Unique Partnership Crucial to Cincinnati Neighborhood's Renaissance

Craig Chester describes the "unique partnership" between city leaders, local corporations and private developers that has helped transform Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood into "one of America’s greatest smart growth success stories."

2 minute read

February 7, 2013, 5:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


While Over-The-Rhine's (OTR) transformation from impoverished former industrial hub to thriving locus of redevelopment may be a common storyline among America’s urban neighborhoods, the partnership that helped spur the area's turnaround is quite unique, says Chester. 

Despite decades of disinvestment and population loss, "Redevelopment visionaries saw the potential for revitalizing the neighborhood based around the existing historic buildings and the increasing demand for walkable urban neighborhoods close to job centers and entertainment," explains Chester. "The only thing missing was the organization and financial infrastructure on the ground to make it happen."

"That changed in 2003 with the founding of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), a uniquely structured non-profit development corporation that works in close collaboration with both public officials and major area employers including Kroger, Procter & Gamble and PNC Bank, among others. All the parties share a collective vision for a safe, vibrant, economically resilient OTR neighborhood as a catalyst for civic improvement in downtown Cincinnati."

"What sets 3CDC apart from traditional developers are the unique financing mechanisms available due to the close collaboration with corporate leaders and local officials."

"Since 2004, 3CDC has invested over $255 million in the OTR neighborhood. That includes about $64 million in public support from the City of Cincinnati, which aids in ‘gap financing’ of loans for development. According to 3CDC, these projects have:

  • Restored or in process of restoring 107 historic buildings
  • Developed or in process of developing 496 new and rehabbed residential units
  • Developed or in process of developing approximately 127,000 SF of new and renovated commercial space
  • Developed or in process of developing 869 public parking spaces in lots and garages
  • Improved streetscapes
  • Created an eight acre civic green space"

 

Monday, February 4, 2013 in Smart Growth America

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2 - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

May 2 - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

May 2 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO