The city of Cincinnati plans to focus it's attention on revitalizing two new local neighborhoods in 2012. Local 12 News Reporter Tiffany Wilson was there when the announcement for city funds and support was made today.
Pendleton and Kennedy Heights were both selected for this year's Neighborhood Enhancement Program. The new casino will really benefit from the blitz. "We have a number of absentee landlords in our neighborhood and they don't pay attention to the buildings as they should. That leads to building code violations and blight."
Those are two issues the neighborhood enhancement program will tackle. "Having the city's attention on our neighborhood for 90 days is a huge benefit. Great asset for our neighborhood, it's a gift really from the city."
The gift is perfectly timed to coincide with the opening of the Horseshoe Casino. The casino is set to open next year - and with the NEP's help, the neighborhood will put its best foot forward when visitors come to check out the slots. "You get rid of that illegal activity and replace it with legitimate activity and that strengthens the community."
When the program began in 2008, the idea was to transform one neighborhood at a time. Kennedy Heights and Pendleton are neighborhoods 13 and 14. "Did you ever imagine it would get to this point when you began the program a couple of years ago? Well we weren't sure when we started if it would take hold, but it really has taken off."
Dohoney says the program's success is based on partnerships. "Really the sky's the limit if we all work together."
The people who live and work in Kennedy Heights and Pendleton say they're ready to do just that. "It's all in timing for Kennedy Heights. We're an up and coming neighborhood. There's so many exciting things going on the scenes, but all the sudden it's just going to pop and it's going to happen in Kennedy Heights."
The neighborhood blitz will begin March 1st in Kennedy Heights and August 15th in Pendleton.
