Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus

WACC comprises eight meticulously renovated historic buildings, breathing new life into long-vacant spaces. Among its offerings are 13 affordable apartments, six commercial storefronts, and a historic firehouse that now houses the MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra & community creative space. The project envisions a community hub where youth and families can learn and grow through the arts and creative pursuits.

Rachel shared that the project concept took root during community sessions focused on creative placemaking. Facilitators from LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) and Artswave (funded by the Kresge Foundation) guided participants through envisioning their dream community with unlimited funds and ideas. Out of these sessions, the idea for Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus emerged.

Initially, the focus was on providing a permanent home for the MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra, a program that had been renting spaces and bouncing around, impacting both budget and program stability. The firehouse on Warsaw Avenue proved to be the perfect fit—strategically located, spacious, and addressing the specific needs of the growing program. PHW approached Joe Wegman, a Price Hill resident and then-owner of the firehouse, which revealed an unexpected opportunity. He agreed to sell the firehouse only if Price Hill Will purchased all eight buildings he owned on the block.

What started as a plan to acquire and renovate one building evolved into a comprehensive project, aligning with the community's vision and introducing a bold commercial corridor initiative. The WACC project was a significant leap for Price Hill Will, which had traditionally focused on homeownership. Controlling an entire block of properties presented a rare and exciting opportunity.

Rachel and the team at PHW played a pivotal role in navigating the due diligence process to acquire the properties. She emphasized the need to align the project with the neighborhood's interests and PHW’s capabilities, ensuring that the grand vision was not just an idea but a tangible and impactful endeavor.

As the vision for Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus (WACC) progressed from idea to implementation, various community entities were crucial in acquiring and financing the development of the buildings. LISC emerged as a key player, providing predevelopment funds, and later offering bridge loans. The Model Group served as the co-developer, playing a pivotal role in attracting New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) and leveraging historic tax credits, contributing significantly to the capital stack of the project. Cincinnati Development Fund also stepped in by providing NMTCs, with Fifth Third Bank acquiring all tax credits. Warsaw Federal Savings & Loan collaborated with Cincinnati Development Fund, highlighting the combined effort involving diverse stakeholders in the financing of the project.

Additionally, Rachel emphasized the instrumental role played by two entities, namely the Model Group and City Studios. City Studios served as the architect, playing a crucial role in navigating the intricacies of historic renovations. Because the buildings were not in an existing historic district, the team had to create both a local and a National Historic District to take advantage of the historic tax credits. City Studios, with its dedicated staff, assisted in the nomination process, complemented by invaluable contributions from the Price Hill Historical Society—a volunteer group in the neighborhood providing essential background information. 

The project's success was further propelled by substantial contributions from the City, including capital dollars, NBDIP (Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program), and NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability). The City saw the project as an opportunity to not only introduce affordable housing, but also to revitalize the commercial corridor along Warsaw Avenue.

With creative collaborative partnerships and multi-leveled financial backing, Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus stands as a testament to the cooperative spirit and commitment to transforming community vision into reality. As the project moves forward, it promises to bring not only affordable housing but also a vibrant commercial space to the heart of East Price Hill, enriching the community in multifaceted ways.

WACC AND REVITALIZING THE WARSAW AVENUE BUSINESS DISTRICT

Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus is set to be a vibrant community hub with an exciting lineup of businesses. MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra will finally have a permanent home within WACC, ensuring stability for the rapidly growing program. Additionally, Wendigo Tea, known for its presence at farmer's markets across the city, is making a significant leap by establishing its first brick-and-mortar location in the area. Next door, Urbana Cafe, a local coffee shop with several locations is venturing to the west side of town, introducing not only coffee services but also a roastery that will offer workshops on coffee roasting—a unique addition to the community. The collaboration between Wendigo Tea and Urbana Cafe showcases a history of working together on various projects.

Adjacent to these, Living Rooms LLC, a plant shop, has already opened its doors, bringing greenery to the community and engaging in community programming to attract both Price Hill residents and visitors. Perez Sport Latino, a soccer goods store catering to the local Hispanic community, has also commenced operations, providing a specialized shopping experience. Sunny African Kitchen, a forthcoming restaurant on the south side of the street, offers West African cuisine, contributing to the ethnic diversity of the culinary scene in Price Hill. Additionally, Cutman Barbershop, with existing locations in Covington and Walnut Hills, will share a building with a unique feature—a smaller side hosting a takeaway window hosted by the Empanada Box. While some businesses are already operational, others are scheduled to open in a staggered manner, with Urbana Cafe anticipated to open early in March of next year—other ongoing tenant improvements ensuring a seamless integration of these diverse local businesses.

In addition to the businesses, 13 affordable apartments have also been developed. These apartments cater to a diverse range of tenants, with a majority falling below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The project aimed to preserve the historic fabric of the buildings, allowing them to dictate their purpose while undergoing necessary modernizations. The recent completion of this phase has added not only commercial spaces but also sparked a second phase which will include nine more affordable apartments and two more commercial spaces in the neighboring building at 3104-3106 Warsaw (the Landbank stabilized this building).

The emphasis on community impact and alignment with WACC's mission was evident in the selection process for commercial tenants. Businesses interested in occupying spaces were required to align with the mission of using arts and creativity to connect youth and families. A thorough evaluation was conducted before selecting tenants, including the business’s mission, neighborhood connection, and community contributions. This meticulous approach ensured that businesses would contribute positively to the neighborhood economy, be aligned with the vision of WACC as a space focused on connection and positivity, and avoid the presence of predatory businesses that might exploit the community.

The overarching goal for Warsaw Avenue's future, as envisioned by the project leaders, is to catalyze neighborhood revitalization along the corridor. Given the extensive one-mile length of the neighborhood business district (NBD), which extends West Price Hill, the PHW team aims to counter the prevalent issues of building loss, demolition, and stagnation in the existing NBDs throughout Price Hill. Recognizing the hesitation among property owners to invest without a guaranteed return, the project seeks to kickstart positive activities that set the tone for future development. The focus is on preserving existing buildings, respecting their historical features, and renovating them to serve the evolving needs of the community.

Additionally, Price Hill Will and the EPHIA Community Council are utilizing NBDIP funds to enhance the entire one-mile NBD with street corner planters, banners, benches, and other elements to tie together the diverse elements of Warsaw Avenue. Pedestrian safety is a key aspect of this revitalization plan, aligning with the recommendations in the Warsaw Alive! neighborhood plan. Despite facing challenges securing funding for pedestrian safety initiatives, the team is strategically holding onto NBDIP funds to leverage support. The overarching vision is to transform Warsaw Avenue into a thriving commercial corridor that not only respects its historical context but also meets the needs of a vibrant and connected community in East Price Hill.

Beyond the transformative efforts along Warsaw Avenue, Price Hill Will is actively engaged in revitalization initiatives across multiple corridors. As part of its comprehensive approach to community development, PHW is also working on commercial corridor projects in Lower and West Price Hill. PHW is partnering with community councils, residents, and small businesses in these corridors, showcasing a commitment to uplifting and enhancing the entire Price Hill community. By extending its revitalization efforts to multiple corridors, Price Hill Will continues to demonstrate a holistic vision for neighborhood development, ensuring a positive and sustainable impact that resonates throughout East, Lower, and West Price Hill.