Preservationists gather in Cincinnati to develop adaptive reuse strategies for Over-the-Rhine

The National Trust for Historic Preservation chose Cincinnati as the location for its Advanced Preservation Leadership Training session that began Saturday. The week-long training session is bringing together preservation professionals from Cincinnati and around the nation to focus on adaptive reuses for four historic properties in Over-the-Rhine.

"A lot of these buildings were made for uses that no longer apply like St. John's Church on Elm Street which will probably never be used as a church again," said Paul Muller, Interim Executive Director, Cincinnati Preservation Association which is sponsoring the session locally with the Over-the-Rhine Foundation.  "New uses for these buildings makes them economically viable again, and helps to make the city a vibrant place."

The preservationists involved in the week-long training session were split into four groups and toured the buildings on Sunday, July 18.  Over the course of the week the groups will put together a report for their respective buildings that will include proposals for the structures.  The reports will then be presented at a public meeting on Saturday, July 24 at Memorial Hall (map).

"We're happy that the National Trust for Historic Preservation followed up on this after naming Over-the-Rhine one of the most endangered historic districts in 2006," Muller said.  "They only do a few of these trainings each year, and it is an honor they chose Cincinnati."

Muller explained that following Saturday's report presentations at Memorial Hall, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will follow-up with additional efforts down the road, but he emphasized the importance of this work even if nothing comes from it immediately.

"Other cities have historic districts that would only make up a corner of Over-the-Rhine.  Seeing a collection of historic buildings this large through outside eyes is really inspiring, and so far the participants have been amazed by the city and its rich historic assets."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Tiffani Fisher
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