24 September 2007

1425 Elm Street

I am trying to find some before and after photos of the many deteriorated Over-the-Rhine buildings that have been rehabbed. This has been kinda hard for me, because I never was much into photography, and the photos I have taken were with film, and are in boxes or lost. My effort was triggered by my meeting with the Freestore's CEO and their architect. Lots of people look at a vacant row house here and think it is hopeless. But there are developers and contractors who have made their livelihood saving these buildings. They know how to do it, and they have the process down to a science. Our neighborhood is better for their efforts.

Here is another historic building that many people had given up on.

In 1990, even for OTR, this building looked pretty bad:
 
(Notice the building to the left was also vacant.)

In 1992, the roof going on:
 


Inside the rear left side, this part was the worst:
 


Finished shots:
 

 

This has been providing decent housing with a small backyard for 3 families for about 14 years now. [where: 1425 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202]

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the photos Mike. I remember doing one of my first volunteer experience cleaning and scrapping in this building! I believe that wall is now gone, but it is great to see these buildings back on line with people living their lives.

CityKin said...

Mistakes were made and it was a learning experience. But there are few things more rewarding than rehabbing a building like this. Everyone should try it.