I think that since Over The Rhine is so massive, we should bring back "The Northern Liberties" to the area north of Liberty Street (formerly Western Row).  I know that it's all under similar historic status, but I think it might help:

 

• Market the area as a whole more effectively
  
• Indicate more localized criminal activity, instead of allowing any outsider who has driven down even one street in "OTR" to consider the massive area a wasteland
  
• Function as a community [pride] tool (like CUF and its several neighborhoods)
  
• Help property values on the fringe of OTR's northern streets (This one is pure speculation on my part.)
  
• Open up possibilities in The North Liberties from a historical standpoint

 

The whole area is under historic status, but from a German cultural perspective, it's where they all retreated when Cincinnati wouldn't even tolerate Catholicism or alcohol.  Within just a couple decades, the Northern Liberties became the most dense neighborhood in the area.  Of course, the neighborhood was the first neighborhood annexed into the city.

 

It's much more evident where the redevelopment is taking place if you break it up into Over-The-Rhine and The Northern Liberties.  I think there's still more reluctance to fix up properties up there.  My prediction is that it'll be at least another five years until the Vine/McMicken/Findlay intersection gets a a full facelift.  The streetcar could add some energy to that.

I think it is most valuable from the historical standpoint.  A historical marker at Vernon's corner could be a good first step in making, if not an official designation, at least sets it apart as a point of interest.  Now I am all for doing away with City tax north of Liberty like the good ole days.

 

    A friend once told me, "The success of Main Street in Over-the-Rhine will never move north of Liberty Street." I think his point was that since Liberty Street has been widened into a motorway, it's a pretty big barrier to pedestrians. Can you imagine what it must have looked like when it was still narrow?

Just imagine if they had replaced Fort Washington Way with the Liberty Street Connector. In ten or fifteen years, the city is going to have to do some serious thinking about Liberty in terms how it fits with the neighborhoods around it.

The success of Main Street in Over-the-Rhine will never move north of Liberty Street.

 

I don't really agree with that.  Look at the whole picture, much of the wealth is on the hillside, including Prospect Hill, Mulberry, Dorsey, and new const to come with more Vineyard homes on the corner of Sycamore and Mulberry, Doug Spitz project at the north of Hughes and of course, Vernon's corner itself all is North of Liberty.  Safe, and attractive passage from the hill to Main via Vernon's corner is being built now with the new streetscaping and expanded sidewalks. 

 

I find it funny that many of the store owners historically on Main have complained that the money on the hill never seems to find its way to Main yet we are here arguing the opposite.  Right now, McMicken and E. Clifton are being squeezed.  Development to the south is pushing North rapidly and development from the North is pushing South rapidly.  As more and more gets developed on both sides and available land and buildings become more and more finite, then E. Clifton will fall.  We have a developer who has already assembled almost all of the properties on E. Clifton from Frintz to Vine leaving the only real trouble area for E. Clifton between Lang and Frintz.  Peete is prime to be a Corporation Alley type street(already 75% owned by property owners on Mulberry including myself).  Hughes will turn as soon as Doug Spitz breaks ground and you will already here some of the property owners mulling over ideas on Hughes now that Vernon is almost complete and the clearing that has taken place to the north that has everyone speculating. 

 

 

>Can you imagine what it must have looked like when it was still narrow?

 

Sure, you can check out the panoramic album artwork from "Paul's Boutique". 

When I own properties south of Liberty, I'll care about branding.

^I've got a few for sale.

I'll give you 15 dollars for each. That's my current budget  :angel:

I couldn't even rent you a room for a half hour at that price.  10 minutes perhaps......

I thought we got rid of those kind of hotels in the basin.  :mrgreen:

Hah, when I wrote that I actually was thinking about the Ft. Washington. 

I think the Brewery District does the same thing.

 

There has been a lot of effort over the past few years to do exactly what you're talking about:

 

• Market the area as a whole more effectively
  
• Indicate more localized criminal activity, instead of allowing any outsider who has driven down even one street in "OTR" to consider the massive area a wasteland
  
• Function as a community [pride] tool (like CUF and its several neighborhoods)
  
• Help property values on the fringe of OTR's northern streets (This one is pure speculation on my part.)
  
• Open up possibilities in The North Liberties from a historical standpoint

 

Historic street signage including an Ohio Historic Marker are being installed in the next month.  Numerous tours have taken hundreds of people through the neighborhood and breweries.  A lot of positive press including newspapers and TV.  Working on reducing crime by bringing the Sheriff here and continuing CPOP projects like dealing with the prostitution.  Plus, we have beer at all of our meetings.

 

Sounds like what you're looking for to me.