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 $27 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 public, 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 $162 million in OTR. That includes about $28 million in public support 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 74 historic buildings
- 186 new and rehabbed home ownership condos
- 12 units for 28 students master leased to the Cincinnati Art Academy
- 56 market-rate apartments
- Approximately 91,000 SF of new and renovated commercial space
- 60-space public parking lot to serve the neighborhood business district
- Streetscape improvements
- 450 space public parking garage located under Washington Park
- 8 acre civic green space
OVER-THE-RHINE DEVELOPMENT
As of September 2011, 81% percent of the 186 completed units in OTR are sold and 69% 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 2010, Part I crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft) dropped 54%. Less serious Part II crimes dropped 44%. Overall, crime between 2004 to 2010 in 3CDC's focus area is down nearly 51%.
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 Over-the-Rhine is unfolding in phases with Phase I-IV nearly complete.
The final piece includes Mercer Commons, a major mixed-use develoment that will cover more than two acres around Vine and Mercer streets. The current design calls for 134 rental units which 30 will be affordable units, 17,600 square feet of commercial space, a 340-space parking garage, and a 19-space surface parking lot.
In addition, the renovation and expansion of Washington Park, eight acres of civic green space in the heart of this urban landscape, is a major undertaking that will bring enormous benefits to the entire neighborhood.
The park will expand from six to eight acres. Nearly an acre will be dedicated to a state-of-the-art , interactive water feature and children's play area. The park plan also calls for retaining historic features, such as the bandstand, while adding performance stages, additional green space including a 49,000 square foot civic lawn (approximately the size of a football field) and a 450-space underground parking garage. Active event programming will also play a key role in the redevelopment.
Phase V will begin in Fall 2011, restoring over 100,000 square feet of gross space including 21 vacant buildings into 98 residential units and more than 8,500 square feet of street level commercial space.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
3CDC's investment in Over-the-Rhine 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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