Preserving the Queen (City's) crown jewel : historic preservation in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine

摘要

Over-the-Rhine is a nationally significant historic district in Cincinnati, Ohio, and one of the City's greatest assets. Despite its tremendous character and potential, for years the district has languished through disinvestment and neglect, resulting in substantial demolitions of the historic fabric. Without an intervention, demolition and insensitive new development will continue, and the opportunity to leverage Over-the-Rhine as a unique asset may be lost. This thesis represents an attempt to identify the particular threats to the preservation of Over-the-Rhine and, through careful research and analysis, devise a plan that will maintain the district's historic integrity. The thesis begins by detailing the history and significance of Over-the-Rhine, and identifying the specific nature of the threat: demolition by neglect. Following a review of preservation literature, a targeting analysis is performed, resulting in the selection of three priority conservation areas in the district. Next, 7 relevant case studies are presented of buildings that were saved and rehabilitated despite being seriously neglected and "too far gone" in the eyes of many.