Northside House Tour to show diversity, possibilities in housing

Northside will show off what's possible in Cincinnati urban housing from noon to 5 PM this Sunday during the 12th annual Northside House Tour.

The tour of 10 houses and 2 churches - including the St. Boniface Church rectory - will cover much of the neighborhood, from Bruce Avenue to Georgia Avenue to Langland Street.

Visitors can expect a bit of the old and the new and, because some of the properties are not entirely "ready", it only enhances the idea of buying and renovating a home.

"It's so diverse," says Louise Watts, chair of the House Tour Committee of the Northside Community Council (NCC).  "We've got old houses, new houses, in-between houses, and houses for every income.  A lot of the houses have been restored.  There are houses you can get for a pittance if you're willing to put in a little elbow grease."

Proceeds from the tour will benefit the NCC and will be used to fund all kinds of neighborhood initiatives.

"From past tours, we have been able to purchase property for a childrens' park and banners for the business district," she says.  "These funds have also served as seed money for new committees."

Watts says that they expect an attendance of between 500 and 600 people, and she thinks that Northside neophytes will like what they see.

Sponsors such as Ali's Boutique and Avant Garage, Melt Eclectic Deli, Shoetopia and Sidewinder Coffee and Tea have invited tour goers to make a day of it by visiting the neighborhood’s fantastic business district.

"The area's very stable, and we're seeing a lot of young people now with kids," she says.  "And the people here have a lot of positive energy.  It's really kind of cool if you're a bit zany here."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source:  Louise Watts, chair, Northside Community Council House Tour Committee
Illustration provided by Alan Hopfensperger