Energizing the Emery Theatre
The Emery Center Corporation and Requiem Project have plans to open the historic Over-the-Rhine theater in 2012. Delayed for years, its restoration could enhance the neighborhood and the arts community.
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Iconic Price Hill building gets new life
Bill Kiffmeyer remembers how huge the players from the Cincinnati Reds looked to him as an eight year old boy when they visited his father's Price Hill dry cleaning shop. He also remembers how the sight of the shuttered shop would nearly bring his father to tears five decades later, after the neighborhood lost its luster and he had no choice but to close. The Kiffmeyer's family business was located on the ground floor of an elegant apartment building originally called the Robinson. As Kiffmeyer recalls, it was the largest building around and was the centerpiece of a thriving West side neighborhood. Today it stands as an eyesore, and the largest reminder of the neighborhood's decline. But a recent partnership between Price Hill Will and Model Group aims to change that. They have purchased the building and will turn it back into an apartment building."This is something that's sort of been the biggest drag on neighborhood, and when it's done it will be one of the biggest success stories," Price Hill Will's marketing director Matt Strauss said. The building located at 8th and Elberon will be converted into 37 units of affordable housing for senior residents of Price Hill. The project will use several funding sources including a federal tax credit which requires the units to be available as affordable housing. The units will house seniors who are currently neighborhood residents, but will not be a care facility. In addition to renovating and selling single family homes, Price Hill Will organizes an array of community outreach efforts ranging from litter pick-ups to neighborhood surveys. The Elberon building has been on their radar since before the group's inception, Strauss said, but was a far bigger project than any they had ever taken on. "We've gone out of our comfort zone to get something really important accomplished," Strauss said.Their partnership with Model Group, a private development firm with years of experience in affordable housing, allowed them to take on the project. Though Model owns the building, they will consult with Price Hill Will about design decisions and neighborhood impact, Model's development director David Thompson said.For proud Westsiders like Kiffmeyer and current residents the project is heartening. Kiffmeyer recalled his first reaction when Strauss told him the building would be renovated was, "Can I move in?"Writer: Henry SweetsPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Cincinnati’s Extreme Makeover
Go Vibrant is a is a private-civic partnership of over 40 organizations - from Fortune 500 companies to small non-profits - energized by the mission to make healthy living easier and Cincinnati a top 10 healthy city.
Taking Education Through the Roof at Rothenberg
Take a historic school building, a new attitude about green roofs, and a visionary, community-led project and you get a 21st century outdoor classroom that's five stories off the ground.
Swap Shop and Last Bites pop up in OTR
Share Some Sugar Pop Up Swap Shop and Last Bites Bakery set up a "donation or trade" shop Main Street every Saturday. Located in the space next to Park + Vine until Model Group leases the space, you can bring unwanted items to donate, sell, or trade with others in the community. Items leftover are donated to Churches Active in Northside (CAIN), who is affiliated with five local drop-in centers, which donate items to families at the center in need.Items range from clothes, books, old copiers, toys, and random household items. People come in looking for something different and usually find what they need. However, the shop is a different concept from Goodwill, as donations are free for those unable to afford everyday needs. The space not only gives back to the community, but also provides a space for people in the community to come together and socialize.Jess Prussia, the owner of Last Bites Bakery, started to contribute to the donation shop in December after Park + Vine owner Dan Korman asked her to be a part of this charitable event. Prussia sells her bake goods as well as gives free samples every Saturday, and immediately fell in love with the concept."Recently a family came in to look for warmth," she recalls. "They asked how much the toys cost and they were shocked when they found out it was for free. The dad started crying because the free items gave the family a Christmas." Prussia hopes that the pop up shop concept will continue throughout the city in order to encourage charity and help vacant spaces be rented. She notes the great support of the Main Street area in enabled the pop up shop to happen."Main Street has grown massively and it is for the people who live there," she says. "Because of the desire to build Over-the-Rhine, the pop up shop has been a huge success.Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Mannequin brings charitable boutique to Gateway Quarter
Mannequin, a new local charitable boutique located in Over-the-Rhine, brings a unique idea to the local retail market. Owner Moe Rouse drew on several inspirations in coming up with the idea.As a member of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Rouse was part of NCJW's annual one day sale of donated clothing that raises money for various charitable projects. Rouse decided she could do more by turning this one-day sale into a continuous event. The merchandise in Mannequin will be either donated or bought from New York City and feature women's vintage and contemporary clothing, accessories, art, and antiques. All of Mannequin's proceeds will go to various charities, such as Stop Aids, Tender Mercies, and Lighthouse Youth Services. Rouse has the Mannequin space in the Gateway Quarter for free for one-year courtesy of the Northpoint Group in Cincinnati. Rouse expressed her satisfaction with the area as she connects with people who live and work in the area. "People in the street have been totally pivotal in making this happen. I have made a lot of friends in the streets, which makes it very special. I am really connecting with those who live and work in the area," Rouse said.Rouse notes that an important Cincinnati woman, Bobbie Corbean, also inspired her. A former stylist, model, and coordinator, Rouse says Bobbie Corbean always concerned herself with helping young women grow to their full potential. A fund for young women in Over-the-Rhine will receive money from the proceeds of sale items in the "Bobbie Corbean Corner" of Mannequin. "I was captivated by Bobby's Store. She had many of the same objectives that Mannequin has and we are fulfilling Bobbie's wishes," Rouse adds.Mannequin's official grand opening will take place January 7, and the store will be open every Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Jim Rauth, a local author of the book "Mannequin," donated fifty copies of his work to the store and will offer a book signing on the opening day. Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Cincinnati among most charitable cities in America
Cincinnati landed the number seven spot on Bundle's most charitable cities in America. The survey collected data for the month of December, which is the most giving month of the year. Bundle used numbers for online donations per 1,000 people, the average online donation amount per 1,000 people, the number of nonprofit associations by city, and the average spending on charity from July 2009 to June 2010.Read the full story here.
Eric Avner
In this week's My Soapbox, Eric Avner shares his thoughts about urban philanthropy in the Queen City. Avner oversees economic development grantmaking for the Haile/U.S. Bank Foundation and will be moderating Soapbox's Speaker Series this week.
Dhani Jones among best dressed athletes
Cincinnati Bengal's linebacker, Dhani Jones, has been ranked among many well-known athletes on Forbes' list of "Best-Dressed Athletes." Jones is founder and designer of Bow Tie for a Cause, which raises funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and also partners with sports apparel and lifestyle company, No Mas. Read the full story here.
Sean Rhiney
In our last ''My Soapbox" of 2010, Managing Editor Sean Rhiney talks about why every building matters in Over the Rhine.
Iconic Price Hill building gets new life
Bill Kiffmeyer remembers how huge the players from the Cincinnati Reds looked to him as an eight year old boy when they visited his father's Price Hill dry cleaning shop. He also remembers how the sight of the shuttered shop would nearly bring his father to tears five decades later, after the neighborhood lost its luster and he had no choice but to close. The Kiffmeyer's family business was located on the ground floor of an elegant apartment building originally called the Robinson. As Kiffmeyer recalls, it was the largest building around and was the centerpiece of a thriving West side neighborhood. Today it stands as an eyesore, and the largest reminder of the neighborhood's decline. But a recent partnership between Price Hill Will and Model Group aims to change that. They have purchased the building and will turn it back into an apartment building."This is something that's sort of been the biggest drag on neighborhood, and when it's done it will be one of the biggest success stories," Price Hill Will's marketing director Matt Strauss said. The building located at 8th and Elberon will be converted into 37 units of affordable housing for senior residents of Price Hill. The project will use several funding sources including a federal tax credit which requires the units to be available as affordable housing. The units will house seniors who are currently neighborhood residents, but will not be a care facility. In addition to renovating and selling single family homes, Price Hill Will organizes an array of community outreach efforts ranging from litter pick-ups to neighborhood surveys. The Elberon building has been on their radar since before the group's inception, Strauss said, but was a far bigger project than any they had ever taken on. "We've gone out of our comfort zone to get something really important accomplished," Strauss said.Their partnership with Model Group, a private development firm with years of experience in affordable housing, allowed them to take on the project. Though Model owns the building, they will consult with Price Hill Will about design decisions and neighborhood impact, Model's development director David Thompson said.For proud Westsiders like Kiffmeyer and current residents the project is heartening. Kiffmeyer recalled his first reaction when Strauss told him the building would be renovated was, "Can I move in?"Writer: Henry SweetsPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Cincinnati’s Extreme Makeover
Go Vibrant is a is a private-civic partnership of over 40 organizations - from Fortune 500 companies to small non-profits - energized by the mission to make healthy living easier and Cincinnati a top 10 healthy city.
Taking Education Through the Roof at Rothenberg
Take a historic school building, a new attitude about green roofs, and a visionary, community-led project and you get a 21st century outdoor classroom that's five stories off the ground.
Swap Shop and Last Bites pop up in OTR
Share Some Sugar Pop Up Swap Shop and Last Bites Bakery set up a "donation or trade" shop Main Street every Saturday. Located in the space next to Park + Vine until Model Group leases the space, you can bring unwanted items to donate, sell, or trade with others in the community. Items leftover are donated to Churches Active in Northside (CAIN), who is affiliated with five local drop-in centers, which donate items to families at the center in need.Items range from clothes, books, old copiers, toys, and random household items. People come in looking for something different and usually find what they need. However, the shop is a different concept from Goodwill, as donations are free for those unable to afford everyday needs. The space not only gives back to the community, but also provides a space for people in the community to come together and socialize.Jess Prussia, the owner of Last Bites Bakery, started to contribute to the donation shop in December after Park + Vine owner Dan Korman asked her to be a part of this charitable event. Prussia sells her bake goods as well as gives free samples every Saturday, and immediately fell in love with the concept."Recently a family came in to look for warmth," she recalls. "They asked how much the toys cost and they were shocked when they found out it was for free. The dad started crying because the free items gave the family a Christmas." Prussia hopes that the pop up shop concept will continue throughout the city in order to encourage charity and help vacant spaces be rented. She notes the great support of the Main Street area in enabled the pop up shop to happen."Main Street has grown massively and it is for the people who live there," she says. "Because of the desire to build Over-the-Rhine, the pop up shop has been a huge success.Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Mannequin brings charitable boutique to Gateway Quarter
Mannequin, a new local charitable boutique located in Over-the-Rhine, brings a unique idea to the local retail market. Owner Moe Rouse drew on several inspirations in coming up with the idea.As a member of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Rouse was part of NCJW's annual one day sale of donated clothing that raises money for various charitable projects. Rouse decided she could do more by turning this one-day sale into a continuous event. The merchandise in Mannequin will be either donated or bought from New York City and feature women's vintage and contemporary clothing, accessories, art, and antiques. All of Mannequin's proceeds will go to various charities, such as Stop Aids, Tender Mercies, and Lighthouse Youth Services. Rouse has the Mannequin space in the Gateway Quarter for free for one-year courtesy of the Northpoint Group in Cincinnati. Rouse expressed her satisfaction with the area as she connects with people who live and work in the area. "People in the street have been totally pivotal in making this happen. I have made a lot of friends in the streets, which makes it very special. I am really connecting with those who live and work in the area," Rouse said.Rouse notes that an important Cincinnati woman, Bobbie Corbean, also inspired her. A former stylist, model, and coordinator, Rouse says Bobbie Corbean always concerned herself with helping young women grow to their full potential. A fund for young women in Over-the-Rhine will receive money from the proceeds of sale items in the "Bobbie Corbean Corner" of Mannequin. "I was captivated by Bobby's Store. She had many of the same objectives that Mannequin has and we are fulfilling Bobbie's wishes," Rouse adds.Mannequin's official grand opening will take place January 7, and the store will be open every Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Jim Rauth, a local author of the book "Mannequin," donated fifty copies of his work to the store and will offer a book signing on the opening day. Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Cincinnati among most charitable cities in America
Cincinnati landed the number seven spot on Bundle's most charitable cities in America. The survey collected data for the month of December, which is the most giving month of the year. Bundle used numbers for online donations per 1,000 people, the average online donation amount per 1,000 people, the number of nonprofit associations by city, and the average spending on charity from July 2009 to June 2010.Read the full story here.
Eric Avner
In this week's My Soapbox, Eric Avner shares his thoughts about urban philanthropy in the Queen City. Avner oversees economic development grantmaking for the Haile/U.S. Bank Foundation and will be moderating Soapbox's Speaker Series this week.
Dhani Jones among best dressed athletes
Cincinnati Bengal's linebacker, Dhani Jones, has been ranked among many well-known athletes on Forbes' list of "Best-Dressed Athletes." Jones is founder and designer of Bow Tie for a Cause, which raises funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and also partners with sports apparel and lifestyle company, No Mas. Read the full story here.
Sean Rhiney
In our last ''My Soapbox" of 2010, Managing Editor Sean Rhiney talks about why every building matters in Over the Rhine.
