columbusmike said:
We don't have too look far for an example of a decent brick cornice...that is very similar to the design of this project:

It's certainly not hard to find examples of good design, and good urbanism; even recently built, very close projects geographically, like the Wood Cos. building you cited.
I am at a complete loss to explain how Carter, one of the nations "foremost, preeminent, experienced, sought after developers," (as we keep being told, blah blah blah) can afford to turn out such crap.
And, how the Downtown Commission seems so unable to recognize or unwillling to demand quality design, approving this turd on its very first presentation to them, without any major revisions or even criticisms whatsoever.
In contrast, the Victorian Village, Italian Village, Brewery District, German Village, University Area, Clintonville, or pretty much any other Commissions in town are well-known to go over certain major projects, or even everything that comes before them, with a fine-tooth comb. They closely examine details, require multiple revisions to evolve the design, provide real critiques, and work with developers and the community over multiples meeting sessions to achieve quality results.
This type of environment seems completely missing when I look at meeting agendas and minutes vis-a-vis how the Downtown Commission operates.