"Visions of Vine Street" - WCPO Investigative Documentary

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• published: 01 Apr 2011
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In April 2001, the Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood of Cincinnati exploded in riots. In the days following, Cincinnati's Channel 9, WCPO-TV General Manager Bill Fee and News Director Bob Morford sent WCPO-TV's I-Team to investigate this area's problems. The team paid special attention to those who owned the many abandoned buildings along the district's main thoroughfare, Vine Street. Investigative Reporter Laure Quinlivan and her team assembled so much material that what was to be a series of short segments for the late news became instead a one-hour documentary, aired commercial free in prime time. During four months of research Quinlivan and Videographer Rob Griola toured the once-grand neighborhood and interviewed all of its major players—business owners, city officials, nonprofit organization leaders and owners who have abandoned their buildings. They assessed the issues and opportunities facing Over-the-Rhine. The I-Team took an active role and developed and outlined solutions to the Vine Street blight. Their proposals included a housing court, low interest homeowner loans, city-funded street improvements, more police presence, a workable master plan for revival and a neighborhood "pride center" to house all police and social service activities for the area. The I-Team's hard-hitting, intricately woven report and blueprint for improvement captured the attention of citizens and city leaders alike and brought results. This model investigative documentary from a local television news organization informed its citizens and contributed to improved life in its community. As a result, Visions of Vine Street brings a Peabody Award to reporter Laure Quinlivan and WCPO's I-Team, their second award in three years. EVENTS April 2001 Riots Cincinnati, Ohio in 2001 LOCATIONS Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine Main Street in Over-the-Rhine Historic Over-the-Rhine Washington Square Park, Music Hall, Grammers, Smitty's, Tucker's Restaurant, Suder's Art Supply Roh's Hardware, Ensemble Theatre Over-the-Rhine Housing; Loft, Housing, Apartments Findlay Market - One of the oldest open air markets in America Kroger Company University of Cincinnati -Urban renewal Clifton Heights The Banks Downtown, Cincinnati Columbus, Ohio Neighborhood 'Pride Center' MAJOR PLAYERS Cincinnati Politicians: City Council Jim Tarbell Charlie Luken Steve Driehaus Reverend Aaron Greanlea Alicia Reece Pat DeWine John Cranley Buddy Gray, Homeless Advocate ReStoc non-profit Laure Quinlivan Carol Williams Tom Denhart D. Lynn Meyers