Soapbox - Development News

Funds in place for Clifton plaza

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Funds are in place for a new public plaza along Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, and the Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) Plaza Committee is seeking ideas for the elements it will include.

The new plaza, to be built opposite Telford Street on the former site of Bender Optical, will serve as a connection between the business district with the Merchant's Lot.

Construction costs have been estimated at $300,000.

"The community set aside about $150,000 of funds appropriated for the sidewalk renovation for the plaza a couple of years ago," says Richard Druffel, chair of the committee. "Over the summer when it became clear that more funds were needed to build a plaza CTM lobbied City Council and received an additional $150,000 appropriation. These funds will come out of 2007 and 2008 budgets, not 2009."

In addition to being a gateway, the space must also be functional � and that's where resident input comes in.

"CTM has hosted one community meeting for plaza input already," Druffel says. "A second, open community meeting will be held, probably in February, to share preliminary design concepts with the community and to get input and feedback. Likely two or three plaza designs will be presented and then, based on the feedback, a final design will be developed following the community meeting."

KZF Design has been retained to help the committee design and manage construction of the plaza.

Druffel says that the ultimate goal of the project is to add to the charm of Ludlow Avenue.

"I am hopeful that the Plaza will be a big hit in our business district and improve the feel and flow of the district," he says. "Can you envision taking your coffee from Sitwell�s or your ice cream from Graeter�s and enjoying it outdoors in a greened up space?"

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Richard Druffel, chair, Clifton Town Meeting Plaza Committee
Photography by Scott Beseler

Port's Robb honored for minority enterprise advocacy

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Deborah Robb, director of economic inclusion for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, has received the Advocate of the Year award from the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (SCOMSDC).

Selected by the SCOMSDC Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee, Advocate of the Year winners are recognized for their voluntary efforts to advance minority businesses and to support and motivate their colleagues and minority business enterprises to participate in the SCOMSDC.

"We selected Deborah as our Advocate of the Year due to her tireless efforts at the Port Authority, where she works diligently to get minority business enterprises significantly involved in all Port projects, as well as non-Port projects, throughout the region," says Jenéa Norris Allen, president of the SCOMSDC.

In addition to her work at the Port, Robb chairs the SCOMSDC Cincinnati Local Advisory Committee and serves on the Certification Committee.

She also co-chaired the 2008 Construction Summit, led the Corporation Minority Business Enterprise Forum, and served on the SCOMSDC Gala Committee.

"I am honored to have been selected as the first recipient of SCOMSDC's Advocate of Year award," says Robb. "I feel privileged to have been given this recognition, and I will continue to collaborate with the SCOMSDC to foster and grow minority business enterprises (MBEs) in Greater Cincinnati."

Founded in 1999, SCOMSDC assists in developing mutually beneficial relationships between its over 140 corporate members and 400 certified MBEs from offices in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton.

This is the first year the council has given the award.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Anne Schmidlin, Vehr Communications
Photography provided by Vehr Communications

Recommendations for Mount Adams plan up for review

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On January 11 and 14 at the Holy Cross-Immaculata Church Parish Center, the Mount Adams Neighborhood Strategic Plan Steering Committee will give neighborhood residents and business owners the opportunity to voice their reactions to a draft master plan.

The Mount Adams Civic Association launched the initiative in September 2007 as a way address the growing pains the neighborhood has endured for years.

"The top issue and probably the most complicated is maintaining the great atmosphere in Mt. Adams and the character of the community," says David Brecount of the strategic planning team. "The reason it's difficult is that it's very challenging to define Mt. Adams. It's unique in Cincinnati and even the Midwest. It's urban, and quaint, and a hodgepodge of people, businesses, and architecture."

Following the last community planning meeting in June, Brecount says that all of the issues, ideas and priorities have been sorted into seven groups: community life, development and preservation, views and hillsides, business district, parking, clean and safe, and infrastructure and utilities.

"Within each we have highlighted the community input, articulated a vision and objectives, and recommended strategies and tasks for accomplishing the vision and objectives," he says.

Input also has been solicited through direct mail, flyers, e-mail, surveys, the project website, and one-on-one communications.

Brecount credits the city planning team with helping to move the process along.

"The plan is intended to be the beginning of our efforts in Mt. Adams," he says. "We hope the community to continue to add priorities to it over time and focus on accomplishing new goals. Our community will continue to change and we will need to respond in an organized and thoughtful way."

The committee hopes to have a working document to present to the City Planning Commission in March.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: David Brecount, strategic planning team, Mount Adams Neighborhood Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Photography by Scott Beseler

'Semi-bohemian posh' eatery taking shape in Bellevue

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Renovation of the Bellevue building that will house Virgils Cafe is on schedule, with a grand opening scheduled within the next few weeks.

The 2,550-square-foot building at 710 Fairfield Avenue, which once housed four tiny apartments and was considered the worst structure on the block, had to be rebuilt from the inside out.

Building owner and Bellevue Renaissance Committee chair Charles Cleves has already spent more than $300,000 on the rehabilitation.

"The entire front of this building came completely off," says Virgils proprietor and chef Matthew Buschle. "It's gone from being probably the biggest eyesore to one of the better buildings on the Avenue."

The space is divided into three distinct areas � one more upscale, one "German lodgey", and one a little bit crazy � a "semi-bohemian posh" style that Buschle says he's always wanted to do.

"There's a Virgil/Dante's Inferno theme where you've got heaven, purgatory, and hell," he says. "The color gets warmer as we get closer to the 'hell' that is the kitchen."

Buschle learned his culinary skills from the "school of hard knocks", having worked for such places as the Aurora Cafe, Allyn's Cafe, Bauer's Bistro, and, most recently, as a chef at Jack Quinn's.

His restaurant will offer a varied, seasonal casual gourmet menu.

"I'm never going to be a David Falk or a Jean-Robert," he says. "I think for a lot of people that stuff is pretty inaccessible. But, you can still present good local, fresh stuff."

Buschle says he saw a demand for more places that keep evening hours.

He also noticed the new developments in Bellevue, the proposed $800 million Manhattan Harbour project in neighboring Dayton, and the 12,700 cars that traverse Fairfield Avenue on a daily basis.

"This is something that this town needs," Buschle says. "This is a place that's a little bit more upscale, and a place where people who consider themselves locavores or that consider themselves foodies might find a little bit more of a home here."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Matthew Buschle, proprietor and chef, Virgils Cafe; Charles Cleves, chair, Bellevue Renaissance Committee
Photography by Scott Beseler

Vision 2015 releases master plan for Licking Greenway

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Vision 2015 has released a final report on a master plan for the development of a Licking River Greenway and Trails system between the I-275 bridge and the Ohio River.

Started in October 2007 and designed by the firms of Woolpert and Human Nature, the plan takes into account the various planning efforts, proposed development, cultural and historical resources, ecosystems and infrastructure throughout the river corridor and includes both an initial, achievable implementation phase as well as longer-term possibilities.

In addition to identifying several new park opportunities, the master plan maps a network of connective, regional trails; a water trail with new river access points and crossings; cultural and natural assets; and existing parks and green infrastructure.

The plan fits into Vision 2015's broader goal of creating more exciting, active places to live through revamping education, creating jobs, revitalizing the urban core, and promoting parks.

"Communities that have identified their natural resources and cultural assets, and have enhanced them, are going to be the ones that are economically competitive," says Pat Timm, civic engagement coordinator for the Licking River Greenway.

The corridor will eventually connect to the Little Miami Trail, through the proposed Riverfront Commons and the Ohio River Trail.

"That will make it not only a recreational amenity, but also a destination that will go from Northern Kentucky to Springfield, Ohio," Timm says.

Funding sources, which could include federal grants and private foundation funds, will be examined in greater detail as the implementation phase of the project progresses.

Timm believes that funding won't be difficult to find, especially with the Obama administration's focus on infrastructure and jobs.

"I believe it can be done," she says. "I believe that we in Northern Kentucky have the commitment to do it, and that the challenges of raising money are not really any different today than they have ever been."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Pat Timm, civic engagement coordinator, Licking River Greenway
Illustration provided

Green Corner to be new Kennedy Heights 'third place'

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A nondescript former gas station at the corner of Montgomery Road and Tyne Avenue will soon become the Green Corner Studios and Marketplace, Kennedy Heights' newest "third place".

Over the next six months, Richard Cooke plans to develop the building and surrounding grounds into working studio space for three artists, a Saturday farmers' market, and a community garden.

Once seized by police due to criminal activity and then held by a California speculator, the property finally became available to Cooke ten weeks ago.

"I'm very pleased to have to support of the community," he says.

Cooke says that the reuse of the structure is an important aspect of sustainability, and all work on the renovation will be done with the work of local craftsmen.

"I'm originally from the south coast of Wales," he says. "I grew up in an area where we had a strong preservation and heritage culture. With that comes a mentality of recycling and using existing materials."

Formerly on the board of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center (KHAC), Cooke looked at the success of the KHAC and District A and found a way to complement the surrounding arts endeavors without competing.

"I have a real liking for sculpture, and I would love to install sculpture on the property," he says. "The KHAC doesn't rent out to sculptors or metalworkers."

The courtyard will become a Saturday farmers' market, with space for 5-10 market stalls for local vendors to sell products like fruits, vegetables, honey and cheese.

The community educational garden will allow children and adults to learn horticultural techniques that they can then take home to beautify their own properties.

Cooke says that Green Corner will be funded through his own savings, donations from supporters, grants, and volunteer time.

"I feel a strong responsibility to our community and our environment," he says. "I've tried to address that with this project. The whole space is for the community, ultimately."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Richard Cooke, Green Corner Studios and Marketplace
Photography by Scott Beseler

Beehive's handcrafted products 'sexy, stylish, and sustainable'

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An Atlanta-based retailer has brought the "buy local" concept of handmade products from local designers to Pleasant Ridge.

Beehive Co-op, founded in 2004 by Petra Geiger, showcases "sexy, stylish, and sustainable" clothing, jewelry, and accessories made by local design talent from its space at 6099 Montgomery Road.

While designing her own line of handbags, Geiger noticed a lack of available outlets where independent designers could display and market their creations.

"I started Beehive because as a designer, I was frustrated at the lack of viable retail opportunities for my work, and met a lot of other designers who felt the same way," she says. "I wanted to create a beautiful, modern, dynamic retail space for their handcrafted pieces, and in the process give the community a desirable alternative to mass-produced goods."

The store rents space to local designers, who pay a low monthly rent in return for dedicated boutique space.

Each cooperative member also must work four hours per week in the boutique, keeping overhead low and giving aspiring entrepreneurs experience in growing their businesses.

"A lot of artists want to take their business to the next level, and sharing space with other artists who are entrepreneurial is great for knowledge sharing," Geiger says.

Additionally, Beehive presents a socially conscious shopping option.

"When you buy a handmade pendant or ceramic piece at Beehive, you get a chance to learn about the artist and form a connection that is personal and meaningful," Geiger says. "You also know that your dollars are supporting independent artists and the local economy. It's a totally different experience from the big box stores."

Geiger opened her second store in New York last summer; the Cincinnati store is her third.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Kate Powell, Beehive Co-op Cincinnati
Illustrations courtesy Beehive Co-op website

Plans for homeless services starting with blank slate

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Cincinnati/Hamilton County Continuum of Care for the Homeless (CoC) will host a community forum from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Health Foundation of Cincinnati to gather ideas regarding current shelter facilities and services for homeless individuals.

The "Homelessness to Homes" initiative is a response to a Cincinnati City Council ordinance seeking "to ensure that single homeless men and women will have access to shelter facilities that are appropriate, safe and that will provide comprehensive services necessary for homeless individuals to obtain and maintain housing", which passed unanimously on October 8.

Kevin Finn, executive director of CoC, says that even though the current system of providing shelter and services to homeless individuals is strong, it's not the system they would create from the ground up.

"The city has given us the opportunity to undertake a process through which we will use a blank slate approach to design a system that is ideal to meet the needs of Cincinnati�s population of homeless individuals, including identifying where and how additional resources could be used to most effectively to move people permanently out of homelessness, which is of course the goal," he says.

A steering committee has been assembled with representatives from public and private human service agencies, the faith community, and business leaders.

Comprehensive recommendations are due to be presented before Cincinnati's council by March 31.

Finn says that CoC has always believed that the planning of homeless services should be done in an open and inclusive community process, and citizens who register at the event will have up to two minutes to speak.

"Development of this new comprehensive plan is only just beginning, so people will not be able to ask questions about it, as it does not yet exist," Finn says. "However, I will be describing the job at hand as outlined in the ordinance, and anyone is welcome to come give input on what the plan should include."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Kevin Finn, executive director, Cincinnati/Hamilton County Continuum of Care, Inc.

Mount Airy Forest recommended for National Register

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board has recommended Mount Airy Forest for the National Register of Historic Places.

The recommendation now goes to state historic preservation officer Dr. William K. Laidlaw Jr., who may choose to forward it to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places for consideration.

A decision from the Keeper is expected within 90 days.

Mount Airy Forest, the largest park in Cincinnati's park system at just under 1,470 acres, was created in 1911 with the acquisition of 168-acres of depleted produce and dairy farms.

The majority of the park was developed during the Great Depression with federal funding and federal labor programs, including the Works Progress Administration, the Civil Works Administration, and the African-American Civilian Conservation Corps.

The nomination also recognizes the design of landscape architect George E. Kessler and state forester Edmund Secrest, the quality of construction of its rustic structures, and for the work of R. Carl Freund, the park board architect who designed 12 buildings in the park between 1930 and 1959.

Also at the meeting, the board approved the content of the "Historic Resources of the Cincinnati Park and Parkway System 1817-1959" study, which could become the basis for deciding which components of the City's parks and parkway system are eligible for National Register listing; and recommended the Charles C. Meade House in Loveland for the Ohio State Registry of Archaeological and Historic Landmarks.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Ohio Historic Preservation Office
Photography by Scott Beseler

Evanston NEP ends, College Hill and Madisonville next

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The City of Cincinnati and the community of Evanston are celebrating the successes of the Neighborhood Enhancement Program, a 90-day strategy to address quality of life issues in the neighborhood.

The targeted area, along Woodburn Avenue and Montgomery Road and between Dana and Lincoln avenues, was identified through an analysis of building code violations, vacant buildings, calls for police service, graffiti, junk autos, and litter and weeds.

Among some of the improvements:

Formed a partnership to shut down Perkins Lounge, long considered a public nuisance
Worked with the owners of the St. Leger Apartments to cut down on crime at the Five Points area
2 buildings demolished under abatement program, with 15 more under contract
1,000 building inspections by the Department of Buildings and Inspections
The replacement of over 1,100 faded traffic signs
500 building inspections by the Cincinnati Fire Department

Strategic partnerships between city departments, residents, businesses, and community organizations were formed during the program, which will continue to exist now that the NEP is over.

"The 90-day mark of this program is a check on the progress of the concentrated efforts which brought together all the parties of the neighborhood," says Cincinnati city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. "Evanston has quite a few initiatives that are ongoing, emphasizing the long term sustainability of this effort.

The city also announced that the neighborhoods of College Hill and Madisonville have been selected to participate in the NEP in 2009.

The NEP won three awards this year, including the 2008 National Program of the Year from Neighborhoods USA, the President's Award from the Ohio Conference of Community Development, and the Most Outstanding Collaborative Effort from the Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati.

The program is credited with reducing blight in participating neighborhoods by an average of 15 percent.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: City of Cincinnati

Map courtesy of City of Cincinnati

SHP Leading Design reflects on productive 2008

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Norwood-based SHP Leading Design (SHP) is celebrating several major accomplishments achieved during 2008.

Early this year, SHP was recognized for the redesign of its 22,000-square-foot office space, a state-of-the-art environment that has achieved LEED Gold certification.

The firm received three awards for the work, including Cincinnati Magazine's Interior Design Award and both an Interior Design Award and Local Favorite Award from the Cincinnati chapter of American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment.

In September, SHP and Cincinnati Public Schools celebrated the dedication of the new 75,000-square-foot Pleasant Ridge Montessori School, Ohio's first LEED-registered school.

SHP incorporated many sustainable elements into the design, including solar panels, orientation to natural light sources, and raised access flooring that contains the building's mechanicals.

These elements are expected to minimize the school's energy usage by 35 percent in the first year alone.

And for its work in professional development, SHP received the 2008-2011 Intern Development Program Firm Award.

In preparation for a big 2009, SHP's board has named Lauren Della Bella as the firm's president, effective January 1.

"I'm grateful to our diligent staff, as it is their hard work and dedication that helped make 2008 such a successful year for SHP," Della Bella says. "Despite the economic challenges, we are looking forward to making even greater strides in 2009."

Gerry Hammond, a 40-year veteran of SHP, will step down as president and CEO to become chairman of the board.

"With the new leadership in 2009, SHP can look forward to many more accomplishments," Hammond says. "I'm extremely confident in Lauren and the abilities of the leadership team and know they will continue to build the firm's legacy for success and growth by connecting people and communities."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Rachel Miller, HSR Business to Business LLC
Illustration from SHP website

Citizens Connect encourages regional thinking

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Citizens for Civic Renewal (CCR) continues its Citizens Connect series, an interactive community forum designed to connect citizens of Greater Cincinnati and engage them in creating solutions for our region.

The most recent forum, held at the First Unitarian Church in Avondale, addressed the issues of rebuilding our aging infrastructure in a sustainable manner and providing a truly regional transit system.

Eleven civic groups partnered to hold the forum, which featured SORTA CEO Marilyn Shazor as guest speaker.

CCR director Steve Johns says that participants found that the main issues that local transit faces include a lack of awareness of the benefits of transit, a lack of stable operating dollars, and the fact that our region spans multiple states.

Discussions from the breakout sessions led to an actionable plan.

"Our call to action was to reach out to elected officials at the federal state and local levels to indicate the importance of expanded transit for our region," Johns says. "This was specifically expressed by proposing that we email newly elected congressman Steve Driehaus, participate in ODOT's 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force survey and contact our local leaders. It was also suggested that we testify at OKI's December 3 public hearing on the regional transportation planning process."

CCR plans to continue the Citizens Connect series to explore more ways in which the region's many jurisdictions can collaborate and share resources.

"CCR invites partners based on the topic," Johns says. "The next topic is shared local government services - highlighting the City of Silverton who has a Joint Fire District with the City of Deer Park, contracts building inspections through Hamilton County and contracts income tax collection through RITA (Regional Income Tax Agency)."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Steve Johns, director, Citizens for Civic Renewal

Renovations begin on Dater Montessori community learning center

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Work has begun on the renovation of Dater Montessori School's original building at 2840 Boudinot Avenue in Westwood.

The school, which serves students in grades preschool through 6, will be fully renovated into a 165,636-square-foot school for 650 students, including an expanded car drop-off and pick-up area, an improved kindergarten playground, and a bicycle path.

A new security system, new mechanicals and energy-efficient windows will be installed, and the building is expected to pursue LEED Silver certification.

The Montessori community, parents, staff, and volunteers participated in the design phase, which took approximately six months.

The planning process started two years ago.

"Our learning environment is inspired by the Montessori approach," says Beth Schnell, who was named principal of the school in August. "Our natural environments are our classrooms and the school yard itself will become a part of our curriculum, including our national award winning nature center and our Community Learning Center (CLC), which plans to focus on health and wellness for ourselves, our community and our environment."

The school will also include extended learning areas (ELAs), a feature included in many of Cincinnati Public Schools' new builds and renovations.

"The ELA is an open classroom area equipped with a presentation stage, independent computer stations, and a few tables for small group learning," Schnell says. "This allows our teaching teams to present works to more than one class or large group project presentations."

Construction is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2010.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: C. Robin Brandon, project coordinator, Cincinnati Public Schools; Beth Schnell, principal, Dater Montessori School
Rendering provided by CPS

Emersion Design emerging

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A relative newcomer to the architecture and design field, Norwood�s Emersion Design has been recognized with three awards for its work in sustainable design at the 2008 Cincinnati Design Awards.

Perhaps the most exciting is the IIDA Honor Award for Built Work, recognizing their 1,700-square-foot collaborative workspace currently under review by the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED for Commercial Interiors Platinum certification.

Chad Edwards, architect and urban designer, says that only two other firms in the country have headquarters certified LEED Platinum (New York and Seattle), and no other architecture and engineering firm in the nation has achieved it.

The building is situated in a walkable neighborhood and uses lumber mill waste, bamboo, and glass walls reclaimed from a job at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Indiana.

Emersion even has its own on-site worm farm.

"We selected the building for financial reasons, but also because it fit into the structure of LEED and what it tries to do," Edwards says.

The entire construction project produced just 12 pounds of waste.

"This is our home, and the CDA recognized that," says Nikki Marksberry, who heads business development. "It's very exciting for us to design the same space in which we spend so much time. It's really a treat."

In just 16 months, Emersion has expanded from four principals to 18 full-time employees.

The firm has also reached 165 percent of its 2008 sales goal, or approximately what they were hoping to achieve in 2009.

"It was very humbling on awards night," Edwards says. "It was our first year of submissions for the awards, and we won the most.�

The other awards included AIA Honorable Mentions for Architectural Advancement for Greening Over-the-Rhine, a study conducted by several groups that showed that LEED and historic preservation standards and tax incentives can be applied to the historic neighborhood; and for a LE3D Social Sustainability Rating System that will be integrated into the next generation of LEED standards.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Chad Edwards, architectural/urban designer, Emersion Design; Nikki Marksberry, business development, Emersion Design
Photograph provided by Emersion Design

Gig Pig Music a new option for local musicians

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Gig Pig Music opened on December 4 at 23 E Court Street, Downtown.

The storefront grew from the home-based business of Bre, the former guitarist and vocalist for Crankbox, who had been selling music instruments on E-Bay and through trade magazines.

In addition to being an authorized dealer of instruments, she also sells buyouts, niche and custom instruments.

Because of this, the inventory changes out quite often � for example, a '65 Ludwig Black Diamond drum kit is prominently displayed.

"We have stuff here that I don't think anyone else can get," Bre says. "But on the same products [as the larger chain music dealers], we're cheaper."

Bre also sells Elixir and Martin strings, a big plus for the bar bands and other musicians in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

"If you're going to move Downtown or to Over-the-Rhine and live the lifestyle, why should you have to drive 25 miles to get the best quality strings?" she says. "Or to have custom work done? I can do crazy custom work."

Although the store is geared toward the practicing musician, Bre says that Gig Pig Music is offering starter packages with a guitar, amp, and lessons for only $150.

Gig Pig Music is operating under winter hours of noon to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, and they plan on staying open later during the spring and summer months.

Saturday and Sunday hours are by appointment only.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Bre, partner, Gig Pig Music

KZF returning to its roots

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

KZF Design Inc. has announced plans to renovate two connected structures at 700 Broadway for its new headquarters.

The $6 million project on the 36,000-square-foot space is pursuing LEED Silver certification, and is expected to be completed by summer 2009.

Architectural plans are still being developed, as are details on the sustainable features.

Tim Sharp, vice president of KZF Design, says that the move Downtown is a return to the firm's roots.

"We have a long history with the Downtown area, beginning with our company's first Downtown offices being located in the Ingalls Building on Fourth Street back in 1956," he says. "Downtown Cincinnati is important to KZF, and when the opportunity arose to purchase and renovate 700 Broadway, KZF Design couldn't pass up the chance to continue our investment in Downtown Cincinnati."

As an architecture and design firm, the renovated building will show off KZF's abilities to potential clients.

"An added benefit is the opportunity for KZF Design to reuse an existing building and be able to showcase the beneficial aspects of a sustainable workplace to our clients and the Downtown community," Sharp says.

Continuing growth led to the need for a new building, which will give the firm 30 percent more space than they currently have at the Baldwin Building in Walnut Hills.

"KZF Design is very diversified with deep expertise in multiple markets, which makes it adept at growing and prospering regardless of changes in the economy," says president and CEO William H. Wilson III in a media release. "We are involved in a number of joint ventures and consulting arrangements and have projects in many states. All of this keeps our business growing."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Tim Sharp, vice president, KZF Design
Photography by Scott Beseler

Huff realtor recognized as Good Neighbor

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rebecca Weber, a realtor with HUFF Realty's Fort Mitchell office, has received the Good Neighbor Award from the Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors (NKAR).

The award, presented at the NKAR's annual awards dinner, recognizes real estate professionals who have made a commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities.

Weber was chosen for her contributions to several committees and real estate development projects in Covington, where she is active in promoting the revival of urban neighborhoods, encouraging the economic development and revitalization of "Main Street" businesses, and working to insure historic preservation and conservation of endangered buildings and homes.

She plays an integral part in Covington's strategic planning process, serving on the Transportation and Home Ownership committees, the Brent Spence Bridge Advisory Committee and Renaissance Covington, in addition to Residents of Mainstrasse Association.

Weber also supports the Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington � where she is a past Board member � assisting them with housing initiatives aimed at helping families grow and thrive in the city.

"Rebecca's endless energy and personal commitment to the City of Covington is incredible," says Joy Amann, manager of HUFF's Fort Mitchell office. "She is an advocate of the highest order, dedicated to community organizations that improve the quality of life for Covington's residents."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Deanna Hengge, director of marketing, Huff Realty
Photography provided by Rebecca Weber

Bradford Place model will let homebuyers explore

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Within the next week, Riverstone Development Group will open its model residence at Bradford Place in Madeira.

Located off of Euclid Avenue and within a short walk of the city�s business district, the project will consist of 26 Cape Cod-inspired luxury townhomes ranging from between 2,800 and 4,000 square feet.

Jonathan Nielsen, partner and director of sales and communications for the developer, says that having a model open will make it easier for them to sell units.

"Purchasing a new home is always a big decision," he says. "We anticipate that many of our buyers will be moving to Bradford Place from larger, single-family residences. As such, purchasing a townhome may be more than just a move � it will be a change in lifestyle. We believe that there is no better way of showcasing these beautiful townhomes, and the maintenance-free lifestyle of Bradford Place, than by providing our clients with a fully-furnished and decorated model for them to explore."

Infrastructure work at the site is expected to wrap up within the next few weeks, and Nielsen says that sales will dictate the pace of construction.

"We've pre-sold three residences and our sales traffic is strong," he says. "The current housing market is affecting every sector of the housing industry, but we're fortunate in that we're offering a limited supply of a highly-desired housing product. And we've got a phenomenal location."

So far, feedback on the development has been nothing but positive.

"The City of Madeira has been wonderful to work with, and the project has been very well-received," Nielsen says. "Our prospective buyers are consistently excited by the idea of luxury townhome living, in a quaint and convenient location."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Jonathan Nielsen, director of sales and communications, Riverstone Development Group
Photo courtesy of Bradford Place website

Lockland breaks ground on new homeownership opportunities

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cincinnati Housing Partners (CHP) has broken ground on phase two of the Lockland Revitalization Project at the corner of Elm and Mulberry streets.

Of the eight new homes, six will be built in the two-story "Lydia" style, while two of the homes will be traditional ranches, also known as the "Lorraine" style.

The homes will sell for around $135,000, providing affordable housing that helps stabilize the neighborhood.

Early last month, the dedication of Mayor Jim Brown Park, on Elm Street land that had once contained blighted, crime-ridden housing, helped set that tone of stability.

"This is one of those projects that people get into public service for," says Village of Lockland administrator David Krings. "Every small step we've taken is one step for a better community. You can see just by walking around Lockland how it really is a community on a rebound."

To aid the project, CHP received a $450,000 Ohio Housing Finance Agency grant and financial assistance from the Hamilton County Department of Community Development and National City Bank.

"With FHL bank loans and a soft second mortgage from Hamilton County, it's conceiveable that a homebuyer's mortgage could be between $75,000 and $80,000," says Bonnie Blankenship, president and CEO of CHP. "The subsidy is key to our houses moving as quickly as they do. And we're building the best quality home that can be provided - homes that we would want to live in ourselves."

Since 1999, Cincinnati Housing Partners has built 20 houses in Lockland.

CHP is also working on housing initiatives in St. Bernard, North College Hill, and in its home neighborhood of Carthage.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Bonnie Blankenship, president and CEO, Cincinnati Housing Partners
Photography provided by CHP

Neyer Properties to dedicate new Class A offices in Kenwood

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A ribbon-cutting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 10 AM for Kenwood Crossings II, a new Class A medical office building just west of Kenwood and Galbraith roads in Sycamore Township.

Speakers will include Dan Neyer, president of project developer Neyer Properties, and Tom Weidman, president of the Sycamore Township board of trustees.

Developed for $5.5 million, the 31,600-square-foot building is already 67 percent leased.

Tenants can buy or lease the office condominiums in sizes as small as 1,500 square feet, making them attractive for small business owners.

Building on Dan Neyer's June pledge to go green in all future Class A office projects, development project manager and LEED AP Jeff Chamot says that Kenwood Crossings II incorporates many of the same sustainable design features as other Neyer Properties projects, such as Keystone Parke and Red Bank Crossing II.

Some of these features include a reflective roof, low water-usage plumbing, high-efficiency glazed windows, and all-fluorescent lighting.

Energy usage in the building is estimated to be reduced by 25 percent.

Kenwood Crossings I was completed in 2005 and is 100 percent leased to medical office tenants.

Neyer Properties plans to break ground on Kenwood Crossings III, a $7 million project consisting of 40,000 square feet of Class A medical office space, in mid-2009.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Melinda Zemper, Oak Tree Communications, LLC
Rendering provided by Neyer Properties

Honoring King Records includes future, past

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Local music institution King Records was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a ceremony and historical marker unveiling in front of its former headquarters at 1540 Brewster Avenue in Evanston.

Launched by Syd Nathan in 1943 as a country label, King eventually got in on the ground floor of the burgeoning rhythm and blues market.

The company soon grew into the nation's sixth-largest label, and was ahead of its time in putting African Americans into positions of leadership in recording, pressing, designing, warehousing and shipping � all of which was done on site.

Following last summer's display of King Records: A Cincinnati Legacy, a collection of King Records artifacts and memorabilia exhibited at the Main Library, Evanston Community Council president Anzora Adkins and Liz Blume, director of the Community Building Institute, discussed the idea of starting a museum.

A site on Montgomery Road, near the Flavor of Arts Studio, was chosen as a more feasible location than the old building, which is landlocked and privately owned.

Designed by SHP Leading Design, the new building will combine the arts education programming of Flavor of Arts with a memorial space that can be used by the community and a recording studio that will provide apprenticeship opportunities to neighborhood youth.

Cincinnati city councilmember John Cranley helped lead the effort to recognize King Records.

Cranley says that the new marker, and the words upon it, validate the company's importance to national music history.

"It is a great tragedy that most Cincinnatians don't know about the great history that happened here," he says. "That has to change. We're going to honor our history."

At last week's council meeting, a motion was adopted directing the Cincinnati Historic Preservation Office to execute a local designation landmark study on the old company property, which could eventually make it a local historic landmark and protect it from demolition.

"Our work will not be complete until we get this building back," Cranley says. "This building is holy, sacred ground."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Xavier University
Photography by Scott Beseler

Port critical in financing for Great American Tower

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The board of directors of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority approved bonds for what will be Cincinnati's tallest skyscraper, the Great American Tower at Queen City Square.

Bonds for the project have been financed and refinanced to include both the new building and 303 Broadway � the project's first phase � with a maximum authorized principal amount of $64 million in tax increment financing (TIF) revenue bonds and $259 million in lease revenue bonds.

The City of Cincinnati will add $3.75 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades and site improvements.

The financing plan is a public/private partnership between the Port, the city, and developer Eagle Realty Group, an affiliate of Western & Southern Financial Group.

"There is no question that our involvement with the historic Great American Tower at Queen City Square project raises the profile of the Port Authority," says Kim Satzger, president of the Port. "This project is a great example of just what an Ohio port authority can do to make an impact. But, it�s not about the Port Authority. It is about using the unique financing tools available to Ohio port authorities to forge the public-private partnerships that are needed to grow our regional economy."

Satzger says that the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County recently agreed to expand the Port Authority�s power and authority, giving it a greater ability to impact on our regional economy.

"So long as we have the capacity to meet the demand in our community, the Port Authority can make a very real difference, but only in collaboration with other communities and companies," she says.

The 41-story Great American Tower will include an 11-story, 1,700-space parking garage, 800,000 square feet of office space, and a 25,000-square-foot promenade and retail arcade.

Occupancy is scheduled for early 2011.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Kim Satzger, president, Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority; Nick Vehr, president, Vehr Communications; Emily Carpenter-Pulskamp, senior media relations specialist, Eagle Realty Group
Photography by Scott Beseler

Vine Street, Riverside Drive improvements dedicated

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Columbia Square retail spaces dedicated

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

City of Cincinnati staff, representatives of developer Al Neyer, Inc., and Columbia Tusculum residents and community council members celebrated completion of the $10 million retail district of Columbia Square with a ribbon-cutting last Thursday.

The ceremony was held at One Columbia Square, a 48,000-square-foot office and restaurant building at Columbia Parkway and Delta Avenue that opened over the summer.

"This is a very important project to us, and obviously important to the community and important to the city," says Jim Neyer, vice president of real estate development for Al Neyer, Inc. "This is truly community development. The community has been invested in this project for more than ten years, and they had the vision to take an underperforming urban property and transform it into the center of the community."

One of the two new retail buildings will house Anytime Fitness, a 4,000-square-foot, 24-hour fitness facility.

Bruegger's Bagels, which will occupy one of two retail outlots, will begin construction within the next several weeks.

And Interiors by Kurtinitis, which has been a Columbia Parkway fixture for 65 years, has finished an expansion that now gives them 10,000 square feet of showroom space.

Arlene Golembiewski, president of the Columbia Tusculum Community Council, says that the visioning process for the site has been going on for more like twenty years.

"Some things take a long time," she says. "But good things are worth waiting for."

At buildout, the $19 million Columbia Square will include One Columbia Square, three multi-tenant retail buildings totalling 25,000 square feet, and an additional single-tenant building that could house a bank or a restaurant.

Golembiewski hopes that Columbia Square is just the beginning of bringing back the access to goods and services that once existed along Columbia Parkway, between Delta and Stanley avenues.

"A healthy business district is vital to everything we do in the community," she says.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Jim Neyer, vice president of real estate development, Al Neyer, Inc.; Arlene Golembiewski, president, Columbia Tusculum Community Council
Photography by Kevin LeMaster

CPA honors excellence in education, renovation

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over 100 members and guests were in attendance as the Cincinnati Preservation Association presented its 2008 Preservation Awards at its annual meeting on November 9.

Chuck Lohre and Janet Groeber of Clifton were honored with the CPA Education Award for sharing their Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian home, the Boulter House, and for raising awareness of preserving Cincinnati's Modern architecture legacy.

Lohre is also a co-founder and co-chair of Cincinnati Form Follows Function (cf3), a non-profit Modern design forum.

Winners of the Rehabilitation Awards included:

Bishop's Place, Clifton: A Chateauesque-style house completely restored. Ken Hughes of Decorative Restorations, Steve Lichtenberg of Lichtenberg Landscaping, Jason Reinhold of Land & Stone, and Kimball Derrick.
Cincinnati Observatory Center, Mount Lookout: The completion of an eight-year restoration of the National Historic Landmark. Craig Niemi of the Cincinnati Observatory Center and Gus Thierry of ICS Construction.
Dillon House, Madeira: A mid-century Modern house that was saved from the teardown trend and restored.
Vernon's Corner, Over-the-Rhine: A five-year renovation project that has resulted in new apartments and an art gallery. Vernon Rader and Mark Bernhardt, Don Beck of Beck Architecture, and Mark Brunner.
Verona Historic Residences, Walnut Hills: Renovation of historic apartment house into 76 luxury condominiums. Ed Horgan of Campus Management and Denis L. Back of Denis L. Back & Associaties.

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, a special Design Excellence Award was presented to architect Natalie de Blois.

As the lead designer of the Terrace Plaza Hotel, widely considered Cincinnati's greatest mid-century Modern building, de Blois was recognized for her significant contribution to design during a time of blatant discrimination against women architects.

De Blois was involved in approximately 48 projects at the firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, designing such notable structures as New York City's Union Carbide and Pepsi Cola buildings, the Connecticut General Life Insurance Building in Bloomfield Hills, CT, and a Hilton Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Margo Warminski, preservation director, Cincinnati Preservation Association

Research gives insights, recommendations for Norwood housing

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Community Building Institute and Property Advisors, in conjunction with the City of Norwood, presented preliminary findings on housing research conducted over the past several months during a public presentation last Thursday evening.

To put together the Norwood Housing Survey (PDF), the team performed a physical conditions survey of the city's housing stock; conducted interviews with residents, realtors and business owners on the state of the housing market; and completed market research on the city's property values, foreclosures, and sales activity.

Among some of the findings:

Norwood had 845 home transfers from April 2005-March 2008, 30 percent below the metro-wide expectations of housing supply and demand
The housing stock is solid east of Montgomery Road, but 50 percent of all buildings rated as "poor" are located west of Montgomery Road and south of the Norwood Lateral
Residents are generally enthusiastic about the housing market
The building approval process hampers renovation
Building and zoning codes need to be enforced consistently
Changing Norwood's image is important

"Norwood has a solid housing market, but with less turnover than a lot of places," says Keith Moore, who serves Ward One on Norwood City Council. "Largely, that's because people really like living here. It's kind of insulated from the broader market, which means that we haven't seen the same increase in value as some places over the last few years, but also that we're not being hit as hard as those places on empty properties or declines in selling prices now."

Because of these findings, recommendations include boosting the city's image, capitalizing on the city's location and sustainability, creating financing and real estate incentives for new homebuyers, streamlining the building and permitting processes, and developing new infill housing.

"The goals from here are, I think, in three main areas," Moore says. "First, to improve the physical condition of Norwood housing, although the problem isn't nearly as widespread as many think. Second, to attract more people buying a house to live in rather than to rent out. Third, to find better ways to communicate with residents, whether through email, the internet, newsletters, or something else."

A detailed set of recommendations, which will include community feedback, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Keith Moore, Ward One, Norwood City Council; Norwood Housing Strategy

Owl's Nest master plan coming to fruition

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With the delivery of thousands of cubic yards of fill dirt to the site, work officially has started on the first phase of the Owl's Nest Park renovation in Evanston and East Walnut Hills.

The dirt, which is coming from the Hoff Academic Quad construction site at Xavier University, will bring the former ball field area up to the level of Fairfax Avenue.

The site will continue to be filled for the next several weeks, and bids for the first phase of construction will go out in the next few weeks.

The Cincinnati Park Board, the Owl's Nest Advisory Council, and neighboring community councils worked together to develop the park's master plan.

Steven Schuckman, superintendent of planning and design for Cincinnati Parks, says that the plans for this park fit into a much larger design.

"This fits exactly within the new Centennial Master Plan, which calls for improving neighborhood parks and in making improvements which help act as a catalyst for neighborhood investment," he says.

The master plan for Owl's Nest includes:

An entrance plaza at Fairfax Avenue
A nature study area and amphitheatre
A continuous pathway system
New lighting
Improved picnic and seating areas
Renovation of the ball fields
New half-court basketball areas

"Owl's Nest is an important neighborhood park in that it serves both the East Walnut Hills and Evanston communities as well as an adjacent business district," Schuckman says. "At over 10 acres, it's a valuable neighborhood resource and a gathering place to bring together these different neighborhoods in an enhanced park."

Funding for the project is coming from the Park Board, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, and private donors.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Steven Schuckman, superintendent of planning and design, Cincinnati Parks

Photography by Kevin LeMaster

Cincinnati issues request for streetcar builder, operator

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The City of Cincinnati has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to design, build, operate, and maintain its $150 million streetcar project.

Applicants will be required to help plan the project�s second phase � an Uptown collector loop, and to demonstrate the capacity to fill a $91 million funding gap through private and public sources.

RFQ applications are due by December 18, and consultants will give presentations to the city between January 5-9, 2009.

By January 30, a short list will be chosen by a selection committee made up of representatives from the city departments and offices of Transportation and Engineering, Finance, Budget, Economic Development, City Manager, Community Development, and City Planning.

In the meantime, Cincinnati officials continue to do their homework on the financing and construction of modern streetcar systems.

On Friday, city manager Milton Dohoney led a delegation of city officials and business leaders to Portland, Oregon.

The Cincinnatian's Tour of the Portland Streetcar included a visit to that city's Pearl District, a meeting with the Portland Development Commission, and a look at the ins and outs of streetcar construction.

The group also viewed the streetcar�s economic impact firsthand on a streetcar tour with the city's debt manager, and met with Oregon congressman Earl Blumenauer, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and an advocate for transportation choice and livable communities.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Tiffaney Hardy, City of Cincinnati

Limited-edition Rookwood tiles support OTRCH mission

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH) is offering a limited-edition Rookwood art tile as part of the organization�s fundraising initiative.

Only 200 tiles were produced, and over half of the $150 tiles have been sold.

Sarah Allan, project manager for OTRCH, says they originally came up with the fundraising idea last year.

"This type of fundraising activity is new for us," she says. "We typically don't offer a product, but with Rookwood moving to OTR in the near future, we thought it would be appropriate to collaborate with them."

Designed by nationally-known local artist Terri Kern, the 8-by-8 tile tells the story of how OTRCH impacts the community one person at a time.

Each image represents a characteristic or philosophy of the organization, including diversity, compassion, and commitment.

"Rookwood gave us a very good deal to produce the tiles and we were privileged to have Terri Kern as the artist of the tile," Allan says. "And we thought that it would be an incentive for donors to give a little more if they got something in return."

The tiles, which are tax-deductible, can be purchased in Over-the-Rhine at Park + Vine, MiCA 12/v, and Urban Eden; at Indigenous in O'Bryonville, or through the OTRCH website.

"This type of fundraising is important for our bottom line because it is unrestricted funding, which means we can use it to fill gaps in our budget where there isn�t funding readily available," Allan says. "For example, helping to write down the cost of a home so that it can be affordable to a first time low-income buyer, or helping to add air conditioning to an old five-story building that houses elderly folks."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Sarah Allan, project manager, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing

Green building group tours Ohio's first LEED Gold home

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Last week, local LEED AP Chuck Lohre of the local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council led a group of green building professionals and enthusiasts through Ohio's first LEED Gold home at the Vintage Club of Montgomery.

A partnership between Cincinnati Magazine and Great Traditions Homes, the "Stonehaven" concept home at 202 Legacy Lane was built to explore new ideas and trends in building, including sustainability.

The 7,000-square-foot, $1.5 million house comes with all of the amenities one would expect in an upscale build - a courtyard fireplace, a second-floor guest suite, a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen, and a finished lower level.

But to achieve LEED certification, it also features:

Walkability, with mixed-use components planned in future phases
Porous pavement and native landscaping
Low-flow plumbing fixtures
Energy Star windows, appliances, and mechanicals
Geothermal HVAC system
Renewable and recyclable resources such as cork flooring and Antron nylon carpeting
Low-VOC paint

At buildout, the Vintage Club of Montgomery is envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood of over 200 residential units and 150,000 square feet of commercial space arranged around a village green.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Photography by Kevin LeMaster