Tag: architecture

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Arts & Entertainment News

Newport’s East Row Historic District Walking Tour Now Available on Smartphones

When city officials examined how to update Newport’s East Row Historic District tour they decided they wanted to do so in a way that was up to the standards of the 21st Century. As a result, Newport’s Historic Preservation Specialist Emily Jarzen and Main Street Coordinator Robert Yoder developed the walking tour to be compatible with smartphones and their users.

“A couple of years ago, smartphones with web browsers were a novelty,” Yoder said in a press release. “Now with prices continually dropping and more choices entering the marketplace we felt delivering the walking tours formatted for smartphones would an innovative and cost effective way to bring Newport’s rich architectural history for a broader audience.”

Once a popular area for wealthy business owners and merchants in the late 1800s, Newport’s historic East Row district boasts proud architectural examples of Italianate, American Four Square, and Queen Anne. Over time the neighborhood suffered from deterioration and neglect until restoration began in the 1980s creating the vibrant historic district known today.

The neighborhood has nearly 1,100 homes, all of which are listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Place, and is Kentucky’s second largest historic district.

“Having the walking tours available on the web allows us to provide a richer experience and the ability to develop more walking tours of Newport in the future without needing to print a new brochure for every tour,” Jarzen explained.

Those interested in exploring Newport’s historic East Row district can do so by pointing their smartphone browser to www.eastrow.org/walks/.

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Business Development News

Xavier University’s campus transforming for the 21st Century

Williams College of Business

Xavier University is in the midst of a building boom. New buildings are rising that will continue the transformation the university’s main campus. Work has been ongoing for some time and most is expected to be complete for the next academic year.

At the corner of Ledgewood and Dana, there is a new 88,000 square-foot building being erected for the Williams College of Business. Xavier will take possession of the building from the construction crews this month. It will be ready for students by August, the beginning of the next academic year.

Nearby the 84,000 square-foot Conaton Learning Commons is rising, and is a multi-use facility uniquely suited to the modern student’s need of a flexible space packed with technology. It too will be ready when the students come this August.

Further down Ledgewood Avenue, which is sporting a new median and roundabout, a new 240,000 square-foot dormitory and dining complex is currently under construction as part of the Hoff Academic Quad. These buildings, which currently have two huge cranes towering above them, still require about a year before completion but will eventually house and feed hundreds of Xavier students.

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Development News Politics Transportation

Cutting through the clutter to get urbanism news

It was approximately one year ago when UrbanCincy dove into the world of Twitter.  We were not sure what to make of it or how to use it, but there is certainly lots of information to be had if you are able to cut through the clutter (if in fact you dislike the clutter).

As a result, UrbanCincy has been putting together a list of those Twitter users who share information and ideas about urbanist issues.  Some focus on transit, some on particular cities or regions, others on policy and others sharing their urban experiences.  The people behind these accounts include policy makers, industry professionals, residents, businesses and writers.

The value is that at any given time you can keep tabs on the heartbeat of urbanism across America, and beyond, by simply following this list of people.  You do not have to be on Twitter to follow the list, but if you want to engage in conversation you do.  In either case the information is there for the taking.  Bookmark the page to follow along at your leisure, or follow the list on Twitter if you have an account.

If you have any other Twitter users that you believe should be added to this list, please leave a comment below so that they can be added to the stream.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Roeblingfest to celebrate history in fun new way

There are a plethora of activities this weekend happening along the banks of the Ohio River.  The 19th Annual Newport Italianfest starts today and Ride Cincinnati will take place this Saturday morning at Yeatman’s Cove.  But one of the more interesting and fun events of the weekend promises to be Roeblingfest.

In its 6th year Roeblingfest will actually combine two separate events that have taken place in past years. Standing on its own, Roeblingfest has always been somewhat of a niche event that showcases the history of one of Cincinnati’s most famous landmarks on the weekend closest to architect John A. Roebling’s birthday.

Historically held on a Sunday afternoon, the event consisted of milling about the bridge for a few hours while also examining the murals that highlight the history of the bridge itself.  Small booths were also set up that each had a special focus on the historical aspect of the famed Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Last year the Roebling Point Business District held their first-ever block party, and will now align itself with the larger Roeblingfest celebrations to create a Saturday full of history and fun that should cater to all kinds of people. There will still be tours of the bridge and associated murals that run from 11am to 3pm, but this year the party will continue into the night and feature all kinds of entertainment around the neighborhood including Segway races, a cornhole tournament, and several bands offering live music. The day-long celebration will be capped off by fireworks from Rozzi’s to end the evening at 11pm.

Currently, the bridge itself is closed to vehicular traffic for the next five months as it receives a new paint job and other maintenance work is completed.  Along with the ongoing maintenance work, the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee is working to raise money to replace and maintain the flags and lighting on the historic river span.

The decorative lighting was turned off ahead of the closure back in the spring and there is a campaign currently underway to help raise the funds needed to update the lighting. To date, the committee has raised $185,000 of the $455,000 needed to update and maintain the lights. If the funding is raised, the new lighting will be energy efficient and will light the bridge for years to come. This weekend will go a long way to helping the cause, but donations can also be made online at any point throughout the year.  And those who decide to make an online donation also become eligible for a “Trip to the Top of the Tower” for four people.

The event is free and open to the public and could easily be paired with Italianfest, a Reds game, or Ride Cincinnati which are all only about a mile walk from the Roeblingfest celebrations on Park Place between Scott and Greenup streets, and on Court Street between 3rd and 4th streets (map).

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Business Development News

Nky Preservation projects honored at 2010 River Cities Preservation Awards

On Thursday, May 27, the cities of Bellevue, Newport and Covington hosted the 2010 River Cities Preservation Awards at the Artisan Enterprise Center in Covington. The cities collectively recognized the commitment that the residents and business owners have to reserving the historic quality of their cities. Thirteen awards were given out at the ceremony ranging in purpose from new construction to residential rehabilitation.

Beth Johnson, the Preservation and Planning Specialist for the City of Covington, commends the spirit of collaboration that the awards ceremony breeds.

“The River Cities Preservation Awards are such a wonderful thing for all three cities that participate as it gives us a chance to thank and recognize the hard work, dedication, and investment to those that are saving our historic treasures,” said Beth Johnson, Preservation & Planning Specialist for the City of Covington.  “People from all over the nation comment on the amazing historic resources that we have.  All of us, Covington, Newport, and Bellevue, are lucky to have building owners that agree and therefore work really hard to rehabilitation and preserve those resources.”

Dan and Jessica Krebs won the award for rehabilitation of a residential structure for their home at 618 11th Street in Covington. This category recognizes successful rehabilitation of historic residential structures. These projects offer a creative solution for rehabilitating a building inside and out when much of the historic material is either too deteriorated to save or is missing altogether.

The Krebs’s two and a half story Italianate home was originally built in 1863 by H.H. Hellman, who owned and operated “Hellman Feed and Grain” on Madison Avenue. In 2001 when Dan Krebs bought the house it had sat vacant for over two years and was in a severely deteriorated condition. While the brick building was still solid, the entire interior of the building had to be gutted and updated, the exterior needed lots of maintenance from years of neglect.

According to Ms. Johnson, the Krebs “are a really hard working and dedicated couple. They did all of the work themselves and Dan is very talented as he has built and handcrafted so much in their house.”

Dan created a modern kitchen by handcrafting the cabinets, but kept the historic feel by framing an original piece of the tin ceiling. On the rest of the first floor Dan and Jess were able to save the original hard wood floor, and to rebuild the original mantle and fireplace.

While working in the back yard, they found and old cistern. Instead of filling it with gravel, they decided to use it for its original use, to catch rainwater. By adding a pump, they have created an natural supply of water for their lawn and plants.

Dan and Jess Krebs have shown amazing dedication to rehabilitating their house to the grander that it deserves. They have a great eye for detail and the hands of craftsman. Their commitment to historic preservation embodies the spirit that the cities of Covington, Bellevue, and Newport sought to highlight in their award ceremony.