WEST PRICE HILL – Price Hill Will has started its efforts to redevelop a section of the Glenway Avenue business district between the Covedale Branch Library and Price Hill Chili.
The community development organization acquired 11 parcels in the 4900 block of Glenway last year. The properties are on the east side of Glenway, surrounding Dr. Ernesto Sabato’s dental practice.
Ken Smith, executive director of Price Hill Will, said they’ve demolished two properties already and plan to raze another vacant property within the next few weeks. The demolitions and site preparation is being completed as Price Hill Will works to find a developer or developers interested in helping construct new commercial buildings in the business district, he said.
“We are open to any development that would be a benefit to the community,” he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the neighborhood.”
Price Hill Will worked with business and community leaders to devise a plan for the area in 2009, but Smith said the properties weren’t available at the time. Since the market has changed in the past five years, he said some of the ideas laid out in that plan may no longer be an option so the organization will again seek input from community members and business owners to identify what developments would be best for that particular stretch of Glenway.
The parcels are situated between great neighborhood anchors like the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, Price Hill Chili and the Covedale Branch Library, he said, and are near many neighborhood businesses that have been around for more than 50 years.
Whether new retail stores, new restaurants or professional offices are developed on the sites, Smith said Price Hill Will wants to make sure the new developments complement the existing businesses and institutions serving the community.
“We have really strong, longstanding businesses in the area,” he said. “This will give us an opportunity to unify those anchor businesses and make the entire neighborhood stronger.”
He envisions people coming to the neighborhood to see a show at the Covedale theater, or get a book at the library, and then being able to walk down the street to do some shopping, get a cup of coffee or grab a bite to eat.
Tim Perrino, who serves as artistic director of the Covedale theater and helped spur economic redevelopment in the business district with the revitalization of the theater more than a decade ago, said he’s thrilled Price Hill Will is working to develop the sites and hopes the organization can find the right developer and mix of businesses for the neighborhood.
“I think the theater is indicative of how this neighborhood is once again thriving,” Perrino said. “I think Price Hill Will can and will be successful in helping to re-invent this area. It will put more icing on what I think is a pretty good cake.”
He said he looks forward to seeing what’s really possible up and down the business district.
Sabato, who keeps the landscaping at his dental office meticulous and frustratingly watched properties around his office fall into disrepair, said he’s hopeful Price Hill Will can attract developments to complement his business.
“I hope they can bring in some retail business that can be here long-term, but it has to be in the best interests of the neighborhood,” he said. “It has to be good for Price Hill. If they can do that, I’ll be very happy.”
Smith said Price Hill Will is beginning to talk to potential developers and is sending out requests for proposals to developers.
He said the organization wants the redevelopment of the parcels to be practical and serve the best interests of the community.
“This would be a significant investment in the community,” he said. “It should be the absolute highest and best use it can be for the benefit of the neighborhood.”
Your turn
What kind of development would you like to see along Glenway Avenue in Price Hill?
Send your ideas to rmaloney@communitypress.com, with “Glenway Avenue” in the subject line You may also comment to this story.
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