Over the Rhine
City’s rich history – and architecture – is its greatest untapped potential
OTR’s Historic Treasures
Mercer Commons: Controversial project moves forward
Following a year-long battle, the Mercer Commons development in Over-the-Rhine received final approval from Cincinnati City Council. The project was controversial because of the planned demolitions of two significant historic buildings, the Loehmann Building at 1314 Vine and the George Herwegh Singing Society Building at 1329 Walnut Street, and the overtly modern design of a large new building planned for the 1300 block of Vine Street. Because the project was a planned development (PD), the Cincinnati Historic Conservation Board (HCB) had limited review authority even though it was in a historic district.
CPA supported the project because of the planned renovations of 19 vacant historic buildings, many with the use of historic tax credits. We opposed the demolitions of 1314 and 1329 and urged the developers to modify the design of the Vine Street building to make it more compatible with the OTR design guidelines. (Eventually some minor modifications were made to the design.) We also urged the City to revise its ordinances to require PDs in historic districts to be reviewed by the HCB.
The developers were required to seek community feedback, but received complaints from OTR residents and community groups that their input was disregarded.
Mercer Commons, a $53.5-million mixed-use project to include upscale condos and affordable rental units, is a joint venture between the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation and McCormick, Baron & Salazar of St. Louis. Both 1314 and 1329 have now been demolished.
On the web: http://www.3cdc.org/follow-our-projects/mercer-commons/
