- Our Work
- Strengthening Existing Communities
Strengthening Existing Communities
Old buildings, new possibilities in Cincinnati’s communities
Long before a project begins, there are businesses opening their doors each morning, residents investing in their blocks, community organizations creating opportunities, and local institutions helping shape the character of the neighborhood. We start by understanding what already exists and a commitment to strengthening it.
Many of the neighborhoods where we work have experienced decades of disinvestment, leaving behind vacant buildings, underutilized commercial corridors, and limited access to quality affordable housing. Yet those same neighborhoods continue to possess the qualities that make communities thrive: strong relationships, local pride, entrepreneurial energy, and a distinct sense of identity.
Our role is to help preserve and strengthen the things that make these neighborhoods meaningful.
That means restoring historic buildings, creating affordable housing opportunities, partnering with neighborhood organizations, and making room for the businesses and community-serving organizations that contribute to street-level vitality. It also means navigating complex projects that often require years of collaboration, creative financing, and persistence to bring to life.
The Bridge, Evanston
Located within Evanston’s historic business district, The Bridge brings together the rehabilitation of multiple historic buildings to create new opportunities for residents, entrepreneurs, and community organizations.
Developed alongside public, private, and nonprofit partners, the project reflects a collaborative approach to neighborhood investment—one that prioritizes affordable housing while creating space for businesses that contribute to daily life at street level.
When complete, The Bridge will deliver 26 affordable residential units and five commercial storefronts, helping reinforce the activity and accessibility that have long defined this important corridor.
Highlights
- Project Cost:
- $8,400,000
- construction Cost:
- $6,935,439
- construction duration:
- 12 months
Scope:
27 Residential Units: 100% affordable; 27,300 sf
5 Commercial Units: 6,736 sf
12 Space Parking Lot
Project partners:
The Port, Cincinnati Development Fund, City of Cincinnati, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, Ohio Department of Development (HTCs), LISC, Cincinnati Preservation Association
Keymark, College Hill
Created in partnership with College Hill CURC, KeyMark CH represents a shared commitment to strengthening one of Cincinnati’s most distinctive neighborhood business districts.
The project restored multiple historic properties along Hamilton Avenue while creating 26 affordable residential units and more than 11,000 square feet of commercial space. The result is a collection of buildings that continue serving the neighborhood while creating opportunities for future residents, businesses, and community organizations.
Like many of our projects, Keymark required a layered financing strategy and extensive collaboration among public agencies, lenders, and community partners. The project’s success reflects what can happen when stakeholders remain committed to a shared long-term vision.
Highlights
- Project Cost:
- $9,475,000
- construction Cost:
- $6,525,651
- construction duration:
- 16 months
Scope:
26 Residential Units: 100% affordable; 19,468 sf
5 Commercial Units: 11,330 sf
71 Space Parking Lot
Project partners:
The Port, City of Cincinnati, New Markets Tax Credits, WesBanco, Capital One, Cincinnati Development Fund, Private Equity
West Price Hill
In West Price Hill, our work focused on restoring a block of historic mixed-use buildings while supporting the businesses and organizations that contribute to the neighborhood’s identity.
The project combines affordable housing with accessible commercial space designed to support local entrepreneurs and community-serving businesses. Existing minority-owned businesses were retained as part of the development, helping preserve the relationships and services already valued by neighborhood residents.
By restoring long-vacant buildings and creating new opportunities for local businesses, the project contributes to the ongoing vitality of the Glenway East business district while building upon the character that already exists there.
Highlights
- Project Cost:
- $3,668,435
- construction Cost:
- $3,082,770
- construction duration:
- 10 months
Scope:
7 Residential Units: 4 affordable; 5,455 sf
4 Commercial Units: 6,898 sf
30 Space Parking Lot
Project partners:
Price Hill Will, The Port, City of Cincinnati, Northside Bank and Trust
Collective Impact
Across Evanston, College Hill, and West Price Hill, these projects represent a shared belief: strong neighborhoods are built by investing in the people, businesses, and places that already give them life.
Together, these developments have created affordable housing, restored historic buildings, expanded opportunities for several local businesses, and strengthened neighborhood business districts. More importantly, they demonstrate what can happen when development is guided by partnership, persistence, and a commitment to long-term neighborhood vitality.
