The Hyde Park Neighborhood Council is organizing an all-day community event on Sept. 12, at Hyde Park Square to drive customers back to businesses still recovering from devastating flash floods in July.
Called "Flood the Square with Love," the event is a collaboration between the HPNC Events Committee and the Hyde Park Square Business Association, according to the council's August meeting packet.
The Sept. 12 event comes less than two months after storms on July 17 and July 21 swamped Hyde Park Square businesses. Neko Sushi, Zip's Cafe, the Crystalary, VV The Italian Experience, Deeper Roots Coffee and Quince & Quinn were among those flooded or forced to close for cleanup, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Poeme owner Kristen Folzenlogen, who has operated her shop in Hyde Park Square for 25 years, estimated dozens of nearby businesses and homes were damaged.
"The city is the only one who can fix (the situation)," Folzenlogen told Axios Cincinnati on July 21. "We can't problem-solve this for them."
The HPNC's flood response has moved quickly since then. The council sent a damage survey to residents and businesses on July 23, and the city activated a relief hotline — (513) 323-7995, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — through Greater Cincinnati Water Works on July 30.
Upcoming community events
- Saturday, Sept. 12 — Flood the Square with Love, all day, Hyde Park Square
- Saturday, Oct. 24 — Halloween on the Square, with spooky storytime at Hyde Park Library at 10:30 a.m. and trick-or-treating at Hyde Park Square businesses
- Saturday, Nov. 21 — Fountain Lighting at Kilgour Fountain, Hyde Park Square
