Consultants pitch road diet, bump-outs and a branded 'Hive' activation as part of Mount Healthy Uptown revitalization
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Summary
Human Nature and Yard & Company presented a multi-phase streetscape and redevelopment plan for Mount Healthy's Hamilton Avenue/Uptown corridor that includes a road diet, bump-outs, raised pedestrian crossings, a potential BRT stop near the library, short-term activations called 'the Hive,' and a conceptual 5–7 year buildout with about 23 apartments, five townhomes and 15,000 sq. ft. of retail.
Mount Healthy councilors heard two consultant teams present a multi-year vision to reshape Hamilton Avenue and the Uptown business district, combining streetscape changes and activation strategies with longer-term redevelopment of city-controlled properties.
Human Nature framed broad corridor themes — bump-outs, increased street trees, historical-style furnishings, paver accents, alley activation and links between scattered green spaces — and said the corridor is on Metro’s radar for future Bus Rapid Transit. The team recommended testing a road diet to reduce vehicle lane widths and expand sidewalks and pedestrian amenities on both sides of the street.
Yard & Company laid out design details and a phased implementation approach, starting with short-term activations and low-cost interventions and moving toward permanent streetscape and redevelopment. Yard suggested early actions such as painted bump-outs, temporary retail sheds and a branded activation called "the Hive" to generate foot traffic. "We were brought in to do something real... and we got very excited about it," Kevin Wright of Yard said, describing the firm's role.
Consultants also presented a conceptual development scenario for city-owned sites in the Uptown district that would preserve historic buildings while adding housing and retail. Yard cited a scheme that includes roughly 23 new apartments, five new townhomes and about 15,000 square feet of retail; the team said those figures are conceptual and part of an illustrative implementation plan.
Councilors and presenters discussed parking implications for existing businesses such as Angelo's and Goodies. Consultants said the design seeks to preserve parking and that short-term accommodations — including designated carryout spaces or wayfinding to nearby lots — could address merchant needs. City staff emphasized the need for a district-wide parking strategy as activation progresses.
City staff noted seed funding already committed for streetscape work: "We actually already have $95,000 approved to the county for streetscape improvements," a staff member said. Consultants emphasized next steps would include detailed engineering, coordination with ODOT and Metro for right-of-way and transit integration, and further public engagement on design choices.
The presentations concluded with an invitation for council and the public to review the consultants’ slides and provide feedback; consultants recommended early, visible activations next spring and a phased implementation that balances quick wins with longer-term redevelopment and financing work.
