Blight and Crime -- they seem like insurmountable problems in some Cincinnati neighborhoods. A city initiative, the 90 day Neighborhood Enhancement Program, is proving otherwise. Since 2007, eight neighborhoods have received additional funds and attention from the city to get on the right track. Today, College Hill celebrated their success.
The big picture is about improving the quality of life in a neighborhood. But, where to start? In College Hill they started by removing graffiti, picking up litter, repairing potholes, and planting flowers. New signs welcome folks to the neighborhood. Volunteers helped to give some businesses along the main drag a face lift. Florist Barb Ramsey had her storefront power washed, re-painted, and she hung a new shingle outside. She tells me the changes have been rewarded with new customers walking through her door. They commend her for the new look.
This isn't just about aesthetics. The city dedicated a lot of manpower to College Hill this Spring. Police officers clocked eight hundred hours of overtime, patrolling neighborhood streets. Making their presence known, Cincinnati Police hope to scare off the riff-raff that can make life unpleasant for residents. Building inspectors came in to keep homeowners in check. On their to-do list were more than a thousand properties. In the end, five will be demolished. Vacant, dilapidated eye-sores will disappear to make room for re-development.
Listing the achievements made in just 90 days is one thing. Feeling the energy among residents is another -- they're excited! Things are looking up in College Hill and they know it.
I hope they can keep the momentum going. I hope other residents and business owners see this success and decide to invest in their own property. There's no reason we can't breath new life into our neighborhoods -- after all College Hill is like a breath of fresh air.
Learn More About College Hill: http://www.collegehilloh.net/CHabout.htm
The big picture is about improving the quality of life in a neighborhood. But, where to start? In College Hill they started by removing graffiti, picking up litter, repairing potholes, and planting flowers. New signs welcome folks to the neighborhood. Volunteers helped to give some businesses along the main drag a face lift. Florist Barb Ramsey had her storefront power washed, re-painted, and she hung a new shingle outside. She tells me the changes have been rewarded with new customers walking through her door. They commend her for the new look.
This isn't just about aesthetics. The city dedicated a lot of manpower to College Hill this Spring. Police officers clocked eight hundred hours of overtime, patrolling neighborhood streets. Making their presence known, Cincinnati Police hope to scare off the riff-raff that can make life unpleasant for residents. Building inspectors came in to keep homeowners in check. On their to-do list were more than a thousand properties. In the end, five will be demolished. Vacant, dilapidated eye-sores will disappear to make room for re-development.
Listing the achievements made in just 90 days is one thing. Feeling the energy among residents is another -- they're excited! Things are looking up in College Hill and they know it.
I hope they can keep the momentum going. I hope other residents and business owners see this success and decide to invest in their own property. There's no reason we can't breath new life into our neighborhoods -- after all College Hill is like a breath of fresh air.
Learn More About College Hill: http://www.collegehilloh.net/CHabout.htm
