CINCINNATI — A strip of historic buildings along Warsaw Avenue is being revitalized for housing and commercial space.

The Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus, run by Price Hill Will and The Model Group, had its official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday. Proponents of the project say the development will be a major boon to housing and the neighborhood’s economy.

“It’s just an amazing milestone for this great project, so being able to welcome all of our friends and neighbors to come celebrate with us today is really exciting,” said Rachel Hastings, executive director of Price Hill Will.

The creative campus on Avenue de Guerre has been in the making for five years. The development will consist of eight revitalized historic buildings between Considine and Grand Avenue. Thirteen residential units and seven commercial spaces will be created in the renovated buildings as part of a $10 million project.

Warsaw Avenue was once the heart of the East Price Hill community, but then languished in blight and crime for years. Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney said project organizers were partly motivated to improve conditions in East Price Hill after seeing positive changes in other areas.

“A lot of good things are happening here, but East Price Hill needs a business district and it’s going to be fantastic,” said Lemon Kearney. “And so morale will really pick up here, and investments and more people will come here. It’s not just good for the neighborhood, it’s good for the whole city.

Part of the space under renovation will be reserved for the promotion of artistic and creative projects by young people and families. One of the buildings being renovated was a former horse and carriage operated fire station.

“This will breathe new life into these historic assets and become a center of activity for the community both in terms of employment opportunities, new businesses and economic activity, housing options,” said Jason Chamlee, Vice President of Mixed-Use Development for The Model. Group.

Robie Suggs, director of loans for the Cincinnati Development Fund, said she was also excited about the project.

“It’s a place where the community can come together, the community can grow together and be creative together,” Suggs said.

Price Hill Will says the renovations are expected to be completed in early 2023. The organization is also actively seeking potential tenants for the commercial spaces in the development. To learn more, visit pricehillwill.org.

Monique John covers gentrification for WCPO 9. She is part of our donor-supported journalism program Report For America. Learn more about RFA here.

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