BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BELLEVUE -- About a decade ago, this small river city was a place many people weren't too proud to call home. The future of the city, marred BY vacant lots, unkempt yards, a growing unemployment rate and more than 150 houses up for sale, looked grim.

"It was going downhill," said 17-year resident JoAnn Messer, owner of JoAnn's Hairstyling and Tanning on Fairfield Avenue. "When I first got my shop down here, I was wondering about it." But today the city is on the rebound.

Property owners are now required to maintain the sidewalks in front of their property. And if weeds or grass stand higher than 10 inches, the city's blight inspector may visit.

In yet another effort to help revive the city, officials hope that a new code enforcement board -- which has the authority to issue civil citations and uphold or increase fines levied BY one of two code enforcement officers -- will speed the cleanup of weed-filled lots and correct other blights.

The biggest impact of all, however, has been the more than $40 million that has been pumped into this once-struggling community, partly via tax credits, grants and low-interest loans. As a result, more than 400 jobs have been created over the past 10 years.

The incentive packages helped attract investment and residents, and encouraged homeowners, landlords and business owners to renovate existing structures in this mostly working-class community. "We've got a lot to be proud of in the last 10 years. . . . We've turned this town around," said 12-year Mayor Tom Wiethorn, whose grandfather Clem Wiethorn served as mayor from 1926-34. "Before '86, we had a perception that nobody was in charge of the city building."

These days, the mayor can often be found strolling around the city building. Ask him about the city's history, and he's more than willing to explain.

During a recent tour, the mayor ducked in and out of stores, banks, restaurants, parks and senior facilities. He held off-the-cuff conversations with nearly everyone he met.

A stop at one business found a resident who wanted to meet the mayor. He was happy to oblige. But the fact that the woman had never met the mayor is rare. It seems as if he knows everyone in town -- and vice versa.

"A real challenge'

When discussing how far along the city has come, residents aren't shy about heaping credit upon the mayor, city officials and personnel.

"Tom (Wiethorn) saved this town," said Mary Weller, co-owner of The Weller Haus, a bed and breakfast listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But restoring community spirit, revitalizing downtown and establishing a historic district haven't been easy. The city faced an $800,000 to $1 million deficit when Mr. Wiethorn took office in 1986.

"It was a real challenge to develop a quality level of service under the gun," said Mr. Wiethorn, a fourth-generation resident. Asked why he sought the city's top post when others were fleeing the city in large numbers, Mr. Wiethorn had a simple answer; He saw something others didn't -- untapped potential.

Part of that untapped potential is the city's riverfront. Work has begun on Riverfront Park, expected to be complete BY spring 1999. When finished, it will include basketball and volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, bicycle trails, shelters and lockers, play equipment and a picnic area. The park was funded BY a $420,000 federal grant.

"This whole park has been such a struggle. It's been a personal project of mine," the mayor said.

Bellevue's struggles and successes haven't gone unnoticed. "I think that Bellevue has done an exceptional job of really carving out its niche. What it reminds me of is what we're trying to capture with some of our programs," said Sylvia Lovely, executive director of the Kentucky League of Cities, who toured the city several years ago. "It really stands out as a community in the state."

A storied past

But as much as the city has become known for its revitalization efforts, it is equally talked about for its past.

Bellevue's history dates to March 15, 1870, when then Gov. John White Stevenson of Covington signed legislation.

Nestled between Newport, Fort Thomas and Dayton, this town of about 7,000 was once revered as one of the leading music centers of the area. The city was once home to the Balke Opera House, Foster's School of Music and the Kentucky Academy of Music.

Now, when asked to pick one unique thing about Bellevue, most people will mention the old houses.

Preserving history

Looking at houses in the city that were built in the 1800s and that have retained the integrity of the original sites, it's like taking a walk into the past.

It's not unusual to spot houses with myriad architectural styles, detailed woodwork and landscaping, and notable artistic designs. Led BY the mayor, more than $8 million has been invested in Bellevue's historic district since 1988. Bordered BY Center Street, the Ohio River, O'Fallon and Patchen avenues, the historic district is one of the largest in Northern Kentucky.

About half of the city's structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But the type of available housing -- or lack thereof -- is what led Jack Schneider, 43, and his family to move to Cold Spring six years ago.