Historic Newport home in danger

Building Cincinnati, 9/27/07

 

Photo of 825 York Street from Campbell County PVA

 

A home at 825 York Street faces possible demolition, despite its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

The Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home would like to demolish the house, ostensibly to expand their parking lot.

 

The funeral home, which is located at 835 York Street, already owns a parking lot at 827 York.

 

Last Thursday, the Newport Board of Adjustment denied by a 2-2 vote Muehlenkamp-Erschell's application for the parking lot.

 

The fear is that the funeral home will demolish the home and then re-apply with the Board of Adjustment in the hopes that, with the house being gone, the parking lot proposal might have a better chance of passing.

 

Local preservationists believe the Greek Revival home to have been built sometime between 1850 and 1860, making it the oldest home on the block.

 

Some of the historic character of the home has been altered, including the installation of vinyl windows.

 

It is currently a blighted multi-family property, and some local residents believe it might be a drug house.

 

An inspection in 2004 listed the property in "good" condition. No more recent inspections are available, though both officials involved in the city's historic preservation and the city's own code enforcement officers know nothing about any structural issues.

 

This area of Newport has seen quite a few rehabs in recent years.

 

WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW

GOOGLE AERIAL MAP

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2007/09/historic-newport-home-in-danger.html

 

What constitutes "Italianate" and "Greek Revival"? I don't see much of a difference between this and local "Italianate" buildings.

 

Regardless, it would be sad to see it go :(

The framing around the door looks to differentiate it from Italianate.  I could easily be wrong, just throwing it out there.

I think that is is a simple version of Italianate that may be classified as Greek Revival because of the trim around the front door and the plainess of the elevation.  It is more common for a Greek Revival to have the gable face the street and the entry to be centered.  However it may be transitional because Italianate is more post civil war and Greek Revival started  earlier.

I haven't posted on here in awhile but wanted to spread the word about efforts underway to save the Meiners Building at 1500 Vine. The building has been slated for emergency demolition, and, like so many others, will quietly be turned to rubble in the next two weeks unless something is done. I know there are diverging opinions about the importance of saving various buildings in OTR....but this one, I believe, is an easier sell on the preservation side. If you're unsure, drive by the intersection of 15th and Vine and observe the 5-storey building with the stone facade on the NE corner.

 

What we're trying to do is raise money to demonstrate some level of private financial committment to saving the building. This financial committment is critical to leveraging $100,000 the City has available for restoration, and another $150,000 that 3CDC has for potential use on the building. If you're interested in helping, please check out www.pledgebank.com/Over-the-Rhine, or www.pledgebank.com/1500Vine  (different pledge levels)

 

There is much more detail about this that I can get into if people have specific questions. Thanks much, and please pass on the word.

 

can we get pic?

 

edit: i found a pic on this blog, is this it?

 

ugh, what a shame to tear that down. i have no idea, but at a glance it does look savable. good luck to them, when will people realize these iconic structures sure dont grow on trees anymore?  :|

 

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2008/03/1502-vine-fast-tracked-for-demolition.html

 

Obviously there is considerable neglect and fire damage, but why is it slated for emergency demolition? I'm assuming there are massive structural problems? Also, who is the owner of the building? Was it the owner or the city that initiated the demolition process?

 

Edit: Nevermind - the blog link answered my questions. Quite a shame.

If I had any money at all...AT ALL, I would help out.  Unfortunately I'm broke...I'm more than willing to do a write-up on my website to help spread the word.

dglenn...I did a writeup with links to the pledge pages on my blog and on Soapbox.  Hopefully that sends a few folks your way.

 

I still haven't pledged yet...should do that.

I'm so glad to hear someone else is concerned about this!

One problem...people are receiving checks ranging from $300 to $2000+ so I don't see how they can precisely measure how many stimulus checks they're getting.  Also, my SS number ends in the 90's so I'm not getting my check until July, which will probably only be $300. 

Also, my SS number ends in the 90's so I'm not getting my check until July, which will probably only be $300.

 

Alright...jmecklenborg's SS# xxx-xx-xx9x

 

hheheheheh...1 down, 8 to go.  :evil:

One problem...people are receiving checks ranging from $300 to $2000+ so I don't see how they can precisely measure how many stimulus checks they're getting.  Also, my SS number ends in the 90's so I'm not getting my check until July, which will probably only be $300. 

 

I'm guessing that they're counting on the $600 figure that a single person above poverty level will receive.  The assumption here would be that for couples, half of that $1200 isn't really yours to donate, and people getting the $2000 have children, which are expensive, making disposable income less likely, and the people getting the $300 check really don't have the money to pledge for something like this.  That would have been my rationale anyway.

Thanks for all of your replies.

 

BuildingCincinnati, thanks for your writeup. A couple of large pledges (i.e. rebate checks) are starting to come in, and the target is starting to look obtainable. All of your efforts at wider disemination, as well as your individual pledges, are critical to this effort and very much appreciated.

 

Important Update -- Channel 9 is doing a story on the building tonight. It will run between 5:30 and 6:00, and will be posted online after 9. Please check it out and refer as many folks as you can to it.

 

Finally, if anyone is able to help connect us to additional forums/listservs with relevant viewership, that would be extremely helpful. There are innumerable preservation groups across the country that maintain ongoing dialogues and might be willing to make the smaller $10 pledge, but contact info is needed for these groups.

Uncle Rando, thanks also for your writeup. Succinct and well done. Much appreciated.

You can view Channel 9's news story here:

http://www.wcpo.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=23

 

Hopefully it generates some interest.

Whats the latest on this?  Can DCI or whoever be approached with the existing pledges to show what support does exist??  Can the current pledge group collectively increase their support???

Checkout www.meinerflats.blogspot.com for the latest. This is now the official website for the 1500 Vine preservation effort.

 

We are currently attempting to collect pledges from those who made them.

 

This is a very critical time for the building. Your support and any other interest you can generate is much appreciated.

 

City considers $187,000 for Meiner Flats stabilization

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2008/09/city-considers-187000-for-meiner-flats.html

 

Cincinnati City Council is considering an emergency ordinance that would establish a new $187,000 capital improvement account for the stabilization of the Meiner Flats building at 1500-1502 Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine.

 

The City would then enter into an agreement with 3CDC (OTR Holdings, LLC) to bring the structure up to Vacant Building Maintenance License standards as part 3CDC's neighborhood redevelopment plan.

 

The funding would be transferred from the OTR Arts District Home Buyers Loan account and from several hazard abatement and demolition accounts.

 

3CDC has agreed to contribute an additional $200,000 toward the work.

 

Built in 1875 by the Meiner family to advertise their skills as stonemasons, the building has sat vacant for over 20 years.

 

A roof collapse, combined with bricks and pieces of cornice falling to the sidewalk below, forced the City to order an emergency demolition in March.

 

Formerly owned by Big Dog Holdings, it was acquired in May by Christopher Tucker by quit claim deed for $1,000, according to auditor records.

 

Although the demolition permits have been pulled, the building remains condemned and a safety hazard to Vine Street's pedestrians.

Good to hear!

And a follow up...

 

Cincinnati approves $187K for Meiner Flats stabilization agreement

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2008/09/cincinnati-approves-187k-for-meiner.html

 

Cincinnati City Council has approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the transfer of $187,000 to stabilize the Meiner Flats building at 1500-1502 Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine.

 

The transfer will create a new Meiner Flats capital account, with money taken from the OTR Arts District Home Buyers Loan account and several hazard abatement accounts.

 

The City will now draw up an agreement with 3CDC (OTR Holdings, LLC), who will contribute $200,000 of their own funding, to bring the structure up to code.

 

Built in 1875 by the Meiner family to advertise their skills as stonemasons, the building has been vacant for over 20 years.

 

A roof collapse, combined with bricks and pieces of cornice falling to the sidewalk below, forced the City to order an emergency demolition in March.

 

Although it has been removed from the hazard abatement program for the time being, the façade remains hazardous and the sidewalk below remains closed.

 

In May, it was acquired by Christopher Tucker from Big Dog Holdings by quit claim deed for $1,000, according to auditor records.

 

No plans for a full restoration have been released.

 

????

 

Interesting.  Aren't most of those buildings currently occupied (aside from the street-level retail)?  I know that some are apartments and others look to be occupied as well.  It has also been in the news that the former Poison Room is being redone...so I'm not real sure what this would be, but it sounds like a lead nonetheless.

wow the places you guys find leads never ceases to amaze me

Who advertises for a contractor on craig's list??? 

Who advertises for a contractor on craig's list???

 

That's what I was thinking?

 

Like Randy said, what in the hell are they talking about? There's the firehouse, Williamson Lofts, Poison Room, and then 2 other buildings that I can think of?

 

The website doesn't seem too helpful without signing up first.

That will piss me off if they come down.

Well, we know it won't be the fire station.  So what does that leave?  I wonder what will go in their places.  Can anyone see the old Poison Room coming down?  If so, that'll leave 5th and Plum quite empty, considering there's a parking lot covering most of the next block (if not all of it).

If so, that'll leave 5th and Plum quite empty, considering there's a parking lot covering most of the next block (if not all of it).

 

I'd assume, if it came down something else would go up. Can anyone else imagine differently?

 

The Poison Room looks like it might be undergoing renovations, but it's been in the same state for weeks now.

If so, that'll leave 5th and Plum quite empty, considering there's a parking lot covering most of the next block (if not all of it).

 

I'd assume, if it came down something else would go up. Can anyone else imagine differently?

 

The Poison Room looks like it might be undergoing renovations, but it's been in the same state for weeks now.

 

Well, I wouldn't see it as much a question of IF something else would go up...but WHEN.

If so, that'll leave 5th and Plum quite empty, considering there's a parking lot covering most of the next block (if not all of it).

 

I'd assume, if it came down something else would go up. Can anyone else imagine differently?

 

The Poison Room looks like it might be undergoing renovations, but it's been in the same state for weeks now.

 

Well, I wouldn't see it as much a question of IF something else would go up...but WHEN.

 

Unless they're adding another glorious surface lot.  :x

^Exactly my point.

If 3 of those buildings came down, you could fit, what 8 maybe 10 cars in that area? I guess you could use one of the auto elevators that we see in NYC. lol

^Yeah, I'm not really familiar with those buildings or the size of their collective footprint.  I'm just saying, demolition doesn't necessarily imply reconstruction.

Windows is horrible, so I wasn't able to do a screen capture, so I provided this link for anyone who's unfamiliar with the block:

 

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qhgzyn7yq3jx&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=9220383&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Windows is horrible, so I wasn't able to do a screen capture

 

???  Just hit the PrtScn button and then paste into any given app.  Thanks for the link, though.  Seems strange that these particular buildings would come down.

Here are some old ones I had.

 

Poison Room on the corner (partly shown) then . . .

 

 

Last two buildings on the block are the Williamson Lofts which isn't going anywhere and the fire station.  They are furthest to the right, beyond the existing parking lot.

 

Close up of two of them:

 

Details:

 

 

yeah this seems a little odd.  all of those buildings obviously have untapped potential.  i have always liked the blue and white one on the top left.

I just looked on the auditors website, and one guy owns 305 and 309 w. 5th (the medical center and the levinson brothers building, both owned since 1980) another guy owns 313 w. 5th (the adjacent beige colored one owned since 1970).  So someone must have options on them, or the owners have gotten together and formed an agreement.  I hate to see anything old torn down, but these buildings don't offer a lot architecturally and the footprints are pretty weird to develop together.

I agree that the footprints might be tough but all buildings are in the West 4th Street Historic District and contribute to the neighborhood and think all have architectural merit.

but these buildings don't offer a lot architecturally

 

If you say so... 

A new condo tower maybe?

 

I find it hard to believe someone is going pay someone to demo these buildings, just to demo them?

A few months back, wasn't a veterinarian supposedly moving her practice down to a building on that block.  I recall that being the case.

That vet clinic is going in on plum street next to the plum street cafe.

For what it's worth, I found my screen capture from yesterday:

 

 

If these do indeed come down then they're probably going to be replaced with another structure of some sort.  There is more than enough parking in that area as it is now, and I don't think that is an issue keeping any potential residents or shoppers/patrons away.

Quote from: The_Cincinnati_Kid on October 07, 2008, 08:29:06 PM

but these buildings don't offer a lot architecturally

 

If you say so... 

 

I do say so. The facade material is somewhat unique (especially the white one), but two of these buildings lack any of the fancier detail of their neighbors.  No cornice work, no window details, etc.  I am not an architect, but what do you feel makes them architecturally significant?

 

have always thought you could make a nice boutique hotel by combining several of those...close to downtown and convention center. Something along lines of a scaled-down version of the way cool 21C Hotel in Louisville.

I think something special could have been done with the Emergency Medical Center building, but alas it will not happen.  I agree about the one to the west of the Levinson Bros building, but as someone said before, it adds to the historic nature of the district.  I just don't agree with tearing down buildings because we don't like them.  If they're blighted, sure.  We in the US have a fetish with teardowns.

They may not be architecturally significant by themselves, but they are significant as a whole because they present an unbroken street front in an area of downtown that has a block wide parking lot right next to it.

 

Density, density, density. Those buildings could be renovated into condo's very easily, or made into apartments etc...