Last Saturday, I had the pleasure to participate in the Gateway Quarter blogger tour hosted by Michael & Holly Redmond, Jim Moll and several other developers that are responsible for the redevelopment of Over-the-Rhine’s Vine Street corridor known as the Gateway Quarter. The tour included the Gateway Condos, Deveneck Flats, Duncanson Lofts, Centennial Row and several buildings that are part of phase II. I had been on the previous Over-the-Rhine home tour so I was familiar with several of the buildings but the unique aspect of this tour made for a more informed walk through. One thing I noticed during the meeting was the passion and dedication that the developers had for the project. Many of them live in the neighborhood, many of them truly care about the existing residents as well as bringing Over-the-Rhine back to life. I think we can sometimes forget how decayed that part of Vine Street used to be. If you need to be refreshed, I suggest you visit the Gateway Quarter visitor center and see the photos on the wall of how the area used to look. They are very powerful photos and I hope 3CDC makes them more prominent in the visitor center to remind people just how much they have accomplished in such a short time. The momentum of this project is in full force and I look forward to watching it take shape. With the Banks project, Queen City Square, Fountain Square, City West, the Cincinnati Streetcar Project and the Over-the-Rhine Gateway Quarter, Cincinnati is sure to look different in the next five years and from all signs, the city is on the up and up in not only quality of life, but pride. Just look to the internet, people are coming around, blogs are popping up that are positive about the city and people are tired of the Enquirer dictating a negative mindset that is no longer acceptable. If you haven’t been to Over-the-Rhine in a while, make sure you visit the Gateway Quarter’s visitor center and ask to be shown several of the redeveloped lofts and while you are there, visit some of the great retail that has opened up along Vine Street.
Here are the photos from the Tour:
Here are photos I took on the same day throughout the city:
Last but not least, the infamous Cut-in-the-Hill shot of the Cincinnati Skyline:
Hope you enjoyed viewing the Queen City as much as I have.
