City Launches 90 Day Blitz To Clean Up Northside


Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood got a serious jump start from the city today. Several city departments launched a 90-day blitz to clean up an area of the neighborhood plagued by weeds, abandoned buildings, and crime. It's the same sort of program the city used in Price Hill and Avondale earlier this year. Local 12's Joe Webb was there for the kickoff.

I'm here at the corner of Chase and Fergus in Northside. That's in the middle of the area targeted in this city blitz. This vacant lot behind me used to be a corner store that attracted drug traffic and other crime. Soon, it will be two energy efficient homes designed with the help of the Contemporary Arts Center. It's just the first step in an all out effort to give Northside a well-needed boost.

Stefanie Sunderland was there last May when crews knocked down the old McPerry's store. She was here today to say the demolition has already made a difference.

Stefanie Sunderland, Northside resident: "We've had at least 9 new homeowners come in who've bought properties that need a lot of work. They've done a lot of repairs themselves and brought the buildings back to code and they're staking a claim in the neighborhood."

Now, the City of Cincinnati is staking its claim, too. City brass committed today to attacking Northside's blight and crime. In this area, several city departments will focus their efforts for the next 3 months. Police are committed to additional patrols, working with citizens groups and eliminating crime hot spots.
 
Assistant Chief Cindy Combs, Cincinnati Police: "That's the idea in the 90 days to come in, do a concentrated effort, build some sustainability and then be able to move forward."

The city's building department will also take aggressive action.

Bill Langevin, Director of Buildings and Inspections: "We'll be inspecting roughly 1500 structures on the exterior for violations and problems...code issues. We'll be issuing orders to repair and fix, also scheduled to take down 7-8 buildings beginning on Monday."

Some rehab work is already in progress less than a block away from the old store site. The urban pioneers who settled Northside long before the cavalry came are glad help is on the way.

Tim Jeckering, President, Northside Community Council: "It's very similar to a rotten spot on an apple that we've cut out of the community and we see from the growth in this corner of the community as a result of that blight being gone."

The blitz begins today. The city chose this area after analyzing building code violations, police calls and vacant buildings. The city departments involved are police, fire, the department of health, buildings and inspections, public services and community development and planning.

To view the online article, please click here.

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