Washington Park Band Stand
Over the Rhine
Diners at Lavomatic
The Art Academy of Cincinnati
Renovated Belmain Condo
Patrons at a local barbershop
New Retail Space
Refurbished Streetscapes
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OVER-THE-RHINE
Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is Cincinnati's oldest and most historic neighborhood, strategically located between the city's two biggest employment centers, the central business district and the Uptown medical and university community. 3CDC's redevelopment work in OTR is focused on 110 square blocks from Liberty Street on the north, Central Parkway on the south and west and Main street to the east.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is Cincinnati's oldest and most historic neighborhood, home to the country's largest collection, 943 buildings, of 19th century, Italianate architecture. Those buildings earned the entire 360 acre OTR neighborhood distinction in 1983 as an historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places.The neighborhood's name comes from German immigrants who built and settled there. Bridges over the Miami and Erie Canal separated the neighborhood from downtown Cincinnati, where many residents traveled everyday for work. In honor of their homeland, the area became known as Over-the-Rhine with the canal they crossed daily symbolizing the Rhine River in Germany.
Throughout the 19th century, especially the 1830's and 1840's, OTR became the port-of-entry for German immigrants. Residents spoke German, published German newspapers, worshipped in German churches, socialized in German beer halls, etc... By 1850, German immigrants reportedly made up 27% of Cincinnati's population with Irish-born immigrants following at 12%. Early residents built Music Hall, Washington Park and Findlay Market, important Cincinnati landmarks which remain today, as well as the beautiful Italianate housing stock that is still standing today.
The 20th century brought changes for OTR. During World War II, there was a backlash against the neighborhood's German roots and German street names and organizations were "Americanized." After the war, new people to the city trying to make a better life were attracted to OTR because of its affordable housing and opportunities for cheap labor. The neighborhood became a first stop for people looking for a new beginning in Cincinnati.
OTR IN THE 21ST CENTURY
By the beginning of the 21st century, OTR had become one of the most economically distressed areas in the country with a poverty rate of 58%, an unemployment rate of just over 25% and a median household, yearly income of less than $10,000. Despite its pivotal location directly between the city's two largest employment centers, the central business district and the Uptown medical and university community, OTR was becoming Cincinnati's urban center for crime, poverty and a large concentration of social service agencies.
The troubles in OTR spilled over to destabilize the surrounding communities, particularly the central business district. This unstable environment had prevented growth and investment in the city's core, which has in turn impacted the health of the entire region. In the absence of a major turnaround, the region was in danger of losing some of its largest employers.
CITY & CORPORATE COMMITMENT TO OTR
The turnaround is underway. In 2003, the City of Cincinnati and the City's corporate leaders made a joint commitment to jumpstart economic development in Cincinnati's urban core. Together they created the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC). A 110 square block area of OTR became a focus area for 3CDC's work. That area is bounded by Central Parkway to the south and west, Liberty Street to the north and Main Street to the east. When 3CDC started its work, there were 500 vacant buildings, 700 vacant lots and 1,667 vacant housing units in all of OTR. One of 3CDC's first steps was to invest $13 million to land bank more than 300 buildings and lots so they would not suffer from further deterioration before redevelopment could occur.
Beautiful, historic buildings are now being renovated and sold as market rate housing. New businesses are opening. The arts community, which includes the Ensemble Theatre, Know Theatre, Cincinnati Art Academy, Music Hall and the K-12 School for Creative & Performing Arts opening in August 2010, is thriving. This is happening because of a focused and concentrated effort on the neighborhood led by 3CDC, in conjunction with the City of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati corporate community.
Since 2004, 3CDC has invested nearly $108 million in OTR. That includes about $13.7 million in public money from the City. The rest of the funding is from the CEF and CNMF loan funds managed by 3CDC, State and Federal Historic Tax Credits and other private sources. These investments have or will result in:
- Restored or in process of restoring 60 historic buildings
- Development of eight new construction buildings and 59 vacant parcels
- 193 new and rehabbed home ownership condos
- 12 units for 28 students master leased to the Cincinnati Art Academy
- Approximately 47,000 SF of new and renovated commercial space
- 60-space public parking lot to serve the neighborhood business district
- Currently landbanking 96 buildings and 59 vacant parcels
- Streetscape Improvements
GATEWAY QUARTER
In an attempt to overcome negative perceptions associated with the neighborhood over the past several decades, 3CDC, along with the developers of the new and rehabbed buildings branded this section of OTR as the Gateway Quarter. As of May 2010, 65% percent of the 182 completed units in OTR Gateway Quarter are sold and 60% of the completed commercial space is leased.
The positive community impact of the Gateway Quarter on the neighborhood can be measured in many ways. The redevelopment in Over-the-Rhine is resulting in an increase in home ownership, the opening of new businesses to serve residents and attract visitors, the creation of construction and other job opportunities and a significant drop in crime.
Improved public safety has been one of the most important benefits to OTR. 3CDC undertook three main efforts in regard to public safety: purchase and secure abandoned property in the targeted area; purchase nuisance properties, particularly carry-out liquor stores; and redevelopment of the properties through mixed-use home ownership developments to bring stability to the neighborhood. Between 2004 and 2009, Part I crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft) dropped 51%. Less serious Part II crimes dropped 41%. Overall, crime between 2004 to 2009 in the Gateway Quarter is down nearly 48%.
The obvious benefit is the improved safety itself and the comfort that brings to all residents. Another benefit is making the neighborhood more attractive to business owners, which prior to 2004 had largely abandoned OTR as a potential business destination.
THE NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT
3CDC's work in OTR Gateway Quarter is unfolding in phases. Phase III, which will result in 107 of the 193 condo units referenced above, is nearing completion and Phase IV is underway. The first Phase IV project is happening in the 1400 block of Vine Street. Parvis Lofts on Vine will bring 32 market-rate apartments and nearly 15,000 SF of commercial space to the Gateway Quarter. Phase IV also includes renovation of historic buildings in the 1400 block of Race Street into office space, 32 for-sale units and 3,200 SF of commercial space. Those projects, Saengerhalle and Westfalen Lofts, are expected to begin construction in 2010.
Phase IV will also include a major mixed-use development that will cover four acres around Vine and Mercier streets. The current design calls for 132 rental units, 27 for-sale condos, a 225-space parking garage and commercial space. In addition, the renovation and expansion of Washington Park, six acres of public, green space in the heart of this urban landscape, will be a major undertaking as part of Phase IV that will bring enormous benefits to the entire neighborhood.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
3CDC's investment in the Gateway Quarter has transformed one of the highest crime areas in the entire metropolitan area into a place where people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds choose to live, work, shop and play. An OTR Work Group, led by Joe Pichler, retired chairman and CEO of the Kroger Co. and made up of more than 30 people representing various OTR stakeholder groups, meets with 3CDC on a quarterly basis. 3CDC staff members also serve on a wide variety of OTR committees. 3CDC's projects are guided by the OTR Comprehensive Plan adopted in June 2002 and contribute to the goal of creating a safe, vibrant, diverse, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood.
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