Mercy Health reveals its new HQ

 

 

Mercy Health revealed today that the $71 million headquarters it intends to build in Bond Hill will be a massive Z-shaped structure designed by Champlin Architecture of downtown Cincinnati. Mercy breaks ground on Tuesday, and the facility is to open by spring 2016.

 

Consisting of two buildings connected by a common area, the headquarters will encompass 365,000 square feet and provide offices for about 1,050 employees.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/11/13/mercy-health-provides-first-look-at-new-hq.html

I really don't see how this is a game changer for bond hill like it was reported earlier in the year. How can it help the neighborhood if it's closed off from it in a suburban style development? There's room on that site for blocks and blocks of redevelopment.

Bond Hill wasn't exactly the most urban part of the city either.

 

Personally the city should concentrate on making Walnut Hills more than a series of parks oh well.

EXCLUSIVE: How the port authority will use money from Fountain Square garage deal

Nov 14, 2014, 5:55am EST

Chris Wetterich Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority struck a deal with the city of Cincinnati that would give the port $6 million to redevelop property in Bond Hill, including a 14-acre U.S. Army Reserve Training site.

 

Under the multi-part deal, which has been approved by the port's board but still needs City Council approval:

 

    The city will lease the 396-space Fountain Square South parking garage underneath the U.S. Bank Building and the Westin Hotel to the port for 30 years.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/11/14/exclusive-have-not-received-a-raise-in-two-years.html

^ So, basically, we're getting the old parking plan one piece at a time.

I really don't see how this is a game changer for bond hill like it was reported earlier in the year. How can it help the neighborhood if it's closed off from it in a suburban style development? There's room on that site for blocks and blocks of redevelopment.

 

I get the sentiment, but I think Mercy Health's move to Bond Hill will be good for the overall health of the community.  For starters, it's going to bring 1000+ employees to the neighborhood every day.  This should create the need for some spin off businesses, and maybe stimulate the housing market in the area if people decide they want to live close to work.  However the real benefit, in my opinion, is the symbolic victory for a part of the city that could sorely use one.  Once this facility opens, people in Bond Hill won't be able to say that the city has done nothing for their neighborhood.  Remember the downtown vs neighborhood narrative that Cranley used to get elected? That has to be addressed, and I think this project does a good job at that.  Also, having a 1000+ employment center will make the area look a lot more desirable for potential retailers and developers at the Swifton Commons site just a mile or so up Reading.  I don't think this project will singularly transform Bond Hill, but I think it's a step in the right direction. 

Most importantly, it didn't jump across the road and go into Norwood. At least Mercy Health's building abuts the road and isn't surrounded by a sea of parking. The lot is across the street and behind the structure. Visitor parking is in the front, which is to be expected - not a huge deal.

Ok, i see what you mean good points.

^ So, basically, we're getting the old parking plan one piece at a time.

That's the same thing I thought when I read that!

I really don't see how this is a game changer for bond hill like it was reported earlier in the year. How can it help the neighborhood if it's closed off from it in a suburban style development? There's room on that site for blocks and blocks of redevelopment.

 

I get the sentiment, but I think Mercy Health's move to Bond Hill will be good for the overall health of the community.  For starters, it's going to bring 1000+ employees to the neighborhood every day.  This should create the need for some spin off businesses, and maybe stimulate the housing market in the area if people decide they want to live close to work.  However the real benefit, in my opinion, is the symbolic victory for a part of the city that could sorely use one.  Once this facility opens, people in Bond Hill won't be able to say that the city has done nothing for their neighborhood.  Remember the downtown vs neighborhood narrative that Cranley used to get elected? That has to be addressed, and I think this project does a good job at that.  Also, having a 1000+ employment center will make the area look a lot more desirable for potential retailers and developers at the Swifton Commons site just a mile or so up Reading.  I don't think this project will singularly transform Bond Hill, but I think it's a step in the right direction. 

 

Is it any different from Medpace in Madisonville?  It's walled off from the neighborhood too, and all there really is to show for it is more traffic congestion.  There doesn't seem to be much spinoff development happening because of it. 

If Madisonville plays their cards right, they could leverage Medpace very favorably.  At the very least, the presence of Medpace gives Madisonville a bit of a voice at City Hall. 

Farmers market launched at HQ of Cincinnati hospital system

 

 

Mercy Health plans to launch a farmers market at the hospital system’s new Bond Hill headquarters this summer. The weekly event, which will include vendors from Findlay Market and a local organic farm, will be open to the public.

 

The farmers market will begin June 24 and continue 3-6 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 21.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/14/farmers-market-launched-at-hq-of-cincinnati.html

Pushing its industrial strategy, Port Authority set to redevelop Cincinnati Gardens, Gibson Greeting site

 

 

...

The port’s board has signed off on redeveloping the Gibson site, and, on Wednesday, also OK’d the purchase, pending the completion of due diligence and financing, of the 67-year-old Cincinnati Gardens. The Gardens will be demolished, prepared and marketed as high-tech manufacturing site that could bring about 300 jobs to Cincinnati. The board's action are a part of the agency's strategy to boost advanced manufacturing in Hamilton County, add jobs and reduce poverty.

 

Fisher, along with Western & Southern Financial Group, General Electric Aviation, Duke Energy, Cincinnati Bell Inc. and the John R. Jurgensen Co. are loaning the port $7 million to fund its initiative to purchase industrial land in Hamilton County and prepare it for redevelopment for high-tech jobs that do not necessarily require a college degree. Duke, GE and Western & Southern all have representatives on the port’s board. The port hopes to raise $20 million overall this year.

 

...

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/15/exclusive-pushing-its-industrial-strategy-port.html

Is anybody close enough to the Port to know why they believe that demolishing the Gardens will help attract a manufacturer?

 

It just seems to me like there's a LOT of empty land that could be used for industrial purposes, if there were demand for it. Across the railroad tracks is a huge industrial site, which has a 14 acre empty field right next to the tracks. That field is more than double the size of the ~6 acre Gardens site. If a manufacturer wanted to locate themselves in Roselawn, wouldn't that grassy site be occupied already?

 

I would hate for the Port to tear down the Gardens and then just have that site sit empty.

 

Isn't that just one company that owns that lot? You can't exactly expect a business to just sell its land that it could be earmarking for expansion.

Of course there's also the big empty lot directly across the street from Cincinnati Gardens too.

Yes, that parcel is owned by one owner. My point is just that there's a lot empty land.

 

I guess I just want the Port to fully develop and occupy the Gibson Greeting Card site (55 acres) and the parking lots owned by The Gardens on the west side of Seymour (13 acres) before they go and demolish The Gardens (6 acres).

The Gardens can't do a capacity event without the gravel parking lots across the street.  Maybe Cranley could pull one of his magic free parking garages out of his hat so that those lots can be developed and the arena can be spared. 

 

I agree though -- it doesn't look like the specific spot the Gardens sits on is particularly valuable.  It is not a high-visibility intersection with good highway or transit access.  Even Reading & Seymour isn't much better because of the awkward turn from the Paddock Rd. I-75 interchange and the presence of ugly newer buildings like Woodward High School. 

 

Also, we see the edge of Losantiville Country Club.  This is the one Amberly merged with to create the park in Amberly Village about 10 years ago.  A lot of these country clubs aren't doing so well and we very well (you don't need a sponsor to join some of them now) might see this one sold off.  I have heard that Mahketewah is doing pretty well financially but I don't know if that's true.  The various second-tier country clubs could all eventually go belly-up (Western Hills, Clovernook, etc.) if we go into a protracted recession, since golf's popularity is on the decline, and seems destined to return to being the exclusively upper-class activity it once was. 

 

Even if The Gardens just kept on being used for high school hockey and smaller events, that seems like a better use than nothing.

 

One of the points jmecklenborg[/member] made a while ago (which I totally agree with) is that one of the keys to interesting neighborhoods is having inexpensive retail because it allows for a wide variety of businesses to operate. Similarly, I like the idea of The Gardens sticking around as the "cheap" venue for events in the region. Events like The Rollergirls can't afford to rent out the fancier/newer arenas.

 

I mean just take a look at the Past Events... it's a pretty awesomely funky lineup:

http://www.cincygardens.com/index.php/2011-09-17-00-38-23/past-events

 

 

 

 

^I have no idea how much the building costs to maintain.  I guess if the whole thing could be operated at a $1 million annual loss then maybe it's something that the city or park board could take over. 

 

There was also an exhibition hall next to the arena which nobody has talked about...I went there once or twice as a kid for model railroad shows.  The building has been an ice rink for hockey practices since 2001.  Obviously losing this rink is a big deal because there are only 3 or 4 in the area.  In Michigan there is way more hockey being played -- even adult leagues -- because there are way more rinks. 

 

 

 

 

The Port prepared the "Bond Hill Roselawn Plan" (dated March 17) which went before the Planning Commision today. In that report, it shows the Gardens site as becoming commercial, not industrial (as the . The report never explicitly mentions "The Gardens", so maybe this was created before they knew they were going to acquire the site. 

 

http://www.cincinnatiport.org/wp-content/uploads/Bond-Hill-Roselawn-Plan.pdf

 

Developer plans to rehab key commercial building in a Cincinnati neighborhood

 

 

A developer plans to inject new life into a vacant Roselawn commercial building viewed as key to the revival of the neighborhood’s business district, according to city records.

 

KAAPS, a real estate company controlled by the same owners as Jindal Builders, plans to invest more than $1.8 million in the 64,000-square-foot Roselawn Center at 7364 Reading Road near Reading’s intersection with Section Road.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/02/24/developer-plans-to-rehab-key-commercial-building.html

I always found that to be a fascinating building (also Song Long is a great Vietnamese restaurant).  Roselawn was developed starting in the automobile suburb age, and this was an attempt to build a commercial building with parking while maintaining a good street wall.  I wouldn't say it was particularly successful, because the parking in back is fairly minimal, and it's kind of creepy back there.  Plus it creates confusion with back doors treated like front doors, front doors that aren't used, and no public passage way from the parking court to the sidewalk.  With some reworking it could really be an asset though.

Port Authority likely to acquire another 15 acres in a Cincinnati neighborhood

 

 

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority is close to acquiring another 15 acres of land in Roselawn at the site of a U.S. Army Reserve base the port has targeted for redevelopment as a part of its strategy for sparking new development in the neighborhood and Bond Hill.

 

The port has entered into an exchange agreement with the U.S. Army for the base. The port will renovate a building at an Army facility in Maineville to replace what it is trading for in Roselawn. The Army cannot accept an outright purchase of its Roselawn facility, said Darin Hall, the port’s executive vice president.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/12/port-authority-likely-to-acquire-another-15-acres.html

I was flying my drone around Cincinnati Gardens earlier today. A woman walking down the street stopped me and asked what I was doing. I explained that I was taking pictures of the building since it might be torn down soon. She responded, "It's so sad what's happening. God gives us so much beauty and man just tears it all down."

 

So there you have it. Cincinnati Gardens is a gift from God. Perhaps it should be preserved as a site of religious significance.

That's kind of a dick comment.

The "Cincinnati Gardens" letters are being removed from the building in preparation for its demolition. Enjoy these aerials of the building near the end of its life:

 

 

 

$12M mixed-used project planned for Roselawn

 

A $12 million mixed-use development anchored by senior housing is coming to Cincinnati’s Roselawn neighborhood.

 

The development will include residential and community-oriented space designed to meet the needs of senior citizens. It will be built on a 3.1-acre lot that’s currently vacant at 1811 Losantiville Ave. in Hillcrest Square.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/03/29/12m-mixed-used-project-planned-for-roselawn.html

Oh they've been working on building this the last few weeks already. I drive by it often on my way to work. Right next to trump tower Cincinnati.

Messer to build spec manufacturing building at Cincinnati Gardens site

 

 

New life is expected to come to the former Cincinnati Gardens site as Messer plans to build a speculative manufacturing building on a portion of the property.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/03/13/messer-to-build-spec-manufacturing-building-at.html

 

It's great to be getting hosing units, but why do they have to cap it at 400? There's so much space here, convert some of that reserved office to residential...

 

The parking is egregious too, but if they wanted to keep the amount of spaces, it would be cool if they could incorporate a Park & Ride center for BRT here.

34 minutes ago, 10albersa said:

The parking is egregious too, but if they wanted to keep the amount of spaces, it would be cool if they could incorporate a Park & Ride center for BRT here.

I find it interesting that they don't have anything planned facing Reading Road. It feels like they are waiting to buy out Captain D's before developing there.

The housing is great and likely needed. But the Port's "mission" (at least the one widely broadcasted) is to create good paying jobs on under utilized land. Which is difficult as many manufactures want unencumbered green space to build on not something in a city. But ~1,000 manufacturing jobs here paying a solid wage would do a lot for opportunities for existing residents/attract new residents.

54 minutes ago, wjh2 said:

The housing is great and likely needed. But the Port's "mission" (at least the one widely broadcasted) is to create good paying jobs on under utilized land. Which is difficult as many manufactures want unencumbered green space to build on not something in a city. But ~1,000 manufacturing jobs here paying a solid wage would do a lot for opportunities for existing residents/attract new residents.

I agree, but I'd be curious to see what the demand is for the spec industrial space that The Port builds.  It seems that they have built a few (including one at the next intersection over) that don't get filled. And the land that they advertise for custom build-outs never seems to get any takers. So at least they'll get something built here in a reasonable time frame. This parcel, for example, seems incredibly desirable on the surface: huge lot, rail access, highway access.  Feels like this has been listed for years now.

 

This area isn't "desirable" so housing prices here should be market-rate affordable.  In this environment, by default, that lower price point will cause demand for these to fill up.

Edited October 18, 20222 yr by 10albersa

Kean Ventures plans massive $75 million development at former Swifton Commons site

By Chris Wetterich  –  Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Nov 11, 2022

 

Kean Ventures LLC is planning a massive, $75 million mixed-use development on the site of the former Swifton Commons Mall in Bond Hill, which will include several phases.

 

The project will include multifamily housing, ground-floor commercial and office and restaurant developments in future phases. Kean is asking the Cincinnati Planning Commission to change the zoning to allow for a planned development. Commissioners are scheduled to meet Nov. 18 to consider the plan.

 

“Moving away from the existing auto-oriented zoning in favor of a planned development is a way to continue building the momentum for when the time is right to begin construction next year,” Kean principal Stephen Dronen told the Business Courier Thursday.

 

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Swifton Commons development adding more buildings, units

 

The developer of the massive former Swifton Commons site in Bond Hill offered some new details on a planned project there, including additional buildings, the potential price point for the apartments and how he views landing retail and office tenants in a tough environment for both.

 

On Jan. 20, the Cincinnati Planning Commission unanimously approved rezoning the site for a planned development for Kean Ventures. That type of zoning allows developers more flexibility within the city’s zoning code. The property is currently zoned commercial general-auto-oriented.

 

Kean’s representative, Stephen Dronen, said the project’s costs are in flux because of increasing construction inflation and interest rates, but could total as much as $80 million.

 

“Something is going to give one of those two factors,” Dronen told the commission. “We are working on the things we can control. We’re very excited to take steps forward to invest in Bond Hill.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/01/25/swifton-commons-details.html

 

Bond Hill looks to eliminate food desert with new market

 

Bond Hill is the latest Cincinnati neighborhood looking to add a store with fresh fruits, vegetables and protein to end its status as a food desert.

 

The definition of a food desert can vary, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines include people who live in low-income census tracts that are more than 1 mile from a grocer in urban or suburban areas.

 

Cincinnati neighborhoods, such as Clifton, Avondale and Northside, have sought ways in recent years to fill these fresh food gaps through community markets or a co-op. Clifton opened Clifton Market as a co-op in 2017, but it is now a privately held business. The refurbished Avondale Town Center is expected to host the Country Meat Co. Marketplace. Northside has come up short in building a market, while Walnut Hills also faces a food desert because of the closure of the Kroger. It is attempting to raise funds for a grocery store called Queen Mother's Market.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/03/09/bond-hill-eliminate-food-desert-with-new-market.html

 

Bond Hill apartment project shelved for now after homeowners protest

By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Jun 26, 2024

 

A $50 million plan to build 168 low-income apartments in Bond Hill near dozens of single-family homes at the Villages of Daybreak has hit a wall after neighbors objected.

 

The Cincinnati Planning Commission held up a needed zoning change and final development plan for the project June 21 but could take the matter up again in July.

 

An affiliate of Louisville-based LDG Development has a purchase contract for 4.3 acres owned by Allen Temple-Tryed Stone Development, the developers of the other phases of the Villages of Daybreak, which was a Citirama home show project when it was built in 2011. The original plan called for 43 condo units at 1931 E. Seymour Ave., but it has never been built.

 

MORE

16 hours ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said:

Bond Hill apartment project shelved for now after homeowners protest

By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Jun 26, 2024

 

A $50 million plan to build 168 low-income apartments in Bond Hill near dozens of single-family homes at the Villages of Daybreak has hit a wall after neighbors objected.

 

The Cincinnati Planning Commission held up a needed zoning change and final development plan for the project June 21 but could take the matter up again in July.

 

An affiliate of Louisville-based LDG Development has a purchase contract for 4.3 acres owned by Allen Temple-Tryed Stone Development, the developers of the other phases of the Villages of Daybreak, which was a Citirama home show project when it was built in 2011. The original plan called for 43 condo units at 1931 E. Seymour Ave., but it has never been built.

 

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Do people feel entitled to everything? People that don’t even live in the complex want the ability to use the amenities. 

It had a low-income component, so they had to peel the mask of a little bit more in order to justify stopping a development.

What a joke. 

 

It's strange because, couldn't the apartments just only have an entrance/exit on Seymour? The residents of these new apartments wouldn't even be able to drive through the daybreak. This also right across the Roselawn Village apartments, which I am sure have plenty of low income individuals. 

 

Traffic? That stretch of Seymour is begging for a road diet, the only time the traffic is remotely bad there is during some major event at the Reds youth academy fields. 

Edited June 27, 2024Jun 27 by cincydave8

Community councils should not be able to hold up developments.  

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney will roll over to any local opposition to development. She seems to have absolutely no real beliefs and shouldn't be on the Planning Commission.

23 minutes ago, ryanlammi said:

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney will roll over to any local opposition to development. She seems to have absolutely no real beliefs and shouldn't be on the Planning Commission.

During the meeting she stated that she previously supported the project, until she met with residents of the HOA two days prior. It really is whoever is the last person to talk to her will sway her support.

  

48 minutes ago, Cincy513 said:

Community councils should not be able to hold up developments.  

They didn't. It sounds like there is some internal confusion at the community council, but the president had sent in a letter of conditional support. IIRC, no one from the Executive Board were at the Planning Commission meeting. 

The opposition came from the adjacent HOA, which I am told rarely participate in community council meetings and activities. However, many people who showed up to the planning commission meeting stated that they go to both, but I suspect some may not realize that the HOA board meetings are not the same thing as a community council meeting.

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/07/02/hamilton-county-may-sell-downtown-building-others.html

 

I'd be interested to hear from people in Bond Hill what this means to the neighborhood. Would be great to see Reading Road from Andina to Rose to get the reinvestment it deserves but the Mercy building is so isolated and suburban. Maybe good if you are a food truck.

37 minutes ago, Chas Wiederhold said:

 but the Mercy building is so isolated and suburban.

 

They'll probably re-route one of the #43 branches into the complex and pretend that bus access is as good as downtown:

On 6/26/2024 at 2:49 PM, The_Cincinnati_Kid said:

Bond Hill apartment project shelved for now after homeowners protest

By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Jun 26, 2024

 

A $50 million plan to build 168 low-income apartments in Bond Hill near dozens of single-family homes at the Villages of Daybreak has hit a wall after neighbors objected.

 

The Cincinnati Planning Commission held up a needed zoning change and final development plan for the project June 21 but could take the matter up again in July.

 

An affiliate of Louisville-based LDG Development has a purchase contract for 4.3 acres owned by Allen Temple-Tryed Stone Development, the developers of the other phases of the Villages of Daybreak, which was a Citirama home show project when it was built in 2011. The original plan called for 43 condo units at 1931 E. Seymour Ave., but it has never been built.

 

MORE

The Planning Commission just sent out notice that this has been pulled from Friday's meeting at the request of the applicant. IIRC this means they would not be able to get the necessary approvals from the city in time for the next LIHTC deadline next month. In the packet, it was stated that the developer was intending to go to the HoA's annual meeting scheduled for last Saturday. I am curious if that went really poorly, or if they were not able to make it at all.

Cincinnati Planning Commission backs contentious $45 million apartment project in Bond Hill

 

A developer shrank the size and eliminated a pool in a planned $45 million affordable housing project in Bond Hill, winning approval from the Cincinnati Planning Commission, but single-family homeowners adjacent to the site still are hotly opposed to it.

 

Commissioners approved needed zoning changes and a final development plan for Seymour Station by Louisville-based LDG Development on a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Byron Stallworth voting “no.” LDG will need City Council approval for the project, which now includes two apartment buildings with 150 units and 190 parking spaces. That’s down from 168 units after the developer removed a story from one of the buildings.

 

The apartments will be between one and three bedrooms, with balconies, and be affordable to those making 50% to 70% of the area median income. A family of four making 50% of the area median income earns $50,550 per year.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/08/16/cincinnati-apartments-villages-of-daybreak.html