EPH resident proposes swaps involving Whittier, Quebec Heights sites

An East Price Hill resident has proposed multiple land swaps in the neighborhood, including the site of the recently-demolished Whittier School (BIRD'S EYE).

In a letter to City Council, copied to members of the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) board, the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC), William Bailey addresses the need for a larger community center and the needed expansion of the District Three police facilities.

Bailey recommends relocating the neighborhood's community center to the 63,000-square-foot Quebec Heights School at 1655 Ross Avenue (BIRD'S EYE), which CPS has announced will close.

Bailey says that the current community center, at just under 18,000 square feet, is far too small.

"Groups are not using the facility because of the ability to schedule and lacking commendations [sic] for them," he writes. "The Community Council meets in a church instead of using the Community Center. After school programs can't expand."

Bailey says that the property is perfect for any expansion needs and would also provide aid to West Price Hill, the CRC Dunham operations and the South Fairmount Community Center.

"It's located next to a Cincinnati Recreation Commission operated ball field as well as a wooded park area," Bailey writes. "It has ample parking available, a blacktop wrap around the school play ground. The property would allow for the construction of an attached competition size indoor swimming pool which could generate income for the CRC."

Bailey then recommends rehabilitating the former community center for police use and connecting it to the current facility via concrete steps.

"The property provides much needed space for construction of a secured parking lot for the officer's [sic] private vehicles as well as the city's equipment," Bailey writes.

The CPD could then suspend their lease of additional space across the street at 3120 Warsaw Avenue (BIRD'S EYE), and the Whittier property could be left open for recreation and additional off-street parking for Dempsey Park.

Bailey believes that the proposed moves are economically feasible.

"It places these buildings and properties into a practical and profitable use by meeting the needs of so many, the public schools, city departments, organizations, residents of East Price Hill instead of empty buildings or vacant lots," Bailey writes.

The East Price Hill Improvement Association has come out in favor of creating a new, state-of-the-art District Three police station either onto the Whittier site or upon property at the CMHA Seminary Ridge site at 1040 Considine Avenue (BIRD'S EYE).

Either option would retain some police operations on the current site.

A report on the proposal from the Office of the City Manager is due before the City Council in mid-May.

Previous reading on BC:
City will not help purchase Whittier site (11/21/07)
East Price Hill wants Whittier, new police station (10/18/07)