An effort begins this week to make it easier for pedestrians to travel around Cincinnati's South Cumminsville neighborhood.
They've been hampered since I-74 cut through the area many years ago. The effort also comes as the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Millcreek Expressway Project continues on I-75.
Working in Neighborhoods (WIN) was one of 12 selected nationally by Project for Public Spaces to receive assistance from the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute (WALC). WIN is located in South Cumminsville.
The institute will conduct a walking audit of the neighborhood.
Executive Director Sister Barbara Busch said part of the process is to take a step back and evaluate current assets.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to increase the neighborhood’s walkability and to seek out ways we can increase business in South Cumminsville,” Busch said in a statement.
Marilyn Evans, the president of the South Cumminsville Community Council, is also pleased with the project.
“We hope residents, government officials and businesses will participate so we can explore opportunities for residents and businesses alike,” Evans said in a statement.
The institute will lead an on-street workshop to assess the one-mile stretch of Beekman and Elmore. The corridor connects South Cumminsville and Millvale to downtown and serves as the main access to Interstate 74 and 75. It's also a major pedestrian thoroughfare.
WIN said 40% of the 1,254 households in the community have no car. These residents rely on bus transportation and walking to get to school, medical appointments and work.
The sessions are as follows:
- 06/24 5:30pm -7:00 pm Workshop and audit goals
- 06/25 8:30am -2:30 pm Walking tour, discussions and presentations
All events take place at the WIN facility, 1814 Dreman Avenue.
