Rebirth Of Cincinnati's Historic Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood

26 August 2007 - 7:00am

Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is seeing levels of investment and activity that haven't been seen there for many, many years. The largest collection of Italianate architecture in the U.S. is finally starting to see new life.

"Since the first of June, the eclectic home accessories store Metronation and urban gardening center City Roots have opened in the 1100 block of Vine Street just north of Central Parkway and a stone's throw from the Kroger Co. corporate headquarters a half-block south."

"Other stores - including the contemporary furniture store Lucky Step - will be opening soon. A restaurant with rooftop dining from Jean-Robert de Cavel may be not far behind this fall."

"Equal parts 19th-century historic and 21st-century contemporary, new condominiums have owners filling them with accessories and furniture, which is driving most of the shopping here."

"The goal, she said, is to bring 25,000 square feet of retail space to the area each year for the next four years, as well as 100 new condominiums annually."

Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer, August 24, 2007
Bookmark and Share
The areas where we have severe blight and indications of more blight to come are basically the same as they ever were. How in the world are we ever going to move our community development selves into an alternative future that thinks differently about the challenges we face in our cities and low-income suburban and rural communities?