Categories
Up To Speed

Is it time to rethink regional transportation funding?

Is it time to rethink regional transportation funding?.

The Charlotte region may be on the brink of revamping how the region funds its transportation infrastructure. With three states, 15 counties and countless municipalities, is it time for the Cincinnati region to start rethinking the way it funds its transportation infrastructure? More from the Charlotte Business Journal:

It’s becoming clear the $119 million extension of the fledgling streetcar line may not survive the city’s budgeting process. It’s becoming equally clear that it might not matter…In fact, the failure to fund the streetcar line, which is now caught up in the nearly $1 billion Capital Investment Plan being negotiated by City Council, could trigger a much larger revamp of the region’s entire transit planning and funding process.

Categories
Up To Speed

Dense Urban Cores Perform Better

Dense urban cores do better

A recent report from Richard Florida in the Atlantic Cities highlights the success of cities that have dense urban cores. As Cincinnati’s downtown core shows signs of progress with The Banks, Washington Park, and other projects, the city seems poised to be on the path of economic success. More from Atlantic Cities:

Economic growth and development, according to several key measures, is higher in metros that are not just dense, but where density is more concentrated. This is true for productivity, measured as economic output per person, as well as both income and wages.

Talent levels are also higher where density is more concentrated. This holds for both the share of college grads and the share of knowledge, professional, and creative workers. Conversely, working class jobs are more likely to be found in metros that are less densely concentrated.

Categories
Business Development News

Officials celebrate completion of nation’s largest green renovation of affordable housing

Photograph by Alexis Barnes.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan, is in Cincinnati today to celebrate the completion of the newly redeveloped housing project called the Villages at Roll Hill. The project, which was once known as Fay Apartments, is being heralded as the largest green renovation, affordable housing project in the country.

Developers Wallick-Hendy state that they intend to apply to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to obtain LEED certification on the project.

Redevelopment of the long-stalled neighborhood had begun in earnest in 2010 after years of setbacks and delays. As disclosed by UrbanCincy in 2010, developers were able to tap a variety of funding sources to get the project off the ground including a $32 million loan from HUD and a $3.2 grant from City HOME. The City of Cincinnati also granted an eight-year tax abatement on the renovated units.

The rehabilitation included the demolition of 17 buildings on site and reduced the number of housing units to 703. The upgrades also include landscaping, security, tree installation, a new playground and other improvements.

The Villages of Roll Hill is located along Baltimore Avenue on the west side of Cincinnati. The housing development debuted in 1962 as a promising new city neighborhood with over 1,025 market rate apartments. The development was owned and operated by HUD but was bought by the City in 1982.

By 1986, the City sold the struggling development to Stern-Hendy due to promises to invest millions in rehabilitating and repairing the complex. By 2005, however, there were only 112 market rate apartments left, 650 were rented to Housing Choice Voucher recipients (Section 8) and 128 were rehabilitative housing operated by Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA).

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Socialize with fellow urbanists at December’s URBANexchange

The holiday season is in full effect, but we hope you take some time out of your busy schedule to join us at the Moerlein Lager House Tuesday, December 4 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm for our monthly URBANexchange event.

We will once again be gathering in the biergarten that overlooks the Ohio River, Roebling Suspension Bridge and Smale Riverfront Park. And please keep in mind that a portion of all sales at the Moerlein Lager House go to support the operations of Cincinnati’s new central riverfront park where it is located.

Those who have not yet been to an URBANexchange can expect a casual, laid-back atmosphere with others who are interested in what’s happening in our city, and cities elsewhere. The UrbanCincy team hopes that you come and share your thoughts about cities with the others in attendance, and discuss the current issues facing Cincinnati.

The event is not something that includes a formal presentation or discussion. What URBANexchange is all about is creating a monthly outlet where fellow urbanists can socialize, share their ideas with one another, and expand their social and professional network with like-minded individuals.

As always, December’s URBANexchange is free and open to the public. Please feel free to come and go anytime during the event. It is highly recommended that you bring a business card or come prepared to swap contact information with others as this is an event that tries to foster networking.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Stories Around the Urban Campfire returns to East Walnut Hills this Thursday

Stories Around the Urban Campfire will return this Thursday to DeSales Plaza in East Walnut Hills.

The urban storytelling event is being produced by UrbanCincy in partnership with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation and Teilen. The event also supports small businesses in the neighborhood like Suzie Wongs, Café DeSales, and Beck Hardware.

“I received very positive feedback from the small, neighborhood businesses involved with the first storytelling event,” explained UrbanCincy owner Randy Simes. “Some people were a bit hesitant to get up and share their stories at the first event, but we’re hoping even more people show up this Thursday and to enjoy the unique urban campfire experience in East Walnut Hills.”


People gather on DeSales Plaza for the first-ever Stories Around the Urban Campfire event held on November 8, 2012. Image provided by the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation.

As with the first Stories Around the Urban Campfire held on November 8 (online photo gallery), this week’s event will have food and drink available for purchase from Suzie Wongs and Café DeSales. Those who bring the right materials will also be able to make smores over the fire.

According to Simes, there are plans to potentially do more of these events, but for now this may be the last regularly scheduled Stories Around the Urban Campfire event of 2012.

“We received a very positive response from the first event, and we expect there to be a similar turnout this time around,” Simes noted. “However, it is getting colder and colder by the day, and we don’t want people to be uncomfortable. If the weather plays nice, then we might have another one or two of these before the end of the year, and then bring it back in the spring.”

Stories Around the Urban Campfire (11/29) will begin at 6:30pm in DeSales Plaza at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road. The event is free and open to the public, and those choosing to share their stories with the group will be given approximately five minutes each.

Teilen founder Joe Wessels will serve as the event’s moderator and will be keeping track of each speaker’s time. Those interested in telling a story are encouraged to contact urbancincy@gmail.com or joewessels@gmail.com with their name and story topic.