Please tell me this is a far cry from"lake mistake "Just keep Marty Kohler and council away from it if you want it it succeed!

"In Middletown, the River Center would serve as a hub for those in the region who walk, run and bike along the Great Miami Recreation River Trail, and those who make use of the Great Miami River as a recreational resource, Barkley said. The trail is part of a 90-mile system that serves a population in excess of two million residents, she said"

THAT'S FINE BUT ISN'T THE REAL ISSUE HOW MANY OF THOSE TWO MILLION PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE THE PATH? IT DOES NO GOOD AT ALL TO PROVIDE THESE AMENITIES IF THE PUBLIC IS NOT INTERESTED IN USING THEM.

"The River Center would house a sub-station for MetroParks Rangers, who would provide trail-related safety resources. The construction would also include parking improvements in the area. As a part of this project, enhancements would also be made to the existing Bicentennial Commons Area and the AK Steel Pavilion, Barkley said."

AGAIN, SAME SITUATION. NO ONE USES THE BICENTENNIAL COMMONS AREA NOW AND YOU COULD COUNT ON ONE HAND HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS BEEN USED SINCE IT WAS CONSTRUCTED. IT HAS SHOWN THAT IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND HAS NOT DRAWN ANY CITIZEN INTEREST SINCE THEY HAD A FEW BLUES FESTIVALS THERE INSTEAD OF AT THE CITY BUILDING. THE PARKING LOT PUT IN TO ACCOMODATE MORE CARS HAS BEEN A WASTE OF MONEY ALSO. WHY IS THERE CONCENTRATION ON THIS AREA OF TOWN WHEN THERE IS SO MANY MORE IMPORTANT AREAS TO FOCUS ON THAT WOULD ENCOMPASS MANY MORE PEOPLE?

"Rick Pearce, president of the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, called the proposed project “a nice addition” to the resources that are already there, and he said it will help with the growth of downtown and its revitalization. He hopes those who use the trail will stop and visit Middletown and learn what the city has to offer"

IT IS NOT A RESOURCE MR. PEARCE, IF NO ONE USES IT. IT IS A WASTE OF MORE MONEY THOUGH AND IT WILL ONLY BENEFIT THE FEW BIKE RIDERS, WALKERS AND JOGGERS THAT USE THE PATH. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ENTERTAINING A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE CITY POPULATION.

"Barkley said the project could further bolster the downtown economy because those who use the facility will become “engaged in the city.” She said with the addition of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and new businesses opening, the city is on “the right track” toward revitalizing the downtown"

JUST HATE TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS BARKLEY, BUT THE DOWNTOWN HAS NEVER BEEN "BOLSTERED" AS YET BY CINCY STATE OR ANY OTHER PIPE DREAM THE CITY HAS COME UP WITH. IF ONE WANTED TO TELL IT THE WAY IT IS, THE DOWNTOWN, AFTER MILLIONS PLOWED INTO IT, IS STILL STRUGGLING, HAS NO REAL DRAW, EXCEPT FOR THE ARTZY FOLKS AND SPECIAL INTEREST PEOPLE AND WILL NEVER FLOURISH UNTIL THE CITY CHANGES IT'S FOCUS ON JOB CREATION TO GENERATE ENOUGH DISPOSABLE INCOME TO PUT MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS TO WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN, SPEND THE MONEY AND PATRONIZE THE SPARSE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED. BUSINESSES WILL FOLLOW IF THEY CAN DETECT THERE IS MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS. THE CITY AND THEIR LITTLE BUDDIES MAY BE "ENGAGED" IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT MOST OF THE CITIZENS COULD CARE LESS. AIN'T NOTHIN" THERE TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON NOR TO GET EXCITED ABOUT.

THIS ARTICLE IS MORE "PIPE DREAM CRAP" AND THE SAD THING ABOUT IT IS THAT MORE OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY IS BEING POURED DOWN THE RATHOLE WITH A "NO POSITIVE RESULTS" PREDICTION ON THE HORIZON. COLEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN SMARTER AND DIRECTED THIS MONEY TO A MORE MEANINGFUL OUTCOME. IF THIS IS THE WAY HE OPERATES, THEN HE NEEDS TO GO.