Avondale Choice Neighborhood Plan

Avondale is a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Severe economic disinvestment since the 1960’s has taken its toll on both Avondale’s people and its urban fabric.  Vacancy, decay, violence, and despondency have replaced a once thriving urban neighborhood. 

The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB), a nationwide non-profit developer of affordable housing and mixed-use projects, sought to help the Avondale neighborhood by seeking a Choice Neighborhood Grant award from HUD to redevelop the core of the neighborhood.   

Having already studied development opportunities in Avondale in preparation for Cincinnati’s form-based code, Jeff Raser led a team of designers to help neighborhood residents, businesses, and TCB create a Transformation Plan to show HUD that an alternative future for Avondale was possible.  

The Transformation Plan was successful. HUD awarded Avondale a $29.5 million grant for an array of projects (over a dozen new and renovated buildings, public gathering spaces, and health and education initiatives) which began construction in 2017.