Tag: architecture

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News

Trinity Flats Project Moving Right Along

The newest phase of the Gateway Quarter redevelopment has been under construction since the beginning of this year, and 9 months later the Trinity Flats building is well on its way to looking absolutely fabulous.

Trinity Flats will consist of 25 residential units and 7,500 square feet of store front street level retail space. The project, located at Vine and Mercer Streets (map) in Over the Rhine, is slated to cost around $8.9 million.

One aspect of this project which makes it stand out from the rest of the Quarter is that Trinity Flats is a clever mix of adaptive reuse and new construction. The Model Group is doing a fantastic job of highlighting the original building’s historic features while simultaneously adding a progressive new structure to the mix. The new construction building adds a modern update to classical building elements such as window detailing, but manages to keep a clean aesthetic overall. According to the building elevations (credit Building Cincinnati) the new construction project will include a community rooftop deck. This will provide a definite draw to those wanting to move into the city but who are not completely wanting to give up their outdoor space.

The commercial space in the infill building will be the new home of the Gateway Quarter leasing office, opening up the corner of Vine and 12th streets to new endeavors. Model Group has an estimated completion date of April 2010 for the Trinity Flats development.

Trinity Flats photos by Jake Mecklenborg

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News

Cincinnati takes critical step towards preserving historic Over-the-Rhine

The City of Cincinnati has been facing increasing pressure in regards to its policy on historic preservation, and now intends to create a special task force related to the economic development and historic preservation of one of the nation’s most important historic districts: Over-the-Rhine.

The vote is music to the ears of local preservation organizations that have been pushing for new policies in regards to historic preservation throughout the city and specifically in Over-the-Rhine. The Over-the-Rhine Foundation and Cincinnati Preservation Association first made the suggestions earlier this year and have been pushing the issue for more several years.

Interesting to note that only five of City Council’s nine members voted for the new task force. Council members Chris Bortz (C), Jeff Berding (D), Leslie Ghiz (R) and Chris Monzel (R) all voted against the measure (all four of these council members are running for reelection this November 3rd).

The move also comes on the heels of my recent appearance on City Talk Radio where we discussed (listen to the show) historic preservation in Cincinnati specifically focusing on Over-the-Rhine. During the show I discussed several critical items that must be addressed from a policy level to make historic preservation a priority in Cincinnati.

Relaxed parking requirements: Minimum parking requirements can become costly for developers working in historic districts where parking can be quite difficult to incorporate, especially for small developers. Relaxed parking requirements in historic districts can reduce cost burdens and help preserve the integrity of the neighborhoods.

Make preservation a policy priority: The City should adjust its policies to make historic preservation a priority. In cities like Savannah and Charleston they do just this by aggressively mandating preservation and even to the extent of purchasing historic properties in danger of demolition so that they can be placed in good hands and restored. City code officials need to adopt work practices that treat historic properties differently from the rest, with an emphasis on stabilization instead of demolition.

Remove the cost barriers: Relaxed parking requirements are just one way to remove the cost barriers and improve the attractiveness of investing in urban historic districts. Investment in quality public assets like parks, transportation and other infrastructure help create the dynamic urban environments that many urban dwellers demand. Investing in these improvements at the public level can make for lower capital costs for developers and/or improve the desirability of a historic neighborhood thus making price points more effective for private investment.

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Development News

The Banks & Queen City Square

Cincinnati’s new tallest building, the Great American Tower at Queen City Square, continues to climb upward as it now appears to be over the half-way mark in terms of total height. Meanwhile, The Banks is climbing above street level, the new street grid continues to develop, and the underground parking garages that will lift the development out of the flood plain are pretty much completed for phase 1 of the billion dollar mixed-use development. The first of the multi-floor residential buildings with street level commercial space should be rising within the coming weeks.

Here are a series of pictures taken over the last week or so of some of the progress being made on both developments happening Downtown. Aside from the few taken from the upper deck at Paul Brown Stadium, they are mainly a street view of where things stand these days.

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News

This Week In Soapbox 10/27

This Week in Soapbox (TWIS) you can read about fundraisers being held this week for Over-the-Rhine Community Housing and Northside urban redevelopment corporation, a new study with positive economic results for Mt. Auburn, a new art gallery and studio space in Covington, two brothers working in OTR on interesting rehab projects, and the potential to revive the Interstate 75 urban landscape as it is reconstructed in the coming years.

If you’re interested in staying in touch with some of the latest development news in Cincinnati please check out this week’s stories and sign up for the weekly E-Zine sent out by Soapbox Cincinnati. Also be sure to become a fan of Soapbox on Facebook!

When you have a chance there are also two really great feature articles in this week’s issue. Matt Cunningham writes about home grown food movement happening in Cincinnati, while Feoshia Henderson writes about Cincinnati’s energy alliance that is making “green” benefits, economic gains.

TWIS 10/27:

  • Over-the-Rhine Community Housing uses fundraiser for diverse development – full article
  • New Mt. Auburn study shows great potential for Uptown – full article
  • Northside redevelopment corporation seeks funding to continue affordable, green development – full article
  • Pike Street art gallery reopens as The BLDG with fresh new approach – full article
  • Urban Design Associates to create vision that will revive Cincinnati’s I-75 corridor – full article
  • C.A.R. Construction’s latest project in OTR celebrates history, passion – full article
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News

Randy Simes on 55KRC’s City Talk Radio tonight

I will be on 55KRC’s weekly talk radio show called City Talk Radio tonight from 7pm to 8pm discussing historic preservation in Cincinnati. The focus will primarily be on Over-the-Rhine and the ongoing changes happening there.

You can of course tune in on your radios to 550AM, stream the show live on your computer, or if you’re busy, download the show’s podcast. Listeners can call or email their comments to the show while we’re broadcasting live by calling (513) 749-5500 or emailing talk@citytalk550.com.