Donations being sought to save 1500 Vine Street

Over-the-Rhine Foundation member Danny Klingler has pledged his economic stimulus rebate check to save 1500 Vine Street from demolition, and he’s looking for 20 more people to do the same.

Klingler has set up a page at PledgeBank to raise money to stabilize the five-story structure, making it possible for someone to purchase the building and restore it.

He has also set up a page for smaller donations, promising to give $1,000 of his own money if he can find 1,000 people to donate at least $10.

“Historic rehabilitation projects have been shown to have a greater economic impact than new construction, so your donation will truly provide an economic stimulus,” he writes.

1500 Vine Street, known as the Meiners Building or Meiners Flats, has been surrounded by City barricades since March.

A roof collapse, combined with bricks and pieces of cornice falling to the sidewalk below, have forced the City to order an emergency demolition.

Built in the 19th century by the Meiner family to advertise their skills as stonemasons, the building has sat vacant for over 20 years.

With only a 10 day window for action, the deadline for pledges has been set for April 23.

Jim Tarbell is heading up the effort to save the building, and Klingler says that additional funding is in the works.

No estimates have been released on the costs of shoring up the building.

“Its removal would leave a gaping hole at the northern end of Vine at a time when reinvestment is fast approaching from the south,” Klingler writes.

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