At the same time that the Sedamsville River Road Historic District application is pending before the National Park Service for recognition as a National Register Historic District, a developer is proceeding with plans to engage in mass demolition for an 11-story condominium tower.  This demolition is set to include the 1892 St. Martin's German Evangelical Church, and as many as 30 historic buildings may be gone and the character of an entire neighborhood lost.

Apparently, the area in question is without any local design review or historic preservation ordinance protection, leaving it a prime target for insensitive, profit-driven eradication.  Unfortunately, city leadership, including the Cincinnati City Manager's office, have simply shrugged their shoulders when approached by a local civic association for a possible moratorium on granting demolition permits.  Such moratoria are completely legal and enforceable if enacted pursuant to a study of possible local historic district creation.

The Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board voted earlier this month to recommend listing of the district to the Park Service, but threats to demolish have not abated since that vote.  In fact, there is fear that demolition will be expedited to beat the NPS designation decision.

May 14, 2008 - City has little say in Sedamsville demolitions - Building Cincinnati
August 22, 2008 - Centerpiece of historic Sedamsville threatened - Building Cincinnati

Sedamsville's Disappearing Historic District - Cincinnati Preservation Association
View of Sedamsville Neighborhood - Windows Live Local

Photo:  Sedamsville Neighborhood with St. Martin's Church - Windows Live Local