Hyde Park project latest test to see if Mark Twain was right about Cincinnati

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18-04-2025

The quote about Cincinnati being "20 years behind the times" is commonly attributed to Mark Twain. No one knows for sure whether the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" author really said it, but it's a funny line nonetheless − until you realize how often it rings true.
For all of our charm and tradition, Cincinnati has a long history of resisting change. We hesitate. We debate. And while we stall, other cities surge ahead. The proposed redevelopment of Hyde Park Square is our latest test. And if we don't start embracing smart, intentional growth, we're going to fail it.
As someone who has spent 13 of the past 14 years living in Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout − and as a lifelong Cincinnatian − I care deeply about the direction of our city. Like many others, I've been watching the conversation around this project with great interest. And I believe it's exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment our neighborhood needs.
More: Where they stand: Cincinnati City Council on controversial Hyde Park Square rezoning
You've likely heard the opposition to the plan. They've made their voices loud and clear. But there's another side to this story − one that's often quieter but no less important. I, and many others like me, believe this project offers an overdue opportunity to breathe new life into the Square.
Because let's be honest: Hyde Park Square is iconic, but it's not thriving. Take a walk around, and the signs are obvious − empty storefronts, quiet evenings, and a general sense that this once-bustling district is coasting on nostalgia more than momentum. Despite living nearby for over a decade, I've rarely chosen the Square for dinner or a night out. Not because I don't want to, but because it simply isn't the kind of destination it should be.
We can't afford to be sentimental at the expense of sustainability. If we want vibrant neighborhoods, we have to support the kind of development that brings in people, energy, and investment. Look no further than our neighbors: Loveland, Milford, Mt. Lookout, Over-the-Rhine, Clifton, Newport, Covington − even Norwood with its Factory 52 project. These places leaned into progress and are better for it. Why shouldn't Hyde Park do the same?
More: Cincinnati council should respect Hyde Park and reject this oversized proposal | Opinion
Opponents of the project aren't rejecting the need for change; they're rejecting how that change is being proposed. And that distinction is important. Because when even the critics acknowledge that Hyde Park Square has lost its spark, it signals a broad consensus: something needs to happen.
So, the question isn't if we act, it's whether we'll let disagreement over details derail momentum altogether.
Of course, the "how" matters. Thoughtful design, traffic considerations, and community input are all critical. But using those concerns as a reason to reject the project outright is short-sighted. It's like refusing to renovate a crumbling home because you can't agree on the paint color. We can − and should − work through the finer points. But we cannot let perfectionism become paralysis.
The longer we wait, the more we risk watching Hyde Park slip further into irrelevance − not because it lacks potential, but because we lacked the courage to pursue it. And let's be clear: If we don't support the Cincinnati-based developers who understand our city, we leave ourselves vulnerable to out-of-town investors who don't have to live with the consequences of their decisions. That rarely ends well.
More: Sharing Hyde Park with more neighbors won't destroy its charm. It'll enhance it | Opinion
This isn't just about one corner of Cincinnati. It's about how we see ourselves as a city. Are we a place that's willing to evolve, to grow, to invest in the future? Or are we content to live in the shadow of what used to be? The redevelopment of Hyde Park Square is more than a building project − it's a chance to show that Cincinnati can still lead, still adapt, still move forward.
I hope we rise to meet the moment.
Kevin Zilch lives in Hyde Park.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: If Cincinnati loves Hyde Park Square, then let it grow | Opinion