urbanSTL

Doing this requires the modification to the power grid of each indiviual building. You're suggesting that the city foot the bill to retrofit every single building so that can have internet in their homes via electric lines? Come on now, WI-FI makes far more sense for citywide coverage. With citywide WI-FI everyone with a windows mobie phone or BB could essentialy make free unlimited Skype calls. People would have highspeed on the streets as well as inside WITHOUT have to buy any adapter and WITHOUT any wires. Let's see, install relativly few FREE transmitters stategicly placed throught the city or modification to each buildings power grid. Hmm.....



It would make zero sense for the city to invest a dime in this type of technology. However, for a single loft/apartment building however, it makes damn good sense to use the powerlines to carry an internet signal. Why run CAT5 if you don't have to?

Yes, well I just figured that everyone already had power outlets - I'm not well-versed regarding the need to reconfigure individual power grids. What does that mean? I would anticipate that there will be a relatively simple and inexpensive consumer version of this - or wireless is maybe just that much easier.

Of course wireless is that much easier. How do you think the Ventana is getting their internet connection? Most likely there is one hard line that comes from their internet provider, and then that line is connected to an adapter that modifies the signal to travel over the building's individual power grid.



The internet doesn't flow in from the Amren substation(it could if Amren had it's own internet service hooked up there, like in Cape Girardeau) so you still need a LAN line somewhere. Using the power outlets is an cheaper alternative to using CAT5, yes you can buy consumer versions to run your already existent DSL over your own power outlets within your home, but flowing the internet in from power substation is a massive investment/effort...which is why AMREN isn't bothering to invest is getting the regulations changed and the permits needed to make that happen. Not to mention the city cannot modify the lines that Amren owns.



Add in the above made point about everyone needing to then lug around an AC outlet modem and wires, and you should easily be able to see how idiotic it would be for the city to do this.



If you're going to insult the city government for not looking into a technology, you should at least understand how that technology works first.

Also, just as an aside, AT&T is building the wireless network for FREE for the right to collect the user fees...



hard to beat that deal

PLEASE note that if you DO tap into some unsecured WiFi, DO have a firewall on your PC.



Back to the Ventana. the contractors are now finishing up the last remaining lofts. One thing to note is that the exterior windows will be washed within a week. This building ROCKS.



Once again, Kudos to Paric and Rich in particular.



The streets too look well lit and good. Once more people move in and SPECIALLY after Ely starts filling up, I predict this will area will ROCK.

bsharmastl wrote:
The streets too look well lit and good. Once more people move in and SPECIALLY after Ely starts filling up, I predict this will area will ROCK.

-RBB

The most unfunny, overrated comedian EVER in the history of comedians.

He's a comedian?

One of the residents (blipic... Thanks Brad).... talked to Jacob Development, who are planning to install the salvaged "historical items" from the building in key spots, to accent the history of the building itself.



I think that is a terrific idea. I have seen the items they have salvaged and I think it will look wonderful to look at these and reflect on the morphing of STL historical buildings from commercial to res.



BTW, living here is awesome. My only fear is that with the Ventana filling up, and Ely going to start getting residents in a few months, street parking will be a challenge for visitors.

The best recent use of "salvaged 'historical items' from a building has to be the Continental in Grand Center -- where they actually tracked them down and re-installed them.



Runner up awards, though, go to HRI's rehab of the former Gateway Hotel, in which Ron Silverman spent countless hours (and dollars) repurchasing and re-installing that building's features; and to Amy and Amrit Gill's loving restoration of the Coronado lobby.

JCity wrote:The most unfunny, overrated comedian EVER in the history of comedians.

I dunno. I think Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, and Jim Carrey are also in the running, in no particular order.



And I realize that at least 80% of Americans disagree with me.

Had a flyer pasted in the elevators that the Ventana was going to be part of the loft tour. Guess Jacob is trying to sell their remaining units and/or showcase the Ventana as their model for Bogen and Avenida.

It is amazing how much night activity (specially on the weekend) is generated near there (largely thanks to the City museum and WOW). Tis fun......

Any word on the retail portion? Tenants yet?

Not heard a word from the developers on that

bsharmastl wrote:I have 2 young kids and this is what I have to say about rooftop pools...... THEY ROCK......



It is sorta hard to find filler time for kids in the city, but a nice pool is ideal. Seeing the fireworks from the pool is an added bonus.



Now... there is maintenance required of course, but man.... tis worth it. I am glad the Ventana has this feature. I also read that the Motor lofts are planning it too.

Motor Lofts is not getting a rooftop pool. The pool will be across the street where the parking lot for the sales center is right now. 100 foot long and full depth.



We're looking seriously at Motor Lofts. Though I'm just wondering what my dorky a** will look like running across Washington Ave wearing swim trunks and flip flops while carrying an inflatable raft when going to the pool.

LOL....



A full length pool would be AWESOME.

I saw these lofts on the loft tour...



1. It might have the BEST view of St. Louis from its roof top. you get to see downtown, as well as central west end. The view makes STL look awesome. Which also makes the rooftop one of the best downtown has to offer.



2. I am sorry, but it has the WORST designed plans I have ever seen. I felt so bad for the building. Some of the main entry halls into the units could not fit an overweight person. It is definitely for the "out there" crowd. It is just so weird to go from the Bogan which had such nice as well as unique layouts to such a disaster over at the Ventana. They call the Ventana Luxury (just like every other dam place) but this one is definitely on the bottom of the list. I bet if they marketed the place differently it might sell better, as well as not have put such a bad mark on people like me that expected a whole lot more.



Once again, just my own opinion from the perspective of a young professional who just moved to STL.

I disagree on the hallways being too tight. They are the size of "any" normal passageway you may expect in a house. Of course, opinione will differ. I completely agree though that they could make the over ambience a bit more interesting.



The rooftop and views from nearly all lofts are indeed good. I have lived there for 8 months now and absolutely love it.

I saw in a previous post that a group has been started through Google but do not recall any specifics. Understandable since it's a residents-only group. I signed a contract last week and would like to join. Any info would be appreciated.



PM me or email.



-Mike (future of unit 807)

A lit up sign to replace the exsting static sign coming up soon. With WOW, Ely and Ventana starting to populate the area and "light" up that block of DT, I have started seeing a lot of foot activity in the evenings. =D>

Thats awesome!!! Do you know when the sign will be up?

Not yet. The board is choosing the design and will finalize which bid to pick. 4-6 weeks after that.

River City internet Group, in conjunction with Ameren. They are calling it BPL (Broadband over Power Lines)

Can you connect several laptops/PCs with BPL? Im @ The Bogen and we will have this same set up....Im curious....



Feel free to PM me since this discussion has sort of run its course