Cincinnati May Lose 11 Victorians
By Gwendolyn Purdom | Online Only | Mar. 30, 2011
Eleven historic Victorian houses in Cincinnati's Corryville neighborhood will be demolished soon unless preservation groups can relocate the structures. The houses, just east of the University of Cincinnati, are set to be razed to make room for a 72-unit student housing complex.
The block of intricate High Victorians, Italianates, and rowhouses dates to the 1870s, when the advent of mass transit allowed working- and middle-class residents, many of them German immigrants, to move to the hilltops surrounding downtown.
The owner of the properties, Uptown Rental Properties, applied for demolition permits this month following the City Council's vote to rezone the block, allowing for higher-density residential construction. The Corryville Community Council also approved the plans, though local preservation groups, such as the Cincinnati Preservation Association (a National Trust partner), argue that the project was not adequately publicized before this approval was granted. Furthermore, they say, the zoning changes amount to spot zoning (rezoning a piece of land within a larger neighborhood) and would result in the isolation of Corryville's remaining buildings.
Officials at Uptown Rental Properties have previously said that rehabbing the Victorians (which had been rental units until December) and incorporating them into the housing complex wasn't viable, given the condition of the structures. Preservationists are now trying to move the houses, a costly undertaking estimated at up to $200,000 per residence (though at least one house was considerably less).
“The pro obviously from the preservation point of view is you will be saving magnificent buildings that cannot possibly be duplicated elsewhere,” says Margo Warminski of the Cincinnati Preservation Association. But moving the tall masonry structures on such a tight deadline (construction is due to start this spring) would be difficult. Furthermore, few usable lots remain in the neighborhood, because of previous development. Uptown Rental Properties, which could not be reached for comment, has offered to contribute $3,500 per house for moving costs—far short of what is needed, says Danny Klingler, director of the preservation group OTR A.D.O.P.T.
“We really need a benefactor, or some angel to swoop in because it's going to be expensive," Klingler says. “It's definitely doable and the crazy thing is, in a way it's a worthwhile investment for whoever would take it on, because if you look at the square footage of the building and then the cost, you can still get a gorgeous historic building for like $50 a square foot, which is super cheap."
Student members of the University of Cincinnati Preservation Action Network learned of the development plans too late to voice their opposition. Ryan Lammi, the group's president, fears higher costs for students as a result of the demolition and new construction. "Unfortunately, with the new development, it's usually at least double what you would be paying to live in one of the historic homes," Lammi says.
The neighborhood has lost many historic buildings in recent years, but losing such an intact and salvageable block, Klingler says, would be all the more acutely felt. "I grew up in Corryville and I actually attribute my love for Cincinnati and for cities to having grown up there and it's because something about the history and the buildings gets inside you," he says. "So what we stand to lose is a pretty large piece of the magic."
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Comments
Submitted by Roger Freeman at: April 25, 2011
Wow, UC must be real proud of this solution. Sick.
Submitted by Nativeson71 at: April 20, 2011
If they cant be saved...then photograph the HELL out of them! There is a lot to be said for really detailed photographs for future research and historical record.
Submitted by El-- at: April 19, 2011
Sounds like a good Oprah project . Donald Trump, etc.
Submitted by A.Fox at: April 16, 2011
BillykPa, The 11 houses are indeed on a single block, mostly facing one street (Euclid south of University). On the other side of the block is a giant parking lot, which could easily accommodate the balance of the units if a creative solution could be worked out for the displaced parking. I have not been inside, but the houses appear to be in excellent condition. Uptown Rentals previously restored all of the houses and until now have been already renting them as student housing. I can only assume that they are now demolishing their own hard work in an effort to increase their profits. With city approval, the only way to save these houses now is probably by moving them. If anyone lives in the area, or wants to live in the area, and loves these homes, now is your last chance.
Submitted by BillykPa at: April 14, 2011
I find it difficult to believe that a "72-unit student housing complex" could not be incorporated into 11 existing buildings, with perhaps some interconnections between them. If not, adding additional structures(s) to make up the difference would, to me, be far more preferable. The information provided is a bit unclear if the existing structures are on the same block, i.e., streets all around, or in several blocks. I assume the former, so that interconnection(s) would not be a problem. Reuse of the existing structure(s) would presumably be far more financially viable then demolition and new construction, unless, of course, they have been ravaged by neglect beyond recovery! Good luck!
Submitted by Stuart at: April 14, 2011
We were able to move our historic Octagon House in Circleville, Ohio. It took allot of hard work with much opposition from individuals that were more concerned about making money and could have cared less about saving a historic structure!
Submitted by riverrsat at: April 14, 2011
to University of Cincinnati: Please for the sake of Historic Preservation change your mind and save those fine old Victorian homes, There has got to be a equally good place of new dorms or convert the homes into more up to date code wise. Students apartment. In the long run it is more green and environmentally sound and much more pleasing to the eye.
Submitted by jack spicer at: April 13, 2011
This is shameful. I lived in Cincy before I moved to Chicago in 1970. I'm an active preservationist here, mostly from having fallen in love with the beautiful historic buildings in Cincinnati. Never entrust cultural values to institutions of higher learning.
Submitted by Anonymous at: April 12, 2011
Eminent domain and the idiots of UC. Bravo on Calhoun St. No plans, gobble up real estate. How about you start by tearing down those frat houses and build there? You are destroying what makes Cincinnati beautiful. Those homes are gorgeous. Go away UC. You are starting to smell.
Submitted by Ryan from Florida at: April 7, 2011
Such blatant disregard for these beautiful homes is sad and puzzling. I am hopelessly optimistic when it comes to saving any historic structure, even when their condition appears to be beyond saving. But in this case, to see these well preserved, stable, and completely usable buildings be razed is, in my opinion, just plain wrong. What is on the block behind them? Why could they not incorporate these structures into the student housing? Similar to cities that build a larger annex behind a historic courthouse. I would be curious to see the report of whatever engineer inspected them? I assume one hired by the rental company. Are the houses on the National Register? Are they contributing structures to a National Registered District? Has the Univ. looked at all prudent and feasible alternatives? And what was the City Council thinking?
Submitted by Anonymous at: April 6, 2011
The University of Cincinnati blights our culture with this action. Shame on them. Rep. Steven Lindsey state rep Ches-3 Keene, NH