Cincinnati: West End: CityLink Center

Posted October 27, 200519 yr

Recently, a man who lives on Dayton St. in the West End wrote a letter to city council and others. The letter is about a proposal by some loacl churches to build a "one-stop shop" for social services on Bank St., in the old Club Chef property in the Brighton area. (A map is attached at the end of this message.)

The coalition consists of 5 ministries and 5 churches, all from outside of the neighborhood. Described as "a mall for the poor", CityLink Center would include a homeless shelter, temporary housing, a soup kitchen, substance abuse center and a transition area for inmates being released back into society.

The main issue is that this will be placed close to 3 schools (Bloom, Heberle and King Academy) and a residential district.

None of the schools have even been told about the plans for this project, and neither have most of the residents. The people putting together CityLink haven't even bothered to show up at local meetings to describe the project. All groups and residents in the neighborhood are, of course, now opposed.

The resident also sees what 3CDC is doing around Washington Park with worry. 3CDC would like to do nothing better than to shut the Drop Inn Center and other social service agencies in OTR. This resident is afraid that the goal is to shift all of those problems into this neighborhood.

The property is already under contract to be bought, so this may be a done deal and it may be too late to do anything about it. This communication has been passed along to the city manager for a report. This is expected back on November 16.

This also has another implication, aside for being bad for the immediate residents: It could stall the momentum of the Brewery District as well as the rest of Fairview/Mohawk. However, Central Parkway does at least serve as a minor barrier and could mitigate major problems.

I'd like to see what you guys think about this. I'll provide a link to his letter, which includes his e-mail address if you'd like to ask him questions, support him, etc.:

http://city-egov.rcc.org/BASISCGI/BASIS/council/public/child/DDD/16674.pdf

October 31, 200519 yr

While 3CDC would probably like the Drop-in-Center to move away from OTR, it is not going to happen. The Center owns the land and building it sits on, and is run by people who are committed to staying put.

When I tell people where I live, they inevitably ask me whether the Drop-in-Center is moving. But the issue has never been seriously broached to the Center itself, and they seem to be going strong, even expanding. The only person in high office that has even mentioned them moving is Jim Tarbell, who has suggested that they move to Spinney Field, Queensgate. But all he can do is suggest, and no one else has said they support this that I know of.

Nowhere in this letter, is it mentioned who the churches are that are proposing this, so it is hard to tell how serious they are. My question to them would be: Why don't you build such a center in your church? You could have outreach in a storefront in downtown or OTR and offer transportation as part of your program. Wouldn't it be better to get a drug addict, for example away from the drug dealing down here, and have them recover in a nice suburban setting with quiet and trees? I'm being a little sarcastic, but hopefully you see my point.

In my experience, many suburban churches feel like they need to do something, but since they are so disconnected from the poverty in the urban core (o be brutally honset, that's why they live there in the first place), they don't really know what is needed, and have unrealistic dreams about saving people in ways they do not wish to be saved. So they will come to Washington Park and hand out sandwiches, or clothes, or bags full of soap with scripture quotations in each bag. The problem is that there are already lots of places offering lunch and clothes. The homeless get some handouts, but not a hand up.

October 31, 200519 yr

The Citylink Center is a proposed development on the old Club Chef site. They already have a contract to purchase the site. It is going to provide housing for the homeless, a soup kitchen, drug rehab, and transitional housing for people coming straight out of prison.

Across the street from this site we have three schools. Two of them are public, the Bloom school and Heberle Elementary. The other one, The Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, is a private elementary school. We have hundreds of young children walking the streets to go to school everyday.

I have spoken to the principles of all three schools. They all oppose this project. I have spoken to some parents and people in the community. I have spoken to people with businesses in the community. I have yet to find one person in the community who supports this project. The people who are funding this are from outside the community. They want to put up a "Mall for the poor" (their own words), right next to three of our schools. I couldn't think of a worse idea.

I will tell you point blank that people in my community are getting pissed off about the whole idea.

As far as I know, no law exists about doing this right across the street from any school. You can have a half way house for junkies, convicts and bums, and you can open it up right across the street from any school. Young kids will be walking the very same street to go to school as homeless bums will be walking to get their breakfast, and they will be on the same street at the exact same time. It should really revitalize the neighborhood.

This project is not one little social agency, it is a massive 11 million dollar complex. The Club Chef site is a sprawling 5 acre tract. How many of those are left within our downtown area? Many people in my community look at this site and see a vision of what we could be. It is located near downtown and central parkway, and is close to Interstate 75. You could build a mall, or a movie multiplex, or have enough room for a big box grocer that people in my community and downtown have always wanted. You could lure a business in and create jobs and augment the tax base. By contrast, the Citylink Center is going to be a non-for profit outfit owned by 5 churches. They won't be paying any taxes, and the only jobs they will have to offer is for volunteers. It is quite a significant swing. This piece of land is valuable to the future of our community, and given the fact that it is right next to three of our schools, this matter is of vital importance.

We are spending a billion dollars on rebuilding the city schools, it is time we fight to protect that investment. They sell people on redevelopment, and the West End has added more new housing than anywhere downtown with City West. Now they want to put a magnet for derelects, drunks, convicts and criminals right next to the schools. Who plans this stuff?

3CDC's plan for Washington Park is to get rid of the social service agencies and the homeless. They are moving them to the West End, right next to our schools. This is an 11 million dollar project. The money, the timing, the synchronicity of it all speaks to this being sanctioned by the power players who seek to implant their own vision on Cincinnati. While they will get a great new Washington park, the parents, residents, and school children of the West End are going to get screwed.

Non of the teachers or principles at these schools knew about the development. None of the City Council members knew of the development. But when I emailed 3CDC, they responded that they knew of the development, but it wasn't in there name and they didn't want to talk about it.

The word really hasn't gotten out, and the people of the West End don't have a clue about what is going to hit them.

October 31, 200519 yr

WestEnd Kid, thanks for your post and welcome. I merged the thread you created with one that already existed.

You are right about word on this not getting out. I hadn't heard about this until very recently. I guess the fight isn't "sexy" enough for the local media because they assume their viewers/readers had written the West End off long ago.

Jimmy Skinner, the names and addresses of the churches are listed on pages 4 and 5 of the letter in the link I posted.

October 31, 200519 yr

This is a great thread. I had known about 3CDC's plan to relocate the center; however, I did not know where to. You are right West End Kid on the idea that moving it near schools and all the new development efforts in the West End is a terrible idea. This must be rethought and has to have an alternative.

October 31, 200519 yr

I just got an email that contained the following:

Hello All: GOOD NEWS! Our opposition to the CityLink center is in the hands of the city manager. On October 12, Ms. Reece mentioned our opposition to council. The issue was referred to the city manager and the finance committee. It is vital that the manager and the finance committee HEAR FROM YOU right now! Please take the time to contact both departments (via email) and let them know your opposition! Simply draft a short letter and send it to the following;

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

This is of vital importance! We DESPERATELY need the help of these city officials in deterring the CityLink Center from opening in the West End.

Thank you! PLEASE SEND THEM A LETTER!! You can copy the section of email addresses above, then hit create new on your email screen, and paste the group into the "to" category - type your letter and hit send.

It looks like council is going to discuss it today at 1PM in the Finance Committee. That is just what I have been told. I know very little about the inner workings of Council.

I note that Grasscat talked about "This communication has been passed along to the city manager for a report. This is expected back on November 16." I was wondering where you find that info? Is it publicly available?

If anyone wants to send an email to the people named above (the city manager and members of the finance committee) I would appreciate it. This is a really bad idea.

And if they do go ahead with this site, they will most likely make changes in orientation so that the entrance is as far away from the schools as possible. That is bad news for Brighton and Mohawk, because it will point the flow in that direction. This plan is a disaster for everyone.

Just found this website yesterday. I like it. And if any of you sent an email, you have my thanks.

October 31, 200519 yr

First, is this in anyway related to moving the Drop Inn Center? The posts read like this is two separate groups.

Second, though I don't think this sounds like the greatest idea, my question is where do you move the Drop Inn Center or put this new "homeless mall?" You're gonna run into problems locating this into any neighborhood and I doubt either of these groups will relocate to Queensgate.

Third, I hate to say it but if this is related to moving the Drop Inn Center, West End loses. 3CDC has tangible plans in place (Last time I checked they own close to 100 properties/lots in the area, have been rasing funds for the new SCPA, are going to build their garage/retail complex building next to Music Hall, have built the Gateway garage and condos, and will soon start on another condo development in the area) and they have the backing of City Hall. To my knowledge, that area of West End has no real momentum going in its favor (I'm not bashing the West End. It's just in the northern part development has been rather stagnant). My recommendation to West Enders is to a) come up with a workable development plan for the area, just being against this development will not help anything, you need something to gain the backing of city hall, something they would prefer over this development; and b) scout out areas and work with stakeholders to find another suitable spot for this development, you need to offer a better or similar alternative. That approach may not necessarily work but its better than butting heads with this group. And don't forget to pester council members about this one.

I'm not trying to slight the West End here. I just think the powers-that-be have their own plans. Personally, I would like to see the West End revived, particuarly Dayton Street. But, until you can bring more attention to that area, I don't know if you can stop something like this from happening.

October 31, 200519 yr

This is not directly related to the Drop Inn Center, at least not at this moment. The Citylink Center involves 10 different organizations. Five of those are churches from around the city, and the other 5 are ministries providing social services in Over The Rhine.

I don't know where you put the Drop Inn Center. 3CDC wants to redevelop Washington Park, and I am not sure that they care where it moves as long as it leaves the neighborhood. I don't know the best place for the "homeless mall" either, but I think putting it next to three schools is a bad idea. I think that you are correct in that no matter where they go things are going to be difficult. It is a tough situation.

"Third, I hate to say it but if this is related to moving the Drop Inn Center, West End loses. 3CDC has tangible plans in place (Last time I checked they own close to 100 properties/lots in the area, have been raising funds for the new SCPA, are going to build their garage/retail complex building next to Music Hall, have built the Gateway garage and condos, and will soon start on another condo development in the area) and they have the backing of City Hall. To my knowledge, that area of West End has no real momentum going in its favor (I'm not bashing the West End. It's just in the northern part development has been rather stagnant). My recommendation to West Enders is to a) come up with a workable development plan for the area, just being against this development will not help anything, you need something to gain the backing of city hall, something they would prefer over this development; and b) scout out areas and work with stakeholders to find another suitable spot for this development, you need to offer a better or similar alternative. That approach may not necessarily work but its better than butting heads with this group. And don't forget to pester council members about this one."

I fear that the West Enders will lose out in the power struggle. The money men and the powers that be are not on our side. 3CDC does have a plan in place for Washington Park. I was not aware that they had been actively raising funds for the new SCPA. I thought that money was coming from the 1 billion that Cincinnati Public Schools has dedicated to new buildings and infrastructure.

And that is not to say that we don't have a plan in place. The later phases of the Hope VI project have not yet been fully funded, but they do have plans. For the northern part of the West End in the Dayton Street Historic District, I believe that CMHA has a plan for 80-90 scattered sites to be developed. A good portion of those are scheduled for home ownership. They already own most of the properties and are awaiting funding. As long as those buildings are boarded up and just sitting there awaiting funding, development will always look stagnant. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.

The Miami Purchase Preservation Fund also has a project specifically for Bank Street. and that project is also primarily home ownership. Their plans are for developing the space which would be right across the street from the new proposed "Citylink Center". If the mall for the homeless goes up, you can kiss new homeownership goodbye.

So really, between CMHA and Miami Purchase, you do have plans for around 100 new sites, and most of the property has already been acquired. And the property in question hasn't been vacant for that long. It was a viable business a year ago. It still is, but Big Bob Castellini moved his business to a lower tax environment. That five acre site could be number of things. It could be commercial, retail, entertainment or residential. We are only limited by our imagination. That 5 acre tract is critical to our development in the West End. If we can make it a positive it will strengthen the whole neighborhood. If it becomes an 11 million dollar, 5 acre homeless mall our future is over.

And we also have plans for streetscaping Linn street into a boulevard. Complete with on street parking, and a median with grass and trees. That project hasn't been funded either, but the plans exist. This community won't perish for lack of planning, but lack of execution.

I bought into the West End after I saw the plans. The street scapes and the Hope Vi redevelopment that became City West looked great. And City West has been going well. But the portion of the development that was supposed to help my section has been pushed to the back burner, and all we have to show for it is boarded up homes awaiting the funding. We have come a long way. We have torn down the projects and built new housing. If the final stage of funding were to come in and they develop the 80-100 scattered sits I believe that this neighborhood will achieve a critical mass and turn the corner.

October 31, 200519 yr

I note that Grasscat talked about "This communication has been passed along to the city manager for a report. This is expected back on November 16." I was wondering where you find that info? Is it publicly available?

I believe that info was in the minutes of city council, 10/19/05.

Haynesm007...I appreciate your point that people in the West End should come up with a local plan to stop this, but they really just heard about this recently. It's not like they've been given much of a heads-up.

October 31, 200519 yr

^I wasn't suggesting they failed to act. I was just suggesting they develop a plan of action to fight this thing. And I wasn't aware of all the plans for the northern section of West End. You never hear much out of that area.

November 1, 200519 yr

http://www.cintimha.com/PDfs/Annual2003.pdf

My numbers were off. CMHA has plans for "103 rental and owner occupied homes that will comprise the lifeblood of a new mixed income neighborhood". CMHA keeps applying for the funding every year, but they haven't got it yet. It has been part of the original plan of the Hope VI project that gave us City West. This doesn't count the projects of other developers like Miami Purchase Preservation Fund, or other smaller developers.

I have a five unit building surrounded by boarded up CMHA properties. I can't tell you how nice it would be to see them start renovating them. Vacant buildings and vacant land dot the west end landscape, and much of it is just waiting for the completion of this plan. It is a big deal.

I own four properties in the area. You can still get them reasonably if you shop around. I paid a lot of attention to the Hope VI project, and it seemed like a good plan. You would expect these properties to appreciate with so much going on. But so much hasn't been going on in my neck of the woods, and now I am faced with an 11 million dollar, 5 acre sprawling homeless shelter, rehab clinic, and halfway house for criminals straight out of prison. I am not an absentee landlord, I live here and I work on my buildings. Nothing comes easy.

All four of my buildings are in the Dayton Street historical district, and if we become the new Washington Park I will be financially ruined. I am thinking of trying to sell now before people find out the news. Otherwise I could see myself upside-down on every mortgage, where even if you want to sell nobody is looking to buy. Given the new bankruptcy laws, I may be double screwed.

Imagine the horror of having Washington Park come next door to you, and suddenly you are trapped next to it because nobody is willing to buy your property. I live here with my wife and two little boys. I will find a way to get out and start over, but it will be a disaster.

It makes me sick. The city wants us to move back in town, they show you all these plans, you invest everything you got, and then things change. They sack the planning department, the plan for your neighborhood gets shelved, and suddenly a group of businessmen take the helm and decide that revitalization in Cincinnati means moving the homeless out of Washington Park. And then by some incredible coincidence 11 million dollars is found to fund the moving of the homeless shelters and halfway houses to your neighborhood.

What a buttstab.

November 1, 200519 yr

I say move the dropin center to the west end, lower price hill or west chester :evil: Go to the sheriffs website and see how many sex offenders list the drop inn center as their place of residence. You can't have that many sex offenders that close to the new SCPA. Isn't there a law keeping distance?

November 1, 200519 yr

^The law prevents sex offenders from "residing" within 1000 ft. of a school. I'm not sure if the Drop Inn Center would constitute a residence for the purposes of the law.

West End Kid, sorry to hear about your situation. We need more people like you willing to help make a difference.

November 1, 200519 yr

The social service agencies that are now in OTR that are part of this proposal are: City Gospel Mission, The Lord's Gym, Jobs Plus. The other social service agency mentioned is City Cure, which is located in Mt. Auburn. The churches supporting this are Crossroads, Vineyard, New Jerusalem in Carthage and New Life Temple in Madisonville.

All of these groups are conservative and religious charities. No where is the Drop-in-Center (DIC), Tender mercies, Restoc or other more liberal and/or radical groups mentioned. I am sure they are determined to stay put.

Also keep this in mind: The DIC is the largest homeless shelter in the State, and the City Gospel Mission is a small old-time soup kitchen with some beds for single men. They are church supported small time where the DIC is big-time.

"Imagine the horror of Washington Park comming to you"

Well, I live here now and frankly it is much more attractive than the Club Chef site is now. I don't want to come across as harsh, but I think people posting here are assuming that 3CDC will move the DIC to this site, and I don't see anything here to support that. At the most they are planning on grouping some religious based social service agencies together in Brighton. This proposed site is on Central Parkway and across a wide street from two public schools and a Charter school. The agencies that are proposed to move are the most mainstream and least likely to attract the problems that you are concerned about.

Like it or not, the DIC is staying in OTR, next to Music Hall and the new SCPA.

November 1, 200519 yr

This is a tough one. I'm not sure how I would response. Create an area dedicated to the homeless, addicts, convicts, poor, and head cases . . .lump them all together and see what happens. How can this be good for anyone? It's either a bad dream or a potential tourist attraction. I really curious if 3CDC has a hand in this. I can't believe the city needs something like this in addition to what is already in OTR. We need more enablers! ;-)

The West End and OTR are going to get picked on. There are too many parts of those neighborhoods that are abandoned. The churches groups probably think there isn't any harm in creating something like this because of the countless empty run down buildings that no one seems to be doing anything with.

I hope this isn't a death nil for you, West End Kid. The city needs you. If I had a vote, I would say lower price hill.

November 1, 200519 yr

Jimmy Skinner, I got this email that tried to address the scope of the project:

Determining the scope of the project:

It is hard to establish what the scope of the CityLink Center will be. It is slated to be a massive complex combining the ministries and efforts of 10 different organizations, many of which could see substantial expansion.

The City Gospel Mission is a homeless shelter and soup kitchen in Over the Rhine. In 2004, they served over 100,000 meals. Every day of the year, the Mission serves a hot Breakfast meal to more than 100 guests. Dinner is also served to a hundred or more 365 days a year.

“We serve people with multiple problems such as substance abuse, prostitution, homelessness, pregnancy, job instability, abusive relationships, criminal justice, parole and court ordered issues.” – City Gospel Mission website.

“For a number of years the Mission has delayed valuable help to the hurting and homeless because of space constraints” -Ed Perrine, City Gospel Mission CEO.

Ed Perrine speaks of expanding space and doubling the number of volunteers in a massive expansion. They claim to have 4,400 “guests” or clients that use their services.

That is why it is hard to establish the scope of the intended project. Given current activity levels, thousands of transients and indigents would be walking our neighborhood for their morning breakfast each year, at the exact same time our children our walking to school, on the very same street.

Before the planned West End expansion, they can house up to 36 homeless a night. They intend to double their staff of volunteers with the CityLink project, and they most likely will double capacity as a homeless shelter.

And where do they go after Breakfast? Some may elect to wander about and return to their previous haunts, but some undoubtedly will linger and stay in our neighborhood. If they are homeless, they can’t really “go back home”. “Home” to a homeless person is pretty much where they are at the moment. If they are getting their meals everyday right next to our schools, expect them to make that their home.

The Lord's Gym is a Christ-centered weight-lifting gym for “at-risk” men. Their program includes a food pantry for the homeless and transitional housing for men coming from prison. The Lord’s Gym is the second homeless shelter involved in the project. Right now their activity level is stated to be 400 patrons a month. Their project for at-risk women is called the Lord’s Pantry, which concentrates on helping prostitutes and homeless women.

Under CityLink, these programs seek to combine, align and expand on a massive scale never seen before in the City of Cincinnati. Indeed, this CityLink center will act as a magnet for the indigent, and the Northern edge of the West End will be turned into the new Washington Park. We will have a new legion of prostitutes, drug addicts, convicts on parole, and homeless marching the streets everyday. This is slated to happen right next to our schools, right next to our park, and right next to our homes.

This is no little project. On the contrary, it is quite an ambitious one. This is an 11 million dollar project on five acres of land. That land is adjacent to a historic district and many historic structures. They already have plans for redeveloping and rehabbing much of the historic district, and if that gets done this 5 acre tract of land suddenly gets a lot more valuable. Many in my community with vision see this as a pivotal piece of real estate.

November 1, 200519 yr

This is a tough one. I'm not sure how I would response. Create an area dedicated to the homeless, addicts, convicts, poor, and head cases . . .lump them all together and see what happens. How can this be good for anyone? It's either a bad dream or a potential tourist attraction. I really curious if 3CDC has a hand in this. I can't believe the city needs something like this in addition to what is already in OTR. We need more enablers! ;-)

I am curious where the 11 million comes from. If you put $20 in the church basket on Sunday, you would have to do that 550,000 times to raise the funds for the CityLink Center. At some point, some of the money men in this town would have to be involved to raise those funds. 3CDC is a private organization. The churches and their sources of fudning are private organizations. It is no secret that 3CDC wants to break up the concentration of social service agencies in OTR. It seems to me to be an incredible coincidence that this funding comes available at the same time our money men are seeking to revamp Washington Park. No way I can prove it, but I think 3CDC has a hand in this. 3CDC knew about this project before City Council did.

The West End and OTR are going to get picked on. There are too many parts of those neighborhoods that are abandoned. The churches groups probably think there isn't any harm in creating something like this because of the countless empty run down buildings that no one seems to be doing anything with.

I hope this isn't a death nil for you, West End Kid. The city needs you. If I had a vote, I would say lower price hill.

Many of those churches probably aren't aware of the public opposition in our community. None of the churches or ministries involved are coming from our community. These are all outside forces seeking to locate their massive social service megaplex here.

And those countless run down and vacant buildings need to be addressed, I will give you that. Hope VI had a plan for that as part of the original comprehensive plan, and it needs to be implemented. Thanks for your thoughts.

November 1, 200519 yr

Jimmy Skinner, I wouldn't be surprised to see the city use its eminent domain powers to move the Drop Inn Center. Yeah they own the land but the city has the prerogative. And with 3CDC snatching up properties in the area, I wouldn't be surprised if the city now has the will.

November 2, 200519 yr

It might be worth seeing what Nick Spencer knows about this. I know, in his blog, he has express frustration with a few of these social service agencies near where he lives/works. Mary Madinline(sp?) comes to mind. The people that gather near these agencies and the messes they cause around the buildings. I like the guy, I hope he gets elected next week.

November 2, 200519 yr

After contemplating the "Not in my Backyard" theory I think citylink should be located in lower price hill, next to the MSD Metropolitan sewer district plant. Actually where the land that the bengals practice field used to be. Maybe the bengals could donate the land or something If they still own it. Nick Spencer gave up on OTR and moved to hyde park. He still has alchemize bar though and until I hear his final stance on the walnut st demolition of 22 buildings for the new washington park school he doesn't have my vote. I think the carryout's on main st are the biggest problems for milling about in the evenings. I skip walking main st south of kaldis because I am tired of walking around the minefields of spit and defecation the bums and crackdealers leave.

November 2, 200519 yr

No way I can prove it, but I think 3CDC has a hand in this.

Well, think about this. The agencies that are considering moving to this Citylink are also the ones that are privately funded by the same kind of people who are part of 3CDC (businesses and conservative protestant religious organizations). The agencies that are staying in OTR are the more radical, who generally serve the lowest of the poor and are also "fighting the power". Also consider: City Gospel Mission sleeps 36 men, maximum, and they must attend a religious sermon. Drop Inn Center sleeps hundreds of people who "drop in" on cold nights.

Haynes; People constantly think that the Drop Inn Center is moving, or that somehow it is inevitable because of it's critical location, but I am here to tell you it ain't happening.

November 3, 200519 yr

^ I don't disagree that the Drop Inn Center will do everything in its power to stay put. As you put it, they're "fighting the power." But the powers that be usually get their way one way or another and there's no way they're gonna spend that much in the neighborhood with the Drop Inn Center sitting there. Maybe you know something I don't but if you're basing your opinion on the Drop Inn Center's sheer will to stay in the neighborhood then I'm not convinced. People with lots of money have many ways to get what they want (ie. zoning, eminent domain, lawyers, etc.) Don't forget how bad Inn the Wood and Acropolis Chili wanted to stay in Clifton.

I would also be more apt to agree with you if 3CDC had not already purchased close to 100 properties in the area and have a clear intention to place the SCPA at Central and Elm. Those people don't just spend money unless they're gonna make something happen.

November 3, 200519 yr

Maybe. I am sure of this, they will fight like hell to stay, and they have more political clout than a restaurant owner does. Also, I just don't think the polititians will support this. Perhaps I am wrong.

November 3, 200519 yr

How close is the Drop Inn Center to Music Hall etc? And is the Drop Inn Center, Free Food Store and ReStoc one group? CityBeat has an interesting article on a plan that Restock has for housing. I don't think the Drop Inn Center should be so militant about moving. I've heard even the homeless who have used the Drop Inn Center have complained about the place. It's not that wonderful.

November 4, 200519 yr

ReSTOC and the Drop Inn Center (Shelter House Volunteer Group) are affiliated non-profits. ReSTOC was formed when some folks from the Drop Inn Center saved a crumbling building that kept tenants from being displaced. I don't know about the Freestore.

Off-topic, but ReSTOC had better have a plan because they've been holding on to a lot of vacant buildings for an awfully long time. I hope they get the ball rolling.

November 6, 200519 yr

NPR was the first media organization to break the veil. Hats off to Jay Hanselman.

http://www.wvxu.org/news/wvxunews_article.asp?ID=1882

Some in West End don't want social service one-stop

By Jay Hanselman 10/31/2005 5:16:52 PM

Some West End residents are not happy about a proposed project that would consolidate many social service agencies in one building. Several different religious and ministry organizations are working on the CityLink Center, which would be built on Bank Street. But the Reverend Gerald Bates is not in favor of the proposal. He says it would not be good for his neighborhood. Council’s finance committee referred the residents concerns to city administrators and asked for a report. Council Member Jim Tarbell says the project is a good idea possibly in the wrong location. He says it could be moved further north and west to make it more acceptable to West End residents. He’s suggesting the parties work together on coming up with a compromise.

November 6, 200519 yr

So, Tarbell says it should be farther north and west from the proposed location. Such as where? Maybe Fairmount? Millvale/South Cumminsville?

Obviously there is going to be a NIMBY aspect to this whole idea. This thing will end up in a place that can't organize and offers the least resistance. The two neighborhoods I mentioned come to mind. Where would you guys suggest it be put?

On a side note, shame on the local media (outside of WVXU) for treating this as a non-story.

November 7, 200519 yr

On a side note, shame on the local media (outside of WVXU) for treating this as a non-story.

I agree. I came to this thread skeptical that this was a real proposal mostly because there has been absolutely no mention of this in any media.

Location is difficult because everyone will fight such a proposal in their backyard, especially near residences or retail. On the other hand, it can't be too far away from potential jobs and transportation sites. Millvale/Cumminsville is a bit far to walk. No homeless people will trek out there if they can go to the Drop-Inn-Center instead.

Thinking out of the box here, ideally Citylink should be a network with a hub, perhaps just a storefront, downtown, and training centers, shelters, and other functions at different neighborhoods. The downtown hub would be a 24hr place with coffee, toilets, and helpful staff. They would have contact info for all the agencies throughout town, and would provide van transport to the other hubs. To make it a success it would need easy access, lots of staffing, and a real desire to serve these people and give them real tools. To ensure that it is well kept and well staffed, I propose that the downtown "hub" be located in the auto-repair garage across the street from City Hall and within site of the cathedral and the Plum Street Temple.

November 9, 200519 yr

So, Tarbell says it should be farther north and west from the proposed location. Such as where? Maybe Fairmount? Millvale/South Cumminsville?

Obviously there is going to be a NIMBY aspect to this whole idea. This thing will end up in a place that can't organize and offers the least resistance. The two neighborhoods I mentioned come to mind. Where would you guys suggest it be put?

On a side note, shame on the local media (outside of WVXU) for treating this as a non-story.

If this project was slated to go up right across the street from three schools that were predominanatly white you would have no media blackout. I believe the media blackout is one of the reasons that they choose the location. Nobody gives a rats ass about the West End.

Now that the election is done with, maybe some of the local media could actually focus on how this issue will impact our community.

November 9, 200519 yr

On a side note, shame on the local media (outside of WVXU) for treating this as a non-story.

I agree. I came to this thread skeptical that this was a real proposal mostly because there has been absolutely no mention of this in any media.

The lack of coverage is astounding.

Here is a letter just released from the CityLink organization to West End Residents:

To: West End Residents November 2005

You may be aware that a group of Christian agencies and churches have come together to form a collaborative venture called CityLink Center. The Center’s purpose is to create a one-stop facility designed much like a mall where those in need can access a large variety of supportive services. A site on Bank Street has come to our attention and we are currently evaluating its suitability to achieve critical goals:

Community Investment - CityLink represents an investment of millions of dollars that will yield great returns. As a potential neighbor, our intent is to develop a first class facility which will dramatically upgrade the community from an appearance, safety and community image perspective. CityLink will be a long term neighbor working vigorously to improve an area of the West End that is currently depressed and unsafe.

Quality of Life – Our intent is to create a new standard of excellence for services to people in need in Greater Cincinnati and to the residents in the community where we reside. Our single minded goal is to improve the quality of life of our visitors as captured in our motto… from relief to relationship to real life change. West End residents will be most welcome and have access to our full array of supportive services.

Safety – Our goal is to make the area in which we reside much safer. Our intent is to have a private security presence in and around our facility, curfews in the area and surveillance in the surrounding area. We plan to work with community groups to achieve this goal.

Population – CityLink will attract a broad array of people that will literally represent the entire population of Greater Cincinnati. Our services will involve hundreds of volunteers from churches in Greater Cincinnati; visitors receiving services will come from communities across the city and importantly West End residents. Rather than attracting the criminal element, our intent is to remove them from the area in which we reside.

We hope you are as excited as we are about the possibilities of CityLink Center. In the days ahead, you will have an opportunity to learn more as our plans develop and we communicate through West End community groups. Please contact us if you have specific questions.

Sincerely,

Burr Robinson, Jobs Plus Employment Network

For the CityLink Board of Directors:

Roger Howell, City Ministries Tim Senff, Crossroads Community Church

Lucy Katenkamp, New Life Temple Gary Shirk, Vineyard Community Church

Deborah Merritt, Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Mark Stecher, CityLink Executive Director

David Rahner, Crossroad Health Center Dick Taylor, The Lord’s Gym

CityLink

1947 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219

Phone: 513-579-0555; Fax: 513-579-0579

Someone just forwarded me this email. I will try to attack it point by point either later tonight or tomorrow. My initial reaction it that this letter is more telling in what it leaves out than what they leave in. Sometimes you can tell more about a news release by what they omit than what they commit.

November 15, 200519 yr

I just got this in my email today.

The City Manager's Preliminary Report (any emphasis mine):

Interdepartmental Correspondence Sheet

City of Cincinnati

November 8, 2005

DRAFT

To: Mayor and Members of City Council

From: David E. Rager, City Manager

Subject: COMMUNICATION FROM CHRIS MCCARTY REGARDING CITYLINK CENTER

Document #200510626

The City Council at its session on October 19, 2005 referred the following item for review and response:

COMMUNICATION, dated 10/12/2005, submitted by Vice Mayor Reece, From Chris McCarty, 838 Dayton Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45214, regarding “CityLink Center” – Bank Street Development at Club Chef.

The communication presented objections to a project known as the CityLink Center that is proposed to be developed in the West End.

PROJECT BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Attached I am providing a brochure that provides information about the project, including the following listing of the project founders: the OneCity Foundation, Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship, Crossroads Health Center, Crossroads Community Church, City Gospel Mission, CityCURE, Jobs Plus Employment Network, the Lord’s Gym, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, New Life Temple, and Vineyard Community Church. Pursuant to information provided to the Department of Buildings and Inspections, the CityLink Center is proposed to be a 98,000 square foot facility with the following stated uses:

• 21.73 percent “Office Crossroads Medical, Dental, Jobs Plus, Administrative, Case Management, Lord’s Gym, CityCure, Misc.”;

• 36.73 percent “Transient Housing City Gospel Mission”;

• 12.65 percent “Recreational Lord’s Gym, Basketball/Volleyball”;

• 10 percent “Day Care including daycare offices & babysitting service”;

• 9.69 percent “Incidental Uses Café, salon, barber, welcome center, classrooms, library”; and

• 9.18 percent “Storage, Mechanical, Expansion.”

Mark Stecher, OneCity Foundation President, advised the Administration of the following: OneCity has an option to purchase the property located at 800 Bank Street, between Baymiller and Linn Streets (the former Club Chef property); OneCity began its due diligence investigation of that site in August 2005; OneCity expects to make a decision to purchase the property between December 2005 and February 2006; and the planned improvements to the building are estimated to cost $7-8 million with a total estimated project cost of $12 million. The Department of Community Development and Planning does not have a request for project funding.

At the October 20, 2005, meeting of the West End Community Council, Mr. Stecher made a presentation of the project and responded to initial neighborhood concerns. Mr. Stecher was invited to attend the November 15, 2005, Community Council meeting to further discuss the project. A Pre-Development Conference has also been scheduled for November 15th at the City’s Business Development and Permit Center.

PROJECT LOCATION INFORMATION

The former Club Chef property is located in the West End, adjacent to the Dayton Street Historic District and within close proximity to Lafayette Bloom Back on Track Accelerated Middle School, King Academy Charter School, and vacant Herberle School. Attached I am providing a diagram of the site’s proximity to the three schools.

The area is zoned Manufacturing General (MG). The Department of Buildings and Inspections is in receipt of a request for a determination whether the proposed use is permitted in an area zoned Manufacturing General (MG). The request is dated November 7, 2005 and the determination has yet to be made.

Between 1980-2000, household income levels in the West End rose 190% and the homeownership rate increased by 46%. The source of this information is the 1980 and 2000 U.S. Census Data.

THE WEST END PLAN

At the request of Kim Hale-McCarty (Chris McCarty’s wife), on October 27, 2005, Department of Community Development and Planning staff met with Ms. Hale-McCarty to discuss an unrelated project. At that meeting, Ms. Hale-McCarty shared her concerns about the proposed CityLink Center project as it is related to the West End Comprehensive Plan (the West End Plan). The West End Plan was adopted by City Council in 2004 and it supports the existing Manufacturing General MG zoning designation. The West End Plan recommends that the neighborhood provide a community living environment that will attract new residents and maintain existing residents. To stimulate economic development for the neighborhood, the West End Plan specifically promotes light industrial, commercial and/or loft uses for the former Club Chef property as well as most of the buildings located north of Bank Street.

Attachment: City Link Center Brochure

Location Map

cc: Michael L. Cervay, Director, Department of Community Development and Planning

William Langevin, Director, Department of Building and Inspection

=================================================

Interesting to note the upward trend in household income and homeownership statistics for the two decades from 1980-2000. That was even before CityWest. I would expect a huge bump in the 2010 census if we can avoid this social service megaplex disaster. I moved here because I saw a bright future. Now I might have a 98,000 square foot "mall for the homeless" next to my wife and kids. What a turnaround that would be for this community.

One error in the preliminary report, Heberle Elementary is not a vacant school. I have toured the school, met with the principle and seen the kids myself just recently. All told those three schools have over 700 children grades K-8 attending every day. I can't understand whose bright idea to put this social experiment right across the street from those kids.

This goes against everything that we have been working and planning for in my community. The City has already put $150 million into City West, and we are putting another billion city wide into updating our schools. We need to protect those investments. If this development goes through I think that the days of progress and momentum are over.

November 15, 200519 yr

If this development goes through I think that the days of progress and momentum are over.

I know what you mean westendkid, the same is true if mercer commons in OTR gets the wrecking ball. I moved here to invest in the neighborhood and crap like this gets built in our backyards where so much progress is being made. :wtf:

November 15, 200519 yr

WVXU had another segment on their evening news about this. They had a resident, who is also a minister, speak against the project.

I have a feeling I am one of the few people on this board who has vistied or used the services at The Lord's Gym, Crossroads Health Center, City Gospel Mission, and City Cure; and I have to point out that these agencies are really harmless and well run. I can understand your apprehension, and you can fight it, and perhaps win, but only the City Gospel Mission attracts homeless, and very few of them. Crossroad is just a health clinic, and the Lord's Gym is just a weight lifting place. The rest are office type uses.

November 15, 200519 yr

It's about time.

Center in West End opposed

Residents to fight proposal to aid poor, homeless in meeting tonight

By Allen Howard

Enquirer staff writer

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051115/NEWS01/511150376/1056/rss02

November 16, 200519 yr

They had 250+ at that meeting tonight. I guess I can't say that nobody supports the project, because 4 people spoke in support of it. One was from the West End.

November 16, 200519 yr

West End Kid, did you make it on the local news? They interviewed a few people about this. Good to see it being discussed.

November 16, 200519 yr

People are making sure their voices are being heard. It seems strange that a small Community Council could make or break this deal. More power to them.

<b>West End delays vote on center</b>

By Allen Howard

Enquirer staff writer

Several hundred people packed the West End Community Council's meeting Tuesday night to air opinions on the one-stop community center and mall for the poor that a church group wants to build here. A vote was postponed, and Dale Mallory asked for more study to be done.

November 18, 200519 yr

http://www.cincinnatidealer.com/

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