Cincinnati launches new web page to spotlight historic buildings facing demolition

CINCINNATI - The push to save hundreds of historic buildings in Cincinnati has gone digital.

There is a new website that highlights buildings slated for demolition. Preservationists say Cincinnati is losing too many historic buildings.

The problem is many of the owners have abandoned them.

The web page on the City of Cincinnati's website gets right to the point explaining the buildings on the list are on their deathbeds facing demolition, possibly in a matter of months.

"We call at-risk building list that we put on our website to alert the public that these historic properties have fallen into disrepair. We feel like by doing that we can give people the chance to see what kind of opportunities are there," said Ed Cunningham from the City of Cincinnati.

The Over-the-Rhine Foundation and Cincinnati Preservation Association spearheaded the campaign over a year ago to try to save some of the historic buildings.

Some are over 130 years old.

The president of OTR foundation, Ken Jones, believes many of the buildings can be salvaged.

"If you talk to preservationists they all say the buildings can be saved and it's true. They can be. It's a matter of what cost. What we need to do is to get them stabilized where we get good roofs on them. They meet the vacant building license requirements. They can stay there without danger to the public," said Jones.

Preservationists admit it will take a lot of money to save just one building with an estimated price of $300,000 to $500,000 but they believe it's worth the price tag to save not only the structures with ornate designs, but also save the city's past.

"It's the design and character you can't replicate very well in modern. Once they're gone. They are gone," Cunningham said from outside one of the buildings on the list at 24 West Elder Street in Over-the-Rhine.

The plan is to try to get some of the buildings stabilized, so potential developers can take a look at them before they're torn down.

You can learn more about the properties highlighted on the list by visiting the city's website .