Article: Cincinnati from a slightly Buffalo-centric perspective (Columbus, Cleveland: low income, transplants)

[Matt Marcinkiewicz]

Just wanted to share the following article with the Cincinnati forum, as I'd be surprised if any of the people who frequent this forum would've seen it otherwise. It was written in June, but I am just encountering it now, as I browse the archives of the website for which it was written. I personally find the article interesting, as I knew/know essentially nothing of Cincinnati outside of demographic information and major sports teams--I'd be curious to hear feedback from locals or knowledgeable transplants. But even if you prefer not to offer any feedback, I assume you'll find this piece of at least some interest:

BRO Leaves Town: Last Stop Cincinnati | Buffalo Rising

[Ohky0815]

Everyone knows OTR isnt the best area but it is seeing positive change.

Although in my opinion, id rather live in OTR than Price Hill but its a serious toss up.

[Matt Marcinkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Ohky0815

Everyone knows OTR isnt the best area but it is seeing positive change.

Although in my opinion, id rather live in OTR than Price Hill but its a serious toss up.

Well, if I walked into that area as a visitor without any prior knowledge, I might very well guess that Over The Rhine is the best area. The picture included in the article makes it appear terrific. Appearances mean little in the grand scheme but I agree with the sentiment of the author that there is much in the way of aesthetics to work with there; it's apparent in a single snapshot. Like I said in the first post, I am ignorant to life in Cincinnati, so...I don't know what Price Hill is for example, while I can guess from this comment that it is probably some other neighborhood which has attained notoriety with locals for its high crime rather than any redeeming characteristics

[Ohky0815]

Originally Posted by Matt Marcinkiewicz

Well, if I walked into that area as a visitor without any prior knowledge, I might very well guess that Over The Rhine is the best area. The picture included in the article makes it appear terrific. Appearances mean little in the grand scheme but I agree with the sentiment of the author that there is much in the way of aesthetics to work with there; it's apparent in a single snapshot. Like I said in the first post, I am ignorant to life in Cincinnati, so...I don't know what Price Hill is for example, while I can guess from this comment that it is probably some other neighborhood which has attained notoriety with locals for its high crime rather than any redeeming characteristics

Both OTR and PH have beautiful histories but OTR is being worked on to make it better, PH still has a long way to go. Thats what i meant by that. I also believe Findlay market, Music hall, etc bring attention to OTR, which makes it even better.

[Matt Marcinkiewicz]

Ah, ok. I'm kind of curious about Cincinnati now. I've been to Cleveland and Columbus but no further south in OH than the latter.

[goyguy]

I didn't see a single word about Price Hill in that story.
The author, probably unconsciously, worked from a template that numerous other articles and even C-D posts have created. You read one, you've read 'em all. Outsiders fly in ("The city is in Ohio but the airport is in Kentucky, that's so strange!") For 2-3 days they hit the "hot" areas - downtown, Over-the-Rhine (including "the findley market"), and "Mt Adam," with a quick windshield tour of UC. If time allows they zip around Covington, Newport, Clifton, Northside, Mt Lookout, maybe Oakley, and Hyde Park. In shock that hipsters and yuppies are not confined to the coasts, nor are wealth and ostentation, they snap some photos to put alongside the eager telling of their revelation. The same goes on with other American cities that have been on the ropes from the collapse of the manufacturing economy and are feeling their way back to life. Prominent in that category are Detroit and, yes, Buffalo.
It's all frivolous, superficial, and harmless. I've also been lucky enough to visit a number of cities in the US (and world) and enjoy their highlights, then go home. But by not being a Millennial I don't have the urge to put my unoriginal travelogues onto Internet blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, etc.

[Wilson513]

OTR is happening. It just takes a while to move the thug element along, on their way to wherever. 3CDC is like a big pressure washer cleaning throughly but only where it is pointed. But, don't mistake their mission. It is not racism or anti-homeless as some fear mongers have advanced. It is anti-thug. 3CDC would be just fine with as much low income housing as the area will support. What they seek to eradicate are the nasty hot spots of crime and addiction that plagued OTR for decades. And, they are doing a pretty good job of it. If they don't run out of money it will take 20 years. I hope I am around to see it.

[ohioaninsc]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

OTR is happening. It just takes a while to move the thug element along, on their way to wherever. 3CDC is like a big pressure washer cleaning throughly but only where it is pointed. But, don't mistake their mission. It is not racism or anti-homeless as some fear mongers have advanced. It is anti-thug. 3CDC would be just fine with as much low income housing as the area will support. What they seek to eradicate are the nasty hot spots of crime and addiction that plagued OTR for decades. And, they are doing a pretty good job of it. If they don't run out of money it will take 20 years. I hope I am around to see it.

If we don't have another economic bottoming out, I think you'll see major major changes for OTR w/in 5 yrs...I have a feeling most everything below Liberty will be gentrified and the area by Findlary Market will finally be in the middle of its rennaissance...I think you'll see the West End take a bit longer though.

Between The Banks and OTR, downtown is definitely hopping though....and it's amazing to see the transformation.