NEIGHBORHOOD: Avondale
YEAR BUILT: 1922
USE: Multi-family dwelling (4 units)
OWNER: Adriaan Pienaar (Indianapolis, Ind.)
ASSESSED VALUE: $62,930
HAZARD: May 2010.
CONDEMNED: August 2009, for collapsing roof, rotting support beams, gutters and downspouts, broken and missing windows, and siding.
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.

NEIGHBORHOOD: South Fairmount
YEAR BUILT: 1875
USE: Multi-family dwelling (4 units)
OWNER: Rehoboth Faith Church of Jesus Inc.
ASSESSED VALUE: $10,100
HAZARD: October 2011.
CONDEMNED: January 2011, adding broken and missing windows, missing and vandalized mechanical systems, and a collapsed porch. Civil citation.
ORDERS: March 2002, ordered barricaded due to arson and drug activity. Ordered vacant in June 2003. Orders reissued in July 2006, again in September 2006, and again in September 2007. Lost in foreclosure in February 2008, and the orders were reissued with retaining wall, chimney, gutters and downspouts, and porch cited as the biggest problem areas. Sold in May 2008, orders issued again. Building acquired by current owner in January 2009, orders issued again. While the owner attempted to sell the building, a criminal case was filed. That case was later dropped.
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Villages at Roll Hill
YEAR BUILT: 1961
USE: Multi-family dwelling (6 units)
OWNER: Fay Limited Partnership
ASSESSED VALUE: n/a
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Razed as part of a multi-phased, $36 million redevelopment of the apartment community by Wallick-Hendy Development, which includes the demolition of 17 buildings and the reduction of available units from 893 to 703.

The City of Cincinnati's Director of Buildings and Inspections will hold a public hearing Friday at 9 A.M. in the Main Conference Room of the Building Development and Permit Center, , to determine if the following buildings should be declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program:

• , East Westwood (two-family, 1929)
• , Riverside (single-family, 1911)
• , Northside (multi-family, 1963)
• , Columbia Tusculum (single-family, 1900)
• , Columbia Tusculum (single-family, 1875)
• , Walnut Hills (two-family, 1890)
• , West End (single-family, 1885)
• , Evanston (single-family, 1910)
• , Walnut Hills (multi-family, 1900)
• , Northside (two-family, 1925)
• , Walnut Hills (two-family, 1895)
• , Pleasant Ridge (single-family, 1920)
• , Linwood (mixed-use, 1900)
• , Walnut Hills (single-family, 1905)
• , East End (mixed-use, 1930)
• , Kennedy Heights (multi-family, 1954)
• , Walnut Hills (single-family, 1916)
• , Walnut Hills (three-family, 1910)
• , Avondale (single-family, 1923)
• , Evanston (two-family, 1900)
• , Spring Grove Village (two-family, 1885)
• , Hartwell (two-family, 1875)
• , East Westwood (single-family, 1953)
• , Avondale (two-family, 1923)
• , Oakley (manufacturing, 1962)
• , Evanston (two-family, 1880)
• , Mount Auburn (single-family, 1908)

And at 1 P.M., at the same location, these buildings will be evaluated for public nuisance status:

• , East Price Hill (single-family, 1897)
• , Avondale (two-family, 1900)
• , East Price Hill (three-family, 1921)
• , East Price Hill (two-family, 1895)
• , East Price Hill (two-family, 1904)
• , South Cumminsville (single-family, 1895)
• , Evanston (three-family, 1880)
• , Madisonville (single-family, 1900)
• , Walnut Hills (three-family, 1906)
• , West Price Hill (two-family, 1914)
• , Mount Auburn (multi-family, 1910)
• , Spring Grove Village (single-family, 1906)
• , South Cumminsville (single-family, 1887)
• , South Cumminsville (single-family, 1865)
• , South Cumminsville (single-family, 1889)
• , Walnut Hills (multi-family, 1905)
• , Walnut Hills (single-family, 1890)
• , South Fairmount (two-family, 1923)
• , South Fairmount (single-family, 1909)
• , Avondale (single-family, 1915)
• , North Fairmount (single-family, 1895)
• , West Price Hill (multi-family, 1925)
• , Westwood (single-family, 1922)
• , Avondale (two-family, 1929)
• , Avondale (single-family, 1905)
• , Sedamsville (two-family, 1890)

Anyone with pertinent information or evidence of any building's historic significance is encouraged to testify.

Previous reading on BC:
Public nuisance hearing, 8/31/12 (8/30/12)
Public nuisance hearing, 7/27/12 (7/26/12)
Public nuisance hearing, 6/29/12 (6/28/12)
Public nuisance hearing, 5/25/12 (5/24/12)
Public nuisance hearing, 3/30/12 (3/30/12)

NEIGHBORHOOD: South Fairmount
YEAR BUILT: 1895
USE: Two-family dwelling
OWNER: KAK LLC
ASSESSED VALUE: $23,060
HAZARD: May 2010. No contact from previous owner, purchased by current owner on 8/18/12.
CONDEMNED: January 2010, due to deteriorated fence, siding, gutters and downspouts, broken and missing windows, and previous orders.
ORDERS: January 2009, ordered vacated and barricaded due to broken and missing mechanical systems and litter and debris. A criminal case was filed against a previous owner in December 2009. The case was continued twice, and eventually the owner plead "no contest", was found guilty, and was entered into a diversion program. He failed to show up for subsequent court appearances and, in May 2011, he was removed from the complaince program and given a 180-day suspended jail sentence, one year of probation, and court costs.
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.

In anticipation of increased traffic from the Rookwood Exchange and Mercy Health medical office developments in neighboring Norwood, an Oakley committee has produced a list of immediate action items that it hopes the City of Cincinnati will implement.

The list proposed changes to the City's plans to close off by proposing solutions that result in less loss of property and sidewalk space. It also proposes changes to Millsbrae Avenue, including the elimination of the continuous turn lane from Madison Road, installation of a traffic light at Markbreit Avenue, street calming measures, and the replacement of missing "no parking" signs.

A national design competition and public visioning process to better tie the Central Business District with and Smale Riverfront Park begins tonight at 6 P.M. at the Madisonville Recreation Center, located .

is an initiative to seek ideas for what should be built atop proposed decks that would be built atop Fort Washington Way, .

NEIGHBORHOOD: Sedamsville
YEAR BUILT: 1895
USE: Single-family dwelling
OWNER: George A. and Lonnie R. Williams
ASSESSED VALUE: $8,000
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: April 2011, for neglect and vandalism resulting in a deteriorated roof, water damage, chimneys, flashing, gutters and downspouts, cornice, siding, exterior paint, broken and missing windows, uneven front steps, lack of utilities, high weeds, and a junk automobile. Orders reissued in October 2011, and, the next month, the owner filed an application with the Board of Housing Appeals, which was denied. The current owners purchased the property in February 2012 for $10,000. Five months later, condemnation orders were reissued.
ORDERS: November 2006, for siding, exterior paint, and foundation defects. In 2007, the previous owner contacted People Working Cooperatively for assistance in performing the repairs. The orders were reissued in January 2009, adding porch guardrails and protective grills.
REASON RAZED: Razed by the owners to close out orders.

Hamilton County's public comment period for the --> --> --> proposed began today at Commission Chambers, located Downtown.

Phase 1 solutions of the two-phased project are detailed and compared in the , the culmination of nearly three years of study and public outreach that examined potential solutions to CSOs in the sub-watersheds of Lick Run, Bloody Run, Kings Run, and the West Fork.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Mount Auburn
YEAR BUILT: 1906
USE: Two-family dwelling
OWNER: William E. Parker and Janine C. Hartman
ASSESSED VALUE: $5,000
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: June 2012, ordered vacated and barricaded by the City due to missing downspouts, unsafe front steps, a warped front deck, and broken and missing windows.
REASON RAZED: Razed by the owners to close out orders.

A shortage of available local contractors and a lack of funding capacity could make Cincinnati's goal of demolishing 700 properties by the end of 2013 difficult to reach, according to a memo released yesterday by Department of Community Development Director Michael Cervay.

On March 12, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office reached a $330 million settlement with five of the nation's largest servicers regarding foreclosure abuses, fraud, and deceptive practices.

A new public viewing overlook in Mount Adams would cost $1.32 million to build, according to a recent memo to City Council from Department of Transportation and Engineering Director Michael Moore.

The memo is in response to a January motion by Councilmember Chris Seelbach – signed by Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls and councilmembers Laure Quinlivan, Yvette Simpson, and Wendell Young – directing City administration to study the feasibility of building the project on the unused City right-of-way.

Cincinnati City Council has approved a lease agreement with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation (WHRF) for several blighted buildings in the Peebles Corner Historic District.

The City will execute a 40-year lease for the buildings – with rent waived and a $1 purchase option – in order to allow WHRF and project partner the Model Group to apply for state and federal historic tax credits for the rehabilitation of the properties as a mixed-use, market rate development.

Last Wednesday, Cincinnati City Council passed two ordinances that will provide nearly $358,000 in surplus capital improvement program project funding to complete security, landscaping, and parking improvements at the stalled Walnut Woods development in Walnut Hills.

Six City-owned properties were auctioned off on June 9 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Global Wealth Investments, Inc. purchased the properties , and former Councilmember and current Walnut Woods Homeowners Association President Sam Malone purchased a vacant lot at 854 Lincoln Ave.

Cincinnati City Council last Wednesday approved a grant application for up to $2.4 million from the for further design, plan preparation, and right-of-way acquisition for the $59 million interchange.

The City's Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) applied for the grant in August. If the grant is awarded, the City will be required to provide a local match of $600,000 from appropriated DOTE capital funds.

Last Wednesday, Cincinnati City Council approved a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) LEED tax exemption agreement with an affiliate of Westerville, Ohio-based Woda Development Group for the rehabilitation of two vacant and blighted apartment buildings in Avondale.

The $7.1 million project by Alston Park Limited Partnership will lower the number of units in the buildings from 66 to 39, to be made available to households at or below 60 percent of the area median income. Six of the units will be identified as HOME assisted units, reserved for households at or below 50 percent of the area median income.

As Cincinnati continues the development of a form-based code, an interactive workshop being held this evening will further explore how buildings and the places between them can improve the quality of life for everyone.

"Greening Our Neighborhoods: A Community Conversation", taking place from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Madisonville Recreation Center, located , will present a variety of place-based tools that support sustainable development and community revitalization.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Villages at Roll Hill
YEAR BUILT: 1961
USE: Multi-family dwelling (4 units)
OWNER: Fay Limited Partnership
ASSESSED VALUE: n/a
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Razed as part of a multi-phased, $36 million redevelopment of the apartment community by Wallick-Hendy Development, which includes the demolition of 17 buildings and the reduction of available units from 893 to 703.

Following three-and-a-half hours of discussion and public comment, Cincinnati City Council's Budget and Finance Committee advanced three ordinances meant to keep the City's $110-plus million streetcar project on track for a summer 2015 opening.

The first ordinance establishes a $15 million account which the City will use to relocate Duke Energy's electrical and gas lines along the route between and Findlay Market.

Cincinnati City Council last Wednesday approved a Community Reinvestment Area LEED tax exemption agreement with Hallmark Student Housing Cincinnati II, LLC for phase two of its University Edge student apartment development in Corryville.

The $3.8 million, 28-unit project, being built at , has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED for Homes Mid-Rise project.

At a special meeting held last Tuesday, Cincinnati City Council approved extending the interim development control overlay districts (IDCs) in Pleasant Ridge and Madisonville and along the Wasson Way corridor for an additional nine months.

The three IDCs, which were approved for a 90-day period last June, allow additional time for planning activities by regulating the establishment of uses, the construction of new buildings, or the demolition or alteration of existing structures within the defined area.

NEIGHBORHOOD: South Fairmount
YEAR BUILT: 1970
USE: Church
OWNER: City of Cincinnati
ASSESSED VALUE: $44,130
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: April 2012, ordered vacated and barricaded. The building was already being stripped in anticipation of demolition.
REASON RAZED: Razed for intersection realignment as part of the City's Harrison Avenue improvement project.

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission (OCFC) approved $2.1 million for two Cincinnati projects at its quarterly meeting last Wednesday.

The Cincinnati Art Museum will receive $1.5 million in state appropriations for its $11.1 million renovation project. The project will centralize the administrative offices and meeting rooms on the first and second floors and add a terrace and public access library on the third floor former Art Academy building, as well as renovate the basement of the museum's Emery Wing to accommodate library archives.

The following photos were taken Friday evening during an open house for three Northside properties rehabilitated under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP 2) guidelines.

The Model Group redeveloped the properties at 4122 Langland Street, 4205 Fergus Street, and 1500 Chase Avenue. Both the Fergus Street and the Chase Avenue properties will be LEED certified.

The City of Cincinnati has issued a request for proposals for qualified consultants to provide project management services in conjunction with preferred streetcar manufacturer CAF USA.

The City remains in talks with CAF USA on a $20.5 million contract for five modern streetcar vehicles and could issue a notice to proceed with vehicle production, which will be assembled at the company's facility in Elmira, N.Y., this November.

The City of Cincinnati and the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati officially opened the 11th Citirama urban home showcase with a Friday morning ceremony in Northside.

Located , Virginia Place has lots for 35 single-family homes and six neo-traditional homes. As many as 50 homes eventually could be built at the site.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Roselawn
YEAR BUILT: 1962
USE: Multi-family dwelling (4 units)
OWNER: Clyde M. and Betty A. Richard
ASSESSED VALUE: $41,740
HAZARD: March 2010. It appears no work was ever done to fix damage to the roof, structural members, windows, or anything else. The building required City barricade work on several occasions, and the back yard became a neighborhood dump site. The City lost all contact with the owners.
CONDEMNED: July 2009, following heavy damage from a suspected arson fire. A criminal case was filed in January 2010, and the owners were placed into a compliance program.
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Avondale
YEAR BUILT: 1890
USE: Two-family dwelling
OWNER: Zoological Society of Cincinnati
ASSESSED VALUE: $49,900
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: --
REASON RAZED: One of several properties along Forest and Duluth avenues that eventually will be razed for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's northward expansion.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Avondale
YEAR BUILT: 1908
USE: Single-family dwelling
OWNER: Zoological Society of Cincinnati
ASSESSED VALUE: $37,480
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: May 2011, for doors, plaster, gutters and downspouts, and vermin infestation. Ordered barricaded in February 2012 due to vacancy. The orders were reissued to the current owner in April 2012, after it purchased the property at sheriff's sale for $49,305.
REASON RAZED: One of several properties along Forest and Duluth avenues that eventually will be razed for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's northward expansion.

Three Downtown buildings that faced an uncertain future may have found redemption.

On August 15, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) affiliate CBD Holdings Inc. purchased the buildings from Asset Ohio Fourth Street LLC for $10.

The project team behind the --> --> --> project has released updated construction phasing and cost information for the widening and reconstruction of the interstate between Paddock Road and I-275.

The eight-phased, $467.4 million project is scheduled to begin in 2021 with the section of roadway .

Registration remains open for the third annual Green Homes Summit, to be held September 14-15 in Over-the-Rhine.

The event will highlight new and innovative green design opportunities, strategies, products, and services for residential buildings.

Today at 1 P.M. and at 2 P.M. at the Business Development and Permit Center, , Cincinnati's Board of Housing Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider orders against the following properties:

• , Madisonville (single-family, 1923), suspension of Vacant Building Maintenance License (VBML) fee - continuance, 1 P.M.
• , Avondale (two-family, 1885), suspension of building code violation orders - continuance, 1 P.M.
• , East Price Hill (restaurant/bar, 1922), suspension of VBML fee - continuance, 1 P.M.
• , East Price Hill (single-family, 1898), suspension of VBML fee - continuance, 1 P.M.
• , Westwood (single-family, 1919), suspension of VBML fee - continuance, 1 P.M.
• , Westwood (single-family, 1921), suspension of VBML fee, 1 P.M.
• , Westwood (single-family, 1913), suspension of VBML fee, 1 P.M.
• , East Price Hill (single-family, 1882), suspension of VBML fee - continuance, 1 P.M.
• , East Price Hill (three-family, 1900), suspension of VBML fee, 1 P.M.
• , Northside (two-family, 1900), suspension of VBML fee hearing, 1 P.M.
• , East Price Hill (single-family, 1890), suspension of VBML fee hearing, 1 P.M.
• , West Price Hill (two-family, 1952), suspension of VBML fee - continuance, 2 P.M.
• , Sedamsville (single-family, 1870), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , West Price Hill (two-family, 1900), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , West Price Hill (single-family, 1929), refund of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , West Price Hill (two-family, 1885), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , Pendleton (multi-family, 1875), suspension of VBML fee - continuance, 2 P.M.
• , Over-the-Rhine (charity/hospital/retirement home, 1900), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , Over-the-Rhine (multi-family, 1900), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , Over-the-Rhine (mixed-use, ???), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , Over-the-Rhine (multi-family, 1875), suspension of VBML fee, 2 P.M.
• , Northside (multi-family, ???), suspension of VBML fee hearing, 2 P.M. (aka 1958 Carlin St)

Anyone with pertinent information or evidence for or against these suspensions, refunds, or appeals is encouraged to testify.

Previous reading on BC:
Urban Conservator, Board of Housing Appeals meet today (8/6/12)
Urban Conservator, Board of Housing Appeals meet today (7/2/12)
Board of Housing Appeals to hear 20 cases today (5/7/12)

NEIGHBORHOOD: Avondale
YEAR BUILT: 1911
USE: Single-family dwelling
OWNER: Zoological Society of Cincinnati
ASSESSED VALUE: $52,980
HAZARD: --
CONDEMNED: --
ORDERS: None since 2008.
REASON RAZED: One of several properties along Forest and Duluth avenues that eventually will be razed for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's northward expansion. Purchased in January for $16,000.

The following 12 photos were taken August 27 following a press conference and dedication of Euclid Square Apartments at Euclid Avenue and E Daniels Street in Corryville.

Afterward, I made my way up to the Views on Vine project site, now rising out of the ground on . Time left on the meter...why waste it?

Following three years of construction, Campbell County dedicated its new $31 million courthouse expansion and renovation project on Thursday.

The 96,780-square-foot expansion was needed because of the additional services the court provides, including mental health services, drug court, and parole services.

Total as of September 4, 2012: 2,399 buildings
% Change in past month: +1.181% (+28 buildings)
% Change in past two months: +0.209% (+5 buildings)
% Change in past three months: -0.167% (-4 buildings)
% Change in past four months: +0.587% (+14 buildings)
% Change in past five months: +0.714% (+17 buildings)
% Change in past six months: --
% Change in past year: --
% Change in past two years: --
% Change in past five years: --

Previous reading on BC:
Abandoned/Vacant Building Report: August 2012 (8/2/12)
Abandoned/Vacant Building Report: July 2012 (7/2/12)
Abandoned/Vacant Building Report: June 2012 (6/7/12)
Abandoned/Vacant Building Report: May 2012 (5/7/12)
Abandoned/Vacant Building Report: April 2012 (4/4/12)

NEIGHBORHOOD: East Price Hill
YEAR BUILT: 1900
USE: Multi-family dwelling (6 units)
OWNER: 939 Chateau, LLC
ASSESSED VALUE: $2,200
HAZARD: August 2010.
CONDEMNED: January 2010, due to extensive fire damage affecting the roof, cornice, and interior structural members. A criminal case was prepared against previous owner Deanna Apartment Co., but was not pursued due to want of prosecution.
ORDERS: Off and on since August 2003. Most recently, orders issued in April 2009 for broken and missing windows and lack of electricity, gas, and water. The building had two tenants, was open to the public, and was getting electricity via an extension cord to the building next door. The building was ordered vacated in May 2009.
REASON RAZED: Declared a public nuisance and entered into the City's hazard abatement program.