Park Theatre among 15 projects funded by Cincinnati’s revitalization grant

CINCINNATI, Ohio — From restoring historic buildings to creating safer, more welcoming spaces, Cincinnati is investing millions into revitalizing its neighborhood business districts.

The city recently awarded $1.8 million in grant funding through its Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP), a long-running initiative that supports community-led development projects. One recipient is NEST (Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation), a nonprofit focused on equitable development in the Northside neighborhood.

NEST received $275,000 to help stabilize the Park Theatre, a 112-year-old landmark on Hamilton Avenue that’s served as a theater, bakery and even an appliance store.

“This is a special building in our special neighborhood, and we really want to see it succeed,” said Rachel Hastings, executive director of NEST.

The organization acquired the building in March through a combination of city funds and support from the HomeBase QuickStrike Fund. Now, with the NBDIP grant, they plan to repair the roof, preserve the building’s historic exterior, and conduct selective interior demolition to uncover original features.

“There’s more historic character left in the building than what we can currently see,” Hastings said. “These funds will allow us to open up the walls and ceilings and see what’s still here.”

The NBDIP has supported similar revitalization efforts for more than 30 years, but what makes it unique is its community-led scoring process. Projects are evaluated not only by city officials, but by representatives from other neighborhood business districts — ensuring the program reflects the priorities of Cincinnati residents.

“It’s a very competitive process, and all of the applications are voted on by your peers,” Hastings added.

Diana Vakharia, senior development officer with the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), said public-private collaboration is key, especially when it comes to maintaining aging infrastructure.

“You have historic buildings and landmarks that the private market isn’t set up to maintain on its own,” Vakharia said. “In some cases, it takes public and private investment to make sure those structures are safe, stable and thriving.”

The goal, Vakharia said, is to boost local economies while making neighborhoods more welcoming for residents, visitors and business owners alike.

In Northside, that vision is already taking shape. Hastings and her team have held community input sessions to gather feedback on what the Park Theatre should become. Possibilities include a part-time music venue that complements existing cultural spaces in the neighborhood.

“We want this to be something in partnership with other venues, supporting each other and not taking business away,” Hastings said.

And for the first time, the NBDIP is piloting a new category of funding to help under-resourced neighborhoods plan future projects. It’s a move aimed at making revitalization efforts more equitable across the city.