The plans and the actual photos are both so nice!  Just think of those streets in a decade when the trees have begun to mature...and in 20 when everyone's thanking their lucky stars that they were built with real brick and the place looks like a nice street in the West Village!  (maybe I'm getting carried away...)

Does anyone know who determined the mix of market rate and rent restricted units in City West?  I'm doing research for an internship and trying to figure this out.  Was it the Community Builders?  CMHA?  HUD?  Drees?

My guess would be CMHA, probably following Hope VI guidelines.

^ Yep.

I know I sound like a broken record but it is amazing to me that the media doesn't give any press to City West. I think it is a great development.

The media in Cincinnati would never cover anything on CityWest because the media in Cincy is all about bashing the inner city.  Almost everything you hear about the city on the news or the paper has a negative twist to it.  Welcome to Cincinnati.

The media in Cincinnati would never cover anything on CityWest because the media in Cincy is all about bashing the inner city.  Almost everything you hear about the city on the news or the paper has a negative twist to it.  Welcome to Cincinnati.

 

Wow THE_NATI, that sounds like something that would have come right out of my mouth.

If this topic is elsewhere I apologize, but I could not find it.

 

Here are some general overviews of the project:

 

 

 

Aerial Site Plan:

 

Street Section:

 

Aerial Perspective:

 

Linn St. Perspective:

 

 

The Bromwell Drees model:

 

The community:

There was some stuff in the West End projects thread.

 

They're starting new building in the 1500 block of Linn St., I noticed.

Great shots, Kendall.  The units look snazzy!

Just curious, and I really don't want to start anything here, but....

Are these low-income housing or are these available to everyone?

Cause I gotta tell ya, these places look 10 times better than the box I own, and if their only for low-income people, then I am gonna be pissed.

I'm just tired of the whole: If your rich... you can afford it.

                                    If your poor.... it's given to you.

                                          ........but...........

                                    If your in the middle your screwed.

 

I would really be interested in moving done there some day, but if it's going to turn into ghetto again 10 years from now, then forget it.

well if you move there then thats one property that will be taken care of.  if i move there as well then thats 2.  so thats 2 steps toward not letting it turn into a ghetto.  :drunk:

Those are really cool. What price range are they in ? Around 200k?

Are these low-income housing or are these available to everyone?

The large houses going up now are market rate, by Drees.  They are building them as they sell them.  The area is up-and-comming.

 

 

The model pictured in my photos runs from $170-190 depending on finishes. There are three other, larger floor plans that start around $185 and could go as high as $260 or so depending on finishes.  Drees is building 176 homes to complement the 40 or so owner-occupieds from City West Phase I that were built by a different builder.  Just over 10% of the Drees homes have been sold so far (about 3/4ths of what is built or under construction).  Half of the homes are reserved for market rate buyers, which means no downpayment assistance.  The other half are reserved for buyers who are eligible for phased downpayment assistance.  There are no income restrictions upon resale of the homes.  There is also an HOA responsible for all landscaping and exterior work, so you don't have to worry about your neighbor letting their patch of grass go wild or letting the place get run-down.

 

Downpayment assistance does not necessarily mean low income.  Currently, a couple with total income of $59k is eligible for a few thousand in downpayment assistance. A couple with $36k is eligible for the most downpayment assistance: $50k, forgiven 10% a year over 10 years.  A minimum 5% cash downpayment is required of the assisted buyers.  It's kind of an interesting program. They did the same thing in Phase I, and I remember reading that the market-rate units sold fastest (it's first-come, first-serve). I wouldn't consider $59k low-income, and in Cincinnati $36k puts you at or above the average household income too.

 

Here's my take. The more expensive units, even with a downpayment assistance of $50k, are unaffordable to a family with $36k income.  They are more affordable to the family with $59k income, but their assistance is much smaller ($4k).  So I think the primo units will quickly be snapped up at market rates, and then Drees/CMHA will either have to readjust their assistance program or relax the quotas.  When the units resell, they will be market rate by definition, because the downpayment assistance program vanishes with the original owner.

 

The homes really are compelling at their price points, and curb appeal is quite good. While the neighborhood lacks the amenities of downtown or the nicer ones in town, the homes are walking distance to Music Hall, Union Terminal, a branch library, a beautiful new rec center, a PNC Bank, and, of course, Richie's fried chicken. There is also plenty of greenspace. For special events, it is a manageable walk downtown, and an easy bus ride.  Once the Drees homes are complete, they will blend in nicely with the historic section of Betts-Longworth. 

  That's all I wanted to know. I wanted to know whether or not I'd have to put up with 'section 8' crap or not.

  Thanks Kendall. This is great news.

  I'll be looking into these.

They should integrate a little CBD into the neighborhood.  Maybe a grocery store, coffee house, a few restaurants, a few retail.

Isn't that what Linn Avenue is for?

On the aerial site plan at the top of the thread, there is a series of blue shaded buildings along Linn St. that have first-floor retail.  The only current tenant is PNC Bank.

Isn't that what Linn Avenue is for?

Was that in response to:

They should integrate a little CBD into the neighborhood.  Maybe a grocery store, coffee house, a few restaurants, a few retail

...or was it in response to:

I wanted to know whether or not I'd have to put up with 'section 8' crap or not

The first quote.

I love the neighborhood feel to the project....this seems to separate this project from the other in/around the CBD.  This needs to move along a little faster....George W. and his Congress  :evil: I believe tried to cut Hope VI funding in the last budget.

I am currently looking to buy a place in the Drees homes portion of City West.  Does anyone have any expereince with the area?  The townhomes Drees are building look nice.  I just want to get a feel for the whole neighborhood and how it is living there.

I am currently looking to buy a place in the Drees homes portion of City West.  Does anyone have any expereince with the area?   The townhomes Drees are building look nice.  I just want to get a feel for the whole neighborhood and how it is living there.

 

That whole City West area is definately what I would call an area going through a transition.  It used to be a huge slum with projects all over...now there are market rate units all over with section 8 co-existing throughout.  When it is all said and done it will be what I would consider to be a typical urban neighborhood....diverse people and lots of them.  I have heard of UC professors, doctors, and other professionals living in the neighborhood.  Currently it is lacking in the retail department, but what urban neighborhoods aren't?

 

I would definately give this area my nod of approval to anyone looking for a home.  If you don't mind diversity (I know some crazy people avoid it) then you will be just fine....and if you crave diversity....you will LOVE it!

Here are some pictures of the Models at City West.

More photos next week.

^^ It appears that your host won't allow hotlinking.

 

Inside Picture of the Albee:

 

 

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7434/3852/1600/CCW_Family_Room.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7434/3852/1600/CCW_Kitchen.0.jpg

try these to see two pictures.  We have had a lot of changes.  We have 14 buildings up.  19 Homeowners from Drees, 8 more to close by March 07.  And more to come.

New look, hope in West End

City West project nears completion

BY JON NEWBERRY | [email protected]

April 9, 2007

 

PHOTO: At City West, Sydneystarr Moore, 6, pushes her sister, Madisonqueen Thomas, 2, with their mother, A'kilah Thomas (background). The development hasn't met all expectations, but it has given the West End "a real shot in the arm."

THE ENQUIRER/CARRIE COCHRAN

 

PHOTO: The mixed-use housing development in the West End includes condominiums, market-rate apartments and public housing.

THE ENQUIRER/CARRIE COCHRAN

 

WEST END - A decade after it began, construction on the massive City West redevelopment project in the West End is nearing an end. The biggest residential development in Cincinnati since World War II has accomplished a lot - and still fallen short of its original goals.

 

Click on link for article.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070409/BIZ01/704090321/1076/BIZ

Sydneystarr and Madisonqueen! LOL

Does anyone know anything about any businesses popping up in the area?

Retail always follows residential, not vice versa. They're having trouble with the owner-occupied units, which are obviously going to occupy higher income residents that have more disposable income so my guess is that the businesses aren't going to come until most of the market rate housing is filled. Looking at those numbers, less than 1/4th of the number of owner-occupied units they projected have actually been built so far, so they have a way to go.

I am not sure how you can say they are having trouble with th owner occupied units.  It seems they are selling.  I know several poeple who have moved down there recently.  Are they selling like a hot cakes no--but it is not as if none are selling.  The people I know who live down there are very happy.  Drees has been doing well with this project since they took it over.  I know they are getting ready to build a building that has 9 more of the largest floor plan with 4 of those under contract.

Whether its filling up at a fast pace or not, the businesses aren't going to move in until theres a strong residential base. That's all I'm saying. I'm not suggesting the project failed.

^It will actually take more than just a strong residential base.  It will take a couple of pioneers to step up and test out the West End.  It is an unproven market to retailers, and must be proven for them to be willing to take the risk themselves.  Who will it be to step up first; I don't know.  But someone needs to show that retailers can be successful in that neighborhood before that segment takes off.

A nice mid-tier casual restaurant Friday's like in price would be good for the area considering the economics but not a Friday's because they give me diarrhea.

Quiet on the West End front

Construction is finished at Troy Plott's City West condo, and it's just the way he wants it

BY JENNY CALLISON | [email protected]

April 29, 2007

 

This weekly feature will take you inside interesting new and newly redone living spaces in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

 

WEST END - By purchasing a townhome last year in City West, the West End Drees development, Troy Plott was able to do something he'd always wanted: design a home from scratch.

 

Click on link for article.

City West manager under fire from CMHA

BY DAN MONK | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

October 19, 2007

 

WEST END - The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority is trying to fire the property manager at the nearly completed City West, citing "serious deficiencies" at the $200 million mixed-income community.

 

Click on link for article.

"said the project is running at better than 90 percent occupancy "

 

That is an eye opener to me, if that is true.            Cool!

Is City West Completely built yet, or is there another block or two to do?

There is still a little more left to go.

How is the business district on Linn St. looking?

^ eh....

City West still has many more apartments and owner occupied housing units to build until it is built out.  The owner occupied units are selling.   I move into mine at the end of November.  The block at the southeast corner of Ezzard Charles and Cutter that sits empty except for the streets and two blocks to the north of Laurel park (about a block north) that sit empty. 

 

I don't think linn will take off until all the market rate homes are complete.  Drees has done a nice job on the market rate homes.   

I'm glad people don't feel very threatened by the low income people who recieved vouchers to move in already before the market rate people. I'm sure the first market rate people would see that as high risk.

I think what makes the low-income portion of City West different is:

 

1)  The apartments are mixed with low income and market rate units.

2) The low income units are not Section 8.  The residents must meet a higher standard than section 8 low income housing.  They are not to have any criminal record.

 

It is an urban neighborhood which does have some risks, but I think the long term benefits (establishing a sustainable mixed income neighborhood) for the community out weigh the risks.

How is the business district on Linn St. looking?

We drove up Linn St. by accident while going to the post office last week.  I didn't see a single commercial space occupied.  I don't think many people go through there, especially when they are eager to shop.  If I had a business, I'd probably go to any of the open places in the CBD before choosing to go there.

^There is a bank there (forget which one), but you're right.  You would locate where there is more traffic first, but I think these are more geared towards neighborhood service type places.  It would be nice to maybe see a dry cleaners, corner cafe, small grocer, or something else along these lines...you get the idea.