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The Triumph of Cincinnati’s Center City Plan

Cincinnati was a different place ten years ago. It was a city still reeling from the destruction left behind by the civil unrest in 2001, and had a downtown in decline with retailers closing up shop and office vacancies soaring. The Banks project was regarded as a pipe dream, a field of mud between the elevated islands of sports stadiums and a lonely museum overlooking construction on the opposite side of the Ohio River.

Over-the-Rhine was a different place ten years ago as well. The corner of Twelfth and Vine Street consistently rated as the most dangerous in the city. Block after block of boarded buildings stood silently as echoes of an era time forgot. This was Cincinnati’s center city, a dried up husk of its former glory where redevelopment projects stalled and floundered and everyone returned home before dusk.

My, how far things have come.

In ten years time, the city center has experienced a resurrection from what appeared to be a near death experience. Fountain Square now attracts concerts and events, The Banks has become reality, Over-the-Rhine is being revitalized before our eyes, and it seems like every day there is a new project, a new store, a new cultural amenity, or a new festival choosing the downtown area.


Phase one of The Banks has been built [LEFT], and a major revitalization of Over-the-Rhine is underway [RIGHT]. Photographs by Randy A. Simes for UrbanCincy.

There is a saying that it takes a village, but in this case, it took a plan to change the area’s trajectory.

The Center City Plan as conceived in 2002 by consultants as a report to the city’s Economic Development Task Force. What the plan did is lay out a vision and way forward for the city to begin restoring the vitality of its largest economic center.

“The Economic Development Taskforce was a public-private partnership that looked at how the city could thrive,” City Spokesperson, Meg Olberding, explained. “The task force laid out a structure whereby the public and private sectors each have their role, but must work together.”

The task force made 23 recommendations, in total, including the creation of a one-stop permit shop, establishment of the Port Authority as an economic development agency, and the formation of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC).

City officials and 3CDC were tasked with making the goals laid out in the Center City Plan a reality. In particular, the plan detailed four initiatives aimed at restoring vitality.

  1. Redevelop Fountain Square: The plan recommended that the city, “transform Fountain Square into the city’s retail, cultural and civic heart”. Consolidation of retail at street level and creation of an attractive public space went into the redesign of the square. The removal of pedestrian skywalks also seen as a way to focus pedestrian activity on the street.
  2. Revitalize Over-the-Rhine: With regards to Over-the-Rhine the plan said, “Without intensive focus on Over-the-Rhine, efforts in the center city will be wasted.” Starting with a focus on the Vine Street corridor as the primary retail corridor, the plan envisioned a catalytic development agency spurring redevelopment along Vine Street in the historic neighborhood. The plan was to start at Central Parkway and work north towards Liberty Street.
  3. Build the Banks: The plan initially tasked the agency that would become 3CDC with the mission of building The Banks project. Years later the project moved forward under a steering committee to overcome conflicts that arose from the various parties involved in the riverfront redevelopment.
  4. Restore Washington Park: It was recommended that the city, “Implement a comprehensive development strategy to make Washington Park a civic treasurer.”

Of the many recommendations that stem from the Center City Plan, nearly all of them have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented today. The success of the plan, and those implementing it, can be seen every time a new project breaks ground, a new business opens shop, or a new cultural attraction takes root.

Other less visible accomplishments can be credited to the implementation of the other recommendations of the Economic Development Task Force such as the evolving direction of the Port Authority, the Plan Build Live initiative, and the city’s revised marketing approach.

Olberding concluded that, “This has proven to be a winning strategy for the City and one that will be more and more important as we take Cincinnati to the next level of growth and opportunity.”

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Business Development News

Community summit to focus on neighborhood successes in San Diego

Little Italy in San Diego was like countless other neighborhoods that shared the story of disinvestment, blight and neglect as center city’s population dwindled after World War II. Yet something began to happen in the 1990’s that helped transform the struggling community, one of about 14 Italian-American communities in existence throughout the United States today.

The progressive turnaround of Little Italy, and the community support that helped revitalize it, will be the focus of the second session in an ongoing series called Sustainable Hamilton County: Reinventing Our Communities.

The series is a partnership between the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, Community Development Corporation Association of Greater Cincinnati (CDCAGC), OKI Regional Council of Governments, Agenda 360, Duke Energy and the Ohio chapter of the American Planning Association, among many others.

San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood has been transformed, in part due to the San Diego Trolley, and is seen as a model for success. Photograph courtesy of LA Wad.

“There are always many possible new ideas and presenters and best practices,” stated Patricia Garry, Executive Director of CDCAGC. “[Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission Senior Planner] Catalina saw a presentation on Little Italy and was very impressed, and thought our neighborhoods and first ring suburbs needed to hear this info.”

The session will feature Marco Li Mandri who helped spearhead the revitalization of the Little Italy neighborhood. Li Mandri is the current president of San Diego-based New City America and helped advance legislation that enabled Community Benefits Districts, which have immensely helped the neighborhood.

In San Diego’s case, a Community Benefits District (CBD) is a public-private partnership that focuses on land uses within a particular area. The CBD can be responsible for things such as an ambassadorship program, street cleaning, visitor information and other services normally handled by the municipality. Similar to Cincinnati’s Special Improvement District downtown that has led to its ambassadorship program, CBD’s are able to expand on basic services without increasing the overall tax burden on the city.

The results have paid off as Little Italy was designated a Preserve America Neighborhood in 2007. The community also received a Smart Growth Award from the Urban Land Institute in 2010.

Those interested in learning more about San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood, and how its successes might translate to the health of Cincinnati’s many neighborhoods and inner ring suburbs, can attend the event this Friday, June 1. The Sustainable Hamilton County: Reinventing Our Communities summit will be held at the Drake Center (map) from 8am to 12pm. The Drake Center is served by Metro’s #78 bus line.

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Business Development News Politics

Ongoing demolitions threaten downtown historic districts

With new businesses and the Smale Riverfront Park opening last week, it seems that downtown is finally becoming the place to live, work and play city leaders have long envisioned. Unfortunately, despite the many signs of progress, some of downtown’s distinct historic fabric continues to be threatened by the wrecking ball.

Last year, the owner of 309 W. Fifth Street demolished a building next to Mainstay Rock Bar in favor of a parking lot. Now the neighboring building, which was meant to be served by this new parking lot, has been demolished in spite of opposition from the city’s Historic Conservation Board.

Not only was the demolition opposed by the Historic Conservation Board, but it was also opposed by Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA). The reason the demolition is allowed to move forward, however, is due to a successful appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), which stated that the justification for the tear down was economic hardship.

The use of “economic hardship” as a justification for the demolition of historic structures is a common one, according to local preservationists.


The demolition of 305 W. Fifth Street made way for a parking lot, and this exposed wall that was later turned into a mural. Photograph courtesy of 5chw4r7z.

“CPA and many other advocates spoke out against the demolition because the building is contributing, and is a significant structure with development potential,” stated Margo Warminski, Preservation Director of CPA. “The building next door is under renovation, and there are already two vacant lots on the block.”

Warminski says that 305-309 W Fifth Street LLC, claimed the building’s poor condition and costly repairs made it not viable for office use. She also stated that other potential uses, like residential apartments, were not explored in great depth by the owner. It is expected that the LLC owning the property will soon apply for a variance that would allow the construction a landscaped surface parking lot in the historic building’s place.

According to preservationists, the problem with tearing down this structure goes beyond the immediate loss of the historic building. The demolished building shares a common wall with the neighboring building which is currently being renovated, and engineers and insurance agents are already assessing the potential damage the demolition may have caused to the neighboring building.

Similar Story on Main Street
Five blocks east, on Main Street, the former Bay Horse Café building faces demolition under similar circumstances. Situated in the Main Street Historic District, the demolition permit must first be reviewed by the Historic Conservation Board and if denied could be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. A meeting date has yet to be set for the demolition proposal.

The building owner of the Horse Bay Café building says that trucks loading and unloading equipment sometimes hit and damage the building, and thus needs to be demolished. Evidence of this can be seen from the partially damaged storefront cornice, but an independent site analysis, performed by UrbanCincy, found that a wider alley accessible off from Sixth Street is commonly blocked by parked cars. Should the parked cars be prevented from blocking the alley, it could serve as an easy remedy to the problem and would avoid demolition of yet another historic building within a historic district.

Despite these recent setbacks, Warminski is optimistic because the city’s preservation ordinance is currently being revised and strengthened. The revised ordinance, Warminski claims, will include stricter criteria when using “economic hardship” as the case for demolition.

Private options, such as OTR ADOPT may not work in downtown because of high property values, but getting information out on vacant and distressed downtown property may help potential buyers looking for historic renovation projects. A strategy being pursued in Philadelphia is similar to OTR ADOPT, and aspires to help transfer property from owners who want to demolish to owners who want to restore. But ultimately, it may come down to a more engaged public, and more preservation-minded city staff.

“Get the facts, turn out, speak up, and share information in a timely manner,” Warminski exclaimed when asked what people can do to help prevent additional demolitions of historic buildings. “When controversial issues come up it’s important to show City boards that people are interested and are following what is going on.”

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Business Development News

Thousands of new residents now calling downtown Cincinnati home

Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI) has released its eighth annual State of Downtown Report. The findings show continued improvements throughout the Central Business District, Over-the-Rhine and Pendleton neighborhoods.

“New, world-class office development, active retail leasing and expanded entertainment options demonstrate that downtown is thriving,” Gina Gartner, DCI’s Director of Stakeholder Services, stated in a prepared release. “In addition, the growing residential community, from The Banks to Over-the-Rhine, is actively engaged in making downtown a great place to live.”

Customers enjoy the newly opened 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab in historic Over-the-Rhine. Photograph by Randy A. Simes for UrbanCincy.

The 36-page report touts the continued population growth in the urban core, and points to more than $1.3 billion worth of development either currently under construction, or in planning stages. This, DCI officials claim, is evidence of a resurgent downtown area.

“Downtown continues to enjoy major growth and development within its neighborhoods, old and new, from Fountain Square to the East Eighth District and The Banks to Over-the-Rhine,” explained DCI President David Ginsburg. “With this growth, it becomes even more important to connect visitors, residents, employees, developers, and others to the wealth of options downtown has to offer once they are here.”

One way in which boosters envision connecting the growing number of people with the growing number of destinations downtown is through critical transportation investments like the $99.5 million first phase of the Cincinnati Streetcar and future enhanced bus service.

Downtown Cincinnati population growth chart provided by Downtown Cincinnati Inc.

The report also highlighted 12 percent residential growth credited, in part, to the addition of 300 new apartments at The Banks which are 100 percent leased. The surge of new residents comes at the tail end of a period where the downtown area has added more than 5,000 new residents.

The residential growth at The Banks was complimented by ongoing population growth in historic Over-the-Rhine and throughout the Central Business District. And while the second phase of The Banks may not get underway for another six months, officials are excited about 88 additional apartments that will soon come online at The Reserve at 4th & Race.

“A 12% increase is significant and adds greatly to the vibrant city we work toward every day,” Ginsburg noted. “And, though it was not a surprise to DCI or its partners, the more than 25% drop in crime over the past ten years can be credited to the continued commitment of the Cincinnati Police, the City of Cincinnati’s Public Services Department, the Cincinnati Parks, Downtown Cincinnati Inc., and others.”

Perhaps tying the positive trends in residential growth and crime decreases with one another, are the brightly colored Downtown Ambassadors seen out on the streets every day, which have also recently begun servicing parts of Over-the-Rhine.

The report also found that 28 retail establishments opened in the downtown area in 2011, and that hotel occupancy rates surpassed the national and local average at 63 percent.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Cincinnati’s urban growth being fueled by young entreprenuers

It is not always easy to fully tell the narrative of a place and its people through words alone. This, I would suspect, is one of the most constant struggles for writers and professional journalists.

Over the past five to seven years, a tremendous amount of progress and change has taken place throughout Cincinnati’s urban core. This progress, however, is not just through bricks and mortar, but also the people who populate those buildings. In fact, those people are the most significant part of the equation. Without their ideas, hard work and passion, none of this would be happening.

Thankfully, Queen City Project has been documenting some of these people and their stories. Their latest video looks at a collection of young entrepreneurs looking to bring their new ideas to Main Street – literally and figuratively.

Cincinnati Growing Cincinnati is a six-and-a-half minute video that breaks down some of these individuals, but also identifies the start-up infrastructure in place that is helping foster their growth and jump start other new ideas with the help of seed money and support networks.