On Saturday March 3, the OTRF( in partnership with American Legacy Tours) will be offering the Historic Churches of Over-the-Rhine tour, visiting some of Cincinnati’s oldest houses of worship.  Each church features stunning architecture -some with stained glass windows built in the early 19^th century.  Our second tour, the OTRF Tour of Living offered on Sunday March 4, will provide you with a peek inside historic and newer residential homes that abut Washington Park where you’ll see old world craftsmanship beside the newest advances in “green” building. 

Ticket Purchase: Tickets for all tours can be purchased at Bockfest Tours through our secure PayPal network. Advance purchase is recommended. For more information, contact OTRF at info@otrfoundation.org or leave a voice message at 513-721-1225.

Historic Churches of Over-the-Rhine

(Tour begins at Bockfest Hall, 1619 Moore Street)

Date: Saturday, March 3, 2012

Times: 2:00 and 2:45pm

Cost: $20 per person

First Lutheran Church, Race St.

Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased at Bockfest Tours through our secure PayPal network or the day of the event. Advance purchase is recommended. For more information, contact OTRF at info@otrfoundation.org or leave a voice message at 513-721-1225.

Description: The tour includes four 19^thcentury churches (St. Francis Seraph, First Lutheran, Nast Trinity, and Prince of Peace) located in historic Over-the-Rhine. Tours will be lead by the award-winning guides from American Legacy Tours.   Tours will begin at Bockfest Hall at 1619 Moore Street.  Please note that it is a walking tour.

OTRF 2012 Tour of Living

(Tour begins at Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street)

Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012

Times: 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $20 per person

1401 Race St.

Description: The tour includes six historic destinations, located on and near Elm and Race Streets. Please note that it is a walking tour; Memorial Hall is the only site equipped with an elevator:

 1522-24 Elm Street, Habitat for Humanity: Renovation of this 1870s Italianate structure beautifully illustrates that preserving historic homes can be both energy efficient and affordable. The development is a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity, OTR Community Housing and the OTR Foundation.

210 W. 14^th Street, Symphony Hotel: Built in 1871 as the personal residence for lithographer Peter Ehrgott, the home now serves as a popular bed and breakfast.  The recently renovated rooms, lavishly decorated with antiques, are named for 19^th century composers.

Pleasant Street, City Home: Located at the north end of Washington Park, this innovative development offers new construction, commonly referred to as infill, alongside renovated historic homes. Guests will delight in the possibilities as they tour an example of each design.

1401 Race Street, City Home: This sleek four-unit condo development epitomizes the vision of a blended community. Two units are offered at market-rate while the remaining two units are reserved for subsidized ownership. The ground floor is dedicated retail space, poised to serve a thriving Washington Park district.

1420 Race Street, John Hueber Homes: Built in the 1870s, this tenement-style home was owned and occupied by leather manufacturer, Robert Graefe, whose family retained it for more than 70 years. In 2011, the home was converted into an exquisite single-family residence by John Hueber Homes.

1225 Elm Street, Memorial Hall: Famed Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford designed this beaux arts-style meeting hall for the Grand Army of the Republic in 1908. Painstaking restoration preserved its stunning concert hall and grand meeting rooms, now home to priceless Civil War artifacts. 

Vanishing Cincinnati

For immediate release: Over forty years in the making, the Vanishing Cincinnati collection is scheduled for publication in a large landscape format book in the autumn of 2012.  Colorful ink on paper freehand drawings preserve views of the Queen City’s heyday from the 1850s to the 1950s. Brief history notations and images highlight little known facts about the  city’s downtown when it had a bustling inner-city with a diverse population, and a  wonderful  mixture of  buildings, neighborhoods shops, parks, entertainment and an infrastructure that stimulated its people on street level. Downtown’s vibrant “sense of place” has always been on a human scale because it is uniquely nestled  within an amphitheater of verdant hills. You and your associates can become a part of this “once in a lifetime” effort by supporting the publication’s production. Your name or the organization of your choice will be printed in the prominent “First Edition Sponsor’s Page.”

• For support of $500 you will receive a first edition hard cover 11”x 14” landscape format book, signed by the artists.
•  For support of $250 you will receive an 11”x 17” Vanishing Cincinnati limited edition print on fine paper, signed by the artists, and suitable for framing.
• For support of $100 you will receive a set of five limited edition 5½”x 8½” studio cards, all with colorful prints from the planned book, complete with envelopes (never-the -less, many people frame them).
• For support of $50 you will receive an 8½” x 11″ colorful limited edition print, “Little Bethlehem,” from the forthcoming book, signed by the artists and suitable for framing.

Discover the shades of Vanishing Cincinnati that still resonate in the rhythms and notes of an urban landscape that will transform this publication into a clarion call for people of all ages and cultures to return to the original Cincinnati in the valley by the beautiful river. Call Barbara or David Day for details at (513) 621-4060 or email ddaydesign@fuse.net.                              

Seven new trustees will join 14 returning trustees and assume two-year terms. They are:

• Jay Hampton, Finit Solution
• Andy Holzhauser, Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
• Jennifer LeMasters Wirtz, Parsons Brinckerhoff
• Kristen Myers, Esq., Beckman Weil Shephardson, LLC
• Frank Russell, Urban Design Studio, University of Cincinnati
• Mike Schumacher, Schumacher-Dugan
• Mark Walton, Fifth Third

New officers for 2011-2013 include:

• President: Sean Rhiney, Eigel Center for Community-Engaged Learning  at Xavier University
• Vice President: W. Kevin Pape, Gray & Pape, Inc.
• Treasurer: Reid A. Hartmann, MD, Christ Hospital Medical Association
•  Secretary: Gail Moe, Redhead Communications (2^nd Term)

 Over the past two years the Foundation has continued to lead on historic preservation and green building issues in Over-the-Rhine.  Initiatives include establishing the OTR Legal Defense Fund to prevent unnecessary demolition of historic buildings and taking a leadership role in the rehabilitation of Rothenberg School by raising funds for a rooftop teaching garden at the historic structure. In addition, the Foundation partnered with Habitat for Humanity on a demonstration green historic + affordable project for residential housing. This summer the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded OTRF 3^rd Place and a $5,000 cash prize for its nomination and support of Over-the-Rhine as a “Place That Matters.”

The OTRF recently completed a comprehensive, three-year strategic plan with guidance from the Executive Service Corps of Cincinnati.  The Plan focuses on:  preserving OTR’s assets, “green” renovation, encouraging owner occupation, smart infill, green space and parking solutions, and identifying skilled trade, artisan and training opportunities for members of the community.

***

Since 1992, the Over-the-Rhine Foundation has been a leader in preserving the neighborhood’s historic building stock and promoting the community through strategies to stabilize buildings, ensuring Vacant Building Maintenance License (VBML) compliance, and providing resources for owners who want to rehabilitate and develop structures that make up the historic fabric of OTR. To learn more about the OTR Foundation, please visit  http://www.otrfoundation.org/

Vine at 12th St.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has selected the Over-the-Rhine Foundation (OTRF) and Over-the-Rhine as finalists in its This Place Matters Community Challenge. The contest offers a $25,000 cash prize to the organization who receives the most votes in an online challenge that will run through June 30th. The OTRF nominated Over-the-Rhine in May.  The National trust selected 100 organizations and their ‘places that matter’ as finalists from hundreds of national entries. OTRF is one of four finalists from the State of Ohio, and the only finalist from Cincinnati. 

The OTRF is asking supporters for their votes in the online Challenge. The Foundation has been a leader in preserving Over-the-Rhine’s historic buildings and promoting the community for more than 17 years.

“Winning the prize would not only help us save more endangered buildings in our historic neighborhood, but would also raise awareness about the transformation going on in Over-the-Rhine and its importance to the economy and vitality of Cincinnati,” said Sean Rhiney, vice president of the OTRF Board of Trustees.

At the Community Challenge Web page, voters can find their favorite local preservation organization (or a preservation project), read its story, check out its This Place Matters photo, and VOTE so they can be one of three cash prize-winning organizations. Each person is only allowed to vote once throughout the Challenge – a valid email address is required to vote -and voting ends on June 30th – so make your vote count and then make sure to spread the word and tell everyone you know to register their vote for Over-the-Rhine.   

You can vote for OTR here: http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/community-challenge/places/over-the-rhine.html

Over-the-Rhine, the city’s oldest neighborhood, has lost over 50% of its historic building stock since 1930.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 for its massive, intact collection of 19^th century buildings, it is currently on the National Trust for Historic Places’ 11 Most Endangered list.  

Christmas on Main St.

The Over-the-Rhine Foundation has been a leader in preserving the neighborhood’s historic building stock and promoting the community through strategies to stabilize buildings, ensure Vacant Building Maintenance License (VBML) compliance, and providing important resources for owners who want to rehabilitate and develop these structures that make up the important, historic fabric of Over-the-Rhine.  The OTRF also established the Over the Rhine Legal Defense Fund (OTRLDF) to raise needed resources to protect neglected “at risk” properties from demolition, and assist in the proper transfer of those properties to interested owners who will maintain and rehabilitate their buildings. 

To learn more about the OTR Foundation, please visit http://www.otrfoundation.org/

For more information about the Community Challenge, please visit: http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/community-challenge/

Photo courtesy of American Legacy Tours

This Saturday, May 21^st, all tickets sales from the Civil War Cincinnati tour will be donated to the Over-the-Rhine Foundation, dedicated to “preserve, protect and celebrate Over-the-Rhine.” The tour begins at 1:30 p.m. in front of the new home of American Legacy Tours, located at 1218 Vine St. in OTR.

Civil War Cincinnati is the brainchild of high school teachers Jerry Gels and Mac Cooley. Their tour business began when the duo wanted to raise funds for a mission trip to Jamaica. Gels and Cooley, both avid fans of American history, created the Newport Gangster’s Tour as a vehicle for the fundraiser. The tour quickly became a popular destination for locals and out-of-town visitors alike and has appeared on Southern Living magazine’s list as one of the “best things to do in Kentucky,” and Cincinnati magazine’s Best Walking Tour in Greater Cincinnati.

Enthusiastic response to the lively tour prompted Gels and Cooley to expand into Cincinnati. Their passion for 19^th century history was a natural fit for Over-the-Rhine, the site of largest collection of Italianate architecture in the country. They were inspired to create the Queen City Underground tour, citing tales of the city’s brewery history, notorious bosses and turn-of-the-century entertainers.

Last fall, Gels and Cooley added the Civil War Cincinnati tour. The two discovered a historical bonanza of information – some known but much forgotten – about the heroes, halls and holy places that played a pivotal role in the Union’s ultimate victory.  Guests delight in stories of the heroic accomplishments of the Black Brigade, the exploits of the first all-German regiment in the Civil War, and Sister Mary Anthony O’Connell who earned the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield.”

Tickets prices are $15 per person and can be purchased online or the day of the tour at 1218 Vine St. For more information, please visit American Legacy Tours.

1314 Vine St., photo courtesy of OTR Matters

Friends,

The letter below was submitted to 3CDC stating the OTR Foundation’s opposition to the proposed demolition of 1314 Vine St.  Their development plans for Mercer Commons include the removal of the building to allow access to a parking garage. We firmly believe that an alternative design for access to the garage can be achieved and appeal to 3CDC to employ a creative solution: 

March 11, 2011

To Steve Leeper and Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation:

This letter is written regarding the Mercer Commons development and 1314 Vine Street on behalf of the Over-the-Rhine Foundation.  The OTR Foundation opposes the demolition of 1314 Vine St.

The Over-the-Rhine Foundation exists to preserve, protect, and celebrate Over-the-Rhine.  Mercer Commons is an excellent opportunity for growth and development in this neighborhood, and the OTR Foundation intends to promote the sustainable development of this project.  A key component of this concept includes the preservation of contributing structures in this neighborhood.  1314 Vine is a classic example of contributing Italianate architecture, with a decorative roof cornice with the date of construction and large cast iron façade posts.  This structure is also the last remaining structure on this particular block, which makes it all the more critical for preservation to retain the historic fabric of Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. 

The National Register of Historic Places identifies Over-the-Rhine as a historic neighborhood.  It is through that designation that the very tax credits used in this development were obtained, as you are well aware.  Unfortunately, due to the large number of demolished buildings in Over-the-Rhine, there are barely half of the original buildings remaining.  This places the historic designation in danger, and could potentially result in the loss of such designation.  Most importantly, this designation loss may result in the loss of eligibility for future historic tax credits from the state and federal government.

The OTR Foundation is dedicated to the revitalization of this neighborhood, and excited to support development which celebrates our beautiful historic buildings.  Mercer Commons presents an opportunity to preserve 1314 Vine Street, and to celebrate this and the many other unique buildings in this neighborhood.  It is the charm, history, and uniqueness of these structures that draws residents and businesses.  Every opportunity to preserve our existing building stock must be pursued.

The preservation of St Paulus Church at 15^th and Race is an impressive example of 3CDC’s capacity to preserve our critical buildings.  1314 Vine, while not a church, is also a critical contributing structure which retains the historic beauty of this miracle mile on Vine.  It seems, with the talent of the many architects working on Mercer Commons, that an alternate solution can be designed to preserve 1314 Vine Street.  The Foundation will enthusiastically work with 3CDC and the many other engaged community partners to seek a mutually beneficial solution to this situation.

 Sincerely,

Reid A Hartmann, Over-the-Rhine Foundation Board Member

St Francis Seraph Church

The Over the Rhine Foundation (OTRF), dedicated to the preservation of Over the Rhine, is sponsoring two events during Bockfest weekend that are sure to please history buffs and anyone hankering for a little “insider” information. The weekend begins with the Turn-of-the-Century Tour, offered Saturday March 5^th and Sunday March 6^th, from 2 to 4 p.m. The tour starts at Memorial Hall and includes stops at the Emery Theatre, three renovated lofts in the Emery Apartments and St. Francis Seraph Church.

“This is an incredible opportunity to see the renovations and restorations in Over the Rhine’s most iconic landmarks,” said Jim Moll, tour director and OTRF board member. “Guests will get a chance to see the spectacular architectural details of Memorial Hall and St. Francis Seraph Church, and the stylish renovation of former Ohio College of Applied Science classrooms into urban lofts.”  The tour also includes a stop at the Emery Theatre which hasn’t been open to the public since its closure in 1998.

Back by popular demand is the tour’s final stop at St. Francis Seraph Church.  During last year’s OTRF sponsored Church Tour, Brother Tim mesmerized guests with historic details of the church’s early beginnings. The church tour includes a visit to the undercroft, the former site of a Catholic cemetery where tombstones were used to pave the floor.

Memorial Hall auditorium

On Sunday March 6^th,  the Bach to Bock Brunch at Memorial Hall features German-style fare from Mecklenburg Gardens, classical music by 17 Mile Brass and a special presentation by Kevin Pape, principle of Gray and Pape, the firm responsible for excavating Washington Park’s grave sites. 

The event begins at Noon with a meet and greet reception, followed by a buffet brunch in the Hall’s historic first floor meeting space. Completed in 1908, Memorial Hall was designed by Cincinnati’s most famous architect, Samuel Hannaford. Guests will dine in the heart of its grandeur, surrounded by ornate wooden carvings, marble staircases and soaring winged windows.

Following brunch, guests will enjoy Pape’s presentation in the second floor auditorium, famous for its stunningly elaborate and detailed architecture. Before its purchase by the City of Cincinnati in 1855, Washington Park was the former site of an Episcopal and a Presbyterian cemetery. Pape will enlighten audience members on the fascinating findings during excavation.

Ticket prices for the Turn-of-the-Century Tour are $20, with the tour starting both Saturday and Sunday at Memorial Hall at 2 p.m. Sunday’s Bach to Bock Brunch tickets are $35; a cash bar will feature Christian Moerlein beer, mimosas and wine. The brunch, sponsored by U.S. Bank, is scheduled from Noon to 2 p.m. A special combination ticket price for the Sunday brunch and tour is available for $50. Seating is limited for the brunch so an advance ticket purchase is required.

Tour tickets can be purchased via the OTRFs secure PayPal site or by cash or check the day of the event;  brunch tickets can also be purchased in advance via PayPal.  A receipt is necessary for admission. All proceeds benefit the Over the Rhine Foundation, dedicated to protecting, preserving and celebrating Over the Rhine, the historic heart of Cincinnati.

Please direct any inquiries to info@otrfoundation.org.

217 E. Clifton, demolished shortly after 142 E. McMicken

The week before Christmas the City of Cincinnati posted a list of “At-Risk Historic Structures” that,” in spite of code enforcement, were deteriorating due to neglect, lack of maintenance, and/or abandonment and could face immediate demolition.”  The list was dominated by 28 buildings in Over-the-Rhine (OTR), the City’s oldest neighborhood which has already lost over 50% of its historic building stock since 1930.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, OTR is currently on the National Trust for Historic Places 11 Most Endangered list.

Today, the Over the Rhine Foundation (OTRF) announced that it is creating a multi-pronged plan that will assist in moving these “at risk” structures located in OTR off the City’s list before year’s end. The OTRF has been a leader in preserving the neighborhood’s historic building stock and promoting the community for over 17 years.  In the past month, Foundation leaders have met with City and nonprofit leaders to discuss further strategies to stabilize buildings, insure Vacant Building Maintenance License (VBML) compliance, and provide important resources for those owners who want to rehabilitate and develop these structures that make up the important, historic fabric of OTR.

Many of these at-risk buildings will require a mixture of administrative and legal action similar to the neighborhood’s fight for 142 East McMicken, a building demolished by its owner, Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), this past December. The OTRF and the Over The Rhine Brewery District self-funded and supported the emergency filing of a restraining order and injunction to prevent the demolition of this historic structure adjacent to Rothenberg Elementary School.  Despite best efforts, a Hamilton County Judge did not grant the injunction and the building was demolished.

As a result, the Foundation has established the Over the Rhine Legal Defense Fund (OTRLDF) to raise needed resources to protect these neglected “at- risk” properties from demolition, and assist in the proper transfer of those properties to interested owners who will maintain and rehabilitate their buildings.  Several of these properties are owned by out of state entities and individuals who are unaware of the neighborhood’s ongoing renaissance. The OTRLDF will provide the necessary resources to defend buildings where owners seek unnecessary demolition, and aid in the transfer of buildings where possible.  To kick start funding for this important mission, W. Kevin Pape, President of Gray & Pape, Inc.(an archaeological and historic preservation consulting firm based in OTR for over twenty years) and an OTRF trustee, has offered a challenge grant of $2,000 for the first $2,000 raised from this appeal. Pape and his wife Kim Starbuck stepped forward last December with an offer to purchase 142 East McMicken from CPS prior to its demolition.

“We are committed to preserving and celebrating Cincinnati’s heritage and encourage everyone who supports the revitalization of Over-the-Rhine to contribute to the OTRLDF,” Pape said.

The OTRF also encourages community wide support of the recent recommendations of the Historic Loan Task Force initiated by the OTRF and convened by Councilmember Roxanne Qualls in 2009.  OTRF President Ken Jones is a member of the Task Force that presented a motion to Quall’s Vibrant Neighborhoods committee last week. The Motion suggests practical and important changes to the City’s code and procedures concerning historic structures that will aid in the prevention of future unnecessary demolitions.

 Online contributions and support of the OTRLDF can be directed through the Foundation’s webpage. 

To view the City’s list of “at -risk” buildings, go here.    To learn more about the OTR Foundation, go here.

Contact:  Ken Jones, 513-241-2022;  Kevin Pape, 513-300-1515

142 E. McMicken Ave.

Below is our list of short-term goals to prevent demolitions in OTR. Please review the list let us know if you can offer specific talent and/or experience to help us accomplish these goals.

• Develop matrix of key information for buildings on City’s “demolition” list regarding ownership and building condition to define issues. Challenge owners to sell, give up or repair – or face prosecution.
• Create OTR legal defense fund and fundraising campaign.
• Develop prosecutorial support for Cincinnati housing court.
• Identify pool of experts to provide technical advice on issues of building stabilization.
• Meet with key Building and Planning Department staff to communicate our position and identify partnership opportunities and potential funding sources to support our goal of no more demolitions in OTR.
• Use various media (e.g., OTRF web site and blog, Facebook page, Constant Contact, etc.) to communicate issues and progress and coordinate with supporters and stakeholders.
• Minimum goals: 1) Vacant Building Maintenance License (VBML) for every building on the “target list” or 2) accept VBML waiver for someone who chooses to take out a building permit to repair and occupy the building, or transition the property to a new owner who does the same.