Northside 2010 Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program
A little about Northside A Diverse Community (39% African American as of 2000 Census) An Active Involved Community with thousands of volunteer hours given every year towards community improvement Great cooperation between our Community Council, Business Association, Redevelopment Corporation, and faith based communities
Northside in the news New York Times 48 Hours in Cincinnati The Northside district has recently blossomed into a casually hip destination for shopping and night life, particularly along Hamilton Avenue Men s Journal Magazine The Best Neighborhoods in America Northside, five minutes from downtown Cincinnati, brings a small-town look and mentality into the city Vice President Biden visit and speech
The Gateway to the Neighborhood doesn t reflect this progress VIEW FROM THE LUDLOW VIADUCT
Northside Business Association South Block Project South Block Parking Lot Cecil Lock and Key Hoffner Street Project Area: 1610 and 1612 Hoffner Phase I Parking Phase I Project Building $700,000 Private Investment
1610 and 1612 Hoffner Street 1610: Driveway with garage 1612: Two story commercial. Storefront first floor with apartment below. The project is the acquisition and redevelopment of these two properties. The properties are currently blighted. The redevelopment will eliminate the aforementioned blight. 1612 Hoffner is one of very few storefronts in Northside that is on grade, making it ideal for development of a fully handicapped accessible space.
That was then... Last major remodel - 1952
This is now... 17 Complaints listed in CAGIS since 2006
Private Investment In Project Area: Development at Cooper and Spring Grove: $700,000 In Project Area: Visionaries and Voices: $250,000 Over $950,000 in private money has been invested in the Project Area since this project began, with more to come!
Community Involvement: Endorsed by Northside Community Council Supported by Cincinnati Preservation Association To be developed in consultation with the Northside Project, a group dedicated to creating affordable accessible space for artists Backed by the Northside Citizens on Patrol
Meets grant criteria Located in Business District - Knowlton s Corner was long considered the heart of the Northside Business District. This is no longer true but the South Block project has been specifically designed to enhance the southern portion of the business district, Spring Grove from Hoffner to Elmore and Hoffner from Hamilton to Apple. Eliminates slum and blight on an area basis with an approved blight study. The block containing the property in question was listed in the 1996 Northside Urban Renewal Plan as 98% blighted and the 17 complaints for the property since 2006 (from CAGIS) indicate that not much has changed since then.
Northside Land Use Plan Approved by City Council, June 2007
This project implements all three identified Goals & Objectives for commercial development identified in the Land Use Plan in an area identified by the Land Use Plan as appropriate Create a climate for new and innovative commercial uses in Northside that enhances our historic character and identifies opportunities for mixed-use redevelopments. Focus redevelopment opportunities in the area south of Blue Rock for new kinds of commercial, residential, studio and light manufacturing uses and other unique, unconventional live/ work spaces. Pursue compatible land use and redevelopment opportunities for those places identified as transitional areas in the plan (e.g. industrial area south of Blue Rock, closed school site).
The Northside Business Association Founded in 1907 Responsible for: The streetscape project on Hamilton Avenue; the Northside Business District parking lots; Hamilton Avenue sidewalk cleaning; the 4th of July festival; lighting Hoffner Park for the holidays; the Hamilton Avenue planters; creation of the Northside Citizens on Patrol; Northside Business District WiFi; the Northside Website; the Northside Brochure; the South Block welcome sign; numerous cleanups; Northside night at the WCET Action Auction; and the Northside Art Sale. We've also participated in: the Northside Land Use Plan; Bits & Pieces; The Northsider; the ArtWorks Mural on Hamilton Avenue; getting community nuisance property McPerry's torn down; the Northside Farmers Market; Northside Radio Ads; Northside CityBeat Ads. Long established relationship with financing partner North Side Bank
Northside Business Association: Previous Projects and benefits Northside Streetscape: Streetscape project was the beginning of a revitalization for the Northside Business District, leading to 90%+ storefront occupancy rates and several new businesses. Northside Business District Parking Lots: The Northside Business Association has run parking lots containing over 160 off street parking spots for more than 20 years. Numerous businesses and events have cited these lots as important reasons for coming to Northside South Block Phase I: The announcement that the Northside Business Association was beginning work on the South Block parking lot and would be focusing its efforts on the South Block area spurred over $950,000 in investment in the project area.
Timeline and Budget Project slated for completion by December 2010 Budget of $175,000 roughly broken down as: $50,000 acquisition; $5,000 administrative; $25,000 envelope improvements; $25,000 first floor improvements; $50,000 second floor improvements; and $20,000 driveway resurfacing/ garage removal.
Recap Blight abatement - Eliminates a de facto junk yard Economic Benefit - The project has already brought in more than $950,000 in private investment in the project are with the prospect of more to come. The Northside Business association has a track record of success Implements City Council approved Community Plan Northside s successes have attracted private investment and resulted in priceless national publicity for Cincinnati