The Over-The-Rhine Historic District Conservation Guidelines for New Construction

Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine neighborhood is a state and national treasure, containing the largest collection of 19th Century Italianate architecture in the country. Once threatened with demolition by neglect, this neighborhood has become a shining example pf preservation, but its not without its challenges. 50% of its historic fabric has been lost since 1930. Despite this, investment and rehabilitation continue to pour into the neighborhood, many times in the form of new, infill construction. While historic conservation guidelines have been in place for decades, guidelines for infill construction had been somewhat loose and vague, given that prior to its recent renaissance, most of the investment was in rehabilitation. As more buildings get rehabilitated, development, in the form of robust infill of existing vacant lots has surged. Neighborhood stakeholders undertook an arduous 8-year process to develop thorough, comprehensive, and VISUAL guidelines to help steer appropriate infill development. This session will explore the good, bad and the ugly of this process, and present often contrasting viewpoints about the effectiveness and appropriateness of specific guidelines that are designed to influence new infill development. Approved for 1.00 AIA HSW credit.