Rock the Block is a City Manager-led initiative to connect Cincinnati officials with city neighborhoods. In July 2025, the focus was on Northside, and the walking tour was led by Rachel Hastings, the Executive Director of NEST (Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation), our nonprofit community development corporation.
In addition to representatives from the Northside Community Council and the Northside Business Association, our community welcomed visitors from the following:
City Manager’s office
Cincinnati Parks
Cincinnati Police
Cincinnati Fire
Greater Cincinnati Water Works
Office of Environment & Sustainability
Department of Community & Economic Development
Department of City Planning & Engagement
Department of Buildings and Inspections
Health Department
Law Department
The group learned about recent community-led initiatives like the business district murals (thanks to Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program funding offered by the City of Cincinnati Department of Community & Economic Development) and Vandalia Point, a complex that offers rental housing to low-income tenants, as well as upcoming initiatives like the plan to further embed Red Bike in the neighborhood to improve accessibility.
The conversation included a preview of what’s coming, including playground improvements in Hoffner Park, the demolition of the former White Castle (razing former buildings is White Castle’s corporate policy), and NEST’s short term plans for stabilizing the historic building at 4001 Hamilton Ave., acquired with a city-funded Quick Strike grant via HomeBase, which will eventually be redeveloped into 4 units of affordable housing and a new commercial storefront space on a high-visibility corner at the entrance to Northside. Cincinnati Preservation has provided a loan to assist with architectural and engineering design work for 4001 Hamilton Ave.
The highlight of the event was a peek inside 4024 Hamilton Ave., a historic property that was purchased and stabilized by the Northside Business Association in 2019. NEST’s renovation of this prominent building is nearing completion, supported by a Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program grant in 2020 and a Neighborhood Business District Support grant in 2022, paired with construction financing from The Port.
The storefront will be occupied by Dean’s Mediterranean Table, a sit-down restaurant, café and retail space operated by the Dean’s Mediterranean Imports team. A back patio, adjacent to the Metro Transit Center and one of the business district parking lots, will also offer an accessible entrance to this historic structure.
The upper floors of 4024 Hamilton Ave. will become leasable office or commercial space, offering views of historic Knowlton’s Corner, Hamilton Ave., the award-winning Metro Transit Center and Cincinnati’s West Side in the distance. Please contact NEST directly if you’re interested in leasing one of these spaces!
Rachel Hastings said of the event that “NEST was happy to partner with the NBA and NCC to cohost a tour of Northside for City of Cincinnati staff. We had amazing turnout and got to have one-on-one conversations with lots of folks who are helping Northside become a little brighter, a little more vibrant, a little more inclusive everyday.” Thanks to everyone who coordinated this event behind the scenes, and to everyone who braved the heat and humidity for a tour of our business district (followed by lunch at neighborhood favorite, Melt Revival)!