January 28, 201015 yr There is more than enough data out there to support meter removal as an economic development tool. There is an excellent book of community development put out by the National Trust and available in their online bookstores (you can also find an occaisional used copy on Ebay) called "Main Street Sucess Stories". The big concern is neighborhood parking. Fortunately OTR has enough vacant lots (too many) to create community permit parking lots or "condo parking". These are gated lots with landscaped street buffers that proviide mcuh needed urban parkling in what would normally be congested situations. Most citioes do not "plan ahead' for these eventualities and agood development plan should include them. Perhaps a good use for those city and CPS vacant lots? Perhaps eventually those who live/work in OTR would use public transport but it is a reality that as OTR turns around it will draw a more Suburban element who will not be willing to shed their cars. Free Saturday is agood idea but the goal shoudl be for Findlay to be sustaining on an everyday basis.
January 28, 201015 yr Well, it's not hard to find plenty of parking at Findlay on the street during the weekday, unfortunately.
January 29, 201015 yr Evidently over the last decade St. Louis has demolished close to 8,000 buildings: http://stldotage.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-many-buildings-did-st-louis.html
January 29, 201015 yr Some friends of mine from St Louis are planning to move to Cincinnati because they are so fed up with the Demolitions. St Louis "used to be" the Capital of Second Empire Architecure in the Midwest. In fact she was telling me that many locals are considering Cincinnati because we have such great architecture.....and we still have most of ours. I say 'used to' because now we have more remaining Second Empires than they do. Unfortunatley at the rate we are going we won't hold that title for long. There are 12 Second Empires in my neighborhood alone and almost 1/2 have VBML or Condemn order against them. If we do not start standing up to preserve our architecture we suffer the same fate! If you think I'm passionate about preservation wait til Lauren gets to Cincinnati, I am "tame" by comparison! I feel sorry for the city council, the mayor and inspections when she gets here. We need 10,000 just like her!
February 2, 201015 yr I am interested in how others are finding the task of getting funding for their historic purchase or purchase/rehab projects. Here's my story. I'm new to the game, but have found a place in OTR that I want to buy, and have an executed contract for $40K. The place is a converted single family and is inhabited by one tenant who wants to stay and is paying $500/month. Subject to professional inspection, I'd say the place appears solid and to require no structural stabilization (I'm a civil engineer). It has a new roof but needs a new boiler. I want to rehab the 2nd and 3rd floors and make that my residence. I may or may not continue to rent the first floor, long term. This place has a lot to like (like many others). To be honest, my financial record is very clean, and my ratios leave tons of room. I've had my job for 20 years, and since I'm a professor I'd pretty much have to kill someone to get fired now. My preference would be to get a 203(k) loan to finance the purchase/rehab in a single mortgage. I can not find a place who will do that in Cincinnati. The home ownership center organized a "Live, buy, design in Over the Rhine" program about 4 years ago, which is now dismantled. The rumors are that it was poorly integrated with lenders, and there was little if any useful education component for the individual homeowner. Following that, I'll take a small mortgage for maybe half the purchase price. Many people probably pay more than that cost each month for fast food lunches. I've had trouble with that one too. Cincinnati Federal S&L even told me that they wouldn't consider a loan because this place didn't have off street parking. :whip: Not to mention that it is right on the proposed streetcar line. As you can probably tell, this is starting to piss me off. It pisses me off more, the more I think about it. Then again, nobody owes me anything, so I can't blame them for doing what they want with their money, but why can they lend tons of money for a trac house in West Chester and not even consider a tiny loan in OTR? I'm ticked off for myself, but then I also think that, if I'm having so much trouble with this property, no wonder the only one making a big dent in OTR is 3CDC. And, they are very clearly not geared to helping someone like me out with financing connections (and for the record, I am a fan). So now I am looking at a short term (one year) mortgage from the Cincinnati development fund, due to some contacts from the VERY HELPFUL people at the Over The Rhine foundation. Thank God for the OTR Foundation and CDF, but what gives with the banks? Is this a problem or am I overreacting? Anyone have any suggestions for other options? I'm really curious.
February 2, 201015 yr VBML=Redlining, Condemn orders=redlining, this city is dependent on Federal funding and yes they are engaged in "governmental redlining". Once a property is declared by city inspectors (who have no training to speak of) a property is doomed. My advice , SUE THE CITY, its about time the preservation community 'grew a pair" and said no more! The city is under investigation RIGHT NOW by HUD for failure to involve the public in the process.
February 2, 201015 yr I believe this gentleman is hiding out here. j/k. Kudos, really! Group: City demolishing historic homes By Steve Kemme • [email protected] • February 1, 2010 SOUTH FAIRMOUNT - A Cincinnati neighborhood group believes salvageable buildings with historical value are getting bulldozed in the city's push to get rid of blighted properties. The Knox Hill Neighborhood Association in South Fairmount has filed a federal complaint about Cincinnati's review process for placing buildings on the public nuisance and demolition lists. The group, headed by historic preservation consultant Paul Willham, says the city process for reviewing potentially historical properties that could be demolished with federal funds violates U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations by failing to give the public a sufficient opportunity to comment. To read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100201/NEWS0108/2010306/1055/NEWS/Group++City+demolishing+historic+homes
February 2, 201015 yr Whats cool is that there actually is someone speaking up against this in Cincinnati. Here in Dayton they are going to be doing a big demo project and the urban advocates, preservationsits. and historic district people actually support this. The idea is this is just old junk (unless its in their particular historic district). One of the reasons Dayton is such a lost cause.
February 2, 201015 yr Jim; I am so glad to hear you are going to purchase! I don't understand why you are only gettng a 1yr loan from CDF. The great thing about CDF is that they specifically target revitalization of urban communities like ours that traditional banks are afraid of. Yes traditional banks have a fear of urban residential projects, and that needs to change. I have talked with some people who got 203k loans and they were very happy with them, and it seems like that should work for you. But for me, this would not work because these FHA loans and such will not allow a loan on a home with more than 4 units, even if it is your prime residence. And they have all these checklists for things such as parking that don't make sense here. I went through all this with my home, and ended up going with CDF and they were fantastic with my rehab loan. It is really a shame, but much of these restrictions apparently come from Federal guidelines that are written to support sprawl and the National Homebuilders Association.
February 2, 201015 yr Whats cool is that there actually is someone speaking up against this in Cincinnati. Here in Dayton they are going to be doing a big demo project and the urban advocates, preservationsits. and historic district people actually support this. The idea is this is just old junk (unless its in their particular historic district). One of the reasons Dayton is such a lost cause. In Dayton's case, the demo work is not comparable to tearing down structurally sound buildings in OTR. Being a smaller city, Daytonians have done a fairly good job reclaiming its historic districts like Oregon, South Park, St. Anne's Hill, and Fairgrounds neighborhood to the south and east and Dayton View, Five Oaks, McPherson Town and Wright-Dunbar to the north and west. From what I can tell, most of the demos in Dayton aren't a part of any specific cohesive district and really are pretty far gone. That's not an excuse for it, but that's just the way it is. In Cincinnati's case, Over-the-Rhine is a district with national significance and could serve as a huge selling-point for Cincinnati. It's something that other inland city's just don't have. So there are differences and reasons for hope in both places. As for putting the heat on Cincinnati's political establishment, remember that to make an omelette you have to break some eggs.
February 2, 201015 yr From what I can tell, most of the demos in Dayton aren't a part of any specific cohesive district and really are pretty far gone. That's not an excuse for it, but that's just the way it is. I don't know. Dayton's west side neighborhoods have been hit pretty hard and have historical significance.
February 3, 201015 yr I don't know. Dayton's west side neighborhoods have been hit pretty hard and have historical significance. Entire neighborhoods have been obliterated on the west side..buisness corners as well as residential districts. Now they are working on the east side, which now has the highest concentration of 19th century building stock om Dautpm, and on the north side. Dayton is on its way out, and "thats just the way it is"....the place is over. In Cincy, however, there is still hope. There is enough of the old city left, enough of the old urban fabric left, that the city hasn't lost its character (or is in danger of losing its character the way Dayton is). I was struck by this this past Sunday afternoon, sunny day, taking a walk down McMicken and then down to Liberty and Walnut and Vine, the areas north an east of Findlay Market, how much is still left.
February 3, 201015 yr Sorry, I didn't mean to make Dayton sound like a preserved gem because it's obviously not. I'm just saying some neighborhoods are quite fine while some outside the purview of a caring community are being fed to the wolves. So you make a good points. Now they are working on the east side Who is "they"? I assume you mean the demolition company-financed politicians, but I wonder if you could also mean the corrosive effects of the urban underclass (ie drugs, violence, social isolation). In Cincy, however, there is still hope. There is enough of the old city left, enough of the old urban fabric left, that the city hasn't lost its character (or is in danger of losing its character the way Dayton is). I was struck by this this past Sunday afternoon, sunny day, taking a walk down McMicken and then down to Liberty and Walnut and Vine, the areas north an east of Findlay Market, how much is still left. Amen. This is why I've made OTR my main urban priority. It literally is the best opportunity in the country IMO. Dayton still has a lot to offer, especially in the ways it is being forced to reinvent itself in a deindustrialized society. Hope springs eternal.
February 3, 201015 yr "But why can they lend tons of money for a trac house in West Chester and not even consider a tiny loan in OTR?" They expect the value of the West Chester house to increase, and they expect the value of the OTR property to decrease. It's really as simple as that. Whether the bank is correct in it's assumptions is another question. You could argue that you think the value of the OTR property will increase, but it is their call.
February 4, 201015 yr Regarding the Enquirer article: Yes Knox Hill did complain to HUD and yes, we are awaiting city reply to the state on the section 106 issue. I've been working in preservation for 20 plus years now and NEVER have I seen a city conduct 106 review behind closed doors with out any public input. Placing a two line ad in a paper once a year has not been found a legitamate public notice by any city that has attempted this lame excuse when complaints have been filed with HUD. The Urban Conservators,Mr. Hariss's contention that " HUD never found fault" is due to the fact NO ONE EVER COMPLAINED! Well we have, and now the city must justify its process. The city has still not returned its Programatic agreement to Ohio Preservation naming consulting party. And YES, we believe the city VBML policy is govermental redlining and the city nuisanace board is in serious govenmental conflict of interest by having a board made up of city employees in direct supervisory position of the inspectors bringing the nuisance orders before the board. It is only a matter of time before the city probably finds itself in Federal Court facing a charge of governmental redlining of economically disadvantaged neigborhoods. The Vacant Building Task force inspectors are TOO LAZY to do their job and actually write repair orders, which means they have several follow up inspections so they abuse the ordinance, and they slap VBML orders on property and basically at that point its a "death sentence' for a property. No Bank will make loans and yes, you can get a waiver but the cost of liability insurance is so cost prohibitive you then have little money left over for restoration. People who restore old houses should not be treated like criminals and the city should not be throwing up roadblocks to restoration and preservation efforts in this city. It may be the only chance this city has, since its' historic architecture is its best asset. The VBML ordinance and nuisance board was not conceived to conduct the peoples business the way they are now! And no, we are not done with the city on this issue yet. We haven't even touched Ohio's Sunshine Law (Ohio Revised Code. Section (RC) 121.22) as it pertains to public hearings on local government expenditures and awarding of demolition contracts, YET. Our goal is an open process where the public and neighbors who actually live in the affected neighborhood have the ability to provide their opinion and documentaion about buildings eligibility under section 106 and if they disagree with the city recomendation for demo, their objections can be forwarded to the state and have them reach a determination where federal taxpayer dollars are used.
February 4, 201015 yr In some neighborhoods I think is funding related. The city and county are getting 24 million dollars in "foreclosure Blight abatement" funds (stimulus fund), roughly 10 percent of that will be demo related. If you look at the city keep vacant VBML list you will note that many pending or foreclosed properties have be been fast tracked from things like being turneed in for a broken window to VBML to condemn in 3-5 months. during 2009. The same infraction in a neighborhood like Columbia Tusculum or Mt Adams gets a repair order. Interestingly the neighborhoods the city plans on spending the money in, it is amazing how fast those houses get a VBML or condemn order. If you dig down in the data and look in inspection notes on those properties in those neighborhoods how quickly this is hapening it gets interesting. They contact the owner of record who informs them they have let it to the bank and they don't own it anymore. The bank hasn't yet initiated foreclosure because they have so many and it takes months to process. So the 'owner of record ' doesn't make the repair, the city slaps the property with a VBML, the owner, whose already abandoned it to the bank won't pay. So they then slap a condemn order. By the time the bank has finished foreclouse/sherriffs sale it now has worthless condemned building. For some reason the city when they get to the VBML stage do not 'co-notify' the bank (lienholder), the city also skips the part of the ordinance where they take the owner to court for non payment of the VBML fee where they 'could' then put a lien against the property. BUT THEN, that would shop up on a title search. far easy to just order it condemned becaus the owner isnt "co-operating' with the inspector. The VBML ordinance is being used in a way it was never intended. It was supposed to be reserved for theose "worst of the worst ' property owners who had seriously deteriorated buildings that presented a danger to first responder and would be used to force them to bring it to the 13 points. That is not how its being used anymore. Now its just step one to a quick condemn. Oh and the city has upped its Nuisance Board hearings to twice a month! Naturally houses that have a VBML or Condemn order are pretty worthless. makes it easier to acquire and bundle property for redevelopment so that core group of developers the city uses to keep busy on that redevelopment and demo work.Gotta spend that FREE FEDERAL MONEY...its just the taxpapyers federal dollars, no body cares how its spent?
February 4, 201015 yr I think a follow up on how they award the demo contracts could be productive. There are just one or two companies that get all the work. They really seem to like Greg Spring, who is just one guy and a backhoe.
February 4, 201015 yr I located a veryREVEALING city document on the process from 2007: Apparently the city on projects less than 25K selects contractors from a "pre screened pool of contractors "and does not conduct a competitive bidding process. "This first method is recommended for demolition projects that do not exceed $25,000. The City would allow contractors to make application for a certificate or a license to perform this level of work. The application would berenewed on an annual basis. The contractor must be properly qualified, demonstrating proof of workerscompensation coverage, liability insurance and performance bond capability. Upon completion of this process, the"pre-qualified", i.e.; certified or licensed, contractor would be added to a pre-quaiified list. When a building or group of buildings must be removed, the Department of Buildings and Inspections would simply request informal quotes from the pool of contractors. Upon issuance of a purchase order, the contractor that offers the lowest cost would be directed to commence demolition at teh earliest opportunity." To me that would seem to be an exclusionary process that would deny bidding by the "NON PRE APPROVED CONTRATORS" who maybe could do it at less cost? I dont know but I intent to ask HUD if this is a legal process where Federal Funds are used as I coudl see how it could preclude minority contractor particapation and certainly doesnta ssure that we the taxpayers are necessarily getting the most for our tax dollar?
February 4, 201015 yr So we think this is really about money for the demo guys? Tearing down in the neighborhoods that they are certainly does not help transitional neighborhoods. Cleaning out a neighborhood at the bottom is only going to displace population into areas with decent quality housing. The crushing of the Fairmonts has only hurt Westwood and other adjacent neighborhoods. I know that you come at this from a historical pres. perspective, but I'm trying to think through it at either a investment or planning level or simply corruption. Certainly, the drug house explanation claim has been overused.
February 4, 201015 yr Well I know that in our neighborhood of Knox Hill which sits right on the border between N and S Fairmount, since we started our neighborhood group most of the drug dealers have moved on, as have the prostitues and the registered sex offender is back in jail thanks to our diligence. So on the whole our neighborhood is in better shape that it was year ago. We sucessfully kept a motorcycle gang from setting up a 'clubhouse' in our neighborhood. We have also attracted about 1.2 million in private restoration efforts to our neighborhood in 2009 and their are far more middle and upper income people in our neigborhood now than in 2008. As you know a VBML order or condemn order makes it impossible to get bank loans , many in our neighborhood are restoring with our own monies. Yet the number of properties on the VBML/Demo list has more than tripled from Jan 1 2009 when there were 16 properties to 41 properties now. It doesn't make sense to me either. I've also hear the theory floated that some of the council members are ashamed of the neighborhoods they grew up in and would just as soon see them gone. I do not know. This 'urban renewal" model of demo it and new development will come is really a failed Urban Planning Model that has been largely abandoned by most forward thinking cities. I can turn my neighborhood around, I've sucessfully turned neighborhoods around worse than ours in other cities, IF, the city would keep its bulldozers out of my neighborhood. The potential loss of 41 properties would decimate our chances at historic registry nomination as it would mean the elimination of 20 percent of our historic building inventory. Maybe they are worried the census will throw a monkey wrench in city funding, a bunch of people with 6 figure household incomes showing up in Fairmount may skew the city numbers? Maybe result in cuts in their low income grant funding? We have some of the finest architecture in the city, most people do not realize it becuse the neighborhood is tucked back on a hill with basically two roads in. The views are incredible and I have to wonder if there is some "hidden agenda' by the city and our neighborhood association coming along has gotten in the way of whatever some peoples plans were. It makes NO SENSE to demolish viable housing stock that can be restored. http://sites.google.com/site/knoxhillneighborhoodassoc/
February 5, 201015 yr So we think this is really about money for the demo guys? Here is Dayton a demolition contractor was major contributor to the campaign of a city commissioner, the commisioner who is advocating a large scale demo program to "right size" Dayton...this was discovered by a local blogger who got the CFRs from the BoE office.
February 5, 201015 yr "But why can they lend tons of money for a trac house in West Chester and not even consider a tiny loan in OTR?" They expect the value of the West Chester house to increase, and they expect the value of the OTR property to decrease. It's really as simple as that. Whether the bank is correct in it's assumptions is another question. You could argue that you think the value of the OTR property will increase, but it is their call. If it is that simple then I conclude that the banks can never be a part of urban renewal, which requires investment in areas that have hope, but no good comps (and comps are the only way they have to evaluate properties/areas, because people don't get off of their asses any more). If that's true then it's sad. Also, the 203(k) loan program is exactly what is needed. But it doesn't seem to be used. A helpful government that solves problems would analyze something like that and figure out what incentives/guarantees are needed.
February 5, 201015 yr Actually some community groups in other cities have partnered very effectively with local lenders to create special loan programs in 'in transition areas'. A lot of cities have partnered with banks to create urban homestead programs and construction rehab loans. It can be done but it takes a lot of work.
February 5, 201015 yr ^ We do have the Cincinnati development fund, which at least targets OTR. I believe they have not chosen to focus in the past on individual projects, but I am learning about them and am very thankful that they exist.
February 9, 201015 yr You might like this view on "blight" versus "disinvestment" http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2009/05/investment-vs-disinvestment.html I just wanted to bump this link by arenn.
February 9, 201015 yr I reported this on my blog today, The Conservation Board denied Northpoint's request to demo the building at 1323 Republic, overuling the opinion of Caroline Kellam the city urban planner and Larry Harris the city Urban Conservator who felt is should be an "allowable loss" Northpoint wanted to demo the historic structure to build a "temporary parking lot" for their condo project! http://victorianantiquitiesanddesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/preservationists-in-otr-win-1323.html
February 11, 201015 yr Well I mentioned how I wrote an email to Callinan applauding his article on OTR, with no intentions of having it published, but turns out it was. I'm in Dayton, but I hear it was in the printed edition too, which is cool. Anyhow, here's a link. Hope everyone feels the same about what I wrote, let me know what you think. http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/01/18/positive-talk-can-end-city-suburb-feud/ ^I just read that for the first time. Well said, I'm glad it was published.
February 11, 201015 yr Well I mentioned how I wrote an email to Callinan applauding his article on OTR, with no intentions of having it published, but turns out it was. I'm in Dayton, but I hear it was in the printed edition too, which is cool. Anyhow, here's a link. Hope everyone feels the same about what I wrote, let me know what you think. http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2010/01/18/positive-talk-can-end-city-suburb-feud/ ^I just read that for the first time. Well said, I'm glad it was published. I had the same thing happen. I had no idea, I was just writing a thank-you as was suggested on this forum...but then I got a phone call from my dad telling me I had a letter in the paper
February 13, 201015 yr Since I talked about this on my Blog, a move to save the Gamble house has expanded with several local bloggers linking to my site statewide. The Cincinnati Business Journal Today: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2010/02/westwood_activists_work_to_save_gamble_estate.html?ana=from_rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cincinnati_blog+%28CincyBiz+Blog%29 Westwood Concern News page: http://westwoodconcern.org/news.shtml City Data: http://www.city-data.com/forum/cincinnati/894322-saving-gamble-house.html Westwood gave emails addresses to people to complain to and I understand some heat is being put out there to save this piece of Cincinnati History. Its good to see this kind of grass roots effort!
February 14, 201015 yr If anyone is involved in the Gamble House situation -- could you please send along any contact info (names, addresses) of individuals, corporations, etc.. I have a meeting on Wednesday with the Executive Director of Heritage Ohio and the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and I would be happy to bring up this subject. In any case, Preservation Ohio would be happy to send expressions of support, both written and, if need be, in person. If possible, just send them to: [email protected]. Thanks! Thomas/presOhio
February 14, 201015 yr Thomas, The Westwood Concern Gamble House webpage http://westwoodconcern.org/news.shtml has a long list of relevant contacts at the bottom of the article. Saving the Gamble house is going to be a complex situation because it involves a non-profit private owner (Greenacres Foundation) apparently interested in seeing the house demolished (but not some of the outbuildings) as well as a city inspection report citing condition issues which have to be addressed to stall demolition. It appears to be a classic case of demolition-by-neglect and these are among the most difficult cases to deal with, as I'm sure you know.
April 4, 201015 yr ‘This Old House’ Spotlights Gamble Restoration Efforts http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/This-Old-House-Spotlights-Gamble-Restoration/PRBbfKqaMke-e6lfu9m_LQ.cspx
April 5, 201015 yr This weekend, while working on our own restorartion I had to make a couple of trips to get materials and I noticed several new restorations going on on Harrison in the Westwood area AND to my surprise some serious resrorations going on in N and S Fairmount. These are all houses thet last year were rentals or vacant so I think we are starting to see some positive momentum building in West side neighborhoods. One that I had featured on my blog on my Preservation Bargaisn page last year now has some nice landscaping, retaining walls and a new wrought iron fence and they were out scraping trim. I can't help but think if the Preservation Community could do more regional and national advertising and marketing of the great properties we have here in Cincinnati that more people would move here. Something we desperatly need to happen to turn around our Urban neighborhoods
April 6, 201015 yr I can't help but think if the Preservation Community could do more regional and national advertising and marketing of the great properties we have here in Cincinnati that more people would move here. Something we desperatly need to happen to turn around our Urban neighborhoods Any ideas on how to jumpstart some self-promotion? The only thing that comes to mind is to keep writing and blogging about the opportunities here. We had a great article on OTR in Preservation Magazine a year of so ago which did get noticed around the country.
April 6, 201015 yr One thing I've thought about would be a promotional video. Something of a montage of historic buildings and neighborhoods with some nice background music and voice over. Maybe a short and long version? A short teaser version to embed on local blogger websites and a longer versions that could be used by the Chamber of Commerce, Neighborhood groups, Community development groups and realtors working with corporate relocations. I think you could even make it a college level project? Get some film/broadcast students and some preservation studies people together to coop on the project.
April 21, 201015 yr There is a Preservation Rally today from 2-3 across the street from the Gamble House on Werk Rd in Westwood. The judge is touring the house today and they want people out there with pro preservation signs as ashow of community support. I know its short notice but if any of you are free this afternoon they need all the people they can get!
April 21, 201015 yr Considering how dishonest Greenhills has been about the whole situation, i would not put it past them that they have boarded up the 1st floor windows so that they could further "distress" this structure without prying eyes around. It is in their best interest to make this house appear as unstructurally sound as possible in order to have their demo permit issued. They have lied about EVERYTHING, so I don't trust them, and I feel they will do ANYTHING to get their way. It's almost unbelieveable that there hasn't been a "fire".
April 21, 201015 yr I think the reason for the Boarding was to protect the building more than anything else. You have to remember lost of publicity and no one wanted some salvage thief helping themselves. There are also photos before the boardup so if Greenacres tries to pull a fast one it will backfire on them. I spoke with someone who is involved in negotiations just this last weekend and the parties 'seem' to be close on saving it. Having said that I dont trust Carter Randolf but the meetings have been with their attorney so we will see what develops. All the negative publicity has seriously hurt the image of Greenacres and my understanding is their Board has had alot of negative feedback. So maybe calmer heads are starting to prevail?
April 26, 201015 yr Carter Randolph & the silent trustees of the Greenacres Foundation have desecrated the Historic James Norris Gamble House and betrayed the trust & responsibilities bestowed upon them by the honorable Mr. & Mrs. Louis Nippert. Now, Randolph has ordered the building stripped of all value. Come take the gloves off at this protest in Indian Hill and help save the Gamble House from Randolph! The GLOVES are OFF: PROTEST at INDIAN HILL Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010 Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Location: Indian Hill > Shawnee Run & Drake Road "It just an old house... Won't you be glad when this old house is gone?" -Attorney Fran Barrett, representing the Greenacres Foundation Carter Randolph & the silent trustees of the Greenacres Foundation have desecrated the Historic James Norris Gamble House and betrayed the trust & responsibilities bestowed upon them by the honorable Mr. & Mrs. Louis Nippert. Randolph ordered the removal of beautiful architectural molding, trim, banisters, fret work, doors, and other interior (and perhaps exterior) details from the house during the past month — without cause, and without reason. The house was boarded up, with plywood on both the exterior AND the interior windows. One can only assume this "work" was performed to make the home look to be in worse shape than it really is in advance of Judge Nadel's visit to inspect/tour the house. Shocked City officials described the scene as "...architectural rape..." When word of the destruction reached preservationist Greg Kissel, the architect was visibly moved. "This is so sad," he said as he stood by the carriage gate. "This shows no regard for the historic nature of the house or the man who lived there." Larry Harris, the city's urban conservator, was "stunned" by the piles of woodwork and missing window frames and doors. "If someone wanted to make this place look worse than it is," he said, "they sure did a bang-up job." The behavior of Mr. Randolph and the Greenacres Foundation can no longer be excused or brushed aside. While the Cincinnati Preservation Association and the Westwood Historical Society have tried to negotiate with Carter Randolph in an honest and genuine fashion, they have been met with the exact opposite from the Foundation. TO OUR EAST-SIDE SUPPORTERS: Please show up in force! This is our time to join hands once again and let the City know that this behavior is unacceptable and should not go unpunished. WHAT: Protest of Carter Randolph and the current Board of the Greenacres Foundation and their desecration of the historic James Norris Gamble House when good-faith negotiations were supposedly underway. WHEN: Thursday, April 29, 2010 TIME: Be at the Indian Hill protest location at 5:00PM WEST-SIDERS: We have arranged for transportation via 2 full-sized buses. These vehicles are capable of carrying up to 48 passengers each — and we want to PACK THEM FULL! We will meet for a rally before the protest at 4:00PM on McKinley Avenue in Westwood (just off Werk). We will board the buses between 4:15PM and 4:30PM and head for the protest location at Indian Hill. LOCATION: Corner of Shawnee Run & Drake Road, Indian Hill, Ohio. Stay on the sidewalk, and out of the bike lane :) MAPS: Google Maps: http://bit.ly/cDyTkN | Bing birds-eye: http://bit.ly/b3jDEG SIGNS: Let's see some creative signs! The media will no doubt be there in great numbers. It's time to turn up the heat!
April 30, 201015 yr A lot of good vibes at yesterday's protest. I could not make it but would like to thank the supporters for coming out in droves! Fate of Gamble House stirs protest By Cliff Radel, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 29, 2010 For a boarded-up, run-down old place, James N. Gamble’s endangered Westwood mansion has seen plenty of action in the last 24 hours. An offer was made to buy the 13-room Victorian home. Protestors drove to Indian Hill to object to the house’s proposed demolition. And, the mansion landed on a list of Ohio’s most-endangered sites. The Cincinnati Preservation Association made the offer to buy the house from its owner, the Greenacres Foundation.
May 3, 201015 yr Does Cincinnati have anything like this? http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=496
May 3, 201015 yr Like this? http://www.cincinnatipreservation.org/ Does that have governmental authority and an Architectural Review Board.
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