NEST Selects co-developer team for Northside Gateway transformation
For immediate release:
NEST, Northside’s non-profit Community Redevelopment Corporation, has selected Urban Sites and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing as the preferred co-developers of the commercial sites at 3925 and 3927 Ludlow Avenue, known as the “Northside Gateway”. NEST acquired the properties with support from the City of Cincinnati via the HUD Community Development Block Grant funding program and private financing.
“NEST is excited to be working with this dynamic partnership as we pursue our commercial development goals to bolster our business district,” said Sarah Thomas, Executive Director of NEST. “The Northside Gateway is a prime opportunity for business district expansion, affordable housing creation and neighborhood connectivity to assets like the Mill Creek Greenway trail and the Northside Transit Center.”
The former “Stagecraft” is a historic icon and has long anchored the Knowlton’s Corner intersection; its renovation will bring activity back into the entry point of Northside’s bustling, historic Neighborhood Business District. NEST, Urban Sites and OTR Community Housing are currently working together to craft a development plan that maximizes the opportunity of the location and looks forward to engaging the community as part of that process.
“This is exactly the kind of project we like to tackle,” said Tim Westrich, Vice President of Affordable Housing at Urban Sites. “We welcome the chance to redevelop a key property in Northside, and to do so on a team with two strong community-minded nonprofits.”
“We are excited to partner with NEST and the Northside community to provide quality affordable housing,” said Ben Eilerman, OTRCH Senior Developer. “We are honored to be invited to share our community-based model with our neighbors in Northside.”
About NEST
Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation (NEST) is a conscientious community redevelopment corporation dedicated to ensuring Northside thrives as a vibrant and sustainable community by preserving, improving and creating the neighborhood’s built environment. Our work encompasses homeownership initiatives, affordable housing creation, business district development and a variety of community improvement initiatives. For more information visit http://northsidenest.org.
About Urban Sites
Urban Sites specializes in development, construction, and property management in Cincinnati’s core neighborhoods. Our mission is to lift up neighborhoods by creating authentic urban spaces, experiences and lifestyles. For more information visit http://urbansites.com.
About Over-the-Rhine Community Housing
OTRCH has been active for over forty years, providing the property development, property management, resident services and tenant advocacy that enable the thriving, vibrant, diverse community in Over-the-Rhine. From providing affordable housing to saving historical buildings to providing housing and support for our most vulnerable neighbors, we're working to build and sustain a neighborhood that values low-income residents and benefits all in the community. For more information visit http://otrch.org.
