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mcmicken
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"Our level of tolerance for this issue is remarkable," Leeper says. "The behavior that goes in that park - no one should have to put up with that. There are laws in place that are clearly not being followed.
Sounds like he shares my frustrations
But 3CDC is still investing in the permanent supportive housing on Odeon that will only exacerbate the problem in Washington Park. They were also behind the scenes in the deal for the Drop-In Center to sell their buildings at 12th and Elm to CPS to move the transitional housing a whole 5 blocks for a cool half a million dollars of taxpayer dollars. I don't believe they are always looking at a long term strategy, but only doing what is most expedient at the moment.
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Sherman Cahal
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Would a rapid increase in property values eventually force the Drop-In (and other places) to move out?
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mcmicken
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Would a rapid increase in property values eventually force the Drop-In (and other places) to move out?
They are a non-profit, and don't pay property taxes.
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AndrewN
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^ but that doesn't preclude them from selling their valuable land and moving if it means better services for their clients.
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mcmicken
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No, but rising values on their own won't move them.
A number of the organizations, especially the Drop-In, value the location as being "in your face". Dollars aren't always as valued as you think. In fact, that is one of the problems. Every organization thinks they are doing things the right way, and don't want to cede any control, so opportunities for consolidation and better operation aren't being pursued. For example, why are there 4 soup kitchens in Over-the-Rhine? Having one would present better hours, better use of volunteers, less trash spread through the neighborhood, cost savings by purchasing in bulk, etc and actually provide MORE help those who need. But I haven't seen one social service agency move this direction. They are not as altruistic as they like to make themselves out to be.
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Sherman Cahal
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I volunteered for one soup kitchen on a Saturday a few months ago (the one at 12th and Elm), and it was one of the most poorly managed, disfunctional organizations I have seen. There was little accountability, poor management of food and quantities of said food (locked doors?), and individual items (i.e. not bulk). Volunteers were sitting around talking, smoking, and certainly not working in all instances.
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The Nati Life
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This isn't meant to be a slight, but rather an honest question.
Has anyone ever heard any "success stories" from the Drop-in or places like it? I would think they would receive more funds and donations if they publicized stories of turning around peoples' lives. I think the sweeping assumption is that these places serve as a stopgap rather than helping to solve peoples' problem ("give a man a fish..., teach him to fish..."). It seems as though they focus on complaining that they're being forced from the neighborhood (and bear in mind, they won't be FORCED to do anything) rather than showing they're a valuable asset to the community.
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AndrewN
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I agree that a campaign showing how they have improved people's lives and helped people get gainful employment and stable housing would go far in helping the cause.
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Civvik
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This isn't meant to be a slight, but rather an honest question.
Has anyone ever heard any "success stories" from the Drop-in or places like it? I would think they would receive more funds and donations if they publicized stories of turning around peoples' lives. I think the sweeping assumption is that these places serve as a stopgap rather than helping to solve peoples' problem ("give a man a fish..., teach him to fish..."). It seems as though they focus on complaining that they're being forced from the neighborhood (and bear in mind, they won't be FORCED to do anything) rather than showing they're a valuable asset to the community.
This will tell some of the story. http://jchriscarmichael.com/InShadows/Deinstitutionalization.htmlMany of the "problems" of people in drop-in centers are not solved by counseling or job training. There are kind of two layers of poverty, that which is hidden in large households and informal homelessness, more often women and children, and that which is very obvious, like bums, most of which are males with deep substance abuse or mental illness.
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GetBackCincy
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CINCINNATI -- Police took a suspect into custody Tuesday afternoon in connection with an Over-The-Rhine stabbing.
The victim, whose name was not released, told police he was stabbed in the chest just before 2:30 p.m. at Washington Park.
Dispatchers said the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Police took a suspect into custody at Liberty Street and Pleasant Avenue and brought her to headquarters for questioning.
FIX THE PARK!!! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!
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GetBackCincy
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I was taking a peek back at the January 3cdc working group report regarding washington park and saw no reference to a dog run. Anyone know if this idea is no longer being explored? I live in OTR and know of 8-10 dogs in my immediate building and neighboring buildings. I definitely think it would get a lot of use as the neighborhood's population increases. Dog ownership amongst this demographic is clearly pretty high.
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Jskinner
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As far as I know, it is still in the plans for the northeast corner of the park, near 14th and Race.
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GetBackCincy
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I wonder where they are in the finalization of the plans?
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UncleRando
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I was taking a peek back at the January 3cdc working group report regarding washington park and saw no reference to a dog run. Anyone know if this idea is no longer being explored? I live in OTR and know of 8-10 dogs in my immediate building and neighboring buildings. I definitely think it would get a lot of use as the neighborhood's population increases. Dog ownership amongst this demographic is clearly pretty high. When I spoke with a Cincinnati Park Board person a few weeks ago about dog parks in the center city he mentioned the renovation of Washington Park as a new dog park that will be available. So yes, it's part of the plan.
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oakiehigh
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^That sounds like the most promising news about the park I've heard in awhile! Bums don't like dogs! I know this! 
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mcmicken
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^ The OTR Citizens on Patrol is looking for additional members. The more participants we have the more places and times we can be out, whether we're walking around or staying in one spot.
Applications are due by May 1 for the next training session.
PM me if you need details or have questions.
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BallHatGuy
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^^ GetBack: I would some time. I couldn't commit to every weekend or anything but I totally would hang out some Friday evening or Sunday afternoon at 12th & Race in a lawn chair or a blanket having a picnic, getting some sun, drinking a Diet Snapple, etc.
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jmecklenborg
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Bronson can eat one. He walks about six blocks once a year and thinks he knows it all. Only he could call streetscape improvements "broken" sidewalks.
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Neville
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Bronson can eat one. He walks about six blocks once a year and thinks he knows it all. Only he could call streetscape improvements "broken" sidewalks.
It's all purple prose.. He's an idiot... and a horrible writer
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GetBackCincy
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anyone hear that the drop-inn is being told to move?
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Sherman Cahal
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I hope so. Me and a friend were driving through the Washington Park area two weeks ago, and there were three cop vehicles inside Washington Park and at least eight cop vehicles at the Drop Inn doing a 'house cleaning'. I wouldn't be surprised if they were forced to close for repeated violations -- it is one of the worst hotspots for general crime in OTR.
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TheHemroid
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Ha it would be quite funny if we look at the crime in OTR all these years and find out it's because of one single spot. Take it away and the neighborhood transforms very quickly. We can dream can't we?  but one can't ignore the progress down there.
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BlackBengal
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^ That would be fantastic news. If true I bet it has everything to do with SCPA about to open. Washington Park simply cannot continue to be scumbag central with the school opening up right next door.
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mcmicken
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As far as I know, there is no way to force the Drop-Inn Center to move.
Whether someone or some group is working with them to relocate is a different matter.
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GetBackCincy
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Someone told me there was a brief piece on WLWT at lunchtime. They made it sound like city council would no allocate federal money to the drop inn unless they agreed to move. I believe it does have everything to do with the SPCA....
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mcmicken
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Interesting. I haven't heard anything close to that being proposed before.
I'm not sure how that would fly, as council voted to implement the Homeless to Homes Plan earlier this year, and that report has nothing about moving the Drop-Inn Center (only minimal assurances about not adding any more shelters in Census Tract 9 only).
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