Meiner Flats: 3CDC Press Release

Historic Vine Street building in OTR to be renovated

The City of Cincinnati and 3CDC are teaming up to save an historic Over-the-Rhine building from the wrecking ball.

Meiner Flats, a five-story building at 1500-1502 Vine St., was built in 1875 and has been vacant for more than 20 years, resulting in neglect and disrepair. In March, the city ordered an emergency demolition of the building because the roof had collapsed and bricks and pieces of cornice were falling from the building, endangering pedestrians below.

At the time of the demolition order, members of the community, led by the Over-the-Rhine Foundation, came together in an attempt to save Meiner Flats, even setting up a website for pledges toward the building’s preservation.

Last week, Cincinnati City Council approved an emergency ordinance to transfer $187,000 to stabilize the building. In addition, the City will draw up an agreement with 3CDC, which will contribute more than $200,000 to bring the structure up to code.

“The opportunity to partner with the city to stabilize this historic and beautiful building is too important to pass up,” said Steve Leeper, president and CEO of 3CDC. “We look forward to working with the city and the community to restore Meiner Flats as part of the continued revitalization of Over-the-Rhine.”

According to the Cincinnati Preservation Association, Meiner Flats is also known as the
Kruckemeyer Building and was built by a family of German-American stonemasons as an investment. Its intricately carved stone façade served as a giant advertisement for their business.

Following what is hoped to be a successful stabilization process, plans for a full restoration will be explored. Future use of the building is expected to include residential on the upper floors and a commercial use at street level.