Over-the-Rhine leaders celebrate completion of City Home's first phase

City Home is not your average Over-the-Rhine development project.  Sure the central location, contemporary interiors, historic accents and unique character remain present, but the fact that City Home features new single-family home construction is something very new.

The first of two phases of City Home is now complete with six newly renovated condominiums on the west side of Pleasant Street which sit directly across from the five new townhouses that have been built as part of the project.

Several units are under contract, but developers say that the second phase will wait until enough sales have been made in the first phase's units.  Once complete, the overall City Home development will include a total of 10 renovated condominium spaces over two historic buildings and 12 new single-family townhouses that are being marketed towards families looking to take advantage of the close proximity to Washington Park and the new School of Creative and Performing Arts.

"Once the park and school get up and running it will make a big difference," said project manager with Over-the-Rhine Community Housing Sarah Allen whose organization is typically known for its affordable rental developments.

"It's always a challenge to figure out how to make housing units affordable, but we're trying to create a diverse community as be we can," said Allen who went on to say that at City Home the prices range from $120,000 to $348,000 with subsidies on various units for qualified buyers.

The diversity of the community that Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, Eber Development and 3CDC are trying to create extends beyond just the price points and affordability as part of the City Home development is a community garden that is seen as a way for existing and new residents to mix together in a positive way.

Over-the-Rhine Community Housing is also working with SmartMoney Community Services to help make the units more affordable to qualified families within the $7 million City Home development located in historic Over-the-Rhine just north of Washington Park.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Ann Lawson
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