Freestore to Spare Walnut Street Buildings

Two historic buildings at Walnut and Liberty streets in Over-the-Rhine, proposed for demolition by the Freestore Foodbank, will instead be spared. The Freestore originally planned to take down the buildings, located at 1606 and 1608 Walnut Street, in order to improve access and circulation.

The controversial proposal to demolish the buildings was rejected by the Cincinnati Historic Conservation Board (HCB) in March. The Freestore then came back with a revised plan that spared the buildings. Two noncontributing buildings, located at 1630 Walnut and 101 Corwine, will be demolished for parking. This revised plan also generated some controversy in the neighborhood, as some residents objected to the loss of the Corwine building, and the amount of surface parking being created. The revised proposal was approved by the HCB on April 21st.

The Walnut Street buildings, like many in OTR, are currently vacant and deteriorating, but remain a strong presence on the streetscape. In meetings with representatives of the Freestore, CPA argued that the buildings help “hold” a corner that has been weakened by demolitions and new construction, and their loss would isolate the Walnut Street Baptist Church next door: one of OTR’s oldest houses of worship.

The two Italianate brick buildings will be renovated by a private developer. The Freestore will resolve their circulation issues by adding a freight elevator and revamping the entrances to the facility.

Date posted: June 26, 2008