Council member Nolan introduced a proposal to establish a community investment subcommittee under the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee to convene stakeholders and coordinate resources for focused neighborhood development.

Nolan said the subcommittee "is intended to convene stakeholders, for a conversation about a particular part of town in which we hope to promote additional and much needed development," and described an initial emphasis on Bond Hill, Roselawn and the Redding Road corridor where city and port-owned parcels and budget allocations already exist.

Why it matters: Nolan and other council members argued that focused, coordinated efforts can move long-vacant parcels toward development while giving community partners a public forum to ask questions and hear from developers, the port, county and city agencies. Nolan listed prospective participants he has already engaged: the Bond Hill Community Council, a new community development corporation, the port, the county, the Department of Community and Economic Development, Community Economic Advancement Initiatives (CEAI), Cincinnati Development Fund (CDF), Community Action Agency, New Path, Corinthian Baptist Church and Allen Temple.

Discussion and constraints: Nolan emphasized the subcommittee was meant to gather information and not to make final decisions: "There early on is no intention to make final decisions at this subcommittee. It's an opportunity for our community members to share their wants and needs and desires for their community." Vice Mayor Kearney and Council members voiced support for convening stakeholders and noted the process could help align existing funds and partners in neighborhoods such as Bond Hill, the West End and Pleasant Ridge.

Committee action and next steps: Chair Mark Jeffries placed the item for passage "without objection," moving the proposal forward in the committee process. Council members who spoke during the discussion expressed willingness to participate; the vice mayor indicated she would serve as vice chair for the subcommittee. Specific membership, schedule, scope and deliverables were not established during the meeting and will be defined in subsequent committee work.

The subcommittee is intended as a public, recorded forum for coordinated planning; any requests for city funding or formal allocation would require separate committee and council actions.