CINCINNATI, Ohio — Few Ohio neighborhoods have changed as quickly or dramatically as Cincinnati's Over the Rhine neighborhood.

The once crime-ridden area is now the city's economic hub, but the changes brought their own controversy. Many accuse redevelopment efforts of speeding up gentrification and pushing out long-time locals.

Instead of making the neighborhood attractive for newcomers, groups like ArtWorks and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful are working to brighten things up for the people who already call the area home.

Claire Bryson is one of three artists with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful partnering with ArtWorks to finish up a series of murals in the Over the Rhine neighborhood.

The area is no stranger to art projects. On a walk through the popular shopping districts, you'll probably see at least half a dozen murals, but the "New Lines" murals are a little more tucked away in alleys in residential areas.

"They're kind of reclaiming the alleys and making them enjoyable for the residents," Bryson said.

The murals are designed by local artists, all women, and for most of the summer, paid youth apprentices were part of the crew. New the teaching artists are finishing up the final touches.

The goal is to add a little color to blighted areas and encourage the people who live there to take pride in their streets.

"You don't build community by making walls and barriers," Bryson said. "You build community by making something that people can go see and enjoy."

The murals are one of many changes the neighborhood has seen over the past 10 years.

In 2009, the area was considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country. Now, after millions of dollars of redevelopment, things look very different, though parts of the neighborhood still see elevated rates of violent crime.

Bryson has seen this change take place in real time. She's lived in the neighborhood, blocks away from many of her mural projects for the past decade.

"It's special 'cause I've seen this work really impact the community and that includes me," she said.

For the duration of the mural project, it's where Bryson is working as well. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful has a temporary studio space just blocks from her home.

They used to have a full-time studio until a few years ago. When the neighborhood's needs changed and rent went, the studio moved to the West End.

"It’s now a boozy ice cream parlor," Bryson said.

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful projects are also a part of the revitalization efforts, but Bryson said they're strategic about where they put their paint and what kinds of changes they hope to make.

They want to make sure their art isn't just making something beautiful for the neighborhood but for all their neighbors.

The mural project is expected to be complete by Sept. 4.