Quality Low Income Housing for Cincinnati’s West End
Adam Hynes / Senior Capstone / Spring 2024
How has public housing in Cincinnati’s West End changed and evolved since its inception? How can the city reflect on past developments for current and future public housing plans?
Issue
Public housing in Cincinnati’s West End has undergone several changes and redevelopments since its inception in the early 20th century. While it has seen some bright spots over its history, current conditions are in need of drastic improvement. The West End continues to struggle to integrate with the rest of the downtown basin, and residents of public housing deserve a high quality and safe place to live. Through analysis of factors such as design, location, density, and public needs, a new model would work to sustainably adhere to the needs of the low-income West End community.
Research Methods
- Primary focus on understanding major public housing plans and projects in Cincinnati.
- Research and study of other multi-family housing projects in the West End to analyze differences from public housing.
- Study of current public housing redevelopments in progress.
- Extensive discussion with local planning experts with experience in West End public housing.
- Placing emphasis on finding community opinions and needs.
- Using all available data to identify strengths and shortcomings of public housing in the West End.
Low Income Housing History
Laurel Homes (1938) & Lincoln Court (1942)
Key Features
– First major public housing project in Cincinnati – Laurel Homes created 1,303 units / Lincoln Court created 1,015 units – Entirely segregated – Between three and five stories tall – Emphasized new technology & utilities – Utilized green spaces – Only one block of the entire complex is still standing.
Stanley Rowe Towers (1960) & Stanley Rowe Village (1952)
Key Features
– Created 424 total units – Towers are 14 stories tall – Utilizes off-street parking – Lack of green space – Minimal work done since initial construction – Incredibly outdated – Currently in process of large-scale redevelopment.
Hope VI & City West (1998 & 1999)
Key Features
– Created 424 total units – Towers are 14 stories tall Utilizes off-street parking – Lack of green space – Minimal work done since initial construction – Incredibly outdated – Currently in process of large-scale redevelopment.
Primary Takeaways
- Public housing residents in the West End have historically been wronged.
- There is a clear need for more public housing in the West End.
- Existing public housing (excluding City West) is in a state of disrepair.
- There are several key components that, if implemented, would improve upon public housing in the West End.
Proposed Solution
Create a strictly low-income complex to address the immediate issues that public housing faces in the West End.
- Create at least the difference in units between what Hope VI intended and what it built.
- Minimize destruction and displacement.
- Ensure the space is updated and improves quality of living from what currently exists.
Site Analysis & Building Details
Located on the corner of Linn Street and Central Avenue, the complex would sit neighbor to the CityLink Center, replacing its surface parking lot.
Key Characteristics
– Minimum of 250 units – Low rise (five to seven stories) – Underground parking garage for CityLink employees and residents – Central green space including playgrounds, grills, tables, benches, etc. – New sidewalks, planted trees, well-lit throughout – First floor market open to local community (grocery store, library, coffee shop, computer lab, etc.) – New and sustainable technology and utilities.
Logistics
– Rent set at 30% of income – Funding through HUD grants, City of Cincinnati, & private equity – Minimize displacement on proposed site – Located near bus stops & traffic lights – Promote benefits to residents who are employed in the building via rent discounts, etc.
While some broad conclusions can be made about the economics of this project, fine details are outside the scope of this project. This has been designed without primary emphasis on the complex economic realities of low-income housing.
Potential Design Inspirations
“The Current” Apartments, Cincinnati, OH
“The Mingo” Apartments, Cincinnati, OH
Final Takeaways
The more research conducted, the more complex the issues became. There is no one solution to improving low-income housing.
As a result…
- The real solution is in the long term. The West End has a lot of traumatic history regarding destruction and displacement. The ultimate solution is to offer educational and financial support to the West End community and allow them to use that to fit their own needs.
- This requires a change and both politics and ideology.
- However, there are issues that currently exist that need to be addressed on the short term, which are reflected through the proposal of a low-income housing complex in the northern West End.
Works Cited
- Ciepichal, Brian. (2018, June). Laurel Homes Historic District.
- Cincinnati Choice Neighborhood. (2022, June). West End Transformation.
- Elgazzar, Kareem, et al. (2022, December). See Inside the West End’s Aging Stanley Rowe Towers.
- Hussein-Wetzel, D. (2020, June). Urban Renewal in Cincinnati’s Lower West End. CMHA.
- May, L. (2021, February). As West End transformation begins, some public housing residents fear they will be pushed out. WCPO.
- Planalp, B. (2018, April). City West is 48 Acres of New Urbanism Next to Downtown Cincinnati. Cincinnati Refined.
- Torti Gallas + Partners. (2024). City West Revitalization.
- USDOH. (2024). City West Apartments.
- Wetterich, Chris. (2024, February). Developer plans $67 million apartment project at old Greater Cincinnati school site.
