CINCINNATI (Hamilton County) ' The Hamilton County Commission approved sale agreements for two properties on Aug. 14 that the administration said will help cover acquisition and remediation costs for the county's central campus project in Bond Hill. Commissioners also discussed a community objection raised after the announcement that a nearby street may be renamed.

The administration presented two purchase‑sale agreements: 250 William Howard Taft for $3,200,000 and 1520 Madison Road for $1,575,000, both to Gaslight Ventures, according to county staff. County officials said proceeds from those dispositions will help finance the county's purchase and renovation of the central campus and that proceeds for the Madison Road parcel will return to the county's Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) levy as planned.

Why it matters: The sales are part of the county's broader plan to acquire and renovate a Bond Hill campus for county services. Disposal of surplus property is a common method to fund acquisitions and remediation; the decisions also affect local housing and land use because the county said the properties are expected to be converted to residential use by the buyer.

Community consultation issue
After the approvals, Commissioner Alicia Reese said she had received an email and a phone call from Jackie Edmerson, president of the Bond Hill Community Council, saying the council had not been consulted about a proposed renaming of a street in connection with the new facility. Commissioner Reese asked the administration to contact the Bond Hill group to clarify whether the community supported the street‑naming and to avoid issuing joint statements until the council's position was clear.

County Administrator Jeff Alito responded that county staff had discussed naming and other community collaboration in earlier conversations but apologized for the oversight and said staff would follow up with the Bond Hill council to address concerns. Commissioner Stephanie Summerall Dumas said she had understood the community was on board and expressed surprise at the message from the council; Commissioner Driehaus said the county should identify additional opportunities for Bond Hill to use the new building as community space.

Formal actions
The dispositions appeared as part of the byleave items (items 3 and 4) and were approved by the board as part of a motion that passed unanimously.

Clarifying details reported at the meeting
- Sale amounts: $3,200,000 for 250 William Howard Taft; $1,575,000 for 1520 Madison Road.
- Buyer: Gaslight Ventures (transcript reference); county staff said Uptown Properties was identified to convert or redevelop properties to residential use in related comments.

Ending: Administration committed to follow up with the Bond Hill Community Council to clarify the process and next steps on any proposed street renaming or other community recognitions tied to the central campus acquisition.