The Cincinnati City Council Healthy Neighborhoods Committee on Aug. — voted without objection to forward a proposal to reallocate $250,000 from an existing capital carryover to a Grow Avondale business initiative, and also moved an honorary street‑naming recognizing Patricia Milton.

Why the money and who will run it

Vice Mayor introduced the motion to reallocate $250,000 to a public‑private Grow Avondale program developed with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), the Urban League and the Avondale Development Corporation. The fund is intended for three purposes described to the committee: small grants to existing Avondale Town Center businesses, technical assistance, and a pitch contest and support for new businesses moving into the town center.

Vice Mayor said the grants would range from $5,000 to $15,000 and that LISC and the Urban League would administer the program; she said private financial institutions had expressed interest in contributing additional funds. “LISC and the Urban League will actually manage the fund,” the vice mayor said.

What the committee agreed and next steps

Council Member Anna Albee and Council Member Scotty Johnson questioned how funds would reach businesses and requested clarity on whether the CDC (community development corporation) or outside nonprofits would administer grants. The vice mayor said they would confirm the administrative mechanism with the city manager’s office before the full council vote and that the motion would move to the council agenda for final passage the following day.

Honorary street naming

The committee also advanced an ordinance to give an honorary secondary name of Patricia Milton Way to Golson Avenue at Redding Road, recognizing Patricia Milton’s volunteer work and leadership in Avondale, including work connected to a HUD Choice Neighborhood grant that “provided $29,500,000 in investments to the Reading Road corridor,” the vice mayor said. Sandra Jones Mitchell, Avondale Community Council president, spoke in support of the naming and called it “an honor.”

Outcome

Both items were moved from committee to the council agenda for formal consideration; the vice mayor moved the Grow Avondale funding item ‘‘for passage tomorrow’’ without objection. The committee asked the administration to provide implementation details, including the fund‑management structure and any reporting or accountability measures, before the council’s final vote.

Ending

Committee members said they would follow up with the city manager’s office to confirm fund administration and to set a date for the street‑naming ceremony; both items proceeded to the council for final action.