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Historic Bank Street Demolitions (update)

Several weeks ago local and regional preservationists united in an attempt to raise awareness of a potential demolition of four historic buildings in Cincinnati’s West End neighborhood. Emails were sent, calls were made, and awareness was reached to a certain extent.

Paul Wilham led these efforts locally and did not have much luck in getting a response back from the Mayor’s office on the matter. I sent my own email out on January 9th to all nine members of City Council and the Mayor’s office. Last week I got a response from Council member Leslie Ghiz (thank you) that included comments from the City’s Code Enforcement Division and Historic Preservation Department.

833-839 Bank Street – Photo by Kevin LeMaster

In the response there were several pieces of useful information. Code Enforcement clarified that the City primarily funds its demolitions with Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). This money is not allowed to be used in demolitions that might have an “adverse impact on a historic structure” as is the case for the Bank Street properties (Streetview). As a result of this contingency, the City engages in very little demolition work of historic structures.

In the particular case here it is the private owner who is preparing to demolish these structures – not the City. The current owners, the Reed family, have applied for the demolition permits and can go forth with the demolitions as planned unless something extraordinary happens.

The Reed family has been the subject of code enforcement actions in the past. Criminal prosecution even occurred in relation to compliance issues for 839 Bank Street. As a result the City has attempted to secure the buildings by barricading them on seven different instances since 2006. The Division cites that they have “no immediate plans to demolish these buildings by governmental action,” and that the owner can choose to either demolish the structures as they currently have planned, or they can bring the properties into compliance through repair.

The question was then asked if approval is needed, from the Historic Conservation Office, for private demolition in this historic district. The response was that in this particular case the answer appears to be “no.”

Additional Reading:
“West End Buildings Doomed” – Building Cincinnati

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Getting to know Cincinnati’s stimulus projects

If you’re not already familiar with Cincinnati’s stimulus projects then I suggest you get familiar. Cities from around the country have submitted their “shovel ready” projects to be considered for stimulus money. Cincinnati’s list has 48 projects* totaling $434,916,420.

Projects big and small fill out the list. You will find Cincinnati’s proposed streetcar system, streetscape improvement projects, RecycleBank, green roof projects, street grid for The Banks, stabilization/control of the Ohio River for the new Central Riverfront Park (CRP), forest carbon sequestration, and much more.

A new site – Stimulus Watch – allows you to look through the submitted items from cities all across the nation. The website allows you to vote on each of the submitted items. You can select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as to whether you feel that particular project is critical and worthy of stimulus money. The site then categorizes these projects nationally by the Most and Least Critical, Most Expensive, and Most Active (by votes).

So far Cincinnati’s projects are faring quite well with the streetcar project leading nationally as the Most Critical project according to voters. Also high on the list is the street grid project for The Banks development, bank stabilization for the CRP, and streetscape improvements throughout Over-the-Rhine.

Visit the CINCINNATI PAGE to view all of Cincinnati’s included projects, and give your input on what you would and would not like to see the stimulus money go towards locally.

*DISCLAIMER – These projects are not part of the stimulus bill. They are candidates for funding by federal grant programs once the bill passes.

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Melting into downtown

Like many small businesses, Cincinnati’s favorite eclectic deli has aspirations to expand beyond its current location in Northside. Melt Eclectic Deli has been consistently rated one of Cincinnati’s best vegetarian and sandwich options, and is a staple in the diverse and vibrant Northside neighborhood business district.

In July 2008, popular green general store, Park + Vine, started offering sandwiches, noodles and other vegan fare from Melt. The offerings have been a popular addition to the Park + Vine food and drink collection. Park + Vine owner, Dan Korman, goes on to say that the two businesses have a very similar base of supporters. “We routinely hear people say they’re on their way to Melt or that they just came from there,” Korman says, “and that’s saying a lot considering our two businesses are five miles apart.”

Melt Eclectic Deli – Scott Beseler (Soapbox Media)

The kinship between the two stores has grown beyond the food offering at Park + Vine (GoogleMap). The two stores are now offering a cross-coupon promotion good through March 31st: when you buy one menu item at Melt greater than $6, present the Melt coupon and receive $2 off a second menu item of equal or lesser value. While you’re there, pick up a Park + Vine coupon for $10 off a purchase of $40 or more.

Melt has more plans though beyond the cross-coupon promotion and select product offerings at Park + Vine. Lisa Kagen, owner and business manager of Melt Eclectic Deli (GoogleMap), has told UrbanCincy that she is interested, and currently speaking with several property owners, about the possibility of a new store in either Downtown or Over-the-Rhine.

The popularity of Melt’s products at Park + Vine has led to speculation about a possible Melt location somewhere in the Gateway Quarter. Kagen says, “There is a lot at stake and many details still need to be worked out,” but she hopes to come to a conclusion by the end of the year.

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CAC Winter Season Opening Night

Donald Sultan’s first United States exhibition of his early linoleum paintings will be in Cincinnati at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) known as Donald Sultan: The First Decade. Tara Donovan will also be making her Cincinnati debut of her sculptural works at the opening night (2/6) for the CAC’s Winter Season 2009.

CAC Insiders can enjoy cocktails with artists Tara Donovan and Donald Sultan starting at 6pm, followed by gallery talk and book signing with Sultan at 6:30pm. Also at 6:30pm, CAC Members will be able to get a private exhibition preview. At 8pm the party will start with DJ Iceburg which will be open to the public and boast a cash bar lasting until 11pm.

Make it a night: Grab dinner at Nada located right across the street from the CAC. After the party ends at the CAC keep it going by hitting up Downtown Cincinnati’s newest bar at Bootsy’s which is just steps from the CAC’s front door (GoogleMap).

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Ohio shoutouts!

I’ve added two new blogs to the blogroll – ColumbusUnderground and Northcoast Lifestyle. The new blogroll additions represent Columbus and Cleveland respectively and are some pretty great sites if you take the time to check them out.

ColumbusUnderground is an extremely comprehensive site covering all things going on in Ohio’s capital city. It is the primary online forum for city bloggers and gives constant updates on everything of interest in Columbus.

Northcoast Lifestyle is a more personal weblog approach than ColumbusUnderground. The site covers events and happenings in the Cleveland area and does it from a personal perspective. The writing is great and the photography is even better. Check it out.