Northside is on the fast track to being white washed and gentrified.

White washed? Hasn't it traditionally always been white? Including when it was suffering financially? White Appalachians and all?

No, it's pretty diverse now.

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Northside-Cincinnati-OH.html

I only recently have really started to dwell into Northside as a whole lately.

 

I'm really surprised by the historic fabric. It's got some gaps, but can be infilled pretty nicely. As a whole the neighborhood reminds me of something you would find across the river in Covington. Kind of an OTR lite in some ways in terms of it's attractiveness from a historic fabric perspective.

No, it's pretty diverse now.

 

Wow, definitely more diverse than I realized. Good to know! Thanks for sharing.

 

One of the benefits of not having a white hot housing market is that there are more opportunities to hold onto diversity in neighborhoods that are seeing new interest. Hopefully Cincinnati can find a way to both redevelop and hold onto existing residents.

No, it's pretty diverse now.

 

Wow, definitely more diverse than I realized. Good to know! Thanks for sharing.

 

One of the benefits of not having a white hot housing market is that there are more opportunities to hold onto diversity in neighborhoods that are seeing new interest. Hopefully Cincinnati can find a way to both redevelop and hold onto existing residents.

 

I'm genuinely curious where these residents end up going.

 

OTR, Northside, Walnut Hills (to a lesser extent) are all seeing stages of gentrification and are in turn becoming a more expensive neighborhood to live in.

 

The suburbs will build a wall quicker than Donald Trump when it comes to keeping the impoverished (especially impoverished african americans) out of their wealthy, white, suburban,  communities.

 

So, do they move to the west side? Price Hill? Covington?

Camp Washington is where most are going. Same for a lot of the prostitutes and homeless forced from from OTR. After that I see a lot of peole going to Spring Grove Village.

An interesting "on the ground" perspective on Northside, Cincinnati, and the overall revitalization malaise caused by zoning:  https://granolashotgun.com/2016/11/08/lessons-learned/

^What a sad story!

 

That guy is pathetic. Sure the process isn't great and definitely could be reviewed, but I just feel like this guy is complaining cause he didn't get to do things his way, when at the same time I've seen many people doing what he attempted all over Northside. That said tho the zoning isn't very urban friendly.

Indeed, I even called him out as being somewhat petulant because I didn't expect it from him.  That said, variances are usually granted if you can prove hardship.  That's not necessarily hard, but for a one-man show who doesn't have time for hearings and financial analyses and doesn't have an architect to help them out, it can easily be too much.  I do fault the city for making too many properties unbuildable, and too many existing buildings non-compliant, but at the same time these aren't completely out-of-the-blue unknown factors either (admittedly they might be to the layperson), so I can't be 100% sympathetic even if I do agree it's a problem. 

His theory about how the really big cities are running a cartel to steal all of the young people is one I haven't heard expressed in that manner. I can see why he's frustrated though. A lot of circumstances can force you to stay within your home metro even if you get to choose what part of the metro in which to live. It's easy to get jealous of the "real fun" going on in a coastal city.

I don't really feel bad for the guy.  He should have known all that stuff before he bought it.  When my boss was looking at buildings to turn into our new offices, he ran into a lot of this, but knew before he actually bought it!

 

How it was zoned, etc. etc.  His general contractor got all that stuff nailed down... No, this is zoned commercial bottom and office top.  This is zoned commercial all the way through.  This is zoned residential and will take a long time and hearings to switch to office, etc. etc.

 

You can't just buy a house that has a good price and then get mad that the zoning is what it is and you didn't know it.  That is called ignorance.

 

You can't just buy a house that has a good price and then get mad that the zoning is what it is and you didn't know it.  That is called ignorance.

 

True, but you're well within your right to complain that the zoning restrictions caused that building to lose its value because it was made arbitrarily non-compliant and un-modifiable.  At the very least, all that zoning research shouldn't be necessary especially in this particular case where you would think, in a sane world, that you should be able to build up a house to match its neighbors.  In the same vein, you would think the city would want these buildings to be revitalized rather than condemned, but the message zoning sends is "we don't want this" and the unfortunate result is not the expected "proper" redevelopment (which would cost too much) but stagnation and decay instead. 

I like this guy's blog because it's nice to see an outsider's perspective, and in this case, someone who actually did something other than walk around taking photos and doing a wishful write-up. 

 

I know enough to know that you don't go to all this trouble in a low-priced city if your aim is to make some money.  It's pretty clear that that is this guy's main motivation.  If you want to make money in Cincinnati, you try to get something at a good price that doesn't require a lot of work to get rented and then you sit on it for 20+ years.  I think he kind of came here thinking that what happens in hotter markets could happen in Northside.  Even here, people put in expensive retaining walls and go to great lengths to stick another house on the side of Mt. Adams and other places with views.  Nobody is going to those extremes in Northside, and if they were, it would be worth going through all the hoops since the payoff would be a lot higher. 

 

You can't just buy a house that has a good price and then get mad that the zoning is what it is and you didn't know it.  That is called ignorance.

 

True, but you're well within your right to complain that the zoning restrictions caused that building to lose its value because it was made arbitrarily non-compliant and un-modifiable.  At the very least, all that zoning research shouldn't be necessary especially in this particular case where you would think, in a sane world, that you should be able to build up a house to match its neighbors.  In the same vein, you would think the city would want these buildings to be revitalized rather than condemned, but the message zoning sends is "we don't want this" and the unfortunate result is not the expected "proper" redevelopment (which would cost too much) but stagnation and decay instead.

 

Yes, I don't disagree with you all, I wish too there wasn't all this restrictive zoning issues.  And if he isn't in town, it would have been difficult for him to push through out asking and paying someone else to care about something as much as he cared about it.  I am certain there would have been a way for him to get what he wanted without just calling it quits if he kept pushing through, but can understand the frustration.

 

I still think it's a bit sour grapes on that article though because he should have known the restrictions and laws in place before he bought it.

Dec 31 2016:

 

 

 

 

About 10 rehabs on Mad Anthony:

 

 

 

 

 

New construction on Fergus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn't tell if this is just a guest bedroom or if it's a completely separate apartment:

The Gantry is getting a second storefront business, a growler place that I assume will be similar to Half Cut or Growler House.  It and Melt are being built at the same time. 

Two of the new Fergus homes appear to be ready for move-in.  A third just had its foundation dug.  A neighbor told me that the owner of the northernmost home obtained the permit for a rear apartment.  I didn't know that those were legal in Cincinnati but apparently they are. 

 

 

About a half-mile away, the first new home in 100 years is being built on Cresap Ave.  My source sez that this lot was purchased for $4,500 in 2015.  i remember seeing a listing for about a dozen lots on that street, so we might see more new construction in this wilderness soon:

 

 

Have a friend moving back to Cincy. Need advice on LEED and possible architect for room additions. Can anyone help?

West Fork Rd. is NOT Northside.  I don't know quite what that area is, but this house is 1.4 miles from Hoffner Park.  Flippers and realtors have brought their hype machine west of Colerain Ave. in a big way 2016-2017.  Putz's is the new Oakley. 

 

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1532842/1901-West-Fork-Rd-Northside-OH-45223

^  Agreed. I like the way this real estate offering pops up as "Northside, OH," as if located in a city different than Cincy, such as Norwood, OH.

There's been a "Welcome to Northside" sign on West Fork Road on the bridge right by the BP for years though.

Technically Northside has a tentacle that stretches all the way up West Fork to the city limits.

Technically Northside has a tentacle that stretches all the way up West Fork to the city limits.

 

Yep.

 

West Fork Rd. is NOT Northside.  I don't know quite what that area is, but this house is 1.4 miles from Hoffner Park.  Flippers and realtors have brought their hype machine west of Colerain Ave. in a big way 2016-2017.  Putz's is the new Oakley. 

 

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1532842/1901-West-Fork-Rd-Northside-OH-45223

 

According to the new CincyInsights dashboard this IS in Northside.

 

https://insights.cincinnati-oh.gov/stories/s/Community-Council-Neighborhoods/csw6-ps2a

Wasn't there a big kerfuffle a year or two ago because Westwood placed a "Welcome to Westwood" sign at a location that was technically in Northside (somewhere in Northside's panhandle)?

Vice Mayor David Mann will be holding a press conference tomorrow where he will announce his support for a plan to turn Knowlton's Corner (the intersection of Hamilton, Spring Grove, Hoffner, Ludlow, and old Ludlow) into a roundabout. According to a graphic he sent out, Old Ludlow might also be turned into a pedestrian only street.

 

I think this is a really good idea. Actually, the same idea popped into my head earlier this summer while I was taking some aerial photos of that intersection:

 

 

 

As you can see, there is plenty of room to make the intersection into a roundabout. Hopefully this would also encourage redevelopment of the BP and White Castle sites into something more pedestrian friendly in the future.

 

My biggest concern here is that ODOT might oppose this plan since Hamilton Avenue carries a state route. A Northside community advocate told me that any effort to do traffic calming on Hamilton Avenue in the past has been met with opposition from ODOT.

I like that idea a lot. That will create a nice entrance into Northside that will naturally slow cars down and allow for easier pedestrian crossing.

 

Gas stations are rarely re-developed (due to environmental costs of moving tanks), but even if the buildings remain as is, this roundabout would be a big improvement. I wouldn't mind the White Castle remaining, especially if they can keep the big tree in front of it. But in the drawings of both the current and proposed, they omit the White Castle building which might be a sign that the building will be demolished in order to make room for the roundabout. Or maybe the omissions was just an oversight. Hard to tell from the drawing exactly how close the roundabout would be to the White Castle building.

Is the printing place still in business? It's such an eyesore and seems like no one has been in or out in the past decade.

Looks like Mann is trying to look like he cares about the "neighborhoods". 

 

I'm not sure what this accomplishes.  I shutter to think what sort of artwork might be installed in the circle. 

I think this will be effective at slowing traffic that flies down Ludlow/Hamilton at high speeds. Right now Hamilton has two travel lanes during rush hour and Ludlow has two travel lanes at all times. If a one-lane roundabout ends up getting built (like is pictured), it will basically create an intentional bottleneck that will slow traffic. The next logical step would be to make the parking lanes on Hamilton permanent, i.e. not making them convert to travel lanes during rush hours. That would allow the city to build permanent bump-out at all of the crosswalks on Hamilton, greatly increasing pedestrian visibility.

Seems unnecessary. What would be better is to 'neckdown' the streets. There is so much leftover pavement that could be turned over to pedestrians. That would also help to slow down traffic.

Looks like Mann is trying to look like he cares about the "neighborhoods". 

 

I'm not sure what this accomplishes.  I shutter to think what sort of artwork might be installed in the circle.

 

To get a jump on art suggestions, i recommend this.

This intersection is already a stopping point for traffic. I usually get stopped at it. I agree that a neckdown is better. Make crosswalks shorter, add signage for pedestrians, etc. The problem seems to be more around Shake-It and the Tavern (or even the Comet) than at the intersection with White Castle. Though I imagine this would make the intersection safer for pedestrians trying to cross as there are less ways to look before crossing or driving through the intersection.

I like it.  With a roundabout you get the neckdowns automatically.  Plus, it makes all traffic slow down, whereas at a normal intersection the through traffic with a green light still has a tendency to speed through as much as possible even with neckdowns.

Looks like Mann is trying to look like he cares about the "neighborhoods". 

 

I'm not sure what this accomplishes.  I shutter to think what sort of artwork might be installed in the circle.

 

To get a jump on art suggestions, i recommend this.

 

How about that Indian rolling the tire? 

 

 

Looks like Mann is trying to look like he cares about the "neighborhoods". 

 

I'm not sure what this accomplishes.  I shutter to think what sort of artwork might be installed in the circle.

 

To get a jump on art suggestions, i recommend this.

 

How about that Indian rolling the tire?

 

That too, but only if it is my folk art hero Raymond Thundersky a.k.a. "Construction Clown". He lived up on hamilton by the Comet for many years so it fits.

 

 

I like it.  With a roundabout you get the neckdowns automatically.  Plus, it makes all traffic slow down, whereas at a normal intersection the through traffic with a green light still has a tendency to speed through as much as possible even with neckdowns.

 

I also prefer the roundabout because it simplifies the intersection a lot. Many times when I approach Northside from Ludlow, I want to turn left on Spring Grove or Hoffner. But during some times of the day, that turn is prohibited, and other times, it's not really possible due to the amount of traffic coming from the opposite direction and the lack of a left turn phase. The result is that I have to travel north on Hamilton and try to make a left turn at the next place where it's possible to do so. With a roundabout, anyone will be able to many any turn at all times of the day.

I do expect that if this goes forward and DOTE gets their hands on it, we'll see more of a "turbo" roundabout type of design that allows for two through lanes from the Ludlow Viaduct to Hamilton.  I'm not sure how that works with 5 approach roads though. 

The new roundabouts up in New Albany are a mess.  But they're one way New Albany gets to think it's England and say to the rest of Columbus we're a little better than you. 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.079852,-82.8140852,366m/data=!3m1!1e3

The new roundabouts up in New Albany are a mess.  But they're one way New Albany gets to think it's England and say to the rest of Columbus we're a little better than you. 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.079852,-82.8140852,366m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

Looks fine to me, what's the problem?

A roundabout at that intersection is an excellent idea. It would add even more character and a sense of place to Northside.

The new roundabouts up in New Albany are a mess.  But they're one way New Albany gets to think it's England and say to the rest of Columbus we're a little better than you. 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.079852,-82.8140852,366m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

Obetz has TWO roundabouts. Really, just about every suburb outside 270 has at least one or one nearby.

The new roundabouts up in New Albany are a mess.  But they're one way New Albany gets to think it's England and say to the rest of Columbus we're a little better than you. 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.079852,-82.8140852,366m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

Obetz has TWO roundabouts. Really, just about every suburb outside 270 has at least one or one nearby.

 

A "solution" to a non-existent problem.  Horse fences + roundabouts = we think we're England, or maybe New England, even though we've never been to either. 

 

Are there any more developments underway in Northside? It seems like nothing has really been happening in Northside since the Gantry came on. Maybe it absorbed most of the demand at the moment? I feel like there used to be big developments announced for Northside all the time, but it's kind of slowed. Could be totally wrong here, though.

There's been a bit of a shuffle of the businesses there lately, with Melt moving and a new place opening in its place, and then Django moved as well opening the corner across from Gantry. Any new construction is probably pretty small at the moment, with the exception of perhaps some construction over by West Fork and Virginia.

Maybe not the biggest thing but I always see people working on single family homes here and there throughout the neighborhood, and in more 'on the outskirts' places. Most recently one across from the cemetery on colerain was having its porch sanded and looked to be gutted for reno on the inside. Hopefully the nearby old hotel that was saved from demo and mothballed gets adopted by a renovator soon as it got graffiti bombed again. More eyes in the less populated areas should chase things like that to somewhere else.

 

https://www.sibcycline.com/Listing/CIN/1549724/4326-Beech-Hill-Ave-Northside-OH-45223

 

This ostentatious renovation of an ordinary house on Beech Hill added a garage of a contrasting modern style facing Fergus.