Friday, October 22, 1999
City takes on revitalization after years of failed attempts
BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After watching a Walnut Hills revitalization project continually fall flat, the city of Cincinnati has taken on the development itself.
The 800 block of Lincoln Avenue was identified in 1994 by an Enquirer survey as the city's worst for its vacant buildings. There had been plans since 1983 to fix up the street where it intersects with Melrose Avenue. A 1980s project got caught up in a savings-and-loan failure. Another in the early 1990s stalled.
Now, before city leaders accept any accolades for taking on the project, they must deal with the fact that the building's poor condition rested on their shoulders because they owned the homes.
“How could we ask others to fix up their buildings, when we weren't fixing up our own?” said Cheryl Meadows, Cincinnati's Department of Neighborhood Services director.
Today, city leaders will gather in the neighborhood to unveil the latest attempt at revitalization. Naming the project Walnut Woods, the city will showcase the nearly completed work on the first of six homes to be rehabilitated.
The city will sell the homes, some of which will include apartments that buyers may rent out, for about $300,000. Firstar Bank has committed to first mortgage financing for $250,000. the city is offering a “soft” second mortgage of $50,000, which is forgivable if the owner lives there at least three years.
The 12 homes that originally made up Walnut Woods were built about 1890 by Cincinnati clothing manufacturers for upper middle-class fami
lies. The structures are of Queene Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, with features such as towers, wood porches and gabled roofs. They each measure around 4,000 square feet in space.
The homes had started to deteriorate when the city introduced a redevelopment plan for the Lincoln-Melrose area in 1983. Little progress had been made by 1986, when a federal grant for the project was tied up in the default of the Major Federal Savings and Loan. The homes were vacant when the city acquired the properties as a result of the default.
In 1993, Ford Enterprises was contracted by the city to fix up the homes. The private developer completed three of the homes. Another two were partially finished, and have since been sold to private owners. But financing difficulties led the city to drop the developer. Representatives of Ford Enterprises could not be reached for comment.
Critics took the city to task after years of inaction. One of the homes had to be demolished because it was allowed to deteriorate for so long.
James Washington was the first to move into the neighborhood during the early success of Ford Enterprises' work. Mr. Washington invested in a project, he said, and watched it go nowhere.
“Oh, I was very concerned,” Mr. Washington said. He wanted to be a part of the neighborhood's comeback. But for years it deteriorated around his refurbished home at Lincoln and Melrose.
He called city bureaucrats. And he complained to council members. Now, years later, he is happy to see the project has restarted.
It didn't have to take so long, said Charles Alexander, the architect when the revitalization was being handled by Ford Enterprises. In 1996, he lined up buyers for the six homes, arranged financing with a local bank and then made a pitch to city leaders to finish the project. He said he could have it done in two years. The city turned him down.
Walnut Woods has its merits, Mr. Alexander said. There was genuine interest from buyers. But the city opted to go it alone, instead of having private dollars pay for most of the project, he added. “And they are just now getting started,” Mr. Alexander said.
Ms. Meadows said the developers were unable to complete the job. To ensure it would be finished, the city stepped in. While the city looked to secure funds for the project the past two years, it repaired the exterior and roofs of the six remaining homes.
The money to pay for the repairs on the $1.8 million project is being taken from a pool of grant money for revitalization efforts, she said. The sale of the homes will replenish the cash pool, which will then be used to focus on other development efforts.
Cincinnati is also saving about $180,000 it would otherwise have to pay in developer fees, said Herb Washington, senior community development analyst with the city's neighborhood services department.
But the real value of the project is seeing an urban neighborhood neighborhood get the attention it needs, Ms. Meadows said. The homes will attract new residents, boost home ownership and create business in the neighborhood, she said.
On guard against a rapist
Some tips for staying safe
Coming soon: New Fort Washington Way
Council hopefuls spend big
Businesses major backers of school campaigns
$400,000 raised for ballot issues
Council incumbents defend records
Gun controversy prompts school board to cancel meeting
Leaf-looking at its peak
Miss America speaks for homeless vets
Panel hopes The Banks can get funds
Teens barred from honor club will get $999
City takes on revitalization after years of failed attempts
N.Ky. pushes for community college
Woman killed in work accident
'Bama fan goes to great lengths
GET TO IT
Radio contest challenges rivals
Worship's changing shape
Americana park fined $13,000
Day's poll work can earn $112
Fidelity opens talks for access road
GOP lawmaker to head PR-lobbying operation
Hop like a bunny, earn money
Justice Dept. sues Columbus
Kids just say no to violence
Miami works to boost minority recruitment
Panel offers concepts for mall
Park's debut to be a blast
Taxi-bus outfit blocked in move
TRISTATE DIGEST
Two injured in multivehicle wreck
Walk as One honors minister
Warren areas invited into cable network
