Santa Maria Community Services held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning on Considine Avenue, marking the start of a $16 million, 26,000‑square‑foot community hub in East Price Hill. The new building will bring all of the nonprofit’s programs under one roof, making it easier for the more than 3,000 people who seek assistance each year.
What the Hub Will Offer
The state‑of‑the‑art facility will feature interactive spaces for young children, a computer lab for job searches and schoolwork, and a market‑style walk‑through food pantry. Additional amenities include a clothing closet with laundry facilities, a walking trail, and shared space for partner organizations to provide on‑site services.
Why Consolidation Matters
“For decades, we’ve added buildings here and there as we grew, so our services have been scattered across the greater Price Hill area,” said H.A. Musser Jr., president and CEO of Santa Maria Community Services. “Now, with our One Building, Thriving Families capital campaign, we’re building a new, efficient and accessible space designed with families in mind: a home as strong as the families we serve.”
Santa Maria was founded in 1897 by the Sisters of Charity to support Cincinnati’s early Italian immigrant community. The organization moved to East Price Hill more than 50 years ago and now serves the three Price Hill neighborhoods, many of which face deep economic hardship.
Addressing Poverty and Safety Concerns
According to the most recent U.S. census, nearly 25 percent of families in East Price Hill, 30 percent in West Price Hill, and more than half in Lower Price Hill live below the poverty line. The area has also struggled with gun violence, including two teenage shootings this month that claimed the life of a 14‑year‑old.
By consolidating its operations, Santa Maria aims to reduce overhead costs tied to aging, leaky buildings that are 75‑125 years old. Musser noted, “They have leaky roofs and leaky basements, and we have scattered sites. Those old structures were built for residential use, not for the office and service functions we need today.”
Community Impact and Future Outlook
The new hub is expected to serve as a stable, modern anchor for families seeking health, job placement, and youth services—provided free of charge to anyone who walks through the doors. It will also continue to support Price Hill’s growing immigrant community.
“We just see bright hopes for Price Hill and for the families here,” Musser said. “That’s part of what we hope to do is give people options for their lives and for their kids to be able to continue to improve.”
The project has been fully funded by donations, and the groundbreaking ceremony began at 10 a.m. on Considine Avenue. Construction is slated to begin immediately, with completion expected in late 2027.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
