Big plans presented for Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights

Yesterday evening, several important projects envisioned by the communities of Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights were presented to the public at A Salon Named Desire.

Through Community Conversations created and implemented by District A, the two neighborhoods have been working together to promote development along Montgomery Road, their mutual economic spine.

Clete Benken, vice president of the Kennedy Heights Community Council (KHCC), says that the idea behind the open house was to get people talking about the plans and to let them know that they're still attainable.

"The idea behind an event like this is to get people behind the ideas, gain a consensus, and end up with something you wanted at the end of the day," he says.

Projects on display included:

• A proposal for a mixed-use development at Kennedy and Montgomery
• Plans for the "triangle" at Ridge and Montgomery
• Plans for the new Woodford School at Woodford and Red Bank
• A renovation of the Pleasant Ridge branch of the public library
• Redevelopment of the Green Corner Studios & Marketplace and the Giving Gardens in Kennedy Heights
• A new amphiteatre at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center
• A new façade for ballettech Cincinnati
• Gardens at the community center
• Landscaping for the renovation at Nativity of Our Lord Parish

Funding remains an issue for the projects, but it's something that former KHCC president Ernie Barbeau says can be worked out.

"We've had fruitful discussions with the city," he says.  "And also with foundations and other funders.  But there's a difference between ideas and writing the check."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster