For Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI)’s 20th anniversary comes 20 years of reflection. Each month, UCI selects one or more New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) projects to show how these credits have brought new jobs, housing, retail centers and essential healthcare services to the residents of the five Uptown neighborhoods. For June, UCI is featuring the Avondale Town Center (ATC).
What is Avondale Town Center?
Developed by The Community Builders (TCB), ATC is an 11-acre, 75,000-square-foot mixed-use development located at 3529 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45229. Construction on the complex concluded in 2019, bringing essential housing, healthcare, retail and services needs to Avondale. The pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use site creates a neighborhood center in Avondale, anchored by eight minority and women-owned businesses.
The total project cost was $44.8 million and UCI invested $2.08 million in NMTCs. More than 70 jobs were created within two years of the project’s completion, and that number continues to rise as more businesses open. Here’s a closer look at what ATC has brought to the neighborhood.
Housing
The Residences at Avondale Town Center
The Residences at Avondale Town Center were created to meet the housing demands within the community. With over 100 apartment units, residents are only steps away from retail options and essential services. TCB’s Community Life (CL) is a place-based model that uses healthy and stable housing as a platform for residents to connect to community resources. TCB’s CL offers pathways to opportunities in early education, economic mobility, youth development, community engagement, voting access, healthy living and leadership opportunities for residents who live on the property.
Healthcare
The Cincinnati Health Department and UC Health opened the Ambrose H. Clement Health Center, a 19,000 sq. ft. full-service healthcare facility. The community-based facility provides adult medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, mental health services, a pharmacy, WIC and health insurance enrollment assistance and laboratory services. The health center provides services to everyone, regardless of income or insurance status.
Cincinnati Healing Arts located its services in ATC to be closer to its clients. Owner Dr. Jamila K. Maddox offers individuals and families chiropractic healthcare, personal injury care and functional nutrition. Their mission is “to help you eat, move and think well 365 – to naturally enhance your health & well-being.”
A new Black-owned pharmacy recently opened, Altev Community Pharmacy, where owner Dr. Emmanuel Ayanjoke wants to make healthcare more accessible in Avondale. Altev was the first pharmacy opened under Project Oasis, a pilot program by McKesson allowing independent pharmacists to operate their own pharmacies in underserved neighborhoods.
Community Services
Anchoring community services at ATC is the Urban League’s Center for Social Justice, an advocacy and education center ensuring the local community’s voice is heard. Complementing this is the Water Lily Learning Center, which provides safe and enriching childcare for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarteners within ATC, fostering an educational, creative and enjoyable environment.
Retail
Several retail options and restaurants have opened or will soon open in ATC, providing a safe space for relaxation, shopping and dining. Many of these businesses are Black-owned, offering opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to thrive and expand.
Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar
ATC offers three clothing stores for the fashion-forward folks: The Genesis Collection, City Gear and Citi Trends. Foodies are also in luck, with a destination spot like Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar attracting visitors from across the city. The ambiance transports diners to the 90s with a nostalgic menu. Of course, ATC also provides residents convenience through retail stores, including Clean Living, a 24/7 laundromat, a Fifth Third Bank ATM and Boost Mobile for cell phone and wireless needs.
Most recently, Zola’s opened and offers another option for foodies, bringing a restaurant to ATC, covering Afro-Latino fusion breakfast, lunch and dinner, with live comedy and musical acts.
Coming Soon
The Country Meat Co. Market Place will serve Avondale’s grocery needs, offering a coffee stand, a bakery, a grab-and-go section, a meat case with Amish poultry, turkey and beef, a large selection of pantry staples and a full kitchen to offer catering for local events.
ATC has become an anchor for those who live, work and play in the Uptown’s Avondale neighborhood, illustrating the area's development that positively impacts the broader Cincinnati community.
UCI takes pride in its NMTC investment in the ATC. UCI’s two most recent NMTC investments include the Blood Cancer Healing Center and the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter.
For updates on UCI’s future NMTC projects, visit the NMTC page on UCI’s website and follow Uptown Consortium on LinkedIn and Facebook.