The Over-the-Rhine Foundation will host a series of upcoming workshops aimed at educating people interested in downtown living on how to rehabilitate properties.
Part of the nonprofit’s mission is to engage community members in the neighborhood’s future as a compliment to larger development companies’ efforts, which have largely shaped OTR’s resurgence in recent years. This effort is specifically targeting those interested in moving to Over-the-Rhine, the Brewery District or Pendleton.
“Lots of people are really interested and excited about the idea of rehabbing one of the buildings to live in Over-the-Rhine,” says Marilyn Hyland, a board trustee for the OTR Foundation. “Then they get into it and find it’s really complicated. This is an opportunity for people of both professional and personal perspectives to help people who really want to do this with their families and to have the wisdom of experience as they go forward with it themselves.”
The first of the three workshops — which take place at the Art Academy of Cincinnati on Jackson Street — will take place on April 12 and include a lecture from owners who rehabbed their homes, followed by an optional tour of renovated homes.
A second workshop on May 10 delves into selecting and purchasing a building, working with various contractors, hidden costs and navigating planning, zoning and other regulations. A third on June 14 dives into the financial aspect of renovation.
People can register for the workshop series by going to otrfoundation.org. Space is limited and will close once 80 people have registered.
“We as a foundation are committed to revitalizing the diverse OTR neighborhood, and a key objective is building community by encouraging and promoting owner-occupied development,” said Kevin Pape, OTR Foundation president, in a statement. “These workshops will help individuals gain access to the resources, expertise, and development tools needed to ensure the success of their community investments.”
More information is available at otrfoundation.org/3OTR.
