Our Place Making
As identified in the West End Speaks quality of life neighborhood plan, these projects fulfill the overall goal of improving the business district by making it more inviting and creating a stronger sense of place. These projects create a vibrant business district that attracts businesses that meet the needs of the West End Community.
Place-making
With funds awarded from the NBDIP Fund (Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program) from CNBDU (Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United), we have been able to install and maintain planters along our main business corridor on Linn Street.
Bus Wrap Clings
In partnership with METRO, CHMA, and the City of Cincinnati Office of Architecture and Urban Design, we facilitated the design and installation of bus wrap clings that celebrate West End’s historic landmarks, such as the ROMAC and the Cincinnati Museum Center.
Gateway Signs and Totems
In 2017, we successfully applied for NBDIP funds and were able to install two gateway signs in the West End. In 2023, we were awarded additional NBDIP funds, pooled together with METRO and CHMA funds, which allowed us to install placemaking totems along Linn Street.
Tot Lot
In 2015, what was known as the former “Tot Lot Playground,” located at the corner of Linn & Livingston in the West End, was torn down due to increased violent activity. Since then, it has remained a blighted, vacant lot that has continued to attract crime and other unwanted activities.
The former tot-lot was chosen as the site for the Spaces to Places program through Keep Cincinnati Beautiful (KCB) in 2023. In response, The West End Green Space Committee was formed to bring community stakeholders together and guide the community engagement and design process. The committee consists of representatives from the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC), The City of Cincinnati Office of Sustainability, The Cincinnati Police Department, The West End Community Council, Stanley Rowe Towers Committee, Bright Star Church, and The Neighborhood House.
The initial community input session took place at the tot-lot on August 26, 2024. The Neighborhood House and KCB hosted a cookout where all were made welcome to take a survey providing their feedback between the two proposed designs. An online survey was also made available for approximately 6 weeks. In total, approximately 218 surveys were gathered.
