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3CDC presents Findlay community center plan; council advances related ordinances
Summary
3CDC outlined a roughly $47 million plan for a new Findlay community center and an adjacent relocation of Crossroad Health Center; the Finance Committee put related bond and street‑vacation ordinances up for passage and advanced a $1.5 million TIF transfer to support property acquisition.
Katie Westbrook, senior vice president of development at 3CDC, presented a multi‑phase plan for North of Liberty that would build a new community center at Findlay Playground, relocate Crossroad Health Center into renovated space at the existing Over‑the‑Rhine (OTR) rec center, and later renovate Grant Park and pursue adjacent private development.
The proposed phase 1 budget is roughly $47 million and would yield a 60,000‑square‑foot community and recreation facility, an 8,000‑square‑foot licensed early‑learning child care center, a new indoor pool, a roller rink and multipurpose spaces. Westbrook said 3CDC expects to close financing in April and begin construction May 1. The city would remain the owner of the real estate; 3CDC will oversee development and present RFPs for a childcare operator and a building manager.
Why it matters: The project is part of a larger $100 million set of public and private improvements in the North of Liberty area that 3CDC says reflect more than 100 community engagement events and input from nearly 900 residents. Council members said they view the new community center as a major, city‑wide amenity rather than a neighborhood‑only rec center.
Financing and timing: The capital stack includes new markets tax credits, HUD and state grants, $10 million in private fundraising the presenter said 3CDC is pursuing, and a significant city contribution: the presentation cited $24.5 million the city is being asked to provide in addition to $1.5 million already preapproved. Crossroad’s relocation and associated parking (about 110 new spaces) are estimated to cost about $15.6 million in the phase presented.
Council action: The Finance Committee voted to place items 8 through 11 (bonding ordinances and street vacations related to this project) on for passage. The committee also advanced a related by‑leave ordinance (item 21) to transfer and appropriate $1.5 million of Downtown OTR West TIF funds to OTR Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of 3CDC, to support acquisition of 1506 and 1518 Vine Street for eventual redevelopment. Director Alder explained the city typically finances large public‑private facilities with bonding and that financing parameters in the ordinance are set conservatively; administration said notes or issuance timing could vary based on market rates.
Additional details: Westbrook described plans for Findlay Flats, an adjacent private renovation to create 45 housing units; she said the Findlay community center will include a separate entrance for the early‑learning facility and that revenue from the new parking around Crossroad Health Center will support community center operations.
Ending: Council members expressed broad support and described the facility as an investment that will serve all of Cincinnati. Officials said final financing documents and real‑estate ordinances would be presented to council for formal approval in the coming weeks.
