Revive Cincinnati: Lower Mill Creek Valley

revive cincinnati: neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley

Cincinnati, Ohio urban design associates february 2011 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Neighborhoods of the Lower Revive Cincinnati:Revive Mill Creek Valley Metropolitan Sewer District of District Sewer Metropolitan Department of City Planning Planning of City Department Robert Charles Lesser &Co. Lesser Charles Robert Urban Design Associates Design Urban Vehr Communications CONSULTANT TEAM Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati Greater City of Cincinnati of City Design Workshop In cooperation with In cooperation DNK Architects DNK PREPARED FOR Wallace Futures Wallace and Buildings and RL Record Council WashingtonCamp Community Gorman Joe Downtown Cincinnati Inc. Ginsburg David Millvale Community Council Ferguson Frankie Chamber Regional USA Cincinnati Tom Ewing Council Community Cumminsville South Evans Marilyn Council West Community End Edwards Jenny Association Professional and Business Clifton Barbara Druffel Association Business Northside Demske Bruce Project Restoration Mill Creek Corathers Robin CHCURC Matt Bourgeois Council Community Village Grove Spring Beauchamp James Cincinnati ofGreater District Sewer Metropolitan Co-Chair, Hillary Cassandra Director Buildings, Planning and City Co-Chair, III Graves, Charles STEERING COMMITTEE urban designurban associates Association Washington Camp Business Wood Chip Council Community CUF lsh Wa Tony Commerce of Chamber Over-the-Rhine Tiffany Brian TownClifton Meeting Slack Steve atUnion Terminal Center Museum Shipley Sandy Cincinnati State Ruther Elliot Over-the-Rhine Community Council Reinhaus Walter Mayor Vice Council, City Roxanne Qualls AllianceQueensgate Business Pat O’Callaghan Council Community CUF Rob Neel Consortium Uptown Munzel Weston Consortium Uptown Beth McGrew Mary Association Washington Camp Business Dave Kress Northside Community Council Jeckering Tim Planning Department Consultant Department Planning Transcend Group, Consulting Diana Martin Fire Long Bill Capt. Greater Cincinnati of District Sewer Metropolitan Lodor MaryLynn Transportation andEngineering Kelly Martha Health Jones Dr. Camille Police Hungler Robert Lt. Health HowardLiAnne Director PlanningBuildings, and City Graves Charles Public Services Andrew Glenn Waterworks Cincinnati Greater Mark Ginty Quality ofEnvironmental Office Falkin Larry Economic Development Ewing Patrick Duke Energy Eckstein Don Engineering Chair, Transportation and Moore Michael TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Transportation andEngineering Victor Reggie Development Community StephensSam ODOT Spinosa Stefan Cincinnati Commission Recreation Schwind Joe Park Board Cincinnati Schuckman Steve Greater Cincinnati of District Sewer Metropolitan Russell David Authority Port Cincinnati Russell Christine PlanningBuildings and City Ross Cameron SORTA Tim Reynolds OKI Randall Emi acknowledgments

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Table of Contents Enhanced Valley,Enhanced City Revived Analysis Environmental Creek Valley Systems Mill &History Overview VALLEY CREEK MILL Proposals Neighborhood Mill Creek Valley Process Planning and Analysis Overview SUMMARY EXECUTIVE Challenges and Opportunities Opportunities and Challenges CUMMINSVILLE SOUTH AND NORTHSIDE Strategies Design Urban Opportunities and Challenges MITCHELL AVENUE Twenty-First Century Infrastructure Twenty-First Infrastructure Century Transit Alignments Transit Alignments Rail Improvements Improvements I-75 Key Initiatives Initiatives Key Space Improvements Open Improvements Mobility Opportunities Development Economic Process Planning Enhancements Community Strategies MSD Space Improvements Open urban designurban associates 2 37 24 29 20 21 22 5 8 34 26 7 35 23 14 32 25 6 1 10 40 27 4 19 30 a 39 QUEENSGATE AND THE WEST END WEST THE AND QUEENSGATE Strategies Design Urban Opportunities and Challenges HOPPLE STREET Strategies Design Urban BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY Strategies Design Urban Opportunities and Challenges Key Initiatives Initiatives Key Space Improvements Open Improvements Mobility Opportunities Development Economic Process Planning Initiatives Key Space Improvements Open Improvements Mobility Opportunities Development Economic Process Planning Key Initiatives Initiatives Key Space Improvements Open Improvements Mobility Opportunities Development Economic Process Planning 64 50 78 55 42 69 81 52 61 47 75 48 62 76 59 45 73 53 67 70 56 43 66 table of contents

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Twent y-First Cent ur y y ur Cent y-First Twent FIGURE 1: U.S. ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY SECTOR Infrastructure generations tocome. theI-75corridor,specifically willhaveimpactsfordecades, ifnot issues inthecomingdecades. Current decisionsabouttransportation, Cincinnati, willbecomemajor thefuture suppliesandcostsofenergy them tocontinuegrow economically. anddevelop For of theCity ofadaptivemeasures shouldbeputinplacetoenable and whatsort them tocontemplatehow thesechangeswillaffecttheiroperations, Theseglobalissuesare spillingover intoU.S. cities, causing willbesupplied,energy used, inthecomingdecades. andconserved andgovernment torethink how sourcesindustry iscausing energy effectsalongwithfuture changewithdevastating ofclimate possibility concentrationswellbeyondspheric histor dioxide andothergreenhousecarbon gases(GHGs), raisingatmo- other fossilfuelshasresulted intherelease ofenormousamounts Inaddition, onpetroleum, thedependenceofindustry coaland security.over energy withareputationcountries forinstability, raisingconcernsintheU.S. Furthermore, arein mostoftheknownlocated petroleum reserves aslimitless, purposes cal isnow proving more difficulttosecure. and water. energy particularly Petroleum, oncetreated forallpracti- nationshasresulteddeveloping inanenormousdrainonresources, inthe population growth combinedwithincreasing industrialization ofenormouschange. willbeaperiod century WorldThe twenty-first INTRODUCTION ic levels. Concernsover the urban designurban associates produced intheU.S. isusedinbuildings. andGHGemissions.gy The leadersnotedthat48%oftheenergy tionship ofbuildingstotheproblems andissuesassociatedwithener- on,therela- recognized Early leadersinthebuildingdesignindustry COMMUNITY DESIGN BUILDING THE FROM LESSONS buildings bytheyear2030. They reasoned thatby2035, 75%ofthe 2030 Challenge, settingagoalofproducing only netenergy”“zero ing element. In2007, leaders establishedtheArchitecture industry soughttoaddress Thebuilding designcommunity thismiss- and urgenciesathand. ing designs, buttodo so ataspeedcommensuratewiththeproblems andemissionsreductions intothebuild- conservation embed energy reduction. absenthowever are Conspicuously incentives, to notonly ing “green,” andGHG emissions efficiency energy incorporating the sensethattheycreatedvalueproposition forbuild- ameaningful Thework andaccomplishmentsoftheUSGBC are remarkable in thevalueinlowerrecognize operatingcosts. andrentsbuildings commandhigherprices asbuyers andtenants efficiency.without much regard toenergy Today, LEED-certified thelowest toachieve firstcost,ings were designedandconstructed owners, tenants, residents, andthegeneralpublic. Inthepast, build- byredefining buildingvalueinthemindsof industry reduction. the lastdecade, LEED Over hastransformedthebuilding ity, andGHGemissions efficiency improvements inenergy including abuilding’sconsistent wayofmeasuring tosustainabil- contribution andEnvironmental Design) were establishedtoprovideEnergy a such astheU.S. Green BuildingCouncil’s LEED in (Leadership 1 (See Figure 1.)Programs Figure (See pr eface a

© 2011 urban design associates vations will be carbon-neutral by2030. vations willbecarbon-neutral standards. According tothetimetable, buildingsormajorreno- new makeitreasonable tosetincreases inthefossilfuelreductionnology now. starting type) Inaddition, expectedadvancesinbuildingtech- 50% reductions below theregional ornationalaverages(bybuilding today’s With technologies, achieve readily buildingdesignerscan consumptionandGHGemissions.reducing energy Accordingly, the leaderssetaggressive targets andtimetablesfor efficiency.little inthewayofGHGemissionsreductions orenergy orrenovatednot mostofthenew willhaveachieved buildingstock renovation. Furthermore, unlessactionistakenimmediately, manyif U.S. wouldeitherbereplaced building stock orsubjecttoamajor be revisited, tomore deferring multi-modal forms. needto associatedwithfuel-basedtransportation and infrastructure those thatare energy-based. Italsofollows thattheroads, highways be raisedformoving to awayfrom fuel-basedformsoftransportation associated withitsheavyreliance onpetroleum, strong arguments can country. impactsplusthestrategicissues Giventhesubstantialenergy issueforthis initscurrent formastrategicenergy ing transportation ispetroleum based, usedfortransportation of theenergy thusmak- with theremaining 25%goingtoindustry. More importantly, 95% 1, accountsfor27%ofU.S. transportation consumption, energy abouttheother52%?”tant question: AsdepictedinFigure “What consumptionstatisticsforbuildingsalsoraiseanimpor- The energy IMPACTS OF TRANSPORTATION eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 2 emissions reduction targets. Moreover, VMT growth isalready slow- 1%. valuableformeeting GHG isseenasespecially This strategy slowing theannualgrowth ofU.S. to milestraveled(VMT) vehicle andfuelsby2050. vehicles oftransport ization The thirdleg involves GHG emissionpermileby 2030andanalmostcompletedecarbon- andfuels,and secondlegsaddress vehicles seeking a50%cutin four elements, known asthefour-leggedstool. unofficially The first GHG emissionsandhave distilled theirreduction strategies into efficiency. energy gies including Likebuildings, theyare addressing strate- throughgreenhouse several gasemissionsintransportation of Transportation havespelledoutpoliciesandstrategiestoreduce Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA) andtheU.S. Department These issueshavenotgoneunnoticed. Recognizing theseissues, the STRATEGIES FOR TRANSPORTATION REDUCTION GHG OF STOOL 4-LEGGED THE 2: FIGURE urban designurban associates drivers can reduce can fueluseby upto15%. drivers fuel useandGHGemissions. Byfollowing anumberofsimpletips, the precepts istermed “eco-driving,” asetofbestpracticestoreduce (LDVs) vehicles areway inwhichlightduty usedanddriven. Oneof operations, andsystems leg focusesonvehicle seekingtochangethe increasesing duetofuelprice anddemographicchanges. The fourth air, sanitation, heat, light, comfort, flow, information andmaterials city’s provides andaccess, infrastructure mobility power, water, fresh andconnectionsamongpeople andcommunities.provide services A However, unlikebuildings, that isamixofsystems infrastructure will undergosubstantialrenovation decades. over thenextseveral to reason thatmuch willalso byreplaced ofthe infrastructure or therationaleforArchitectureRecalling 2030Challenge, itstands INFRASTRUCTURE? FOR EQUIVALENT CHALLENGE A 2030 LATERAL APPROACH 3 FIGURE ADDRESSING 3: TRAFFIC CONGESTION: VERTICAL APPROACH VS. pr eface b

© 2011 urban design associates in the current economy has important ramifications.in thecurrent economyhasimportant Although itis repair andreplacement is alsoseenasameansofjobcreation, which projects. infrastructure issue bondstofundcritical Infrastructure toprepareislators atboththefederal and statelevel legislation and Theurgent needofU.S. repair infrastructure haspromoted leg- totheforefront. infrastructure equate anddecaying ASCEbutbrought theissue of thenation’s vindicated not only inad- hourinMinneapolis, rush during lapse oftheI-35bridge MN. This have turnedup, themosttragicofwhichwasAugust 1, 2007col- andconcurrent decay increasestothepublic of infrastructure in risk ing industry. However, years, inthelastseveral numerous examples statementdesignedtoprovide employment fortheengineer- serving years,In prior dismissedasaself- Cardwasfrequently theReport more thanadecade, hasitreceived recently much yetonly attention. Cardfor Report ASCEhasbeenpublishingitsInfrastructure would require anexpenditureover thenext fiveyears. of$2.2trillion also estimatedthatthecostofrepair andupgradetoacceptablelevels Engineers (ASCE)gavethenation’s agradeofD. infrastructure They ous disrepair. ofCivil Card, In their2009Report Society theAmerican thatmuch ofthisnation’sis notsurprising isnow infrastructure inseri- today-to-dayoperations. disruptive expensive buthighly Therefore it infrastructure. isnotonly Repair andreplacement atasystems-level tear itdown andreplace itwithonethat ismore suitable. Not sowith one another. Ifabuildingoutlivesitsusefulness, easyto itisrelatively Incontrast, buildingsare discrete entities, independentof mostly communities. and security. Inalargesense, oflifeto deliversquality infrastructure eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley and ecological effectiveness,and ecological sensibility. andthatpoliticswilltrump andresource efficiency energy willtrump concernsthatexpediency cant cies, andGHGreductions asdidthebuildingindustry. There are signifi- andresource efficien- ofenergy willtargetthesamelevel infrastructure ate jobs, tomakesure itisperhapsmore thattheresulting important tomaketheneededrepairs andupgradescre- important clearly aspects of transportation planningand project development.aspects oftransportation Through ofcontextsensitivedesignintoall theprinciples ing toincorporate scope andstakeholdersassociated witheachproject. Here itisseek- improvements theuniquecontext, byconsidering transportation tolivability.mobility Itistakingamore collaborativeapproach to communities,and itsvarious FHWA itspoliciesfrom hasshifted toacity ofroads andtransportation Recognizing theimportance forgenerationstocome. negative ramifications improve connectionsandeffectiveness willhave thecommunity systems, andmore. to Not takingadvantageoftheopportunity dams, railways, waterways, systems, waterandwastewater transit facilities, andcoreareas. urban beapplied toairports,The samecan live, work andconnecttoothercommunities, culturalandsport generations, predetermining how peopleandcommunities will states are itsoperatingsystem. Oncebuilt, roads are there for buttheroads,Buildings defineacity bridges, andinter- highways efficient, andecologically effectiveway. andsocially sible energy todirect itsrepair,important upgradeandreplacement inasen- Furthermore, itisthenature thatmakesitso ofinfrastructure FOREVER! ARE ROADS urban designurban associates resources, andconnectingthecommunities thatreside therein. an assettothecity, providing accesstoacity’s culturalandeconomic tainable transportation. InFHWA’s view, needstobe transportation this approach, FHWA thatitiscreating believes apathwaytosus- 4 2 1 four areas ofimprovement: to theCity’s well-being, focuson itisrecommended thattheCity of theI-75improvements thelongtermimplications Considering (MSD)ConsentDecree. District Sewer requiredimprovements system inthesewer underMetropolitan needsincluding dinate withinvestmentsinotherinfrastructure and businessareas alongthecorridor. alsoseekstocoor- The City ment inthestudytorethink, revitalize, andimprove communities and capacity. tousetheinvest- sawthisasanopportunity The City planning process forimproving(KYTC) I-75highway safety, access, of Transportation andKentucky (ODOT) Transportation Council affirmed itsdeterminationtogetengagedintheOhio Department theI-75FocusIn crafting Areas project, ofCincinnati theCity CINCINNATI ON FOCUS 3 able development. Incr development. andmitigatingtheimpactsofpast corridor Regenerating theriver Making Cincinnatiamore livablecity. Resol growth. easing Cincinnati’s business attractivenesstospureconomic ving city-wide symptoms andconsequencesofnon-sustain- symptoms ving city-wide pr eface c

© 2011 urban design associates are forbusiness investment. findingthat theyare competingglobally economy, century thetwenty-first globalized an increasingly cities toeconomicsuccess.continue tobeamajorcontributor However, in Thepresence willnodoubt ofabusyinterstateand rail corridor number ofCincinnaticommunities. thatbisectsthecity, corridor portation disconnecting a consequently interstatehighwayandrailtrans- ofamajornorth-south I-75 ispart City’s growth anddevelopment. Yet that alsorecognizes theCity ofI-75asamajorfactorinthe theimportance recognizes The City GROWTH ECONOMIC TO SPUR CINCINNATI’S BUSINESS ATTRACTIVENESSINCREASING and cultural, entertainment, andrecreation possibilities. nomic prosperity, andequity, socialstability opportunity, educational thebuiltandnaturalenvironments, oflife–including quality eco- isthesumoffactorsthatadduptoacommunity’sLivability CITY LIVABLE AMORE CINCINNATI MAKING eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley These are: issues. objectives andpriority the teamcomposedasetofcommunity defined thesenseoflivability,of thosemeetingswhichcollectively needsand issues.understanding ofcommunity Basedontheresults individual leadersandresidents, allgearedasound todeveloping insideandoutsideof thefocusareas.zations The teamalso metwith organi- many community number ofpublicmeetingswhichinvolved TheUrbanDesignAssociates(UDA) project teamconducteda nomic wellbeing. the people, places, tosocialandeco- goods, important andservices sustainable transportation, shouldprovide suchacity goodaccessto » » » » Create economyandattractrelated avisionfornew businesses anduniquecommunities heritage oftheCity Build ontherich oflife toimprove quality Restore ecology theurban Connect the City togetherbyimprovingConnect theCity internalmobility 4 Intermsof tainable communities incorporating the followingtainable communities principles: incorporating (EPA) forsus- partnership establishedaninteragency haverecently Transportation (DOT), andtheEnvironmental Protection Agency At thefederallevel, (HUD), Housing andUrbanDevelopment COMMUNITIES LIVABLE AND EVOLVING FEDERAL POLICY: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT broad appealtoaknowledgeable andskilledworkforce ofthefuture. meets theneedsandvaluesofitscommunities, butonethathas tocreate onethatnotonly amoreness willbeitsability livablecity; HenceforCincinnati, akeydeterminantforbusinessattractive- for cities, oflife. thebasisofcompetitionisquality attractemployeesthey can withtherequisite knowledge skills. Thus mostanywhere,businesses arelocate findingthattheycan solongas ofadvancementsincomputersandtelecommunications,Because » » » » and safeguard rural landscapes. and safeguard rural ofpublic works investments andtheefficiency revitalization nity mixed-use de existing communities –through strategiesliketransitoriented, existingcommunities.Support Target federalfundingtoward workers, aswellexpanded businessaccesstomarkets. ters, tiveness through accesstoemployment reliable cen- andtimely Enhance economiccompetitiveness. of housingandtransportation. and ethnicitiestoincr housingchoicesforpeopleofallages,gy-efficient incomes, races, Promote equitable, affordablehousing. andener- Expandlocation quality, reduce greenhouse gasemissions, andpromote publichealth. tion costs, choicestodecrease householdtransporta- transportation economical Provide choices. more transportation safe, Develop reliable, and educational opportunities, educational services, andotherbasicneedsby reduce ournation’s dependenceonforeign oil, improve air velopment, –toincrease commu- andlandrecycling ease mobility and lower the combinedcost ease mobility Improve economiccompeti- urban designurban associates 5 Green Building Rating System, U.S. GBC, August 2003. August GBC, U.S. System, Building Rating Green 2009 http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership/index.html 2009 what-is-livability Myths%20.ppt www.ite.org/css/2-CSS%20Implementation%20-%20Debunking%20the%20 bany.htm http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate/gccal- NY, Albany, 2008, 24, September DOTs, and MPOs Change for Workshop Climate Brinckerhoff, Parsons Leader, Practice Environment Planning and National Burbank, Cynthia Emissions, Gas 2 1 5 4 3 ______how theyare considered, andhow theyare valued. ofsocialandeconomicimpacts–both the importance emphasizes and forlong-termoutcomeperspectiveindecision-making. Italso ofbroad considerationofissuesaddressedimportance inthisstudy, most investedinitseffectiveandbeneficialoutcome, arguesforthe investment, andcommunity transportation inurban involved and direction from partnership thethreeThis new federalagenciesmost Source: An Introduction to the U.S. Green Building Council and the LEED™ the LEED™ and Building Council Green to the U.S. AnIntroduction Source: Source: HUD, DOT and EPA Partnership: Sustainable Communities, June 16, Communities, Sustainable Partnership: EPA and DOT HUD, Source: http://www.livable.com/about-us/ Livable Communities, for Partners Source: the Myths, http:// Debunking Implementation: CSS Jackson, Glatting Sources: Transportation’s Change: Greenhouse Climate Global inReducing Role Source: » » Coordinate and leverage federal Coordinate andleverage age funding eral policiesandfundingtoremove tocollaboration, barriers lever- and walkableneighborhoods–rural, urban, orsuburban. Value communities andneighborhoods. Enhancetheunique generated renewable energy. choicessuchaslocally energy smart ofgovernmentlevels toplanforfuture growth, making including characteristics ofallcommunitiescharacteristics byinvestinginhealth , andeffectivenessofall andincrease theaccountability policies andinvestment. Alignfed- y, safe, pr eface d

1 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley toserve. has valley the ofuses section cross the depicts image This VIEW ACROSS THE VALLEY Overview the millcreek valley, highway and sewer infrastructure that contributes to sustainability. thatcontributes infrastructure highway andsewer and themassivechangethat couldcomewithasustainablenew integrated theirwork withinthe contextofvalleywideimprovements ening theirneighborhoods andattractinginvestment. This study addition, plansforstrength- inthisstudydeveloped eachcommunity forcommunitiesthe planningframeworks inthefourstudyareas. In systems, andfuture improvements. influenced Eachofthesesystems Creek Valley highways, including railroads, theCreek, openspace these fourstudyareas, oftheMill theteamstudiedmajorsystems Camp Washington; andQueensgate. To understand thepotentialfor of highwayinterchanges: Mitchell; Cumminsville; Northside/South Four studyareas basedonthelocation were identifiedbytheCity into centersofresearch andcommerce. neighborhoods,historic land andtransformationofunderutilized tainable ecosystem, formsofmobility, new ofunique preservation additionalinvestmentinthecreation willleverage ofasus- the city managingthese huge investments,will demonstratethatbyproperly insearch ofgreatof citizens placestolive, work, and play. This study improve Cincinnati’s competitivenessbyattractingfuture generations to oflife forthevalleycommunities andhavetheability the quality of thecity. These multi-billion dollarinvestments willinfluence designed,properly transformative effectonthefuture willhavea thatflow sewers intothevalley,ments tothestormandsanitary if years.over thenexttwenty ofI-75andimprove-The reconstruction valley, willbethebeneficiary of massive infrastructure improvementsof massiveinfrastructure regarded bymanyasatired industrial urban designurban associates Spring Grove Village / St. Bernard; Northside / South Cumminsville; Camp Washington / CUF; Queensgate. /CUF; Washington Camp Cumminsville; /South Northside Bernard; /St. Village Grove Spring right): upper the from (counterclockwise areas study four ofthe boundaries approximate the shows image This REGIONAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH xctv umr 2 executive summary

© 2011 urban design associates FINDING JOINT RESOLUTIONS JOINT FINDING eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley It isimpor contribute tothegoalofcreatingcontribute vibrantandlivablecommunities. the City. Inaddition, thesecorrective actionsshould, where possible, adverseeffectsonratepa mizes actions program must bemanagedanddelivered inawaythatmini- rective actionsare welldocumented. Atthesametime, thecorrective environmental andpublichealthwelfare needsbehindCSOcor- investments.actions willtotalinthebillionsofdollarscapital The occur inandalongtheMillCreek Valley floor. The neededcorrective problem; are manyoftheseCSOs theprimary wet weatherevents (CSOs)during system. Overflows CombinedSewer Widespread combinedsewer ing wet-weatheroverflows ofitsagingandmostly MSD isfacingEPA mandatesremedy- andfederalcourt-ordered MSD construction gets underway in2011andcontinuesthrough 2018. getsunderway construction of thehighway andmostoftheinterchanges isunderway. Substantial totheI-275loop. north from Bridge theBrent Spence The redesign problems along thecorridor andcapacity majorsafety aims toresolve The FHWA’s scheduledmulti-billion dollarprogram torebuild I-75 &ODOT FHWA recommendations related toMSDandFHWA/ODOT. isimperative. century twenty-first The following outgoalsand lays well intothe ing broader goalsthatwilladvancetheCity community accomplish thegoalsofbothentitieswhileachiev- olutions thatcan tems willhavealonglastingimpactonthisregion. jointres- Finding Cincinnati andtheFederal HighwayAdministration’s (FHWA) sys- (MSD)ofGreater District ofboththeMetropolitan Sewer efforts in effect, Cincinnatistudy. initiatedthisRevive The rebuilding tant to recognize the major city-wide projects thathave, themajorcity-wide tant torecognize yers andeconomiccompetitiveness of DOT/EPA/HUD sustainablecommunities policy: andMSDneeds, ofCity in support andinconsiderationofthe Cincinnatiplan makesthefollowingThe Revive recommendations Recommendations some ofMSD’s mostproblematicCSOs, thesamevalleythatispopulatedwith arebuilt interstatethru With Vision A Shared changes tomuch ofthecurrentdesign. ODOT ment andcommunities surrounding theinterstatewithoutdrastic There are, however, affecttheenviron- topositively opportunities tunity to jointly resolve, tojointly tunity though near-term investments Partnership for Sustainable Communities policy agreement.Partnership Communities policy forSustainable intheirJune2009 ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment Department FHWA), (including byUSDOT established jointly USEPA andthe tunities are completeandfar-reaching complimentstotheprinciples strategies, issues. livability wetweatherandcommunity These oppor- » » » water r storm- rehabilitation shouldberemoval ofallhighway-tributary No highwaystormwater. The FHWA designgoalfortheI-75 with theneeds ofneighborhoodsandMSD’s strategicplan. cent comm neededstorminfrastructure, theadja- including shouldalsoserve tocommunities. FederalService andstateinvestments inI-75, extend bey now, where possible, withtheI-75reconstruction. This should Meet long-termneeds. Investmentsshouldmeetlong-termneeds arangeof strategies,involve from conventionaltoinnovative. unoff flows intothecombinedMSD system. This can ond justthe theright-of-way”“within needs. unities. Integrate I-75’s investments infrastructure thereis urban designurban associates a significant oppor- a significant or lo nger-term nger-term ments, FHWA’s most notably I-75major rehabilitation program. ties oftheMill Creek Valley, invest- aswelltomajorinfrastructure template, to all ofthecommuni- applicable are valuableand broadly Creek. However, these concepts, andtheCommunities oftheFuture and Run Westnities intheLick Fork Mill drainagesoftheLower rerouting storage, anduplandrunoff ing forexamplemajorstream da outlined todateintheCommunities oftheFuture program, includ- witharea-based wet-weatherflowin concert management. Concepts design,of urban economicinvestment, andsustainable transportation toeffectbeneficialchangeintheareas solutions havetheopportunity point.problems asafocal crafted, Properly level thesecommunity munities, usingcreative solutionstolong-standingwet-weatherflow that haveavestedinterest inmore livable, more sustainablecom- the Future withotherorganizations program ishelpingMSDpartner these recommendations level. atthecommunity The Communities of institutional platformforimplementingandshepherding manyof andis highlighting aprogram thatprovidesMSD hasdeveloped the » » Mill Cr ness, thecurrent and future inthe perspectiveofstorm sewers Network perspective. To achie ern designdecisionsinthenearandlongterm. separationastheendgame.Flow The endgameforthefour corridors, streets.portation orcity whetherfederalfreeways bothcommunities andtrans- approach thatserves system-level tive, thatmoves awayfrom treatment aproject–level andintoa separation ofstormandsanitar study areasCincinnatiplanshouldbethe strategic oftheRevive eek Valley must embracea “connected network” perspec- ylighting, ve net cost efficiency andeffective- ve netcostefficiency y flows. This objectiveshouldgov- have targeted priority opportu- targeted priority flow separation, storm flow xctv umr 3 executive summary

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Planning Process Planning Analysis and during thecourse during (ABOVE) A series of analysis drawings provide understanding of each study area area study ofeach understanding provide drawings ofanalysis Aseries (ABOVE) meeting; holder Stake LEFT) (BOTTOM area; study ofeach Weaknesses the on dots red and area study ofeach Strengths the on dots green placed holders Stake LEFT) (TOP ANALYSIS DRAWINGS SAMPLES strategy. help improve thefuture oftheCity. that This documentdescribes approach forimproving thestudyareas andhow thisinturnwould future. The process created aconsensusopinionabouttheoverall the planningteamchallengesaheadaswelltheir hopesforthe the MillCreek Valley, andtheirrespective studyareas, outlining for ofCincinnati, theirperceptions described oftheCity participants representatives, area businesses, andotherkeystakeholders. These group meetingswithresidents andcivicleaders, institutions, City ofthePreferredand Development Plan. focus The process included including: DataCollectionandAnalysis; AlternativesExploration; tion engineers, andmarket analysts, conductedathree-phase process designers,which consistedofurban architects, landscape transporta- ofthe8-monthprocess, theplanningteam, urban designurban associates » » » » » » » GROUPS: FOCUS CITY

Managers C Project Managers Development Economic Managers Project DOTE Managers Project MSD O Commission Recreation and Board Park Te (SPUR) Redevelopment for Urban Program Strategic ity Planning Project Project Planning ity DOT Project Managers Managers Project DOT am » » » » » » » » » » » » » INTEREST GROUPS: PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER » »

( inNeighborhoods Working Cumminsville/ South Historic Preservation Cit Members Board Project N Stakeholders Bernard Avenue/St. Mitchell Mi Terminal Center atUnion Museum USGBC Businesses and Residents Camp Washington Brokers and Developers Rede Urban Community C Association Up Art Public and Neighborhood Gateways Cincinnati USA Chamber USA Cincinnati Queensgate Stakeholders (CUFA) for Action WIN)/ Communities United Communities WIN)/ incinnati Northside Northside incinnati orthside Business Business orthside ll Creek Restoration y Planning Commission y Planning town velopment Corporation /AIA-COTE/ASLA xctv umr 4 executive summary

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley The wide Valley is composed of many systems which need to work together. VIEW OVER QUEENSGATE Mill Creek Valley Liveable Communities Ecosystem Restored Transportation the vision for the research centers, andthedowntown. These initiativesinclude: improvements,able infrastructure linkedtocommunities, and education and commerce. ofintegratedand sustain- This studyproposes aseries communities andcentersofindustry, torevitalize will serve research, tainable openspacecorridor. These corridors, whichare infactsystems, whiletransformingitintoaviableandsus- corridor major transportation » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » Enhanced sense of place and improved quality oflife Enhanced sense ofplaceandimproved quality New residential neighborhoodsandinfill development Mixed-use neighborhood centers Transportation related industries Focus onanemergingGreen Economy Green streets andpublic spaces Restored wetlandsandtributaries Active andpassiveneighborhoodparks Connected park system andtrailnetwork Bicycle road improvements Arterial Interstate interchanges, crossings, andlandscaping transitcorridors Dedicated passengerservice Intercity facilities andport freightRail transportation MillCreek Valley enhancesthevalleyasa urban designurban associates four study areas. study four all across networks space open and blocks, tostreets, improvements proposed the highlights image This REGIONAL ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN xctv umr 5 executive summary

C initiatives MSD advance and issues water Creekto quality theMill enhance Naturalize trails and existing cemeteries,parks, Link of retail activity nodes two Promote C developments mixed-use riverfront-oriented and Create street-oriented uses light industrial encourage and Retain reate Trail CreekGreenway and Mill System reate a stronger Mitchell/Vine gateway reate Mitchell/Vine astronger Neighborhood Proposals Neighborhood MITCHELL AVENUE » » » » »

Rest I-74 new and linksthrough improved street sections through to Northside Cumminsville South Reconnect C Cumminsville S Knowlton’s Corner at to entrance Northside viaduct theLudlow Enhance M to connectivity and opportunities recreational management, upport a new Research and Development park in South inSouth park Development anew and Research upport reate Trail CreekGreenway and Mill System t. Airy Forest Airy t. N ore and naturalize the West Fork toore naturalize stormwater and theWest provide Fork ORTHSIDE AND SOUTH CUMMINSVILLE SOUTH AND ORTHSIDE urban designurban associates » » » »

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7 Overview & History humankind has always settled near water and the Lower Mill Creek Valley has been and will continue to be an important part of Cincinnati because of its links to waterways, industry, commerce, and transportation systems. Early settlers including the Native Americans used the Mill Creek Valley as a place for food, shelter, and trade. During the industrial era, factories and storage facilities were built because of the easy access to rail and barge networks. As a result, the valley became the

industrial heartland, dividing the city into two halves. urban design associates 2011

© In the future, this valley has the opportunity to transform itself from an industrial corridor into a more dynamic urban corridor by restoring natural systems, supporting new industries, encouraging local businesses, enhancing neighborhoods, providing new open spaces and community amenities, and linking them via multiple modes of transportation. In essence, the Lower Mill Creek Valley has the potential to reverse the trend of a shrinking city by balancing industrialism, urbanism, and environmentalism in a way that makes it the hallmark for sustainable development in the Mid-West.

WATERSHED DIAGRAM REGIONAL AERIAL The Mill Creek Watershed is 166 square miles and has The City of Cincinnati and its neighborhoods are shaped by the Mill Creek Valley. been the conduit for industry for two hundred years. (Study areas are indicated in red) revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 8 overview & history Cincinnati has a great history, founded on the idea that parks and open spaces can create a more livable and more economically robust city. A significant milestone occurred in 1907 when the City, working with the renowned landscape architect George Kessler, adopted its first master plan for its parks, parkways, and recreation system. The plan called for major parks located throughout the city to be connected by way of parkway streets that linked neighborhoods, districts and the downtown together. The plan was important because it became the framework for how the city could grow and evolve into the modern twentieth century city we see today. Over time the City has further developed its vision for parks, recreation, and open spaces 2011 urban design associates 2011

through subsequent master plans and guidelines including the latest © plan called the Centennial Plan, adopted by the City in the 2007. In addition, the Mill Creek Watershed Greenway Master Plan, pub-

lished in 1999, provides a multi-objective strategy for revitalizing the Source: Cincinnati Parks 1907 KESSLER PARKS PLAN Mill Creek neighborhoods and communities. Kessler’s vision created a network of parkways and parks to tie the city together. 74 I L For cities like Cincinnati to sustain themselves in the twenty- to M Airy s Mt Trail reek ll C first century, they must embrace their historic foundations while Mi MT. AIRY

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E K can further expand the economic development capabilities for the R e l M lo g g E 471 CINCINNATI L neighborhoods of the Mill Creek Valley. T Source: Cincinnati Parks 2007 PARKS DEPARTMENT PLAN The Centennial Plan continues to seek ways to enhance the city’s parkway and park network.

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 9 overview & history Mill Creek The Mill Creek Valley is a complex area made up of many systems including open space, roads, highways, rails, and neighborhoods. In Valley Systems order to create visionary designs that better organize these systems, the planning team first had to understand each system. The following are the observations of existing conditions for: » Open Space Network » Roads and Streets 2011 urban design associates 2011

» I-75 Corridor © » Rail Corridor » Neighborhoods Along The Valley

REGIONAL LAND USE This diagram shows the major systems that overlay on the Valley.

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 10 mill creek valley systems OPEN SPACE NETWORK Based on the original Kessler vision, the City has created an amazing array of parks, recreation facilities, and open spaces throughout the region. As illustrated in the diagram titled “Open Space Network,” Spring Grove there are a number of important parks and recreation facilities that Cemetery lie adjacent to the Lower Mill Creek Valley, including Mt. Airy and Mount Airy Forest Mt. Storm which provide large areas for both passive and active recreation opportunities. No less significant are the small neighbor-

I-74 hood parks and recreation facilities which are vital to communities. Mount Storm The plan also shows sloped areas with significant tree cover (and Park some privately owned land) that cannot be used for parks. However, 2011 urban design associates 2011

they still provide an important part of the open space environment ©

Central Parkway and serve as a habitat for small mammals, birds, and other animal Burnett Hopple Street species. Finally and most importantly, this diagram illustrates open Woods spaces along the creek that citizens and city leaders view as the next significant project that the City must undertake: restoration of the Mill Creek. Mill Creek stands to be the single greatest link between Fairview Western Park Hills Viaduct all parks and open space. To that end, the Mill Creek Restoration I-71 Project has assembled diverse public and private partners and embarked on a vision and plan to change the Mill Creek so it even- Eden Park tually becomes the “emerald spine” for the city. I-75

ROADS AND STREETS 8th Street Parks were only one element of Kessler’s master plan. Parkways 6th Street provide scenic streets within many areas of the city. In the Lower Mill Creek Valley several parkways are worth noting. First, Central Parkway lies just east of and parallel of the I-75 corridor linking neighborhoods to downtown. Not only does it provide a scenic parkway to many interesting neighborhoods, it also was the corridor in which a subway was partially built in the 1930s. Second, Hopple Street and Western Hills Viaduct provide a vital and important connection between east and west. Specifically, the bridge structure of OPEN SPACE NETWORK ROADS AND STREETS the Western Hills Viaduct is one of the city’s most important icons A range of large and small parks, recreation areas and open space are in the city but can be strengthened Cincinnati’s hierarchy of streets is well dispersed, however east-west connections across the Valley are through better connections. lacking. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 11 mill creek valley systems with art deco influences in the design of its structure. 6th Street is the final east-west connector that lies closer to the Ohio River, where it provides an important connection between downtown and Price Hill and points further west.

I-75 CORRIDOR I-75, which stretches from Michigan to Florida, is one of America’s most important and heavily travelled north-south interstate highways. In the Cincinnati area, nearly 200,000 vehicles use I-75 daily, includ- I-74 ing a high percentage of trucks. All parts of the existing facility suffer from congestion, delay, safety, and reliability problems. The current 2011 urban design associates 2011 facility was first constructed in the mid-1960s, and has been mod- © estly upgraded and improved over the decades. The Federal Highway Administration is finalizing plans for several billion dollars in needed improvements over the next 10+ years, including establishing “four lane continuity” on the freeway mainline, upgrading interchanges, and providing a new Ohio River crossing. A key FHWA planning assump- tion in all of this is that the freeway capacity will be augmented in the I-71 future by passenger transit investments in the Mill Creek Valley.

RAIL CORRIDOR

The Mill Creek Valley has a rich railroad history. For much of the I-75 20th century, as many as seven major railroads had operations and freight and passenger terminals in the Mill Creek Valley. Today, after modern-era consolidation, two Class I railroads have major operations in the valley. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) and CSX Transportation have large switching yards and intermodal operations, as well as through-mainline trackage, that run the length of the valley and consume much of the land area of the valley floor. CSX’s Queensgate Yard is one of the largest facilities in its system. NS and CSX are the dominant railroads in the eastern U.S., and the Mill Creek Valley corridor is seen by both as strategically important for I-75 CORRIDOR RAIL CORRIDOR efficient freight operations as one of the western most north-south I-75 follows the along the base of the east wall of the Mill Creek Valley in the study area. Major railroad facilities dominate much of the floor of the Mill Creek Valley. corridors for both systems. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 12 mill creek valley systems NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG THE VALLEY Great cities are composed of unique, varied, and vibrant neighborhoods, and Cincinnati is no exception. The vitality of neighborhoods can change over time and although some have seen some decline, the fabric for revived life remains. Connecting these communities to new economic engines such as green jobs in the Valley will be important in bringing them back and sustaining the city. Aiding this ‘shrinking city’ revival are all the other systems, especially the emerging public transit networks. A return to neighborhood centers that contain a healthy mix of uses will also improve life. The diagram at right shows one half mile walking radii to indicate walkability between centers. 2011 urban design associates 2011

NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR CORES Cincinnati’s neighborhood cores were built as walkable nodes and their adjacencies create a important network to support thriving communities. Circles indicate a half mile radius (ten minute walk) from neighborhood cores. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 13 mill creek valley systems Environmental Analysis mill creek valley is an important open space system irregular and inconsistent shapes that represent areas of naturalized since it physically defines the western and central portions of the city. landscapes. These areas remain undeveloped and un-channelized for a In fact, Mill Creek is part of the gateway experience into Cincinnati variety of reasons. Upon closer examination of the floodplain, especial- for those travelling southbound on I-75. More importantly, Lower ly near the Hopple interchange, it appears that there is a fair amount of Mill Creek Valley has become a divider, a separation between com- natural edge on the western shore of the Mill Creek connected togeth- munities with few points to connect across. It is time to break down er. It forms a natural sanctuary along its entire length from the north of those barriers where possible and reconnect communities, districts, the MSD treatment facility to the Northside community.

and people back together in a way that orients future development urban design associates 2011 Moreover, MSD has been working on a plan to separate the sewer © along the Mill Creek and renews existing communities throughout and storm drainage systems throughout the city. In most cases, the the valley. storm drainage system will eventually outfall into Mill Creek. This The Valley is defined by three primary attributes – its geology, can become an opportunity to harness, filter and re-use the water for hydrology, and ecology. The geology of the Mill Creek Valley is amenities, wetland parks and open spaces - a sustainable, natural fil- defined by its steep side slopes, most of which were formed thousands tration system that requires no power to operate. Naturalized sections of years ago during the last glacial period. Many of these sloped areas of the Mill Creek could be improved in conjunction with MSD’s remain undeveloped today, although homes have been built along por- plan so that water may be stored in the soft naturalized areas as long tions on the easterly side of the valley. The hydrology of the valley con- as other improvements were made in the floodplain. sists of the Mill Creek drainage corridor and all its adjoining tributar- Finally, during our analysis of the valley we determined that there ies. The original drainage course of the Mill Creek has been modified are four sub-systems that represent the entire Mill Creek. On the to deal with urban drainage, transportation and development. Concrete following pages, we’ve categorized these as Waterway, Natural, Park, channels and other flood control devices throughout the valley have and Circulation Systems. These categories allow us to clearly identify changed the nature of the ecology that once existed along the creek. the issues and opportunities associated with each. According to the City Park Board, much of the riparian corridor has the lowest percentage of tree canopy in the city. Additionally, in many areas the floodplain is fully developed, increasing expected property damages from future flood events. The illustrative diagram on the following page shows the existing

A section of channelized Mill Creek. One can easily imagine returning the banks to a floodplain and drainage course of the Mill Creek. In some areas you natural edge, creating wetlands to slow stormwater velocity meanwhile naturally treating can see linear segments of the creek which are indications of existing it before reaching the Creek. Naturally occurring vegetation is currently a maintenance problem for the City but could become part of the solution if allowed to flourish. flood control efforts. In other segments of the creek you can see more

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 14 mill creek valley systems WATERWAYS

Floodplain Issue: Irregular hydrology in this heavily urbanized watershed, coupled with a lack of riparian vegetation and steep channelized banks (both native and concrete) cause the water to increase in velocity during storm events and the flooding to increase in areas with smaller banks. Opportunity: Remove channelized banks and create softer edges to detain and slow stormwater flow preventing downstream flooding

and stream channel erosion. These new edges could serve as wetlands urban design associates 2011

Combined Sewer Outflows (CSOs) Issue: Over 20 combined sewer outflows cause both sewage and stormwater to pour into Mill Creek when the system is over capacity. As illustrated by the scale of the purple dots, the problem is most severe in several northern focus areas including Mitchell Avenue, Northside/South Cumminsville and Camp Washington. Opportunity: Target large scale CSOs along Mill Creek corridor for redesign to serve as stormwater detention/retention, reducing the peak stormwater run-off. These efforts could combine with Parks and the devloping Mill Creek Greenway Trail to create open space along Mill Creek. Restore natural drainage systems.

Tributaries and Sub-Water Basins Issue: Many tributaries no longer exist as natural areas because piped storm and sewer systems were constructed for development and flood control. Opportunity: Where possible, restore the tributaries back to a natural state to serve as amenities and open spaces for neighborhoods and Courtesy of Human Nature, Inc. commercial centers while recreating habitat. FLOODPLAIN MAP CSO LOCATIONS The thin lines of blue along Mill Creek indicate areas that have been channelized to reduce flooding, but in fact The scale of purple dots indicates the intensity of the problem at each CSO location. wider areas, when treated correctly, would do more for flooding problems. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 15 mill creek valley systems NATURAL SYSTEMS

Wetlands and Riparian Areas Issue: The presence of water in the Mill Creek Valley has supported wetlands for centuries. Wetlands are one of the most productive and ecologically diverse environments we have on this planet and their environmental and visual benefits are important to preserve. Over time the impact of pollution, development, flood mitigation, and sev- ered tributaries have changed the wetlands that once existed in this West Fork valley. However, as the diagram illustrates, there are still many small wetland areas throughout the valley. Proof of this became evident to 2011 urban design associates 2011 a group of citizens in the Northside community who did some field © surveying and discovered pockets of highly valuable and functioning wetlands along the Mill Creek. Opportunity: There’s little doubt that other valuable wetland habitats exist along the Mill Creek. Every attempt to survey and map them should be made so this important ecological environment can Lick Run be protected and enhanced as flood storage, open space, parks, wild- life habitat, water quality improvement, and development improvements are being conceptualized. Mill Creek

Vegetation Issue: Although large portions of the Mill Creek riparian corridor suffer from deterioration there are still a variety of ecosystems along its shores. Principally, the ecologies are water dependant and are con- Ohio River stantly in a state of transition due to flood events, previous contami- nation from industrial pollution, and ongoing impacts by people. Opportunity: Create more environmentally friendly flood damage reduction, restore the riparian ecologies in key areas and pre- vent additional pollution from contaminating the Mill Creek Valley. Additionally, support through funding and collaboration with the Mill WETLANDS TRIBUTARIES Creek Restoration Project (or other entity) could support the ownership Small pockets of wetlands can be seen throughout the valley. Tributaries to the Mill Creek naturally drain stormwater. Some of these tributaries are not visible today as they and management of the improvements and upkeep of the Mill Creek are piped underground. Greenway and Trail. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 16 mill creek valley systems PARK SYSTEMS

Wooded Areas and Slopes Issue: Slopes must be stabilized and protected against future development so the wooded areas that visually define the edge of the Mill Creek Valley can be preserved. Opportunity: Consider the wooded slope areas for conservation easements or publicly dedicated lands that may be preserved as forest. Create pedestrian and hiking trails that would connect the neighborhoods above the valley with the Mill Creek Greenway. 2011 urban design associates 2011

© Parks (passive) Issue: There is no continuous green spine or pedestrian trail along the Mill Creek linking the Ohio River with communities to the north in the valley. Opportunity: Help the Mill Creek Restoration Project (and others) fulfill its vision by addressing ownership, budgeting and long term management issues associated with trails and ecological improvements.

Recreation (active) Issue: Active sports fields are not adequate in certain areas of the valley. Opportunity: Create new ball fields as part of a flood damage reduction and stormwater detention requirement, similar to those along the West Fork near the Beekman interchange.

Public vs. Private Issue: The City is facing a budget crisis and there are limited funds for new parks and recreation facilities. Opportunity: Create a community-based effort to clean up existing fields and construct new pocket parks, kid’s play areas, community gardens, farms, etc. by enlisting the sponsorship of major companies SLOPES PARKS, RECREATION AND WOODED AREAS in Cincinnati like Macy’s and Procter & Gamble. Slopes at the edge of the valley floor are steep (indicated in red) and are clearly defined by stream corridors. When taken together, parks, recreation and wooded areas create a compelling open space plan but lack strong connectivity. A green Mill Creek is the key to doing this at the regional scale. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 17 mill creek valley systems CIRCULATION SYSTEMS

Trails Issue: There are very few dedicated and improved trails that connect neighborhoods to the Mill Creek and to each other via the Mill Creek. Opportunity: Utilize City-owned lands, vacated railroad corridors, Mitchell Avenue and utility easements to create trails from neighborhoods to the Spring Grove Avenue creek. Additionally, work with flood control authorities and property owners to create a continuous trail along the Mill Creek.

Vine Street Bike Routes and Lanes 2011 urban design associates 2011

Issue: The City must ensure that safe and convenient bike routes are ©

Beekman Street accommodated along the major east-west street corridors like Hopple Hopple Street Street/MLK, Western Hills Viaduct, 8th Street and 6th Street. Opportunity: A design for bike lanes must be coordinated between the City public works department, ODOT, DOTE, and neighborhoods.

Western Parkways and Boulevards Hills

Central Parkway Viaduct Reading Road Issue: The historic parkways of Mitchell Avenue, Hopple Street/MLK, Western Hills Viaduct, and 6th Street should be redesigned as such to include appropriate right-of-ways that can accommodate gracious

streetscapes, medians, bike lanes, detached pedestrian sidewalks, and bio- Vine Street Vine swales that promote sustainable design practices. Opportunity: A design for parkways and boulevards must be coordi- 6th Street nated between the City’s public works department, parks department, ODOT, DOTE, and neighborhoods.

I-75 Issue: I-75 is a barrier for pedestrian circulation providing limited crossings that are uncomfortable and unsafe for pedestrians. Opportunity: Create a garden highway with pedestrian friendly crossings at interchanges and other pedestrian bridges by reconfigur- BIKE ROUTES AND LANES PARKWAYS AND BOULEVARDS ing and softening the overpasses to add more streetscape elements Despite the hilly terrain of the city, on street bike lanes and trails can be Improving the city’s parkways and boulevards will provide for better and more intuitive connections throughout created in ways to improve the safety of human-powered transportation (i.e. the city. (plantings, sidewalks) and less pavement. walking and bicycling). revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 18 mill creek valley systems Enhanced Valley, cincinnati has a unique and rare opportunity to coordinate interstate has been equally critical to the city and region, but created a series of major infrastructure investments to dramatically transform a new barrier that isolates and divides communities and limits local Revived City the future of the Lower Mill Creek Valley. It is tempting to see each connectivity in favor of regional and national access. infrastructure initiative as an independent project with a limited scope The “losers” have been the waterways, open space, vegetation/ and set of objectives. It is harder to think outside the box, to under- trees, and local connections. The Mill Creek has received little stand the impact of each investment in infrastructure as a critical respect and has not been viewed as a major habitat and asset for piece of an integrated remaking of the valley. Each project should be people to enjoy. Tributaries have been piped and portions of the Mill

viewed as a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to urban design associates 2011 Creek are inaccessible; open space is more often leftover land that © the quality of life for future generations. Exploring alternatives that has no champion; and local transit is now limited to bus service. challenge traditional thinking about project scope, constraints and Local and arterial streets were disrupted by the interstate, impacting opportunities can be difficult. Decisions that now may be expedient several communities. The interstate and rail lines in the valley have and politically correct may be strategically wrong in the long run. been a barrier to trails and pedestrians rather than a connector. This study illustrates methods for integrating future improvements to The following pages look at each of these important valley-wide transportation, stormwater and sanitary facilities, and natural systems systems and propose ideas that will bring these systems into equilib- to leverage private investment in redevelopment. The massive invest- rium, accommodate their needs, and recommend strategies for coex- ments by ODOT, MSD, and the City should be positioned to regen- isting to create a new framework for urban regeneration. KEY INITIATIVES: erate the urban core of the Cincinnati region to the greatest extent

» Plan with a vision for future possible. This will require that each scope of work accommodate the generations needs of others. With this inclusive approach, the region will recog- » Improve internal mobility nize savings by combining uses and maximizing connectivity. within the city » Restore the urban ecology The valley is filled with several regional systems that coexist side as a means for improving by side and often compete with each other. These systems include the quality of life interstate highways, railroads, waterways, open space, arterial roads, » Build on the rich heritage and unique communities and human inhabitation. Above and beneath these systems are utili- that exist today ties including sewers, electricity, gas, communications, and water. » Capitalize on universities Over the last century, the “winners” have been the railroads and and businesses and position them as catalysts for eco- the interstate. The growth of the railroads has been essential to the nomic growth economic prosperity of Cincinnati but to accommodate the vast rail yards, the Mill Creek was moved and channelized in sections. The

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 19 enhanced valley, revived city Interstate 75 is one of the main north-south transportation corridors diamond connection for the South Cumminsville and Northside I-75 Improvements MAJOR CONCEPTS AND in the United States. In Cincinnati, I-75 follows the Mill Creek communities. The existing Hopple Street interchange, which com- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: Valley and more or less forms the central north-south axis of the bines partial cloverleaf, diamond and trumpet design elements and is City’s urbanized area, just skirting the west edge of the central busi- complicated by adjacent intersections, is planned to be replaced by a » Refine design of interchanges and access networks ness district. The physical combination of the Mill Creek Valley, the simplified design that is principally a diamond in basis, and that will for best fit with community interstate highway, rail lines and yards, and various public and private grade-separate the Central Parkway intersection. Most complex of context, within FHWA project development work pro- utilities centrally bifurcates the metropolitan area, and is a significant all is the Queensgate Highway Network, which currently provides gram limits. 2011 urban design associates 2011

consideration in all aspects of urban planning. access among I-75 and I-71, US 50, and a series of local arterials » Embrace and integrate © ODOT and the Federal Highway Administration, in concert using multi-level directional ramps, spread diamond interchanges, DOT/HUD/EPA Sustainable Communities principles, with the City and local stakeholders, is undertaking a major safety cloverleaf and trumpet elements and collector-distributor road- and examine opportunities and capacity upgrade and improvement of I-75, in logical construc- ways nested in the freeway cross-section. The conceptual plan for both within right of way and without. tion segments, over the next decade. Total cost for the program, Queensgate is to improve and expand capacity along the lines of the cur- » Integrate Green Highways including a new Ohio River crossing and needed improvements in rent system design applying modern geometry and safety standards. and similar best practices where practicable in project ODOT’s Proposed Hopple Street ODOT’s Proposed Mitchell Avenue Kentucky, is expected to total $3.5 billion. Of this amount, more The first three interchange areas are well developed in terms of delivery over time. interchange interchange than $1.2 billion in freeway system improvements is planned for the intended design execution in the ODOT/FHWA project develop- » Consider context of change Revive Cincinnati study areas, extending from the Mitchell Avenue ment process. The Queensgate area is less far along in the develop- in assumptions driving key decisions, and reconcile interchange south to the Ohio River. In general, the FHWA work ment process, and is very much tied to decisions surrounding the under NEPA. program will add at least one through-lane of capacity to the freeway Brent Spence Bridge and the Ohio River crossing. » Target and develop nation- ally identifiable gateway Further expansion on the 50-year recommendations are presented continuity, upgrade all interchanges and structures, and make related and aesthetic opportunities ancillary improvements to the connecting roadway network. in the Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix, pages 60-72, along the corridor. The Revive Cincinnati study area focuses on four interchanges as including actions and strategies for a starting point in establishing central nodes of enhanced access and mobility and urban redevelop- a “greener” and more sustainable corridor as part of FHWA’s I-75 ment. The Mitchell Avenue interchange is currently a conventional investment program. At the neighborhood level, recommendations ODOT’s Proposed I-74/I-75 interchange ODOT’s Conceptual Queensgate Highway Network diamond interchange, and is proposed to be reconfigured as a tight are summarized on pages 97-105 of the Appendix. diamond layout. The existing I-74/I-75 interchange combines directional, distributed diamond and irregular local ramps in a complex mix to serve the confluence of two interstates and two local communities; the proposed reconfiguration eases directional ramp geo- metrics, removes irregular local ramps, and maintains a distributed

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 20 enhanced valley, revived city Seven major railroads once served the City of Cincinnati, mostly via Rail Improvements MAJOR CONCEPTS AND tracks and terminals (both freight and passenger) that were located RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: in and along the Mill Creek Valley. The Revive Cincinnati study area today is characterized in large part by the considerable remnants of » Develop next-generation urban intermodal port that rail history, primarily the facilities and operations of two Class function with freight and I railroads, CSX and NS, that have major assets that stretch along commerce access across multiple modes: rail, truck, the length of the Mill Creek Valley parallel to I-75. The Indiana barge 2011 urban design associates 2011

and Ohio Railway, a short-haul line, is also a significant operator in » Target perimeter enhance- © the valley. NS and CSX are the largest rail freight operators in the ments to aid intermodal access and efficiency (truck eastern US, and the Mill Creek corridor is one of the most important access, land uses, shared north-south connections for both railroads. The capacity restrictions facilities). » Make best use of rail sidings to freight operations in the valley are notorious, and the CSX and and connected facilities for NS operate in the most restricted sections (south of Spring Grove “distributed port” function. Village) under a unique joint operating agreement. Both railroads » Facilitate rail capacity enhancements (fourth have significant switching, train makeup, maintenance, and inter- main), but be creative in modal (truck freight) operations in the area south of the I-74/I-75 planning and execution for best net result. interchange. CSX’s Queensgate Yard is one of the largest yards on the CSX system. Issues and opportunities surrounding rail improvements and larger freight considerations are further discussed the Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix, pages 22-31 and 94-96. Courtesy Larry of Stulz NS Gest Street Yard with Union Terminal in background CSX Queensgate Yard

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 21 enhanced valley, revived city In the first half of the twentieth century, the entire Revive Cincinnati Transit Alignments MAJOR CONCEPTS AND study area was served by a robust and well-connected network of RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: streetcars on virtually every major arterial roadway, providing inter- connections with passenger rail and interurban lines, as well as » Reestablish passenger rail service in the Mill Creek packets and ferries on the Ohio River. Today, an evolving bus net- Valley to Union Terminal- work runs over most of the same routes once served by streetcars. near, but examine a full range of options for location Part of the strategy established by FHWA for making transporta- and delivery that are effec-

tive solutions for freight urban design associates 2011

tion improvements in the I-75 corridor includes using transit, over

operations as well. © the long-term, to augment needed highway capacity investments. » Embrace and prepare for While a primary focus has been on rail transit in this strategy, a different transit modes and truly effective solution will necessarily include a range of alternative locations for different needs over time (including bus mode investments, including an effective bike network, and can logi- rapid transit/BRT, light rail cally embrace higher speed passenger rail as one part of the system. transit/LRT, and variations on commuter rail). (Further expansion on transit recommendations is provided in the » Examine ways to refine and Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix, pages 81-94). optimize planned BRT/LRT alignment and service along the I-75 right-of-way (the City DOTE’s preferred transit plan) » In concert with up-system freight and/or passenger rail investments, establish rail transit or BRT service on or along the CSX trackage/old B&O right-of-way from the Second Street transit center to the city neighborhoods of the Mill Creek Valley; at minimum, reestablish, protect and preserve the corridor for alternative transportation (transit or trailway) function. » Consider possible co- location of commuter rail Source: FHWA and MnDOT, D Gonzales Express bus or bus rapid transit (BRT) on the new freeway shoulder, such as this Community redevelopment efforts, such as the American Can building project in PASSENGER RAIL LIGHT RAIL – IN SUBWAY LIGHT RAIL/BRT ALTERNATE and start up passenger rail operation on I-35 in Minneapolis, could provide a practical platform for initiating major Northside, would benefit from transit service on the west side of the Mill Creek. COMMUTER RAIL/BR HYBRID CIRCULATOR IN-STREET BRT/LRT service spines in a phased new transit capacity in the I-75 corridor. LIGHT RAIL – AERIAL STREET CAR ON-STREET BICYCLE ROUTE implementation approach. STATION NOTE: BUS NOT SHOWN

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 22 enhanced valley, revived city Given the many efforts underway for Mill Creek, the Open Space b Reduce the heat island effect of the Mill Creek Valley, specifi- Open Space Improvements MAJOR CONCEPTS AND Improvements of this report strive to bring together all of the vari- cally Queensgate area by 20% by creating a street tree planting RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: ous ideas, goals and plans that have been already prepared for the program or providing land owners with a tax credit for plant- Mill Creek Valley by being the “glue” that binds everything together. ing and caring for trees on their property. 1 Establish a single entity that can own, operate, finance Three important partners, MSD, ODOT, and the Mill Creek c Help ODOT and MSD to find ways to commingle their and manage the Mill Creek Greenway area Restoration Project have and are continuing to promote improve- stormwater and water quality obligations in or near the I-75 ments in the valley. Since MSD has funding to correct their CSO 2 Work with MSD to help corridor so integrated and efficient naturalized systems can solve their CSO issue by 2011 urban design associates 2011 issue and ODOT is well underway with their I-75 highway improve- improve the impervious and visual condition of the corridor. creating wet ponds, wet- © ments, the goals and recommendations of this report will closely lands, etc, as amenities for 3 Park and Recreation Systems the communities that live in align with their current plans but seek to expand them where possible. the Mill Creek Valley a Park Board, Recreation Commission and Mill Creek Based on numerous discussions with the community groups 3 Enlist corporate sponsorship Restoration Project to program potential park and greenway to aid in fundraising activi- and organizations, the following open space design principles improvements in the Mill Creek Valley with recreation, restora- ties to implement the Mill were established: Creek Greenway plan tion, education, and commerce in mind. 4 Continue encouraging and 1 Waterways b Identify under-utilized or vacant city property in the Mill Creek supporting local groups, a Propose opportunities for MSD to separate their storm and citizens, etc. to volunteer for Valley that may be re-purposed as open space for stormwater restoration projects along sewer strategically so water can be used to create new naturalized storage, habitat creation, park improvements, and energy capture. the Mill Creek. landscapes such as ponds, and/or wetland, and/or park basins 5 Collaboration with ODOT, 4 Circulation Systems DOTE and MSD to research (in conjunction with the Parks Department and Mill Creek and construct ways to con- a Create open space and trail connections between Mill Creek Restoration Project) in the West Fork or Mill Creek Valley. nect stormwater solutions. and the adjacent communities of South Cumminsville, 2 Natural Systems Northside, Camp Washington, and Queensgate. a Identify under-utilized or undeveloped private land in the valley b Where possible, create open space and/or trails for land that that could become a conservation easement for property owners exists under elevated transportation systems such as highway who may not have any near term viable options for development interchanges, street over-passes, and rail trusses. or sale of their land. Ensure that tax credit or rebate programs c Where possible, convert the existing B&O rail corridor into a exist to make conservation easements more appealing. “rails-to-trails” project. Connect 20 miles of trails together

HIGHWAY PARKWAYS & BOULEVARDS GREENWAY d Ensure that the east-west parkways are improved with the

HIGHWAY “GARDEN” TRAILS PROPOSED PARK ideas and recommendations of the Kessler Plan and subsequent Centennial Plans. Open Space Frameworks Plan revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 23 enhanced valley, revived city At the same time the FHWA is undertaking a $3.5 billion upgrade MSD Strategies MAJOR CONCEPTS AND of I-75, Cincinnati MSD is obligated by federal consent decree to RECOMMENDATIONS address long-standing combined sewer overflow issues in its own $3 FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: billion wet-weather flow reduction program. Much of MSD’s con- » Deliver a FHWA I-75 corridor project that embraces sent decree effort is focused on the Mill Creek drainage, including both DOT and EPA federal the four focus areas of the Revive Cincinnati study. MSD’s program objectives. in working on several fronts to remove or better manage extraneous » Identify and remove or manage all elements of

flow, including removal of storm drainage connections, “daylight- urban design associates 2011

interstate corridor drain- ing” of natural stream that had been piped and combined with sewer age that exacerbate MSD’s © wet-weather flow manage- flows in the early urban history of the city, and, where necessary, use ment mandate, including of gray infrastructure investments (such as controlled treatment and making best use of public transportation right-of-way storage/conveyance structures) to better handle peak flows. for addressing quantity and MSD’s program efforts are linked to FHWA’s I-75 project devel- quality considerations. Much of Cincinnati’s wet-weather flow problem is found in numerous small sources, » Develop a manual of low opment, and the future community picture for the four focus areas of such as this parking area inlet. As communities change for the future, the design template must actively and creatively address correction of these problems in ways that impact development prac- the Revive Cincinnati study, on three fronts (see also pages 77- 79 of are systemically effective and cost-efficient tices to manage and reduce the Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix): wet weather flow on private property to provide to devel- 1 Existing MSD assets in ODOT project footprint (such as inter- opers. Create incentives ceptor and trunk sewers, flow control structures, or maintenance for implementing these practices on private property easements) by providing sewer credits 2 Changes to MSD wet weather discharge volume or quality from or through cost-sharing, depending on the volume or within I-75 footprint (direct or indirect highway connections of runoff removed from the to CSO systems) system. Incorporate these best management practices 3 Planned or possible improvements and future assets external to into applicable codes. ODOT footprint (including stream daylighting and watershed efforts, future utility corridor connections, ‘external’ store/treat/ discharge sites and other green amenities, and gray infrastructure investments, such as a deep tunnel). Significant efforts are underway on these fronts by MSD and are being coordinated with and informed by the recommendations for MSD has numerous assets that will be affected by the I-75 upgrade project, such as this the Revive Cincinnati study in an ongoing exchange. CSO outlet near Northside/South Cumminsville. revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 24 enhanced valley, revived city Community Enhancements OVERCOMING BARRIERS All four study areas were isolated to some degree with the construction of I-75 and I-74. Local streets were stubbed off and short trips now require using the interstate as an arterial for local trips. South Cumminsville has never recovered; Colerain Avenue lost connectivity and withered as a main street; and Queensgate was isolated from the downtown with the destruction of most of the West End neighbor-

hood. This reports recommends ways to re-establish connectivity urban design associates 2011

IMPROVING ACCESS The City is considering several improvements to arterial roads and intersections. These initiatives are integrated into each study area Mitchell Avenue Northside and South Cumminsville plan. Alternative transit alignments and station locations are illustrated to encourage protection of these options for future transit design studies. Trails and whole street concepts that welcome pedestrians and cyclists will better connect the communities to the rest of the city.

CREATING OPEN SPACE AMENITIES Restoration of the Mill Creek and its tributaries as part of a program of stormwater management will create an armature for trails and recreation areas that will greatly improve the quality of life in the valley. Open spaces also have the greater effect of reducing carbon impact of highways when reforested ROW’s and new green spaces are planned appropriately. Additionally, managing and mitigating stormwater from highways with pocket parks and rain gardens at interchanges and

gateways can reduce a significant amount of stormwater flow per year. Hopple Street Queensgate and the West End

revive cincinnati – neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley | february 2011 | urban design associates mill creek valley 25 enhanced valley, revived city mitchell avenue

26 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Challenges and and Challenges Opportunities the mitchellavenue interchangearea into a very viableandvibrantasset withinthelargercity.into avery change area conceivable andwillturnthis community is reasonably oftheMitchellAvenue Harnessing allthebestattributes inter- optionsforpotentialalignments. document proposes several aswell. railconnectionsarecommuter important andinter-city This ofthecity’s economyintothe future.tant part Newraillines for down totheOhioRiver. linesforfreight Rail willremain animpor- withmulti-use trailsthatwillonedayextendthefulllength talized residents connector. useitasalocal MillCreek isslowlybeingrevi- Grove Avenue andbicyclists, isapopular routewhile fortrucks allthe waytodowntown. here andrunning starting artery Spring atwomileradius.roughly north-south isanimportant Street Vine lar accesspointforresidents, workers, within andvisitorstolocations used. thatare highly purposes serve The I-75interchange isapopu- through thisarea, run Manymodesoftransportation allofwhich all formsofmobility, thisareabecomemore. can sive way, butwithsomeadjustmentsinlanduseandimprovements to Today and cohe- tocoexistina complimentary thesepiecesstruggle successfulandsustainablecommunity.be theingredients foravery there are avastmixofusesintheMitchellAvenue area whichcan neighborsmentionedabove, bededucedfrom thevaried Ascan St. JohnsCemetery, HillCemetery, Street Vine Park. andSalway Grove Cemetery,area bySpring enjoys acres ofgreen spacepreserved Cincinnati, University, Xavier hospitals. andseveral Inaddition, this Proctorincluding &Gamble(P&G), CincinnatiZoo, of University Bernard, Clifton, Avondale North andinstitutions andcorporations Grove Spring Village, neighborhoodsincluding St.central toseveral ofCincinnati. intotheCity portal Itis northern many astheprimary urban designurban associates is viewed by isviewed Spring Grove Grove Spring Grove Cemetery

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icelaeu 27 avenue mitchell

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© 2011 urban design associates STUDY AREA designate their current use. current their designate to coded color parcels and buildings with area study ofthe amap presents eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Spring Grove Cemetery Salway Park The Portrait drawing drawing Portrait The

I-75

Winton Road

Clifton Avenue Clifton Avenue Clifton VACANT PROPERTY VACANT EXISTING RESIDENTIAL

Mill Creek W Mitchell Avenue Mitchell W

Spring Grove Avenue Vine Street Hill Cemetery PARKS & OPEN SPACE &OPEN PARKS EXISTING INSTITUTIONS Vine Street German Catholic

Cemetery

St Johns Glenwood Avenue Glenwood

Vine Street EXISTING INDUSTRIAL EXISTING EXISTING COMMERCIAL I-75 connection. level neighborhood apreferred being Avenue Clifton with Creek Mill and I-75 both across connector primary the is itself Avenue Mitchell capacity. over are by all levels of roads, even though some The Mitchell Avenue area is well served STREETS AND HIGHWAYS alongside Mill Creek. right exists development areas, study other tothe opposed as Here, industrial. and residential between ofuses mix the Mitchell Avenue area clearly describes the in footprints ofbuilding scale The FOOTPRINTS BUILDING urban designurban associates residential. predominantly is area this uses, other evidentAlso when compared to the features. natural other and topography the by defined are settlements Residential RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT as opportunities for future development. future for opportunities as seen be could lots these Avenue, Mitchell along Street Vine especially cases, and some In uses. industrial and commercial the with associated are lots Parking LOTS PARKING usable green space through this area. area. this through space green usable potentially by bounded is Creek Mill that see You also can lands. institutional parks, small recreation areas, and Avenue area in the form of cemeteries, Mitchell the in plentiful is space Green INSTITUTIONS AND RECREATION, PARKS, neighborhoods. neighborhoods. nearby all for location central tothe due commercial uses here are successful the number, in small Although COMMERCIAL LAND USE c hallenges opportunities and Building Footprints diagram. allowing for development as seen in the slopes gentle most the clearly are areas green light and medium The space. green ofhillside amount the indicating Creek ofMill south diagram Institutions and Parks tothe relates closely Topography STEEP SLOPES as a source of power. creek the and oftransport source a main as lines rail the used all these Historically area. ofthis quadrant northeast Industrial uses occupy most of the INDUSTRIAL USES icelaeu 28 avenue mitchell

© 2011 urban design associates INITIATIVE DIAGRAM INITIATIVE DIAGRAM Spring Grove. Mitchell/ and ofVine/Mitchell intersections the at ofretail hubs two and connections trail and rail new including future, the for visions ofthe some and identified community eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 4 7 The initiative diagram illustrates the strengths that the the that strengths the illustrates diagram initiative The Planning ProcessPlanning 1 9 5 5 2 1 3 6 8 the steer ProcessThrough thePlanning theconsultant teamworked with 1 toguidetheplandevelopment. designprinciples ing urban researched andideas, reports various thefollow- theteamdeveloped and right). Armedwiththisinformationandhavinganalyzed weaknesses, at andvisionsforeachstudyarea (seethesummary 9 8 7 5 4 3 2 6 Cr GroveAvenue Avenue) &Spring Create twonodes (MitchellAvenue Street,& Vine Mitchell Neighborhood serving retail – horizontal mixed-use retail –horizontal Neighborhood serving Cr rail– stationand inter-city Transit (TOD) Development Oriented The Cit Creek corridor Integrate waterqualit Greenway and Trail theKesslerPlan –realize systems Mill Creek composedofthe becomesapark experience –streetMixed-use development oriented P acommonvision rate torealize reserve thetightalignmentsalongB&Oforcommuter/ reserve eate a scenic view from theinterstatelookingwest eate ascenicview experience gateway eate northern ing committeeandthegeneralpublictoidentifystrengths, y of Cincinnati and City ofSt.y ofCincinnatiandCity Bernardneedtocollabo- y/stormwater managementintotheMill urban designurban associates STRENGTHS » » » » » » » » »

Str neighborhoods residential populated Densely r and cemeteries, parks multiple S universities surrounding and downtown to access Direct the Maketawah (aka: Mill Creek) Mill the Maketawah (aka: N access and transportation canal with history industrial Rich hoods thr sites alleviatesindustrial traffic D Street Vine and Avenue Mitchell at hub transit bus/ Major A involved are that very tutions ecreation areas ubstantial green space with with space green ubstantial vailable land for development for development land vailable ative, pre-industrial history of of history ative, pre-industrial irect truck access to I-75 from to I-75 access truck irect ough residential neighbor- ough ong communities and insti- and communities ong SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT » » WEAKNESSES » » » »

Ine andinstitutions places to wayfinding and signage Poor rounding community for thesur- identity impression/ Street thewrong give M along blighted properties and retail landscape Alien and Winton Road Winton and W Avenue to theWest D I-75 near Avenue Mitchell T response times raffic congestion along along congestion raffic angerous traffic along Clifton Clifton along traffic angerous itchell Avenue and Vine itchell Avenue Vine and eak connection between I-75 I-75 between connection eak fficient public safety safety public fficient c hallenges opportunities and » » » » VISIONS

icelaeu 29 avenue mitchell Cr of theMill history industrial and thenative Celebrate stormwater management for sustainable well asadevice as development for economic du pro- and beautiful isboth that waterway anatural Produce tial neighborhoods residen- theadjacent and land industrial theheavy between p to Creek theMill fer along buf- Create effective amore thecity and tutions insti- forimpression thenearby to first create abetter ridors along improvementsstreetscape and Interchange, intersection, roduce a better transition abetter roduce eek Corridor ctive, serving as a catalyst as acatalyst serving ctive, major transportation cor- major transportation

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Economic Development Opportunities modate a stronger locally-serving retail presence. modate astronger locally-serving Combining the above, couldaccom- data suggeststhatthislocation retail presence.perhaps notso much astosuggestaregional-serving large swathsof personsintheregion, buttressing retail demand but muting patternsconfirmsthatthesitecouldcapture attentionfrom to retail. Moreover, ofthissitevis-à-vismajorcom- thelocation withrespect proximity tothe interchange areclosest underserved demand patternsforretail suggestthattheareas development in the medium-tolong-term. Infact, ofsupply- quantitativeanalysis in residential opportunities officeand new development serving additionalretailtodayand potential local- development support can withemployment attheP&Gfacility,In concert these households retail. regional-serving byneighborhoodandeven not well-served tial neighborhoods, thoseinadjacentSt. including Bernard, thatare Notably, residen- tomanysolidmiddle-income thearea isclose todowntown.I-75 closer –andismoreCincinnati Zoo disconnectedfrom thecore area of andthe aprominent cemetery permanent green space–including on I-75). This sideofthestudyarea, however, ispredominantly north ated withP&G’s further complex (located industrial Ivorydale homes.number ofsingle-family There areusesassoci- industrial retail alongwithasmall of theinterstatethere issomelocal-serving innature.and westsideismore regional-serving Ontheotherside andwarehousing),associated withtrucking whileretail onthenorth activities retailuses(particularly andindustrial posed oflocal-serving rather undeveloped. com- andeastofI-75islargely The area north visibility, aswelladjacentlandusesthatare and lower-density atremendousvolumeand hasstrong amountofdrive-by It handles interchange therealignment. todaybutwillseeincreased trafficafter The MitchellAvenue alocal-serving interchange area isprimarily urban designurban associates connections toflex/R&Dspace orfreestandingspace. industrial officethatmay alsohavedirect owner-occupied spaceandspecialty a strong market but rather presence forspeculativeofficeconstruction above,cated fitforthis area. wouldbealogical This isnottosuggest as indi- development or front-office spaceassociatedwithindustrial office usersinthearea. Specifically, office, local-serving back-of-house, tointroduce There isastrong medium-tolong-termopportunity andinfrastructure. activity of industrial facilitiesinproximity toexistingorplannedconcentrations ing new the interchange aswellfollow thesiteselectioninstinctsoflocat- userswillbenefit from theenhancedaccessprovidedIndustrial by spacewhereindustrial spaceandsiteselectionconstraints permit. duce bothlargeformat(freestanding) andsmallformat(flex/R&D) ofSt. tointro- (northeast Bernard)suggestastrong opportunity facilitiesintheBondHillarea industrial new tives oflocating preroga- aswellthepolicy fabric Thesurrounding industrial retail intoafuture retail footprint. porating itintofuture retail conceptsorbyrepositioning theexisting shoppingcenter,with theexistinggrocery-anchored eitherbyincor- tion musttointegratefuture takeintoaccountways development town center configuration–isdesirable. forthisintroduc- Solutions retail ina presence –especially the introduction ofalocally-serving inthenearterm, andperhapsincentivized developed Ifproperly c hallenges opportunities and icelaeu 30 avenue mitchell

© 2011 urban design associates DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley » » » » in theBondHillarea. activities curr activities,trial of thosethatare analogous tothetypes especially forthe introduction ofindus- –Excellentopportunity Industrial be suitedforresidential useontheeast/southsideofinterstate. nent gr mid-term. Limitedsitesavailableforredevelopment andperma- over nearoreven Residential –Limitedresidential opportunity opment. inatowncially centerconfigurationandassumingparcel devel- oughfar regional tointerchanges thor- retailandalongcommunity closer andsome oflocal-serving Retail –Continueddevelopment m users.industrial/corporate Not forlarge-scale anaturallocation associatedwithlocal officedevelopment Office –Local-serving ultitenant speculativeoffice. een space takes up a significant portion oflandthatwould portion een spacetakesupasignificant es. regional retail Large-scale adistinctpossibility, espe- ently present at ently TechSolve andtargetedforinclusion Retail (SF) (SF) Retail 1,972,864 – Residential 1,017,034 – Residential 504,295 (SF) –Flex/R&D Industrial (SF) –Free-Standing Industrial Office (SF) Multi-Family (Units) (Units) Multi-Family (Units) Single-Family 10-YEAR ABSORPTION ABSORPTION 10-YEAR POTENTIAL MITCHELL AVENUE ESMSI ARSAEAGGRESSIVE FAIR SHARE PESSIMISTIC 6361455175,220 104,515 36,306 0491195395,778 191,905 50,439 ,5 ,9 5,257 1,395 1,059 740464 420 47 014160 154 10 urban designurban associates c hallenges opportunities and icelaeu 31 avenue mitchell

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Urban Design Strategies new development. new landshould beearmarked forstation(s),nearby commuter lotsand orfollows right-of-way theI-75alignment,the oldB&ORailroad ties. fallson passengerrail system thealignment ofanew Whether take advantageofnew Transit Design (TOD) opportuni- Oriented evolves, theMitchell Avenue Lastly, systems transportation asplanningforfuture city-wide branding exercise. ing andsignage, street redesign andstreetscapeimprovements, and a plans for: properties, orvacant acquisitionofunderutilized wayfind- ofCincinnati andSt.City Bernard. aninitiativeshouldinclude Such Initiativebe establishedasajointventureRedevelopment bythe destination forthecommunity, itisrecommended thataGateway To strengthen andadvanceMitchellAvenue as acommercial park inCincinnati’simportant MillCreek Greenway system. one couldenvisiontheMitchellAvenue interchange area becominga connect theexistinggreen spacesintoalargernaturalorganism. Thus, asagreen spineto alongthecreek andgatherings willserve activity multi-use combinedwithnew trailsandareas system) for a filtering ation ofnaturalfloodplains, re-introduction ofnaturalvegetationas ofMillCreek Thenaturalization (removal ofchannelwalls, cre- more sustainabledevelopment. betterconnections,ment whileoffering smoothflow oftrafficand willrequiregateway changesthatprovide physical avisualannounce- and ‘front door’ fortheadjacentneighborhoods. Redefiningthis andatthesametime, tothecity ling gateway shouldprovide acenter andforemost,First thisarea istobere-envisioned asamore compel- change area areandbuildonthestrengths varied thatalready exist. the urbandesignprinciples interchange situatedto area isideally fortheMitchellAvenue interurban designurban associates ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN Spring Grove Cemetery

Salway Park

I-75

Winton Road Reinvestment Area RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

Clifton Avenue Clifton Avenue Clifton Mill Creek

OFFICE MIXED-USE

W Mitchell Avenue Mitchell Mitchell W W

Spring Grove Avenue Vine Street Hill

Cemetery A venue CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL INDUSTRIAL u rban designrban strategies Vine Street German Catholic Cemetery St Johns Reinvestment Area Reinvestment

icelaeu 32 avenue mitchell Glenwood Avenue Glenwood

I-75

Vine Street Reinvestment Area

© 2011 urban design associates treat runoff water as well as add to the whole Mill Creek Greenway system. Greenway Creek Mill whole tothe add as well as water runoff treat to ofMSD efforts the enhance greatly will floodplain natural This land. ofthis value the explored in the case that a new, improved bridge connection is not viable to maximize 5 4 3 2 1 following guidingprinciples: The enhancedMitchellAvenue interchange area shouldholdthe MILL CREEK ALTERNATE CREEK MILL eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley opm devel- front-oriented mixed-use river and Create street-oriented Grove Mitchell/Spring and in at nodes two bycreating tion retail destina- thelocal on Build p as Valley from I-75 sheds view Take Creek of theMill advantage ROW). Canal Miami/Erie (via Bernard St. ities Mill Creek, parks, recreation facil- between Make connections trail o treat water to run- naturally sible pos- where Creek Mill Naturalize ff and enrich thegreenway. enrich and ff art of thegateway experience. art tersections of Mitchell/Vine of Mitchell/Vine tersections , cemeteries,downtown and ent. A second option for the land south of Mill Creek was was Creek ofMill south land the for option Asecond 6 8 7 A for initiative Mitchell both design street and study atraffic Launch ments, marketing branding. and street improve- signage, and wayfinding and consolidation, acquisition land include: should Avenue.Mitchell Ajoint venture an of Cincinnati theCity between cooperation essential Seek new development. and lots commuter station(s), tial r sur- and rail for future passenger alignments potential Preserve flow. for traffic solution mine thebest ounding land studied for poten- studied land ounding venue and Vine Street tovenue Vine deter- and 1 d St. Bernard to transform Bernard d St.

ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN Clifton Avenue Clifton 2 7 1 4 Mill Creek 5 urban designurban associates Vine Street Hill

W Mitchell Avenue Mitchell W Spring Grove Avenue Cemetery

I-75 3 German Catholic Cemetery St Johns 4 6 2 8 Vine Street u rban designrban strategies Land Use icelaeu 33 avenue mitchell OPEN SPACE OFFICE AND MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIONAL MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Mobility Improvements Mobility FOR A FOR RECOMMENDATIONS MAJOR CONCEPTS AND » » » » »

M gatewaysbookend on D tinuity bike systemEstablish con- future an development intotion node func- and transit Weave rail mer ments for com- and fright move- critical Accommodate Ave Grove of Spring efficiency and role, function Enhance evelop scale-appropriate evelop scale-appropriate itchell Avenue itchell d Spring Grove Village Grove Village d Spring nue ce 50 -YEAR FUTURE: an important amenity for a sustainable urban designstrategy. forasustainableurban amenity an important connectoralongMitchellAvenuedesignated bike/pedestrian willbe industries. andtheexisting local Grove and Anemphasized Village Grove Avenue, Spring Spring serving with astationorhubdirectly or BRT alongtheoldB&Orailalignmentor transitcorridors spines,transit service complimented in thefuture bypotential LRT Avenue Road,Clifton and Winton bus willcontinuetobeimportant Grove, Spring MitchellAvenue, Street, and Vine along with Avenue toaididentity, wayfinding, andmarketability. corridor. elementsare gateway recommended Appropriate onMitchell ing pressure Grove inthefuture formixed-modeaccesstotheSpring highway access, besubjecttoincreas- butthisinterchange willlikely I-75 interchange existinginterstate atMitchellAvenue willpreserve orvalueenhancementareas. targeteddevelopment support Areworked management. enhanced accessandcapacity Streets NewSignature ing theretail centerfunction, andcommercial activity butincluding work. MitchellAvenue MainStreet, isenvisionedasanew embrac- focus arealong-termanchorsofthearea’s toachieve frame- mobility andmanagementasGreat ofthis mended fordevelopment Streets street grid. Grove are Street recom- Avenue of Spring andparts Vine Grove andMitchellAvenues Spring form themainaxesoflocal urban designurban associates hierarchy and potential transit alignments. transit potential and hierarchy street proposed the depicts diagram This See page 76 of Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix for detailed descriptions. STREET CLASSIFICATIONS Spring Grove Cemetery Salway Park

I-75

Winton Road

Clifton Avenue Clifton Avenue Clifton GREAT STREET NEW INTERCHANGE

W Mitchell Avenue Mitchell W Spring Grove Avenue Vine Street Hill Cemetery NEIGHBORHOOD STREET OTHER SIGNATURE STREET SIGNATURE OTHER

u Vine Street rban designrban strategies German Catholic Cemetery St Johns icelaeu 34 avenue mitchell

RESIDENTIAL STREET MAIN STREET Glenwood Avenue Glenwood

Vine Street

I-75 ALIGNMENTS TRANSIT OPTIONAL

© 2011 urban design associates CSO OVERFLOW INTENSITY MAP INTENSITY OVERFLOW CSO CHANNELIZED BANKS OF MILL CREEK MILL OF BANKS CHANNELIZED eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Open Space Improvements Space Open MG = MILLION GALLONS =MILLION MG Annual Overflow Volume Range Combined Sewer Overflow > 200 MG > 200 MG –200 100 MG –100 50 MG 50 – 10 0 –10 MG 1 ture ecology. urban bythefollowing: beachieved This can the area adjacenttoMillCreek shouldbeimproved tocreate asigna- intoCincinnati,As agateway theMitchellAvenue area, specifically 7 6 5 4 3 2 cr ParkAvenue transitiontoSalway toprovide andto Bridge asoft Remove 50%ofMillCreek’s theMitchell concrete channelafter creating wetlands and water quality improvements.creating wetlandsandwaterquality possible,Where treat stormwater adjacenttotheMillCreek by c gies, porous paving, including swales, raingardens, enhancedtree W intotheneighborhoods. ing theentry Create anenhancedstreetscapealongMitchellAvenue, improv- regional trailconnections. m Mitchell Avenue interchange. Work withthe surrounding com- Ensure trailsare thatmulti-purpose integratedintothenew Mitchell A Canal (orsomealternativeroute) from tothe theircommunity Work withSt. Bernardforthecreation ofapublictrailontheErie ther nor thatconnects thisareaa trailsystems totheirimprovements fur- Work withMillCreek RestorationProject tocreate tofindways embrace. physically anopy, etc. attheMitchell Avenue interchange. eate amore desirableenvironment forfutureto development unities todeterminethebestsideofMitchellAvenue for ork with ODOT to implement sustainable landscape strate- toimplementsustainablelandscape ork withODOT th andsouthintheMillCreek Valley. venue interchange.venue urban designurban associates OPEN SPACE PLAN

Salway Park Spring Grove Cemetery 7 I-75 Depicts improvements to natural features, parks, open spaces, and streetscapes. and spaces, open parks, features, tonatural improvements Depicts

7 Clifton Avenue Clifton 1

Spring Grove Avenue 5 u 7 Vine Street Hill rban designrban strategies

Cemetery

4 W Mitchell Avenue Mitchell W icelaeu 35 avenue mitchell

I-75 2 German Catholic Cemetery St Johns Vine Street 7 3

The section illustrates how the Mill Creek could be slightly modified to increase sustainable practices for water quality and c and quality water for practices sustainable toincrease modified slightly be could Creek Mill the how illustrates section The urban designurban associates onveyance in a way that provides amenity for future development but scenic beauty for the many travelers who use the I-75 corri I-75 the use who travelers many the for beauty scenic but development future for amenity provides that away in onveyance u rban designrban strategies dor. icelaeu 36 avenue mitchell

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 2010 SHORT-TERM Embark on a Study to evaluate the traffic conditions on Mitchell Avenue and Vine Street to determine the best resolution.

Improved wayfinding signage that ties to the greater city signage program.

Explore ideas for naturally treating runoff from I-75 while sharing benefits with MSD initiatives.

Preserve land and/or opportunities for optional transit alignments. Key Initiatives MID-RANGE Capture the maximum possible runoff from I-75 and development on either side of Mill Creek in a natural system; avoid letting this water enter the combined sewer system.

Build on the success of the existing Kroger and the high traffic volumes as catalyst for new retail node(s) along Mitchell Avenue.

Where possible, daylight storm drains into Mill Creek.

Connect the Mill Creek system to water treatment, infiltration

and conveyance systems near I-75. improvements were determined. neighborhood revitalization, green andtransportation infrastructure alternatives. Asaresult, key for construction,design forreviewing involvement andcommunity neighborhoodplans,incorporated publicimprovements scheduled The visionforMitchellAvenue remained apublicprocess that and strategieswere brainstormedforthebestlong-termsolutions. and planningphases,Through theanalysis issueswere identified LONG-TERM &ONGOING LONG-TERM

Continue to foster good relationships with major (industrial) initiatives ineconomicdevelopment, employers of the area; find ways to partner on initiatives that benefit citizens and corporations. (Ongoing initiative) urban designurban associates 2060 » » » » TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES » » » GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES » » ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Preserve land and/or opportunities for optional transit alignments. transit for optional opportunities and/or land Preserve program. signage tiesto that thegreater city signage Improved wayfinding E resolution.best Street Avenue to Mitchell on Vine determinethe and conditions to evaluate aStudy thetraffic on Embark W sewer thiswater system. enter letting thecombined avoid tem; sys- inanatural Creek of Mill eitherside on development and from I-75 runoff possible themaximum Capture Creek system theMill to water systems conveyance I-75. treatment, and infiltration, near Connect initiatives that benefit citizens and corporations. citizens and benefit that initiatives C Avenue. Mitchell along for new retail node(s) ascatalyst volumes traffic thehigh and of theexisting Kroger thesuccess on Build xplore ideas for naturally treating runoff from I-75 while sharing benefits with MSD initiatives. MSD with benefits sharing while from I-75 runoff treating for naturally ideas xplore ontinue to foster good relationships with major (industrial) employers of the area; find ways to partner on on waysto find partner of thearea; employers (industrial) major ontinue with to relationships foster good here possible, daylight storm drains into drains storm Creek. Mill daylight here possible, u rban designrban strategies icelaeu 37 avenue mitchell

© 2011 urban design associates ALTERNATE REDEVELOPMENT BIRD’S-EYE VIEW EXISTING CONDITIONS VIEW BIRD’S-EYE eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT BIRD’S-EYE VIEW urban designurban associates u rban designrban strategies icelaeu 38 avenue mitchell

39 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Challenges and and Challenges Opportunities from membersof the community, theseneighborhoodswill prosper. their positive impact locally. carefulplanning andguidance With andMSDinitiativesto maximize dinated withupcomingODOT future plansforthearea. Additionally, needtobecoor- theseefforts totheeffectiveness ofany beyond iscritical borhoods andtothecity communities remain linked. betweenneigh- Enhancedconnectivity division, Despitethis long-termphysical thefutures ofthese map ofCincinnati’s residents. onthecognitive what isrequired Cumminsville back toputSouth thearea mustintending torevitalize take thisintoaccountanddo tion noraplaceonepassesthrough ontheirwayelsewhere. Anyplan neighborhood’; Itisneitheradestina- Cumminsville isa South ‘lost a cohesiveneighborhoodidentity. To manyCincinnatiresidents, and this period, ofconnectionstothelargercity toalack duelargely base.light industrial throughout Cumminsvillehasstruggled South commercial mainstreet,hood withalively affordablehousing, anda hassucceeded inpromotingNorthside itselfasadiverseneighbor- headedinquite oppositedirections.neighborhoods findthemselves beingdividedbyI-74, yearsafter More thetwo thanthirty Street, sideofthestudyarea. incomingtraffictothenorth diverting change usingtheabandonedColerainExpressway rampsatBeekman inter- Avenue willbedemolishedinfavorofanexpanded full-service communities. Grove nearSpring The onandofframpslocated affectboth toI-74willsignificantly Upcomingmodifications Interstate 74inthe1970s. ofthelast segment of was severedintwowiththeconstruction and MillCreek. onesingleneighborhood, Originally Cumminsville edgeofthecity,are atthenorthwest located betweenMt. Forest Airy the neighborhoods of Northside

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I-75 clear in this diagram of building footprints. ofbuilding diagram this in clear is Cumminsville South from Northside separating I-74 by created scar The FOOTPRINTS BUILDING evident here. evident Street as it crosses the interstate is also Beekman of character interchange-like scale, large The southeast. to the bisected by I-74 from the northwest been has neighborhood Cumminsville former ofthe grid street regular The STREETS AND HIGHWAYS urban designurban associates fragmented by comparison. more and smaller are areas residential Cumminsville’s South Northside. of end north tothe exist blocks residential ofcontiguous majority The RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT corridors. traffic major along blocks commercial and uses industrial light near lots parking small with dotted is area study The LOTS PARKING Avenue in Northside. in Avenue study area is concentrated along Hamilton commercialMost development in the COMMERCIAL LAND USE Clifton. and State toCincinnati beyond and Creek Mill along system trail multi-use to the Forest Airy Mt. toconnect potential the have Cumminsville South and Northside INSTITUTIONS AND RECREATION PARKS, otsd n ot umnvle41 northside south and cumminsville c hallenges opportunities and Mill Creek. by southeast tothe and hillsides steep by northwest and west tothe bounded land, flat mostly is itself area study The LANDFORMS Camp Washington. into Creek Mill along south continues that ofindustry block ofacontiguous edge the at is Cumminsville South while Northside, dot use industrial oflight Pockets INDUSTRIAL USES

© 2011 urban design associates INITIATIVE DIAGRAM INITIATIVE DIAGRAM system and new eco-friendly industry in South Cumminsville. South in industry eco-friendly new and system Greenway Creek Mill expanded an Fork, West the following Forest Airy toMt. connection trail anew including future, the for visions ofthe some and identified community eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley The initiative diagram illustrates the strengths that the the that strengths the illustrates diagram initiative The Planning ProcessPlanning 2 1 toguidetheplandevelopment. designprinciples ing urban researched andideas, reports various thefollow- theteamdeveloped and Armedwiththisinformationandhavinganalyzed right.) weaknesses andvisionsforeachstudyarea.at thesummary (See committeeandthegeneralpublictoidentifystrengths,the steering Through theplanningprocess theconsultantteamworked with 3 means fortr friendly forresidents butas an ecologically as anaturalamenity notonly Create acomprehensive openspacenetwork thatserves across allmodesoftransportation. Enhance mobility aging eco-friendly or green industries to locate here. orgreentolocate industries aging eco-friendly byencour- economic development Promote century twenty-first eating and transporting stormwater.eating andtransporting urban designurban associates STRENGTHS » » » » » » »

Af outreach programs and organizations Strong social D feel to theneighborhoods urban and ofA mix anindustrial hi abohemian/ has that Northside Thriving commercial core in Do to proximity close with A pleasing building stock Enh toership rental ratio ccessible to theinterstate ccessible iverse community iverse p quality and feel and to it p quality fordable housing; high own- high housing; fordable wntown Cincinnati anced by architecturally byarchitecturally anced SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT » » » WEAKNESSES » » » » » »

C South and Northside D recreationalbetween parks N Fork &West Creek Mill Channelized Cell phone towers are aneyesore phone Cell Ludlo inquality poor are institutions Educational t and street ROWs proportionate Street with dis- is network poor wayfinding and of signage Lack Cumminsville b growth and recognition of investment, Imbalance to I-74access West oo many one-way streets manyone-way oo etween Northside and South South and Northside etween umminsville and inefficient inefficient and umminsville ivided highway between highway between ivided o coherent connections w Viaduct is unattractive w Viaduct otsd n ot umnvle42 northside south and cumminsville c hallenges opportunities and » » » » » » » VISIONS »

ing ing hous- occupied owner Increase men retire- housing, subsidized ties: In “clean” and friendly industries eco- encourage jobs: More transit more mass Provide neighb makes that the diversity tural thehistoric andcul- Preserve access are easily the neighborhoods so streetStronger connections tr abikewayto and Creek theMill connections Create pedestrian an Northside between an access pedestri- scaled better Provide ail that runs along its corridor its along runs ail that tegrated housing opportuni- d South Cumminsville d South t village orhoods unique orhoods ible

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley NEIGHBORHOOD BASED INFILL OPPORTUNITY LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY Economic Development Opportunities Both Cincinnati State and University of Cincinnati are starved for ofCincinnati are starved andUniversity Both Cincinnati State Cumminsville andextendingsouthward through Camp Washington. beginninginSouth andjobscorridor agreen energy to kick-starting astheanchorinstitution critical justmightserve forward-thinking be sure, are theproposed tangibleand activitiesofCincinnati State facilities, andresearch production. programs intogreen energy To andEnvironment Institute, oftheirEnergy portions jobtraining couldhouse significant imagine thatabuildingwith thatfootprint stakeholders–who functions there –aswellCincinnatiState officials–whoenvision moving somemunicipalties forbothCity buildingpresentsre-position numerous theRyersonSteel opportuni- officials continuetocirculate.sioned byCity to The opportunity envi- ofdevelopment thetype tocatalyze opportunities and several has beenquitestrong uptoandthrough theeconomicdownturn, around interest theI-74interchange Development andactivity dential development. retailresi- withneighborhood-scale andnew stock older industrial Cumminsville isemergingasamixed-usearea thatcombines South andplace, ofCincinnati withastrong senseofidentity City while community. isawell-establishedneighborhoodwithinthe Northside residential neighborhood-scale andretail/service study area withtrue interstate connections. Meanwhile, there arewithinthe districts thoroughfarearea, withgood well-suitedasatrucking isalsovery and visibility.accessibility Grove Avenue, Spring which traversesthis ence oftwointerstates(I-74andI-75), forits makingitimportant attheconflu- role givenitslocation regionally important avery plays characterandflavor.a boutiqueneighborhoodwithlocal The area andcorridor, location industrial important – asaregionally andas The I-74interchange areabechar can acterized intwodifferent ways acterized urban designurban associates a very uniquerecreational useadjacentto the I-74/I-75split. a very tolocate –maypresent theopportunity asoccer facility – specifically lows andstaff. Finally, CincinnatiState’s needforarecreation facility forincomingdoctors,having morehousingopportunities nearby fel- options. hospitalswouldalsoenjoy Itisunderstoodthatthelocal studenthousing to examineareas thattheymightinfusewithtrue fixed,house incomingstudentsrelatively theschoolsare beginning to enrollment atbothinstitutionsincreasing andexistingcapacity a de-factooptionfortheirstakeholders. However, withstudent thistrend and acttomakehousinginNorthside toformalize likely preferred andstudents, destinationforsomefaculty bothschools are both institutions. hasalready AsNorthside emerged asapotential cide withimmediateneedsforstudent, andstaffhousingfor faculty Theimmediatespaceneedsforteachingandlabfacilitiescoin- theadjacent45acres ofland. including anoptiontobuythespace, –theirleaseincludes College campus andofficespacefrom itsClermont plant toaccommodateclassroom of CincinnatiisleasingspaceinBataviatheformerFord Motor far beyond existingandplannedcapacity. Meanwhile, University space, forecastingenrollments inparticular withCincinnatiState otsd n ot umnvle43 northside south and cumminsville c hallenges opportunities and

© 2011 urban design associates DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley » » come tofruition. Camp Washington bythisvisionshouldit catalyzed iscertainly extendingsouthwardinto terminus ofagreencorridor industrial efficiency. The potential topositionthisarea as the northern andenergy inthefieldsof greenties andresearch energy capacity could beusedfortheirplans, jobtrainingfacili- whichinclude inwhichlandandaround theI-74interchange ways various havealready andEnvironment Institute stewards outlined Energy to existingpr ofagreenpark that hasconnections industrial aspart especially – Industrial Tremendous space, forflexandindustrial opportunity reuse oldbuildings. adaptively that can offices forCincinnatiState, users front officeforquasi-industrial innature (boutiqueprofessional office)oradministrative serving rehabs, thatarecostly local- office/services butrathersmall-scale rates. or officeconstruction fornew location This isnotalikely nesses requiringlargespace(withroom togrow) atlow rental quarter. However, busi- forstart-up there isastrong opportunity distance fr multitenantofits larger-scale speculativeofficebuildingsbecause Office –Despiteregional visibility, for thisisnotanideallocation om theCBDaswellpositionoppositefavored ograms atCincinnatiState. The CincinnatiState » » seek affordablesingle-famil tial reinvestment asindividualhomeowners andsomeinvestors residen- byblock will continueitsblock Residential –Northside ered tomarket. ordeliv- numbersofhousingunits berehabbedcant tooccupancy shouldsignifi- could becomeamidorlonger-termopportunity retailbasedonavailablelandparcels,new development butit University ofCincinnati. University andstafffromas aresidential destinationofchoiceforfaculty Additionally, continuetomature mightwelllikely Northside studenthousing. private housemultifamily could potentially housingsothisarea doesnotofferon-campus Cincinnati State residential (someofthisisalreadynew development occurring). ting. time, Over besomesmalltomediumscale there willlikely N smallbusinessescontinuetoemergein asnew organically tooccur Retail –Mostretailinthisarea development islikely orthside. formediumtolarger-scale location This isnotalikely y housinginaneighborhoodset- urban designurban associates Retail (SF) Retail (SF) 1,578,291 – Residential 813,627 – Residential 403,436 (SF) Industrial –Flex/R&D (SF) –Free-Standing Industrial Office (SF) Multi-Family (Units) (Units) Multi-Family (Units) Single-Family 10-YEAR ABSORPTION ABSORPTION 10-YEAR POTENTIAL NORTHSIDE AND SOUTH CUMMINSVILLE SOUTH AND NORTHSIDE ESMSI ARSAEAGGRESSIVE FAIR SHARE PESSIMISTIC 0,7 8,1 791,556 383,811 100,879 9631066149,844 110,656 19,663 ,7 ,8 15,771 4,186 3,178 580928 840 95 142481 462 31 otsd n ot umnvle44 northside south and cumminsville c hallenges opportunities and

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Urban Design Strategies south intoCamp Washington andbeyond. ofspace,this type corridor andwouldtieintothe largerindustrial Cincinnati State’s emergingneedsfor ofserving would becapable foragreen park.Cumminsville isanaturallocation industrial This ofthearea, history andtheindustrial sustainable infrastructure South investmentsinconnectivity, Giventhese new environmentally opment adjacenttothis, MillCreek fronting Greenway. arevitalized devel- transit-oriented for anew asthecatalyst buttoserve district strengthen commercial theHamiltonStreet tonotonly opportunity ispreferredNorthside over thecurrentasitprovides location an nearofKnowlton’s transithublocated Anew Cornerin greenspace network alongMill Creek, linkingthem to Mt. forest. Airy trail/ use trailsalongthestream willtieintothelargernorth-south as naturalstormwaterdetention, infiltrationandtreatment. Newmulti- Fork willprovide forpublicrecreation numerous opportunities aswell Through coordinationwithMSD’s inthisarea, efforts arestored West Cumminsville from Mt. Forestand South Airy totheMillCreek. The West Fork stream flows ofNorthside, through parts Millvale andvehicles. from forbothpedestrians Northside CumminsvillemoreGrove accessible wouldhelptomakeSouth addition ofanotherconnectionbetweenDremenAvenue andSpring appeal.limited pedestrian Improvements toElmore andthe Street limitedtoElmorecurrently Street, anuninvitingfive-laneroad with larger road network. Direct linkagebetweentheneighborhoodsis residentialnew blocks, these streets shouldbereconnected intothe fragmented andconfusing. of Inconjunctionwiththedevelopment the largercity. The current street Cumminsvilleis network inSouth the neighborhoodsandtowards improving from theiraccessibility Cumminsville are directed towards improving within connectivity the major design strategies for urban designurban associates Northside and South andSouth Northside ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN

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© 2011 urban design associates 10 9 4 Cumminsville. throughout andSouth Northside in specificways lowing initiatives represent ameansofimplementingthesestrategies long-term guidelinestofollow andgoalstowork towards. The fol- designstrategiesoutlinedonthepreviouspageestablish The urban eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 11 8 7 6 5 3 2 1 Enhance the pedestr stormwater detentionand infiltration strategies. Restore the West Fork stream network, natural incorporating Abandon O andtherest oftheneighborhood. to themselves and cr through amore efficientuseoftheexisting right-of-way Viaduct Cr I-74 on-ramplocation. GroveConnect DremenAvenue Avenue toSpring atthe former S extending from theMillCreek southtotheHopple Roadbridge Cr from toNorthside Ludlow. experience the entry Encourage selectredevelopmentatKnowlton’s Cornertoimprove totheMillCreekDistrict Greenway Trail. the pr addresscreating ormews forredevelopment and apedestrian Reconnect thefragmentedwesternbloc change rampcharacteraround theintersectionofElmore Street. instreetContinue BeekmanStreet characterversusitscurrent inter- dead-end nor Cumminsville,neighborhood inSouth connectingthe several Create awell-definedsouthernedgetothemainresidential Cr Dooley Bypass, linkingtheballfieldsat West Fork totheMill Make Elmore atree-linedfrom Street Beekmantothe boulevard treet viaduct. eek Greenway. eate atransithubnearKnowlton’s Corner. oftheMillCreekeate alinearpark Greenway aspart Project, oposed transithub, Business andtoconnecttheNorthside eative redesign of the bridge safety barriers andsidewalks. barriers eative redesign safety ofthebridge ld Ludlow asavehicularthrough-street infavorof ld Ludlow th-south streets to a curving parkway.th-south streets toacurving ian experience of crossing the Ludlow of crossing theLudlow ian experience ks of South Cumminsville ks ofSouth ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN Mt Airy Mt Airy Forest

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© 2011 urban design associates pedestrian trail, landscaping and solar panels. solar and landscaping trail, pedestrian lanes, bike offers which Viaduct Ludlow ofthe widening acantilevered for concept this Creative solutions to problems can transportation have exponential benefits, mobility like eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Mobility Improvements Mobility » FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: A50-YEAR FOR RECOMMENDATIONS MAJOR CONCEPTS AND » » »

to components and relationship a an with of transport, modes Re trips close-coupled Live/work/play High hub transport asmid-valley Re-energize lternative mode edge interstate system system interstate fresh key connectivity fresh key connectivity -visibility multiple -visibility design strategy. ofasustainableurban parts willbeimportant B&O transitcorridor along Ludlow, CentralParkway, the andpotentially DooleyBypass considerations. connectors anddesignated bike/pedestrian Emphasized purposes,tion andreestablishment trail fortransportation including and Northside, isrecommended andunderanyscenario forpreserva- Cumminsville bothSouth serve directly The B&Orailalignmentcan Grove Avenue, alongCentralParkway systems orinelevated andI-75. BRT alongtheoldB&O railalignment, transit corridors alongSpring the future bya “Knowlton’s Corner” bushub, andbypotentialLRT or spines, bustransitservice complimentedin continue tobeimportant Colerain, Beekman, Hamilton/Ludlow, Grove will andSpring tion, wayfinding, function. andtransport require creative signage andsignature designelements toaidorienta- goals.sion tomeettheCity’s ContextandCriteria The entire area will of therampnetwork, inlandareas, andconnectingstreets requires revi- mate interstateaccessforthesecommunities, butthecontextualdesign interchange asthesole pointofproxi- willhaveincreased importance contextandrelationshiplevel toothermodes. The Colerain/Beekman through-traffic andconnectionfunctions, butreflecting itscommunity Central Parkway enhancingtheir Streets shouldberecastasSignature HamiltonAvenue.historic and The DooleyBypass, Viaduct Ludlow role MainStreet of provide andfocusfortheimportant more flexibility focus area, framework, keylinksinthefuture mobility whichwillalso andmanagementasGreat ofthis ommended fordevelopment Streets Colerain Avenue, BlueRockStreet,Grove Avenue andSpring are rec- improvements.by othermobility BeekmanStreet, Elmore Street, a result oftheinterstatehighwayimprovements, bemitigated butcan Cumminsvillewillchangeas Access toandfrom andSouth Northside urban designurban associates hierarchy and potential transit alignments. transit potential and hierarchy street proposed the depicts diagram This See page 76 of Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix for detailed descriptions. STREET CLASSIFICATIONS Mt Airy Forest

Beekman Street Avenue Colarain

GREAT STREET NEW INTERCHANGE

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NEIGHBORHOOD STREET OTHER SIGNATURE STREET SIGNATURE OTHER

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© 2011 urban design associates CSO OVERFLOW INTENSITY MAP INTENSITY OVERFLOW CSO MILL CREEK ALONG THE RAIL YARD RAIL THE ALONG CREEK MILL eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Open Space Improvements Space Open MG = MILLION GALLONS =MILLION MG Annual Overflow Volume Range Combined Sewer Overflow > 200 MG > 200 MG –200 100 MG –100 50 MG 50 – 10 0 –10 MG Opportunities Fork thatconnectMillCreek toMt. Forest. Airy ofsmallopen spaceimprovementswater inaseries alongthe West Cumminsvillethatcould helptostoregreenway andtreat inSouth work withMSDandMillCreek RestorationProject tocreate anew agriculturetofrontproduction ontothecorridor. orurban Lastly, promenade.urban Ifpossible, andenergy encouragedevelopment of theneighborhoodswhere theyfront ontoMillCreek asatrailor from oneneighborhoodtoanother. Additionally, improve theedges walkorbike could bemodifiedtoparkway-like sothatpeoplecan Helpreconnectkeystreets theneighborhoodsbyidentifying that inanumberofways. be achieved great streets, regional trails, andopenspaceimprovements. This can placed Cumminsvilleareas needtobelinkedbystrategically South intoCincinnati, gateway As anotherimportant and theNorthside 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 Build ‘eco’ center park andassociatededucational Build ballfieldsandactive play areas Impr neighborhoods andotherpark systems. Connect multi-use trailsalongMillCreek andthe West Fork to pr Creek. Inadditiontopassivepark uses, thisarea should Create passivepark oropenspace where the West Fork joinsMill the anddaylight Naturalize West Fork asanamenity. Cr West Fork ovide stormwaterdetentionandimprove waterquality. eate urban orchards gardens eate urban andcommunity ove wetlands and water quality alongMillCreekove andthe wetlandsandwaterquality urban designurban associates OPEN SPACE PLAN 3 Mt Airy Forest

Depicts improvements to natural features, parks, open spaces, and streetscapes. streetscapes. and spaces, open parks, features, tonatural improvements Depicts 6

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© 2011 urban design associates SECTION CUMMINSVILLE SOUTH AND NORTHSIDE eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley The section illustrates how the West Fork could be modified to increase sustainable practices for water quality and conveyance in a way that provides amenity for future development. future for amenity provides that away in conveyance and quality water for practices sustainable toincrease modified be could Fork West the how illustrates section The urban designurban associates otsd n ot umnvle49 northside south and cumminsville u rban designrban strategies

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 2010 SHORT-TERM Promote/elevate the West Fork as an exemplar with respect to the ongoing/upcoming stream normalization and daylighting initiatives.

Partner with Cincinnati State’s Institute for Energy and the Environment.

Encourage Cincinnati State’s proposed soccer facility. MID-RANGE Key Initiatives Support proposed lab/R&D/teaching facilities from universities and hospitals.

Support proposed faculty/staff housing needs from universities and hospitals.

Naturalize and amenitize the West Fork as part of the larger, ongoing effort to reduce stormwater outflow.

Capture the maximum possible runoff from I-75 and development on either side of Mill Creek in a natural system; avoid letting this water enter the combined sewer system. transportation improvements weretransportation determined. development, neighborhood revitalization, green and infrastructure designalternatives.reviewing Asaresult, key initiativesineconomic ments scheduledforconstruction, for involvement andcommunity neighborhoodplans,cess thatincorporated existingpublicimprove- Cumminsvilleremained apublicpro- andSouth vision forNorthside strategies were brainstormedforthebestlong-termsolutions. The and planningphases,Through theanalysis issueswere identifiedand LONG-TERM &ONGOING LONG-TERM Work to re-establish street linkages between neighborhoods in a minimum of two locations by elevating portions of I-74 on structure instead of earth fill.

Simplify and minimize the ramping of the I-74/Colerain-Beekman exit in order to make Beekman a street as it passes through the highway.

Coordinate these and other future improvements with MSD & Cincinnati Parks to maximize the opportunities for usable greenspace urban designurban associates in this area. (Ongoing)

Encourage future design decisions in and around the I-74/I-75/Colerain- Beekman interchanges to consider the impact on local street quality and connectivity as well as on the total flow of the highway system. (Ongoing) 2060 » » » » TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES » » » GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES » » » » » » ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

o inthemiddle remnant ‘landed’ of has highway that thehighway anunbuilt –not through anelongated passes S inthisarea. trails and greenspace for usable to theopportunities maximize Project C fill. oftions I-74 of instead earth structure on Wo thetotal of aswellon flow thehighway system. connectivity and street quality local on the impact to interchanges consider theI-74/I-75/Colerain-Beekman around inand decisions future design Encourage water outflow. N sewer thiswater system. enter letting thecombined avoid tem; sys- inanatural Creek of Mill eitherside on development and from I-75 runoff possible themaximum Capture b to illustrate therealnew results of green implementing Usethisopportunity initiatives. daylighting and stream normalization to theongoing/upcoming asanexemplarrespect theWest with Fork Promote/elevate Support proposed lab/R&D/teaching facilities from universities and hospitals. from and universities facilities lab/R&D/teaching proposed Support hospitals. from and universities needs housing faculty/staff proposed Support num to isprojected have thehighest itself. MSA inCincinnati The produced be could many of which technologies, investment nationwide energy inalternative catalyze may Congress waythrough its Billworking Energy The est insit aninter- of expressed theseentities have Some already recovers. theeconomy once needs havewill space asLiveWell, that such organizations, collaborative and companies of new technology body isanascent There facility. State’s Cincinnati soccer proposed Encourage State’s Cincinnati with theEnvironment. and Institute for Energy Partner f South Cumminsville. f South est practices. implify and minimize the ramping of the I-74/Colerain-Beekman exit in order toastreet exit inorder makeasit Beekman of theI-74/Colerain-Beekman minimize and theramping implify oordinate these and other future improvements with MSD, Cincinnati Parks and Mill Creek Restoration Mill and Parks other Cincinnati theseand futureoordinate improvements MSD, with aturalize and amenitize Mill Creek and the West Fork as part of the larger, ongoing effort to storm- reduce of thelarger, effort ongoing aspart aturalize amenitizetheWest and Creek Fork Mill rk to re-establish street linkages between neighborhoods in a minimum of two locations byelevating por- locations in a minimumof two neighborhoods between street linkages rk to re-establish ber of green jobs added to its workforce over the next 30 years inthestate. years over 30 thenext to workforce its added of jobs green ber es in the area for the types of green industrial sites discussed above. sites discussed of industrial green intheareaes for thetypes otsd n ot umnvle50 northside south and cumminsville u rban designrban strategies

© 2011 urban design associates EXISTING CONDITIONS VIEW BIRD’S-EYE eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT BIRD’S-EYE VIEW urban designurban associates otsd n ot umnvle51 northside south and cumminsville u rban designrban strategies

52 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Challenges and and Challenges Opportunities Washington offerbothuniqueplacestowork and live. can andthe region, totherestconnect thecommunity ofthe city Camp andhospitalactivities.versity strategicinvestmentsthatbetter With providesimate location thecreative platformforexpansion ofuni- researchnew facilities. anddevelopment Camp Washington’s approx- land willdrawinvestment by thesemajoreconomicgeneratorsin architecture, buildings, loft parks, community industrial and vacant assets, abeautiful mainstreet ColerainAvenue, including historic city’s universitiesandhospitalsthatareupthehill. located Major will better connectCamp space infrastructure Washington tothe addition totheseefforts, andopen improvements totransportation businesses toColerainAvenue properties. industrial andvacant In seeks torestore andreinhabit andattract homesinthecommunity nities. underway, manygrassroots efforts With Camp Washington ment tobetterreconnect theneighborhoodtosurrounding ame- develop- ed torevitalizingtheirneighborhoodandhelpspursmart Camp Washington dedicat- hasastrong organization community inrecent decades. concentration ofbusinesshasdeclined businesses seekingmore vibrantneighborhoods, thepopulationand cupied. tractsintransitionandmanylongterm largeindustrial With from thatera, however manyofthebuildingshavebecomeunoc- ofcommercial andresidential architecture inventory hood hasarich 20thcenturies. Asaresult,center inthe19thandearly theneighbor- asanindustrial pered andrailtransportation withthegrowth ofcanal MillCreeka historic Valley neighborhood. Camp Washington pros- interchangeHopple Street onI-75isadjacenttoCamp Washington, located just minutes northlocated justminutes of downtown Cincinnati, the

urban designurban associates

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Spring Grove Grove Avenue Avenue

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STUDY AREA designate their current use. current their designate to coded color parcels and buildings with area study ofthe amap presents eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley

Hopple Street Hopp Hopple The Portrait drawing drawing Portrait The

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College treet residential of industrial uses adjacent to pockets of amix by identified is neighborhood The FOOTPRINTS BUILDING Camp Washington is a island to itself. institutions exist. evident Also is how and neighborhoods to adjacent connections local yetminimal convenient, is Parkway Central and toI-75 Access STREETS AND HIGHWAYS urban designurban associates development a sustainable, mixed-use to re-establish Underutilized land is in need of restoration RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT potential new development. new potential for opportunity an is yards junk and land, vacant lots, ofparking utilization land Poor LOTS PARKING Camp WashingtonCamp neighborhood. the for core avibrant tocreate necessary Restoration of the commercial district is COMMERCIAL LAND USE and local institutions are lacking. lacking. are institutions local and parks, recreation facilities, spaces, open between the Mill Creek, neighborhood Pedestrian and green connections INSTITUTIONS AND RECREATION PARKS, c hallenges opportunities and between Uptown and the Western Hills. Western the and Uptown between Camp Washington is an industrial valley LAND FORMS Washington neighborhood Camp the segment sites industrial vacant A tremendous presence of rail and INDUSTRIAL USES opesre 54 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates INITIATIVE DIAGRAM INITIATIVE DIAGRAM trail, and open space connections along with a variety of new development ofnew avariety with along connections space open and trail, street, stronger including future, the for visions ofthe some and identified community eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley The initiative diagram illustrates the strengths that the the that strengths the illustrates diagram initiative The Planning ProcessPlanning term solutions. tified issueswithexistingconditionsandstrategiesforthebestlong- The designteam, andneighborhoodinput, alongwiththeCity iden- 1 tohelpguideintheplanningprocess. defined byasetofprinciples 4 3 2 borhood. proximity totheneigh- is tiedtotheinstitutionsthatare inclose Transform Land: Underutilized The future ofCamp Washington Universit ated withCincinnatiState, ofCincinnati, theUniversity Xavier andresearch industries affili- century Concentrate ontwenty-first commer borhood withsingle-family, housing, loft housingabove retail, Encourage Mixed-U sities andhospitalswithroad improvements, trails, andpublictransit. Create Connections: Stronger connectionstotheuniver- Strengthen developers.needs ofthesurrounding institutionsandprivate belinkedtothe facilities withafocusingreencan industries cial development, andrestoration architecture. ofhistoric Potential ofresearch development andmanufacturing y, andthehospitals. Create abrand. strategiesare designanddevelopment These urban se Development: Create asustainableneigh- urban designurban associates STRENGTHS » » » » » » » »

Po access rail and land industrial Available neighborhood) the Clifton in located (all Preserve Nature B Woods, Burnet Park, Storm Mt. Park, Fairview Spaces: Park men involve- strong neighborhood L nesses Str types of building variety T Parkway A institutions and hoods to greatneighbor- Proximity ties andhospit universi- including institutions ong term home owners with with owners home term ong he traditional architecture and he traditional ellevue Park, Rawson Woods Woods Rawson Park, ellevue ccessibility to I-75 and Central Central and to I-75 ccessibility tential gateway to many ong Camp Washington busi- Washington Camp ong t als SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT » » WEAKNESSES » » » » » »

U disrepair Per nesses core busi- of neighborhood Lack N totion theuniversities H I-75, Parkway, MLK/ Central intersections:Poor Hopple/ of rental units percentage High some areas unhealthy environment in unsafe/ titu pros- sex offenders, housing, of Section-8 population Large va many have created landlords O bike-friendly pedestrian/ n-welcoming gateway/ connec- umerous roads that are not are that not umerous roads opple and Spring Grove Avenue Spring and opple wner neglect and absentee absentee and neglect wner cancies and blighted and properties cancies tes, and addicts creates an creates an tes, addicts and ceived as an unsafe area in asanunsafe area in ceived c hallenges opportunities and » » » » » » » VISIONS

str and accommodation, ity, traffic P asCentral such corridors tion “ environmentfriendly and Central Parkway Central and Avenue, Avenue, McMicken Im tion improvements intersec- proposed Encourage of businesses avariety Provide to it adjacent run that for the neighborhoods identity C space connections open and street, trail, Stronger toEast West c to to theuniversities sequence thegateway Enhance reate a stronger connection reate connection astronger Green” transporta- major arkway to create apositive arkway reate a more pedestrian/ bike- reate amore pedestrian/ eetscape of Spring Grove of Spring eetscape prove thedevelopment qual- opesre 55 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley LOCAL & REGIONAL RETAIL OPPORTUNITY RETAIL ®IONAL LOCAL INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY R&D Economic Development Opportunities NEIGHBORHOOD MULTI-USE OPPORTUNITY MULTI-USE NEIGHBORHOOD ACRES OF LANDBY EXISTING LANDUSE grade involved before gettingtoColrainAvenue.grade involved ofthecurrentbecause exitconfiguration, turns, hairpin andsteep areasbeen notedthatvehicularaccesstotheindustrial ischallenged to warrantinterest inmakingtheredevelopmentfeasible. Ithas them challengestoredevelop, are buttheirlocations strong enough out-moded parking ratiosandirregularthatmake buildingfootprints dormant. These facilities, suchastheKahn’s sites, Lee andSara have connectionsbutwhichare theheyday ofindustrial-rail nowduring and orabandonedsites, manythatonceenjoyed railaccess including smaller operations.are primarily There are alsoanumberofvacant such, there are usersexisthere alargenumberofindustrial butthey played aregional role asacenterforlogisticsandlightindustry. As alongI-75andtherailyards, its accessandvisibility ithistorically trainyardintheMillCreek CSX/Norfolk Southern Valley. to Due westofI-75andlieseastthe exitisprimarily The HoppleStreet urban designurban associates » » dir Interstate accesslinkingthemtothe area”“uptown a andoffering Marshall Avenue offercross- themselves andHoppleStreet itself albeit through some level ofeconomicdifficulty.itself albeitthrough somelevel retailthatcontinues tosustain district also hasalocal-serving while stabilizingitsretail andresidential district fabric. The area of thiscommunity, neighbors seeksoutindustrial whichactively inthisarea.ment recently HoppleandColerainare thecenter ket, thoughthere invest- seemstohavebeenminimalnew even success inrenovating ittomar- andbringing older housingstock hospitals. The Camp Washington hasdemonstratedsome CDC theUniversitiesand serve thatmighteventually development upon existingmomentuminresidential development, including tial neighborhoods, suggestingthatstakeholders might build Camp Washington isauniquearea withcommercial, industrial, their affiliationwiththeUptown Consortium. Heights,University (CUF)area, andFairview to owing primarily Heights, spaceneedsintheClifton towards theirnew satisfying In theshort-term, however, theseentitieshaveaninstitutionalbias needtolookwestwardconsiderexpansion opportunities.tually andwilleven- internally institutions are indeedatorover capacity outgrown their current spaces. Investigation suggeststhatthese Cincinnati andthehospitalsthatareinUptown located andhave of associatedwiththeUniversity attracting spin-offdevelopment ofthestudyarea acompetitiveadvantageintermsof gives thispart desirable neighborhoodwithlo and residential uses. The area isperceived bymanytobeavery ect connectiontothefastestjob-generatingsiteinCity. This w crime ratesandstableresiden-w crime c hallenges opportunities and opesre 56 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates DISTRIBUTION OF PARCELS BY PARCEL SIZE (SF) eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley » » quasi-industr and forindustrial isanatural location thatthisvicinity ognize rec- interchange intheHoppleStreet areaStakeholders rightly of Cincinnati haveexpressed needsthat housingdevelopment the I-74interchange area, andUniversity bothCincinnatiState be influentialhereronment aswell in institutethatwilllikely andenvi- the exit. iscontemplating anenergy CincinnatiState majorinvestmentinandaround expansion thatcouldportend fact planningmajorinitiatives orcontemplatingmedium-term thatare in tions are built-insourcesenergy ofdevelopment University.and totheplansofCincinnati State These institu- ofCincinnati,expansion plansoftheUniversity hospitals, nearby and around exitwillbelinkedtothefuture theHoppleStreet activity,production/industrial majorfuture redevelopmentin r improvements and andleadtodevelopment to transportation respond dealswilllikely development market-driven While sponsored bytheCamp Washington CDC. housingthatis asdevelopment-subsidized only but currently showgrowth intheformofhousingdevelopment someviability address thesegrowth constraints. Meanwhile, neighborhood improvements associatedwiththeinterchange redesign should potential.and absorption Proposed access, ingress, andegress development tomarket-driven asabarrier ate, serve thatlikely tonegoti- and steeptopography thatare difficultforlargetrucks There areaccessbarriers, physical tightturnarounds including withtheseheavyusers.office usersthathaveaneedtoco-locate edevelopment of existing and underutilized industrial sitesfor industrial ofexistingand underutilized edevelopment urban designurban associates ial businesses as well as local-serving retail and ial businessesaswelllocal-serving » » r proposals toacquireto ensuredeveloper and/or thatprivate andshould betaken can In themeantimespecialcare andeffort these needs. they findreason tolookbeyond Cincinnati borderstosatisfy before inthisareaandespecially readily assoonneedsarise tional playerstoensure thattheirfuture needsare accommodated contactwiththeseinstitu- stakeholders shouldkeepclose City ofuserstotheirneighborhood.these types and HoppleStreet Washington recruit stakeholderhavegonesofaras to actively neighbors inCamp Washington –Camp andHoppleStreet may notbeeasytositethere. Meanwhile, theseusesare welcome ferent from professional officespaceprevalentinUptown and However, future needsforlarger-formatandheavyusesare dif- are in stature symbolic andprominent from I-75 andwhich, if ment oflandmark buildingssuch astheCrosley Buildingwhich should betakentoaccelerate therehabilitation andredevelop- process.through thepermittinganddevelopment efforts Special Consor lookedeastwardintoUptown by hospitalshavehistorically As mentionedabove, ofCincinnatiandnear- theUniversity interchangeaddition totheI-74/Northside areas. a welcomehomeinandaround interchange theHoppleStreet in green energy, green building, –couldfind andgreen technology teaching andresearch assets–manyofwhichare builtaround versities are soontobeinneedofresearch/lab facilities. These are fitsforCamp logical Washington, andthehospitalsuni- edevelop existingsites–suchastheKahn’sedevelop site–are accelerated tium areasfacilities. inordertositeexpansionornew c hallenges opportunities and opesre 57 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Retail (SF) (SF) Retail 1,972,864 – Residential 1,017,034 – Residential 504,295 (SF) Industrial –Flex/R&D (SF) –Free-Standing Industrial Office (SF) Multi-Family (Units) (Units) Multi-Family (Units) Single-Family 10-YEAR ABSORPTION ABSORPTION 10-YEAR POTENTIAL HOPPLE STREET ESMSI ARSAEAGGRESSIVE FAIR SHARE PESSIMISTIC 0,7 8,1 791,556 383,811 100,879 7519,1 134,454 98,416 17,561 ,3 ,8 21,027 5,582 4,237 580928 840 95 138321 308 21 Development Opportunities Development » » has tr nature andwillgrow instrength asmore jobsare added, the area in theexistingretailinthisarea district islocal-serving While for business” again. proposition andthe Uptown andCBDshow signsofscarcity. istrative functions here, ifspaceismarketed asavalue especially term, there maybepotentialtomove oradmin- someback-office Camp Washington, thelonger- butthiswillbevaluedriven. Over are exhausted. forreuse ofspacein There willbe some opportunity tional usersmayfinditconvenient oncetheiroptionsinUpto ClassB)officespacethat ismarket-driven,A (oreven butinstitu- Office – Class This area forlarger-scale isnotanaturallocation 14-acre parcel asthelocusforthispotentialretail development. ofusingthis opensupthepossibility certainly other locations) building(orperhaps usestotheRyersonSteel migration ofCity totheeastofI-75.box configuration–especially The proposed medium- ment –200,000to400,000SFinalifestyle-format successfulregional retail develop- avery market couldsupport volumes, access, conditionssuggestthatthis andsupply-demand to purchase goodssoldintheseformatstores. Visibility, traffic inorder mustcurrently leavethemarket theCity area oreven large formatretail big-box (medium-box stores) andeven and submarkets under-suppliedwithrespect thatare to chronically retail destination. tonumerous Cincinnati Itiscentrally-located that HoppleS re-occupied,properly wouldsendapowerful signaltothemarket emendous untapped retail potential as a regional-serving emendous untappedretail potentialasaregional-serving treet andCamp Washington are onceagain “open urban designurban associates wn wn » » » comparable r property. eastofI-75inwhatisnowespecially city There are no retail, forneighborhood-serving Retail –Excellentopportunity Industrial – Should Queensgate Queensgate –Should Industrial Terminals becomeareality, there housing development. ties here, alumni or pursuetheconceptofUniversity-branded housingopportuni- begin tositegraduatestudentorfaculty/staff thearea’smay havereason tocatalyze housing market shouldthey this proposition are unfavorable forsometime. The Universities conversion, economicsof thatthedevelopment butitislikely buildingsthatare industrial suitableforresidential of multi-story and over themediumtolongertermthere couldbeadaptivereuse withlive-work configurations), (possibly ment inexistingstock Residential – surroundings hampernew,The industrial market- enhancethisopportunity.access only andexcellent ofapproximately $200Mannually of undersupply excellent vehicularaccessanywhere nearby. Persistent conditions in andar tositelogisticsfacilities alongtherailyard may beanopportunity ue tobesomemar intoday’srate residential opportunities market. There will contin- green-related development. industrial haveexpresseddevelopers interest inthearea’s for stock industrial ates spin-offopportunities. Evenabsentthisinstitution, private space andgener- anchor institutionthatitself consumesindustrial of the type andEnvironment Instituteisexactly tions Energy are university-driven.ing opportunities CincinnatiState’s ambi- ound Camp Washington. Meanwhile, themore intrigu- etail sitesthathaveready-to-developparcels with ket intheCamp Washington area forreinvest- opesre 58 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Urban Design Strategies continuous corridor downcontinuous corridor toQueensgate. extended to Western andCUFarea tocreate Hills amoreViaduct improvements andinfrastructure approach shouldbe torevitalization withinthisstudyarea boundary, Althoughnot included asimilar has tooffer. environment urban of livingthathastheadvantages thatahistoric researchers, andprofessionals interested inamore sustainableform Avenue toattractstudents, andencourage housingdevelopment opment, Camp Washington Colrain shouldcontinuetorevitalize units andabeautiful “main street”.Inparallelwithbusinessdevel- buildings suitableforconversionintobusinessusesand residential Camp Washington hastheadvantageofexistinghousing, loft research institutions. bon research nearby andemployment centeraffiliatedwithseveral Grove car- Avenue bebranded asazero can The Spring corridor production. andenergy ter ofresearch insustainabletechnology bereconceived can asacen- corridor Thisformerindustrial to thenorth. Grove Avenue willconnectthisarea todowntown andcommunities Avenue. Future alongCentralParkway transitcorridors andSpring Grove ties andhospitalslargeredevelopmentareas alongSpring Grove, strong linkageswillbecreated betweentheuptown universi- KingandHoppleatSpring Luther and trailimprovements toMartin improve trafficflow from I-75. combinedwithplannedstreet When community. oftheHoppleinterchange willgreatly Reconstruction parks andrecreationnew areas, andstrategiestocreate a24-hour restoration buildings, ofhistoric land, onvacant development new related improvements, infrastructure tion oftransportation reuse and revitalization ofwashington camp urban designurban associates willbeacombina-

ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN

Hopple Street Hopp Hopple le Street le FLEX RESIDENTIAL

Spring Grove Grove Avenue Avenue

Alabama Avenue A Alabama

Monmouth Street Street Monmouth Monmouth

Arlington Arlington

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Central Parkway Parkway RESEARCH/ DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH/ INDUSTRIAL W McMicken Avenu Avenuee u rban designrban strategies opesre 59 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates 4 3 2 1 STUDY AREA ALTERNATIVE placed along Hopple Street to provide a variety of conveniences in Camp Washington Camp in ofconveniences avariety toprovide Street Hopple along placed eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley lowing shouldbeintegratedwithinthedesign: guiding principles its relevanceasavitalneighborhoodwithintheI-75corridor, thefol- To enhancetheCamp Washington neighborhoodandre-establish the Western Hills. and Washington, Camp Uptown, between ate connections stronger p connections to accommodate space open and street, trail, Add core. the restored neighborhood for conveniences and businesses a residential (with district mercial thehistoric com- Re-establish Washington. core of Camp neighborhood to the thepark liven rounding men research develop- and office, of usesincluding avariety Add versities. uni- and institutions surrounding to the neighborhood Washington oftie therelationship theCamp an research with into aneco-park Transform sites industrial vacant bove) to provide a variety of avariety to provide bove) edestrian and bike traffic and cre- and bike and traffic edestrian d technology facilities to facilities help d technology t, flex, and residential sur- residential and flex, t,

Spring Grove Avenue

The alternative shows a grocer and smaller retail uses uses retail smaller and agrocer shows alternative The Hopple Street Hopple 5 8 7 6 su corridors, major transportation ofImprove thestreetscapes Ca through to travelers and/or direct to signage Improve wayfinding stormsystems. and tary investments of sani- inseparation Washin Camp to for serve built I-75 stormwaterLocate facilities theautomobile. on ance c adja- and Downtown, Uptown, to Washington Camp Connect area. ing surround- and the neighborhood gateway and for identity positive Grove Avenue, toSpring create a ent communities to reli- ent reduce communities ch as Central Parkway and and Parkway asCentral ch mp Washington.

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artin Luth artin er King Drive King er u rban designrban strategies Proposed Land Use OPEN SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIONAL MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL opesre 60 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Mobility Improvements Mobility FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: A50-YEAR FOR RECOMMENDATIONS MAJOR CONCEPTS AND » » »

connections and patterns patterns and connections keyReestablish historical asse future into service rail linear activity Weave economic function. redevelopment community optimize and for patterns, movementand east-west m accom- makeand priority an asset) (as Emphasize odations for north-south for north-south odations ts. change atHopplewillpreserve orvalueenhancement areas.development Areworked I-75inter- Monmouth andMarshall. targeted support Streets NewSignature Neighborhoodby enhancedcross-corridor connectionsat Street aesthetics. asthearea’s Colerainwillevolve MainStreet, supported enhancedforflow, Street Signature as are-sized mixedmodes, and tance foraccommodatingdemandandflow. CentralParkway isseen agement asGreat ofthisfocusarea, Streets withincreasing impor- Kingare Luther recommended andman- fordevelopment Martin associated withtheMillCreek Valley. Grove andHopple/ Spring movementthan inanyotherarea conflicts thenorth-south/east-west street thelocal grid, underpin andreflect KingDrive moreLuther Grove Avenue,Spring CentralParkway, andHoppleStreet/Martin linkages fora sustainablefuture. across HoppleatI-75 alongCentralParkway willprovide important template. connector anddesignatedbike/pedestrian Anemphasized and south, Camp Washington’s betterserving future redevelopment connections across I-75atthenorth withtransit-only transit corridor option subsetofthelatterconcept, asa be developed Coleraincan stationnearMonmouthatCentralParkway).with anelevated Asan alongCentral Parkway systems elevated and I-75(eastsideofI-75, Beekman nearHopple), Grove Avenue, orinalongSpring orin along theoldB&Orailalignment (tothewestwithastationalong plimented inthefuture bypotentialLRT orBRT transitcorridors spines, bustransitservice com- King willcontinuetobeimportant Grove, Spring CentralParkway, Luther andHopple/Martin elements are recommended toaididentity, andmodalutility. wayfinding movement ofthe50-yearfuture. signageandgateway Appropriate requires refinement toaccommodatebikeandpedestrian further existinginterstatehighway access, urban designurban associates but

hierarchy and potential transit alignments. transit potential and hierarchy street proposed the depicts diagram This See page 76 of Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix for detailed descriptions. STREET CLASSIFICATIONS

Beekman Street Beekman

Hopple Street Hopple Cummins Street Cummins

Spring Grove Avenue

Alabama Avenue Alabama

Monmouth Street Monmouth

Arlington Street

GREAT STREET NEW INTERCHANGE Bates Avenue Bates

State College Colerain Avenue Colerain

Cincinnati

Spring Grove Avenue Grove Spring

I-75

Marshall Avenue Marshall Central Parkway Central NEIGHBORHOOD STREET OTHER SIGNATURE STREET SIGNATURE OTHER Central Parkway

W McMicken Avenue Drive King Luther Martin

u Ludlow Avenue Ludlow rban designrban strategies

Morrison Avenue opesre 61 street hopple

RESIDENTIAL STREET MAIN STREET Probasco Street Probasco Hebrew Union College ALIGNMENTS TRANSIT OPTIONAL

© 2011 urban design associates CSO OVERFLOW INTENSITY MAP INTENSITY OVERFLOW CSO VIEW OF PROPOSED OPEN SPACE IMPROVEMENTS eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Open Space Improvements Space Open MG = MILLION GALLONS =MILLION MG Annual Overflow Volume Range Combined Sewer Overflow > 200 MG > 200 MG –200 100 MG –100 50 MG 50 – 10 0 –10 MG Opportunities the Camp Washington thefollowing areaachieve goals: can connectionbetweentheeastandwestsidesofvalley,important Grove. linkagesonstreetstrian likeHoppleandSpring Asanother andsafepedes- theneighborhoodandprovide clear to helpsoften buildings. Employ improvements sustainablelandscape onkeystreets like theproposed maintenancefacilities interchange andexistingcity improvements becommingled inlandthatcan age andwaterquality tointegratestormwater stor- tofindways Assist MSDandODOT interchange. andHoppleStreet HoppleStreet oriented pedestrian Help reconnect Camp Washington toCUFviaanimproved and 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 hood park andwater filtrationarea forCamp Washington. Make improvements to Valley Park neighbor- asanimportant r re-vegetation onthehillsidesalongI-75. Integrate stormwater Turn CentralParkway and landscaping intoaparkway withnew the valley. venient pedestr Work withtheCity, tocreate andODOT asafecon- DOTE Cr to connectCamp Washington ofCincinnati. totheUniversity Cr from neighborhoods. Provide aMillCreek multi-use trailandconnectionstotrails the str treating infiltrationbasinsthatcan andstore stormwaterfrom Grove bycreat- Create streetscapealongSpring sustainableurban etention areas intothelandscape. eate wetlands and water quality areas alongMillCreek.eate wetlandsandwaterquality KingandHopple Street Luther trailalongMartin eate anew eet andadjacentparcels. ian and bicycle routes on Hopple Street as it crosses routes asitcrosses onHoppleStreet ian andbicycle urban designurban associates Depicts improvements to natural features, parks, open spaces, and streetscapes and spaces, open parks, features, tonatural improvements Depicts OPEN SPACE FRAMEWORK 2

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© 2011 urban design associates SPRING GROVE SECTION SECTION GROVE SPRING eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley This section illustrates how the water can move through the linear park elements while also creating open space amenities for t for amenities space open creating also while elements park linear the through move can water the how illustrates section This urban designurban associates he residents of the neighborhood. of the residents he u rban designrban strategies opesre 63 street hopple

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 2010 SHORT-TERM Collaboration between ODOT and DOTE to research separation of MLK corridor stormwater and connection to I-75 stormwater detention or infiltration efforts

Deployment of natural stormwater detention or infiltration efforts

Utilization of traditional separation and storage design components for CSO reduction

Improved wayfinding signage that ties to the greater city signage.

There is a nascent body of new technology companies and collaborative organizations, such as LiveWell, that will have space needs

once the economy recovers. Some of these entities have already Key Initiatives expressed an interest in sites in the area for the types of green industrial sites discussed above MID-RANGE Optimization of I-75 runoff separation or detention for maximum benefit to critical CSOs

Development of innovative stormwater solutions for an area cut off from Mill Creek by a heavy rail corridor

Pursuit of opportunities to construct water feature recreational areas west of I-75 improvements were determined. neighborhood revitalization, green andtransportation infrastructure alternatives. Asaresult, key for construction,design forreviewing involvement andcommunity rated neighborhoodplans, existingpublicimprovements scheduled remainedvision forHoppleStreet apublicprocess thatincorpo- strategies were brainstormedforthebestlong-termsolutions. The and planningphases,Through theanalysis issueswere identifiedand

Embark on a Study to improve the connection between Hopple Street and Spring Grove Avenue

University of Cincinnati is space-constrained and seeking opportunities for expansion. They are also considering new areas to develop housing for students, faculty/staff, and alumni. These efforts are years away from being materialized, but may be important to the area’s future

Cincinnati State is embarking on an ambitious “Energy and initiatives ineconomicdevelopment, Environment” institute that will be in need of clean industrial space near campus LONG-TERM &ONGOING LONG-TERM

urban designurban associates Consider routing transit corridor through Camp Washington instead of around it along the opposite side of I-75

The Energy Bill working its way through Congress may catalyze nationwide investment in alternative energy technologies, many of which could be produced in Cincinnati itself. The MSA is projected to have the highest number of green jobs added to its workforce over the next 30 years in the state. 2060 » » » TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES » GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES » » » » ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES » » » » »

Im I-75 of side theopposite of instead italong around Washington Camp through corridor transit routing Consider Grove Avenue Street Spring and Hopple between to improve astudy theconnection on Embark D to stormwater I-75 detention or infiltration efforts stormwater connection and corridor of MLK to research separation DOTE and ODOT between Collaboration num to isprojected have thehighest itself. MSA inCincinnati The produced be could many of which technologies, T campus near space industrial of clean inneed Environment and be Institute will that Energy anambitious on Stateisembarking Cincinnati est insit aninter- of expressed theseentities have Some already recovers. theeconomy once needs havewill space asLiveWell, that such organizations, collaborative and companies of new technology body isanascent There b are awayfrom years efforts alumni.These and faculty/staff, for new students, ing to areas housing develop are alsoconsider- They for expansion. opportunities seeking and is space-constrained of Cincinnati University Pursuit of opportunities to construct water feature areas westof to I-75 recreational construct of opportunities Pursuit corridor rail byaheavy Creek from Mill of innovative for stormwaterDevelopment off anarea cut solutions CSOs to benefit detention or critical for maximum separation runoff of I-75 Optimization reduction for CSO components design storage and separation of traditional Utilization eing materialized, but may be important to thearea’s future important be may but materialized, eing he Energy Bill working its way through Congress may catalyze nationwide investment nationwide energy inalternative catalyze may Congress waythrough its Billworking Energy he eployment of natural stormwater detention or infiltration efforts prove wayfinding signage that ties to the greater city signage program. signage tiesto that thegreater city signage prove wayfinding ber of green jobs added to its workforce over the next 30 years inthestate. years over 30 thenext to workforce its added of jobs green ber es in the area for the types of green industrial sites discussed above sites of discussed industrial green intheareaes for thetypes u rban designrban strategies opesre 64 street hopple

66 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley

Source: The Enquirer Challenges and and Challenges Opportunities the western neighborhoodswillreverse the western theseconstraintsbyreconnecting todowntownOvercoming and routes. road-based transportation linescomplicate ments ofrail constraints onthree sides. Inaddition, grade changesandthealign- Vehicular islimited byphysical toQueensgate connectivity parking. andsharing bystructuring land more efficiently as amodaltransferpoint. orcommercialuse Lightindustrial usescan rounding themuseum district. sustaingrowth itselfwilllikely The port to theport, otherusesmaytransitionintomixed-useorflexspacessur- toremainusesrelated industrial islikely ofthedistrict aportion While the restored MillCreek Valley willrise, attractingredevelopment. industries, demandswillincrease andlandvaluesalong transportation generationof positionsitself to competeforanew AstheCity emerging economiesandindustries. tomeettheneedsofcurrent ofthe area and mustpurpose alsoevolve evolve, functioning.city the century inthetwenty-first Asindustries the city, thatkeepthe producing andprepping products andservices uses inthearea. isthe besaidthatQueensgate Itcan “kitchen” of Currently, land andcommercial industrial usesare theprimary options.proximity tocommerce andtransportation ments inCincinnatiandcontinuestoprovide duetoits opportunities neighborhoods. This areaofsomethefirstsettle- was thelocation (CBD)andacross I-75fromCentral BusinessDistrict the West End the queensgate area is will increase greatly. strengths. Bydoing understand c usersandvisitorscan sothateveryday intuitiveness ofthedistrict ofthisarea.improve thevitality The goal should betoimprove the learly the relationship to the city and capitalize onits and capitalize therelationship tothecity learly this,industries andcor thedrawfornew located adjacenttoCincinnati’slocated the disorientingpatter urban designurban associates porations

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2nd Street W fabric of the city. ofthe fabric core the from district ofthis isolation the illustrate Creek Mill the and rail, the I-75, by created voids The industrial. indicate larger uses such as and office in footprints Queensgate building The FOOTPRINTS BUILDING connections. fewer with blocks and arterials of larger street network in Queensgate consists The across. extend not does ofI-75 side east the on exists that blocks and streets of grid The sides. two on US-50) and Queensgate is bounded by highways (I-75 STREETS AND HIGHWAYS urban designurban associates Historic be districtscan seen to the north. Queensgate. towards neighborhoods end west the toextend helping are projects infill residential New highway. of the building the during displaced were areas residential Former ofQueensgate. outside primarily exist settlements Residential RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT adjacent to the central business district. business central to the adjacent redevelopment on Cincinnati’s west side for opportunity agreat represents center City’s tothe close very lands underutilized driven uses. Thishigh percentage of industrially more larger, tothe to relate Queensgate within larger are lots Parking LOTS PARKING neighborhoods by I-75. by neighborhoods and core the from disconnected also are uses commercial The District. Business than the commercial uses in the Central arepatterns larger users and blocks Queensgate’s southern area. These Commercial land uses extend into COMMERCIAL LAND USE of the City’s greatest cultural assets. tosome across toconnect opportunities great are there space, park in rich not is Queensgate many. While by visited complex, an invaluable cultural resource museum City’s the as serves which Station toUnion home the is Queensgate INSTITUTIONS AND RECREATION, PARKS, c uesaeadtews n 68 queensgate end the and west hallenges opportunities and the district’s access to waterways. highlights and redevelopment supports quality flat The landform. accessible of its because Cincinnati in settled first the was area This District. Business Central the as stretch flat same the on Creek Mill of the valley the in lies district Queensgate The LANDFORMS River. Ohio the along docks toindustrial toconnect opportunities and lines rail ofthe presence the Historically this was driven by majority of uses in Queensgate. Industrial land uses constitute the INDUSTRIAL USES

© 2011 urban design associates INITIATIVE DIAGRAM INITIATIVE DIAGRAM existing cultural and open space amenities in the city. the in amenities space open and cultural existing to connections including future, the for visions of the some and identified community eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley The initiative diagram illustrates the strengths that the the that strengths the illustrates diagram initiative The Planning ProcessPlanning committee Throughout thepublicprocess, staff, City focusgroups, thesteering 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 andthe to testproposalsWest forQueensgate Endneighborhood: by which asetofdesignprinciples Group developed andSteering City the tabletoright. Taking theseassessmentsfrom stakeholders, the future. ofinputfrom thesediscussionsisdisplayedin The summary discussion aboutQueensgate’s current conditionandvisionsforthe pervious surfaces, treepervious canopies, centralenergy, geothermal) Create standards(reduce sustainabledevelopment heatislands, –green surfaces upthestreets andblocks Decrease impervious largefloorplateuses Develop Improve street designformulti-modal use atrecommended Bridge planfortheBrent Spence critically Look Improve street thesurface network Cr redevelopment Reinforce theUnion Terminal asadestinationandanarea for Extend trailfrom MillCreektotheBanks corridor eate afuture transithubatUnion Terminal , publicmeetingsprovided for anddedicated opportunities urban designurban associates STRENGTHS » » » » » »

an numerous jobs in downtown C for redevelopment land P to neighborhoods westside Potential to “the be gateway” interstate the o and Hall, Terminal, Longworth Union buildings: Historical Mi the and tures River of theOhio to fea- thenatural Adjacency in thevicinity Access to rail yards, ports, and and ports, to yards, rail Access rime location for consolidating for consolidating location rime entrally located between between located entrally d the neighborhoods that are that d theneighborhoods ll Creek ld PostOffice ld SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT » » » » WEAKNESSES » » » » » »

Ine condition inpoor buildings outdated and Vacant properties M areas neighborhoods/ to adjacent Few connections v for signage poor and work net- street coherent of Lack Oh ofCreekand theMill portions Un of Cincinnati forsion theCity Po River Ohio and Creek, Mill highway,Constraints: railway, rit the street for are secu- acause I focus central no with of variety Lack solated areas with no eyes no on with areas solated ehicle traffic ehicle y concerns inimal green space green inimal or image and first impres- first and image or appealing and inaccessible inaccessible and appealing io River fficient land use land fficient c uesaeadtews n 69 queensgate end the and west hallenges opportunities and » » » » » » » » » VISIONS

n alter- and aboulevard become gr and around sustainable based enhanced industrialAn park of the region aslandmarks of theregion historical aspects Incorporating Str atLinn theintersection and Restore Western Viaduct Hills C architecture thegood city”- “the of the gems Maintaining Be “gateway” for Cincinnati A m to River theOhio access public and Penetration points network trail the O Creek, theMill parks, connects that waterway A recreational ative route into thecity entral Parkway should should entral Parkway een industries tter useoftter landdevelopment eet and Central Parkway eet Central and ore interesting unique and hio River, afuture and

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Economic Development Opportunities tion andisoneofthestate’s most-visitedplaces. Cincinnati MuseumCenter isatreasured resource tradi- withastoried withinthestudyarea –islocated eastofI-75.the City Finally, the – City West, one ofthemore successful residentialin developments CBDprices.and withoutpaying Meanwhile, astableresidential area proximate footprints totheCBDinlarge-formatquasi-industrial spaceinordertobe industrial that are choosingtooccupyformerly Asaresult, ofofficeusers avariety absorbed thearea hasquietly total landarea inQueensgate. consumed, as 10%ofthe landclassified only “industrial” comprises obsolete andexpensivetoredevelop. Asapercentage oftotallandarea ings. Manymayornotbebr parcel fragmentationandthepresence ofnumerous outdated build- of area inexpandingtheiroperationsbecause haveexpressed difficulty obsolete.and functionally Core andproduction usersinthe industrial industrial isantiquated multi-story Muchofthebuildingstock the bestinMidwest. hoods; andrailbarge accesstothearea asamong isrecognized provideroadways accesstotheCBDandotherintown neighbor- separated from) theCBD;(but physically cross-interstate several accessintheentire metrotransportation region: itisproximate to Cincinnati’s CentralBusinessDistrict. Itboastssomeofthebest Bridge, totheBrent Spence tion close theOhioRiver, I-75, and railyard. givenitsloca- Southern visiblelocation Itisahighly given itsproximity totheOhioRiver, I-75, andtheCSX/Norfolk isamajorshippingandlogisticscenterfor Cincinnati Queensgate ownfields andsomeare functionally urban designurban associates

Number of Parcels DISTRIBUTION OF PARCELS BY PARCEL SIZE (SF) ACRES OF LANDBY EXISTING LANDUSE Parcel Area (SF) c uesaeadtews n 70 queensgate end the and west hallenges opportunities and VACANT SINGLE-FAMILY PUBLIC UTILITY PUBLIC SERVICE PUBLIC RESOURCE OFFICE N/A MULTI-FAMILY LIGHT INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL HEAVY EDUCATIONAL COMMERCIAL

© 2011 urban design associates Number of Parcels BUSINESSES IN QUEENSGATE UPPER FIFTIETH PERCENTILE BY NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley ited pr are lim- inandaround Queensgate opportunities New development development inthisarea.development additional willbekeytocatalyzing infrastructure to transportation tures, remediating contaminatedproperties, andimproving access feasible,enough landtobedevelopment demolishingolderstruc- configuration. mismatch, issuesofparcel size Solving aggregating inasquare of10acresdemands minimum orregular andideally sizes Meanwhile, ofalltypes development industrial themarket fornew andare regular. rarely on average10acres andparcel shapesthatvary taminated sites. Available tractsoflandwithorwithoutbuildingsare buildingsandcon- velopment costsassociatedwitholderindustrial Type of Establishment of Type imarily duetothefragmentednature ofparcels andtherede-imarily MARKET OPPORTUNITIES » » » » Office (SF) nutil–Fe-tnig(F 9,2 0,9 1,274,407 107,395 –Single-Family Residential 90,823 (SF) Industrial -Flex/R&D (SF) Industrial –Free-Standing Retail (SF) Retail (SF) –Multi-Family Residential (Units) (Units) sion onshippingandlogisticsport. resolved. Potential forlogisticsandshippingusespending deci- siz provide forexistingbusinessesifparcel expansionopportunities and activity industrial tocapturenew –Opportunity Industrial development. with aplannedtransit-oriented tial existsaround theUnion Terminal perhaps inconjunction occur firstasbloc where residential redevelopmentisalready takingplace. This will existsontheeastsideofI-75 Residential –Mostopportunity theRhine.place inOver oping residential areas taking andalsoasanoutgrowth ofactivity the CincinnatiUnion Terminal toredevel- andeastofI-75closer ver for retailuses, givenheavyindustrial traffic, ofdrive-by lack and portion,Retail –Southern westofI-75isnotanaturallocation suchasBlueAshandKenwood.ing towards locations exurban adjacent with larger-formatofficespaceandcreate asuccessful “CBD- Office – Tremendous toinfusetheCincinnatimarket opportunity 10-YEAR ABSORPTION ABSORPTION 10-YEAR e mismatch and availability ofmodernlandparcelsbe can e mismatchandavailability y smallresidential base. to Moremaybecloser naturallocation urban designurban associates POTENTIAL ” flow- arearecapture thatcan demandthatisotherwise k by block redevelopment.k byblock poten- Longer-term QUEENSGATE PESSIMISTIC 0491195395,778 191,905 50,439 ,0 04289,399 60,412 9,103 ,7 ,0 31,541 3,703 3,178 580928 840 95 000 SHARE FAIR AGGRESSIVE of theconceptslistedabove. suchasone amajorintervention barring tobecomeareality unlikely is isthatrobust redevelopmentinQueensgate ment opportunities andinspectionofdevelop- from themarket analysis isclear What eastward withCityWest andOver-the-Rhine. thatlinks development formixed-useandtransit-oriented catalyst the suburbs. othershavepromoted the MuseumCenterasa Still andattractivetocost-conscioustenantswhohavefled structures forlow-rise officebuildingsdistinctfrom CBDoffice as alocation development.industrial havefloatedtheideaofQueensgate Some tocreate parcelsegizing land-bankingefforts suitableforrenewed facility. ofanexpandedcontainer-ready port part are Others strat- embraced thenotionofanexpandedshippingandlogisticscenteras being explored byCincinnatistakeholders. stakeholders have Several existforQueensgate,Multiple trajectories someofwhichare already DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORIES » logistics activitiesandend-userassembl impact thisarea’s real demandforindustrial estate, for particularly Port will andrailyardactivity/development/enhancement activity Cincinnati may beaggressive. thataspirations forarobust shippingand logisticscenterin cate indi- chainthroughout the easternUnitedStates as wellsupply scope ofthisstudy, initialinspection ofmarket anddemanddata isbeyond the activity tigation ofthefuture ofCincinnatiport beyond Cincinnati’s limits. city Finally, while athorough inves- offacilities thesetypes tobuildexactly are initiativesunderway facility, adjacenttoanport not needtolocate andthere to makethesefacilitiespossible. Moreover, theseactivitiesdo would benecessary landassembly This meansthatsignificant low job densities. spacewithvery quantities offlat-lineindustrial and repackaging. These users, however, demandlarge typically areas theraillinecouldbeusedforend-user assembly buffering forlogisticsactivity,along railyardwillbenaturallocation while c uesaeadtews n 71 queensgate end the and west hallenges opportunities and y. southand Area furthest

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley » » » with modern, forthecreationan idealcandidate ofaCBDextensionpopulated makesQueensgate The proximity toCentralBusinessDistrict cial andresidential development. forcommer- core development providingoriented anopportunity downtown proximate neighborhoods, thiscouldbecomeatransit- rail alongI-75, andstreetcar connectingacross theinterstateto retail development. extensionin3CDregional rail,With light Rhine withpent-updemandforofficeand gies ofOver-the precinctcombinethe ener- ation ofawalkableurban thatcan suggest thatcre-mixed-use buildingsadjacent tothestructure activit development andmaybeacenteroftransit-oriented activity The CincinnatiMuseumCenterisalready acenteroftourism occupythesame land. that cannot costofcreating office,opportunity residential, orlogisticsspaces with the the re-creationspacefrom oldcarries industrial ofnew andconfirmationeffort, recruitment require as atargetedindustry top-of-market rents. Making room foradditionaluserswould spaceover thelastfiveyears,industrial whilemaintainingnear gainedmarket shareCentral quadranthasactually offreestanding configurations inordertoenjoy thisloc that someusersar suggest there and isindeedamarket demandforthelocation The coreusersremaining ofexistingindustrial inQueensgate the CBDwillbekeytomakingthisareality. inadditiontocreating connectionto astrongassembly physical suburban” officeconfigurations. However, parcelizationandland forcost-conscioustenantswhodesireban jurisdictions “drivable show that theseplaces, whencreated, competewellwithsubur- cities, Francisco, suchasSan Chicago, and Washington, D.C., inCincinnatisuburbs.office developments Examplesfrom other y. Proposals officeandmultiple toaddlow-density ifnot lower-rise buildingsthathavebeencommoninthe e willingtotolerateagedbuildingsandland ation. Infact, theregions’s ported through construction andoccupancy. through construction ported areensure sup- thatthelandusesfollow from theintervention direction tofollow outcomes, basedupondesired policy to andstrive Cincinnati market. Ultimately, stakeholderswillhavetochoose a itself tocapture “green” jobsthatare anticipatedtobestrong inthe position andespecially ifitwants to recaptureactivity industrial city tothe landsocritical andredevelopmentofindustrial the assembly Similarly, maypreclude residentialdevelopment andtransit-oriented easyneighborstoreconcile withlow-rise officespace.particularly demandformixeduseandresidential environs,catalyze norare they ofneighborsthat andlogisticsfacilitiesare notthetype Shipping tions maynotallbepossiblesimultaneously, sequentially. oreven be understood, however, isthefactthatabove fourinterven- ofinvestmentinandaround Queensgate.must the climate What directions toimprove above theywishtopursueanduseasavehicle Cincinnatistakeholdersalonemust determinewhichofthecatalytic rather than directly totheCBD (asdepictedinthe rather thandirectly Transportation theproposed streetcarline throughtion thatwould bring Queensgate RCLCO streetcaralignment modifica- modeled ahypothetical in a300footdistanceofthe linearlengthoftheline. would nothavetakenplace. The impactsare mostpronounced with- that otherwise development investmentandnew new catalyzed car area, orunder-developed industrial astheintroduction ofthestreet- most pronounced whenthestreetcar wasintroduced intoanexisting study citiesofSeattle, Tampa, and Portland. Value increases were introduction showed valueincreases of400%(orhigher)inthecase in 2009. ofreal estatevalueincreases asaresult Analysis ofstreetcar the real estateimpactsofstreetcarinvestmentsconfirmedthisagain Cincinnati, andinparticular, Queensgate. RCLCO research into have positiveimpactsonreal estatevalues. This isnodifferent for improvements acceptedthatfixedrailtransportation It iswidely LINE ASTREETCAR OF EFFECTS urban designurban associates within a 300 foot distance from a Queensgate streetcaralignment. within a300footdistancefrom aQueensgate thecurrent andpotentialvalueoftheland below summarizes chart forsitesconnectedtothestreetcarinCBD.opportunity The spinoff effectsinjobcreation, retail sales, andenhancedinvestment valuesalone,could create asmuch as$60Minproperty anduntold to generatevalue, there isreasonthatsuchanalignment tobelieve modelingofthepotentialforthisalignment Based uponpreliminary Network Improvements diagramonthefollowing page). Mobility U 0 0 0 / NAN/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $0 N/A N/A $373,184 $3,126,458 $0 N/A $18,527,728 $1,890 $917,184 20.3% 567,135 $ $438,511 $63,132,719 $741,531,299 68.6% 69% $15,401,270 $0 $5,786,211 N/A $7,483,415 $0 $10,218,470 $358,978 $544,000 8.2% $678,398,580 8.2% $600,230,350 $5,182,800 $78,168,230 $72,219,338 $29,538,450 $4,736,758 $627,752,708 $20,688,450 $427,940 Total 13.0% $1,890 $5,347,700 8.2% $8,850,000 $6,030,473 MF $881,768 6,916,280 $ $116,060 PU $555,533,370 $51,372,373 $4,750,000 $3,628,708 $508,491,000 $4,377,780 3,788,160 PS 13.3% $ 32.1% $47,042,370 $597,700 $8,677,214 PR $2,843,880 $21,326,214 $2,746,940 3,128,120 $ TF $45,341,900 68.6% $290,120 C $1,533,900 $37,772,500 IN $12,649,000 $2,456,820 LI $7,569,400 $10,959,830 HI $1,689,170 VA O SF EXISTING LAND USE LAND VALUE CURRENT ($2009) QUEENSGATE STREETCAR VALUE STATISTICS STREETCAR QUEENSGATE IMPROVEMENT VALUE ($2009) VALUE CURRENT OA VALUE TOTAL c uesaeadtews n 72 queensgate end the and west hallenges opportunities and INCREASE AS A RESULT OFA RESULT STREETCAR ADJUSTED VALUE CREATED VALUE VALUE

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Urban Design Strategies the primary designstrategiesthe primary the Brent Spence Bridge segment. Bridge the Brent Spence ODOT’s The proposed current planincorporates alignmentfor development. riverfront tothestadium and provides and links pedestrians accesstotheriver which Bridge Brent eastofthe new Spence bedeveloped park can stormwatermanagementtrains.as daylighted Alarger community allows forbothatrailnetwork development.in theriverfront The integratedopenspacesystems will terminateattheOhio River andconnecttothetrailsystem down Theopenspacenetwork theMillCreek thatruns Valley Creek openspacesystem. neighborhoods tothewestwillalsoallow greater accesstotheMill tothecity.the gateway Price Hillandother ConnectingtoLower as EnhancedconnectionstothewestwillestablishQueensgate the future development. whileproviding industrial idealsitesfornew street grid.ary This willensure forthearea thegreatest in flexibility tobe subdividedbyasecond- evolve, havetheopportunity theblocks for largerusers, rangingfrom 10to20acres. Asusestransitionand Amajorstreetcreates grid legiblecirculationsites anddevelopment tial, develops. andflexspaceasthedistrict additional attractions. retail, usesmayinclude Surrounding residen- from theeast. with shopsand willlinetheplaza Newdevelopment Terminal onthecontinuity tocapitalize isanexcellentopportunity borhood networks possible. wherever The area surrounding Union intoDowntownbe extendedover I-75back and West Endneigh- its proximity todowntown, therail, andtheMillCreek. will Streets aretrict reestablishing connectionseastandwestthusmaximizing for passiveoutdoorrecreation aswell in the Queensgate dis- intheQueensgate

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© 2011 urban design associates 3 2 1 ing guidingprinciples: shouldholdthefollow- district oftheQueensgate The development UNION TERMINAL PLAZA ALTERNATE 2 ALTERNATE PLAZA TERMINAL UNION eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley views of the station. ofthe views axial the preserves still which amenities cultural additional and shops with space usable 4 o and shops bydeveloping district Terminal theUnion Enhance blocks streets smaller and at cre- theWest and End to engage I-75 street across grid Reconnect the convention center of anexpansion town including to down- adjacent development t sys- Way ramp Washington Fort and US-50, I-75, Reconfigure tio sites corpora- forand industries large prepare and Consolidate em to maximize land area for land toem maximize ther museums along theplaza museumsalong ther e a legible pattern of frequent pattern e alegible ns supportive to Downtown. ns supportive A second option may to create a more amore tocreate may option A second 5 8 7 6 r inthe systemtrails with space open Creek theMill Connect im to minimize crossings rated the sepa- grade mediate Carefully riverfront to Connect district business thecentral and Queensgate, from I-75, run-off wat for storm- naturalized space open to use opportunities Leverage the rail lines the rail iverfront development iverfront pact of barriers like I-75 and like and I-75 of barriers pact er management, collecting collecting management, er 7 5

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© 2011 urban design associates access from I-75andcommuter connections betweenthe Westside and area. Mehring Way wouldhavecontinuedspecialfunctionincommerce transitconnectionsandecono new ofthe50-year future, Street Signature role infacilitating hasanimportant of theGoCincinnatiandMetro West plans. Charles, Ezzard another strategies complimenting theeconomicdevelopment Streets Signature aesthetic signatures. DaltonandGest/West willberecastasa Court special accommodationofothermodesandcompelling incorporating alternative, West 8th, are envisioned asGreat Streets LinnandLiberty toanexpressway inthe1960s.was converted Underthisframework Mehring Way street of the local grid; formthebasicstructure 6thStreet Street, Drive, Charles Liberty GestStreet, Ezzard West 8thStreet, and the past50yearsandisnow atacrossroads. DaltonAvenue, LinnStreet, modifiedover ofthisfocusarea framework hasbeenhighly The mobility eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley Mobility Improvements Mobility mic investment in the Museum Center mic investmentintheMuseumCenter FOR A 50-YEAR FUTURE: A50-YEAR FOR RECOMMENDATIONS MAJOR CONCEPTS AND » » »

cost and footprint. footprint. and cost be leverage assetsand best to delivery project Position pic for 50-year expectations aesthetic and visual Assert commerce and connectivity. future centers of activity, Q and CBD evolving reflect Refine to current plans ueensgate template, and and template, ueensgate nefits to beyond City first- ture. made via 8th Street andconnection toMehring.made via8thStreet alternative, Inthisframework a development. east sideofthe CBDtoconnectriverside walking distanceoftheline. couldoccuronthe Asimilar ‘bulb-out’ the West wouldallbewithineasy Endandemployees ofQueensgate Main Post Office andUnion Terminal MuseumCenter. Residentsof destinations suchas: theConventionCenter, Hall, City MusicHall, wouldpromote majorreinvestment projects while connecting Loop inthiszone.the Downtown through Loop Queensgate, Running the largest officetowers withtransferpointsto along2ndand3rd Streets Brown Stadium, theBanksdevelopment, Redsballpark andthecity’s Paul(east/west). including theriverfront wouldserve This Loop Loop Streetcar south) proposal, aQueensgate includes thisscenario (north/ Inadditiontothecurrent Downtown Loop Streetcar tions attheMuseumCenterandRiverfront Transit Center). way(sta- I-75anddedicated ofreconstructed or 4)inalongpart Transit Center)3)intheexistingsubwaytunnels(station atLiberty), way(stations attheMuseumCenterandRiverfront and dedicated ment (stationattheMetro West site), development 2)alongDalton LRT orBRT 1)alongtheCSX/oldB&Orailalign- transitcorridors andoneasttotheproposed gamingdistrict,district and potential busorstreetcar)from theMuseumCentertoMusicHall (hybrid to theMuseumCenter/Union Terminal, circulator street-running scenario. passengerrail transitinvestmentsinclude Complimentary Thebusnetwork unchangedunderthis couldremain largely Freeman ininterstateconnections. importance wouldtakeonnew tion ofaccesstoandfrom thefreewaywouldoccur. Parts of West 8thand From consolidationanddistribu- 9thnorth, boulevard-level purposeful tions. Access toandfrom theCBDcouldremain “as-is” below 9thstreet. “current improvements challengesand limita- alignment” posesignificant trail. bicycle asthealignmentfornew I-75 lower CBD andalsoserves cross-valley bike connection is best cross-valley bikeconnection isbest urban designurban associates

alignment for the proposed plan. plan. proposed the for alignment rail light and passenger proposed and types road various the depicts diagram This See page 76 of Transportation and Infrastructure Appendix for detailed descriptions. TRANSPORTATION NETWORK

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© 2011 urban design associates RIVERSIDE PARK SECTION eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley The section illustrates how the water can be brought to areas underneath the highway interchanges to create sustainable improvements and amenities for people who live nearby. live who people for amenities and improvements sustainable tocreate interchanges highway the underneath toareas brought be can water the how illustrates section The urban designurban associates uesaeadtews n 77 queensgate end the and west u rban designrban strategies

© 2011 urban design associates eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley 2010 SHORT-TERM Separate storm and sanitary sewers in conjunction with new development and redevelopment

Explore and evaluate options for the most efficient ramp systems at the intersection of I-75, US-50, and Fort Washington Way

Prioritize entrances into the city which feed directly into city streets and minimize grade separated ramps/highway design Key Initiatives The Port Authority has recently expanded its capacities and may be looking for a role as a catalytic land developer and perhaps even owner/operator of properties

The Cincinnati Museum Center has proposed a major development initiative designed to transform the northern boundary of Queensgate into an urban, mixed-use district MID-RANGE

Connect the Mill Creek system to water treatment, infiltration, and improvements weretransportation determined. development, neighborhood revitalization, green and infrastructure designalternatives.reviewing Asaresult, key initiativesineconomic ments scheduledforconstruction, for involvement andcommunity neighborhoodplans,that incorporated existingpublicimprove- andthe Westvision forQueensgate Endremained apublicprocess strategies were brainstormedforthebestlong-termsolutions. The and planningphases,Through theanalysis issueswere identifiedand conveyance systems near I-75

Where possible, daylight storm drains into the larger system

Local stakeholders have proposed the development of a major shipping/logistics port at the Queensgate terminal LONG-TERM &ONGOING LONG-TERM

urban designurban associates Capture the maximum possible runoff from Queensgate, I-75, the central business district, and the West End in a natural system, avoid letting this water enter the combined sewer system

The Planning Department has recently embarked on land acquisition and development initiatives that promises to bring new industrial users to the City 2060 » » TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES » » » » GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES » » » » ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

highway design highway P Way Washington Fort and US-50, systems of I-75, ramp attheintersection evaluate efficient and for themost options Explore W sewer this water system enter system, letting thecombined avoid in anatural theWest and End district, business thecentral I-75, from Queensgate, runoff possible themaximum Capture Creek system theMill to water systems conveyance I-75 treatment, and infiltration, near Connect redevelopment and new development with sewers inconjunction sanitary and storm Separate ern boundary of Queensgate into an urban, mixed-use district mixed-use into of Queensgate anurban, boundary ern T minal L to users new theCity ises to industrial bring T of properties even owner/operator perhaps and developer land for arole asacatalytic looking be may and capacities its expanded recently has Authority Port The ocal stakeholders have proposed the development of a major shipping/logistics port at the Queensgate ter- atthe Queensgate port shipping/logistics of thedevelopment amajor have proposed stakeholders ocal he Cincinnati Museum Center has proposed a major development initiative designed to thenorth- transform designed initiative development amajor proposed Center has Museum Cincinnati he prom- that initiatives development and acquisition land on embarked recently has Department Planning he rioritize entrances into the city which feed directly into city streets and minimize grade separated ramps/ separated streets minimize and grade into feedcity directly which into entrances rioritize thecity here possible, daylight storm drains into system drains storm thelarger daylight here possible, uesaeadtews n 78 queensgate end the and west u rban designrban strategies

© 2011 urban design associates EXISTING CONDITIONS VIEW BIRD’S-EYE eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT BIRD’S-EYE VIEW urban designurban associates uesaeadtews n 79 queensgate end the and west u rban designrban strategies

© 2011 urban design associates EXISTING CONDITIONS VIEW BIRD’S-EYE eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT BIRD’S-EYE VIEW urban designurban associates uesaeadtews n 80 queensgate end the and west u rban designrban strategies

81 eiecnint egbrod ftelwrml re aly fbur 01 | february 2011 cincinnatirevive | –neighborhoods of the mill lower creek valley MITCHELL AVENUE HOPPLE STREET ODOT DOTE WATER MATERIALS AND HIGHWAY, SEWER, CITY MATERIALS Various City and Private Entities Cincinnati Highways Greenspace Master Plan Strategy Plan Master Greenspace Highways Cincinnati Transportation & Infrastructure Entities Private and Various City Record Rick Improvements and Potential Impacts Water Main DOTE Waterworks Greater Cincinnati University of Cincinnati University of City of Cincinnati, University CDDC Impact Social of CincinnatiCity CC,ohr oCnint uiesDvlpetAto ln20 2009 2009 Plan Action Development Business Cincinnati Go Sheets Summary Development Economic Various others RCLCo, HCDC of Cincinnati, City Committee Cincinnati I-75 Corridor/Brent Spence Bridge Utility Corridor Corridor Utility Bridge Spence Corridor/Brent I-75 & Arch. Infrastructure Bridge Spence Corridor/Brent I-75 Submission 408 FRE Draft Corridor for I-75 Management Access I-75 Transportation & Infrastructure Context and Criteria and Context &Infrastructure Transportation I-75 Issues Creek U-75/Mill 111209.pdf I-75MCEandBSB Issues: of ODOT Summary in & Access of &Benefits Connections Quality Prioritizing Expressway Creek Mill Update: OKI Mill Creek Expressway (I-75) interchange Plans interchange (I-75) Expressway Creek Mill Mitchell & Vine District (St. Bernard/North Avondale) Bernard/North (St. District &Vine Mitchell Market Overview Drilldown Washington Camp WashingtonCamp Industrial Plan Area Clifton Heights/UC Joint Urban Renewal Plan Urban Joint Heights/UC Clifton & Redevelopment District Business Washington Camp Cincinnati 2000 Plan: A Comprehensive Development Plan Plan Development AComprehensive Plan: 2000 Cincinnati Identification Scope Identification Scope Design Urban I-75 Corridor Market Feasibility for Downtown 2009 2005 2007 2007 2001 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 1982 2001 SUSTAINABILITY AND PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY END WEST THE AND QUEENSGATE CUMMINSVILLE SOUTH AND NORTHSIDE Various City Departments Various City Human Nature Human Ave/No. Mitchell Of South Property: of Recreation Survey Commission Recreation Cincinnati Ave/No. Harrison Of South Property: of Recreation Survey Commission Recreation Cincinnati Plan Master Greenway: CreekWatershed Mill Parks Cincinnati Project CreekRestoration Mill 2002 Group Bioengineering The Parks Cincinnati Plan Cincinnati Green Plan Design West Urban End Sustainable Washington Camp of Environmental Quality Office Ramps Its toand I-75 Adjacent Directly Areas Recreation Groundwork Project Commission Recreation Cincinnati Study Comprehensive Over-the-Rhine DCP Cincinnati of Community Department Departments Various City of Community Department DCP Cincinnati Entities Public and City urban designurban associates Industry (Academic Studio) (Academic Industry Planning and Development Planning and Development Northside Comprehensive Land UsePlan Land Comprehensive Northside Mill Creek Watershed Greenway: Supplemental Supplemental Greenway: CreekWatershed Mill Renewal Plan Urban Northside Stream Removal Study Park and Greenspace Projects and Issues Along the I-75 theI-75 Along Issues and Projects Greenspace and Park 2002 Plan Master Centennial 2007 Parks Cincinnati 2008 Plan West Comprehensive End Update Plan West Comprehensive End Proposed Northside Land Use Overlay Zoning UseOverlay Land Northside Proposed Regional Watersheds Regional Section ResourceManagement Natural Parks Cincinnati Connector for theColerian ReusePlan Land Corridor Ave of Harrison River of Ohio (slide show) Environmental Project 2000 2006 2006 2009 2009 2008 2008 2005 2007 1996 1999 bibliography 82