Building Cincinnati

Study: Current phase of The Banks to have $91.6M annual economic impact

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The University of Cincinnati Economic Center has released a study of Phase 1A of The Banks, estimating an ongoing annual economic impact of $91.6 million from the new development.

The study, released by the development team of Carter, the Dawson Company and equity partner USAA Real Estate Company, also credits the construction of 300 apartments and 97,000 square feet of retail at the riverfront project with generating $556 million in construction-based impact on the local economy.

The remainder of Phase 1, including a new boutique hotel, a 230,000-square-foot office building, and additional 27,000 square feet of residential units, will have a total annual economic impact of $276 million, the study says. When combined with City, county, and developer investment, the total economic impact is expected to exceed $2.7 billion by 2020 – with 1,400 direct jobs, 1,000 indirect jobs, and 3,600 construction jobs.

Future phases between the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Paul Brown Stadium are projected to generate an additional $335 million in annual economic activity.

"These investments are helping to create a vibrant riverfront – where people can live, work and play," said Scott Stringer, executive vice president with Carter, in a prepared release. "The investments made by the public parties are starting to pay off and we're happy to help the city and county complete the vision of the riverfront."

The study concludes that the City and county investment will be paid back within two years.

The study also says that a majority of the residents at the apartments, Current at The Banks, came from outside of the City. Twenty percent moved in from outside of the 15-county metropolitan area.

Rendering courtesy of "Economic Impact of The Banks Project In the Redevelopment of the Cincinnati Central Riverfront", Economics Center of the University of Cincinnati.

Previous reading on BC:
New website showcases living options at The Banks (1/26/11)
Riverfront road closure allows The Banks work to progress (1/17/11)
Council approves $10M in Banks bonds (6/22/10)
24-hour police welcoming center slated for The Banks (5/17/10)
Banks developers create new website, branding (4/27/10)

Construction of 'key' Kennedy Connector begins

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Construction on the Kennedy Connector, a half-mile extension of Kennedy Avenue (overview map_ that's expected to alleviate traffic on Ridge Road and provide better access from Madison Road to Interstate 71 northbound, began on Monday.

The first phase of the two-year, $30 million project began in three locations: On Ibsen Avenue, which will be closed between Marburg Avenue and Ridge Road and will be open on weekend afternoons; on Ibsen Avenue between Ridge and Madison roads, which will be closed until crews can install two new water mains later this summer; and at the intersection of Duck Creek Road and Kennedy Avenue, where a temporary roadway is being built so that construction crews can eventually build the new extension of Kennedy Avenue.

Duck Creek Road between Ridge Road and Kennedy Avenue will be limited to one lane of eastbound traffic only.

When complete, Kennedy Avenue will run parallel to Ridge Road and connect Duck Creek and Madison roads. Specific improvements include:

A new five-lane Kennedy Avenue with a center, left-turn only lane. New landscaping, sidewalks, and bicycle infrastructure will be added.
A realignment of Ibsen Avenue between Marburg and Ridge avenues, with Ibsen Avenue continuing eastward to tie into the Kennedy Connector.
Realignments and intersection improvements at Ibsen Avenue and Ridge Road, Ibsen and Marburg avenues, and Alamo Avenue and Ridge Road.
Replacement of Barrow Avenue as the access point to Interstate 71 southbound with a new City street. Barrow Avenue will end in a cul-de-sac.

The Kennedy Connector project is one of the transportation and infrastructure improvements identified by the Eastern Corridor project, a multi-modal transportation project to address travel demand between Downtown Cincinnati and western Clermont County.

The roadway also is expected to support the long-awaited redevelopment at Oakley Station, the redevelopment of 74 acres at the former Cincinnati Milling Machine site at 4701 Marburg Avenue.

Now under construction, the $120 million project will include the 302-unit Boulevard at Oakley Station apartment development, a 55,000-square-foot Cinemark movie theater, 350,000 square feet of retail space, 250,000 square feet of Class A office space, and 4,250 surface parking spaces.

Previous reading on BC:
Oakley Station residences win LEED tax exemption (4/9/12)
City to accept up to $12M for Kennedy Connector road project (3/28/11)
Hearing on Oakley Station remediation tonight (3/8/11)
Cincinnati to apply for federal transportation grants (4/1/10)
Oakley open house shows Kennedy Connector preferred alternative (6/25/09)

Newport dedicates, again, a park for hard working native

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

A new park on Newport's Westside, named after a city native, youth leader, and eventual political activist, was dedicated yesterday morning.

Tim Freudenberg Park, located at 725 Liberty Street, replaces the original park that was dedicated to Freudenberg in 1993. That park was temporarily removed due to an ongoing redevelopment of the area being undertaken by the city and Neighborhood Foundations, formerly the Housing Authority of Newport.

The new park was built by the Newport Recreation Department.

Freudenberg, a graduate of the University of Kentucky (UK), was in student government at the university when he first met future governor Brereton Jones, then on UK's board of trustees. He followed Jones into politics, serving as his Fourth District campaign coordinator in 1991.

Freudenberg was appointed director of boards and commissions, given the responsibility of selecting more than 2,500 members of state boards and commissions.

But he died shortly thereafter, from heart disease, at the age of 29.

"Tim was only with us a short time, but he accomplished much," Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso said in a prepared release. "We are honored to call him a Newport native and proud to dedicate this park in his memory. Let this park stand as a reminder that dedication, hard work and determination are rewarded and never forgotten."

Photo courtesy of Southbank Partners.

Previous reading on BC:
Housing Authority of Newport accepting renovation bids (10/23/08)
Saratoga Liberty Housing photo update, 7/23/08 (7/29/08)
Newport affordable housing photo update, 1/22/08 (1/28/08)

Wrecking Cincinnati: 280 Stark St

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Over-the-Rhine
YEAR BUILT: 1875
USE: Two-family dwelling
OWNER: Donald Brown
ASSESSED VALUE: $21,550
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: February 2005, for a roof collapse, collapsing rear porches, deteriorated chimneys, deteriorated masonry walls, litter and debris. Unresolved. Ordered barricaded and vacated in September 2011. Some work done, but the building suffered $10,000 in damage following a one-alarm fire in January 2012.
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Razed by the owner to close out orders.
MAP

Taft first Ohio high school to achieve LEED Platinum

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School in Cincinnati's West End has become the first high school in Ohio to receive LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Completed in March 2011, the $18.4 million, 104,000-square-foot building, serving 600 students in grades 9 through 12, is the first building in the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) system to receive the honor.

"We are very proud to be the first district in Ohio to complete a new school building that earned the highest distinction among sustainable construction projects," said Mary Ronan, superintendent of CPS, in a prepared release. "It was our Board of Education's vision in 2007 to ensure that the remaining projects of our Facilities Master Plan embraced LEED design standards."

Green features include one of the region's largest green roofs, funded in partnership with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati. The building also boasts exterior sunshades, a high-efficiency "active chilled beam" HVAC system, and water-saving appliances and fixtures.

Turner Construction Company, Monarch Construction Company, and other subcontractors contributed by recycling construction waste, managing indoor air quality, and filtering water runoff.

The project's location also contributes to its sustainability, said Christopher Dumford, project architect with Mason-based VSWC Architects, which designed the building.

"Several LEED 'points' are only available to projects located in dense urban areas," he said. "Generous access to public transportation, shared parking with the adjacent stadium, and limited hard surface areas are all factors we leveraged to exceed the sustainability goals for the project."

CPS is wrapping up the final phase of its ten-year, $1.1 billion Facilities Master Plan, renovating or rebuilding 50 school buildings throughout the City.

The district had the honor of building the first LEED Silver public school in the state – Pleasant Ridge Montessori – and has LEED Gold schools at Dater Montessori and Sands Montessori. Another 19 schools are registered with the USGBC and are expected to be rated LEED Silver or higher.

On April 30, the CPS board approved a $26.8 million low-interest loan to pay for energy-saving retrofits at 28 of its schools.

Images courtesy of VSWC Architects.

Previous reading on BC:
Taft IT High School photo update, 9/4/09 (9/28/09)
Taft High coming down for new building (8/22/08)

Wyoming program to highlight inclines

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow evening at 7 P.M. at the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming, 225 Wyoming Avenue, the Wyoming Historical Society will present a free program highlighting Cincinnati's five inclines.

David Savage, who retired in 2007 as the longest-serving mayor in Wyoming history, will discuss the ingenious 19th century transportation system built to carry people and freight away from the smoke and noise of the City to the cleaner air in the early suburbs atop the hills. He'll also talk about the beer gardens and entertainment venues that popped up as a result.

The City's five inclines included the:

Mount Auburn Incline (1871-1898), rising 312 feet from the head of Main Street to Eleanor Place, the location of the popular Lookout House. It closed down after being purchased by the Cincinnati Street Railway, which made Vine Street its preferred route into the City.
Price Hill Incline (1874-1943), a double-plane rising 350 feet up Eighth Street to the Price Hill House. It's the only incline that never accommodated streetcars.

Bellevue Incline (1876-1926), rising 395 feet from the head of Elm Street to Ohio Avenue. At the top was the ornate Bellevue House.
Mount Adams Incline (1876-1948), rising 268 feet from (approximately) the modern-day Sixth Street ramps to Celestial Street. The longest-lived of all of the inclines, this one accommodated wagons, streetcars, and eventually automobiles – many on their way to Eden Park or the Cincinnati Zoo. At the top of the incline, the Highland House hosted political meetings and conventions, and had an outdoor beer garden that could host 8,000 patrons. The Highland House was razed in 1895, the victim of Sunday closing laws.
Fairview Incline (1892-1923),, rising 207 feet from McMicken Avenue to Fairview Avenue. It was the only incline constructed exclusively for streetcars.

Images courtesy of the Cincinnati Historical Society.

Wrecking Cincinnati: 815 Chateau Ave

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: East Price Hill
YEAR BUILT: 1890
USE: Single-family dwelling
OWNER: CIT Group Consumer Finance Inc.
ASSESSED VALUE: $18,260
HAZARD: August 2010.
CONDEMNED: August 2009, for roof, gutters and downspouts, broken and missing windows, lack of exterior paint, lack of mechanicals, and litter and weeds.
ORDERS: May 2007, vacant, bank-owned building ordered barricaded. Re-issued in September 2007.
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.
MAP

Wrecking Cincinnati: 3726 Mead Ave

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: East End
YEAR BUILT: 1900
USE: Multi-family dwelling (4 units)
OWNER: SLT Properties LLC
ASSESSED VALUE: $59,320
HAZARD: March 2009, adding broken and missing windows, deteriorating gutters and downspouts, and lack of protective paint.
CONDEMNED: January 2009.
ORDERS: Dating to September 2007, but, in May 2008, ordered vacated and barricaded due to missing and vandalized mechanical systems and litter and debris. Much vandalism. A criminal case was filed in January 2009. The building had been lost in foreclosure, and the criminal case was dismissed by the prosecutor for want of prosecution.
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.
MAP

'Cincinnati Spring' summit to bring City, neighborhoods together

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:05:00 +0000

The 2012 Neighborhood Summit will be held this Saturday from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, 108 W Central Parkway in Over-the-Rhine.

This year's program, called "Cincinnati Spring: Hearing Community Voices", is an opportunity for City officials, neighborhood organizations, and others interested in community and economic development to come together to discuss how best to meet the challenges we face as a City.

The day will lead off with a welcome from Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls and will be followed by presentations and group discussions on Plan Cincinnati, form-based codes, and the Core Change Cincinnati initiative.

Following lunch, breakout sessions will be available on the following topics:

Strengthening Networks, Bridging Partnerships: Examines how neighborhoods can work across boundaries, as well as with institutions, churches, and non-profits.
Community Engagement for Development: Focusing on redevelopment in Madisonville, this topic looks at how a bottom-up approach to community planning can bring local leaders together to mobilize resources and work toward a common vision.
Greening Our Food Deserts: A look at how the local food movement can strengthen neighborhoods through community gardens and farmers' markets, presented by the Green Umbrella Food Task Team.
Land Banking for Communities: A discussion of the new Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation, and how the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority will work with local community development corporations to return vacant and underutilized properties back to productive use.
Rejuvenate With and Entertainment District: A panel of community stakeholders will discuss the advantages of creating vibrant community entertainment districts, such as those formed in Pleasant Ridge, East Price Hill, The Banks, Northside, and Over-the-Rhine.
Broadening Representation of Community Groups: A discussion of the keys to getting neighborhood residents engaged and involved in community issues.
Priority-Driven Budgeting: City Budget Director Lea Eriksen and Tuck Parris from The Novak Consulting Group discuss the new budget process and its progress, and solicit feedback for the 2013/2014 budget.
Bring Youth Into Your Council: Fulton Jefferson of the Avondale Youth Council shares how his organization has engaged younger residents and has exposed them to the notion of service, and David Weaver of Public Allies and Bridges For a Just Community will discuss how to attract – and sustain – young peoples' interest.
CDCs: Building Your Community: The ins-and-outs of community development corporations, their benefits, and how they're taking advantage of the new Back Office project by the CDC Association of Greater Cincinnati (CDCAGC).
Progress Through Appreciative Inquiry: An introduction of the appreciative inquiry process and how it can help communities understand what resources are available to assist them in making their neighborhoods more vibrant.

The summit will close with a review of the day's activities and a look at how the lessons learned can be applied at the neighborhood level.

Registration is required, but it's free.* Check-in and breakfast takes place between 7:30 A.M. and 8:30 A.M., and free parking has been made available at the Court Street Center lot, southwest corner of Central Parkway and Elm Street.

In its tenth year, the annual Neighborhood Summit is presented by Invest in Neighborhoods, the City of Cincinnati, the Community Building Institute, Citizens for Civic Renewal, and the CDCAGC.

* NOTE: At this date, the complimentary boxed lunch can not be guaranteed. However, you can use the opportunity to visit one of Over-the-Rhine's many great restaurants, or check out the GO OTR 5K Run and Summer Celebration at 12th and Vine streets.

Previous reading on BC:
Five-day form-based code charrette begins Saturday (4/26/12)
Two days remain to comment on draft City master plan (4/19/12)
Comments sought on Plan Cincinnati (3/29/12)
Overhaul of Cincinnati development code ramps up today (3/6/12)
Registration for 2011 Neighborhood Summit now open (3/16/11)

Wrecking Cincinnati: 3240 Gaff Ave

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Walnut Hills
YEAR BUILT: 1895
USE: Three-family dwelling
OWNER: Gerald Anderson
ASSESSED VALUE: $8,730
HAZARD: August 2009, adding gutters and downspouts, broken and missing windows, and water damage.
CONDEMNED: December 2007, now with a failing foundation as well. A criminal case was filed in March 2009, with the then-owner pleading not guilty. She was entered into the housing diversion program in August 2009. The case was dismissed in May 2011 due to, um, a new owner.
ORDERS: December 2002 for lack of heat, entry doors, plumbing leaks, a hole in the ceiling, electric fixtures, hall lighting, and exterior doors. Ordered vacated and barricaded in October 2004. Re-issued to new owners in September 2005, and again to a new owner in May 2006, and AGAIN to a new owner in February 2007. New owner in September 2007!
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.
MAP

Spots remain for free OTR FLAGS painting event this Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Several spots remain for a free flag painting workshop this Saturday from 10:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. at Emanuel Community Center, 1308 Race Street.

The flags will be part of OTR FLAGS, a public art installation at Washington Park that will feature more than 100 hand-painted, 28" x 28" silk flags that will line the sidewalks surrounding the gazebo.

Inspired by 2005's "The Gates" installation in New York City's Central Park, OTR FLAGS will include designs depicting the hopes and dreams of both professional artists and lay citizens. As the first public event in the newly-renovated park, the installation is meant to spur community dialogue and to engage Over-the-Rhine's diverse populations in a "healing, redemptive, and positive" way.

Registration is required. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Washington Park opens to the public on July 1.

Previous reading on BC:
Washington Park reconstruction to begin with careful excavation (8/16/10)
Washington Park rezoning allows parking garage (8/9/10)
Washington Park receives $5M for garage, outreach reception planned (7/27/10)
Cincinnati committee approves $14M package for Washington Park (6/28/10)
Dohoney: City addressing Washington Park issues (10/10/08)

Cyclists ride buses for free tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

In celebration of tomorrow's Bike to Work Day, bicycle commuters can ride free on Metro, Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), and Clermont Transportation Connection when they transport their bikes on the buses' bike racks.

Metro and TANK will also be at the Bike to Work Day Celebration, from noon to 1 P.M. on Fountain Square, demonstrating the ease of biking and riding buses. Bike racks are located on the front of each bus and can accommodate two bicycles.

"All Metro buses have bike racks, and many bike riders use our service every day," said Metro CEO and General Manager Terry Garcia Crews in a prepared release. "We hope that Bike to Work Day encourages even more bike riders to use public transportation while still enjoying the benefits of cycling."

"TANK’s bike racks have been very popular," said TANK General Manager Andrew Aiello. "It's a win-win for people who want to commute part of the way on bike and finish the trip on transit."

Both Metro and TANK have been recognized as Gold Certified Bike Friendly Destinations by local advocacy group Queen City Bike for their roles in promoting bicycle ridership through advocacy and infrastructure improvements.

Photo provided.

Previous reading on BC:
Metro unveils new system map (3/16/12)
Metro to update regional transit plan, study Uptown service (3/15/12)
Metro adds three hybrid buses to fleet (8/5/10)
Metro wins $1.9M for hybrid buses (6/10/10)
Metro honored for safety, plans new communications system (6/8/10)

Landlord training this Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Cincinnati's latest landlord training session will be held Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. at the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Road.

The comprehensive session is designed to help building owners and managers curb illegal drug activity and other chronic nuisances. The program has been adapted for Cincinnati and is based on the National Landlord Training Program, originally supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.

Presentation topics include applicant screening, signs of dishonest applicants, rental agreements, ongoing management, partnerships with residents, crime prevention through environmental design, warning signs of drug activity, eviction, working with the police, and Section 8.

According to the City's research, more than 90 percent of landlords who have taken the course agree that they feel more secure in their ability to screen applicants, are more likely to recognize the warning signs of drug activity, and are more confident in their ability to evict tenants engaging in illegal activity.

Funding for the training is provided by the City of Cincinnati.

Registration is required and must be completed by tomorrow. For additional information, contact Katie Werner at (513) 352-2593 or at mary.werner@cincinnati-oh.gov.

Previous reading on BC:
Landlord program begins in CUF today (8/14/08)

Wrecking Cincinnati: 1514 West Fork Rd

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Northside
YEAR BUILT: 1928
USE: Single-family dwelling
OWNER: Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners
ASSESSED VALUE: $67,510
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: None since 2002.
REASON RAZED: Razed as part of the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati's West Fork Watershed sewer project.
MAP

Wrecking Cincinnati: 2736 Montreal Ave

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Sedamsville
YEAR BUILT: 1875
USE: Single-family dwelling
OWNER: Dr, Steven Bowman
ASSESSED VALUE: $8,380
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: February 2012, open to trespassers, lacking utilities, and "deteriorated beyond repair".
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Razed by the owner to close out building code orders.
MAP

Improvement district guru to speak here June 1

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

A San Diego-based business district manager who has been responsible for the creation of 61 improvement districts in the United States will be the featured speaker at part two of this year's Sustainable Hamilton County series, June 1 from 8 A.M. to noon at the Conference Center at Drake's Conference Rooms F and G.

Keynote speaker Marco Li Mandri is the current president of New City America, Inc. and is the manager of San Diego's Little Italy District.

Recognized for his ability to devise financial mechanisms that overcome the declining economy and cuts in public funding, he's been able to build improvement districts that build business, tourism, neighborhoods, housing development, and other community benefits.

Li Mandri is responsible for developing the successful "Mercato", the largest fresh market in San Diego.

The Workshop Series is a multi-part event that provides factual data and leading research findings, encourages critical thinking, and promotes discussion and collaborative action to achieve sustainable development in Hamilton County. All events are free and open to the public, however registration is required.

The Sustainable Hamilton County Workshop Series is sponsored by the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission Planning Partnership, the First Suburbs Consortium of Southwest Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, the Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati, the Community Building Institute, Agenda 360 and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, and We THRIVE!

Part three of this year's series, "Housing and Demographic Trends", is scheduled for September 14.

For more information, contact Catalina Landivar at (513) 946-4455 or Catalina.Landivar@hamilton-co.org.

Previous reading on BC:
Registration open for new season of Sustainable Hamilton Co workshops (3/30/12)
Registration open for finale of Hamilton Co sustainability series (3/1/11)
Hamilton County sustainability series continues Friday (1/18/11)

Registration for int'l community development conference open

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Registration is now open for the 2012 Community Development Society Annual International Conference, to be held July 21-25 at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center on the University of Cincinnati campus.

While the agenda is still being finalized, featured speakers are expected to include:

Opening reception, July 22: Paul Kaboth, vice president and community affairs officer for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland;
Business meeting and breakfast, July 23: Don Macke, Center for Rural Entrepreneurship;
Closing luncheon, July 25: Keynote speaker Dr. Vic Garcia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

On July 23, off-site mobile learning workshops will highlight arts entrepreneurship, "A Visit with Price Hill", Findlay Market, community learning centers, and Uptown Cincinnati.

Concurrent learning stations in seven different program tracks will be held each day, as will a number of exhibits and silent auctions.

Registration fees range from between $149 and $479 depending upon membership or student status. Overnight accommodations are available at the Kingsgate Marriott for $104 per night.

The Community Development Society provides professional development, networking, discussion and debate for professionals across the entire spectrum of community development. Over 80 percent of its members practice in the United States, with the remainder representing nearly three dozen countries.

Wrecking Cincinnati: 1598 West Fork Rd

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Northside
YEAR BUILT: 1875
USE: Two-family dwelling
OWNER: Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners
ASSESSED VALUE: $51,530
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: None since 2003.
REASON RAZED: Razed as part of the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati's West Fork Watershed sewer project.
MAP

Hartwell has new plan for Vine Street

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Cincinnati's Hartwell neighborhood now has the first vision plan for its business district in more than 30 years.

In late April, City Council approved adoption of the Hartwell Neighborhood Business District (NBD) Plan, an action-based plan guiding the future of the neighborhood's 30-acre Vine Street business district.

The plan envisions the future Hartwell NBD as "a unique, vibrant, regional-serving business district. It features clean, attractive, safe and walkable streets; strong, vital and active local and national businesses; historic and renowned local and regional institutions; and is a hub of neighborhood activity for residents of Hartwell, and also serves Wyoming and Springfield Township, Arlington Heights, Carthage, and Roselawn."

As it stands now, the NBD is largely auto-oriented and is not friendly to pedestrians. Its pattern of building setbacks can best be described as "incoherent", and it lacks unifying elements of any kind.

However, it does enjoy high visibility and a solid business and residential base. Fifteen thousand people live within one mile of the NBD, and within just five miles are 13 of Cincinnati's neighborhoods, 15 other NBDs, and 17 other municipalities and townships in Hamilton County.

A eight-year process

The Hartwell NBD Plan had its genesis in a 2004 visioning and design process conducted by consultant GroundWork Design Collaborative LLC for an enhanced neighborhood gateway at Vine Street and Galbraith Road, a project which failed to receive City funding.

In January 2008, at the request of the City of Wyoming and Springfield Township, the Hamilton County Development Corporation released its Vine Street Commercial Corridor Study, a look at the corridor between the Vine Street-Galbraith Road intersection and the City of Wyoming border.

Alarmed by the study, the Hartwell Improvement Association (HIA) requested a study of its own portion of the corridor, and a series of workshops began in the fall of 2008.

Following more than two years of workshops and open houses, the HIA unanimously approved the completed plan in May 2011.

Focus on capacity, then redevelopment

The NBD plan puts a heavy focus on building organizational capacity. Although the community council, the Hartwell Improvement Association, is quite active, its membership is quite small and its board is incomplete. Until recently, the neighborhood had no business association.

This put the neighborhood near the back of the line when pursuing City funding for community improvement projects.

One such project is the previously mentioned northwest corner of Vine Street and Galbraith Road, a "fractured" corner consisting of a parking lot, a traffic island, and a landscaping bed – none of which function well.

Another, more high-profile project is the redevelopment of the vacant, 7.5-acre Hartwell Armory site, just west of the Kroger store on Shadybrook Drive.

A request for proposals (RFP) and preferred developer agreement process in 2009 yielded two proposals. In October 2010, the HIA determined that the winning bid, a medical office complex, was not feasible on the site and entered into a preferred developer agreement with Episcopal Retirement Homes for the Windsor on the Creek independent and assisted senior living complex.

Specific action

Short- and long-term actions identified by the NBD plan include:

Within six months: Fill the HIA Board and Committees and build the Business Association;
Within one year: Work with the City on redevelopment of the Armory site, apply for funding for a façade program, and build relationships with surrounding neighborhoods that utilize the NBD;
Within two to five years: Work with the City on zoning and land use issues – including the consideration of form-based codes and the strengthening of Urban Design Overlay District guidelines, and apply for funding for design and construction work for streetscaping and intersection improvements;
Within six to ten years: Tend to the new Hartwell NBD and guide future development.

Previous reading on BC:
Two Hamilton Co projects win affordable housing tax credits (4/12/12)
College Hill residents reject senior housing (9/30/09)
A 'good day' for Hartwell as new rec center opens (6/8/09)
New Hartwell calendar features historic images (12/29/08)
Hartwell Armory site chained off (5/19/08)

City's LEED-CRA ordinance makes development 'attractive', but could use tweaks

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Cincinnati's new Economic Development Director Odis Jones recommends continuing the City's LEED-CRA (Community Reinvestment Area) tax abatement program – with slight modifications.

Jones' analysis was contained in a report filed in response to a February motion by councilmembers Laure Quinlivan, Chris Seelbach, Wendell Young, and Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls asking for a review of the City's experience with the six-year-old LEED-CRA ordinance.

The City's LEED-CRA program, authorized under the Ohio Revised Code, provides a 100 percent property tax abatement on the improved value of residential, commercial, and industrial projects that achieve LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). For commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and residential projects of four units or more, 25 percent of the abatement goes to Cincinnati Public Schools.

According to Jones, the City's LEED-CRA program is viewed in the marketplace as "stable", being codified in an ordinance and utilizing property taxes as the incentive.

"Compared to other cities, the Cap Rate is very high, making it very attractive for development," Jones said. "A sampling of LEED policies from other cities reflect a variety of approaches to incentives including: rebates on permits, rebates on certification fees paid by property owner, promotional dollars, expedited permitting and reduced permit fees, and increased build-out space. These are typically in lieu of the real estate tax exemption that is the basis of the City's program."

Between 2007 and May 2012, more than $198 million was invested in projects awarded the LEED-CRA exemption – investments that may have never been made without the program.

Specifically:

Residential one-, two-, and three-unit projects represented an investment of $29.78 million, with an annual tax abatement savings of just over two million.
Multi-unit projects represented an investment of $109.67 million, with an annual tax abatement savings of $2.3 million.
Commercial/industrial projects represented an investment of $58.59 million, with an annual tax abatement savings of $1.23 million.

What the development community seeks, Jones said, is not only the cost savings of the abatement, but also leasing or owning a higher-performing building, a boost to its corporate image, and developing a property that can secure higher lease rates and resale value.

"The Great American Tower, United Way building, Cincinnati Zoo, and the University of Cincinnati are examples of these types of commercial projects," he said. "The primary issues for not moving forward with LEED certification are the administrative costs associated with filing projects and obtaining the final certification for both residential and commercial projects."

Bar being raised

February's Council motion hinted that perhaps LEED certification might be too easy to achieve. And it expressed concerns that all levels of certification – from basic LEED certification to LEED Platinum – receive the same tax exemption.

Jones said that, effective November 2012, each level of LEED certification will be much harder to achieve, further pushing toward net-zero carbon footprints for all buildings.

"In so doing, the bar is continually being raised for achievement of certification levels in line with the market drivers," he said. "If possible, ascertaining how a sampling of completed projects would have been rated under the new system will provide valuable information."

Jones has recommended no changes to the commercial/industrial requirements until revisions are made to the USGBC's LEED-ND (LEED for Neighborhood Development) guidelines, perhaps later this year.

For residential new construction, he recommends a tiered approach, ranging from a 12-year tax abatement for basic certification to 15-years for LEED Platinum. Abatement value caps would be set at $562,792 for all levels except for LEED Platinum, which would have no cap. There would be no changes for residential renovation.

The City's LEED-CRA ordinance is set to expire in 2017 and can be amended subject to review by the state.

Previous reading on BC:
Council approves CRA LEED tax exemptions in OTR, University Heights (5/11/12)
Incentives keep company in Cincinnati (8/10/10)
Empowerment Zone, CRA agreements promise 87 jobs, new medical offices (6/28/10)
LEED status in doubt, Fay developers get new CRA agreement (5/24/10)
CRA tax exemption approved for new Medpace HQ (12/2/09)

'Road diet' for Liberty Street pursued

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

By early June, a report is due to Cincinnati City Council on the feasibility of a "road diet" redesign of Liberty Street between Central Parkway and Sycamore Street.

At its May 9 meeting, councilmembers Chris Seelbach, Yvette Simpson, Wendell Young and Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls introduced a motion asking the City's Department of Transportation and Engineering to look into changes to the heavily-trafficked corridor that could restore its pedestrian character and make it more attractive for mixed-use, sustainable redevelopment.

In 1957, Liberty Street was widened to facilitate the rapid east-west movement of automobile traffic. To accomplish this task, dozens of buildings along the south side of the street were demolished, removing the street's once-dense and thriving urban fabric and effectively dividing the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in two.

To correct this problem, the 2011 Brewery District Master Plan proposed "complete streets" refinements to the roadway, such as lane reductions, bump outs, streetscaping, intersection redesign and retiming, widened sidewalks and bike lanes.

The new Liberty Street would accommodate five lanes for motor vehicles, two lanes for bicycles, and widened sidewalks. The outermost vehicle lanes would be used for parallel parking, and the center lane would be used for left turns.

Additionally, the master plan suggests that there are more than four acres of vacant or undeveloped land along the street. These parcels represent an opportunity to recreate streetscapes that address both Liberty Street and its intersecting north-south secondary streets.

Qualls has been the City's foremost proponent of local Complete Streets standards, first introducing the idea in a Council motion in August 2009.

Since then, complete streets, road diet concepts have been studied for Montana Avenue in Westwood, Madison Road in O'Bryonville/Hyde Park, Beechmont Avenue in Mount Washington, and William H Taft Road and E McMillan Street in Walnut Hills.

New City-wide street standards are expected to be finalized later this summer and will be added to the City's new form-based code and Plan Cincinnati comprehensive master plan.

Images courtesy of the 2011 Brewery District Master Plan.

Previous reading on BC:
Conversion of Taft and E McMillan should wait, report says (8/9/10)
Cincinnati seeking input on Madison Road 'complete streets' project (6/30/10)
Sixteen properties to be affected by Montana Avenue project (4/21/10)
Transit-oriented zoning to be before Cincinnati council by September (4/5/10)
Qualls motion asks for Complete Streets strategy (8/10/09)

Wrecking Cincinnati: 3573 Glenwood Pl

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Avondale
YEAR BUILT: 1900
USE: Two-family dwelling
OWNER: Terrence R. Dickey
ASSESSED VALUE: $61,260
HAZARD: January 2010, added siding pulling away from structure and evidence of foundation failure.
CONDEMNED: July 2009, for driveway retaining wall, rotted cornice, gutters and downspouts, litter and weeds. Criminal status.
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.
MAP

Quiet zones to be studied along heavy railroad corridor

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Cincinnati will study the possibility of instituting quiet zones for train horns in the residential areas along the CSX railroad lines between Spring Grove Village and Hartwell.

City Council approved and filed a report by the City's Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) suggesting a more focused study that would quantify the cost of implementation and the degree of coordination necessary with neighboring communities.

A December motion from councilmembers Laure Quinlivan, Chris Seelbach, Yvette Simpson, P.G. Sittenfeld and Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls had asked DOTE to explore the feasibility of implementing quiet zones at at-grade crossings in all Cincinnati neighborhoods.

Cincinnati has more than 40 public at-grade railroad crossings within the City limits. Lines owned by two companies – CSX and Norfolk Southern – have, by far, the highest volume of train traffic.

Federal action

Following a spike in train-vehicle collisions in Florida in the early 1990s, Congress mandated that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issue a federal regulation requiring the sounding of train horns at all at-grade railroad crossings, and to provide exceptions allowing local communities to establish quiet zones.

This federal Train Horn Rule became effective in June 2005. Under the rule, engineers are required to sound the horn for between 15 and 20 seconds in advance of all at-grade train crossings, except:

If the train is traveling faster than 45 miles per hour, the horn will not be sounded until the train is within ¼ mile of an at-grade crossing;
If the train stops near the at-grade crossing, it does not need to sound its horn when it begins moving again;
If there is a good faith "miss" of an at-grade crossing by the engineer, who was unable to estimate the train's arrival at an at-grade crossing.

Horns are limited to between 96 and 110 decibels and must be sounded until the lead car occupies the crossing.

Quiet zones are established through a partnership between the local government, the railroad, the state, and, finally, through FRA certification of improvements to the crossing such as lights and gates (required), medians, cross bucks, or stop signs.

The zones can be set for 24 hours or for the overnight period of 10 P.M. to 7 A.M., must be at least ½ mile in length, and must have at least one at-grade crossing.

Scope based on funding

The CSX line between Spring Grove Village and Hartwell affects the most residences and was selected for the small-scale study by rail consulting firm RL Banks and Associates due to a lack of funding sources. However, that's not to say that a wider-scaled quiet zone plan hasn't been considered.

"With limited City funding, these requests must be considered with all other rail-related projects that may be needed within the city, especially those that improve public safety," the DOTE report said. "These Quiet Zones are one of several railroad related improvements identified by DOTE in the City of Cincinnati Draft Railroad Improvement and Safety Plan (RISP). These include safety improvements, such as the upgrade of railroad preempted traffic signals; the installation of active warning devices where none currently exist; and modifications near the intersection of Madison and Kenwood at the railroad overpass (where there is substandard clearance of the roadway). They also include improvements to the rail network for economic development, with several of these identified in the OKI Freight Study."

If pursued, the effectiveness of the quiet zone will hinge upon reaching out to adjacent communities such as Elmwood Place, Lockland, St. Bernard, and Wyoming for support, the report said.

"There are many issues and potential projects associated with rail lines within the City of Cincinnati," the report said. "They include improvements that affect capacity, safety, economic vitality and regional competitiveness, and neighborhood livability. Funding is limited for all transportation projects, but particularly for those that do not improve public safety. Therefore, the City must be willing to dedicate capital funding to institute many roadway and rail initiatives that are desirable, but not meet the requirements for federal or state funding."

Cincinnati named Bicycle Friendly Community

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

For the first time in its history, the City of Cincinnati has been named a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

The bronze-level award recognizes the significant improvements made in the City's bicycle infrastructure and advocacy, following an extensive period of public outreach and engagement that resulted in 2010's comprehensive Bike Transportation Plan.

These improvements include the installation of sharrows on Madison Road, Spring Grove Avenue, and Central Parkway; the addition of bike lanes on Martin Luther King Drive, Dana Avenue, and Beechmont Avenue; the installation of more than 100 bicycle racks in neighborhood business districts; the addition of "corral"-style bicycle parking; bicycle-specific pavement markings at priority intersections, showing riders where to position themselves to trigger the green light; and improved signage for motorists reminding them to "Share the Road".

And the Cincinnati Bike Center, offering bicycle rentals, repairs, tours, and locker/shower facilities, opened at Smale Riverfront Park on May 6.

"We're honored to be included among America's most bicycle-friendly communities," said Michael Moore, director of the City's Department of Transportation and Engineering. "The award, as well as the bike share study, show the City's continued commitment and investment to making bicycling a viable transportation option for our residents."

That bike share study will examine the feasibility of making public bicycles available for rent, on demand, at fully-automated kiosks Downtown, in Over-the-Rhine, and in the Uptown neighborhoods.

Bike share programs typically consist of several bicycle rental kiosks, with 10-12 bicycles per kiosk, at convenient locations throughout the city. The kiosks accept credit card payment for rental. Bicycles can be returned at any kiosk location, and the rental cost is determined by the length of use.

Alta Bicycle Share, Inc., with assistance from Leadership Cincinnati, will conduct the study, which will identify possible locations for kiosks, the number of kiosks needed, and rental rates.

Alta Bicycle Share is the most experienced bike share company in the United States and has developed and launched systems in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC.

Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati Bike Center opens on riverfront (5/9/12)
E Mitchell to get bike lane this summer (4/9/12)
Bike lanes added to Dana Avenue (12/2/09)
Large turnout for bicycle planning open house (10/12/09)
Interactive OKI bike route guide now online (7/15/09)

Urban Conservator meets today to review historic status of 16 buildings

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin LeMaster) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The City of Cincinnati's Urban Conservator, Larry Harris, will hold a public hearing today at 2 P.M., Centennial Two, 805 Central Avenue, Suite 720, to determine the historic significance of 16 buildings that were declared a public nuisance last month and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.

All of the following buildings are more than 50 years old and subject to review under Section 1101-57.1(1) of the Cincinnati Municipal Code:

731 N Fred Shuttlesworth Cir, Avondale (Two-family, 1926)
338 Rockdale Ave, Avondale (Two-family, 1900)
1922 Clarion Ave, Evanston (Single-family, 1910)
5115 Kenwood Rd, Madisonville (Single-family, 1895)
1601 Baltimore Ave, North Fairmount (Two-family, 1870)
1646 Dauner Ave, Evanston (Multi-family, 1900)
1521 Gilpin Ave, Evanston (Multi-family, 1900)
4229 Kirby Ave, Northside (garage only)
1526 Chase Ave, Northside (Two-family, 1895)
1317 Chase Ave, Northside (Multi-family, 1900)
18 Mulberry St, Mount Auburn (garage only)
659 Delhi Ave, Sedamsville (Three-family, 1865)
2107 Vine St, Clifton Heights (Single-family, 1865)
1614 Brewster Ave, Evanston (Single-family, 1895)
2129 Staebler St, Lower Price Hill (Multi-family, 1900)
3610 Edwin Ave, East Price Hill (Single-family, 1897)

Anyone with pertinent information or evidence of any of these buildings' historic significance is encouraged to testify. A finding of historic significance can prevent a building from being demolished.

Previous reading on BC:
Urban Conservator meets today to review historic status of 14 buildings (4/16/12)
Public hearing today: Historic or not? (3/19/12)