What's your perception of Uptown?

Uptowners generally have positive opinions of Uptown, describing it as being diverse, urban, convenient, international, professional, and improving.

2006 Olivetree™ Research

Clifton Heights/University Heights/Fairview (CUF) Resident

No challenge is too big for CUF president Maureen

France. 

“It’s about taking notice and wanting to make a difference,” said Maureen France, long-time resident of Fairview. France, who is vice president of the CUF Community Council, teaches photography at the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She has been actively involved in the improvement of her neighborhood for nearly two decades. 

France tackled her first project around 18 years ago when she took it upon herself to save the historic Brighton Overpass. “The overpass was slated for demolition,” explained France. “So I sat on the overpass day after day and did car and pedestrian counts. I wanted to be able to prove the need of the overpass, especially for children walking to school in the West End.” Her hard work paid off.  The City of Cincinnati found money in its infrastructure fund and renovated the beautiful, historic bridge, which has since won notable historic preservation awards. 

Her next challenge focused on tackling neighborhood blight. France identified three long-vacant, single-family houses on McMicken Avenue that had been a neighborhood hazard for quite some time. “They were beautiful structures of historic significance and a part of the streetscape that I didn’t want to disappear,” said France. “I contacted the City of Cincinnati and worked with them to have the properties renovated.” France was even instrumental in finding new owners for the renovated homes. Since then, several other buildings in the neighborhood have been renovated.