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Over-the-Rhine

Cincinnati contains more buildings than any other city in the state of Ohio that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is most evident in Over-the-Rhine, located six blocks north of Fountain Square. The 360-acre neighborhood boasts the largest collection of 19th century Italianate structures in the United States,(1) along with a significant collection of Greek Revival and Renaissance Revival styles, the entire neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 17, 1983.(3)

History

Regarded as an early German village, the name Over-the-Rhine is derived from its early builders and residents, German immigrants. At the time of the neighborhood's conception, the Miami and Erie Canal separated the area from downtown Cincinnati, following along what is today Central Parkway. In regard to their native country, the immigrants coined the neighborhood "Over-the-Rhine," because crossing the canal reminded them of crossing the Rhine River in Germany.(2)

The development of what became Over-the-Rhine began in the early 1800s, as outward growth from the riverfront began to occupy farmlands leading up towards Deer Creek and Mill Creek and the adjoining hills. While the vast majority of settlers and early immigrants were from of English and Scottish ancestry, a bulk of the new arrivals derived from Germany by the 1830s and 1840s.(8) In 1825, the German community consisted of only 25 individuals, but this exploded to 27% of Cincinnati's population just fifteen years later.(3)(8)

The district became known as an ethnic neighborhood, with over one-half of its residents descending from German heritage by mid-century. Over-the-Rhine had become a focal point of German culture and heritage, complete with its own churches, establishments and German-language publications.(2)

Not all of the city welcomed the residents; some local residents felt that the Germans bared poor influence and blamed the immigrants for the city's ills. In 1855, a mob attempted to invade the neighborhood, but armed German-American militia units helped disperse the violent mass.(2)

In 1878, Cincinnati Music Hall was completed along Elm Street, opposite Washington Park.(3)

Anti-German sentiment declined during the latter half of the nineteenth century, but increased during World War I and World War II.(2) The city of Cincinnati modified street signs to remove any German influence, banned the teaching of the German language in public schools, and removed German-language publications in public libraries.

Post World War II

After World War II, Over-the-Rhine declined both culturally and figuratively. Land values decreased and the area became known as a ghetto,(2) a section of town inhabited primarily by African-Americans and Appalachians.(3) It was also known as a migrant district, where incomers resided in affordable housing, seeking work or finding labor where the pay was paltry.(3) The population declined from a high of 44,475 in 1900 to 27,577 in 1960, rising only slightly during the mid-20th century with an arrival of Appalachians.(3) Between 1960 and 1970, the population declined by over 50% to 15,025, and the median household income was only $5,000 per year in 1990, a sharp contrast to Cincinnati's median of $21,000.(3)(5)

Critics of the neighborhood stated that the flight to the suburbs during the latter-half of the 20th-century was exacerbated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that concentrated disadvantaged people on public assistance in one location.(4) Many were forced to stay regardless of the conditions for fear of losing their subsidized housing. Interstate 75's construction on the west end only exaggerated the situation.(5)



By 1990, over a quarter of the housing stock in Over-the-Rhine was vacant or abandoned.(3) Alcoholism, drug usage and homelessness had become paramount issues within the community, and over 23,000 calls for service were made in the district. Two-thousand of these were for "part one" crimes that involved murder, rape, robbery and burglary.(4)(5) Numerous neighborhood support programs and an increase in police presence has reduced the crime rate in area dramatically.

First renaissance

During this time, a renaissance was occurring, fueled by a generation of younger professionals and art students who were drawn into Over-the-Rhine for its history and building stock.(5) Nightclubs were the first establishments to open, centered along Main Street on the eastern fringe of the Central District of Over-the Rhine, followed by art galleries and specialty shops. One such instance of the area's success was St. Theresa Textile Trove, which opened in 1994 and attracted art quilters from across the country.

At the height of the boom, at the start of the 21st century, speculation led many young downtown and uptown professionals to place down-payments on condominium and apartment units that were not yet ready for occupancy.(5) Projects were led by small, independent contractors and businesses.

But on April 7, 2001, Stephen Roach, a white Cincinnati police officer, shot and killed Timothy Thomas, an African-American who had reached down into his pants, possibly in an attempt to pull them up.(5) What ensued was massive rioting that began on April 9. Fires raged from downtown to Norwood; businesses were vandalized and looted; white people were pulled from their cars and beaten.(6)



After the riots, redevelopment plans throughout Over-the-Rhine collapsed. Nightclubs, restaurants and art galleries shuttered, and the popular St. Teresa Textile Trove moved to another neighborhood because customers feared driving into Over-the-Rhine.(5)

Paradoxically, the riots' may have sped up redevelopment efforts.(5) Thousands of renters that were receiving federal rent subsidies left Over-the-Rhine, and the mass exodus of people left 500 of the 1,200 buildings vacant, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.(5) Property values plummeted, making it easier for developers, such as Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), to purchase large tracts of lots for future redevelopment. Much financing for such projects came from corporate and philanthropic sources, especially in the case of 3CDC, which was formed in 2003 with $80 million raised by Cincinnati's corporate leaders.(5)

Today

As a result, today Over-the-Rhine is seeing a renaissance. An increasing number of visitors and residents are rediscovering the grandeur and beauty of the Italianate structures, and the benefits of being centrally located only blocks from downtown. With historic Findlay Market boasting shoulder-to-shoulder crowds on the weekends, Main Street becoming a thriving upscale entertainment and bar district, and Ensemble Theater and Music Hall performing to thousands of guests, the once-neglected district is seeing an uptick in population growth and investment.

What may be the biggest threat to revitalization, is not from crime or racial tension, but from the building stock themselves.(5) Many have been vacant or neglected for so long that they are on the verge of collapse. Some that were used as crack houses were simply bulldozed.



Still, some fear that the redevelopments will have an adverse effect on Over-the-Rhine. Concerns regarding gentrification, or the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas, will force out existing residents and social-services agencies.(4)



In one development project, coined the Gateway Quarter, most of the buildings that the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) purchased for restoration and redevelopment were vacant.(4) The only significant movement of people that would be required in the vicinity of the project is 1400 Race Street, where the Over-the-Rhine Foundation took over the building several years prior. Residents were given vouchers by H.U.D. to find other low-income housing, and the building was a general magnet for crime.(4)

Know Theatre

On April 27, 2006, Over-the-Rhine's nine-year-old Know Theatre relocated to a once-abandoned nightclub one block south of the Art Academy of Cincinnati.(7) Formerly located at the basement of the Salem United Church of Christ at 1425 Sycamore Street, the rationale for the move was to 1120 Jackson Street was to expand operations and to increase revenue. In addition, the operators of the venue wanted to add to a burgeoning arts district near the Gateway Quarter, where developers invested millions in new retail, condominiums and entertainment venues. The operators of the new Kroger garage agreed to provide the theater with discounted parking for its patrons as well.(7)

The move allowed the theater to expand its product offerings, including digital-movie premiers, art showings and cabaret-style entertainment.

Sources

1. "Over-the-Rhine." Travelhost June-July 2008: 16.
2. "Over-the-Rhine." Ohio History Central. 2008. Ohio Historical Society. 18 Aug. 2008 Article.
3. "History of Over-the-Rhine." iRhine. 2007. 21 Aug. 2008 Article.
4. Rose, Marla Matzer. "A quiet rebirth in Over-the-Rhine"." Cincinnati Enquirer, The (OH) March 26, 2006, Final, News: 1A. NewsBank Access World News. (University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky). August 25, 2008. Page.
5. Maag, Christopher. "In Cincinnati, Life Breathes Anew in Riot-Scarred Area." New York Times 25 November 2006. 25 August 2008 Article.
6. Horn, Dan. "The riots explode: A city's dark week." Cincinnati Enquirer 30 December 2001. 25 August 2008 Article.
7. Monk, Dan. "Theater troupe hopes new location brings more funds." Cincinnati Business Courier 31 March 2006. 25 August 2008.
8. Hurley, Daniel. "Oh Visions and Dreams." Cincinnati: The Queen City. Illus. Michael Isaacs and Eberhard + Eberhard. Ed. Gale E. Peterson, et al. Cincinnati: Cincinnati Historical Society, 1982. 33-73. Print.