| The College Hill eNewsletter |
Telling
the story of "A Diverse and Neighborly
Community."
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February 1,
2008
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Dear Reader,
Welcome to a special issue of the eNewsletter. We couldn't
wait until next week to update you on these College Hill
stories.
Expect more neighborhood news, photos, and
fun as usual next week. And for now, enjoy some long-awaited
news.
Gail Finke,
Co-Editor
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| Linden Park Funding Passes Council
 Wednesday afternoon
Cincinnati City Council unanimously voted $1.8 million for
Linden Park, the mixed-use development planned for the
intersection of North Bend Road and Hamilton
Avenue.
"This project is made possible by the hard work
and dedication of the College Hill Community Urban
Redevelopement Corp.; past CHCURC board members; Marty
Weldishoefer (Director of Community Development); The
College Hill Forum; the Business Association; the Gardeners;
City Administration; Tom Jackson; Rhythm Race Committe
members; generous citizen donors; City Council
members past and present; Jim Neyer, Kathy Schwab, Gail Paul,
Rob and all the members of the Al Neyer
team; and the support of thousands of College
Hill Residents," says CHCURC President Bob
Ludwig.
"We can all be proud of this outstanding
accomplishment. This is the first of several
major redevelopement projects that over time will transform
College Hill and improve the safety and quality of life
for all."
Photo:
College Hill celebrated the planned Linden Park development
two years ago with fireworks on New Year's
Eve. |
| What Happened at Council
Everyone in College Hill should have been
present for City Council's vote, Marty Weldishofer tells us.
It was that
exciting.
The two votes on Linden Park (one to
authorize a forgiveable loan of $1.8 million to the project
and one to authorize sale of the land) were moved to the first
order of business, after the period set aside for
remarks.
Then Councilwoman Laketa Cole, an Aiken
graduate, spoke. "Ms Cole said that she has been there
with this grassroots development every step of the way," Marty
says. "She gave raving kudos to the College Hill community for
their perseverance and tenacity, and applauded our success in
elevating this project to this point today. She went on to say
it is a testimony that the City and the communities
can work together."
The 9-0 vote
followed.
The College
Hill eNewsletter joins in giving "raving kudos" to all
the people involved in the years of planning, dreaming,
fundraising, and just plain hard work.
College Hill Forum President Elizabeth Sherwood was quick
to thank City Council for their help. "You have each offered
encouragement and advice through every step and stumble during
the long years of development," she wrote in a letter on
behalf of the neighborhood. "I assure you our
volunteers and community organizations will work nonstop to
make Linden Park a success." City Hall photo by College Hill
resident Earl Apel. See his photos here. |
| Looking for a Condo? Look Right Here!
Linden Park will break ground once nine units
are sold, according to Director of Community Development Marty
Weldishofer.
Despite gloomy reports, the housing
market in Cincinnati is still strong commpared to other areas
of the country and previous decades here, and condominiums are
hot sellers in urban neighborhoods. Here is Marty's message to
College Hill residents and workers:
An early rendering of one corner of
the development -- new drawings to come soon!
"Are you
considering buying your first home? Is one of your
friends or family members looking? Have you been thinking
about downsizing? Have any of your friends or family?
Tired of all that yard work, but love College Hill? Buy a
condo at Linden Park!"It would be terrific to have
Ground Breaking early this summer. Just NINE condos and
it will happen!!! "Spread the word --
Linden Park, Metropolitan Living over Destination
Shopping!!!! 20 minutes from
anywhere!!!!"
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| Linden Park: The Lowdown
New to College Hill? Here's the lowdown on
Linden Park, the mixed-use development that has been in the
planning stages for several years.
- What: The $12
million project will include 13,000 sq. feet of retail, 19
condominiums, parking, and 22 market-rate townhomes on the
north corners of Hamilton and North Bend Roads.
- When and Where:
Construction will take place in three phases, starting with
the north-east corner (the vacant lot with the PNC Bank ATM
machine) and extending to the vacant Kroger and Eastern Star
Home buildings. Ground will break after 9 condos are sold. A
sales office will open this spring.
- Who: A large,
mixed-use project for this corner is the result of many
civic groups, particularly the College Hill Community Urban
Redevelopment Corp. (CHCURC), meeting with consultants, city
planners, and residents who are in the planning and
development professions. Al Neyer, Inc., is the project
developer.
- Why: College Hill
is a large, diverse community with existing homes and
apartments in many styles and price ranges. But few new
homes and condominiums are available, although they are in
high demand with buyers in Cincinnati's urban markets.
Adding this type of residential and retail to College Hill's
existing stock will attract yet another group of people to
our vibrant mix, making College Hill an even more exciting,
interesting place to live.
- The Name: Linden
Park is named for the Linden/Park Hotel, a Cincinnati
attraction in the early 1900s. Located near the Eastern Star
Home site, next to the trolley station at the northwest
corner of Hamilton and North Bend, the hotel had an opulent
restaurant. People would take the trolley to the end of the
line just to stand outside the hotel and listen to its band
on summer nights.
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| EZ Market Permit Update
College Hill Forum President Elizabeth
Sherwood updated the community about EZ Market's application
for permits to sell carryout alcohol at last week's
meeting.
"This is the first time in my years with the
Forum that I've seen a completely unanimous community response
to any issue," she said, explaining that every one of the
letters received from eight churches and social service
agencies, 20 businesses, and more than 100 residents opposed
the permits.
Cincinnati City Council and the
Cincinnati Police Department also oppose the permits, but they
are granted by the state and only the state can vote to deny
them. The Forum is working with the Cincinnati City
Prosecutor's office to prepare for a hearing on the permits,
but it won't be scheduled for several months. We'll let you
know when.
In the meantime, Cincinnati Police say, it's
important to report any disturbances or litter near EZ Market
(Hamilton and Marlowe) or anywhere else on The Avenue. These
help the department document trouble spots, which helps
College Hill's efforts to combat them. Word of mouth is not
enough -- call every time.
Non-emergency calls (littering, loitering, etc.) should
go to the City Complaint Line at
591-6000.
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EXTRA! EXTRA!
More
Can't-Wait-Till-Next-Week
News:
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Aiken's Big Basketball Night: February 9
Aiken Athletic Director Steve Rossi invites College
Hill to Aiken basketball's season finale game
Saturday. Aiken's varsity team will play Meadowdale
High School at 7:30 pm. The team is building a solid
reputation, with several seniors signing with college teams
this winter, and players (even freshmen!) noted in high school
basketball roundups in print and on television. Saturday will
be Senior Night, recognizing senior players and cheerleaders,
and several activities are planned.
Volunteer
extraordinaire Phyllis Schoenberger says she'll be there --
and you should be too. "This is one way we can say thanks for
all the hard work that Dr. Rhodes and Mr. Thomas and their
staff have put into the school and thus our community," she
says. "Have dinner at Bacalls, Sisters, Goodies, the Coffee
Co. -- and then on to the
game!" |
McAuley Student An Academic
All-American
McAuley senior Rachel
Krabacher has been named a First Team Academic All-American by
PrepVolleyball.com, the only First Team Academic All-American
this year in the state of Ohio.
 Rachel
averaged 6.3 kills per game this year, for a total of 523 -- a
McAuley record, 250 more than the previous record holder.
First Team All League, First Team All City and First
Team All State, Krabacher got it done consistently on the
court. Scholastically, she has a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA,
is a member of the National Honor Society, and received the
Trustees' Merit Scholarship from the University of Dayton, the
highest academic scholarship awarded. She will attend on a
volleyball scholarship.
Rachel is the second
consecutive First Team Academic All-American from McAuley High
School. Last year Kristen White, now playing volleyball at
Wake Forest, had that honor.
Rachel is the daughter of
Don and Bev Krabacher of Colerain Township.
Story contributed by Kathy
Dietrich
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| Last Chance to Register for College Hill Spring Soccer
Friday is the last day to sign up for College Hill
Spring Soccer, part of the SAY youth soccer league. For
information and registration forms, call Ronnett Dunn at
513-931-8710, or Angela Thompson at
513-931-2757.
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The eNewsletter is published every week or two by
the volunteers listed below. Our purpose is to help make
College Hill an even better place to live, play and do
business by publishing a broad spectrum of news for and about
College Hill, with an emphasis on stories of College Hill
people working together to improve our community.
The eNewsletter is
independently prepared and published by neighborhood
volunteers. It is not affiliated with the College Hill
Forum Community Council.
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of any
College Hill or other organization--or even of the editor. The
inclusion of an article is not necessarily an endorsement. The
fact that something isn't in the eNewsletter is not
necessarily a lack of endorsement--it's most likely because no
one told us about it.
eNewsletter photos are often edited to remove
extraneous material.
Send us news that you think would be interesting to your
College Hill neighbors--and we'll very likely publish it.
- Editors: Ken Lyon and Gail Finke
- Contributing Editor: Sarah Mann Wolf
- Backup Editor: Tom
Strothers
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