Wrecking Cincinnati, 7/10/07

RIP: 4668 North Edgewood Avenue, Spring Grove Village
Single-family

DOB: Circa 1900
Died: June 2007
Cause of death: After a prolonged illness of several years, succumbed to a failing foundation and an ill front porch that was home to large animals (possibly raccoons). The owner failed to show up for pre-prosecution hearings on the building. It then became the subject of a lawsuit involving the Winton Place Community Council. In March 2007, the City authorized a transfer of funds to the CDBG Receivership Program account for hazard abatement.

RIP: 911 York Street, West End
Single-family

DOB: Unknown, probably 1860-1880
Died: June 2007
Cause of death: Negligent homicide - CMHA indifference. The roof collapsed, windows were missing, and the building was open to the weather. The CMHA never obtained a Vacant Building Maintenance License despite numerous warnings. They demolished the property to eliminate the(ir) problem.

RIP: 221 Stetson Street, Corryville
Single-family

DOB: 1924
Died: July 2007
Cause of death: Homicide. Sacrificed for the Stetson Square project.

Spring Grove Weekend Walkabout tours

Last Tuesday's Enquirer had an article about guided tours through Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum.

On weekends, from May through October, the Heritage Foundation will conduct tours through the 733-acre National Historic Landmark.

The cost is $5.

Anyone interested in Cincinnati history should definitely do this.

In 2004 I spent several days there taking photographs with my old dinosaur camera. Once you get over the fact that it's a cemetery, it becomes a beautiful sculpture park. And since its an arboretum, there are many non-native species of trees--including 22 "Ohio Champion" trees--meaning they're the largest of their kind in the entire state.

If you don't want to pay the $5, go by yourself for free. Maps are available on their website or inside the office just inside the front gate.

www.springgrove.org

Winton Place: Restaurant Depot

RD America, Inc., has won a 15-year property tax exemption to build a new warehouse at 4501 W Mitchell Ave.

The ordinance to execute the Community Reinvestment Area Agreement, which will reduce the tax liability by about $1.1 million over the life of the agreement, was passed at the February 7 meeting of city council.

Restaurant Depot, a subsidiary of RD America, Inc., is a member's-only warehouse that sells equipment, food items, and supplies to the food service community.

Membership is free with either a state resale certificate or proof of representation of a non-profit.

The 55,000-60,000 square foot facility is expected to cost $4.9 million to build and will also include an 85-space parking lot.

Construction will involve the demolition of existing structures (pictured) on the site.

It should be completed and open for business in September 2007.