Crouse: What is the future of the West Side?

David Crouse sees three neglected properties on his street and wonders about the future of Price Hill and the West Side.

In a letter to City Council dated September 17, Crouse issued an open invitation to Councilmembers to tour the neighborhood.

Crouse owns property near the Glenway/Warsaw/Quebec intersection in East Price Hill.

Earlier this year, his area was a target for concentrated code enforcement, which led to orders for minor repairs for him and for his neighbors.

While he feels that "it was nice to see some fresh paint going up in Price Hill", he does have some concerns about the non-compliance of some of his neighbors.

Crouse points to these properties as the worst:

* A rental property across the street, whose owner has not addressed code violations
* An overgrown vacant lot with an impassable sidewalk and clogged drainage system
* A long-vacant house owned by someone in Texas, which has not been barricaded properly

Council passed the letter along to Michael Cervay, Director of the Department of Community Development and Planning.

In his response, Cervay assures Crouse that the Department of Buildings and Inspections is following up on any outstanding orders, and will penalize those owners until they bring their properties in compliance or sell them to someone who can.

But his most important suggestion is that Crouse continue to invest in his own property, which will demonstrate to his neighbors the value of investing in their own.

Cervay closes his response by addressing the future of Price Hill and the West Side, noting:

* Kroger's investment of a larger store on Warsaw Avenue
* Improvements to Glenway Avenue at Guerley Road and near Elder and Seton high schools
* The MetroWest Commerce Park redevelopment in Lower Price Hill
* The future rebuilding of the Waldvogel and Eighth Street viaducts

Cervay believes that these infrastructure investments will help attract more private investment to the neighborhood.