In an effort to restore a mix of building uses and Over-the-Rhine's inherent walkability, Cincinnati City Council has rezoned a number of properties .

The rezoning, from RM-1.2 Residential Multi-Family District to CC-P Commercial Community-Pedestrian District, affects the properties at 1400-1438, 1401-1403 and 1419-1429 Race Street and 1403-1405 and 1409-1415 Republic Street.

The previous zoning did not permit ground-floor commercial uses without limitations or conditional uses. Under RM-1.2 zoning, these uses were limited to live/work lofts or food markets of 1,200 square feet or less in multi-family buildings with a minimum of 50 dwelling units.

The zoning change was requested by 3CDC, which is redeveloping most of the blocks as part of the fourth phase of its Gateway Quarter project.

These redevelopments will include for-sale units and commercial space at Saengerhalle, at the northeast corner of Race and 14th streets, and Westfalen Lofts. Additionally, the former Bang's Market on the northwest corner of Race and 14th streets is being converted into more than 2,000 square feet of commercial space as part of the City Home development.

Both 3CDC and Westfalen Lofts development partner NorthPointe Group have announced plans to move offices into Saengerhalle upon the project's completion.

Previous reading on BC:
OTR's Westfalen Lofts lands nearly $1M in TIF funding (5/17/10)
OTR's Westfalen Lofts receives $360K (3/30/10)
Cincinnati approves funding for Gateway's fourth phase (9/29/09)
CDBG funds could be used for fourth phase of Gateway Quarter (9/8/09)
Vine Street streetscape photo update, 5/19/09 (5/28/09)