By Nate Paszczykowski, Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third and community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for a new full-service banking center in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood, which has been without a standalone bank branch for nearly five years. 

The new branch is expected to open to the public in late summer or early fall and is among 15 banking centers Fifth Third plans to open in low- and moderate-income (LMI) or high minority (HMT) population census tracts this year. The branch will enable Fifth Third to increase financial access for the community while contributing to the revitalization of Avondale. 

Fifth Third prioritizes financial access and neighborhood revitalization through its Neighborhood Program, a community development initiative which creates and implements innovative place-based strategies to effect positive change in historically disinvested neighborhoods across the bank’s 11-state footprint. As Fifth Third strategically expands and opens new financial centers across the U.S., 30% of new branches in development will be in LMI and/or HMT areas. In addition to new centers, Fifth Third offers its Financial Empowerment Mobile, known as the eBus, and Banking to Go kiosks to address gaps in financial services in underserved communities. 

“At Fifth Third, we believe that strong banks need strong communities, and strong communities need strong banks,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “We are proud to contribute to the revitalization of Avondale by expanding financial access through this new branch, in addition to many other community investments in recent years.” 

Located in the Avondale Town Center, the new branch will be a model for innovation and sustainability, occupying 2,024 square feet in a storefront along Reading Road. The existing full service drive-up ATM in the town center parking lot will remain. Inside, the center’s open design will make it easy for customers to get quick digital service or discuss more complex banking products, like college savings plans, mortgages, or retirement solutions. The branch is expected to open in late summer or early fall 2025, with Walnut Hills-based Triversity Construction serving as the general contractor. Soul Palette, a local Cincinnati artist, will design and install a mural that celebrates Avondale’s history. 

Avondale, Cincinnati’s largest African American community, has experienced decades of disinvestment leading to population decline, aging housing stock and increased poverty. 

“The Avondale Development Corporation is excited to welcome Fifth Third to our Avondale community,” said Russell Hairston, executive director of the Avondale Development Corporation. “This is more than just a bank opening; it represents a commitment to Avondale’s future. This marks a significant step toward economic empowerment and neighborhood revitalization. By providing accessible financial services, small business support, and homeownership opportunities, Fifth Third is helping to create a more financially inclusive Avondale. We look forward to partnering with them on financial literacy programs, workforce development initiatives, and community investment strategies that will uplift residents and drive sustainable growth, which aligns with ADC’s mission to foster sustainable community development.” 

In partnership with the Avondale Development Corporation and other community partners, Fifth Third has made $33.6 million in direct investments into Avondale and helped catalyze $17.9 million from other entitles for a total financial impact of $51.5 million. 

Key initiatives include: 

• Blair Lofts: The Fifth Third Community Development Corporation invested $15.5 million into Blair Lofts in 2021. The 64-unit affordable housing development located on Reading Road features one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments, on-site management and amenities that include laundry, resident storage spaces, a community kitchen and a fitness center. Fifth Third also funded wrap-around services such as a move-in care package for residents, financial education workshops, funding so that 55 children could attend a summer camp, furnishing for the community room, and five desktop computers and furnishings for a computer lab. 
• Digital Accessibility: Fifth Third has been working to help close the digital divide and bring Avondale residents into the technology mainstream. Key partners in the effort include the Avondale Development Corporation, Uptown Consortium Inc., and the University of Cincinnati. Following a community-wide assessment of the neighborhood and its needs, in fall 2024 the partners began replacing non-functional and outdated equipment at eight housing complexes and adding service in two locations that were not previously served, thanks to funding from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. In early 2025, 319 apartments are expected to have free internet connectivity, including 779 residents and 374 school-age students. Six free outdoor hotspots are also being installed along Reading Road. The final phase includes a neighborhood-wide Wi-Fi project that will provide free and/or discounted servicing throughout all of Avondale. 

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Contributed by

Cincinnati Public Radio

On August 22, Cincinnati Public Radio (CPR) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated Cincinnati Public Radio Headquarters in Evanston at 2117 Dana Avenue. The new HQ will serve as the new home for Cincinnati Public Radio’s renowned media outlets, including WVXU 91.7, WGUC 90.9, and WMUB 88.5. 

The 35,000-square-foot, $32 million, project will feature two on-air studios, two interview studios, one performance studio, 11,000 square feet of office space and a public gathering area. The design features of the building will result in a welcoming and eco-friendly space for the CPR team, listeners, and the local community.

The project is a collaboration between Skanska, Cincinnati Public Radio, Emersion DESIGN, Schaefer Inc. and Neyer Properties. The new CPR HQ will serve as a beacon of innovation, housing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable construction methods, with a particular focus on the utilization of mass timber.  Once completed, Cincinnati Public Radio’s new headquarters will be the first two-story mass timber building in the Midwest and the first of its kind in Cincinnati. 

Speakers included Richard Eiswerth, President, GM & CEO of CPR, and Murray Sinclaire Jr., CPR Board Chair.

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By Emily Charles

Maven Communications

Pennrose, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Fund (WHRF) and project partners on April 20 celebrated the groundbreaking of Lincoln & Gilbert, the $14.8 million redevelopment delivering 50 mixed-income apartments in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. The redevelopment will transform 2924 Gilbert Ave., 933 Lincoln Ave. and the block bounded by Gilbert Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Foraker Avenue and Monfort Street. Construction is slated to be completed in early 2024. 

Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included Will Basil, developer, Pennrose, LLC; Samantha Miller, executive director, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation; Kathryne Gardette, president, Walnut Hills Area Council; Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval; Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney; Cincinnati vice mayor; Cincinnati Councilmember Reggie Harris; Ryan Gleason, Ohio Housing Finance Agency Outreach/engagement manager; Luke Blocher, general counsel and chief strategy officer, Cincinnati Development Fund; Annie Ross, development vice president, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing; Todd Castellini, the Port’s senior vice president of public finance/industrial development; and Geoff Milz, director of development, Pennrose LLC.

The first of two phases will create 50 high-quality, affordable apartments for families across two buildings, including amenity space with management office, community room, laundry facility, modern fitness center and more.

The four-story building on the south side of Lincoln Avenue will include 14 units in 21,680 square feet, including over 3,000 square feet for the common areas. The three-story building on the north side of Lincoln Ave will include 36 units in 30,138 total square feet.

The first phase will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments available at 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). That’s an income of roughly $20,070 to $40,140 for a one-person household. In addition, the project includes plans for 81 parking spaces and hopes to enhance connections to public transit. The community is also conveniently located near education and job centers in Over the Rhine, Downtown, and Uptown.

“We are excited to partner with WHRF to build on the exciting growth and momentum in Walnut Hills, while preserving housing affordability in a dynamic, rapidly changing neighborhood,” said Geoff Milz of Pennrose.

“Lincoln & Gilbert transforms vacant, blighted land into high-quality, energy-efficient housing for families at a range of income levels.” Samantha Miller, WHRF executive director, said, “Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation is thrilled to break ground on this much 

anticipated development. We’ve been working with the community step by step to bring the project to fruition, incorporating feedback from residents during outreach. The Walnut Hills Area Council has unanimously supported this project. Walnut Hills is ready to welcome its new neighbors.”

Financing for Lincoln and Gilbert was provided by the Ohio Financing Housing Agency, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Ohio Capital Finance Corporation, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, the City of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Development Fund, The Port and the Ohio Department of Development. The Cincinnati Development Fund manages the City’s Affordable Housing Funds.

WHRF is a non-profit community development corporation working to enhance the quality of life in Walnut Hills. Its vision is a Walnut Hills that is vibrant, safe, healthy and inclusive for all. It believes a quality place should be accessible to everyone.

Over the last 10 years, WHRF’s work has brought over $66 million of investment into 400 housing units and 42,000 square feet of commercial space. In December, WHRF closed on $60 million in construction for 148 units and 33,000 commercial square feet.

With a regional office in Cincinnati, Pennrose is committed to developing high-quality, transformative affordable housing across Ohio and the Midwest region. Most recently, Pennrose celebrated the grand opening of John Arthur Flats, Cincinnati’s first LGBTQ-plus affordable housing community for seniors in the Northside neighborhood. Pennrose has also developed 171 apartments and more than 10,000 square feet of commercial space at HaNoBe at Linden Square with the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC).

With more than 50 years of experience, Pennrose combines high-quality development and proven management to deliver exceptional lifestyle-centered communities for its residents. With the superior knowledge and unparalleled dedication to get the job done right, Pennrose develops and operates conventional, affordable, mixed-income and mixed-use communities throughout the United States. For more information visit www.pennrose.com.

Walnut Hills Redevelopment Fund (WHRF) is an area non-profit that has been actively working to enhance the quality of life in Walnut Hills since 1977. Visit www.walnuthillsrf.org for more information.

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A steady rain Tuesday morning did not destroy the mood for the Emerge Manufacturing groundbreaking ceremony held at its six-acre site off Seymour Avenue. In fact, the rainfall set the tone for the ceremony which many said was a blessing on the seeds Cynthia Booth is planting at the former Cincinnati Garden site.

Booth, founder and president of Emerge Manufacturing, is developing a U.S.-based manufacturing company to specialize in the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health care, hospitality and industrial organizations. Booth’s goal is for Emerge to be a trusted onshore manufacture that provide approximately 100 jobs, produce products that will help, protect, and save the lives of first responders and essential works, and help address the country’s overdependence on offshore PPE resources.

Congressman Greg Landsman spoke before the crowd saying he is very excited about the project and its very much a Cincinnati story making Cincinnati history. “It is remarkable project on a sacred piece of land,” he said.

Landsman said he emailed Booth asking to attend the groundbreaking because he loved the project when Booth appeared before City Council at the Budget 7 Finance Committee meeting, which Landsman chaired prior to his election to Congress.

Emerge plans to manufacture face masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, among other PPE products. The plant will run multiple product lines, manufacturing PPE from fabric supplied by U.S. companies. Additionally, there will be space in the facility where medical professionals and others can provide training and information on health care-related topics to the community. The plant is expected to open in mid-2024.

Among those who spoke, the history of the site is not forgotten and believes Emerge Manufacturing is making history by being a female- and minority-owned company helping to serve as a role model to the young people in Bond Hill and Roselawn. Speakers noted that the Cincinnati Gardens held special moments for many including being the place to go skating, hearing many artists including the Beetles, Jackson 5 and Aretha Franklin, watching Oscar Robertson and Xavier University play basketball  and watching or learning how to skate at the gardens.

But all agreed that history has been made and is being made once again.

Mayor Aftab Pureval spoke first of the seeds planted by Booth in the Bond Hill/Roselawn neighborhoods. Standing before the crowd, Pureval told them to look at the field behind us and  what Booth is planting. He said the city is thrilled by the project and represents the type of economic growth projects his administration had envisioned for the city.

Booth told the crowd that the groundbreaking ceremony is the culmination of a three-year vision she had to do more for the Bond Hill community and provide a way to help uplift people and give them good paying jobs. She noted her journey began at the beginning of the COVID pandemic as a business owner impacted by supply chain crisis, and the impact it was having on the essential workers she employed.

As her vision came to fruition, Booth said she walks the land sometimes at dusk and talk to the Lord. She said that she told the lord that she is a vessel to do his work and her employees will be vessels to do his work as well. She said her faith guides her and the road has been long and difficult, but he keeps us steadfast. She said Emerge represents a new day for Bond Hill and Roselawn neighborhoods.

Partners in the Emerge Manufacturing project is Bon Secours Mercy Health and Advantus Health Partners. Both Dan Hurry, president of Advantus Health Partners, and David Cannady, chief strategy officer, Bon Secours Mercy Health, spoke of the supply chain issues they experienced and how the country got caught by the pandemic having foreign sourced supplies. Emerge Manufacturing will help their businesses supply their 48 hospitals in the US and those in Ireland. They both said they are looking to the future and what Emerge can do for both Bond Hill/Roselawn, Cincinnati and beyond.

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