A $47 million investment in Over-the-Rhine’s community hit a visible milestone this week, as the Findlay Community Hub reached its “topping out” — the point when the building’s final structural beam is put in place.
For a project years in the making, the moment signals that a neighborhood-informed vision for recreation, childcare and gathering space is beginning to take physical shape near Findlay Market. The 18-month project, led by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) on behalf of the City of Cincinnati, is working to transform an underused park into a 60,000-square-foot community space designed to serve residents of all ages.
Skanska, a global construction and development firm with a U.S. presence, is serving as construction manager, overseeing the build in coordination with project partners. The company expects to complete the project by late 2026.
“Reaching the topping out milestone is an important moment for this project and for the community it will serve,” said Chris Hopper, executive vice president and general manager for Skanska’s Ohio office. “This building reflects what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared vision.”
Built by community input
That broader effort began in late 2020, when the City of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission asked 3CDC to lead the redevelopment of four recreation sites in OTR: Findlay Playground, Grant Park, the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center and the Elm Street pocket park.
Formal planning began in 2021 and has included extensive outreach to neighborhood residents, a process that shaped nearly every aspect of the building’s design, according to 3CDC. To date, nearly 900 community members have participated through more than 100 engagement events and multiple surveys, helping define what amenities and services the space should include.
That feedback led to a mix of offerings at the Hub, aimed at filling gaps in the neighborhood: an 8,400-square-foot early learning center serving children from 6 weeks through preschool, along with recreation and wellness amenities that are often difficult to access in dense urban neighborhoods.
When complete, the multistory facility will have a gym, indoor pool, roller rink, walking and running track, fitness areas and multi-purpose rooms for programming and events. Outdoor features include a play area as well as seating and gathering space.
Additional details are available on the project website.
“We look forward to the day when the doors of the new Findlay Community Hub open and welcome everyone in the community to gather, play and celebrate,” said Katie Westbrook, 3CDC’s executive VP of development.
A broader neighborhood investment
The Findlay Community Hub is part of a larger effort to strengthen community-based resources in OTR.
Alongside the construction project, the existing OTR Recreation Center is being redeveloped into an expanded home for Crossroad Health Center, a federally qualified health center currently located nearby. Together, the projects are expected to increase access to both wellness and healthcare services in the neighborhood.
“The collaborative approach and attention to community priorities have been instrumental in moving this project forward,” Westbrook said.
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