Soapbox

Stratford Heights was a major change for the area surrounding the University of Cincinnati.  Its completion in 2005 brought with it a consolidation of a previous scattered Greek community and new investment into the Uptown community.

The close proximity to campus, while also not being under university control, made the development a prime spot for Greek organizations and other campus groups.  But as the University of Cincinnati ran out of available on-campus housing options, the Stratford Heights development project became an appetizing option for expanding university-controlled student housing options.

Within the past two years Phi Kappa Alpha built a brand new house adjacent to the Stratford Heights development at 2711 Stratford Avenue.  There have also been a number of additions on other streets throughout The Heights neighborhood that consists of about 90 percent University of Cincinnati-affiliated individuals.

With the University now controlling Stratford Heights, demand is through the roof with its enrollment growth.  At the same time, some of those Greek organizations are looking for other options as the development will now be subject to University regulations.

One such fraternity is Lambda Chi Alpha which will move to 2809 Swiss Chalet along Clifton Avenue on September 1.  The fraternity will lease the building with plans of buying it within three years says Lambda Chi Alumni Adviser, Greg Braun.

“You’re usually not going to spend less than $400,000 to $450,000 to buy one of those buildings,” says Braun who goes on to say that the buildings will then require another $50,000 to $100,000 minimum to bring the buildings up to par.

These amounts can vary based upon the financial situation of the related Greek organization.  Braun says that some will drop big-time amounts of money into the buildings to get them to the status they desire.  This means big money and big investment in the Uptown community as well.

“Many students are coming from two-income households where they are not used to sharing a bathroom and have a certain expectation for their living accommodations,” says Braun who is also overseeing Lamba Chi’s move from Stratford Heights to their new house on Swiss Chalet.

After Lambda Chi moves from Stratford Heights there will be a couple of Greek organizations left in the development.  Some are looking to move and others are not says Braun.  There are other University student organizations at Stratford Heights that will stay as long as they can maintain a 90 percent occupancy rate as stipulated by the University.

In all, there are 14 or 15 Greek organizations located within The Heights neighborhood that makes up the western side of UC’s main campus.

Writer: Randy Simes
Source: Greg Braun, alumi adviser, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Photography by Randy Simes

If you have been past the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Vine Street recently you may have noticed the bevy of construction activity at the Corryville Crossings site.

The cleared site has sat somewhat lifeless for the past several months while financing was being worked out and delivered for a new parking garage and hotel, says Franz Stansbury, director of real estate development with the Uptown Consortium.

The Uptown Consortium is one of the entities providing financing for what will become a 200+ space parking garage and a 132-room Hampton Inn hotel, built by Messer Construction .  The hotel will be located on the southern and western end of the rectangular site, with two additional commercial retail pads available on the northern end along Martin Luther King Drive.

A Starbucks, IHOP and a bank were originally envisioned for the retail portions of this development until the economy began to shift.  “The economy hit everybody, so they’re waiting to see what happens and are looking for other tenants,” states Stansbury.

Stansbury says that a restaurant would make a lot of sense for at least one of the spaces as it would benefit the neighborhood and provide a service to the hotel patrons as well.

The parking garage is currently progressing at the Corryville Crossings site with pilings going in now.  Stansbury expects that the garage will be finished by the end of the year, with the hotel potentially opening within 18 months.

The Uptown Consortium sees the Corryville Crossings development as a key component of their Short Vine revitalization plans.  “We see two anchors on Short Vine; the Kroger area and this,” says Stansbury.

Once all is said and done the entire investment throughout the Short Vine area could reach as high as $100 million, with Corryville Crossings accounting for roughly one-fourth of that at $24 million.

“We’re working with major stakeholders in the area including the University of Cincinnati, and have completed a number of development potential analyses,” says Stansbury about the larger Short Vine revitalization efforts.

Writer: Randy Simes
Source: Franz Stansbury, director of real estate development, Uptown Consortium
Photography by Randy Simes

Each year the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) hosts an exhibition that highlights the creative output of that year’s graduating class.

The exhibition regularly draws visitors and companies from around the nation to view the final works of DAAP’s graduating class.  Graduating students often will discuss their projects on display with those visiting and field questions on their research or design.

The College boasts several top-ranked programs nationally, many of which are known and respected  internationally.  In this end-of-year exhibition, works from the following programs will be shown:

• Architecture
• Art Education
• Digital Design
• Fashion Design
• Fine Arts
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design
• Interior Design
• Urban Planning

The almost week-long exhibition will run from Tuesday, June 9 to Saturday, June 13 in the Peter Eisenman-designed Aronoff Center for Design and Art at the corner of Clifton Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive.  Displays are also set up at the Meyers Gallery located in the Steger Student Life Center.

In addition to the installations, the ever-popular Fashion Show put on by the College’s premier Fashion Design program will take place on Friday, June 12.  In past years, the Fashion Show has sold out so quickly that many people have been unable to view the show.  As a result, this year’s Fashion Show will also be webcast at 8pm.

The DAAP Works exhibition is free and open to the public and is open 5pm to 9pm on Tuesday, 9am to 9am Wednesday through Friday, and noon to 4pm on Saturday.

Writer: Randy Simes
Source: University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
Photography by Randy Simes