Pleasant Street

Compatible Elements of the Vision:

Although they are related, each of the streets in the Vision Study area has its own character.  It is helpful to look at the whole area, however, it is also revealing to look at the character of the individual streets.  Size, form and use in the infill projects are designed to complement and strengthen the character of the individual streets they are located on. 

• Medium-scale mixed-use along Elm Street - Elm Street is a mixed-use street now, but it is strongly residential in the block from 15th to Liberty Street.  The buildings are larger as you approach the intersections at 15th and Liberty, but in the middle of the block is a cluster of unique, smaller one and two-family residential buildings.  Responding to this we have placed townhouse development across the street, and as you approach Liberty we inserted larger mixed-use buildings.

• Medium-Scale mixed-use along Race Street - Race Street is characterized by larger-scale multi-family buildings with two larger vacant lots, one to the south at 15th Street and one to the north at Liberty Street. The Vision Study responds to this by creating a larger-scale mixed-use complex in the lot at 15th Street and a larger-scale building at Liberty (see below).  This new building at 15th and Race is a four and five-story building with 35,000 sf of new construction and 3,000 sf of renovated space in the existing historic building.  The complex also includes approximately 43 parking space on ground level, approximately 13,500 (leasable) sf of office space on the second floor, and 21 multi-family residential units above.  This new construction will add to the population of the neighborhood 24/7 with the addition of residential units and office space.  This strengthens the market for local business and restaurants.  The complex provides enough parking for its own need plus a few for building visitors, leaving street parking free for visitors or other residents.  The street level wall facing Race will display an interactive mural, creating a lively focal point at this corner as described as part of the Story Trail in the Pedestrian Friendly Section.

• Larger Scale Commercial along Liberty Street - Liberty Street is a major thoroughfare.  The existing buildings along Liberty street are larger and taller, four and five stories, than many of the other buildings in Over-the-Rhine.  They are primarily commercial or large-scale apartment buildings.  The "street space" is large and open.  It is in need of becoming a "place", not simply a traffic artery.  It also needs to become greener and more amenable to pedestrians crossing south/north.  The study envisions a cluster of apartments with balconies and commercial space below, enlivening and occupying the street.  The proposed building is 52,000 (leasable) sf, includes a parking garage, and contains 37 apartments above the first floor commercial space.  This is a major development, which will have the effect of "filling in the gap" at Liberty Street and bringing together the northern and southern sections of Over-the-Rhine.  At the rear of the new building, accessible from Liberty, Elm and Race Streets, is a 200 space parking garage.  This major development brings life to Liberty Street and serves as a buffer between Liberty and the smaller residential area to the south.

• Smaller scale residential along Pleasant Street - The Vision Study sees the 1500 block of Pleasant Street continuing the smaller-scale residential character of the recently developed 1400 block of Pleasant Street.  Almost all of the buildings along Pleasant Street are entirely residential in nature including newer single-family townhomes and smaller scale renovated historic multi-family residential buildings.