OTR to be subject of green redevelopment study

City Council is considering applying for a Certified Local Subgrant that would aid in the study of environmentally sensitive redevelopment of historic properties, with Over-the-Rhine providing the examples.

The funds, in the amount of $29,072, would come from the National Park Service and would be disbursed by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office.

The application is being made by the City's Historic Conservation Office and would be awarded to the Over-the-Rhine Foundation (OTRF), who would administer the grant.

The study is part of a larger strategy by the Local Alliance for Nature and Development for Hamilton County's Committee on Green Building (LAND-HC), which hopes to make Over-the-Rhine a national prototype for green historic redevelopment.

The idea is to explore the barriers and opportunities presented by environmentally sensitive redevelopment of historic properties - such as the difficulties in obtaining LEED certification and tax credits on the same project, a lack of awareness of LEED principles by contractors, and soft costs arising from the hiring of preservation consultants for green renovations.

Nationwide, only 2.5 percent of LEED registered or certified projects have utilized historic structures. (297 projects)

Because of Over-the-Rhine's magnitude and its inclusion on the National Register, it's viewed as a perfect case study.

The OTRF also hopes that green historic redevelopment will provide the "hook" that will lure people away from new construction and into the many threatened structures that line the neighborhood's streets.

Upon approval of the funds, the OTRF would issue a request for proposals for a historic preservation consulting partner, who would be named next April. Together, they would begin compiling information on 4-7 local properties.

Stage one of the project would be a one-day work session with professionals associated with preservation and development.

That would be followed by a quarter-long design studio conducted at the University of Cincinnati, which would conclude with a two-day work session involving the same professionals.

The desired result is a written report that can be used as a template by developers, contractors and property owners. This will include illustrations, schematics, cost breakdowns and checklists.

The total cost of the project, which would be completed between May and July of 2009, is estimated at $65,759. The remaining share would be paid for by the Niehoff Urban Studio, Towne Properties, LAND-HC members, the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati and OTRF.

In addition to OTRF, project partners include the Cincinnati Preservation Association, the UC School of Architecture, the City's Department of Community Development and Planning, LAND-HC, the Niehoff Urban Studio and other historic preservation, LEED, real estate and development professionals.

An ordinance allowing for an application for the funds is currently in City Council's Finance Committee.