Axios Cincinnati
October 09, 2026
1 big thing: 🏗️ Lower Price Hill revival continues
Money is finally flowing into — and all around — the Lower Price Hill neighborhood for housing projects and new businesses.
Why it matters: After surviving decades of disinvestment, local leaders are focused on building lasting economic opportunity.
State of play: Roughly $76 million has been invested in major Lower Price Hill projects since 2012, according to Community Matters — a significant shift for the small neighborhood along the Mill Creek.
- Lower Price Hill had just 1,070 residents in the 2020 census, down 12% from 2010.
- Its estimated median household income was just under $16,000 in 2016-2020 census data.
By the numbers: That $76 million includes $25 million invested in Nehemiah Manufacturing, $21 million for Oyler School's renovation, $15 million for the LPH Thrives housing project and $12 million for Community Matters' redevelopment of the historic St. Michael campus.
- Another $3 million went into State Avenue Lofts.
- Habitat for Humanity has completed 10 homes — five restored and five newly built.
Zoom in: The change is increasingly visible at street level, Community Matters executive director Mary Delaney tells Axios, pointing to new businesses including Ful Café and The Frank.
Yes, but: Growth can also bring higher costs.
- Delaney says the next phase must focus on expanding homeownership, supporting resident-owned businesses and creating businesses that meet everyday needs.
The last word: "Our neighbors are passionate and caring, and they show up for each other," Delaney says. "There's nowhere else quite like it."
2. 📸 Vintage find
3. 🏃 Cincy native takes on Ironman
A Hyde Park native hopes to win one of the world's most grueling sporting events this weekend — before returning to Columbus to finish becoming a doctor.
Why it matters: Matthew Marquardt is seeking to become the first American man since 2002 to win the Ironman World Championship, being held Saturday in Kona, Hawai'i.
The intrigue: The 28-year-old isn't just a professional Ironman athlete.
- Marquardt is also third-year medical student and cancer researcher at Ohio State who's planning his post-doctoral residency.
What they're saying: It's a lot to juggle at once, Marquardt finds balance in having two passions that "can be kind of all-consuming."
- "It's given me greater purpose in what I do with triathlon, where my goal is to be the best athlete possible, but also to inspire others."
How it works: An Ironman race is a version of a triathlon — an outrageous version.
- A full-distance Ironman triathlon is a 140.6-mile race with a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full 26.2-mile marathon.
Flashback: Marquardt's path to Ironman was a winding one.
- He was a state champion swimmer at Seven Hills High School before qualifying for Olympic trials and swimming at Princeton.
- When his senior season was canceled because of COVID, "for the first time in my life, winter break was free and I could do pretty much whatever I wanted."
He filled that time with a cross-country bike ride from San Diego to Jacksonville in 20 days, averaging over 100 miles daily and raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
- Afterward, he signed up for his first Ironman with the intention of doing just one to stay in shape.
Six years later, Marquardt has become a legitimate contender.
- Triathlete Magazine counts him among the dark horses at the World Championships.
4. Roebling Report: Traffic cones galore
5. 🗓️ Weekender: What's on deck around town
6. 📸 1 group photo to go: Nice to meet ya!
Axios Cincinnati
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