This month, construction in North OTR hit a major milestone with the completion of Crossroad Health Center. Leaders from the City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), Crossroad Health Center, and other project partners and key stakeholders gathered at the end of April for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new 21,500-square-foot facility, a $14.6 million transformation of the former OTR Recreation Center. The new facility significantly expands Crossroad’s capacity to serve the community, increasing the number of exam rooms from 14 to 18 and allowing the organization to boost its annual patient capacity from 4,000 to 6,000. Additionally, as part of the redevelopment, the historic clock tower atop the building was restored and is now fully operational, with restoration work completed by The Verdin Company. To further improve accessibility, the project also yielded a 109-space parking lot, known as Findlay Lot, which will serve patients, staff, the future Findlay Community Hub, and the general public. Crossroad will begin serving patients at its new facility on Monday, May 4, with an open house to welcome the community on Thursday, May 14, from 4 – 7 p.m.

As work progresses at the Findlay Community Center site, planning also got underway for the space’s future operations, including the determination of its name: The Findlay Community Hub. Designed as a central gathering place for the OTR community, the Hub will play an important role in the continued revitalization of North OTR. In April, structural steel work moved into its final phases, with ongoing steel decking and detailing in the administrative areas, including the lobby and daycare spaces. Crews also began preparation for the slab-on-metal-deck, while progress continued on the existing building’s (1829 Vine Street) low-volume (LVL) roof joists. Fireproofing was completed in the gym and locker room areas, with crews performing fireproofing work in the roller rink. Interior wall framing is ongoing in the locker room areas. At the pool, interior painting is underway, while exterior brick installation continues on the southern portion. Roofing activities continued at the south mechanical roof and parapet areas, while exterior framing progressed along the gym’s east wall and roof. MEP rough-in and system installation continued to expand throughout the facility. Plumbing and mechanical ductwork installation progressed across the gym, cardio, and suspended running track areas. Electrical rough-in work continued in the pool and locker room areas, while site work at Goose Alley advanced with paver installation and underground conduit work. Stay in the know with the transformative redevelopment projects in North OTR by subscribing to receive monthly construction updates.

Throughout April, crews at the Convention Center Garage made visible progress on-site, with the new elevator tower nearing completion. Installation of perforated panels on the exterior of the tower got underway, along with pressure washing of the garage’s façade on Fourth Street. Inside the tower, the elevators and interior finishes are almost finished. Lastly, the driveway and sidewalk connecting the garage to Fifth Street are being poured. Stay in the know with everything happening in the Convention District by subscribing to receive biweekly construction updates.