Blog > The Real Cincinnati: Snow Fall, OBJ Cincinnatian of the Year & Cincy Food Scene Nominations
The Real Cincinnati: Snow Fall, OBJ Cincinnatian of the Year & Cincy Food Scene Nominations
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THE REAL CINCINNATI
Your weekly Cincinnati rundown.
What’s happening, what’s worth doing, and what people are talking about.
This week: Winter Storm Fern is set to drop 6–10”, four Cincinnati chefs & one NKY bar make the 2026 James Beard semifinalist list, and neighborhood updates include Pleasant Ridge development plans, Covington’s Duro Bag site redevelopment, and fresh ideas for Mill Creek.
AROUND THE CITY: What Every Cincinnatian Should Know
Snow Is Coming (You Don’t Need Me to Tell You, But Here We Are)
Duh, I know you already know this — but Winter Storm Fern is shaping up to be a real one. Forecasts are calling for 6–10 inches across Greater Cincinnati this weekend, along with single-digit temps and negative wind chills.
Duh, I know you already know this — but Winter Storm Fern is shaping up to be a real one. Forecasts are calling for 6–10 inches across Greater Cincinnati this weekend, along with single-digit temps and negative wind chills.
Homeowner reminders worth repeating: drip faucets, check that your furnace is good to go, clear dryer and exhaust vents, and keep snow away from outdoor HVAC units. If you’ve got sidewalks or steps, pretreating now will save you some stress later. As always, please let me know if there is anything we can help with!
Orlando Brown Jr. Named Breakthrough Cincinnatian of the Year
Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was named the 2026 Breakthrough T1D Cincinnatian of the Year for his advocacy and fundraising work supporting type 1 diabetes research. The cause is deeply personal for him, tied to multiple family members affected by the disease. It’s another example of how much impact players here are making off the field, not just on Sundays!
Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was named the 2026 Breakthrough T1D Cincinnatian of the Year for his advocacy and fundraising work supporting type 1 diabetes research. The cause is deeply personal for him, tied to multiple family members affected by the disease. It’s another example of how much impact players here are making off the field, not just on Sundays!
Cincinnati Lands More James Beard Semifinalists
Four Cincinnati chefs and one Northern Kentucky bar owner were named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards:
Four Cincinnati chefs and one Northern Kentucky bar owner were named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards:
• Sudova | Owner & Chef Sarah Dworak | Downtown
• Kiki | Owner & Chef Hideki Harada| Clifton
• Nolia Kitchen | Owner & Chef Jeff Harris | Over-the-Rhine
• Baker’s Table | Owner & Chef David Willocks | Newport (NKY)
• Longfellow & Mid-City Restaurant | Owner Mike Stankovich | Over-the-Rhine
• Kiki | Owner & Chef Hideki Harada| Clifton
• Nolia Kitchen | Owner & Chef Jeff Harris | Over-the-Rhine
• Baker’s Table | Owner & Chef David Willocks | Newport (NKY)
• Longfellow & Mid-City Restaurant | Owner Mike Stankovich | Over-the-Rhine
James Beard honors recognize chefs and hospitality professionals for excellence in food, service, and community impact, based on peer nominations and committee review. Finalists will be announced March 31, with winners revealed June 15 in Chicago.2026 James Beard semifinalist Cincinnati restaurants here.
⛽ Buc-ee’s Officially Opens in Ohio This Spring
Not Cincinnati, but close enough to matter: Buc-ee’s will open its first Ohio location in Huber Heights(near Dayton) on April 6. The massive 74,000-square-foot store will feature 120 gas pumps, Tesla superchargers, and all the Buc-ee’s classics — clean bathrooms, barbecue, jerky, and way too many snacks. Not saying it’s worth a road trip, but also not saying it’s not. I actually have never been to a Buc-ee's! Is it worth the hype?
⛽ Buc-ee’s Officially Opens in Ohio This Spring
Not Cincinnati, but close enough to matter: Buc-ee’s will open its first Ohio location in Huber Heights(near Dayton) on April 6. The massive 74,000-square-foot store will feature 120 gas pumps, Tesla superchargers, and all the Buc-ee’s classics — clean bathrooms, barbecue, jerky, and way too many snacks. Not saying it’s worth a road trip, but also not saying it’s not. I actually have never been to a Buc-ee's! Is it worth the hype?
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Small Stories. Big Impact.
MILL CREEK VALLEY
Access, Kayaks, and a Long Game for the Corridor
A new “Experience Mill Creek” plan is focused on something simple but powerful: getting people back to the creek. Early ideas include kayak launches, public art, pop-up food and drink spaces, and yes, even a floating creek bar. City Councilmember Mark Jeffreys has been closely involved in pushing the effort forward, with $275K already approved to study and test early access improvements. The long-term vision connects neighborhoods like Camp Washington, North Fairmount, and South Cumminsville to a cleaner, more active Mill Creek, setting the stage for future housing, hospitality & mixed-use development.
Access, Kayaks, and a Long Game for the Corridor
A new “Experience Mill Creek” plan is focused on something simple but powerful: getting people back to the creek. Early ideas include kayak launches, public art, pop-up food and drink spaces, and yes, even a floating creek bar. City Councilmember Mark Jeffreys has been closely involved in pushing the effort forward, with $275K already approved to study and test early access improvements. The long-term vision connects neighborhoods like Camp Washington, North Fairmount, and South Cumminsville to a cleaner, more active Mill Creek, setting the stage for future housing, hospitality & mixed-use development.
PLEASANT RIDGE
Business District Plan Signals Intentional Growth
Pleasant Ridge leaders unveiled a long-term plan that could bring up to 303 housing units across five sites in the business district, anchored by a future mixed-use building and public plaza. With $5.4M already built up in the neighborhood’s TIF fund, the focus here is being proactive, shaping development that fits the neighborhood instead of reacting to it later.
Business District Plan Signals Intentional Growth
Pleasant Ridge leaders unveiled a long-term plan that could bring up to 303 housing units across five sites in the business district, anchored by a future mixed-use building and public plaza. With $5.4M already built up in the neighborhood’s TIF fund, the focus here is being proactive, shaping development that fits the neighborhood instead of reacting to it later.
COVINGTON
NKY Port Locks In Key Redevelopment Site
The Northern Kentucky Port Authority is acquiring the 8-acre former Duro Bag site near downtown Covington for $4.5M. The vacant industrial property includes a historic 1800's rail roundhouse and is being positioned for future private redevelopment, a move city leaders say could unlock the next phase of Covington’s revitalization south of downtown.
NKY Port Locks In Key Redevelopment Site
The Northern Kentucky Port Authority is acquiring the 8-acre former Duro Bag site near downtown Covington for $4.5M. The vacant industrial property includes a historic 1800's rail roundhouse and is being positioned for future private redevelopment, a move city leaders say could unlock the next phase of Covington’s revitalization south of downtown.
Covington is undergoing massive redevelopment right now and we're tracking some of the progress. Here's a great place to start learning more!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Here's What's Worth Catching Up On
🏗️ Walnut Hills: Paramount Square Is Finally Moving
That $50M Paramount Square apartment project at East McMillan & Park is officially breaking ground. Six stories, 244 units, and a big step forward for the corridor. I did a full breakdown on IG if you want to see what’s coming.
That $50M Paramount Square apartment project at East McMillan & Park is officially breaking ground. Six stories, 244 units, and a big step forward for the corridor. I did a full breakdown on IG if you want to see what’s coming.
🌮 Red Sesame Joins Element Eatery
Red Sesame is opening a spot inside Element Eatery on Medpace Way. Korean fried chicken, spicy pork, and the tacos that made the food truck famous. Late January opening, plus DoorDash if you’re staying in.
Red Sesame is opening a spot inside Element Eatery on Medpace Way. Korean fried chicken, spicy pork, and the tacos that made the food truck famous. Late January opening, plus DoorDash if you’re staying in.
🌉 Fourth Street Bridge Closure Heads Up
The Fourth Street Bridge is now closed for construction. The current bridge is expected to come down by April 2026, with a new one planned down the road. For now, the 11th Street Bridge is your closest alternate.
The Fourth Street Bridge is now closed for construction. The current bridge is expected to come down by April 2026, with a new one planned down the road. For now, the 11th Street Bridge is your closest alternate.
🏙️ Convention Center Reopens + Big Plans Ahead
The Cincinnati Convention Center reopened this month after a $264M renovation, adding a massive new ballroom, rooftop terrace, and major tech upgrades. I actually checked it out at Redsfest last weekend and it’s a great space. Next up are bigger conventions, full integration with Elm Street Plaza, and a new 700-room Marriott convention hotel planned for 2028.
The Cincinnati Convention Center reopened this month after a $264M renovation, adding a massive new ballroom, rooftop terrace, and major tech upgrades. I actually checked it out at Redsfest last weekend and it’s a great space. Next up are bigger conventions, full integration with Elm Street Plaza, and a new 700-room Marriott convention hotel planned for 2028.
We share daily Cincinnati events, neighborhoods, and real estate updates on Instagram @betterwayhome if you want to follow along!
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Always available by text, call or email!
Brad Acree | Realtor
Better Way Home x REAL
513-916-2363
brad@mybetterwayhome.com
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