Redevelopment commission weighs $17,500 request for water study to test feasibility of housing expansion in eastern Greene County

Staff and local partners asked the Greene County Redevelopment Commission to fund a portion of a water study aimed at evaluating how to expand water service to eastern parts of the county to support housing development.

Rianne (last name not specified in transcript), speaking for the county development/housing committee, said Westler Engineering estimated $25,000 to complete a hydraulic analysis and water system model for Eastern Greene County, specifically the Cincinnati-area portion of the county. Rianne said Kristen and the Harnham organization offered $7,500 toward the $25,000 estimate and requested $17,500 from the redevelopment commission.

Commissioners and staff raised questions about geographic scope and technical details. Commissioner Scott noted a past cost estimate of $8–10 million to run an 8-inch water line; others asked whether Eastern Heights Utilities would share costs. Staff said Eastern Heights had provided inconsistent information about existing line sizes in the area (reports ranged between 2- and 4-inch lines) and that the local water table is shallow in places, making new supply expensive.

Commissioners did not vote on the funding request at the meeting. Several commissioners asked staff to confirm the exact geographic area the study would cover (the request initially cited the Cincinnati area) and to provide a clearer scope and deliverables before the commission considers committing funds. Staff agreed to follow up with Westler Engineering and return with a defined geographic scope and any budget adjustments.

No formal motion or expenditure was recorded at the meeting; the request was tabled pending additional details.