Tag: over-the-rhine

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Development News Politics

2009 a year of progress for Cincinnati preservationists

2009 was a year full of progress for preservation advocates in Cincinnati. Several important structures were saved from the wrecking ball, new public policy is being implemented to help prevent additional demolitions, and Cincinnati’s historic neighborhoods reaped the many benefits of restoration investment.

This year the Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) has recognized six different individuals, organizations, and projects that represent “outstanding accomplishment in local preservation.” The awards included a new award for Special Recognition that went to the Meiner Flats building in Over-the-Rhine.

Meiner Flats was built in 1875 by a family of German-American stonemasons and is one of the tallest buildings in historic Over-the-Rhine. After sitting vacant for roughly two decades the building was ordered to be demolished by the City. The Special Recognition award was presented to Danny Klingler, among others, who helped bring attention to the building and save it from the wrecking ball thanks to generous donations from Cincinnatians, 3CDC, and the City of Cincinnati.

[Above] 13th & Republic in OTR’s Gateway Quarter. [Below] Rader Gallery building at Liberty and Main streets in OTR. Photos provided by Mike Stehlin.

Rookwood Pottery took home the Craftsmanship Award for restoring the proud Rookwood tradition which includes the first female-led manufacturing firm in the country, the best-known art pottery in the U.S., and one of Cincinnati’s most famous companies that was started back in 1880. In 2006 new ownership acquired all of the remaining assets of the original Rookwood Pottery and has moved into a massive 100,000 square-foot structure in Over-the-Rhine near Findlay Market.

Other awards handed out by CPA include the following:

  • Education Award: Elizabeth Meyer for her instrumental work in preserving original documents, drawings, photographs, and other resources pertaining to Cincinnati Modernist buildings.
  • Rehabilitation Awards: Luedeking House in East Walnut Hills has been meticulously restored over the past five years and has restored the home’s previous grandour. 2312 Park Avenue in Walnut Hills also received this award following an adaptive renovation that now houses the offices of Vivian Llambi & Associates.
  • Sustainability Award: Veraestau Historic Site in Aurora, Indiana took home the Sustainability Award for its incorporation of progressive conservation practices in addition to its preservation efforts that included a new geothermal heating and cooling system.
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Arts & Entertainment Business News

New Gateway Quarter Gift Card the perfect holiday gift

If you’re still trying to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member, look no further than the new Gateway Quarter Gift Card that is good at 24 shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations in one of Cincinnati’s trendiest business districts.

The new gift cards are a perfect addition to the thriving Gateway Quarter district in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. On Black Friday I took advantage of the second annual ‘Holidays in the Bag’ shopping event and was able to purchase nearly all of my holiday gifts just in the Gateway Quarter. So, if you still searching for gift ideas, buy a couple Gateway Quarter Gift Cards and give your friend of family member the gift of shopping local and experiencing the unique items available throughout the Gateway Quarter.

The gift card can be purchased at five locations: Park+Vine, Mica 12/v, Joseph Williams Home, Below Zero Lounge, and the Gateway Quarter Sales Office at 12th & Vine streets. Find a full list of participating businesses here.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Remembering Erich Kunzel

Aside from conducting the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and appearing on PBS for many years, Erich Kunzel conducted many other orchestras, including the Boston Pops. The home of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in Cincinnati was Music Hall, which is located in the old German district known as Over-the-Rhine.

Kunzel’s dream was to locate the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati in the Over-the-Rhine district just a block or so from Music Hall. In addition to this, he helped raise funds for this endeavor. Unfortunately, Erich Kunzel recently passed away as a result of cancer and will not see his dream soon come to fruition.

Many sought to honor him for all he did for the city of Cincinnati and the world of music. So, the street in front of Music Hall was given the additional name of “Erich Kunzel Way” by the Cincinnati City Council, while at the same time retaining its name as Elm Street.

An additional honor was sought by many to name the SCPA School after him, with the final result that the building complex of the school will be named the Erich Kunzel Center for Arts & Education.

As President of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati, I appeared at the November meeting of the Cincinnati School Board, stating:

“Maestro Kunzel’s efforts not only spearheaded financial support for the construction of SCPA, but they also led to its location in downtown Cincinnati near Music Hall in historic Over-the-Rhine, the home of his beloved Pops Orchestra.”

Kunzel was a good friend of the German-American community and proud of his German heritage. Although it was hoped that the new school would bear his name, the compromise reached does place his name on the building complex in Over-the-Rhine and most likely will become generally known as the Erich Kunzel Center for Arts and Education.

German-Americans in Cincinnati, therefore, can be proud to have done their part in obtaining this honor for Maestro Kunzel, a great German-American, who was well known throughout the world.

A collection of his recordings was just issued entitled “Erich Kunzel – Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: The Legacy Collection.” It contains a selection of fifteen of his favorite musical pieces, concluding with “Stars & Stripes Forever,” by John Philip Sousa, who also was of German descent.

Yours truly,
Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann

Don Heinrich Tolzmann serves as president of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati & Curator of the German Heritage Museum. The author of many books on Cincinnati’s German heritage, he also is Associate Publisher and Columnist for Germerica.net. His forthcoming book due this spring is on Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine.

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News

How can Findlay Market drive additional traffic?

Findlay Market is looking for ideas on ways in which the historic market can be improved to drive additional traffic. To voice your opinion please visit Iron Bridge and vote on the poll on the right-hand side of the page.

Findlay Market has been experiencing a resurgence lately with increased traffic and vendors, but problems still exist. Access can be difficult for some, weekday operations remain slower than desired, evening hours are still limited, and marketing has been a challenge when working with such a diverse group of vendors.

As the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood continues to repopulate itsef, and as interest continues to grow in buying local goods from local merchants, the market’s future appears to be bright. Innovative ideas and suggesstions will help Findlay Market move into the next stage of its long life with a renewed energy and spirit.

How can Findlay Market drive additional traffic? VOTE HERE!

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News

OTR Neighborhood Holiday Party – Thursday Night!

Tis the season for holiday parties, and tonight there is a special one happening at Mr. Pitiful’s (map) on Main Street in the heart of Over-the-Rhine supporting the Over-the-Rhine Foundation.

The 2nd Annual OTR Neighborhood Holiday Party will feature live music from local favorites Messerly & Ewing, food, and of course spirits featuring Christian Moerlein’s Christkindl Winter Warmer Ale. The party gets started at 6pm Thursday evening and is slated to run until 10pm, but you have to figure that will be just about the earliest anyone heads home.

There will be raffle tickets available for $10 which will give you a chance to get some help out with some gifts for friends or for yourself. Prizes range from gift cards to OTR shops such as Park+Vine, Outside, Findlay Market, and tickets to productions by the Cincinnati Ballet, Know Theatre, and Cincinnati Opera.

Another fundraising piece of the night will include a live auction featuring works of art by Jim Effler, VisuaLingual, Sherman Cahal, and Craig Moyer. Finally, $25 raffle tickets will be available for the Dream Vacation Raffle which is a one week stay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

As mentioned above all raffle proceeds will be going to the Over-the-Rhine Foundation which has been working to preserve, protect, and promote OTR for over sixteen years. So come on out, support a good cause, meet new folks, and get reacquainted with older ones at Mr. Pitiful’s on Thursday. While there is no need to RSVP per se, there is of course a Facebook Page where you can let everyone know of your good intentions!