The crowd that came to the corner of North Bend & Hamilton Tuesday morning to witness the demolition of Shullers Wigwam Restaurant was not disappointed. After some preliminaries, two dinosaur- like cranes bit into the building, sending up clouds of dust, bringing a chorus of oohs and ahhs from the crowd.

The destruction of the Wigwam provided onlookers with their first tangible evidence of the coming Linden Park development .

In his remarks Tuesday at the Shullers demolition celebration, College Hill Director of Community Development Marty Weldishofer spoke enthusiastically about how far the community has come in the past three years.

Three years ago, people in the community were feeling pretty discouraged. After 78 years in business at the corner of North Bend and Hamilton, Shullers Wigwam had closed in 2000. During the next two years businesses on two other corners of that intersection had also closed leaving three corners of this key intersection empty.

In early 2003, the board of the College Hill Community Urban Development Corporation met to develop a new strategic plan for College Hill development. As part of that effort, they created a new "Vision for College Hill in 2009." Attitudes began to change and things began to happen.

• A vision of a mixed-use development on those corners was born in October 2003.
• The first design concept was unveiled and embraced by the City & College Hill community in February 2004.
• Al Neyer, Inc. was selected as developer in February 2005.
• A Sale of Land Agreement between the City and Al Neyer was signed in January 2006.
• A month later, the City purchased the Shuller property.

Weldishofer pointed out, "It has been only two years and eight months since the initial concept for Linden Park was developed. Given the complexity of urban development work, this is light speed, and we have every expectation that things will continue to move quickly.

"With the purchase of 40% of the condos this summer, we will see groundbreaking for the first phase of Linden Park late this year and occupancy beginning in late 2007/early 2008."

Weldishofer ended his remarks saying, "It is a sad day for many to see the dearly loved Shullers Wigwam Restaurant come to its’ final end. The memories of hot slaw, weddings, parties and family gatherings will never be lost, but it is time to move on to the next chapter. It is good to see that Leo and Helen Shuller, past owners of Shullers Wigwam restaurant are here to help usher in a new chapter in College Hill development. "

Forum President Elizabeth Sherwood referred to the Shullers demolition celebration as "a huge and exciting event in College Hill's history."

"In two and a half short years," she said, "the Linden Park project grew from a vague concept to the reality taking shape today. This development will change the future of our neighborhood."

Sherwood thanked the partners who have helped make Linden Park possible:

• "The City of Cincinnati (with special kudos to Tom Jackson). This project is concrete proof that city can and will work with neighborhoods.
• "City Council and its members, past and present, who have faith in College Hill. Laketa Cole, David Crowley and, Cecil Thomas join us in our celebration today.
• "The College Hill Community Urban Development Corporation--CHCURC--who has quarterbacked this project from the start. Special thanks are due to Marty Weldishofer, Director of Community Development. Without Marty’s expertise, persistence and enthusiasm, we wouldn’t be here today. Under the leadership of Carol Lyon, CHCURC's president, we have seen unimagined progress toward this goal. Thank you both for your hard work.
• "Al Neyer, Inc., who picked up the ball and ran with it, providing expertise and professional resources and, most importantly, the vision to create excitement and energy. With us today are Neyer Vice President Jim Neyer, Neyer Director Gail Paul, and Ken Schon of Bloomfield, Schon & Partners.

"But even this great team couldn’t reach this goal without the continuing support of College Hill's organizations, residents and business owners. They have provided valuable input, countless volunteer hours and significant financial contributions.

"Linden park is truly a community-driven project--from start to finish."

In his remarks Tuesday, Neyer Vice President Jim Neyer called Linden Park "an exciting neighborhood development with a mix of market-rate condominiums built over street-level shops and restaurants" and sketched a word picture of what life will be like for the people living there.

"As a resident of a Linden Park condo, your space has an open, loft-style floor plan. When you moved in, you had a choice of small studios, one or two- bedroom flats or one of the two-story townhouse condos. The interiors of your condo are open, allowing you to define your space the way you want. You have high ceilings and large windows with lots of natural light streaming in. Your space is beautifully finished, with hardwood floors and granite countertops.

"You are just a few steps from the new Linden Park shops as well as your old favorites--the College Hill Coffee Company, Angert’s and Bacall’s.

"Across the street where Kroger used to be you're watching the next Linden Park development coming out of the ground--more condos and destination shopping plus single-family and carriage homes, too."

It's not too late to buy your tickets for College Hill's first-ever Garden Tour. The College Hill Gardeners are sponsoring this tour of eight beautiful and unique local gardens, which includes a plant sale and refreshments.

For only $8, your day pass lets you into a Cottage Garden on Nahant, a Water Garden (with bog!!!) on Groesbeck, the Belltower Garden at the beautiful First United Church of Christ on Glenview (where you will also find a fabulous plant sale), an All-Seasons Garden on Belmont, a Friendship Garden on Marlowe, a Cutting Garden on Larry, an Asian Garden on Larry and a Shade Garden on Edwood (where you end your tour with light refreshments).

The tour is self-guided, and lasts from 11 am to 4 pm. You can find the map online and buy your tickets Saturday at any of the sites, or just begin your tour at the First United Church of Christ and get the map then.

At the upcoming regular meeting of the College Hill Forum, you'll be among the first to hear what's happening in your community. The agenda includes:

• Rebirth of the College Hill Historical Society.
• The Community Learning Center Planning Team's vision for continuous learning at College Hill's three public schools.
• Rhythm Race Update--the new and improved route, sponsors, volunteer needs and a bigger and better Fun Run for kids.
• Selection process status report from the Paint the Town folks.
• Discussion of possible fundraisers for the Forum: more cookbooks? A new shipment of College Hill Landmark covers/throws?

See you at the Recreation Center on Tuesday, June 27 at 7:00 pm. Come early to get a close-in parking space.

Core Behavioral Health Centers was represented by employees, family members and friends (and even a few pets!) as they joined thousands of others on May 13 for a walk across the Purple People Bridge to raise money and awareness about our country's need for a world-class treatment and recovery system for people with mental illness. This walk was only one of over 60 walks across the nation in the third annual Campaign for the Mind of America. The NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) Walk in Hamilton County alone has generated nearly $100,000 and counting.

NAMI was established in 1979 by a group of family members of those with severe mental illness. Today, this powerful non-profit, self-help and advocacy organization has memberships in every state and is comprised of consumers, families, professionals, sponsors and people who simply care about those with mental illness.

If you clicked the link to the Shuller's pictures in our lead article, you got an advance glimpse of a new College Hill web site now under development. Tom Strothers has undertaken to create a site that will serve as an introduction to College Hill for newcomers and as a portal to the various College Hill civic organization web sites.

Starting Wednesday July 5, CHCURC will have general membership meetings in January, April, July and October on the first Wednesday of those months at Llanfair Community Center at 7:30 pm.

Attendees will get up-to-date information on CHCURC's many College Hill development projects. They will also provide input on current projects and on future direction. The CHCURC Board encourages you to attend and become an active part of CHCURC.

CHCURC annual membership dues are $10 per person.

Jeff Blevins And the Threat of a Consequence is a one-person band whose intimate folk music pivots on Jeff’s stream of consciousness lyrical style. Jeff Blevins moved to Colerain after a 6-year stint in Madras, Oregon, working on a Native American Reservation and developing his now picturesque sound. He now works with children and families with disabilities all over Cincinnati.

Jeff Blevins And the Threat of a Consequence plays Saturday, June 24, at the College Hill Coffee Co.