Parking Minimums Could Torpedo an Adaptive Reuse Project in Cincinnati

"An Over-the-Rhine development has hit a potential challenge after a 3-3 vote at last month’s Historic Conservation Board meeting," reports John Yung.

The development in question would convert the historic Strietmann Biscuit Company building into a 88,000-square-foot office building. The challenge: the developers "must now request a zone change since it does not meeting the city’s mandatory minimum parking requirements," according to Yung.

The implications of the example are strange, indeed. According to Yung, "the vote from the Historic Conservation Board actually threatens the historic nature of the building and the surrounding neighborhood, as providing the parking being requested would necessitate that a portion of the building be converted to parking, or a nearby historic structure be demolished to make room for a parking structure."

Yung provides more details on the development proposal, noting that it is ripe for a more progressive approach to parking minimums: "the 126-year-old structure is located within a short walk to numerous Red Bike and Cincinnati Streetcar stations; and the location’s Walk Score is 94 out of 100 points."

Hat tip t Angie Schmitt for sharing the story.