blights on July 17, 2012, 05:14:05 AM

At any roundabout, there's going to be plenty of stoplights

Maybe I'm not following you here, but a stoplight at a roundabout would be redundant. The purpose of a roundabout is to keep traffic moving.

My opinion on roundabouts is that I LOVE them, if used properly. When it comes to keeping traffic moving in complicated intersections they absolutely excel. But, as City Blights pointed out, they aren't very good for pedestrians. At the current configuration by the casino I don't see a reason to use a roundabout. I think one place one could work well is at the intersection of Liberty St and Reading Rd, where 5 different directional roads meet, and there's always a mess of cars trying to get onto the I-471 onramp at rush hour.

I'd like to learn more about the roadwork on Reading by the casino. It looks like there's going to be some big changes, possibly expanding that incredibly narrow sidewalk on the north side of Reading in Pendleton?

jjakucyk · « **Reply #902 on:** September 07, 2012, 02:29:13 PM »

They have some of the new storm drains set on the north side of Reading, and it looks like they're adding MAYBE two whole feet to the sidewalk. It's pretty sad. I don't know what they're doing to the weird triangle of land where Reading and Central Parkway split at Broadway. Either way, they're turning Reading into a 7-laner (3 lanes each way with a median in some parts and left turn lanes at others). There's also a right turn lane into the casino garage about halfway along. The lanes don't look too wide, 10 or 11 feet I think, and I pray there's going to be on-street parking, but I doubt it. Along with the driveway entrances at 12th Street, the aforementioned direct entry to the garage, and blank wall after blank wall after blank wall, with lots of fragments of useless "green space" between the building and the sidewalk, this is turning into a complete nightmare of anti-urbanism. Look at East Liberty between Sycamore and Reading, that's what they're building.

wholtone · « **Reply #903 on:** September 07, 2012, 04:42:35 PM »

If you have to cross 7 lanes of traffic to go from one side of Central Parkway to the other (i.e. into OTR or Pendleton), I don't see how that's going to make the casino feel like it's part of the neighborhood.

Yes, I noticed the terrible use of space. I thought we were promised restaurants on the south side of Central Parkway? Hopefully they'll put some trees or something there to hide the sub-mediocre looking walls. Looks like the architects they hired only had experience building in the suburbs.

subocincy · « **Reply #904 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:31:49 PM »

^ Agree with both jjakucyk (#902) and wholtone (#903). Every few days, aboard a Metro bus, I venture past this "work in progress" and stare, aghast, not only at the bunker-like casino, itself, but the nightmarishly-wide Reading Road that is emerging in front of the entire mess--gawd, is this what everyone envisioned at the start?

Rabbit Hash · « **Reply #905 on:** September 08, 2012, 12:18:08 AM »

Went past yesterday and while I don't have the analytic architectural chops you guys do, I can also rate it an 8 on WTF were they thinking scale.

City Blights · « **Reply #906 on:** September 08, 2012, 05:04:06 AM »

All we can hope for is that Horseshoe is a big hit and the cash boys finally wake up to the wisdom of putting as much square footage on a parcel as is reasonable for the location.

seanian513 · « **Reply #907 on:** September 09, 2012, 07:33:51 AM »

Quote from: wholtone on September 07, 2012, 04:42:35 PM

Yes, I noticed the terrible use of space. I thought we were promised restaurants on the south side of Central Parkway? Hopefully they'll put some trees or something there to hide the sub-mediocre looking walls. Looks like the architects they hired only had experience building in the suburbs.

I've said that from the beginning. It looks like something that belongs out in the suburbs and not in an urban area. I don't know why more people couldn't see this, either that or people just wanted a suburban look. From the look of the design, it looks like something that would've been build in Tri-County or Eastgate. They even took this design from the one they had built in the Chicago suburbs.

Cygnus · « **Reply #908 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:46:12 AM »

Quote from: jjakucyk on September 07, 2012, 02:29:13 PM

They have some of the new storm drains set on the north side of Reading, and it looks like they're adding MAYBE two whole feet to the sidewalk. It's pretty sad.

Pic from yesterday:

jjakucyk · « **Reply #909 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:52:06 AM »

That's a bit better than I thought, but it's still less than impressive. A few extra feet of sidewalk (though I'm betting it's going to be a planting strip) isn't going to help much when you're walking next to a highway. And look at all that blank wall across the street. It's like a stack of cardboard boxes. The jail has more character than this thing.

News:

Author Topic: Cincinnati: Pendleton: Horseshoe Casino (Read 145954 times)