Kevin LeMaster writes a great blog “Building Cincinnati” about development activities and related planning issues in Cincinnati. I think the “Wrecking Cincinnati” posts are an especially good idea. When a building is demolished, he posts the picture along with the date of construction and date of demolition. It is sad to see that many of the buildings being demolished exemplify beautiful architecture – they tell a history and have character that many new buildings do not have. Posting these pictures encourages people to think about and discuss why the buildings are being demolished, and to consider if demolition of these existing resources is a good thing or not… Here are links to some recently demolished structures.
Historic preservation is green design March 25, 2008
I’m happy to see that the LEED rating system for green buildings is being revised to give better consideration to historic preservation. Link to the full story New Version of LEED to Incorporate Better Metrics for Historic & Existing Buildings on PresevationNation.
“Main Street” revitalization March 24, 2008
My husband and I recently stopped in Harrison to get coffee on the way home from my parents’ house. We hadn’t been in old Harrison for several years, since we moved back. We were pleasantly surprised to find the Whitewater coffee house and wine bar. The coffee was really good, and the atmosphere was cozy. Across the street was a cute grill that we decided we would come back and try another day. There is noticeable improvement in the area, and we couldn’t help noticing all the historic buildings that also have more potential.
The improvements are likely, at least in part, due to the efforts of Main Street Harrison, a nationally recognized Main Street Program, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Heritage Ohio website has more information about efforts in other Ohio towns. This is a smart, focused effort that is really making a difference!
Great Lakes Urban Exchange – Time to revitalize the Midwest! March 5, 2008
The Great Lake Urban Exchange (GLUE) is a blog and innovative planning tool focused on finding out what’s right and wrong about Midwestern cities. It was founded by two young urbanists, Sarah Szurpicki and Abby Wilson, who returned to their Midwestern hometowns (like me). GLUE’s principles are:
Urbanism: Cities are our world’s economic drivers. Decision makers cannot afford to underestimate their value or overlook their needs.
Regionalism: Great Lakes urban centers need to overcome feelings of despair and isolation by forging a shared perspective and developing strength in numbers.
Storytelling: White papers alone cannot move an agenda forward, particularly when it comes to young people. No need is expressed more powerfully than via a human narrative.
Building Networks: Establishing linkages and conversations around issues and between cities is the “glue” of our mission: fostering urbanism, regionalism, and quality storytelling.
Ten questions about redevelopment in Cincinnati March 4, 2008
I have recently returned Cincinnati in December 2007 after living in Berkeley in the San Francisco area for several years. There, working as a Planner, and being involved in the community, I saw some interesting planning activities and developments occur. Now that I’m back in Cincinnati, I’m ready to get a sense of the current redevelopment climate here. I’m looking for answers to the following:
- What are the biggest incentives offered for redevelopment?
- What are the barriers to new investment in established areas?
- Are historic buildings consistently evaluated before demolition?
- Which developers are the biggest players in urban areas of Cincinnati?
- Which developers are known to be sensitive to community concerns?
- Which development corporations have been successful in sparking revitalization?
- How has the City of Cincinnati helped or hindered revitalization?
- What are the best new developments in the last five years, and who made them happen?
- Who are the most influential people in historic preservation and redevelopment in Cincinnati?
- What new developments are currently in the planning stage?
