The "hoods"
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Economic Development
Forum Description: Local government efforts to develop the local Middletown area economy.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3503
Printed Date: Jan 29 2026 at 11:59pm
Topic: The "hoods"
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Subject: The "hoods"
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 4:55pm
From the 12/2/2010 City Manager's newsletter:
You can seethe architect's rendering of both the Central Avenue view and the Broad street view by downloading the newsletter here: http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/news/448.pdf - http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/news/448.pdf
(I couldn't cut and paste the images from the pdf file. If anyone knows how to do this, it would certainly be a timesaver to do so and paste it here for the convenience of other readers.)   ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Replies:
Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 5:06pm
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There you go Mike !! ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 5:14pm
Thank you, Randy, for that helping hand!!!   ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 5:19pm
I try to do positve things, despite what others might think  ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 5:25pm
 ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
randy wrote:Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 6:04pm
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You have got to be kidding me, how can you deny any business in town the right to hang a simple banner after this. The city itself will not allow homeowners to even use vinyl or aluminum siding yet we get this.
I was talking to a businessman the other day in town. he's talking about spending $50 Million on rebuilding a business her and Kohler and his Sign Nazi's have been hounding his current business over a sign and threatening him with $100.00 a day fines.
Thia city gets more unbelievable and surreal everyday.
Desperation to hopefully get anything to work has set in to the citizens detriment if you ask me.
I wonder how many people on the Historic Commission are either artists or lean in favor of anything the city desires.
Someone please define "appropriateness" in this case compared to the rest of the area.
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Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 6:21pm
Perhaps it depends upon how one defines "artist".
art·ist (är  t st)
n.
1. One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.
2. A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill: You are an artist in the kitchen.
3. One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts.
4. One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving trickery or deceit: a con artist. ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 6:21pm
If they paint on some numbers & sponsor names people will think it's a Nascar store.  ------------- No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !! |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 6:28pm
------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 8:25pm
| How long do you think before the kids look at this as a challenge to see you can re-paint the best hood....by the cities definition this would probably qualify as "appropriate" modern graffiti art and not vandalism. |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 7:41am
From an article in today's online Middletown Journal:
While it is nice that a group of six citizens met and decided that this "hoodie" thing was "appropriate", it is actually a matter that falls under our city's zoning ordinances and requires a ZONING VARIANCE as well as approval from the ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD!!!
How can PAC be proceeding with this plan without these approvals??? ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 8:39am
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not in love with the "look"--don't see the attraction--not everything touched by Mr.V turns to gold.
Don't understand the approval "process" either.
If "we" pay for the procurement and installation, won't Council have to approve the expense?
Counting on this guy to make it work
Still--like the idea of quality local caterer opening up for meals in the building.
I will go there for a good sandwich or dessert.
I love art--hope to see some eventually
Hope that the city can afford to plow the streets this winter
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Posted By: squeemy
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 8:50am
Hey Spider - if you know of his previously failed ventures, let us in on it. |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 9:40am
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squeem--I am not a Verdin historian.
He likes to talk--he could probably tell you about many ventures that have not worked out.
Let's be real--some things will go well some won't.
Lay off of the kool aid. Why so defensive?
Just because I don't care for a concept doesn't make it bad or a failure.
If people flock to the city to see this "art" and spend $$ at local businesses , then I am happy with the process regardless of how I view the design. And to make my main point again--I don't like my tax $$ going to purchase car hoods and labor for installation. I would rather see building improvements and amenities to benefit the citizens. Now I read where we are 90 days away from up to 20 artists working in the building. No rush when it ain't yer $$ involved.
I am impressed with Mr.V, and would love to meet him and help his effort in some way apart from municipal and darea-connected city-financed concerns. My earlier point being that, like the rest of us, this gentleman occasionally falls on his face.
As for the former downtown area, I hope 2 b there 2morrow to support a local artistic effort.
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Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 9:47am
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Come on the car hoods idea is....well it is laughable. I mean that is what they came up with. Car hoods Really!!! I am with Spider, if it works and brings people to town and they spend money great, but I am not sure I would call this art. Maybe I will wrap my house in aluminum foil from roof to pourch and call it art. It's pretty much the same concept here. ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: squeemy
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 10:11am
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yummm... kool aid.
true - Mr. V didn't mention any failures at the chamber talk yesterday. he did mention how the city of Cincinnati's venture to create an arts district around 4th street failed and why his succeeded. he talked about how none of it was planned. Verdin bought the old Shillito's bldg thinking he might expand his current business into it. just kind of stumbled into filling the need to rent space for artists. but it worked and Rising Sun approach him with the second and it worked again. Same for Ashland. I'm not as certain about the failure of this as many here express - but I am certain that no one is happy about how their tax money is spent. Cheers |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 10:24am
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There is no one I have come to respect more in fact based opinion than spiderjohn over the years of blogging, and balanced persuasion. He is spot on with this PAC scenario. The car hood concept is really an insult and runs in contradiction, to Middletown evolving from a steel town and provider. Even AK's revenues from steel from automobile industry is < than 40% today. Could have just as easily used pieces of medical instrumentation for his brand identity (ergo Atrium, or text books, ergo- higher education). This looks silly, and frankly, tacky. I love art and visit often both the Dayton and Cincinnati Art Museums, but this concept is really embarrassing. I know and have worked with many artsy-fartsy professionals who are masters of their domain on the MAC and creative talent and pr, but this is neither creative, art, and stereotypes Middletown in steel when it desires to advance into new emerging market segments. Really a concept that should not play in the city trying to evolve its image, than retain it.
sj, I have a son who loves your music selection at MUM. Special request on his behalf. How about John Butler Trio? Great artist, and likes the smaller venues, although he's in Paris often. Thoughts? Like you, I love art, and have some great hand sketching picked up off the street in Prague for $15.00. LOVE ART is not the issue; DISLIKE WASTE and UNCERTAINTY is.
I'd pay $100.00 to see this performer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ps9ENtfoHI
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Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 10:40am
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ps9ENtfoHI - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ps9ENtfoHI :) |
Posted By: arwendt
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 11:26am
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I just have one worry.
In the words of Neil Young: Rust Never Sleeps. ------------- “Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.” Benjamin Franklin - More at my http://wordsoffreedom.wordpress.com/ - Words of Freedom website. |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 12:06pm
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No problem. DeLorean hoods.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVC2cszdTao - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVC2cszdTao ,
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 12:14pm
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thanx again for the kind support acclaro
it does matter
"Certificate of Appropriateness" absolutely cracks me up
We are supposed to take something like that seriously and see this type of approval as necessary?
So Squeem--will we have an opportunity to share the kool-aid 2morrow evening?
Look me up--I will be there briefly
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Posted By: squeemy
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 12:36pm
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ah yes DeLorean stainless - good idea - also adds a little more to the Armco historical metaphor...
doubt Cohen will part with it for low carbon price tho - chrome ain't cheap hey I support you too Spider - you'll see me at Punch Bros next month or quaffing a pint of stout at my watering hole a few doors down from my shop on Central. but by describing Mr. V as having less than Midas touch had me thinking you knew something - nothing defensive - just keeping it honest. |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 1:12pm
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wow acclaro
john butler is new to me
I will check him out
we are wide-open for next year, though Finkleman will be shut down for renovation, forcing the series to do smaller shows in the main building area.
How about a night with Tim O'Brien solo? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62db5rMc2ns - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62db5rMc2ns
Victor Wooten or the Wooten Brothers? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FvXUVHECwM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FvXUVHECwM
Sparrow Quartet? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCThXsF2wHs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCThXsF2wHs
Maura O'Connell? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l87JpWkbI0 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l87JpWkbI0
David Lindley? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhH--BEcVvw - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhH--BEcVvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAbbgSKUZB4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAbbgSKUZB4
Uncle Earl?
Qeebe Sisters?
African musicians from the Bela Fleck tour?
Anything containing maestro Bela?
Gillian Welch?
Eric Johnson?
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Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 2:00pm
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spider, great selection! JBT might be a stretch, pretty well known, but fantastic. Check him out playing with Keith Urban. I like ALO on Jack Jonson's label.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGtMko-uuI - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGtMko-uuI
squeem, Midas Touch= Talent, Demand, Numbers of Artists, Numbers Seeing Middletown a Destination, and Buyers With Cash. Midas Formula out of hands of one man---Mr. V solely. Time will tell my friend. I doubt if Cohen B's would have enough DeLorean's with hoods to adorn the building though.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 2:36pm
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thanx agin
time to move towards what I enjoy and do best---
music, middie bball and basic business survival
spending time with my wife, parents, daughter and 2 very cool grandchildren
playiny music, pinball and eating ice cream with them
have talked enough--made plenty of enemies--a few friends--my opinion is known want it or not
tired of being branded as negative and destructive
It bothers me--but not much--I know where I stand and what I do
Time to watch what develops in the area and ramp up new faces to fill 5 Council seats
We will take this town back by whatever means necessary
and my grandson's favorite youtube series--the annoying orange-- lol
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 6:22pm
| Spider- any chance of bringing some electric blues to Middletown? How about some Robert Cray or some Coco Montoya? Any 60's impersonation bands out there anymore like that group that mimicked the Beatles? How about some jazz with Maynard Ferguson? Just some suggestions for diversity. |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 03 2010 at 7:05pm
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"Courage charms us, because it indicates that a man loves an idea better than all things in the world, that he is thinking neither of his bed, nor his dinner, nor his money, but will venture all to put in act the invisible thought of his mind." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Dec 04 2010 at 7:42am
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Hey Vet--I have raised your ? already.
It was not particularly well-recieved, though the tone has changed since there have been 2 shows at the venue. I think that you might see a few electric acts up-coming, with blues in the mix.
Cray might be pricey unless we catch him on the way to or from somewhere.
Sonny Landreth?
Albert Lee?
A local show with Moorman/Bratcher/Wotherspoon?
Othr names:
Cherryholmes?
Jerry Douglas Band?
Iris Dement?
Edgar Meyer?
Stanley Clarke?
Bill Frisell?
Robert Randolph and the Family Band?
Keith Jarret?
Would y'all prefer a local opener, or just the headliner to keep it early?
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 04 2010 at 10:44am
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Spider- would they be interested in a home town boy? How about Tommy Wills. He lives in Indy, has a 15 piece band that plays all venues. Went to see him in Indy at the Jazz Kitchen around the Butler University campus a year or two ago. Decent sound and might appeal to the 40 and older crowd. I can call him if you wish and tell him about it. He's still playing the sax at 85 and still sounding good.
I was also going to suggest Otis Rush for electric blues, but he might also be a tad too expensive. My favorites are all deceased. Albert Collins, Paul Butterfield, Albert King, Stevie Ray....all gone  but I still have their "Cross-cut saw"/"Get Out Of My Life Woman"/ "Texas Flood" music to listen to.   But hey! we have Scottie Bratcher who does a mean Stevie Ray likeness in his playing style. Fantastic! Since the city KO'd the Blues Fest, I'd like to see it return, if only for one show at the Finkleman. Or, would like to see the Broad St. Bash pick it up in the summer for us. Have our own Blues and Barbeque ala Lebanon. They seem to have nice crowds.
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